WO2016189645A1

WO2016189645A1 - State display device, controller, state display method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2016189645A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/065017
Authority: WO
Inventors: 聡司峯澤; 大介飯澤; 憲史郎北村; 一郎丸山
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2015-05-26
Filing date: 2015-05-26
Publication date: 2016-12-01
Also published as: JP6419328B2; JPWO2016189645A1

Abstract

In the present invention, an apparatus state acquisition unit (131) acquires information pertaining to the state of each household electrical appliance. A planar image generation unit (141) generates a layout image in which icons indicating each of the household electrical appliances are two-dimensionally arranged, and the display mode of each of the icons is changed in accordance with the information acquired by the apparatus state acquisition unit (131). A linear image generation unit (142) generates an indicator image in which: the two-dimensional arrangement of each of the icons in the layout image is converted into a unidimensional arrangement; each of the icons is replaced with a line-segment image, each of the line-segment images then being connected with one another; and the display mode of each of the line-segment images is changed in accordance with the information acquired by the apparatus state acquisition unit (131). An image generation unit (14) causes one of the layout image and the indicator image to be displayed on a terminal device.

Description

Status display device, controller, status display method, and program

The present invention relates to a state display device, a controller, a state display method, and a program for displaying the state of an object.

In recent years, home systems (home network systems) in which various electrical devices are connected according to a predetermined communication standard have become widespread in ordinary homes. In this home system, for example, it functions as a status display device that displays the status of home appliances such as an air conditioner, a lighting device, a rice cooker, an IH cooker, and a dehumidifier.

As a prior art related to such a status display device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a status display device that displays the configuration of a device and its information with symbols.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-120031

In the above-described status display device of Patent Document 1, the display content increases, and thus a wide display space is required. For this reason, when displaying other information, it is necessary to switch and display the screen.

However, if the display is switched to another screen, the state of the device is not displayed at all, so that it is very troublesome for the user to check while returning to the original screen.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a state display device, a controller, a state display method, and a program that can appropriately display the state of an object. Objective.

In order to achieve the above object, a status display device according to the present invention includes:
A state display device that displays the state of a plurality of objects to be displayed on a display unit,
The display unit displays the line segment by changing the display form according to the state of each object assigned to each line segment constituting the straight line image.

According to the present invention, the state of the object can be appropriately displayed.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the whole structure of the home system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a controller. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of floor plan information. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of apparatus information. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an apparatus operation screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an electricity bill prediction screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a progress image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a detailed image. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of household appliances. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the screen generation process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating operation to the indicator image in an electricity bill prediction screen. It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the electricity bill prediction screen on which the detailed image is superimposed. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of another indicator image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of another indicator image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of another indicator image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an amusement park site screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of another indicator image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of another indicator image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a shop site screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of another indicator image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of another indicator image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a blog screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of another indicator image.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following, a case where the present invention is applied to a status display device in a home system will be described as a specific example. However, as will be described later, the present invention can be similarly applied to other systems. That is, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a home system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The home system 1 is a system that manages (monitors and controls) each home appliance 20 while transmitting / receiving necessary data to / from each home appliance 20 with the controller 10 as the center. As shown in the figure, in the home system 1, a controller 10, a plurality of home appliances 20, and a terminal device 30 are arranged in a house H (home). The controller 10, each home appliance 20, and the terminal device 30 are communicably connected via, for example, a home network 90 including a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. In the home system 1 having such a configuration, the controller 10 and the terminal device 30 cooperate to function as the status display device of the present invention.

The controller 10 is a device that controls the entire home system 1. As will be described later, the controller 10 appropriately acquires device information (for example, an operating state, an error occurrence state, temperature, humidity, power consumption, etc.) from each home appliance 20 and stores the home appliance 20 in the terminal device 30. Displays the status of.

An example of the configuration of the controller 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the controller 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the controller 10 includes a communication unit 11, a data storage unit 12, a control unit 13, and an image generation unit 14.

The communication unit 11 is, for example, a communication adapter for connecting to the home network 90, and performs communication with each home appliance 20 and the terminal device 30 via the home network 90 under the control of the control unit 13. For example, the communication unit 11 receives device information sent from each home appliance 20 in response to a request from the controller 10. In addition, the communication unit 11 transmits the screen data generated by the image generation unit 14 (a device operation screen, an electricity bill prediction screen, etc. described later) to the terminal device 30.

The data storage unit 12 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and stores information on each home appliance 20 and various information necessary for generating screen data. Specifically, the data storage unit 12 stores floor plan information 121 as shown in FIG. 3 and device information 122 as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, such information will be described.

The floor plan information 121 shown in FIG. 3 includes information such as a room identification number, a room layout, and a room name. As the floor plan information 121, for example, information created by the user along the floor plan at home by a floor plan editing function (not shown) is stored. Such floor plan information 121 is laid out by the image generation unit 14 (more specifically, a plane image generation unit 141 described later), and layout images described later (icons indicating the home appliances 20 are arranged in a room constituting the floor plan). This is used when an image is generated.

The device information 122 shown in FIG. 4 includes device identification information, device type, layout position, indicator position, operation information, and error occurrence state. Note that the position at the time of layout indicates a position at which an icon indicating the home appliance 20 in a layout image to be described later is arranged. Moreover, the position at the time of an indicator has shown the position where the division which shows the household appliances 20 in the indicator image mentioned later (The image which each area | region which comprises a linear bar is matched with the household appliances 20) is arrange | positioned. .

In addition, the operating state and the error occurrence state indicate the current state of the home appliance 20, and the home appliance 20 may be, for example, at regular intervals by the control unit 13 (more specifically, a crisis state acquisition unit 131 described later). Updated according to the information obtained from. In addition, the device information 122 includes various information (for example, temperature, humidity, etc.) according to the power consumption and the home appliance 20, and similarly, for example, the device information 122 is updated at regular intervals. It has become. Such device information 122 is used when the image generation unit 14 generates a layout image and an indicator image described later.

Returning to FIG. 2, the control unit 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like (none of which are shown), and controls the entire controller 10. Functionally, the control unit 13 includes a device state acquisition unit 131, an operation reception unit 132, and a command unit 133. These functions are realized by the CPU using the RAM as a work memory and appropriately executing various programs (such as a program for screen generation processing described later) stored in the ROM, for example.

The device state acquisition unit 131 acquires information regarding the state of each home appliance 20. In other words, the device state acquisition unit 131 controls the communication unit 11 to access each home appliance 20 at regular time intervals, for example, and information indicating the state of each home appliance 20 (for example, operating state, error occurrence state, temperature) , Humidity, power consumption, etc.). The device state acquisition unit 131 updates the device information 122 shown in FIG. 4 described above according to the acquired information.

The operation accepting unit 132 accepts a user operation on the screen data generated by the screen generating unit 14 (such as a device operation screen or an electricity bill prediction screen described later). That is, after the screen data generated by the screen generation unit 14 is transmitted to the terminal device 30, valid input detection data (for example, input detection data directed to an icon or the like in the screen) is transmitted from the terminal device 30. In the case of a failure, a user operation on the screen is accepted.

The command unit 133 commands the target home appliance 20 through the communication unit 11 for control. For example, the command unit 133 commands the target home appliance 20 to perform control according to the operation received by the operation receiving unit 132.

The image generation unit 14 generates screen data to be provided to the terminal device 30. Specifically, the image generation unit 14 generates screen data constituting a device operation screen P1 as shown in FIG. 5A, an electricity bill prediction screen P2 as shown in FIG. 5B, and the like. The image generation unit 14 generates not only the device operation screen P1 and the electricity rate prediction screen P2 but also screen data of other screens. However, in order to facilitate explanation, the image generation unit 14 generates these screens. Will be described.

2, the image generation unit 14 includes a plane image generation unit 141, a straight line image generation unit 142, a progress image generation unit 143, and a detailed image generation unit 144.

The planar image generation unit 141 generates layout images in which icons indicating the home appliances 20 are arranged in the room constituting the floor plan according to the floor plan information 121 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the device information 122 illustrated in FIG. 4 described above. Generate. Specifically, when generating the device operation screen P1 shown in FIG. 5A described above, the plane image generation unit 141 generates the layout image G1.

In this layout image G1, icons Ic indicating home appliances 20 (more specifically, the type of device) are arranged in each room (living room, kitchen, children's room, and bedroom) constituting the floor plan. . Each icon Ic is displayed in different colors and brightness, for example, depending on the state of the corresponding home appliance 20. That is, it is possible to notify the user of the state of the home appliance 20 by changing the display form of the icon Ic according to the operating state, the error occurrence state, and the like in the device information 122 shown in FIG. Note that the display form of the icon Ic can be changed as appropriate, not only by changing the color and brightness, but also by flashing the display or changing the size.

In addition to this, the planar image generation unit 141 generates various images for notifying the user of necessary information according to the device information 122 shown in FIG. 4 described above. Specifically, when generating the electric machine price prediction screen P2 illustrated in FIG. 5B described above, the planar image generation unit 141 generates the graph image G3. This graph image G3 is an image showing the transition of the electricity charge (guide charge) up to the present and the prediction of the electricity charge (predicted charge) at the end of the month from the history information accumulating the power consumption of each home appliance 20. .

The linear image generation unit 142 generates an indicator image in which each section constituting the linear bar is associated with the home appliance 20 in accordance with the device information 122 shown in FIG. 4 described above. Specifically, when generating the electric machine charge prediction screen P2 shown in FIG. 5B described above, the straight line image generation unit 142 generates the indicator image G2.

The indicator image G2 converts each icon Ic arranged on the plane (two-dimensional) shown in the layout image G1 of FIG. 5A described above into a straight line (one-dimensional) and converts each icon Ic to a line segment figure. It is a straight-line image in which each is replaced by (straight line segment). The method of converting the two-dimensional arrangement into the one-dimensional arrangement is, for example, shearing deformation while maintaining the arrangement in the row direction (horizontal direction) in the two-dimensional arrangement, and the upper row is adjacent to the lower row (for example, To be located on the right). That is, conversion is performed so that the icons Ic on the second floor (children's room and bedroom) are arranged on the right side of the icon Ic on the first floor (living room and kitchen) in the layout image G1. This conversion will be described in more detail in the later-described progress image generation unit 143. Note that the method of converting the two-dimensional arrangement into the one-dimensional arrangement is not limited to such a method, and other methods may be used. For example, the icon Ic on the first floor and the icon Ic on the second floor may be alternately selected and converted into a one-dimensional arrangement.

As described above, each section (line segment) of the indicator image G2 corresponds to the home appliance 20 and is displayed in, for example, different colors and brightness depending on the state of the home appliance 20. That is, the state of the home appliance 20 can be notified to the user by changing the display form of the corresponding section in accordance with the operating state, error occurrence state, and the like in the device information 122 shown in FIG. 4 described above. Note that the display form in each section of the indicator image G2 can be changed as appropriate in addition to changing the color and brightness, as well as blinking the display and changing the size.

It can be said that such an indicator image G2 is an image in which only necessary information is extracted from the layout image G1 and can be arranged in a narrow space. That is, the straight line image generation unit 142 extracts only specific information such as “operation state” (including “position at the time of indicator”) from the device information 122 illustrated in FIG. 4 described above, and generates the indicator image G2. To do. That is, information such as “device type” and “error occurrence state” used when generating the layout image G1 is omitted. Therefore, even when the display is switched from the device operation screen P1 shown in FIG. 5A to the electricity price prediction screen P2 shown in FIG. 5B, the state of the home appliance 20 can still be notified to the user by the indicator image G2. . As described above, the image generation unit 14 can generate not only the device operation screen P1 and the electricity rate prediction screen P2, but also other screens. Even when such other screens are generated, it is possible to always notify the user of the state of the home appliance 20 by including the indicator image G2.

When the display is switched from the device operation screen P1 shown in FIG. 5A to the electricity rate prediction screen P2 shown in FIG. 5B, the progress image generation unit 143 displays a progress image showing a change from the layout image G1 to the indicator image G2. Generate. That is, even if the layout image G1 is suddenly switched to the indicator image G2, it is difficult for the user to understand the correspondence between each icon Ic in the layout image G1 and each section (each line segment) in the indicator image G2. Generates a progress image showing the process of change.

Specifically, the progress image generation unit 143 generates progress images G4 (progress images G41 to G44) as shown in FIG. That is, a progress image G41 obtained by slightly shearing the layout image G1, a further progress image G42 obtained by further shear deformation, a progress image G43 obtained by shearing and deforming the icon Ic to almost one line, and a progress obtained by replacing the icon Ic with a line figure. An image G44 is generated. Note that the number of the progress images G4 is not limited to four, and can be appropriately changed as long as the number is one or more. FIG. 6 shows a progress image G4 in the case of converting into a one-dimensional arrangement by shear deformation while maintaining the alignment in the column direction (horizontal direction) in the two-dimensional arrangement. Therefore, when the two-dimensional arrangement is converted into the one-dimensional arrangement by another method, the progress image generation unit 143 generates the progress image G4 according to the method.

Returning to FIG. 2, the detailed image generation unit 144 selects one of the home appliances 20 (icon, corresponding section, etc.) on the above-described device operation screen P1 shown in FIG. 5A and the electricity rate prediction screen P2 shown in FIG. 5B. When is selected, a detailed image for notifying the details of the home appliance 20 is generated. Specifically, the detailed image generation unit 144 generates a detailed image G5 as shown in FIG. This detailed image G5 is an image for informing the details of the air conditioner installed in the living room as an example, and includes detailed information such as the operating state, the current temperature, and the set temperature of the air conditioner.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the plurality of home appliances 20 are various electrical appliances used in each room in the residence H, and include, for example, an air conditioner, a television, an IH cooker, and a refrigerator. In addition, the kind of household appliances 20 is not restricted to these, You may include an illuminating device, an air cleaner, a ventilation fan, floor heating, etc. in addition to these. Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the home appliance 20 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As shown in the figure, the home appliance 20 includes a communication unit 21, a data storage unit 22, a main function unit 23, and a control unit 24.

The communication unit 21 is, for example, a communication adapter for connecting to the home network 90 and communicates with the controller 10 via the home network 90 under the control of the control unit 24. In addition, you may comprise the communication part 21 with the external communication adapter which can be attached or detached.

The data storage unit 22 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory and stores information indicating the state of the home appliance 20 (for example, operating state, temperature, humidity, power consumption, and the like). The data storage unit 22 also stores programs executed by the control unit 24.

The main function unit 23 has a configuration for realizing the original functions of the home appliance 20 (for example, air conditioning functions such as cooling, heating, and dehumidification for an air conditioner, and freezing and refrigeration functions for a refrigerator). Yes, controlled by the control unit 24.

The control unit 24 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. (all not shown), and controls the entire home appliance 20. Functionally, the control unit 24 includes a data processing unit 241 and a control execution unit 242. These functions are realized by the CPU appropriately executing various programs stored in the ROM or the data storage unit 22 using the RAM as a work memory.

The data processing unit 241 updates the information stored in the data storage unit 22 sequentially from the measurement values obtained by sensors (not shown) of the home appliance 20 and the monitoring results such as the operating state and the setting state. Then, the data processing unit 241 transmits information stored in the data storage unit 22 to the controller 10 in response to a request from the controller 10.

The control execution unit 242 causes the main function unit 23 to execute control based on the command of the command unit 133 described above in the controller 10. That is, the control execution unit 242 causes the main function unit 23 to execute processing according to a command (control signal or the like) issued from the controller 10.

Returning to FIG. 1, the terminal device 30 is a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone, and is used by the user. An example of the configuration of the terminal device 30 will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As illustrated, the terminal device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a display unit 32, an input unit 33, a data storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

The communication unit 31 includes, for example, an interface for wireless LAN connection, and communicates with the controller 10 under the control of the control unit 35.

The display unit 32 includes a liquid crystal panel and displays various screens under the control of the control unit 35. Specifically, as an example, the display unit 32 displays the above-described device operation screen P1 shown in FIG. 5A, the electricity rate prediction screen P2 shown in FIG. 5B, and the like from the screen data sent from the controller 10.

The input unit 33 includes a touch panel, a touch pad, and the like, and performs processing for receiving an operation input from the user. For example, when a touch panel is adopted as the input unit 33, a transparent flat plate capacitive sensor that detects a change in electrostatic capacitance is mounted on the liquid crystal display. When this capacitive sensor detects a touch (press) on the touch surface (for the user, a display screen of a liquid crystal display) with a user's fingertip or a dedicated pen, the position information (coordinate data) is controlled. Is output to the unit 35.

The data storage unit 34 is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The data storage unit 34 temporarily stores screen data generated by the controller 10 and received through the communication unit 31 (such as the above-described device operation screen P1 and electricity rate prediction screen P2). In addition, the data storage unit 34 stores a program executed by the control unit 35.

The control unit 35 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (all not shown), and controls the terminal device 30 as a whole. Functionally, the control unit 35 includes a screen display processing unit 351 and an input detection unit 352. This function is realized by the CPU appropriately executing various programs stored in the ROM or the data storage unit 34 using the RAM as a work memory.

The screen display processing unit 351 displays a screen (such as the above-described device operation screen P1 or the electricity bill prediction screen P2) on the display unit 32 through the communication unit 31 based on the screen data sent from the controller 10.

When the input detection unit 352 receives an operation from the input unit 33 for an item on the screen (for example, an icon or a section) displayed on the display unit 32, the input detection unit 352 generates input detection data and transmits the controller through the communication unit 31. 10 to send.

Hereinafter, the operation of the controller 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the screen generation process according to the embodiment of the present invention. This screen generation process is started in response to an access from the terminal device 30 operated by the user to the controller 10 (for example, a request for a device operation screen). Although omitted in the following description, the screens (screen data) generated by the controller 10 are sequentially transmitted to the terminal device 30 and displayed on the display unit 32 of the terminal device 30.

First, the controller 10 reads the floor plan information and device information from the data storage unit 12 (step S401). That is, the image generation unit 14 reads out the floor plan information 121 illustrated in FIG. 3 described above and the device information 122 illustrated in FIG. 4 described above from the data storage unit 12.

The controller 10 generates a device operation screen including a layout image (step S402). That is, the image generation unit 14 generates the device operation screen P1 shown in FIG. 5A described above. The device operation screen P1 also includes a layout image G1 generated by the planar image generation unit 141.

The controller 10 acquires the current state of each home appliance 20 and updates the device information (step S403). That is, for example, the device state acquisition unit 131 accesses each home appliance 20 at regular time intervals, and information indicating the state of each home appliance 20 (for example, operating state, error occurrence state, temperature, humidity, and power consumption) Etc.). And the apparatus state acquisition part 131 updates the apparatus information 122 shown in FIG. 4 mentioned above according to the acquired information.

The controller 10 updates the icon of the layout image (step S404). That is, the plane image generation unit 141 changes the display form such as the color and brightness of the icon Ic according to the latest operating state and error occurrence state in the device information 122 shown in FIG. The state of the device 20 is notified.

Controller 10 determines whether or not switching to the indicator image has occurred (step S405). For example, in the device operation screen P1 shown in FIG. 5A described above, when the layout image G1 is flicked (moved quickly with a finger) by the user, or a transition to another screen (in this example, the electric machine price prediction screen) is made. When instructed, the controller 10 determines that switching to the indicator image has occurred. Note that switching to the indicator image may occur due to other factors. For example, the display may be switched to the indicator image when a predetermined time elapses without any operation from the display of the device operation screen P1.

If the controller 10 determines that switching to the indicator image has not occurred (step S405; No), the process returns to step S403 described above. That is, the icon Ic (display mode) in the layout image G1 of FIG. 5A described above is updated according to the current state of the home appliance 20 until switching to the indicator image occurs. Therefore, the user can grasp the state of the home appliance 20 from such display of the icon Ic.

On the other hand, when it is determined that switching to the indicator image has occurred (step S405; Yes), the controller 10 generates a progress image (step S406). In other words, the progress image generation unit 143 generates a progress image indicating the progress of changing from the layout image to the indicator image. For example, the progress image generation unit 143 generates the progress image G4 (the progress images G41 to G44) as shown in FIG.

Controller 10 generates an electricity rate prediction screen including an indicator image and a graph image (step S407). That is, the image generation unit 14 generates the electricity rate prediction screen P2 shown in FIG. 5B described above. The electricity price prediction screen P2 includes the indicator image G2 by the straight line image generation unit 142. This indicator image G2 is displayed so as to be replaced with the above-described progress image G44 generated in step S406 described above and shown in FIG. That is, the layout image G1 is displayed so as to be replaced with the indicator image G2 via the progress image G4 (the progress images G41 to G44).

The controller 10 acquires the current state of each home appliance 20 and updates the device information (step S408). That is, for example, the device state acquisition unit 131 accesses each home appliance 20 at regular time intervals, and acquires information from each home appliance 20 (for example, operating state, error occurrence state, temperature, humidity, and power consumption). Etc.), the device information 122 shown in FIG. 4 is updated.

Controller 10 updates the display of the indicator image (step S409). That is, the straight line image generation unit 142 changes the display form such as the color and brightness of each section of the indicator image G2 according to the latest operating state and error occurrence state in the device information 122 shown in FIG. 4 described above. The user is notified of the state of the home appliance 20.

Controller 10 determines whether or not switching to the layout image has occurred (step S410). For example, in the electricity price prediction screen P2 shown in FIG. 5B described above, when the indicator image G2 is pinched out (moved so as to spread between two fingers) by the user, a specific screen (in this example, When the transition to the (device operation screen) is instructed, the controller 10 determines that the switching to the layout image has occurred. The switching to the layout image may be caused by other factors. For example, the layout image may be switched when a predetermined time elapses without any operation from the display of the electricity rate prediction screen P2.

If the controller 10 determines that the switching to the layout image has not occurred (step S410; No), the process returns to step S408 described above. That is, until the switching to the layout image occurs, the display of the indicator image G2 shown in FIG. 5B described above (display mode of each section) is updated according to the current state of the home appliance 20. Therefore, the user can grasp the state of the home appliance 20 from such display of the indicator image G2 (each section and their display form).

On the other hand, when it is determined that switching to the layout image has occurred (step S410; Yes), the controller 10 returns the process to step S401 described above. In addition, when access to the controller 10 is lost from the terminal device 30 (when another application is executed in the terminal device 30 or the power of the terminal device 30 is turned off), the controller 10 performs screen generation processing. Finish.

In such screen generation processing, the above-described device operation screen P1 shown in FIG. 5A and the electricity rate prediction screen P2 shown in FIG. 5B are generated and displayed on the display unit 32 of the terminal device 30. In that case, the user can also display the details of the arbitrary household appliances 20 by operating the layout image G1 and the indicator image G2. The case where the indicator image G2 is operated will be specifically described as an example. As shown in FIG. 11A, the user touches any section (line segment) in the indicator image G2 with a finger. When the operation reception unit 132 of the controller 10 receives this operation, the image generation unit 14 (or the control unit 13) refers to the device information 122 (position at the time of the indicator) shown in FIG. The home appliance 20 is specified. Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, the detailed image generation unit 144 generates a detailed image G5 of the identified home appliance 20 (in this example, a living air conditioner), and displays the detailed image G5 superimposed on the electricity rate prediction screen P2. .

As described above, the controller 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can appropriately display the state of the home appliance 20 not only when the layout image G1 is displayed but also when the indicator image G2 is displayed. In particular, the indicator image G2 is an image in which only necessary information is extracted from the layout image G1 and can be arranged in a narrow space. Therefore, even when the display is switched to another screen such as the electricity rate prediction screen P2, the state of the home appliance 20 can still be notified to the user by the indicator image G2. Further, when the display is switched from the layout image G1 to another screen such as the electricity price prediction screen P2, the progress image G4 (the progress images G41 to G44) is displayed, whereby the icon Ic and the indicator image G2 of the layout image G1 are displayed. The correspondence with each division (each line segment) can be easily grasped. Therefore, the user can appropriately grasp the state of the home appliance 20 from the display of the indicator image G2 (each section and their display form).

As a result, the state of the home appliance 20 can be appropriately displayed.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the case where the image generation unit 14 (planar image generation unit 141) generates a layout image (layout image G1 in FIG. 5A) in which each icon is two-dimensionally described has been described. Alternatively, a three-dimensional layout image may be generated. In that case, the image generation unit 14 (the straight line image generation unit 142 and the progress image generation unit 143) generates an indicator image and a progress image by converting a three-dimensional layout into a one-dimensional layout.

In the above embodiment, the case where the indicator image G2 is generated in order to display the state of the home appliance 20 has been described. However, the target is not limited to the home appliance 20 and is arbitrary. For example, an indicator image may be generated for the weather (meteorological information) or a family schedule.

Specifically, for example, the controller 10 accesses an external information server, acquires meteorological information indicating a change in the weather of the day, and generates an indicator image G6 as shown in FIG. 12A. In this indicator image G6, the weather (sunny, rainy, cloudy, etc.) over time from left to right is displayed by changing the display form of each section.

Further, for example, the controller 10 accesses an external schedule server, acquires schedule information indicating the family's schedule today, and generates an indicator image G7 as shown in FIG. 12B. In this indicator image G7, each section is associated with a family (for example, father, mother, sister, brother, etc.), and the schedule of the family (absence, at home, etc.) is displayed by changing the display form of each section. is doing.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where only one indicator image (indicator image G2) is displayed on the screen (electricity price prediction screen P2) has been described. However, the indicator images of a plurality of documents may be switched and displayed. . That is, when the above-described indicator images G6, G7 and the like are generated in addition to the indicator image G2, the controller 10 sequentially switches and displays the indicator images, for example, according to the user switching operation. Note that the present invention is not limited to such user operations, and indicator images may be sequentially switched and displayed as time elapses.

In the above embodiment, the case where the controller 10 generates a screen including the indicator image G2 and the like has been described. However, the terminal device 30 may generate a screen including the indicator image G2 and the like alone. That is, a necessary configuration is transplanted from the controller 10 to the terminal device 30 (a program or the like is provided). For example, when the terminal device 30 is used on the go, information about various objects is acquired, and a practical indicator image is generated.

Specifically, when the terminal device 30 is used in an amusement park or the like, the terminal device 30 accesses, for example, an information server of the amusement park, acquires information indicating the congestion status of each attraction, and FIG. An indicator image G8 as shown is generated. In this indicator image G8, each section is associated with each attraction (for example, a roller coaster, a ferris wheel, a haunted house, a merry-go-round, etc.). The display form is changed and displayed. For example, the terminal device 30 displays such an indicator image G8 together with an attraction guide image G9 on an amusement park screen (amusement park site) P3 as shown in FIG. 13B. In this case, the user can know the congestion status of each attraction with the indicator image G8 while examining the contents of each attraction in the attraction guidance image G9.

In addition, the terminal device 30 may similarly access an amusement park information server, obtain information indicating the congestion prediction of a specific attraction, and generate an indicator image G10 as shown in FIG. 13C. In this indicator image G10, the congestion state over time from left to right is displayed by changing the display form of each section. Such an indicator image G10 is also displayed together with the attraction guide image G9 on the amusement park screen P3 as described above.

In addition to such amusement parks, discount information (discount rate, high, cheap, etc.) and word-of-mouth information (satisfaction, dissatisfaction, etc.) for sales floors and products when the terminal device 30 is used in stores, etc. ), An indicator image may be generated similarly.

Specifically, when the terminal device 30 is used in a store or the like, the terminal device 30 accesses, for example, an information server of the store and acquires discount information of each section (for example, various types of products). The indicator image G11 as shown in FIG. 14A is generated. In this indicator image G11, each section is associated with each section, and the display form of each section is changed and displayed according to their discount status (value, discount, list price, etc.). The terminal device 30 displays such an indicator image G11 together with the product guide image G12 and the like on a store screen (store site) P4 as shown in FIG. 14B, for example. In this case, the user can know the discount status of each section by using the indicator image G11 while searching for a product to be interested in the product guide image G12.

In addition, the terminal device 30 may similarly access the store information server, acquire word-of-mouth information, and generate an indicator image G13 as shown in FIG. 14C. In this indicator image G13, the display form of each section is changed and displayed according to the word of mouth (normal, satisfied, dissatisfied, etc.) of each section. Such an indicator image G13 is also displayed together with the product guide image G12 and the like on the store screen P4 as described above.

Further, an indicator image may be similarly generated based on update history information and reputation information for a homepage, a blog, or the like browsed by the terminal device 30.

Specifically, when a blog is browsed by the terminal device 30, the terminal device 30 acquires update information of the blog and generates an indicator image G14 as shown in FIG. 15A. In the indicator image G14, the update status according to the date or the like is displayed by changing the display form of each section. The terminal device 30 displays such an indicator image G14 together with a blog image (blog content) G15 on a blog screen P5 as shown in FIG. 15B, for example. In this case, the user can know the update status of the blog from the indicator image G14 while reading the blog using the blog image G15.

In addition to this, when the blog is browsed in the same manner, the terminal device 30 may acquire the evaluation information and generate the indicator image G16 as shown in FIG. 15C. In this indicator image G16, the display form of each section is changed and displayed according to the number of high evaluations (for example, “Like”) for each blog. Such an indicator image G16 is also displayed together with the blog image G15 on the blog screen P5 as described above.

Moreover, although the case where the dedicated controller 10 and the terminal device 30 were used was demonstrated in the said embodiment, the operation program which prescribes | regulates operation | movement of these controllers 10 and the terminal device 30 is applied to the existing personal computer, an information terminal device, etc. Thus, the personal computer or the like can also function as the controller 10 or the terminal device 30 according to the present invention.

Further, such a program distribution method is arbitrary. For example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), a memory card, etc. can be read by a computer. It may be distributed by storing in a recording medium, or distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

The present invention is capable of various embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the broad sense. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be employed in a state display device, a controller, a state display method, and a program that can appropriately display a state.

1 home system, 10 controller, 11, 21, 31 communication unit, 12, 22, 34 data storage unit, 13, 24, 35 control unit, 14 image generation unit, 20 home appliances, 23 main function unit, 30 terminal device, 32 display unit, 33 input unit, 90 home network, 131 device status acquisition unit, 132 operation reception unit, 133 command unit, 141 plane image generation unit, 142 linear image generation unit, 143 progress image generation unit, 144 detailed image generation unit 241 Data processing unit 242 Control execution unit 351 Screen display processing unit 352 Input detection unit

Claims

A state display device that displays the state of a plurality of objects to be displayed on a display unit,
The said display part is a state display apparatus which changes and displays the display form of the said line segment according to the state of each said object allocated to each line segment which comprises a straight line image.
The display unit can display icons arranged in a display space of two or more dimensions according to information on the object,
The display unit extracts specific information from the information on each object, and displays the straight line image.
The status display device according to claim 1.
A plane image generation unit that generates a plane image in which symbols representing the respective objects are two-dimensionally arranged and a display form of each symbol is changed according to a state of each of the objects;
A linear image generation unit that converts the two-dimensional arrangement of the symbols in the planar image into a one-dimensional arrangement and generates the linear image in which the symbols are replaced with the line segments; and
The display unit displays either the planar image or the straight line image according to a predetermined condition.
The status display device according to claim 1.
An operation reception unit for receiving user operations;
A detailed image generation unit that generates a detailed image showing details about the object,
When the operation receiving unit receives an operation on any one of the symbols in the planar image or any of the line segment figures in the straight line image, the detailed image generation unit receives the operated symbol or line Generating the detailed image for the object corresponding to the split graphic;
The display unit displays the detailed image generated by the detailed image generation unit so as to be superimposed on the planar image or the linear image being displayed.
The status display device according to claim 3.
A progress image generating unit that generates one or more progress images representing a process of converting a two-dimensional arrangement of each symbol in the planar image into a one-dimensional arrangement;
The display unit displays one or more progress images generated by the progress image generation unit during the transition from the planar image to the linear image.
The status display device according to claim 3.
Each object consists of each electric device installed in a house,
The planar image generation unit arranges a floor plan of a house in two dimensions, and generates a planar image in which symbols indicating the electrical devices are arranged in each floor plan.
The status display device according to claim 3.
A controller that displays the status of a plurality of objects to be displayed on a terminal,
A controller that provides the terminal with information for changing the display form of the line segment in accordance with the state of each object assigned to each line segment constituting the straight line image.
A status display method for displaying the status of a plurality of objects to be displayed,
A planar image generation step of generating a planar image in which symbols representing the respective objects are two-dimensionally arranged and a display form of each symbol is changed according to a state of each of the objects;
The two-dimensional arrangement of each symbol in the planar image is converted into a one-dimensional arrangement, and each symbol is replaced with a line figure and connected to each other, and each line figure is displayed according to the state of each object. A linear image generation step for generating a linear image with a changed form;
A display control step for displaying either one of the planar image and the straight line image according to a predetermined condition;
A state display method comprising:
A computer that displays the status of multiple objects to be displayed.
A plane image generation unit that two-dimensionally arranges each symbol indicating each object and generates a plane image in which the display form of each symbol is changed according to the state of each object;
The two-dimensional arrangement of each symbol in the planar image is converted into a one-dimensional arrangement, and each symbol is replaced with a line figure and connected to each other, and each line figure is displayed according to the state of each object. A straight line image generation unit for generating a straight line image having a changed form;
A display control unit that displays one of the planar image and the linear image in accordance with a predetermined condition;
Program to function as.