WO2012118056A1

WO2012118056A1 - Network system, method for displaying operation screen, electronic device, and method for controlling electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2012118056A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/054875
Authority: WO
Inventors: 淳子倉持; 美鈴土井; 佳子今城; 陽祐伊賀; 野島　光典; 洋平岩見
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2011-02-28
Filing date: 2012-02-28
Publication date: 2012-09-07
Also published as: JP5897261B2; JP2012182520A

Abstract

Disclosed is a network system capable of effectively using a display of a first electronic device and a display of a second electronic device which have mutually different sizes, and also disclosed is a method for displaying an operation screen. Provided is a network system provided with a first electronic device (200) having a first display (202), and a second electronic device (100). The second electronic device comprises an operation unit, a communication interface for acquiring information relating to a plurality of home electrical appliances, a second display (106) smaller than the first display, and a processor. On the basis of the information relating to the home electrical appliances, the processor functions to display a first operation screen relating to a part of the plurality of home electrical appliances on the second display. Upon receiving a first command through the operation unit, the processor functions to display a second operation screen relating to a larger number of home electrical appliances than those displayed on the second display, on the first display.

Description

Network system, operation screen display method, electronic device, and electronic device control method

The present invention relates to a technology of a network system including a display arranged in a house and a portable terminal. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for displaying an operation screen for operating a plurality of home appliances on a display or a terminal.

Electronic devices for controlling home appliances placed in houses have been proposed. For example, there is a technology in which an electronic device controls an air conditioner, a TV, a curtain opening / closing device, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a microwave oven, a solar cell, etc., and displays the state of those devices on a display. Proposed.

On the other hand, network systems including terminals and televisions are known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-239251 (Patent Document 1) discloses a television operating method. According to Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-239251 (Patent Document 1), another received program screen is displayed on the hand display screen of the hand terminal while the received program screen is displayed on the TV display screen of the TV receiver. In this state, when the user moves the received program screen to the TV reception screen, a reception remote control screen capable of selecting a reception channel is displayed on the local display screen. Then, a related web screen is displayed on the hand display screen by button operation, and when the user moves it to the TV display screen, a web remote control screen for operating the cursor on the related web screen is displayed on the hand display screen. Is displayed.

JP 2010-239251 A

When the display size of the first electronic device is different from the display size of the second electronic device, the display of the first electronic device and the display of the second electronic device can be used more efficiently. A network system that can be used is required.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. The objective in a certain situation is to provide the network system which can utilize more efficiently the display of the 1st electronic device and the display of the 2nd electronic device from which sizes mutually differ. An object in another aspect is to provide a method of displaying an operation screen that can more efficiently use a display of a first electronic device and a display of a second electronic device that have different sizes.

A network system according to an embodiment includes a first electronic device including a first display and a second electronic device. The second electronic device includes an operation unit, a communication interface for acquiring information related to a plurality of home appliances, a second display smaller than the first display, and a processor. The processor causes the second display to display a first operation screen related to a part of the plurality of home appliances based on the information about the home appliance, receives the first command via the operation unit, and A second operation screen relating to more home appliances than the second display is displayed on the display.

Preferably, a processor displays the image which shows the household appliance currently installed in the 1st area among several household appliances on the map which shows the 1st area as a 1st operation screen on the 2nd display. The first display shows the home appliances installed in the second area of the plurality of home appliances on the map indicating the second area wider than the first area as the second operation screen. Display an image.

Preferably, the processor receives a second command for selecting one home appliance from the first operation screen via the operation unit, and the second display displays a part of the first operation screen as a part of the first operation screen. When the first instruction is received, the third instruction for selecting one household appliance from the second operation screen is received via the operation unit when the information related to the selected household appliance is displayed. In response to the third command, information related to the selected home appliance is displayed on the first display.

Preferably, the network system further includes a computer capable of data communication with the first electronic device and the second electronic device. The first electronic device receives information on a plurality of home appliances from the computer without going through the second electronic device. The second electronic device receives information on a plurality of home appliances from the computer without going through the first electronic device. The first electronic device includes a remote control receiver for receiving a first command from the second electronic device. The second electronic device includes a remote control transmission unit for transmitting the first command to the first electronic device.

Preferably, the operation unit includes a tablet. The second display and the tablet constitute a touch panel. When the processor receives the first command, the processor displays a remote control screen on the touch panel.

Preferably, the operation unit includes a tablet. The second display and the tablet constitute a touch panel.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for displaying an operation screen in a network system including a first electronic device having a first display and a second electronic device having a second display smaller than the first display. Provided. In this display method, the first electronic device displays a first operation screen related to a part of the plurality of home appliances on the second display, and the first electronic device accepts the first command. In response to the first command input to the first electronic device, the step and the second electronic device display a second operation screen related to more home appliances on the first display than on the second display. Steps.

An electronic device according to another embodiment includes an internal display, an operation unit, a communication interface capable of acquiring information on a plurality of home appliances, and a processor. The processor displays a first operation screen on a part of the plurality of home appliances on the internal display based on the information on the home appliances acquired by the communication interface, receives a first command via the operation unit, A signal for causing the external display to display a second operation screen related to more home appliances than that displayed on the internal display is generated.

Preferably, the processor generates a signal for displaying the second operation screen on the external display, and then displays the remote control screen of the second operation screen on the internal display.

According to still another embodiment, an electronic device control method including an internal display, an operation unit, and a communication interface capable of acquiring information on a plurality of home appliances is provided. The control method includes a step of causing the internal display to display a first operation screen related to a part of the plurality of home appliances based on information about the home appliance acquired by the communication interface, and a first command via the operation unit. Receiving and generating a signal for causing the external display to display a second operation screen related to more home appliances than displayed on the internal display.

As described above, in one aspect, a network system and an operation screen display method that can more efficiently use the display of the first electronic device and the display of the second electronic device that are different in size from each other are provided. The

The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention which is to be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It is an image figure which shows the whole structure of the network system 1 which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a 1st image figure which shows the terminal 100 and television 200A which concern on this Embodiment. It is a 1st image figure which shows the terminal 100 and television 200A which concern on this Embodiment. It is a 1st image figure which shows the terminal 100 and television 200A which concern on this Embodiment. It is a 1st image figure which shows the terminal 100 and television 200A which concern on this Embodiment. It is a 2nd image figure which shows the terminal 100 and television 200A which concern on this Embodiment. It is a 2nd image figure which shows the terminal 100 and television 200A which concern on this Embodiment. It is a 2nd image figure which shows the terminal 100 and television 200A which concern on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the hardware constitutions of the terminal 100 which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of television 200A according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the hardware constitutions of the management server 300 which concerns on this Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows the household appliance table 301A which concerns on this Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows the sensor table 301B which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the hardware constitutions of the Web server 400 which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the communication process and the display process in the network system 1 which concerns on this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<Overall configuration of network system>
First, the overall configuration of the network system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system 1 according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, network system 1 according to the present embodiment is installed in, for example, a house or an office. The network system 1 includes a television 200A (first electronic device) installed in a living room, an air conditioner 200B installed in the living room, a refrigerator 200C installed in the kitchen, and a washing machine 200D installed in the washroom. And home appliances such as the TV 200E installed in the bedroom.

The network system 1 includes other home appliances, solar cells, batteries, a management server 300, a Web server 400, a human sensor 200X installed in each room, and the like. It is preferable that a human sensor is installed in each room.

The network system 1 includes a terminal 100 (second electronic device) for controlling home appliances, human sensors 200X, and the like. The terminal 100 can perform data communication with home appliances, the human sensor 200X, and the like via a wired or wireless network. The terminal 100 uses, for example, a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wired LAN (Local Area Network), or PLC (Power Line Communications) as a network. The terminal 100 may be portable, may be detachable from a base placed on a table, or may be fixed to a wall of a room.

In the present embodiment, the display 202 of the television 200A is larger than the touch panel 106 of the terminal 100 (the area is wide) and can display more information than the terminal.

<Overview of network system operation>
Next, an outline of the operation of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D and FIGS. 3 to 3C. 2A to 2D are first image diagrams showing terminal 100 and television 200A according to the present embodiment. 3A to 3C are second image diagrams showing terminal 100 and television 200A according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2A, television 200 A according to the present embodiment receives the operation state of the home appliance from management server 300 via Web server 400. When the operation state of the home appliance satisfies a predetermined condition, the television 200A causes the display 202 to display the state of the home appliance based on data from the Web server 400 (management server 300).

For example, when the power consumption of one of the home appliances exceeds a predetermined value, the television 200A superimposes the television image on the display 202, and a message 202A indicating that the power consumption of one of the home appliances exceeds the predetermined value. Is displayed. At this time, the terminal 100 displays a power consumption state (power supply state) of the house.

Referring to FIG. 2B, television 200A ends the display of the message after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of display of message 202A. Based on the data from the management server 300, the terminal 100 causes the touch panel 106 to display a message 106A indicating that any power consumption of the home appliance has exceeded a predetermined value, superimposed on the power consumption state of the house. Terminal 100 determines whether or not the user has touched message 106 A via touch panel 106. Alternatively, the terminal 100 determines whether or not the user has selected the message 106A via a button described later.

Referring to FIG. 2C, when the user touches message 106A, terminal 100 causes touch panel 106 to display home appliances installed on the first floor on a map on the first floor based on data from management server 300. . In the present embodiment, touch panel 106 has an overuse ranking screen as a layout map of home appliances installed on the first floor, a ranking of home appliances with a large amount of current power consumption, and detailed information on the selected home appliance. Is displayed.

More specifically, the layout of home appliances arranged on the first floor includes a map of the first floor and an image of home appliances arranged on the map of the first floor. Similarly, the layout of home appliances arranged on the second floor includes a map of the second floor and an image of home appliances arranged on the map of the second floor.

In addition, for the user's ease of viewing, the touch panel 106 may display only a limited number of home appliance icons (displayed in the ranking of overuse) on the map.

For example, the touch panel 106 displays software buttons including names of home appliances and names of floors or rooms where the home appliances are installed in descending order of current power consumption. The touch panel 106 displays a button 1061 indicating an air conditioner with the highest power consumption, a button 1062 indicating a microwave oven with the second highest power consumption, and a button 1063 indicating a television with the third highest power consumption. .

The touch panel 106 displays an image indicating the selected home appliance on the map on the first floor in a manner different from other home appliances. Touch panel 106 displays the current power consumption of the selected home appliance and a button 106B for turning off the power of the home appliance.

Here, the air conditioner installed on the first floor is selected. The touch panel 106 displays the air conditioner icon on the map on the first floor larger than the icons of other home appliances, or makes the color of the air conditioner icons different from the colors of the other home appliance icons. Then, the touch panel 106 displays the current power consumption amount of the air conditioner, the current power consumption accumulated amount, the operation command currently being executed, and a button 106B for turning off the power supply of the air conditioner.

Referring to FIG. 2D, when the user touches TV button 1063 on the second floor, terminal 100 causes touch panel 106 to connect the home appliance installed on the second floor to touch panel 106 based on the data from management server 300. Display on the map. Touch panel 106 displays, as an overuse ranking screen, a layout diagram of home appliances installed on the second floor, a ranking of home appliances with a large amount of current power consumption, and detailed information about the selected home appliance.

Here, the TV set on the second floor is selected. The touch panel 106 displays a television icon on the map on the second floor larger than icons of other home appliances, or makes the color of the television icons different from the colors of other home appliance icons. The touch panel 106 displays the current power consumption of the television, the current power consumption amount, the operation command currently being executed, and a button 106B for turning off the power of the television. When the user touches the button 106B, the terminal 100 turns off the power of the television via the network or the management server 300.

In the present embodiment, the terminal 100 acquires the detection result of the human sensor 200X in each room from the management server 300. When there is no person on the touch panel 106 in the room where the active home appliance is installed, the terminal 100 displays a message 106 C stating that “no one is in the room”. Note that the terminal 100 may display a message 106C indicating that “no one is in the room” for only the selected home appliance, and may indicate that “no one is in the room” for other home appliances. Message 106C may be displayed.

Referring to FIG. 3A, when the user touches the map with a plurality of fingers, the terminal 100 displays an icon 106 D indicating a television on the upper part of the touch panel 106. The terminal 100 determines whether or not the user has slid a plurality of fingers on the touch panel 106 in the direction of the icon 106D.

Referring to FIG. 3B, when the user slides a plurality of fingers on touch panel 106 in the direction of icon 106D, terminal 100 generates a signal for displaying an operation screen on television 200A, and operation screen on television 200A. Send a transition instruction. However, the terminal 100 transmits an operation screen transition command to the television 200A based on another operation such as a long press or a gesture or an operation combining a plurality of operations (an operation different from a normal tap operation). May be. Based on the data from Web server 400 (management server 300), television 200A causes display 202 to display home appliances installed in the house on a map of the entire house. That is, the television 200A displays the home appliances installed on the first floor on the left side of the display 202 on the first floor map, and the home appliances installed on the second floor on the right side of the display 202 on the second floor map. Display.

In the present embodiment, display 202 has an overuse ranking screen as a layout diagram of home appliances installed on the first floor, a layout diagram of home appliances installed on the second floor, and a large amount of current power consumption. Displays the ranking of home appliances. For example, the display 202 displays software buttons including names of home appliances and floors or room names where the home appliances are installed in descending order of current power consumption. Here, the display 202 displays a selection from a button indicating an air conditioner with the highest power consumption to a button indicating a washing machine with the tenth highest power consumption.

Note that the display 202 displays only a limited number of home appliance icons (displayed in the ranking of overuse) on the map for easy viewing by the user, that is, to display the home appliance icons large. May be.

The display 202 displays an image showing the selected home appliance on the map on the first floor in a manner different from other home appliances. Here, an air conditioner installed on the first floor is selected. The display 202 displays the air conditioner icon on the map on the first floor larger than the icons of the other home appliances, or makes the color of the air conditioner icon different from the colors of the other home appliance icons.

After transmitting the operation screen transition command to the television 200A, the terminal 100 displays a screen (remote control screen) for changing the selected button on the display 202. The user can remotely operate the screen of the display 202 according to the remote control screen. More specifically, terminal 100 displays on touch panel 106 that terminal 100 is in a remote control mode for controlling television 200A. The terminal 100 displays on the touch panel 106 images indicating the upward direction, the downward direction, the right direction, and the left direction, and an enter button 106E positioned at the center of those images.

When the user slides his / her finger on the touch panel 106, the terminal 100 transmits a button change command to the television 200A based on the sliding direction. For example, when the user slides his / her finger to the right on the touch panel 106, the television 200A causes the display 202 to display an operation screen in which the microwave oven is selected.

Referring to FIG. 3C, when a user touches determination button 106E in a state where any home appliance is selected, terminal 100 transmits a determination command to television 200A. The television 200 A causes the display 202 to display the detailed screen 202 B of the selected home appliance by superimposing it on the layout diagram of the home appliance based on the determination instruction. The TV 200A displays, as a detailed screen 202B, a current power consumption amount, a current power consumption integrated amount, a currently executed operation command, a button for changing the operation mode, and a button 202C for turning off the power of the home appliance. Is displayed on the display 202.

The user inputs a slide operation or a touch operation to the terminal 100 to select a button for changing the operation mode on the display 202 of the television 200A or a button 202C for turning off the power of the home appliance. The terminal 100 transmits a command for changing the operation mode and a command for turning off the power to the television 200A. The television 200A changes the operation mode of the home appliance or turns off the power source of the home appliance according to the instruction.

Thus, in network system 1 according to the present embodiment, since the number of home appliances displayed on television 200A is larger than the number of home appliances displayed on terminal 100, touch panel 106 on terminal 100 and display 202 on television 200A are connected. It can be used more efficiently. More specifically, when display 202 displays a layout of home appliances installed on the first and second floors, and touch panel 106 displays a layout of home appliances disposed on either the first or second floor. The vertical and horizontal lengths of the display 202 are preferably at least twice as long as the vertical and horizontal lengths of the touch panel 106, respectively. In this case, displaying the operation screen on the television 200A makes it easier for a plurality of users to see more information than that displayed on the touch panel 106.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the network system 1 for realizing such a function will be described in detail.

<Hardware configuration of terminal 100>
With reference to FIG. 4, one aspect of the hardware configuration of terminal 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of terminal 100 according to the present embodiment.

The terminal 100 includes a memory 101, a display 102, a tablet 103, a button 104, a communication interface 105, a speaker 107, a remote control transmission unit 109, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110.

The memory 101 is realized by various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk, and the like. For example, the memory 101 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), which is used via an interface for reading. Memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk, magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM It is also realized by a medium for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner such as EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The memory 101 stores a control program executed by the CPU 110, a home appliance layout, and the like.

The display 102 displays the operating state of the home appliance by being controlled by the CPU 110. The tablet 103 detects a touch operation with a user's finger and inputs touch coordinates or the like to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 receives a command from the user via the tablet 103.

In the present embodiment, the tablet 103 is laid on the surface of the display 102. That is, in the present embodiment, display 102 and tablet 103 constitute touch panel 106. However, the terminal 100 may not have the tablet 103.

The button 104 is disposed on the surface of the terminal 100. The button 104 includes a determination key, a direction key, a numeric keypad, and the like. The button 104 receives a command from the user and inputs the command to the CPU 110.

For example, when a software button is displayed on the display 102 of the terminal 100, the CPU 110 issues a command to change the selection target of the software buttons displayed on the display 102 of the terminal 100 from the user via the cross key. Accept. CPU 110 accepts a determination command for the software button being selected from the user via the determination button.

When the software button is displayed on the display 202 of the television 200A, the CPU 110 receives an instruction to change the selection target of the software buttons displayed on the display 202 of the television 200A from the user via the cross key. The command is transmitted to the television 200A via the remote control transmission unit 109. CPU 110 receives a determination command for the software button being selected from the user via the determination button, and transmits the determination command to television 200 A via remote control transmission unit 109.

In this embodiment, the tablet 103 and the button 104 of the touch panel 106 realize an operation unit. However, only the tablet 103 of the touch panel 106 may realize the operation unit. That is, the terminal 100 may not have the button 104. Alternatively, only the button 104 may realize the operation unit. That is, the terminal 100 may not have the tablet 103.

The communication interface 105 transmits / receives data to / from the management server 300 via the network by being controlled by the CPU 110. The communication interface 105 transmits and receives data to and from the management server 300 by using, for example, a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), wired LAN, or PLC. However, the communication interface 105 may be capable of transmitting / receiving data to / from the Web server 400, the terminal 100, and home appliances.

Speaker 107 outputs sound based on a command from CPU 110. For example, the CPU 110 causes the speaker 107 to output sound based on the sound data.

The remote control transmission unit 109 transmits a control signal to the television 200A based on a command from the CPU 110. For example, the remote control transmission unit 109 transmits a signal to the television 200A by using infrared rays, a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

The CPU 110 executes various types of information processing such as the processing of the terminal 100 in FIG. 10 by executing various programs stored in the memory 101. In other words, the processing in the terminal 100 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 110. Such software may be stored in the memory 101 in advance. The software may be stored in a storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet.

Such software is read from the storage medium by using a reading device (not shown), or downloaded by using the communication interface 105 and temporarily stored in the memory 101. The CPU 110 stores the software in the form of an executable program in the memory 101 and then executes the program.

As storage media, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk , Magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) And the like, for example, a medium for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner.

The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

<Hardware configuration of home appliances>
One aspect of the hardware configuration of the home appliance according to this embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the television 200A will be described on behalf of home appliances. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of television 200A according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, television 200A includes a memory 201, a display 202, a button 204, a communication interface 205, a speaker 207, a meter 208, a remote control receiving unit 209, and a CPU 210.

The memory 201 can be realized in the same manner as the memory 101 of the terminal 100. The memory 201 stores a control program executed by the CPU 210, power consumption of the television 200A, instructions input to the television 200A, an operating state of the television 200A, and the like.

The display 202 is controlled by the CPU 210. More specifically, the display 202 displays a still image or a moving image based on data from a TV tuner or VRAM (Video RAM) (not shown).

The button 204 is disposed on the surface of the television 200A. The television 200A may include a plurality of buttons 204 such as a determination key, a direction key, and a numeric keypad. The button 204 receives a command from the user and inputs the command to the CPU 210.

The communication interface 205 transmits / receives data to / from the Web server 400 via the network under the control of the CPU 210. The communication interface 205 transmits / receives data to / from the Web server 400 by using a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), wired LAN (Local Area Network), PLC (Power Line Communications), or the like. .

However, the communication interface 205 may be able to transmit / receive data to / from the terminal 100, the management server 300, and home appliances.

Speaker 207 outputs sound based on a command from CPU 210. For example, the CPU 210 causes the speaker 207 to output sound based on the sound data.

Meter 208 measures the amount of power consumed by TV 200A. The CPU 110 transmits the measured power amount to the management server 300 via the communication interface 205.

Remote control receiving unit 209 receives a control signal from terminal 100. For example, the remote control receiving unit 209 receives a signal from the terminal 100 by using infrared rays, a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

The CPU 210 executes various types of information processing such as the processing of the television 200 A of FIG. 10 by executing various programs stored in the memory 201. In other words, the processing in the television 200 A is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 210. Such software may be stored in the memory 201 in advance. The software may be stored in a storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet.

Such software is read from the storage medium by using a reading device (not shown), or downloaded by using the communication interface 205 and temporarily stored in the memory 201. The CPU 210 stores the software in the form of an executable program in the memory 201 and then executes the program. Note that the storage medium and the program can be realized in the same manner as the recording medium and the program related to the terminal 100.

<About other home appliances>
Other home appliances according to the present embodiment also have a meter 208 for measuring power consumption, an input unit (button 204) for receiving a command from the user, and power consumption, similarly to television 200A shown in FIG. And a communication interface 205 for transmitting the operation status to the terminal 100.

Note that the meter for measuring the power consumption may not be mounted on the home appliance. For example, a power plug of a home appliance may be connected to an outlet via a tap that can measure power consumption. Or the power plug of a household appliance may be connected to the outlet which can measure power consumption. In this case, the tap or the outlet has a communication interface for transmitting power consumption to the management server 300 or the terminal 100. Furthermore, in this case, the management server 300 described later needs to store the correspondence between the tap and the home appliance or the correspondence between the outlet and the home appliance. Then, the management server 300 updates the power consumption of the home appliance corresponding to the tap or the outlet based on the power consumption obtained from the tap or the outlet.

<Hardware Configuration of Management Server 300>
With reference to FIG. 6, one aspect of the hardware configuration of management server 300 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of management server 300 according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the management server 300 includes a memory 301, a communication interface 305, a clock 308, and a CPU 310.

The memory 301 stores a control program executed by the CPU 310, a home appliance table 301A, and a sensor table 301B.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing home appliance table 301A according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, home appliance table 301 A is associated with the home appliance ID for each home appliance, the home appliance name, the ID of the room in which the home appliance is installed, and whether or not the home appliance is operating. The information to be shown (YES or NO) and the power consumption of the home appliance in a predetermined period are stored. Further, the home appliance table 301A may store an operation command currently being executed in association with a home appliance ID.

For example, the home appliance table 301A stores the integrated value of power consumption for one hour, one day, and one week in association with the home appliance ID. That is, the CPU 310 acquires the power consumption of the home appliance from the home appliance via the communication interface 305. CPU 310 updates the power consumption of the home appliance based on the current time from clock 308.

FIG. 8 is an image diagram showing the sensor table 301B according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, sensor table 301B includes room ID, room name, human sensor ID, and information (YES or NO) indicating whether the human sensor has detected a person. Store. As a result, the CPU 310, the terminal 100, the television 200A, and the Web server 400 can recognize that a home appliance set in a room where there is no person is operating. In other words, the CPU 310, the terminal 100, the television 200A, and the Web server 400 can recognize that there is no person in the room where the home appliances that are operating are installed.

The communication interface 305 transmits / receives data to / from the home appliance, the terminal 100, and the Web server 400 via the network by being controlled by the CPU 310. The communication interface 305 uses a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), wired LAN (Local Area Network), or PLC (Power Line Communications), etc., so that the home appliance, the terminal 100, and the Web server 400 are used. Send and receive data.

The CPU 310 executes various types of information processing such as the processing of the management server 300 in FIG. 10 by executing various types of programs stored in the memory 301. In other words, the processing in the management server 300 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 310. Such software may be stored in the memory 301 in advance. The software may be stored in a storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet.

Such software is read from the storage medium by using a reading device (not shown), or downloaded by using the communication interface 305 and temporarily stored in the memory 301. The CPU 310 stores the software in the form of an executable program in the memory 301 and then executes the program. Note that the storage medium and the program can be realized in the same manner as the recording medium and the program related to the terminal 100.

As described above, the meter for measuring the power consumption may not be mounted on the home appliance. For example, a power plug of a home appliance may be connected to an outlet via a tap that can measure power consumption. In this case, the memory 301 of the management server 300 described later needs to store the correspondence between the tap and the home appliance or the correspondence between the outlet and the home appliance. Then, based on the power consumption obtained from the tap or the outlet via the communication interface 305, the CPU 310 of the management server 300 updates the power consumption of the household appliance corresponding to the tap or the outlet in the household appliance table 301A.

<Hardware Configuration of Web Server 400>
With reference to FIG. 9, one aspect of the hardware configuration of Web server 400 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of Web server 400 according to the present embodiment.

9, the Web server 400 includes a memory 401, a display 402, a button 404, a communication interface 405, and a CPU 410.

The memory 401 can be realized in the same manner as the memory 101 of the terminal 100. The memory 401 stores a control program executed by the CPU 410, an arrangement diagram of home appliances, and the like.

The display 402 is controlled by the CPU 410. More specifically, the display 402 displays a still image or a moving image based on data from a VRAM (Video RAM) (not shown).

The button 404 is realized by a keyboard or the like. The button 404 receives a command from the user and inputs the command to the CPU 410.

The communication interface 405 transmits / receives data to / from the management server 300 and the television 200A via the network under the control of the CPU 410. The communication interface 405 uses a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), wired LAN (Local Area Network), or PLC (Power Line Communications), etc., so that data can be transmitted to the management server 300 and the TV 200A. Send and receive.

However, the communication interface 405 may be capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the terminal 100 and home appliances.

The CPU 410 executes various types of information processing such as the processing of the Web server 400 in FIG. 10 by executing various programs stored in the memory 401. In other words, the processing in the television 200 A is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 410. Such software may be stored in the memory 401 in advance. The software may be stored in a storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet.

Such software is read from the storage medium by using a reader (not shown), or downloaded by using the communication interface 405 and temporarily stored in the memory 401. The CPU 410 stores the software in the form of an executable program in the memory 401 and then executes the program. Note that the storage medium and the program can be realized in the same manner as the recording medium and the program related to the terminal 100.

<Processing in network system 1>
Next, communication processing and display processing in the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing communication processing and display processing in the network system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following, the CPU 110 of the terminal 100 is assumed to accept a command via the touch panel 106, but the command may be accepted via a cross key or a determination button.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 10, CPU 310 of management server 300 acquires the operation state from the home appliance via communication interface 305 (step S102, step S104, operation (1) in FIG. 1). In addition, the CPU 310 of the management server 300 acquires a detection result from the human sensor 200X in each room via the communication interface 305. Or CPU210 of a household appliance and a human sensitive sensor transmits an operation state and a detection result to the management server 300 regularly via the communication interface 205. FIG. Note that the operating state includes, for each home appliance, an operation command being executed by the home appliance, power consumption of the home appliance, information indicating whether or not there is a person in the room in which the home appliance is installed, and the like.

The CPU 310 of the management server 300 refers to the home appliance table 301A and determines whether or not the operating state of the home appliance satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, CPU 310 determines whether or not the integrated value of the power consumption of home appliances exceeds a predetermined value. When the operation state of the home appliance satisfies a predetermined condition, the CPU 310 of the management server 300 satisfies the predetermined condition of the operation state of the home appliance via the communication interface 305 based on the home appliance table 301A and the sensor table 301B. And data indicating the operating state of the home appliance (including information indicating whether there is a person in the room in which the home appliance is installed) are transmitted to the Web server 400 (step S106, operation in FIG. 1). 2)).

The CPU 410 of the Web server 400 displays data for displaying the message 202A (text data on the notification screen or data indicating that the operation state of the home appliance satisfies a predetermined condition and data indicating the operation state of the home appliance). Image data) is created (step S108, operation (3) in FIG. 1). The CPU of the Web server 400 transmits display data for displaying a message to the television 200A via the communication interface 405 (step S110, operation (4) in FIG. 1). In this case, the CPU 410 of the Web server 400 may transmit the display data in response to a request from the television 200A.

The CPU 210 of the television 200A displays the state of the home appliance based on the received display data (step S112, operation (5) in FIG. 1). For example, when the power consumption of any one of the home appliances exceeds a predetermined value, the CPU 210 of the television 200A superimposes the television image on the display 202 to indicate that the power consumption of any home appliance exceeds the predetermined value. Message 202A is displayed. At this time, the terminal 100 displays the power consumption state of the house. The CPU 210 of the television 200A ends the message display after a predetermined time has elapsed from the display start of the message 202A.

The CPU 310 of the management server 300 receives, via the communication interface 305, data indicating that the operation state of the home appliance satisfies a predetermined condition and data indicating the operation state of the home appliance via the communication interface 305 after the display of the message 202A starts. 100 (step S114).

Based on the data from the management server 300, the CPU 110 of the terminal 100 causes the touch panel 106 to superimpose on the power consumption state of the house and display a message 106A indicating that any power consumption of the home appliance exceeds a predetermined value. (Step S116, operation (6) in FIG. 1). CPU 110 of terminal 100 waits for the user to touch message 106A via touch panel 106 (step S118, operation (7) in FIG. 1).

The CPU 110 detects that the user has touched the message 106 A via the touch panel 106. CPU 110 reads out a layout diagram of home appliances on the first floor from memory 101. CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display the home appliances installed on the first floor on the first floor map based on the layout of home appliances on the first floor and the data from management server 300. As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 110 displays, on the touch panel 106, an arrangement diagram of home appliances installed on the first floor as an overuse ranking screen, a ranking of home appliances with large current power consumption, Detailed information about the selected home appliance is displayed. Note that only a limited number of home appliance icons (displayed in at least the overuse ranking ranking) may be displayed for the user's ease of viewing.

For example, CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display software buttons including names of home appliances and floors or room names where the home appliances are installed in descending order of current power consumption. The CPU 110 selects, on the touch panel 106, a button 1061 indicating an air conditioner with the highest power consumption, a button 1062 indicating a microwave oven with the second highest power consumption, and a button 1063 indicating a television with the third highest power consumption. Display as possible.

The CPU 110 causes the touch panel 106 to display an image indicating the selected home appliance on the map on the first floor in a manner different from other home appliances. CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display the current power consumption of the selected home appliance and a button 106B for turning off the power of the home appliance.

The CPU 110 may display a message 106 C indicating that on the touch panel 106 when there is no person in the room where the home appliance is being operated based on the operation state from the management server 300. Furthermore, when the home appliance is displayed at least in the overuse ranking ranking, the CPU 110 may display a message 106 C indicating that fact on the touch panel 106.

Here, the air conditioner installed on the first floor is selected. CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display the icon of the air conditioner on the map on the first floor larger than the icons of other home appliances, or makes the color of the air conditioner icon different from the colors of the icons of other home appliances. Then, CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display the current power consumption amount of the air conditioner, the current power consumption integrated amount, the operation command currently being executed, and button 106B for turning off the air conditioner.

The CPU 110 detects that the user has touched the TV button 1063 on the second floor via the touch panel 106. CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display the home appliances installed on the second floor on the second floor map based on the layout of home appliances on the second floor stored in memory 101 and the data from management server 300. . CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display an arrangement map of home appliances installed on the second floor, a ranking of home appliances with a large amount of power consumption, and detailed information regarding the selected home appliance as an overuse ranking screen.

The CPU 110 causes the touch panel 106 to display a television icon on the map on the second floor larger than the icons of other home appliances, or to make the color of the television icons different from the colors of other home appliance icons. Then, the CPU 110 causes the touch panel 106 to display the current power consumption of the television, the current power consumption accumulated amount, the current operation command being executed, and the button 106B for turning off the power of the television.

Here, CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display message 106C indicating that there is no person in the room where the television is installed, based on the operating state from management server 300.

When the CPU 110 detects that the user has touched the button 106 B, the CPU 110 turns off the power of the television via the network or the management server 300 by using the communication interface 105. In more detail, CPU110 transmits the command for turning off the power supply of a household appliance to the management server 300 via the communication interface 105 (step S120, operation | movement (8) in FIG. 1). The CPU 310 of the management server 300 transmits a command for changing the operation mode of the home appliance and a command for turning off the power of the home appliance to the home appliance via the communication interface 305 (step S122, operation (20) in FIG. 1). ). The CPU 210 of the home appliance changes the operation mode or turns off the power based on a command from the management server 300.

Here, when the CPU 110 of the terminal 100 detects that the user performs an operation different from the normal tap operation (for example, touches the map with a plurality of fingers) via the touch panel 106, the CPU 110 displays the upper part of the touch panel 106. Is displayed with an icon 106D indicating a television. CPU 110 determines whether or not the user has slid a plurality of fingers on touch panel 106 in the direction of icon 106 D via touch panel 106.

When the CPU 110 detects that the user has slid a plurality of fingers on the touch panel 106 in the direction of the icon 106D via the touch panel 106, the CPU 110 generates a signal for displaying the operation screen on the television 200A, and the remote control transmission unit An operation screen transition instruction is transmitted to the television 200A via the control unit 109 (step S124, operation (9) in FIG. 1). When the CPU 210 of the television 200A receives the shift command via the remote control receiver 209, it requests an operation screen from the Web server 400 via the communication interface 205 (step S126, operation (10) in FIG. 1). In response to the request, the CPU 410 of the Web server 400 requests the management server 300 for the operating state of the home appliance (step S128, operation (11) in FIG. 1). In response to the request, the CPU 310 of the management server 300 transmits data indicating the operation state of the home appliance to the Web server 400 via the communication interface 305 (step S130, operation (12) in FIG. 1).

The CPU 410 of the Web server 400 reads out the layout of home appliances on the first floor and the second floor from the memory 401. The CPU 410 creates data indicating the operation screen based on the layout of home appliances on the first floor and the second floor and the operation state of home appliances from the management server 300 (step S132, operation (13) in FIG. 1). The CPU 410 transmits data indicating the operation screen to the television 200A via the communication interface 405 (step S134, operation (14) in FIG. 1).

The CPU 210 of the television 200A causes the display 202 to display the home appliances installed in the house on the map of the entire house based on the data indicating the operation screen from the Web server 400 (step S136, operation in FIG. 1 (15)). )). More specifically, the CPU 210 displays the home appliances installed on the first floor on the left side of the display 202 on the first floor map, and the home appliances installed on the second floor on the right side of the display 202. Display above.

The CPU 210 displays, on the display 202, an arrangement map of home appliances installed on the first floor, an arrangement diagram of home appliances installed on the second floor, and a ranking of home appliances with a large current consumption amount as an overuse ranking screen. Is displayed. For example, the CPU 210 causes the display 202 to display software buttons including names of home appliances and names of floors or rooms where the home appliances are installed in descending order of current power consumption. Here, the CPU 210 displays on the display 202 a button indicating the washing machine with the tenth largest power consumption from the buttons indicating the air conditioners with the largest power consumption.

The CPU 210 displays an image indicating the selected home appliance on the map on the first floor on the display 202 in a manner different from other home appliances. Here, it is assumed that an air conditioner installed on the first floor is selected. The CPU 210 displays the air conditioner icon on the map on the first floor larger than the icons of the other home appliances on the display 202, or makes the color of the air conditioner icon different from the colors of the other home appliance icons.

The CPU 210 may cause the display 202 to display a message indicating that when there is no person in the room where the home appliance is being operated based on the operation state from the management server 300. Further, when the home appliance is displayed at least in the overuse ranking ranking, the CPU 210 may display a message indicating that on the display 202.

The CPU 110 of the terminal 100 displays a screen (remote control screen) for moving the selected button on the touch panel 106 (step S138, operation (16) in FIG. 1). The user can remotely operate the screen of the display 202 according to the remote control screen. More specifically, CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display that terminal 100 is in a remote control mode for controlling television 200A. CPU 110 causes touch panel 106 to display an image indicating the upward direction, the downward direction, the right direction, and the left direction, and determination button 106E positioned at the center of these images.

CPU 110 detects a slide operation on touch panel 106 of the user's finger via touch panel 106. CPU 110 transmits a button change command to television 200A based on the detected slide operation. For example, when the user slides his / her finger on the touch panel 106 in the right direction, the CPU 110 transmits, via the remote control transmission unit 109, an instruction for changing the selection target to the right home appliance to the television 200A. .

The CPU 210 of the television 200 A causes the display 202 to display an operation screen in which the microwave oven is selected based on the change command from the terminal 100 received via the remote control receiving unit 209.

When the user touches the decision button 106E in a state where any home appliance is selected on the television 200A, the CPU 110 of the terminal 100 transmits a decision command to the television 200A via the remote control transmission unit 109. Based on the determination instruction, the CPU 210 of the television 200A causes the display 202 to display the selected home appliance detail screen 202B in a manner superimposed on the home appliance layout diagram. The CPU 210 of the TV 200A has a detailed screen 202B as a current power consumption amount, an integrated amount of power consumption of the day, an operation command currently being executed, a button for changing the operation mode, and a power source for turning off the home appliance. The button 202C is displayed on the display 202.

The CPU 110 of the terminal 100 detects a slide operation on the touch panel 106 of the user's finger via the touch panel 106. CPU 110 transmits a button change command to television 200A based on the detected slide operation. For example, when the user slides his / her finger downward on the touch panel 106, the CPU 110, via the remote control transmission unit 109, commands (up / down / left / right) for changing the selected button to the next lower button. Command) to the television 200A. Further, the CPU 110 of the terminal 100 detects that the user has touched the decision button 106E via the touch panel 106. CPU 110 transmits a determination command to television 200A via remote control transmitter 109 (step S140, operation (17) in FIG. 1).

The CPU 210 of the television 200A selects the button for changing the operation mode and the button 202C for turning off the home appliance based on the up / down / left / right commands from the terminal 100 (changes the display mode). Based on the determination command from the terminal 100, the CPU 210 transmits, via the communication interface 205, a command for changing the operation mode of the home appliance and a command for turning off the power of the home appliance to the Web server 400 (step S142). , Operation (18) in FIG. The CPU 410 of the Web server 400 transmits a command for changing the operation mode of the home appliance and a command for turning off the power of the home appliance to the management server 300 via the communication interface 405 (step S144, operation in FIG. 1). 19)).

The CPU 310 of the management server 300 changes the operation mode of the home appliance or turns off the home appliance via the communication interface 305 (step S146, operation (20) in FIG. 1). More specifically, the CPU 310 of the management server 300 transmits a command for changing the operation mode of the home appliance and a command for turning off the power of the home appliance to the home appliance via the communication interface 305. The CPU 210 of the home appliance changes the operation mode or turns off the power based on a command from the management server 300.

<Other embodiments>
In the present embodiment, the television 200 A exchanges data with the management server 300 via the Web server 400. That is, the television 200 A receives the home appliance layout and the home appliance operating state from the Web server 400. On the other hand, the terminal 100 directly exchanges data with the management server 300. That is, the terminal 100 creates a layout of home appliances by itself.

However, the terminal 100 may also exchange data with the management server 300 via the Web server 400. Then, the television 200 A may directly exchange data with the management server 300 without using the Web server 400.

Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal 100, the management server 300, and the Web server 400 are separate devices, and they perform data communication by wired communication or wireless communication. However, one, two, or more devices may have the functionality of these devices. For example, the terminal 100 may also serve as the management server 300 and the web server 400 (the network system 1 does not include the management server 300 and the web server 400). The management server 300 may fulfill the function of the Web server 400 (the network system 1 does not have the Web server 400).

Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the invention is achieved by supplying a program to the terminal 100 or another computer. Then, a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the storage medium It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention also by reading and executing.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code However, it is needless to say that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Although the invention has been described and shown in detail, it is clearly understood that this is by way of example only and should not be taken as a limitation, the scope of the invention being construed by the appended claims Will.

1 network system, 100 terminal, 101 memory, 101A home appliance table, 101B sensor table, 102 display, 103 tablet, 104 button, 105 communication interface, 106 touch panel, 107 speaker, 109 remote control transmitter, 110 CPU, 200A TV, 200B air conditioner , 200C refrigerator, 200D washing machine, 200E television, 200X human sensor, 201 memory, 202 display, 204 button, 205 communication interface, 207 speaker, 208 meter, 209 remote control receiver, 300 management server, 301 memory, 301A household appliance table , 301B sensor table, 305 communication interface, 308 clock, 40 Web server, 401 memory, 402 display, 404 button, 405 communication interface.

Claims

A first electronic device including a first display;
A second electronic device, wherein the second electronic device comprises:
An operation unit;
A communication interface for acquiring information about multiple home appliances;
A second display smaller than the first display;
A processor, the processor comprising:
Based on the information on the home appliance, the first display on a part of the plurality of home appliances is displayed on the second display,
A network system that accepts a first command via the operation unit and causes the first display to display more second operation screens related to home appliances than the second display.
The processor displays, on the second display, an image showing home appliances installed in the first area among a plurality of home appliances on the map showing the first area as the first operation screen. Display
The first display is a home appliance installed in the second area among a plurality of home appliances on a map showing a second area wider than the first area as the second operation screen. The network system according to claim 1, wherein an image indicating the image is displayed.
The processor is
Accepting a second command for selecting one home appliance from the first operation screen via the operation unit;
The second display displays information about the selected home appliance as part of the first operation screen,
When receiving the first instruction,
Accepting a third command for selecting one home appliance from the second operation screen via the operation unit;
The network system according to claim 1, wherein information related to the selected home appliance is displayed on the first display in response to the third command.
A computer capable of data communication with the first electronic device and the second electronic device;
The first electronic device receives information on the plurality of home appliances from the computer without going through the second electronic device,
The second electronic device receives information on the plurality of home appliances from the computer without going through the first electronic device,
The first electronic device includes a remote control receiver for receiving the first command from the second electronic device,
4. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the second electronic device includes a remote control transmission unit for transmitting the first command to the first electronic device. 5.
The operation unit includes a tablet,
The second display and the tablet constitute a touch panel,
The network system according to claim 4, wherein the processor displays a remote control screen on the touch panel when the first command is received.
The operation unit includes a tablet,
The network system according to claim 1, wherein the second display and the tablet constitute a touch panel.
An operation screen display method in a network system including a first electronic device having a first display and a second electronic device having a second display smaller than the first display,
The first electronic device displaying a first operation screen on a part of a plurality of home appliances on the second display;
The first electronic device accepting a first command;
In response to the first command input to the first electronic device, the second electronic device displays, on the first display, a second operation screen related to more home appliances than the second display. A method for displaying an operation screen.
Electronic equipment,
An internal display,
An operation unit;
A communication interface that can acquire information about multiple home appliances;
With a processor,
The processor is
Based on information related to home appliances acquired by the communication interface, a first operation screen related to a part of the plurality of home appliances is displayed on the internal display,
An electronic device that receives a first command via the operation unit and generates a signal for causing the external display to display a second operation screen related to more home appliances than displayed on the internal display.
9. The processor according to claim 8, wherein the processor displays a remote control screen of the second operation screen on the internal display after generating a signal for displaying the second operation screen on an external display. Electronics.
An electronic device control method comprising an internal display, an operation unit, and a communication interface capable of acquiring information on a plurality of home appliances,
Based on information about home appliances acquired by the communication interface, displaying a first operation screen related to some of the plurality of home appliances on the internal display;
Receiving a first command via the operation unit, and generating a signal for causing the external display to display a second operation screen related to more home appliances than displayed on the internal display. Control method of electronic equipment.