CN115918263A - Operation device, operation system, operation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An operation unit (170) receives an operation related to the control of the device. When an operation unit (170) accepts an operation related to the control of a device, a first communication unit (180 a) transmits a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device to the device by a first communication method. When another operation device accepts an operation related to control of the device, the second communication unit (180 b) receives a signal indicating the operation related to control of the device from the other operation device by a second communication method. When the second communication unit (180 b) receives a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the device, the first communication unit (180 a) transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the device to the device.

Description

Operation device, operation system, operation method, and program

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an operation technique, and relates to an operation device, an operation system, an operation method, and a program for accepting an operation.

Background

An electronic information display device mounted on the front surface of a wiring tool embedded in a building material includes an electronic information display unit formed on an operation surface of an operation handle. The electronic information display device incorporates a contact connected between a power source and a load device such as a lighting fixture. When on/off of a contact built in an electronic information display device is switched in response to a pressing operation of an operation handle, on/off states between a load device and a power source, that is, on/off states of the load device are switched (for example, refer to patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2013-161638

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The wiring tool receives a pressing operation of the handle for operation to switch the on/off state of the load device. It is required to improve the convenience of users who use such wiring appliances.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for improving user convenience.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, an operation device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an operation unit that accepts an operation related to control of a device; a first communication unit that transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device to the device by a first communication method when the operation unit accepts the operation related to control of the device; and a second communication section capable of performing communication based on a second communication method different from the first communication method. When another operation device accepts an operation related to control of the device, the second communication unit receives a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device from the other operation device, and when the second communication unit receives the signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device, the first communication unit transmits the signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device to the device.

Another way of the present disclosure is an operating system. The operating system includes a first operating device and a second operating device capable of performing communication in a first communication method and a second communication method different from each other. The first operation device transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the equipment to the equipment by a first communication method when receiving the operation related to control of the equipment, the second operation device transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the equipment to the first operation device by a second communication method when receiving the operation related to control of the equipment, and the first operation device transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the equipment to the equipment by the first communication method when receiving the signal indicating an operation related to control of the equipment from the second operation device by the second communication method.

Yet another mode of the present disclosure is a method of operation. The method comprises the following steps: receiving an operation related to control of the apparatus; transmitting a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device to the device by a first communication method when the operation related to control of the device is accepted; receiving a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device from another operation device through a second communication method different from the first communication method when the other operation device accepts the operation related to control of the device; and transmitting a signal representing an operation related to the control of the apparatus to the apparatus through the first communication means, in a case where the signal representing the operation related to the control of the apparatus is received from the other operation device through the second communication means.

In addition, any combination of the above-described components and a mode in which the expression of the present disclosure is converted between a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium in which a computer program is recorded, or the like are also effective as a mode of the present disclosure.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present disclosure, user convenience can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wiring system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of the wiring device of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 (a) - (b) are views showing the external appearance of the wiring tool of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 (a) - (d) are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the wiring device of fig. 2.

Fig. 5 (a) - (c) are diagrams showing the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit of fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the wiring appliance of fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing a processing procedure of the wiring system of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a timing chart showing another process of the wiring system of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of another wiring system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wiring system according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 11 (a) - (b) are diagrams showing the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 12 (a) to (e) are diagrams showing an outline of the operation of the wiring system of fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of the operation of the terminal device of fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a timing chart showing a processing procedure of the wiring system of fig. 10.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of the wiring tool of fig. 10.

Fig. 16 (a) - (b) are diagrams showing the external appearance of the wiring tool according to example 3.

Fig. 17 is a view showing a structure of a part of the wiring tool in fig. 16 (a).

Fig. 18 is a view showing a structure of a part of the wiring tool in fig. 16 (b).

Fig. 19 is a timing chart showing a process of the wiring system according to embodiment 3.

Detailed Description

(example 1)

Before specifically describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an outline of the present embodiments is described. Embodiment 1 relates to a wiring system including a two-wire wiring tool that controls a load. An example of the load is a lighting fixture, and the lighting fixture is switched between on and off by a user operating an operation portion of the wiring fixture. In order to improve user convenience, it is preferable that the wiring device be operated by a user to control an apparatus such as an air conditioner. In order to simplify the installation and wiring of such a wiring tool, the wiring tool should operate only with power supplied by 2 signal lines and control the equipment by transmission of a wireless signal. As wireless communication capable of operating with low power consumption, short-range wireless communication is used. On the other hand, depending on the user, there is a case where the wiring device is operated to control the equipment installed in a room different from the room in which the wiring device is installed. At this time, a signal transmitted from the wiring tool by the short-range wireless communication may not reach another room.

The wiring system according to the present embodiment has the following configuration in order to control devices installed in various rooms from another room while performing wireless communication with low power consumption. Wiring devices are installed in each room, and the wiring devices transmit signals by short-range wireless communication in order to control devices disposed in the same room. On the other hand, the wiring tool supports another wireless communication system having a longer transmission distance than the short-range wireless communication, for example, a low-power wireless (japanese small power proximal wire), and transmits a signal by the low-power wireless in order to control another device disposed in another room. The signal is received by another wiring fixture provided in another room, and the other wiring fixture transmits the signal by short-range wireless communication when the signal is received wirelessly by low power. That is, if the wiring appliance and the device are disposed in the same room, the short-range wireless communication is used, but if the wiring appliance and the device are disposed in different rooms, the relay of the low-power wireless and the short-range wireless communication is used.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wiring system 1000. The wiring system 1000 includes an ac power supply 10, a first lighting fixture 20a and a second lighting fixture 20b collectively referred to as the lighting fixtures 20, a converter 30, an air conditioner 40, an electric louver 42, an electronic lock 44, a terminal device 50, and a first wiring fixture 100a and a second wiring fixture 100b collectively referred to as the wiring fixtures 100. Wiring system 1000 is installed in facilities including a first room 900a and a second room 900b, collectively referred to as rooms 900. The number of rooms 900 included in the facility is not limited to "2". The facility is a building in which the lighting apparatus 20 is installed as a load, and is a building in which a user of the lighting apparatus 20 lives or a building temporarily used by the user. The room 900 is a space defined by walls, doors, and the like in the facility. Each room 900 may not be a completely independent space, and may be a part of adjacent rooms 900 in communication.

The ac power source 10 is, for example, a single phase 100 [ V ], 50 or 60 [ Hz ] commercial power source. The facility receives power supply from a power company such as a power company as the ac power supply 10, but may receive power supply from a home power generation facility such as a solar power generation facility. The first room 900a is provided with a first lighting fixture 20a and a first wiring fixture 100a, and the first wiring fixture 100a is connected to the first lighting fixture 20a. The second room 900b is provided with a second lighting fixture 20b and a second wiring fixture 100b, and the second wiring fixture 100b is connected to the second lighting fixture 20b.

The wiring fixture 100 is fixed to an installation surface such as a wall of each room 900 in a state where the rear portion thereof is embedded in an embedding hole provided in the installation surface. The wiring fixture 100 is not limited to the embedded structure, and may have an exposed structure directly attached to an installation surface, or may be used at an arbitrary place without being fixed to a fixed position. The two-wire wiring fixture 100 is used in a state electrically connected in series to the lighting fixture 20 with respect to the ac power supply 10. The user operates the wiring fixture 100 to turn on, turn off, or dim the lighting fixture 20 as a load. Therefore, the wiring tool 100 can be said to be an operation device. The wiring fixture 100 has the following load control functions: the current flowing through the lighting fixture 20 is controlled in accordance with the operation received from the user, thereby turning on (full lighting or dimming lighting) or turning off the lighting fixture 20. The lighting fixture 20 is lit when energized. The lighting fixture 20 includes a Light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a lighting circuit for lighting the Light source.

The air conditioner 40 and the electric louver 42 are provided as devices in the first room 900a, and the electronic lock 44 is provided as a device in the second room 900 b. The first wiring device 100a includes a wireless communication interface conforming to a communication standard for short-range wireless communication such as BLE (registered trademark) Low Energy, and can communicate with the conversion device 30 and the electric blind 42 by short-range wireless communication. The conversion device 30 is capable of performing both near field communication and infrared communication, and the conversion device 30 converts between a signal of the near field communication and a signal of the infrared communication. Specifically, the conversion device 30 converts a signal received from the wiring device 100 by the short-range wireless communication into a signal for infrared communication, and then transmits the signal for infrared communication to the air conditioner 40. Therefore, the first wiring tool 100a communicates with the air conditioner 40 through the short-range wireless communication or infrared communication via the converter 30. The transformation means 30 is for example mounted to a ceiling, a wall or placed on a table or the like.

The user operates first wiring tool 100a to change the operating state of air conditioner 40 or electric louver 42. The change of the operating state of the air conditioner 40 includes opening and closing of the air conditioner 40, change of the operation mode, change of the temperature, and change of the air volume, and the change of the operating state of the electric louver 42 includes opening and closing of the electric louver 42. The first wiring fixture 100a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 by the short-range wireless communication. The air conditioner 40 receives a signal from the first wiring device 100a through infrared communication by the converter 30. The air conditioner 40 operates in response to an operation related to control of the air conditioner 40. In addition, the first wiring tool 100a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electric blind 42 by the short-range wireless communication. The motorized blind 42 receives a signal from the first wiring fixture 100a through the short-range wireless communication. The electric shutter 42 is actuated in response to an operation related to the control of the electric shutter 42.

The second wiring fixture 100b can communicate with the electronic lock 44 by short-range wireless communication. The user operates the second wiring tool 100b to change the operating state of the electronic lock 44. The change of the operation state of the electronic lock 44 includes locking and unlocking of the electronic lock 44. The second wiring fixture 100b transmits a signal representing an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 by the short-range wireless communication. The electronic lock 44 receives a signal from the second wiring fixture 100b through the proximity wireless communication. The electronic lock 44 operates in response to an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44.

In this way, the first wiring fixture 100a can control the first lighting fixture 20a and the devices provided in the first room 900a, and the second wiring fixture 100b can control the second lighting fixture 20b and the devices provided in the second room 900 b. In order to improve user convenience, it is preferable that the second lighting fixture 20b or the electronic lock 44 of the second room 900b can be controlled by operating the first wiring fixture 100a by a user located in the first room 900 a. Further, it is preferable that the first lighting fixture 20a, the air conditioner 40, or the electric blind 42 in the first room 900a can be operated by the user located in the second room 900b operating the second wiring fixture 100b. However, the first wiring device 100a cannot control the current flowing through the second lighting device 20b, and the second wiring device 100b cannot control the current flowing through the first lighting device 20a. In addition, if the short-range wireless communication is performed, the transmission of signals across the room 900 becomes unstable.

The wiring tool 100 according to the present embodiment can perform low-power wireless communication in addition to short-range wireless communication. Generally, the transmission distance of the low power wireless is longer than that of the short range wireless communication. The user located in the first room 900a operates the first wiring device 100a to change the operating state of the second lighting device 20b or the electronic lock 44. The first wiring fixture 100a wirelessly transmits a signal representing an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b or the electronic lock 44 to the second wiring fixture 100b through small power. The second wiring fixture 100b wirelessly receives the signal from the first wiring fixture 100a with a small power.

The second wiring fixture 100b controls the second lighting fixture 20b by controlling the current upon receiving a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b. On the other hand, when receiving the signal indicating the operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44, the second wiring tool 100b transmits the signal indicating the operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 by the short-range wireless communication. The electronic lock 44 receives a signal from the second wiring fixture 100b through the proximity wireless communication. The electronic lock 44 operates in response to an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44.

The user in the second room 900b operates the second wiring device 100b to change the operating state of the first lighting device 20a, the air conditioner 40, or the electric louver 42. The second wiring fixture 100b wirelessly transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a, the air conditioner 40, or the electric blind 42 to the first wiring fixture 100a by low power. The first wiring fixture 100a wirelessly receives a signal from the second wiring fixture 100b through a small power.

The first wiring fixture 100a controls the first lighting fixture 20a by controlling the current upon receiving a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a. On the other hand, when receiving a signal indicating an operation related to control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric blind 42, the first wiring tool 100a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric blind 42 by the short-range wireless communication. The air conditioner 40 or the electric shutter 42 operates in response to an operation related to control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric shutter 42 in the same manner as before.

The terminal device 50 in the first room 900a is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal device, or a personal computer, and can perform short-range wireless communication such as BLE. The application program executed in the terminal device 50 receives an operation for changing the operating state of the lighting fixture 20 or the equipment from the user. The terminal device 50 transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the lighting fixture 20 or the equipment to the first wiring fixture 100a through the short-range wireless communication. The first wiring fixture 100a receives a signal from the terminal device 50 by the proximity wireless communication.

The first wiring fixture 100a controls the first lighting fixture 20a by controlling the current upon receiving a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a. When receiving a signal indicating an operation related to control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric blind 42, the first wiring tool 100a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric blind 42 by the short-range wireless communication. The following processing is the same as before.

The first wiring fixture 100a, upon receiving a signal indicating an operation related to the second lighting fixture 20b or the electronic lock 44, wirelessly transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the second lighting fixture 20b or the electronic lock 44 to the second wiring fixture 100b by small power. The second wiring fixture 100b performs the same processing as before when receiving a signal from the first wiring fixture 100a by low-power wireless.

Fig. 2 shows a structure of the wiring tool 100. Wiring tool 100 includes connection terminal 110, connection terminal 112, load control circuit 120, phase detection unit 130, power supply unit 150, display 160, operation unit 170, first communication unit 180a and second communication unit 180b collectively referred to as communication unit 180, light source 190, control unit 400, storage unit 410, diode D1, and diode D2. The load control circuit 120 includes a bidirectional switch 200 and a switch driving unit 210, the bidirectional switch 200 includes a switching element Q1 and a switching element Q2, and the switch driving unit 210 includes a first driving unit 220 and a second driving unit 222. The phase detection unit 130 includes a first detection unit 300 and a second detection unit 310, the power supply unit 150 includes a power supply circuit 500, a DC-DC conversion circuit 520, a charging circuit 530, a power storage element 540, and a discharging circuit 550, and the power supply circuit 500 includes a first power supply unit 510, a second power supply unit 512, and a capacitor C1.

Next, description will be given of (1) basic operation, (2) control of devices in the same room, (3) control of lighting fixtures 20 and devices in another room, (4) control from another room, and (5) additional operation in this order.

(1) Basic motion

The pair of connection terminals 110 and 112 are electrically connected between the ac power supply 10 and the lighting fixture 20. The series circuit of the ac power supply 10 and the lighting fixture 20 is electrically connected to the pair of connection terminals 110 and 112 via a pair of wires W1 and W2.

The load control circuit 120 is electrically connected between the pair of connection terminals 110 and 112, and controls the current flowing through the lighting fixture 20. The bidirectional switch 200 in the load control circuit 120 switches bidirectional current cutoff/passage between the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112. The bidirectional switch 200 includes two elements, i.e., a switching element Q1 and a switching element Q2, which are electrically connected in series between the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112. For example, each of the switching elements Q1 and Q2 is a Semiconductor switching element including an enhancement-mode n-channel MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor).

The switch driving unit 210 is connected to the bidirectional switch 200. The first driving unit 220 of the switch driving unit 210 switches the on/off state of the switching element Q1 in accordance with the first control signal Sb1 input from the control unit 400. The second driving unit 222 switches the on/off state of the switching element Q2 in accordance with a second control signal Sb2 input from the control unit 400. By a combination of on and off states of the switching elements Q1 and Q2, switching is performed between: an on state (conductive state) in which a current flows bidirectionally between the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112; an off state (cut-off state) in which no current flows between the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112. The lighting fixture 20 is turned on in the on state, and the lighting fixture 20 is turned off in the off state. Even when the load control circuit 120 turns on the pair of connection terminals 110 and 112, it is necessary to secure a period during which the power supply circuit 500 receives power from the ac power supply 10. Therefore, the load control circuit 120 intermittently turns on the pair of connection terminals 110 and 112, for example.

The phase detection unit 130 detects the phase of the ac voltage Vac of the ac power supply 10 applied between the connection terminals 110 and 112. The "phase" includes a zero-crossing point of the ac voltage Vac and a polarity (positive polarity, negative polarity) of the ac voltage Vac. The phase detection unit 130 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 400 when detecting a zero cross point of the ac voltage Vac. The first detection unit 300 of the phase detection unit 130 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 110, and the second detection unit 310 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 112. The first detection unit 300 detects a zero cross point when the alternating voltage Vac transitions from a negative half cycle to a positive half cycle. The second detection unit 310 detects a zero cross point when the alternating voltage Vac transitions from a positive half cycle to a negative half cycle.

Specifically, when detecting that the voltage having the connection terminal 110 as the positive electrode has shifted from a state of being less than a predetermined value to a state of being equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the first detection unit 300 determines that the voltage has passed through a zero crossing point, and outputs the first detection signal Zc1 to the control unit 400. When detecting that the voltage having the connection terminal 112 as the positive electrode has shifted from a state of being less than the predetermined value to a state of being equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the second detection unit 310 determines that the voltage has passed through the zero-cross point, and outputs the second detection signal Zc2 to the control unit 400. The predetermined value is a value (absolute value) set to a value near 0 [ V ]. For example, the predetermined value of the first detector 300 is about + several [ V ], and the predetermined value of the second detector 310 is about-several [ V ].

The control unit 400 controls the bidirectional switch 200 based on a detection signal from the phase detection unit 130 and a detection signal from the operation unit 170 described later. The control unit 400 individually controls each of the switching elements Q1 and Q2. Specifically, the control unit 400 controls the switching element Q1 in accordance with the first control signal Sb1, and controls the switching element Q2 in accordance with the second control signal Sb 2. Further, the control unit 400 switches the charging unit that supplies the charging current to the capacitor C1 described later to either the first power supply unit 510 or the second power supply unit 512. The control unit 400 selects the first power supply unit 510 as the charging unit for supplying the charging current to the capacitor C1 in the lighting mode in which the lighting fixture 20 is turned off, and selects the second power supply unit 512 as the charging unit for supplying the charging current to the capacitor C1 in the lighting mode in which the lighting fixture 20 is dimmed or fully lit.

The control unit 400 is configured as a main unit, for example, by a microcomputer. The microcomputer realizes the function as the control Unit 400 by executing a program recorded in a memory of the microcomputer in a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The program may be recorded in advance in a memory of the microcomputer, may be provided by being recorded in a recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided through an electric communication line.

The power supply circuit 500 obtains power from the ac power supply 10 via the pair of connection terminals 110 and 112 while the pair of connection terminals 110 and 112 are not in conduction in an intermittent conduction state. The power supply circuit 500 generates power for operating the load control circuit 120 using power supplied from the ac power supply 10 via the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112.

The power supply circuit 500 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 110 via a diode D1, and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 112 via a diode D2. The ground of the power supply circuit 500 is electrically connected to a connection point of a parasitic diode provided in each of the 2 switching elements Q1 and Q2. In this way, the ac voltage Vac applied between the connection terminals 110 and 112 is full-wave rectified by the diode bridge including the parasitic diodes provided in the diode D1, the diode D2, the switching element Q1, and the switching element Q2, and then supplied to the power supply circuit 500. Therefore, when the bidirectional switch 200 is in the off state, the full-wave rectified ac voltage Vac (pulsating voltage output from the diode bridge) is applied to the power supply circuit 500.

The capacitor C1 of the power supply circuit 500 is charged by the first power supply section 510 or the second power supply section 512. The DC-DC conversion circuit 520 converts the voltage across the capacitor C1 into a DC voltage having a predetermined voltage value (for example, 3V). The output voltage of the DC-DC converter circuit 520 is supplied to the control unit 400 and the charging circuit 530. The power supply circuit 500 supplies the switch driving unit 210 with a voltage obtained by increasing or decreasing the output voltage of the DC-DC converter circuit 520 to, for example, about 9V. The power supply circuit 500 generates operating power for operating the load control circuit 120 (the control unit 400, the switch drive unit 210, and the bidirectional switch 200) using power acquired from the ac power supply 10.

The first power supply unit 510 is a circuit that supplies current from the connection terminals 110 and 112 to the capacitor C1 in the off mode in which the lighting fixture 20 is turned off, and is a constant voltage circuit such as a series regulator circuit, for example. The second power supply unit 512 is a circuit that supplies current from the connection terminals 110 and 112 to the capacitor C1 in a lighting mode in which the lighting fixture 20 is turned on (dimming lighting or full lighting). In the lighting mode, the bidirectional switch 200 is turned on during an on period corresponding to the dimming level of the lighting fixture 20, and therefore the second power supply unit 512 charges the capacitor C1 during an off period (non-conducting period) from a zero-crossing point of the ac voltage Vac until the bidirectional switch 200 is switched to the on state. Therefore, the period in which the charging current flows through the capacitor C1 is shorter than that in the extinction mode, and particularly, the magnitude (absolute value) of the ac voltage Vac is smaller during the period in which the charging current flows in the full lighting, so that the second power supply unit 512 needs to charge the capacitor C1 in a short time. Therefore, the impedance of the second power supply unit 512 as viewed from the connection terminals 110 and 112 is a lower resistance than the impedance of the first power supply unit 510 as viewed from the connection terminals 110 and 112, and the second power supply unit 512 charges the capacitor C1 in a shorter time than the first power supply unit 510.

Since the display 160 of the wiring device 100 is a self-holding type display, power consumption may increase at the time of changing the display content, and power necessary for operation may not be supplied to the capacitor C1 of the power supply circuit 500. Therefore, the wiring device 100 further includes a power storage element 540 having a larger power storage capacity than the capacitor C1 of the power supply circuit 500. The storage element 540 is a storage element such as a secondary battery, for example, a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, or an all-solid battery, or an electric double layer capacitor. The charging circuit 530 charges the storage element 540 with a part of the current supplied from the power supply circuit 500. As a result, power storage element 540 is charged by power supply circuit 500.

The discharge circuit 550 supplies power to the display 160, the operation unit 170, the first communication unit 180a, the second communication unit 180b, and the light source 190 using the power storage element 540 as a power source. That is, the discharge circuit 550 discharges the electric power from the electric power storage element 540, converts (for example, steps down) the voltage of the electric power storage element 540 to a dc voltage having a predetermined voltage value, and applies the dc voltage to the display 160, the operation unit 170, the first communication unit 180a, the second communication unit 180b, and the light source 190. Further, discharge circuit 550 discharges power from power storage element 540 at the power supply timing, and stops discharging power from power storage element 540 during the power supply stop period other than the power supply timing.

The display 160 is, for example, a self-holding type display. The self-holding display is a display that consumes less power when the display content is held than when the display content is changed. The display 160 is, for example, an electronic paper capable of displaying black and white. The colors that can be displayed by the electronic paper are not limited to black and white, and may be three or more colors. The display contents of the display 160 are rewritten by the control unit 400.

The operation unit 170 is, for example, a touch sensor attached to the entire surface of the display 160. The touch sensor is a known touch sensor such as a resistive film type, a capacitive type, or an electromagnetic induction type, and detects an operation (for example, an operation such as a click, flick (swipe), slide (swipe), or drag) in which a user touches a surface of the touch sensor with a finger, a pen, or the like, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 400. The operation unit 170 is not limited to a touch sensor, and may be configured to receive an operation by a user and output a detection signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 400, and may be, for example, a push switch, a variable resistor, a rotary switch, or the like. The operation unit 170 receives an operation related to control of the first lighting fixture 20a and an operation related to control of the equipment.

When the ac power supply 10 is connected between the connection terminals 110 and 112 via the lighting fixture 20 by the wiring fixture 100, the ac voltage Vac applied between the connection terminals 110 and 112 from the ac power supply 10 is rectified and supplied to the power supply unit 150. Since the lighting fixture 20 is turned off at the time of activation, the capacitor C1 is charged via the first power supply unit 510, and the control unit 400 is activated after a voltage necessary for operation is supplied from the capacitor C1 to the control unit 400 and the like. When a current flows from the power supply circuit 500 to the charging circuit 530, the charging circuit 530 charges the power storage element 540.

When the control unit 400 is activated, the control unit 400 determines the frequency of the ac power supply 10 based on the detection signal of the phase detection unit 130. The control unit 400 refers to a numerical table stored in advance in a memory, and sets parameters such as various times, based on the determined frequency. When the operation unit 170 does not receive an operation to turn on the lighting fixture 20, the control unit 400 controls the bidirectional switch 200 to the off state to turn off the lighting fixture 20.

Fig. 3 (a) - (b) show the external appearance of the wiring device 100. In fig. 3 (a), an image G1 showing that the lighting fixture 20 is in the off state is displayed on the display 160. The image G1 is a display image of a switch mode (hereinafter referred to as "first switch mode") in which the operating state of the lighting fixture 20 to be displayed is displayed or changed. A label region R1 is arranged in the center of the upper part of the image G1, and characters of the name "main lighting" of the lighting fixture 20 to be displayed are displayed in the label region R1. The lighting fixtures 20 to be displayed are, for example, a first lighting fixture 20a corresponding to the first wiring fixture 100a and a second lighting fixture 20b corresponding to the second wiring fixture 100b. A notification area R2 indicating the state of the lighting fixture 20 is disposed below the label area R1, and a mark indicating an off state and a character of "off" are displayed in the notification area R2. An operation region R3 is disposed to the left of the tag region R1, and a left-direction symbol "<" is displayed in the operation region R3. An operation region R4 is arranged on the right side of the label region R1, and a symbol ">" indicating the right direction is displayed on the operation region R4.

When lighting the lighting fixture 20 to be displayed, the user presses the operation unit 170 provided below the display 160. The operation unit 170 is, for example, a push switch. The operation unit 170 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the pressing operation to the control unit 400. In addition, when the lighting fixture 20 to be displayed is to be turned on, the user may perform a touch operation on the notification region R2 of the image G1. In this case, the touch sensor in the notification region R2 corresponds to the operation unit 170. When the notification region R2 of the image G1 is touched, the operation unit 170 receives an operation by the user and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 controls the on period of the bidirectional switch 200 based on the detection signal input from the operation unit 170 and the detection result of the phase detection unit 130, thereby controlling the current flowing through the lighting fixture 20 to turn on the lighting fixture 20.

In fig. 3 (b), an image G2 showing that the lighting fixture 20 is in the on state is displayed on the display 160. In the notification area R2 of the image G2, a flag indicating the lighting state and a character of "lighting 100%" are displayed. When the lighting fixture 20 to be displayed is to be turned off, the user presses the operation unit 170 provided below the display 160 or performs a touch operation on the notification region R2 of the image G2. When the detection signal is input from the operation unit 170, the control unit 400 cuts off the current to turn off the lighting fixture 20. The images displayed on the display 160 are not limited to the images (a) to (b) of fig. 3.

(2) Control of devices in the same room

Here, the processing in the first room 900a of fig. 1 will be described as an example. This is the case when the air conditioner 40 or the electric louver 42 is controlled from the first wiring device 100a. The same may be true for the case where the electronic lock 44 is controlled from the second wiring device 100b in the second room 900 b.

Fig. 4 (a) to (d) show an outline of the operation of the wiring tool 100, particularly the first wiring tool 100a. Fig. 4 (a) shows an image G3 displayed on the display 160 when the operation region R3 or the operation region R4 in fig. 3 (a) - (b) is operated. The image G3 is a display image of a switching mode (hereinafter referred to as "second switching mode") in which the operation state of the lighting fixture 20 of the device or the separate room 900 is displayed or changed. A label region R1 is arranged in the center of the upper part of the image G3, and characters of "device" are displayed in the label region R1. In the lower part of the label region R1, a selection region R10 showing characters and icons of "air conditioner", a selection region R11 showing characters and icons of "louver", and a selection region R12 showing characters and icons of "sub lighting" are arranged. The "air conditioner" corresponds to the air conditioner 40, the "louver" corresponds to the electric louver 42, and the "sub-lighting" corresponds to the second lighting fixture 20b.

When the user touches the selection region R10 in the case of controlling the air conditioner 40, the operation unit 170 receives an instruction to change the control mode of the air conditioner 40. When the operation unit 170 receives an instruction to change, the control unit 400 causes the display 160 to display a display screen of the control mode of the air conditioner 40. Fig. 4 (b) shows an image G4 displayed on the display 160. The image G4 is a display screen of the control mode of the air conditioner 40. Information on the operation mode, the air volume, the wind direction, and the temperature is displayed in the image G4, and when the user touches an area of the information to be controlled, the operation unit 170 receives an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40. For example, when the user touches the air volume information, the operation unit 170 receives an operation related to control of air volume change of the air conditioner 40. The operation unit 170 outputs an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 to the control unit 400. Fig. 4 (c) - (d) will be described later, and the process returns to fig. 2.

The control unit 400 receives an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 from the operation unit 170. The control unit 400 determines the destination to which a signal indicating the received operation is output. At this time, the control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410. Fig. 5 (a) - (c) show the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 410. Fig. 5 (a) shows a transmission destination corresponding to each of the lighting fixture 20 and the device to be controlled, and a communication unit 180 to be used. When the control target is the air conditioner 40, the control unit 400 selects the converter 30 of fig. 1 as the transmission destination and selects the first communication unit 180a as the communication unit 180 to be used. The control unit 400 outputs a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 to the selected first communication unit 180 a. Fig. 5 (b) - (c) will be described later, and the process returns to fig. 2.

The first communication unit 180a is a wireless communication interface conforming to a communication standard of short-range wireless communication such as BLE, and includes a transmission unit for transmitting a signal and a reception unit for receiving a signal. As described above, the first communication unit 180a can communicate with the converter 30 and the electric blind 42 of fig. 1 by short-range wireless communication. The first communication unit 180a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 to the conversion device 30 by the short-range wireless communication. The next processing is as described above, the air conditioner 40 operates in accordance with the control.

On the other hand, when the user touches the selection region R11 in the case of controlling the electric blind 42, the operation unit 170 receives an instruction to change the control mode of the electric blind 42. When operation unit 170 receives an instruction to change, control unit 400 causes display 160 to display a display screen of the control mode of electric blind 42. The display screen of the control mode of electric blind 42 is shown in the same manner as in fig. 4 (b). By performing the same operation as in the case of the air conditioner 40, the operation unit 170 receives an operation related to the control of the electric louver 42. Operation unit 170 outputs an operation related to control of electric blind 42 to control unit 400.

Control unit 400 receives an operation related to control of electric blind 42 from operation unit 170. The control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410 to select the electric blind 42 as the destination and the first communication unit 180a as the communication unit 180 to be used. The control unit 400 outputs a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electric blind 42 to the selected first communication unit 180 a. First communication unit 180a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of electric blind 42 to electric blind 42 by short-range wireless communication. The next processing is to operate the electric blind 42 in accordance with the control as described above.

(3) Control of lighting fixtures 20, equipment for another room

Here, a case will be described, as an example, where the lighting fixtures 20 and devices of the second room 900b are controlled from the first room 900a in fig. 1. This is the case when the second lighting fixture 20b or the electronic lock 44 is controlled from the first wiring fixture 100a.

As described above, the "sub-illumination" of the image G3 shown in fig. 4 (a) corresponds to the second lighting fixture 20b. When the user touches the selection region R12 in the case of controlling the second lighting fixture 20b, the operation unit 170 receives an instruction to change the control mode of the second lighting fixture 20b. When the operation unit 170 receives an instruction to change the control mode, the control unit 400 causes the display 160 to display a display screen of the control mode of the second lighting fixture 20b. The display screen of the control mode of the second lighting fixture 20b may be the same as the images G1 and G2 in fig. 3 (a) - (b). At this time, the character named "sub-lighting" of the second lighting fixture 20b to be displayed is displayed in the label region R1. By performing the same operation as in the case of the first lighting fixture 20a, the operation unit 170 receives an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b. The operation unit 170 outputs an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b to the control unit 400.

The control unit 400 receives an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b from the operation unit 170. The control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410 to select the second lighting fixture 20b as the transmission destination and to select the second communication unit 180b as the communication unit 180 to be used. The control unit 400 outputs a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b to the selected second communication unit 180b.

The second communication unit 180b is a wireless communication interface conforming to low-power wireless, and includes a transmission unit for transmitting a signal and a reception unit for receiving a signal. The frequency of the low-power radio is, for example, 900MHz to 1000MHz, which is lower than the frequency 2.4GHz band of BLE. Therefore, the low power wireless can transmit a longer distance than the transmission distance of the short range wireless communication. That is, the signal transmitted from the first communication section 180a is not easily received by the device existing in the second room 900b, but the signal transmitted from the second communication section 180b is easily received by the device existing in the second room 900 b. Here, when the short-range wireless communication is referred to as "first communication method", the low-power wireless communication is referred to as "second communication method" different from the first communication method. The second communication unit 180b wirelessly transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b to the second wiring fixture 100b by small power.

The second communication section 180b of the second wiring fixture 100b receives a signal representing an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b from the first wiring fixture 100a by low-power wireless. The storage unit 410 stores a table shown in fig. 5 (b). Fig. 5 (b) shows the same as fig. 5 (a). The control unit 400 refers to the table in the storage unit 410 to determine the transmission destination and the communication unit 180 from the control target of the signal received by the second communication unit 180b. When the control target is the second lighting fixture 20b, the control unit 400 controls the second lighting fixture 20b by controlling the current, as in the case where the first wiring fixture 100a controls the first lighting fixture 20a.

On the other hand, when the image G3 shown in fig. 4 (a) includes "electronic lock", the user performs a touch operation on the area of the display 160 where the icon of the electronic lock 44 is displayed in order to control the electronic lock 44. Next, the same operation as before is performed, and the operation unit 170 receives an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44. The operation unit 170 outputs an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 receives an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 from the operation unit 170. The control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410 to select the second lighting fixture 20b as the transmission destination and selects the second communication unit 180b as the communication unit 180 to be used. The control unit 400 outputs a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 to the selected second communication unit 180b. The second communication unit 180b wirelessly transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 to the second wiring fixture 100b by low power.

The second communication portion 180b of the second wiring appliance 100b receives a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 from the first wiring appliance 100a by low-power wireless. The control unit 400 refers to the table in the storage unit 410 to determine the transmission destination and the communication unit 180 from the control target of the signal received by the second communication unit 180b. When the control target is the electronic lock 44, the control unit 400 selects the electronic lock 44 as the transmission destination and selects the first communication unit 180a as the communication unit 180. The first communication unit 180a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 to the electronic lock 44 by the short-range wireless communication. The following processing is performed as described above, and the electronic lock 44 operates in accordance with the control.

(4) Control from another room

Here, a case where the lighting fixtures 20 and the devices in the first room 900a are controlled from the second room 900b in fig. 1 will be described as an example. This is the case where the first lighting fixture 20a, the air conditioner 40, or the electric blind 42 is controlled from the second wiring fixture 100b. That is, this corresponds to the control in the direction opposite to (3) the control of the lighting fixtures 20 and the devices in the other room.

An image G3 similar to that in fig. 4 (a) is displayed on the display 160 of the second wiring tool 100b. At this time, characters and icons of the "electronic lock" may be displayed instead of the "air conditioner", "louver", and "sub-lighting". The "electronic lock" corresponds to the electronic lock 44, and the "sub-lighting" corresponds to the first lighting fixture 20a.

When controlling the first lighting fixture 20a, the user performs the same operation as before on the second wiring fixture 100b, and the operation unit 170 receives an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a. The operation unit 170 outputs an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 receives an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a from the operation unit 170. The control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410 to select the first wiring tool 100a as the transmission destination and the second communication unit 180b as the communication unit 180 to be used. The control unit 400 outputs a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a to the selected second communication unit 180b. The second communication unit 180b wirelessly transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a to the first wiring fixture 100a by low power.

The second communication section 180b of the first wiring fixture 100a receives a signal representing an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a from the second wiring fixture 100b by low-power wireless. The control unit 400 refers to the table in the storage unit 410 to determine the transmission destination and the communication unit 180 from the control target of the signal received by the second communication unit 180b. When the control target is the first lighting fixture 20a, the control unit 400 controls the first lighting fixture 20a as described above.

On the other hand, when controlling air conditioner 40 or electric louver 42, the user performs the same operation as before on second wiring tool 100b, and operation unit 170 receives an operation related to control of air conditioner 40 or electric louver 42. The operation unit 170 outputs an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric shutter 42 to the control unit 400.

The control unit 400 receives an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric louver 42 from the operation unit 170. The control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410 to select the first wiring tool 100a as the transmission destination and the second communication unit 180b as the communication unit 180 to be used. The control unit 400 outputs a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric blind 42 to the selected second communication unit 180b. The second communication unit 180b wirelessly transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric blind 42 to the first wiring fixture 100a by low power.

The second communication section 180b of the first wiring appliance 100a receives a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 or the electric blind 42 from the second wiring appliance 100b by low-power wireless. That is, when the second wiring tool 100b receives an operation related to the control of the device, the second communication unit 180b receives a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device from the second wiring tool 100b. The control unit 400 refers to the table in the storage unit 410 to determine the transmission destination and the communication unit 180 from the control target of the signal received by the second communication unit 180b. When the control target is the air conditioner 40, the control unit 400 selects the conversion device 30 as the transmission destination and selects the first communication unit 180a as the communication unit 180 to be used. The first communication unit 180a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 to the conversion device 30 by short-range wireless. The next processing is as described above, the air conditioner 40 operates in accordance with the control.

When the control target is electric blind 42, control unit 400 selects electric blind 42 as the destination and selects first communication unit 180a as communication unit 180 to be used. The first communication unit 180a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electric blind 42 to the electric blind 42 by short-range wireless. The following process is performed as described above, and the electric blind 42 is operated according to the control. In this way, when the second communication section 180b receives a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the device, the first communication section 180a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the device to the device.

(5) Additional actions

The light source 190 of FIG. 2 is capable of illuminating light, such as an LED, toward the display 160. The control unit 400 determines whether or not to turn on the light source 190 based on whether or not the lighting fixture 20 connected to the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112 is on. To make this determination, the control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410. Fig. 5 (c) shows a data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 410. The table shows the relationship between the on/off of the lighting fixture 20 and the on/off of the light source 190. As shown in the drawing, when the lighting fixture 20 is turned on, the light source 190 is determined to be turned off, and when the lighting fixture 20 is turned off, the light source 190 is determined to be turned on. As a result, the light source 190 is turned off when the power from the ac power supply 10 is supplied to the lighting fixture 20, and is turned on when the power from the ac power supply 10 is cut off to the lighting fixture 20. Here, the lighting mode in which the lighting fixture 20 is turned on corresponds to the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112 being in the on state, and the lighting mode in which the lighting fixture 20 is turned off corresponds to the off mode in which the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112 are in the off state.

The lighting fixtures 20 and the devices can be controlled not only from the wiring fixtures 100 but also from the terminal device 50 carried by the user. The terminal device 50 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal device, or a personal computer as described above, and is capable of performing short-range wireless communication such as BLE. In a case where the user carrying the terminal device 50 is present in, for example, the first room 900a, the user causes the terminal device 50 to execute an application program for controlling the lighting fixtures 20 or devices. The terminal device 50 receives an operation for changing the operating state of the lighting fixture 20 or the equipment from the user. The terminal device 50 transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the lighting fixture 20 or the equipment to the first wiring fixture 100a through the short-range wireless communication.

The first communication section 180a of the first wiring fixture 100a receives a signal indicating an operation related to control of the lighting fixture 20 or the device from the terminal device 50 through the short-range wireless communication. The control unit 400 receives an operation related to control of the lighting fixture 20 or the device from the first communication unit 180 a. The control unit 400 determines the output destination of the signal indicating the received operation. At this time, the control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410. The next process is the same as before, and when an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a is accepted, the control unit 400 controls the first lighting fixture 20a. When receiving an operation related to the control of the air-conditioning apparatus 40 or the electric louver 42, the first communication unit 180a transmits a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the air-conditioning apparatus 40 or the electric louver 42 by short-range wireless communication. When receiving an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b or the electronic lock 44, the second communication unit 180b wirelessly transmits a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b or the electronic lock 44 with a small power.

To further improve the convenience for the user, the wiring system 1000 may also perform the following processing. This is the following process: assuming that the first room 900a is a bedroom, if the user turns off the first lighting fixture 20a for sleeping, the electronic lock 44 is automatically locked.

The user operates the operation portion 170 of the first wiring fixture 100a to turn off the first lighting fixture 20a. In response to the operation received by the operation unit 170, the control unit 400 controls the load control circuit 120 to switch the first lighting fixture 20a from on to off. The load control circuit 120 switches the first lighting fixture 20a from on to off in response to control from the control unit 400. This corresponds to: by switching the connection terminals 110 and 112 from the on state to the off state, the power from the ac power supply 10 is cut off to the lighting fixture 20. When the first lighting fixture 20a is turned off, the control unit 400 outputs the operation of locking the electronic lock 44 to the second communication unit 180b as an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44. The second communication unit 180b wirelessly transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44, that is, the locking of the electronic lock 44, to the second wiring tool 100b by low power.

The subsequent process of the second wiring tool 100b is the same as before. The second communication portion 180b of the second wiring appliance 100b receives a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 from the first wiring appliance 100a by low-power wireless. In response to this, the first communication section 180a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the electronic lock 44 to the electronic lock 44 through the short-range wireless communication. The electronic lock 44 is locked according to the control.

To further improve the convenience of the user, the wiring system 1000 may also perform the following processing. This is also the following process: assuming that the first room 900a is a bedroom, if the user turns off the first lighting fixture 20a for sleeping, the locked or unlocked state of the electronic lock 44 is confirmed.

The user operates the operation portion 170 of the first wiring fixture 100a to turn off the first lighting fixture 20a. In response to the operation received by the operation unit 170, the control unit 400 controls the load control circuit 120 to switch the first lighting fixture 20a from on to off. When the first lighting fixture 20a is turned off, the control unit 400 causes the second communication unit 180b to transmit a request signal for confirming the state of the electronic lock 44. The second communication unit 180b wirelessly transmits the request signal to the second wiring fixture 100b with low power.

The second communication section 180b of the second wiring tool 100b receives the request signal from the first wiring tool 100a by low-power wireless. Upon receiving the request signal from the second communication unit 180b, the control unit 400 acquires the state of the electronic lock 44 using the short-range wireless communication in the first communication unit 180 a. When the state of the electronic lock 44 is acquired, the control unit 400 causes the second communication unit 180b to transmit a response signal indicating the state of the electronic lock 44. The second communication unit 180b wirelessly transmits the response signal to the first wiring fixture 100a by low power.

The second communication section 180b of the first wiring tool 100a receives the response signal from the second wiring tool 100b by low-power wireless. Upon receiving the response signal from the second communication unit 180b, the control unit 400 causes the display 160 to display the state of the electronic lock 44. Fig. 4 (c) shows an image G5 displayed on the display 160 when the electronic lock 44 is unlocked, and fig. 4 (d) shows an image G6 displayed on the display 160 when the electronic lock 44 is locked.

The main body of the apparatus, system, or method in the present disclosure is provided with a computer. The functions of the main body of the apparatus, system, or method in the present disclosure are realized by the execution of the program by the computer. The computer includes a processor operating according to a program as a main hardware configuration. The processor is not limited in its kind as long as it can realize a function by executing a program. The processor is constituted by one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor Integrated Circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated in one chip or may be provided in a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated into one device, or may be provided in a plurality of devices. The program is recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, an optical disk, and a hard disk drive. The program may be stored in advance in a recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the internet.

The operation of the wiring system 1000 with the above configuration will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the wiring harness 100, particularly the first wiring harness 100a. If the operation unit 170 does not accept the operation (no in S10) and the first communication unit 180a does not accept the operation (no in S12), the second communication unit 180b accepts the operation (S14) and proceeds to step 16. When the operation unit 170 accepts the operation (yes in S10) or when the first communication unit 180a accepts the operation (yes in S12), the process proceeds to step 16.

When the first lighting fixture 20a is controlled (yes in S16), the load control circuit 120 controls the current (S18). If the control target is the first room 900a (yes in S20) without controlling the first lighting fixture 20a (no in S16), the control unit 400 uses the first communication unit 180a (S22). If the control target is not the first room 900a (no in S20), the control unit 400 uses the second communication unit 180b (S24).

Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing a process of the wiring system 1000. The first wiring tool 100a receives an operation by a user (S100). The first wiring fixture 100a controls the current (S102). The first lighting fixture 20a is turned off (S104). The first wiring tool 100a wirelessly transmits an operation signal indicating the locking operation of the electronic lock 44 with a small power (S106). The second wiring fixture 100b transmits an operation signal by short-range wireless communication when receiving the operation signal by low-power wireless (S108). The electronic lock 44 is locked (S110).

Fig. 8 is a timing chart showing another process of the wiring system 1000. The first wiring tool 100a receives an operation by a user (S200). The first wiring fixture 100a controls the current (S202). The first lighting fixture 20a is turned off (S204). The first wiring appliance 100a wirelessly transmits a request signal by low power (S206). The second wiring appliance 100b, upon receiving the request signal by the low-power wireless, transmits a status request to the electronic lock 44 by the proximity communication (S208). The electronic lock 44 transmits the state information to the second wiring appliance 100b through the proximity wireless communication (S210). The second wiring appliance 100b wirelessly transmits a response signal including the status information by low power (S212). The first wiring appliance 100a displays status information (S214).

Next, another structure of the wiring system 1000 is shown. Fig. 9 shows a configuration of the wiring system 1000. The wiring system 1000 includes first to third wiring harnesses 100a to 100c, which are collectively referred to as a wiring harness 100, a first network 600, a controller 610, a router 620, and a second network 630. Here, the following is assumed: the first wiring appliance 100a, the third wiring appliance 100c, the first network 600, the router 620, the second network 630 have been provided at the facility.

The first wiring tool 100a includes a communication unit (not shown) in addition to the configuration described above. The communication unit is a communication interface conforming to, for example, the ethernet (registered trademark) standard, and is capable of communicating via the first network 600. The communication unit may be a communication interface conforming to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard. The third wiring tool 100c has the same configuration as the wiring tool 100 described above, but does not include the first communication part 180a and the second communication part 180b, but includes a communication part. The first wiring harness 100a and the third wiring harness 100c can communicate with the controller 610 via the first network 600. The communication via the first network 600 is communication compliant with, for example, the ethernet standard.

The controller 610 is a controller of, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System), and has a function of directly or indirectly monitoring the states of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and a function of directly or indirectly controlling the plurality of lighting fixtures 20. The controller 610 has a communication interface compliant with, for example, the ethernet standard, and is capable of communicating via the first network 600. The controller 610 stores image data corresponding to a plurality of kinds of screens (display contents) displayed by the wiring tool 100 in advance, and transmits the image data corresponding to an operation of the operation unit 170 of the wiring tool 100 or the like to the wiring tool 100.

A router 620 is connected to the first network 600. Router 620 is a broadband router. Thus, the controller 610 is connected to an external second network 630 including the internet via the router 620. An external server (not shown) is also connected to the second network 630. The controller 610 and the server are capable of communicating via a second network 630.

In the second room 900b of the facility in which the wiring system 1000 is installed, a wiring device having only a function of controlling turning on or off of the second lighting device 20b but not having a communication function is installed. When the electronic lock 44 provided in the second room 900b is controlled by the wiring system 1000, the first network 600 needs to be also wired in the second room 900 b. However, when the wiring tool in the second room 900b is replaced with the second wiring tool 100b as shown in fig. 1 and 9, the second wiring tool 100b communicates with the first wiring tool 100a by low-power wireless communication, and the second wiring tool 100b communicates with the electronic lock 44 by near-field wireless communication. As a result, the electric lock 44 can be controlled by the wiring system 1000 without laying the first network 600 in the second room 900 b.

According to the present embodiment, the signal representing the operation related to the control of the device is transmitted by using both the short-range wireless communication and the low-power wireless, and therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved. When the second wiring tool 100b receives an operation related to the control of the equipment, the signal indicating the operation related to the control of the equipment is wirelessly received from the second wiring tool 100b with low power, and therefore the signal from the second wiring tool 100b can be received even if the distance between the wiring tools 100 is long. In addition, since the signal from the second wiring fixture 100b can be received even if the distance between the wiring fixtures 100 is long, the signal can be transmitted between the wiring fixtures 100. In addition, since signals can be transmitted between the wiring fixtures 100, the transmission distance of signals representing operations related to the control of the equipment can be made long. In addition, since the transmission distance of the signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device becomes long, the convenience of the user can be improved.

In addition, the low-power wireless can transmit a distance longer than the transmission distance of the short-range wireless communication, and therefore, even between different rooms, a signal representing an operation related to the control of the device can be transmitted. In addition, since a signal representing an operation related to the control of the device can be transmitted even between different rooms, the convenience of the user can be improved. Further, even if a signal cannot be transmitted to the device by the short-range wireless communication, the signal can be transmitted from the second wiring fixture 100b to the device by the short-range wireless communication after being wirelessly transmitted to the second wiring fixture 100b by the low power, and therefore the signal can be indirectly transmitted to the device which cannot directly transmit the signal. In addition, since a signal can be indirectly transmitted to a device that cannot directly transmit a signal, user convenience can be improved.

In addition, when a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the device is received from the terminal apparatus 50 by the short-range wireless communication, the signal is transmitted to the device by the short-range wireless communication, and therefore the device can be controlled from the terminal apparatus 50. In addition, since the device can be controlled from the terminal apparatus 50, the convenience of the user can be improved. Further, since the first communication unit 180a and the second communication unit 180b are operated based on the current for flowing to the lighting fixture 20, a separate power line for operating the first communication unit 180a and the second communication unit 180b can be eliminated. In addition, since a separate power line for operating the first communication unit 180a and the second communication unit 180b is not required, the installation of the wiring tool 100 can be facilitated. In addition, since the installation of the wiring tool 100 becomes easy, the convenience of the user can be improved.

Further, since the light source 190 is turned off when the lighting fixture 20 is turned on and the light source 190 is turned on when the lighting fixture 20 is turned off, the brightness of the display 160 can be maintained regardless of the turning on and off of the lighting fixture 20. In addition, since the brightness of the display 160 can be maintained regardless of turning on and off of the lighting fixture 20, user convenience can be improved. Further, since the light source 190 is turned on when the lighting fixture 20 is turned off, the brightness of the display 160 can be secured even when the lighting fixture 20 is turned off.

Further, when the lighting fixture 20 is cut off from the power from the ac power supply 10, a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the device is wirelessly transmitted to the second wiring fixture 100b by the small power, and the signal is transmitted from the second wiring fixture 100b to the device by the short-range wireless communication, so that the device can be controlled in accordance with the turning-off of the lighting fixture 20. In addition, since the apparatus can be controlled in accordance with the turning-off of the lighting fixture 20, the convenience of the user can be improved. In addition, when the lighting apparatus 20 is turned off in the bedroom, the electronic lock 44 of the entrance is automatically locked, so that forgetting to lock the electronic lock can be prevented. When the power from the ac power supply 10 is cut off to the lighting fixture 20, the information of the device is acquired through the second wiring fixture 100b and displayed on the display 160, so that the state of the device can be displayed in accordance with turning off of the lighting fixture 20. In addition, when the lighting apparatus 20 is turned off in the bedroom, the locked state of the electronic lock 44 in the entrance is automatically displayed, so that forgetting to lock the electronic lock can be prevented.

An outline of one embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows. An operating device (100 a) according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an operation unit (170) that accepts operations related to the control of the device; a first communication unit (180 a) that, when the operation unit (170) has received an operation relating to the control of the device, transmits a signal indicating the operation relating to the control of the device to the device by a first communication method; and a second communication unit (180 b) capable of performing communication based on a second communication method different from the first communication method. When another operation device (100 b) accepts an operation related to control of a device, a second communication unit (180 b) receives a signal indicating the operation related to control of the device from the other operation device (100 b), and when the second communication unit (180 b) receives the signal indicating the operation related to control of the device, a first communication unit (180 a) transmits a signal indicating the operation related to control of the device to the device.

The second communication method in the second communication unit (180 b) may be capable of transmitting a longer distance than the transmission distance of the first communication method in the first communication unit (180 a).

The operation unit (170) may receive an operation related to control of a device other than the device, the first communication unit (180 a) may not transmit a signal to the other device, the second communication unit (180 b) may transmit a signal indicating the operation related to control of the other device to the other operation device (100 b) when the operation unit (170) receives the operation related to control of the other device, and the other operation device (100 b) may transmit a signal indicating the operation related to control of the other device to the other device through the first communication method when the other operation device (100 b) receives the signal indicating the operation related to control of the other device from the operation device (100 a) through the second communication method.

The first communication unit (180 a) may receive a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device from the terminal device (50) by the first communication method, and the first communication unit (180 a) may transmit the signal indicating the operation related to control of the device to the device when receiving the signal indicating the operation related to control of the device from the terminal device (50).

The present invention may further include: a pair of connection terminals (110, 112) electrically connected between an AC power supply (10) and a load; a load control circuit (120) which is electrically connected between the pair of connection terminals (110, 112) and controls a current flowing through the load; a power supply circuit (500) that obtains power from an alternating-current power supply (10) via a pair of connection terminals (110, 112); and an electric storage element (540) charged by the power supply circuit (500). The power storage element (540) may supply power to the first communication unit (180 a) and the second communication unit (180 b).

The display device may further include a display (160) and a light source (190) for irradiating the display (160) with light. When power from the AC power supply (10) is supplied to a load, the light source (190) is turned off, and when power from the AC power supply (10) is cut off from the load, the light source (190) is turned on.

The first communication unit (180 a) cannot transmit a signal to a device other than the device, and when the power from the AC power supply (10) is cut off to the load, the second communication unit (180 b) transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the other device to the other operation device (100 b), and when the other operation device (100 b) receives the signal indicating the operation related to the control of the other device from the operation device (100 a) by the second communication method, the other operation device transmits the signal indicating the operation related to the control of the other device to the other device by the first communication method.

A display (160) may also be provided. The first communication unit (180 a) cannot transmit a signal to a device other than the device, when the power from the AC power supply (10) is cut off to the load, the second communication unit (180 b) transmits a request signal for confirming the state of the device other than the device to the other operation device (100 b), the other operation device (100 b) acquires the state of the device other than the device by using the first communication method when receiving the request signal from the operation device (100 a) by using the second communication method, and transmits a response signal indicating the state of the device other than the device to the operation device (100 a) by using the second communication method, and the display (160) displays the state of the device other than the device when receiving the response signal from the other operation device (100 b) by using the second communication unit (180 b).

Another way of the present disclosure is an operating system (1000). The operating system (1000) is provided with a first operating device (100 a) and a second operating device (100 b) which can execute communication based on a first communication method and a second communication method which are different from each other. When an operation related to the control of a device is received, a first operation device (100 a) transmits a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device to the device by a first communication method, when an operation related to the control of the device is received, a second operation device (100 b) transmits a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device to the first operation device (100 a) by a second communication method, and when a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device is received from the second operation device (100 b) by the second communication method, the first operation device (100 a) transmits a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the device to the device by the first communication method.

Yet another mode of the present disclosure is a method of operation. The method comprises the following steps: accepting an operation related to control of the apparatus; transmitting a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device to the device by a first communication method when the operation related to control of the device is accepted; when the other operation device (100 b) accepts an operation related to the control of the equipment, receiving a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the equipment from the other operation device (100 b) by a second communication method different from the first communication method; and transmitting a signal representing an operation related to the control of the device to the device through the first communication means, in a case where the signal representing the operation related to the control of the device is received from the other operation apparatus (100 b) through the second communication means.

(example 2)

Next, example 2 is explained. Embodiment 2 relates to a wiring system 1000 including a two-wire wiring tool 100 for controlling a load, as in embodiment 1. Further, example 2 relates to: in order to improve the convenience of the user, the terminal device 50 is notified of the status of the facility in which the wiring tool 100 is installed. The wiring system 1000 and the wiring tool 100 according to embodiment 2 are of the same type as those of fig. 1 and 2. Here, the following description will focus on differences from embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 shows a configuration of the wiring system 1000. The wiring system 1000 includes a wiring fixture 100, a controller 610, a router 620, a network 640, a server 700, and a terminal device 50. The first communication unit 180a of the wiring tool 100 can communicate with the controller 610 by short-range wireless communication. The controller 610 has the aforementioned configuration, but also includes a function of short-range wireless communication. The controller 610 is connected to the router 620, and the router 620 is connected to the network 640. That is, the router 620 connects the wiring appliance 100 with the network 640. The network 640 corresponds to the aforementioned second network 630. The server 700 and the terminal device 50 are connected to the network 640 in addition to the router 620. The server 700 is a device for providing services in the wiring system 1000 to the wiring tool 100 and the terminal device 50, and the terminal device 50 is a device carried by a user in the same manner as in embodiment 1. With this configuration, even when the terminal device 50 is located at a place remote from the facility, it can be connected to the wiring tool 100 via the network 640.

The occupant operates the operation unit 170 of the wiring fixture 100 to turn on or off the lighting fixture 20. The control unit 400 has a timer function, and when receiving an operation for the lighting fixture 20 from the operation unit 170, stores a history of the operation for the lighting fixture 20 in the storage unit 410. Fig. 11 (a) - (b) show data structures of tables stored in the storage unit 410, and particularly fig. 11 (a) shows a data structure of a table in which a history of operations of the lighting fixture 20 is stored. As shown in the figure, the timing of turning on the lighting fixture 20 is "on", and the timing of turning off the lighting fixture 20 is "off", and the dates and times of these timings are recorded. Fig. 11 (b) is described later, and returns to fig. 10.

The history of the operation of the lighting fixture 20 may be stored in the server 700 instead of the storage unit 410. At this time, when receiving an operation on the lighting fixture 20 from the operation unit 170, the control unit 400 transmits a signal indicating the timing of the operation to the server 700 via the controller 610, the router 620, and the network 640. The signal indicating the timing of the operation includes identification information for identifying the facility in which the wiring tool 100 is installed. When receiving the signal indicating the timing of the operation, the server 700 stores the operation to the lighting fixture 20 for each piece of identification information. Therefore, the server 700 stores the table shown in fig. 11 (a) for each facility.

The control unit 400 acquires a table stored in the storage unit 410 or the server 700, and estimates a period in which the lighting timing is high (hereinafter, referred to as "lighting period") or a period in which the lighting timing is high (hereinafter, referred to as "lighting period"). Such a period is estimated using well-known techniques, such as statistical processing techniques. In addition, such a period may be estimated on a day of the week or divided into a weekday and a rest day. Also, a plurality of lighting periods and extinguishing periods may be estimated in one day. For example, 17 point 00 to 17 point 59 points are estimated as the lighting period. This corresponds to a period of time in which the lighting fixture 20 is lit after the occupant of the facility arrives at home. The control section 400 registers the estimated lighting period or turning-off period.

When the occupant operates the operation unit 170 of the wiring fixture 100 to turn on or off the lighting fixture 20, the control unit 400 receives an operation from the operation unit 170. The control section 400 determines whether or not an operation is accepted within a set period of time. When the operation of turning on is accepted in the lighting period or when the operation of turning off is accepted in the turning-off period, the control unit 400 ends the processing. On the other hand, when the operation of turning on is not accepted in the lighting period or when the operation of turning off is not accepted in the turning off period, the control unit 400 determines that the abnormal state occurs. The abnormal state is a state in which the operation unit 170 has not received an operation during a period in which the operation is possible. Here, attention is paid to a case where the lighting operation is not accepted in the lighting period. When the control unit 400 determines that the abnormal state has occurred, it causes the display 160 to display the transmission of the notification before transmitting the notification of the occurrence of the abnormal state.

Fig. 12 (a) to (e) show an outline of the operation of the wiring system 1000. Fig. 12 (a) is a screen displayed on the display 160 of the wiring device 100, and is a screen for notifying a notice of transmission of a notification. As a message for notifying a notice of transmission of a notification, a text of "transmission notification" is shown. In addition, a "pause" button is shown in the lower portion of the message. The "suspend" button is an interface for accepting an operation to suspend transmission within a predetermined period from the display of the display 160. The predetermined period is, for example, 1 minute.

When the resident of the facility does not arrive at home, the resident cannot confirm the display on the display 160, and therefore cannot touch the "suspend" key. If the operation unit 170 does not accept the touch operation of the "off" button, that is, does not accept the operation of the off button within a predetermined period from the transmission of the notification displayed on the display 160, the control unit 400 determines to transmit the notification. On the other hand, the occupant of the facility performs a touch operation on the "stop" key of the display 160 only when the occupant has arrived at the home but has not performed a lighting operation. When the operation unit 170 receives the touch operation of the "suspend" button, that is, when the operation of suspending is received within a predetermined period from the transmission of the notification displayed on the display 160, the control unit 400 suspends the transmission of the notification. Fig. 12 (b) to (e) are described later, and the process returns to fig. 10.

When the control unit 400 of the wiring tool 100 determines to transmit the notification, the first communication unit 180a transmits the notification to the controller 610 by the short-range wireless communication. The notification includes, for example, identification information for identifying a facility in which the wiring appliance 100 is provided, occurrence of an abnormal state, an operation of not lighting during a lighting period, notification time, and the like. The notification is received by the server 700 via the controller 610, the router 620, the network 640. In the server 700 and the terminal device 50, a notification application for notifying a notification from the wiring appliance 100 is started. The notification application stores the correspondence between the identification information and the address of the terminal device 50. In this state, when receiving the notification, server 700 extracts the identification information from the notification, and acquires the address of terminal device 50 based on the identification information. Server 700 transmits a notification to terminal device 50 via network 640, using the acquired address as a destination.

Terminal apparatus 50 receives the notification from server 700. Upon receiving the notification, the terminal device 50 displays the content of the notification on the monitor 52. Fig. 12 (b) is a screen displayed on the monitor 52 and is a screen for notifying the content of the notification. As a message for notifying the content of the notification, a character of "a predetermined period of time has elapsed but no lighting is shown. The user of the terminal device 50 recognizes that the occupant does not turn on the lighting fixture 20 or that the occupant does not return to the facility by checking the display on the monitor 52. Fig. 12 (c) to (e) are described later, and the process returns to fig. 10.

After the first communication unit 180a transmits the notification, the control unit 400 of the wiring appliance 100 causes the display 160 to display the result of the transmission of the notification. Fig. 12 (c) is a screen displayed on the display 160 of the wiring device 100 and used to notify the result of transmission of the notification. As a message for informing a result of transmission of the notification, a text of "notification has been transmitted" is shown. Here, as an example, the screen of fig. 12 (a) is displayed before the notification is transmitted, and the screen of fig. 12 (c) is displayed after the notification is transmitted. However, only one of the screen in fig. 12 (a) before the notification is transmitted and the screen in fig. 12 (c) after the notification is transmitted may be displayed.

The display 160 displays a screen for accepting an operation of transmitting a message after displaying the transmission result of the notification. Fig. 12 (d) is a screen displayed on the display 160 of the wiring device 100, and is a screen for accepting an operation of transmitting a message. Here, "don't care", "urgent", and "call request" are shown as a list of messages that can be transmitted. When a message is to be sent, the resident selects any one of "don't care", "urgent", and "call request" by a touch operation. Fig. 12 (e) is described later, and returns to fig. 10. The operation unit 170 of the wiring tool 100 receives a message selected by a touch operation. That is, the operation unit 170 can receive an operation of transmitting a message after the display 160 displays the transmission result of the notification. The control unit 400 causes the first communication unit 180a to transmit the accepted message. The first communication unit 180a transmits a message to the controller 610 by short-range wireless communication. The message is received by the server 700 via the controller 610, the router 620, the network 640. Upon receiving the message, the server 700 transmits the message to the terminal device 50 via the network 640.

The terminal device 50 receives a message from the server 700. When receiving the message, the terminal device 50 displays the content of the message on the monitor 52. Fig. 12 (e) is a screen displayed on the monitor 52 and used for notifying the content of the message. Here, it is assumed that "don't care" is selected as a message in fig. 12 (d), and a character of "don't care" is shown.

On the other hand, the control unit 400 may determine that the normal state is completed when the operation of turning on is accepted in the lighting period or when the operation of turning off is accepted in the turning-off period. The normal state is a state in which the operation unit 170 receives an operation during a period in which the operation is possible. Here, attention is paid to a case where an operation of lighting is accepted in a lighting period. When determining that the normal state is completed, the control unit 400 determines to transmit the notification. When the control unit 400 determines to transmit the notification, the first communication unit 180a transmits the notification to the controller 610 by the short-range wireless communication. The notification is received by the server 700 via the controller 610, the router 620, the network 640. Upon receiving the notification, server 700 transmits the notification to terminal device 50 via network 640.

Terminal apparatus 50 receives the notification from server 700. When receiving the notification, the terminal device 50 displays the content of the notification on the monitor 52. Fig. 13 shows an outline of the operation of the terminal device 50, and is a screen displayed on the monitor 52 for notifying the content of the notification. As a message for notifying the content of the notification, a text of "home arrived" is shown. The user of the terminal device 50 recognizes that the occupant has returned to the facility by checking the display on the monitor 52. At least one of the screen of fig. 12 (a) before the notification is transmitted and the screen of fig. 12 (c) after the notification is transmitted is displayed on the display 160 of the wiring tool 100.

In the foregoing description, the lighting period and the turning-off period are estimated based on a table of history of operations. However, the lighting period and the turning-off period may also be registered in advance by the user. Specifically, the lighting period and the turning-off period are set by the user operating the terminal device 50, and the set lighting period and turning-off period are transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the server 700 or the wiring fixture 100 to be registered. Fig. 11 (b) shows a data structure of a schedule of an occupant of a facility. As shown in the figure, the lighting period is registered in advance. The turning-off period may also be registered as well. Returning to fig. 10.

The following processing is the same as before, and therefore, description thereof is omitted. For example, when the operation unit 170 does not accept an operation for the lighting period or the turning-off period acquired from the schedule, the control unit 400 determines that an abnormal state occurs, and when the operation unit 170 accepts an operation for the lighting period or the turning-off period acquired from the schedule, the control unit 400 determines that the normal state is completed. At least one of the screen of fig. 12 (a) before the notification is transmitted and the screen of fig. 12 (c) after the notification is transmitted is displayed on the display 160 of the wiring tool 100.

In the description hereinbefore, the lighting period and the turning-off period are used to decide whether or not to transmit the notification. However, the control unit 400 may measure a period in which the operation unit 170 has not received an operation, and determine that an abnormal state has occurred when the operation unit has not received an operation within a fixed period. The following processing is the same as before, and therefore, description thereof is omitted. At least one of the screen of fig. 12 (a) before the notification is transmitted and the screen of fig. 12 (c) after the notification is transmitted is displayed on the display 160 of the wiring tool 100.

The operation of the wiring system 1000 with the above configuration will be described. Fig. 14 is a timing chart showing a process of the wiring system 1000. The wiring fixture 100 confirms that the condition is satisfied (S300). The wiring appliance 100 displays a notice of transmission of the notice (S302). The wiring appliance 100 transmits a notification to the server 700 (S304). Server 700 transmits the notification to terminal device 50 (S306). The terminal device 50 displays the notification (S308). The wiring appliance 100 displays the result of the transmission of the notification (S310).

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the wiring tool 100. If no operation is performed for a fixed period (yes in S400), the first communication unit 180a transmits a notification (S402). The display 160 displays the result of transmission of the notification (S404). If an operation is performed within a fixed period (no in S400), the process ends.

According to the present embodiment, in a situation where the notification is transmitted when the operation on the operation unit 170 satisfies the predetermined condition, the transmission of the notification is displayed before the notification is transmitted or after the notification is transmitted, and therefore, the transmission of the notification can be confirmed. In addition, since the transmission of the notification can be confirmed, the convenience of the user can be improved. Further, since the transmission notification is determined when the operation is not accepted by the time slot operation unit 170 estimated based on the past operation history and in which the operation is possible, the notification can be notified in a state different from the normal state. In addition, since the notification is determined to be transmitted when the operation is accepted by the time-zone operating unit 170 estimated based on the past operation history and in which the operation is possible, the normal state can be notified.

Further, since the notification is determined to be transmitted when the operation is not accepted by the period operating unit 170 that is acquired from the schedule and is operable, a state different from the normal state can be notified. In addition, since the transmission notification is determined when the operation is accepted by the period operating unit 170 that is acquired from the schedule and is operable, the normal state can be notified. Further, since the transmission notification is determined when the operation unit 170 does not accept the operation within the fixed period, it is possible to notify the possibility of occurrence of an abnormality. Further, when the operation unit 170 receives an operation to suspend transmission after a notice of transmission of a notification is displayed before transmission of the notification, the transmission of the notification is suspended, and therefore, occurrence of unnecessary transmission can be suppressed. Further, when the operation unit 170 accepts an operation to transmit a message after the transmission result of the notification is displayed after the notification is transmitted, the message is transmitted, and therefore, further information can be notified.

Further, since the first communication unit 180a and the display 160 are operated based on the current for flowing to the lighting fixture 20, a separate power line for operating the first communication unit 180a and the display 160 can be eliminated. In addition, since a separate power line for operating the first communication unit 180a and the display 160 is not required, the installation of the wiring device 100 can be facilitated. In addition, since the installation of the wiring tool 100 becomes easy, the convenience of the user can be improved. In addition, since the predetermined condition is set and the content of the notification is displayed when the notification from the wiring tool 100 is received, the convenience of the user can be improved.

An outline of one embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows. A wiring tool (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an operation unit (170) that receives an operation related to the control of a load; a pair of connection terminals (110, 112) electrically connected between an AC power supply (10) and a load; a load control circuit (120) which is electrically connected between the pair of connection terminals (110, 112) and controls the current flowing through the load on the basis of the operation received by the operation unit (170); a communication unit (180 a) that transmits a notification when a predetermined condition is satisfied in response to an operation of the operation unit (170); and a display unit (160) that displays the transmission of the notification before or after the communication unit (180 a) transmits the notification.

The predetermined condition may be: the operation unit (170) does not receive an operation in a period estimated based on the past operation history and in which the operation is possible.

The predetermined condition may be: the operation unit (170) receives an operation in a period estimated based on the past operation history and in which the operation is possible.

The predetermined condition may be: the operation unit (170) does not accept an operation in a period acquired from the schedule and in which the operation is possible.

The predetermined condition may be: the operation unit (170) receives an operation in a period acquired from the schedule and in which the operation is possible.

The predetermined condition may be: the operation unit (170) does not receive an operation within a fixed period.

Before the notification is transmitted, the display unit (160) may display a notice of the transmission of the notification, the operation unit (170) may receive an operation to suspend the transmission within a predetermined period from the display by the display unit (160), and the communication unit (180 a) may suspend the transmission of the notification when the operation unit (170) receives the operation to suspend the transmission.

After the notification is transmitted, the display unit (160) displays the transmission result of the notification, the operation unit (170) can accept the operation of transmitting the message from the display unit (160) and the communication unit (180 a) can transmit the message when the operation unit (170) accepts the operation of transmitting the message.

The present invention may further include: a power supply circuit (500) that obtains power from an alternating-current power supply (10) via a pair of connection terminals (110, 112); and an electric storage element (540) which is charged by the power supply circuit (500). The power storage element (540) may supply power to the communication unit (180 a) and the display unit (160).

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a wiring system. The wiring system is provided with a wiring tool (100) and a router for connecting the wiring tool (100) to a network. A wiring tool (100) is provided with: an operation unit (170) that receives an operation related to the control of a load; a pair of connection terminals (110, 112) electrically connected between an AC power supply (10) and a load; a load control circuit (120) which is electrically connected between the pair of connection terminals (110, 112) and controls the current flowing through the load on the basis of the operation received by the operation unit (170); a communication unit (180 a) that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to an operation of the operation unit (170), transmits a notification to the terminal device (50) via the router; and a display unit (160) that displays the transmission of the notification before or after the communication unit (180 a) transmits the notification.

A program executed in a terminal device (50) capable of communicating with a wiring tool (100), the program being for causing a computer to execute: setting a predetermined condition; and displaying the content of the notification when the notification from the wiring appliance (100) is received.

(example 3)

Next, example 3 is explained. As before, the embodiment 3 relates to a wiring system 1000 including a two-wire wiring tool 100 for controlling a load. Further, example 3 relates to: in order to improve convenience for the user, the apparatus to be controlled is changed when the operation unit 170 of the wiring tool 100 is operated. The wiring system 1000 and the wiring fixture 100 according to embodiment 3 are of the same type as those of fig. 1, 10, and 2. Here, the following description will be made centering on differences from the above.

Fig. 16 (a) - (b) show the external appearance of the wiring device 100. Fig. 16 (a) shows a wiring fixture 100 having the same structure as before. Heretofore, the operation unit 170 is a group of push switches and touch sensors attached to the entire surface of the display 160. On the other hand, in fig. 16 (a), the first operation unit 170a is a physical switch of a wave type or a button type, and the second operation unit 170b is a touch sensor attached to the entire surface of the display 160. Fig. 16 (b) is described later.

Fig. 17 shows a structure of a part of the wiring tool 100. Wiring tool 100 includes first and second operation units 170a and 170b, which are collectively referred to as operation unit 170, first and second communication units 180a and 180b, control unit 400, and storage unit 410. The other configuration is the same as that of fig. 2, and includes a first operation unit 170a and a second operation unit 170b instead of the operation unit 170.

The first operation unit 170a receives an operation related to the control of the lighting fixture 20. When the wiring fixture 100 is the first wiring fixture 100a, the first operation unit 170a receives an operation related to the control of the first lighting fixture 20a. When the operation received by the first operation unit 170a is lighting, the control unit 400 controls the load control circuit 120 to switch the connection terminals 110 and 112 from the off state to the on state. On the other hand, when the operation received by the first operation unit 170a is turned off, the control unit 400 controls the load control circuit 120 to switch the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112 from the on state to the off state. That is, the load control circuit 120 controls the current flowing through the bidirectional switch 200 based on the operation received by the first operation unit 170 a. As described above, power supply circuit 500 receives electric power from ac power supply 10 via connection terminals 110 and 112, and power storage element 540 is charged by power supply circuit 500.

The second operation unit 170b receives an operation related to the control of the device. When wiring fixture 100 is first wiring fixture 100a, electric blind 42 is not provided in first room 900a, and electronic lock 44 is not provided in second room 900b, second operation unit 170b receives an operation related to control of air conditioner 40 or second lighting fixture 20b. At this time, the image G3 of fig. 4 (a) displayed on the display 160 does not include the electric blind 42. The control unit 400 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 410 to determine the output destination of the signal indicating the received operation. In response to this, the first communication unit 180a transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the air conditioner 40 to the conversion device 30 by short-range wireless communication, and the second communication unit 180b transmits a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b to the second wiring fixture 100b by short-range wireless communication. Similarly to the above, the power storage device 540 supplies electric power to the first communication unit 180a and the second communication unit 180b.

In this situation, there are the following cases: when electric louver 42 is newly installed in first room 900a, it is desired to install electric louver 42 from first wiring fixture 100a or second wiring fixture 100b. To cope with this, the wiring system 1000 performs the following processing. A program for controlling electric blind 42 from wiring harness 100 (hereinafter referred to as "electric blind program") is stored in server 700 in fig. 10, and is an electric blind program to be executed by wiring harness 100. The user operates terminal device 50 to access server 700 via network 640. Terminal device 50 transmits an instruction to cause electric blind program to be transmitted to wiring tool 100 to server 700 by an operation of the user. Upon receiving the instruction, server 700 transmits the electric blind program to wiring appliance 100 via network 640, router 620, and controller 610.

The first communication unit 180a of the wiring tool 100 receives the electric blind program from the controller 610 by the short-range wireless communication. The control unit 400 causes the storage unit 410 to store the electric blind program received by the first communication unit 180 a. The control unit 400 adds control of the electric blind 42 by applying the electric blind program stored in the storage unit 410. Specifically, the electric blind 42 is added to the image G3 of fig. 4 (a) displayed on the display 160.

As a result, the user can select electric blind 42 as the control target, and second operation unit 170b can also receive an operation related to the control of electric blind 42. When the second operation unit 170b receives an operation related to the control of the electric blind 42, the control unit 400 refers to the table of the storage unit 410 and causes the first communication unit 180a to transmit a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the electric blind 42. The same applies to the case where the electronic lock 44 is added to the controlled object. In this way, the content of the control of the device can be changed.

Fig. 16 (b) shows an external appearance of the wiring fixture 100 of a type different from fig. 16 (a). The wiring tool 100 includes a first operation portion 170a and a second operation portion 170b. The first and second operation units 170a and 170b are physical switches of a wave type or a button type. In addition, the wiring appliance 100 does not include the display 160.

Fig. 18 shows a structure of a part of the wiring tool 100. Here, a case is assumed where the first lighting fixture 20a and the second lighting fixture 20b are provided in one room 900. Compared to the configuration of fig. 2, wiring tool 100 includes connection terminal 114, connection terminal 116, first load control circuit 120a and second load control circuit 120b collectively referred to as load control circuit 120, and first operation unit 170a and second operation unit 170b collectively referred to as operation unit 170. In addition, the display 160 is not included.

The connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112 are electrically connected between the ac power supply 10 and the first lighting fixture 20a, and the connection terminal 114 and the connection terminal 116 are electrically connected between the ac power supply 10 and the second lighting fixture 20b. The first load control circuit 120a is electrically connected between the connection terminals 110 and 112 to control the current flowing through the first lighting fixture 20a, and the second load control circuit 120b is electrically connected between the connection terminals 114 and 116 to control the current flowing through the second lighting fixture 20b.

When the operation received by the first operation unit 170a is lighting, the control unit 400 controls the first load control circuit 120a to switch the connection terminals 110 and 112 from the off state to the on state. On the other hand, when the operation accepted by the first operation unit 170a is off, the control unit 400 controls the first load control circuit 120a to switch the connection terminal 110 and the connection terminal 112 from the on state to the off state. That is, the first lighting fixture 20a is turned on or off according to an operation on the first operation portion 170 a.

When the operation received by the second operation unit 170b is lighting, the control unit 400 controls the second load control circuit 120b to switch the connection terminals 114 and 116 from the off state to the on state. On the other hand, when the operation received by the second operation unit 170b is turned off, the control unit 400 controls the first load control circuit 120a to switch the connection terminals 114 and 116 from the on state to the off state. That is, the second lighting fixture 20b is turned on or off according to an operation on the second operation portion 170b.

In this situation, there are the following situations: when electric louver 42 is newly installed in room 900, it is desired to install electric louver 42 from wiring device 100. To cope with this, the wiring system 1000 performs the following processing. The server 700 in fig. 10 stores an electric blind window program. The user operates terminal device 50 to access server 700 via network 640. Terminal device 50 transmits an instruction to transmit the electric blind program to wiring tool 100 to server 700 by an operation of the user. Upon receiving the instruction, server 700 transmits the electric blind program to wiring appliance 100 via network 640, router 620, and controller 610.

The first communication unit 180a of the wiring tool 100 receives the electric blind program from the controller 610 through the short-range wireless communication. The control unit 400 causes the storage unit 410 to store the electric blind program received by the first communication unit 180 a. The control part 400 performs rewriting using the program for electric blind stored in the storage part 410, thereby changing the device controlled according to the operation of the second operation part 170b to the electric blind 42.

As a result, the second operation unit 170b can receive an operation related to the control of the electric blind 42 instead of an operation related to the control of the second lighting fixture 20b. When the second operation unit 170b receives an operation related to the control of the electric blind 42, the control unit 400 refers to the table of the storage unit 410 and causes the first communication unit 180a to transmit a signal indicating the operation related to the control of the electric blind 42. The same applies to the case where the control target is changed to the air conditioner 40 or the electronic lock 44. In this way, the content of the control of the device can be changed.

In this case, the control target of the operation of the first operation unit 170a is fixed, and the control target of the operation of the second operation unit 170b can be changed. However, the control object may be a control object to which the operation of the first operation unit 170a can be added. For example, the first lighting fixture 20a and the air conditioner 40 may be controlled by the operation of the first operation unit 170 a. At this time, when the first lighting fixture 20a is turned on by the operation of the first operation unit 170a, the air conditioner 40 also operates. When the first lighting fixture 20a is turned off by the operation of the first operation unit 170a, the air conditioner 40 is also stopped. That is, the first lighting fixture 20a is controlled in conjunction with any device by the operation of the first operation unit 170 a. Any device may be plural. This corresponds to the first operation unit 170a and the second operation unit 170b being configured in common. Addition of such a device is also realized by applying the aforementioned program.

The operation of the wiring system 1000 with the above configuration will be described. Fig. 19 is a timing chart showing a process of the wiring system 1000. The terminal device 50 inputs an instruction for transmitting the program (S500). Terminal apparatus 50 transmits an instruction to server 700 (S502). Server 700 transmits the program (S504). The wiring appliance 100 executes application or rewriting of the program (S506).

According to the present embodiment, the communication unit is operated by the power storage element 540 charged based on the current for flowing to the lighting fixture 20, and the lighting fixture 20 is controlled if the first operation unit 170a receives an operation, and the device is controlled using the communication unit if the second operation unit 170b receives an operation, so that the device can be controlled in addition to the lighting fixture 20 by using only the current for flowing to the lighting fixture 20. In addition, since it is possible to control the devices in addition to the lighting fixtures 20 only by using the current for flowing to the lighting fixtures 20, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user. In addition, since the content of the control of the device can be changed, the device suitable for the user can be controlled. In addition, since a device suitable for a user can be controlled, convenience of the user can be improved. In addition, even if the content of the control of the equipment is changed, the first operation portion 170a is used to control the lighting fixture 20, so the control of the lighting fixture 20 can be reliably executed.

Further, since the first operation unit 170a and the second operation unit 170b are physical switches, the operation can be simplified. In addition, since the operation becomes simple, the convenience of the user can be improved. Since the first operation unit 170a is a physical switch and the second operation unit 170b is a switch displayed on the display 160, various devices can be controlled. In addition, since various devices can be controlled, user convenience can be improved.

Further, by applying the program of the wiring device 100, a device to be controlled is added, and thus a new device can be controlled. In addition, since the device to be controlled is changed by rewriting the program of the wiring device 100, a desired device can be controlled. In addition, since the first operation unit 170a and the second operation unit 170b are configured to be common, the lighting fixture 20 and the device can be simultaneously controlled by one operation.

An outline of one embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows. A wiring tool (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a first operation unit (170 a) that receives an operation related to load control; a pair of connection terminals (110, 112) electrically connected between an AC power supply (10) and a load; a load control circuit (120) which is electrically connected between the pair of connection terminals (110, 112) and controls the current flowing through the load on the basis of the operation received by the first operation unit (170 a); a power supply circuit (500) that obtains power from an alternating-current power supply (10) via a pair of connection terminals (110, 112); a power storage element (540) that is charged by the power supply circuit (500); a second operation unit (170 b) that receives an operation related to the control of the device; and communication units (180 a, 180 b) that transmit a signal indicating an operation related to the control of the device when the second operation unit (170 b) receives the operation related to the control of the device. The power storage element (540) supplies power to the communication units (180 a, 180 b).

The content of the control of the device may be changeable.

A display (160) may also be provided. The first operation unit (170 a) may be a physical switch, and the second operation unit (170 b) may be a switch displayed on the display (160).

The first operation unit (170 a) may be a physical switch, and the second operation unit (170 b) may be a physical switch.

As a change in the content of control of the device, a device to be controlled may be added by applying a program of the wiring device (100).

As a change in the content of control of the device, the device to be controlled may be changed by rewriting the program of the wiring device (100).

The first operation unit (170 a) and the second operation unit (170 b) may be configured to be common.

In the above, the present disclosure is explained based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiment is illustrative, and various modifications can be made to the combination of these respective constituent elements or the respective processes, and such modifications also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

In embodiments 1 to 3, the air conditioner 40, the electric shutter 42, and the electronic lock 44 are used as devices. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the device may be an electronic device such as a television or a motorized window shade, for example. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of the structure can be improved.

In embodiments 1 to 3, the first communication unit 180a uses short-range wireless communication as the first communication method, and the second communication unit 180b uses low-power wireless communication as the second communication method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another communication method may be used for at least one of the first communication method and the second communication method. That is, the transmission distance of the second communication method may be longer than the transmission distance of the first communication method. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of the structure can be improved.

In embodiment 1, a signal is transmitted between the first wiring fixture 100a and the second wiring fixture 100b using low-power wireless. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, three or more wiring fixtures 100 may be used to transmit signals. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of the structure can be improved.

In embodiment 2, when a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the operation of the wiring tool 100, it is determined to transmit a notification to the terminal device 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a fire alarm or a gas detector may be connected to the wiring fixture 100 by short-range wireless communication, and the wiring fixture 100 may determine to transmit a notification to the terminal device 50 when an alarm is received from the fire alarm or the gas detector. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of the structure can be improved.

In embodiment 2, when a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the operation of the wiring tool 100, it is determined to transmit a notification to the terminal device 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a thermometer may be connected to the wiring tool 100 by short-range wireless communication, and the wiring tool 100 may determine to transmit a notification to the air conditioner 40 via the converter device 30 when the temperature received from the thermometer becomes higher than a threshold value. The air conditioner 40 starts the cooling operation when receiving the notification. Further, the wiring tool 100 may determine to transmit the notification to the air conditioner 40 via the converter 30 when the temperature received from the thermometer is lower than another threshold value. The air conditioner 40 starts the heating operation when receiving the notification. In these cases, at least one of a notice of transmission of the notification and a result of transmission of the notification is also displayed on the display 160. Alternatively, the air quality measuring instrument may be used instead of the thermometer, and the air cleaner may be used instead of the air conditioner 40. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of the structure can be improved.

In embodiment 2, at least one of a notice of transmission of a notification and a result of transmission of a notification is displayed on the display 160. However, the wiring device 100 is not limited to this, and may be provided with a display unit such as an LED, for example, and the display unit may be turned on or blinked in response to at least one of a notice of transmission of a notification and a result of transmission of the notification. According to this modification, power consumption of the wiring tool 100 can be reduced.

Any combination of embodiments 1 to 3 is also possible. According to this modification, the effects of any combination of embodiments 1 to 3 can be obtained.

Industrial applicability

According to the present disclosure, user convenience can be improved.

Description of the reference numerals

10: an alternating current power supply; 20: a lighting fixture; 30: a conversion device; 40: an air conditioner; 42: an electric blind window; 44: an electronic lock; 50: a terminal device; 52: a monitor; 100: wiring tools (operation devices); 110. 112, 114, 116: a connection terminal; 120: a load control circuit; 130: a phase detection unit; 150: a power supply unit; 160: a display; 170: an operation section; 180: a communication unit; 190: a light source; 200: a bi-directional switch; 210: a switch driving section; 220: a first driving section; 222: a second driving section; 300: a first detection unit; 310: a second detection unit; 400: a control unit; 410: a storage unit; 500: a power supply circuit; 510: a first power supply unit; 512: a second power supply unit; 520: a DC-DC conversion circuit; 530: a charging circuit; 540: an electric storage element; 550: a discharge circuit; 600: a first network; 610: a controller; 620: a router; 630: a second network; 640: a network; 700: a server; 900: a room; 1000: a wiring system; q1, Q2: a switching element; d1, D2: a diode; c1: and a capacitor.

Claims (11)

1. An operation device is provided with:

an operation unit that accepts an operation related to control of a device;

a first communication unit that transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device to the device by a first communication method when the operation unit accepts the operation related to control of the device; and

a second communication section capable of performing communication based on a second communication method different from the first communication method,

wherein the second communication unit receives a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device from another operation device when the another operation device accepts the operation related to control of the device,

the first communication section transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the apparatus to the apparatus, when the second communication section receives the signal indicating the operation related to control of the apparatus.

2. The operating device according to claim 1,

the second communication method in the second communication unit is capable of transmitting a distance longer than a transmission distance of the first communication method in the first communication unit.

3. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2,

the operation unit accepts an operation related to control of another device, the other device being different from the device,

the first communication section cannot transmit a signal to the other device,

the second communication unit transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the other device to the other operation device when the operation unit accepts the operation related to control of the other device,

the other operation device, when receiving a signal indicating an operation related to control of the other device from the own operation device by the second communication method, transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the other device to the other device by the first communication method.

4. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the first communication section receives a signal representing an operation related to control of the device from a terminal apparatus through the first communication method,

the first communication unit transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device to the device when receiving the signal indicating the operation related to control of the device from the terminal apparatus.

5. The operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a pair of connection terminals electrically connected between an AC power source and a load;

a load control circuit electrically connected between the pair of connection terminals, for controlling a current flowing through the load;

a power supply circuit that obtains electric power from the ac power supply via the pair of connection terminals; and

an electric storage element charged by the power supply circuit,

wherein the power storage element supplies electric power to the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

6. The operation device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a display; and

a light source that irradiates light to the display,

wherein the light source is turned off when the power from the AC power supply is supplied to the load, and the light source is turned on when the power from the AC power supply is cut off to the load.

7. The operating device of claim 5,

the first communication section cannot transmit a signal to other devices than the device,

the second communication unit transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the other device to the other operation device when the power from the alternating-current power supply is cut off to the load,

the other operation device, when receiving a signal indicating an operation related to control of the other device from the own operation device by the second communication method, transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the other device to the other device by the first communication method.

8. The operating device according to claim 5,

the utility model is also provided with a display device,

the first communication section cannot transmit a signal to other devices than the device,

the second communication section transmits a request signal for confirming a state of the other device to the other operation apparatus when the power from the alternating-current power supply is cut off to the load,

the other operation device, upon receiving the request signal from the own operation device via the second communication method, acquires the state of the other device using the first communication method, and then transmits a response signal indicating the state of the other device to the own operation device via the second communication method,

when the second communication section receives the response signal from the other operation device, the display displays the state of the other apparatus.

9. An operating system, wherein, when the operating system is in a normal operating mode,

the operating system includes a first operating device and a second operating device capable of performing communication in a first communication method and a second communication method different from each other,

the first operation device transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device to the device by the first communication method when receiving the operation related to control of the device,

the second operation device transmits a signal indicating an operation related to control of the equipment to the first operation device by the second communication method when receiving the operation related to control of the equipment,

the first operating device transmits a signal representing an operation related to control of the apparatus to the apparatus through the first communication method, when receiving the signal representing the operation related to control of the apparatus from the second operating device through the second communication method.

10. A method of operation comprising the steps of:

accepting an operation related to control of the apparatus;

transmitting a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device to the device by a first communication method when the operation related to control of the device is accepted;

receiving a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device from another operation device through a second communication method different from the first communication method when the another operation device accepts the operation related to control of the device; and

when a signal representing an operation related to control of the apparatus is received from the other operation device by the second communication means, the signal representing the operation related to control of the apparatus is transmitted to the apparatus by the first communication means.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps of:

accepting an operation related to control of the apparatus;

transmitting a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device to the device by a first communication method when the operation related to control of the device is accepted;

receiving a signal indicating an operation related to control of the device from another operation device through a second communication method different from the first communication method when the another operation device accepts the operation related to control of the device; and

when a signal representing an operation related to control of the apparatus is received from the other operation device by the second communication means, the signal representing the operation related to control of the apparatus is transmitted to the apparatus by the first communication means.

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