JP2001231083A - Automatic equipment control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic equipment control system that can automatically control an equipment scrupulously in accordance with the location of a user of the equipment without the need for instructions of the start/stop of the equipment from the user each time. SOLUTION: A position information collection means 2a of a mobile terminal 2 collects current position information of a user 1 of an electronic equipment by using a GPS signal, a position information transmission means 2b of the mobile terminal 2 transmits the collected position information of the user 1 to an equipment control means 5 placed in a home 4 being a prescribed transmission destination, the equipment control means 5 receives the position information of the user 1 and the equipment control means 5 controls electronic equipment placed in the home 4 on the basis of the received position information of the user 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic device control system for controlling electronic devices such as homes and offices. More specifically, the present invention collects information on the current position of a user of an electronic device. The present invention relates to an automatic device control system that can perform predetermined control on electronic devices based on collected position information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method for starting / stopping a device such as an electric appliance in a home or a personal computer in an office without directly operating a button or a switch by hand, conventionally, an automatic power on / off by a timer of the device has been used. There is known a method in which an OFF time is set in advance and the power is turned on and off at a predetermined time. In recent years, there has been a system that can be remotely controlled by making a call from an outside place and operating with a push button. Hereinafter, the latter method of performing remote control will be described.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional automatic control system for equipment. In the conventional automatic control system for devices shown in FIG. 9, first, a device user 101 uses a portable terminal 102 to manually input control contents of the device to the device terminal 102. The mobile terminal 102 sends the control content input from the device user 101 to the device control device 105 disposed in the home 104 via the communication line 103. Equipment control device 10
Reference numeral 5 denotes a control line 10 based on the control contents sent from a remote place by the portable terminal 102 from the device user 101 to the devices such as the lighting 106 and the air conditioner 107 arranged in the home 104.
8 for ON / OFF control.

[0004]

However, in the conventional control method of a device in which a fixed time is controlled by a timer as described above, the control is performed at a predetermined time, so that, for example, the use of the device is delayed after returning home. The air conditioner is turned on even though there is no need for
The lighting was sometimes turned off despite being at home. For this reason, it is not possible to respond to changes in the user's behavior in a detailed manner, which is inconvenient, and if the power is turned on with sufficient time, the energy saving effect will be reduced. Was.

Further, in the case of the above-described conventional automatic device control system operated by telephone from a remote place, it is not possible to turn on / off the power of the devices in the home 104 at the convenience of the device user 101. However, in order to control the devices in the home 104, the device user 101 needs to make phone calls one by one from the portable terminal 102 or the like to give instructions, which is troublesome. Furthermore, if the device user 101 forgets the control instruction, the device may be left turned on, or the air conditioner may be switched on after returning home, and the user must wait for a comfortable temperature. There was a problem that had to be.

Therefore, the present invention focuses on the fact that it is often possible to determine the activation state of a device at the current position of a user, and does not need to instruct the device to start / stop the device each time. It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic device control system that can automatically control devices in a detailed manner according to the location of a device user.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a position information collecting means for collecting current position information of a device user of an electronic device, and a position for transmitting the collected position information of the device user to a predetermined destination. The apparatus includes an information transmitting unit, a position information receiving unit that receives the transmitted position information of the device user, and a device control unit that controls the electronic device based on the received position information of the device user.

Further, in the automatic control system for the equipment, the position information collecting means receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, and obtains its own position based on the received GPS signal.

In the automatic device control system, the position information transmitting means transmits the position information of the device user at regular intervals.

[0010] In the automatic device control system, the position information transmitting means transmits the position information of the device user when the current position of the device user has changed from the position at the time of the previous transmission by a certain distance or more. It is.

Further, the automatic device control system has a control method setting holding unit for holding a control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information of the device user. The control method of the electronic device corresponding to the obtained position information is read from the control method setting holding unit, and the electronic device is controlled based on the control method of the electronic device.

Further, the automatic device control system includes a control method setting holding unit for holding a control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information of the device user. A control method of the electronic device corresponding to the collected position information is read from the control method setting holding unit and transmitted, and the device control unit controls the electronic device based on the received control method of the electronic device. .

[0013] Further, the automatic control system of the apparatus has a setting content changing means for changing the setting content of the control method setting holding means.

In the automatic device control system, the position information collecting means is arranged on the electronic device side, and a communication means for communicating with the position information collecting means is arranged on the device user side of the electronic device. The means collects, as position information, whether the communication means is within the communication range or outside the communication range.

In the automatic device control system, the electronic device has a processing program activated based on the position information of the device user.

In the automatic device control system, the device control means controls the response operation when the electronic device is externally operated based on the position information of the device user.

Also, the automatic device control system has a plurality of position information collecting means, and the electronic device control means controls the device based on the position information of the plurality of device users collected by the plurality of position information collecting means. Is controlled.

In the automatic device control system, when the electronic device is manually operated by the device control means, a non-automatic control mode in which the electronic device is not controlled is set. When the position information of the electronic device is assumed to have controlled the electronic device based on the position information, the state of the electronic device coincides with the current state of the electronic device. It returns to the control mode.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is assumed that the device user 1 of the electronic device normally carries the portable terminal 2 having a function of transmitting position information indicating the current position of the device user 1. As the mobile terminal 2, for example, a mobile phone, a wristwatch, or the like with expanded functions can be applied.

The portable terminal 2 has a position information collecting means 2
a and the position information transmitting means 2b. The position information transmitting means 2b of the mobile terminal 2 has a function of communicating with the device control means 5 arranged in a remote home 4 (or office or the like) via the communication line 3, and includes a mobile phone, a PHS
(Personal Handyphone System
em) or the like.

The location information collecting means 2a of the portable terminal 2 has a function of obtaining the current location information of the portable terminal 2 carried by the device user 1. Here, the position information collecting means 2a is connected to a GPS (Global Positionin).
g System) A case will be described as an example in which the receiver is constituted by a receiver. However, the receiver may be constituted by a device other than the GPS receiver. For example, the receiver may be configured to obtain position information from a PHS base station or the like. It may be.

The device control means 5 is connected to the position information transmitting means 2b of the portable terminal 2 via the communication line 3, and
(Or office). The device control means 5 can be configured using a personal computer or the like equipped with a communication device. The device control means 5 and the electronic devices such as the personal computer 6, the lighting device 7 and the air conditioner 8, which are arranged in the home 4, may be connected so as to be controllable. What is necessary is just to comprise using it in a connection apparatus. Here, the device control means 5 is connected to the personal computer 6 by wire, and is connected to the lighting device 7 and the air conditioner 8 by wireless.

Next, the operation of the automatic equipment control system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The position information collecting means 2a constituted by the GPS receiver of the portable terminal 2 receives GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites 11, and determines the current position of the position information collecting means 2a based on the received GPS signals. Identify. The current position of the position information collecting means 2a is the current position of the device user 1 holding the mobile terminal 2.

The position information collected by the position information collecting means 2a is updated every time the position information collecting means 2a specifies a position. The position information transmitting means 2b reads out the collected position information from the position information collecting means 2a and automatically notifies the device control means 5 disposed in the remote home 4 via the communication line 3. The device control unit 5 has a communication unit (not shown), and the device user 1 notified from the position information transmitting unit 2b of the portable terminal 2 via the communication line 3.
Receive location information.

The device control means 5 receives the received device user 1
The personal computer 6, the lighting equipment 7, the air conditioner 8, etc. arranged in the home 4 in accordance with the setting contents for controlling the electronic equipment set in the control method setting holding means 5a in the equipment control means 5 based on the position information of Should I turn on the electronics
Conversely, it is determined whether the power to the electronic device should be turned off. If the device control means 5 determines that it is necessary to change the current setting state of the electronic device, the device control means 5 controls the electronic device and actually turns on / off the power of the electronic device.

The device control means 5 sends electronic control instructions wirelessly to control electronic devices such as the lighting device 7 and the air conditioner 8.
An electronic device such as the personal computer 6 is controlled by sending a control instruction via a cable such as an AN cable. Note that the electronic device may be controlled such that the control signal line of the electronic device is directly controlled by the device control unit 5.

As the wireless communication, for example, communication using a short-distance wireless data communication technique such as infrared communication or Bluetooth can be used. Also, as control,
In addition to turning on and off the power, opening and closing the key of the entrance,
You may comprise so that operation | movement of apparatus, such as opening and closing a window, may be performed.

Also, here, a case has been described in which the position information of the current position of the device user 1 is transmitted from the position information transmitting unit 2b of the portable terminal 2 to the device control unit 5 disposed in the home 4. Conversely, the device control means 5 located in the home 4 requests the position information transmission means 2b of the mobile terminal 2 to transmit the position information, and the position information transmission means 2b responds to the request. Information is transmitted to the device control means 5
You may be comprised so that it may send to.

Next, the position information transmitting means 2b of the portable terminal 2
From now on, the timing of transmitting the position information of the current position of the device user 1 to the device control means 5 arranged in the home 4 will be described. If the location information of the device user 1 is automatically sent from the location information transmission means 2b of the portable terminal 2 to the equipment control means 5 arranged in the home 4 every time a predetermined time elapses, the location information transmission means 2b , The transmission timing can be easily managed.

As another method, the location information transmitting means 2b of the portable terminal 2 transmits the location information of the equipment user 1 to the equipment control means 5 disposed in the home 4 at the last time. May be stored, and the position information of the device user 1 may be transmitted when the current position of the device user 1 has changed from the position at the last transmission by a certain distance or more. According to this method, when the device user 1 hardly moves, there is no need to communicate the position information of the device user 1 to the device control means 5, so that the position information is communicated regardless of the movement of the device user 1. Communication costs can be reduced as compared with the case.

In general, attention is paid to the fact that the closer the distance between the electronic device to be controlled placed in the home 4 and the device user 1 is, the finer the control is required. And
The position information on the electronic device to be controlled is held on the side of the position information transmitting unit 2b of the portable terminal 2, and the position of the device user 1 increases as the distance between the electronic device to be controlled and the device user 1 increases. The transmission interval of the information may be lengthened, and when the distance between the electronic device to be controlled and the device user 1 approaches, the position information of the device user 1 may be transmitted more frequently.

As described above, in this embodiment, the current position information of the device user 1 of the electronic device is collected from the GPS signal by the position information collecting means 2b of the portable terminal 2, and the collected device user's 1 The location information is transmitted by the location information transmitting means 2b of the portable terminal 2 to the device control means 5 disposed in the home 4 at the predetermined destination, and the transmitted device user 1
Is received by the device control means 5, and the electronic device arranged in the home 4 is controlled by the device control means 5 based on the received position information of the device user 1. The control unit 5 can appropriately control the electronic devices arranged in the home 4 according to the position information of the device user 1 notified from the position information transmitting unit 2b of the mobile terminal 2.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information of the device user 1 is previously stored in the control method setting holding unit 5 a, and the device control unit 5 controls the mobile terminal 2. Since the control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information transmitted from the position information transmitting unit 2b is read out from the control method setting holding unit 5a and the electronic device is controlled based on the control method of the electronic device, the control method is set in advance. Based on the control method of the electronic device in which the position information of the device user 1 is added, the control of the electronic device in which the position information of the device user 1 is added can be appropriately performed.

For example, if the device control means 5 determines from the received position information of the device user 1 that the device user 1 is approaching the house, it activates the air conditioner 8 and activates the device user 1.
Is determined to be closer, the lighting device 7 is activated. As described above, the electronic device can be automatically and finely controlled in accordance with the location of the device user 1 without instructing the start / stop of the electronic device.

In this embodiment, the position information collecting means 2a receives a GPS signal transmitted from the GPS satellite 11, and determines the position of the device user 1 based on the received GPS signal. With this configuration, the position can be easily and accurately obtained from the GPS signal.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the case where the control method setting holding means is arranged in the equipment control means has been described. In the present embodiment, the control method setting holding means 2 is provided in the equipment control means. A case where the mobile terminal is arranged without being arranged will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, and 2 c denotes a control method of an electronic device disposed in the portable terminal 2 and disposed in the home 4 corresponding to the position information of the device user 1. This is a control method setting holding unit that is set and held in advance.

The location information of the electronic devices arranged in the home 4 is stored in the portable terminal 2 in advance. In this case, the position information transmitting unit 2b of the portable terminal 2 reads the position information of the device user 1 collected from the position information collecting unit 2a, and reads the position information of the device user 1 and the position of the held electronic device. From the information, the distance of the device user 1 from the electronic device is calculated.

The position information transmitting means 2b of the portable terminal 2 reads out the control method of the electronic device in the control method setting holding means 2c corresponding to the calculated distance from the electronic user of the device user 1 based on the calculated distance. In accordance with the control method of the electronic device, it is determined whether or not the electronic device should be controlled from the current state, and only when it is necessary to control the electronic device, the device control means 5 disposed in the home 4 as a result of the position information. The control instruction content of the electronic device is transmitted. Then, the device control means 5 disposed in the home 4 controls the electronic device based on the received control method of the electronic device.

As described above, in this embodiment, the control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information of the device user 1 is held in the control method setting holding unit 2c, and the position information transmitting unit 2b stores the position information. The control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information collected by the collection unit 2a is read from the control method setting holding unit 2c and transmitted, and the device control unit 5 controls the electronic device based on the received control method of the electronic device. Since the control is performed, it is not necessary to notify the device control unit 5 of the position information every time, so that the communication cost can be reduced.

Embodiment 3 The setting contents of the control method setting holding means that defines the control method of the electronic device will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of setting contents in a control method setting holding unit used in the automatic device control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The control method setting holding unit may be arranged and configured in the device control unit as in the first embodiment, or may be arranged and arranged in the portable terminal as in the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, a case where the former control method setting holding unit is disposed in the device control unit will be described as an example, and a system configuration and operation described later will be described using the system configuration diagram of FIG. .

The setting contents of the control method setting holding means 5a are as follows.
It has a table format. In this table, for each registered item, a target device user 1, a target electronic device, a control distance, a control condition, and a control content are stored as setting information. The device control means 5 includes:
It is assumed that the installation position information of the electronic device to be controlled is stored in advance. This can be stored by notifying the device control means 5 of the position information when the device user 1 is at the installation location of the electronic device as special position information.

The device control means 5 includes a position information transmitting means 2b.
The distance of the device user 1 is obtained from the position information of the device user 1 and the installation position information of the electronic device sent from the device, and the control is performed by comparing with the setting contents in the control method setting holding unit 5a. Judge whether or not. The position information transmitting unit 2b has the installation position information of the electronic device, the position information transmitting unit 2b calculates the difference between the position of the device user 1 and the position of the electronic device as a distance, and obtains the absolute position information of the device user 1. Instead of transmitting the relative distance, the relative distance may be transmitted to the device control means 5 as position information and used.

FIG. 3 shows settings related to control of electronic devices at home where the device users P and Q live. Regarding item 1, when the device user P approaches home within 200 meters, the device control means 5 turns on the standby power of the television. Here, the information registered as the distance to be controlled in the table is controlled only when it changes from a state that does not correspond to the distance condition to a corresponding state. In item 1, the standby power of the television is turned on when the distance of the current position of the device user changes from 250 meters to 200 meters, but when the distance changes from 150 meters to 100 meters, the control related to item 1 is performed. Absent.

Regarding item 2, when the device user P is away from the house by 300 or more, the device control means 5 turns off the standby power of the television. In addition, it is 2 from 250 meters
After the standby power of the television is changed to 00 m and the power of the television is turned on, once it becomes 250 m, and then changes to 200 m again, the device control means 5 attempts to turn on the standby power of the television. Since the standby power supply is ON, the state of the standby power supply of the television does not change. In this case, if the current control state of each electronic device to be controlled is held in the device control means 5, if the state to be controlled is determined to be the same as the current state, the control is invalidated. It can be prevented from being performed as a thing.

Item 3 is that device user Q has 100
When approaching within 0 meters, the device control means 5 turns on the power of the air conditioner in the room. Since it takes time for the effect of turning on the air conditioner to take effect, a longer distance is set. Item 4 is that when the device user Q further approaches the house within 100 meters, the device control means 5 turns on the power of the street lamp at the entrance only at night. For the streetlight, a control condition is added so that the power is turned off when the streetlight disappears at night due to item 4.
In this way, it is also possible to determine the control content in combination with conditions other than the position information.

Similarly, in the item 5, the lighting of the room is also turned on only at night. In this case, whether it is nighttime may be determined based on the current time, or may be determined from information of an external brightness sensor. Item 6 is
If the air conditioner, the streetlight, and the lighting in the room are on when the device user Q is at least 100 meters away from home, the power is turned off.

The setting contents of the control method setting holding means 5a can be changed. For example, when a personal computer is used as the device control means 5, a setting change screen is displayed on the display of the personal computer, the current setting contents are displayed, and new setting contents are manually input from the keyboard to change the setting. Can be. When the setting change screen ends, the setting change table is reflected in the setting content table, and thereafter, the device control means 5 can perform control based on the setting content.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. Reference numeral 21 denotes a control device which is disposed in an office 22 and includes a device control unit 21a, a position information collection unit 21b, and a position information transmission unit 21c. is there.

The position information collecting means 21b is not located on the portable terminal 2 held by the electronic equipment user 1 but on the installation location side of the equipment control means 21a, and is installed in the control device 21 installed in the office 22. Be placed. The portable terminal 2 of the device user 1 has a communication unit, and has a function of directly communicating with the position information collecting unit 21b of the control device 21 by wireless communication without using a public line.

The location information collecting means 21b is a device user 1
By determining whether communication is possible or not by trying to communicate with the mobile terminal 2 held by the mobile terminal 2, whether the mobile terminal 2, that is, the device user 1 is within the communication range or outside the communication range is determined as the position information of the device user 1. collect. Position information transmitting means 21
c is directly connected to the device control means 21a, and transmits this position information directly to the device control means 21a without passing through a communication line. The device control unit 21a controls the electronic device by receiving position information indicating whether the device user 1 is in the communication range or outside the communication range.

When the device user 1 approaches the installation location of the electronic device, the position information collecting means 21b can communicate with the communication means of the portable terminal 2 held by the device user 1, and operates the keyboard of the personal computer 6 of the electronic device. The lock is released or the personal computer 6 is turned on. When the device user 1 moves away from the installation location of the electronic device, the device goes out of the communication range, and the position information collecting unit 21b cannot communicate with the mobile terminal 2 held by the device user 1, and determines that the device user 1 has left. The keyboard operation lock or the power of the personal computer 6 is turned off.

Embodiment 5 In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the electronic device has a program for starting a process based on the position information of the device user. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. Reference numeral 31 denotes a server device including a device control unit 31a and a server device main body 31b. Reference numeral 31c denotes a maintenance service arranged in the server device main body 31b. It is a processing program for management and the like. The server device 31 is connected to the personal computer 6 of the device user 1 via the LAN.
Connected to

The device control means 31a is built in the server device 31 which is an electronic device here.
It is not necessary to incorporate the control information in the electronic device, for example, as in the first embodiment, as long as the control information can be exchanged even if separated from the electronic device. In the device control means 31a,
The communication line 3 is connected and the processing program 31c
Is a processing program started based on the position information of the device user 1.

Upon receiving the position information of the device user 1 transmitted from the position information transmitting device 2b of the portable terminal 2, the device control means 31a executes a processing program on the server device 31 based on the position information of the device user 1. In order to perform control for activating the device 31c, the position information of the device user 1 is transferred to the server device main body 31b. Server device main body 31b
When the position information is acquired from the device control unit 31a, the processing program 31c starts a predetermined process, for example, a maintenance work management process. At this time, the processing program 31c may have already performed the operation, and activates the processing program 31c by giving priority to a predetermined process based on the position information sent from the device control means 31a.

In FIG. 5, when the equipment user 1 who is in charge of maintenance work at the company returns to the company, the equipment control means 31a
Recognizes that the device user 1 has returned to the company based on the position information transmitted from the position information transmitting means 2b of the mobile terminal 2. When the device control unit 31a notifies the processing program 31c that performs maintenance work management on the server device 31, the processing program 31c starts the maintenance work scheduling process and performs the next maintenance including the device user 1. Automatically schedule work.

Then, the processing program 31c notifies the personal computer 6 of the device user 1 of the scheduling result, so that the device user 1 immediately returns to the company, immediately following the scheduling based on the latest personnel grasp, according to the scheduling. Work can be started.

Embodiment 6 In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the electronic device is controlled to change the response operation when operated externally based on the position information of the device user. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, and reference numeral 41 denotes a passenger car having a device control means 42 having a control method setting holding means 42a, a door lock device 43, a door 44 having a lock 44a, and the like.

The equipment control means 42 is mounted on the passenger car 41 and instructs the door lock device 43 of the door 44 to
The lock 44a of the door 44 cannot be opened or closed (locked),
Or unlock (unlock). When receiving the position information of the device user 1 from the portable terminal 2 held by the device user 1, the device control means 42 disables or enables the opening and closing of the door of the passenger car 41 based on the position information. Perform control.

The equipment control means 42 of the passenger car 41 needs to hold the position information of the passenger car 41 in order to recognize the distance between the equipment user 1 and the passenger car 41, but this is stored in the equipment control means 42 itself. It may be configured to collect with a GPS receiver attached, or the device user 1
1 to send special location information to the passenger car 41
May be configured to be transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 to the device control means 42 as the position information.

Next, the operation of the system shown in FIG. 6 will be described. For example, a passenger car 41 in which the device user 1 has parked
If the distance exceeds 100 meters, the setting that the door 44 can be opened, and if the distance exceeds 100 meters, the opening of the door 44 is disabled
It is assumed that it is set to a. In this case, when the equipment user 1 approaches the passenger car 41 and tries to open the door 44 with a key, the equipment user 1 is within 100 meters from the passenger car 41 and can be opened as usual.

On the other hand, the equipment user 1 changes the passenger cars 41 to 10
If the third person 46 uses a tool or a duplicate key to illegally open the door 44 of the passenger car 41 when the user is in a remote place more than 0 meters away,
Cannot be opened because the door lock device 43 is instructed not to be opened.

As described above, the response operation of the electronic device (in this case, the passenger car 41) when operated from the outside is controlled by the device control means 42 based on the position information of the device user 1, so that the electronic device is controlled. The location information of the device user 1 can be used as authentication as to whether or not the device user alone uses the device, and unauthorized use of the electronic device by a third party 46 can be prevented.

Embodiment 7 In this embodiment, an example in which a plurality of persons use an electronic device will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 7, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, 51a to 51c denote a plurality of device users who carry the portable terminals 52a to 52c, respectively, and 53 denotes an office.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a device control unit disposed in the office 53 and having a control method setting holding unit 54a. Reference numeral 55 denotes a server disposed in the office 53 and connected to the device control unit 54 via the LAN. Device. 5
6a-56c are located in the office 53, and
And a plurality of personal computers connected to the device control means 54 through the PC. Each portable terminal 52a-52c and device control means 54
Are connected via a communication line 3.

Here, the personal computer 56 in the office 53
a is used by the device user 51a, the personal computer 56b is used by the device user 51b, and the personal computer 56c is used by the device user 5a.
1c uses it. The server device 55 is usually a personal computer 56
It is used by accessing only from a to 56c, and is used to provide, for example, a shared file or various services such as a database function.

When not accessed from the personal computers 56a to 56c, it is not necessary to turn on the power since it is not used by others. In this case, the server device 55 is configured to be used by a plurality of device users 51a to 51c. As an example of a case where the plurality of device users 51a to 51c use the electronic device, here, the plurality of device users 51a
To 51c, the power is turned on when the first person approaches, and the power is turned off when a plurality of device users 51a to 51c are used.
This is performed when the last person in c leaves.

The operation in the case where the device users 51a to 51c go to work in the morning will be described. Since no personal computer is used at night, the personal computers 56a to 56c and the server device 55
All power is off. It is assumed that the device user 51b comes to work the earliest in the morning. The device control means 54 turns on the power of the server device 55 and starts up when the device user 51b approaches a distance of 300 meters from the office 53 based on the sent positional information of the device user 51b. .

When the device user 51b further approaches the distance of 100 meters, the device control means 54 sets the device user 5
The personal computer 56b used by 1b is turned on to start up. As a result, the device user 51 b
When I got to my seat, my personal computer 56b,
And the server device 55 can be immediately used via the personal computer 56b.

Next, even if the device user 51a who comes to work approaches a distance of 300 meters from the office 53,
Since the power of the server device 55 has already been turned on, the device control means 54 does not perform power-on control. Device user 51
When the distance “a” approaches a distance of 100 meters, the device control means 55 starts the personal computer 56 used by the device user 51a.
The power of a is turned on to start up.

As a result, the device user 51 a
When you get to your seat, you can use your personal computer 56
a and the server device 55 can be immediately used via the personal computer 56a. Then, the same control as that of the device user 51b is performed for the device user 51c who goes to work last.

Next, the operation when the device users 51a to 51c leave the company will be described. Device user 51a,
When 51b leaves the company and is 100 meters away from the office 53, the device control means 54
The shutdown processing and the power-off control are performed for the servers a and 56b, but the server apparatus 55 does not perform the shutdown processing and the power-off control because the device user 51c still remains.

When the device user 51c leaves the company and is 100 meters away from the office 53, the device control means 55 sends the personal computer 56 used by the device user 51c.
c) and performs power-off control. Since the device control means 55 is the last withdrawal of the device user 51c using the server device 55, the device control means 55
The control of the shutdown process and the power-off is also performed for the device 5.

The distance to be controlled may be appropriately changed depending on the commuting method. For example, since only the device user 51c is a car commuter who moves at a higher speed, the power-on control of the server device 55 is controlled not when it is 300 meters but when it approaches 1 km. Good.

Embodiment 8 In this embodiment, a description will be given of a control in a case where an electronic device is automatically controlled based on the position information of the device user and there is manual intervention. Here, as a control method, when the electronic device is manually operated, the device control unit enters a non-automatic control mode in which the electronic device is not controlled.

When the position information of the user of the electronic device becomes equal to the current state of the electronic device when the position information of the device user is assumed to control the electronic device based on the position information, the electronic device A method of returning to the automatic control mode in which the control is performed is performed. The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts. In the normal automatic control mode, the air conditioner 8 is operated by one of the device users 1.
The power is automatically turned on when approaching within 00 meters, and automatically off when the distance is 100 meters or more.

For example, when the device user 1 goes to work in the daytime, the power of the air conditioner 8 is turned off because the device user 1 is at least 100 meters away from the home 4. In this situation, it is assumed that a household 61 different from the device user 1 is at home and the power of the air conditioner 8 is turned on manually. At this time,
The device control means 5 recognizes that the power of the air conditioner 8 has been turned on by directly monitoring the signal line of the air conditioner 8 or receiving a notification from the air conditioner 8.

Since the power source is not turned on based on its own control, the device control means 5 determines that a manual operation has been performed and enters the non-automatic control mode. Here, it is assumed that the manual operation is not performed any more and the power of the air conditioner 8 is turned on as it is. In this case, the device control means 5 does not control the air conditioner 8 until the state of the air conditioner 8 assuming that the control is performed in the automatic control mode matches the current state of the air conditioner.

That is, since the current state of the air conditioner 8 is power-on, the condition that the device user 1 which is originally a condition for turning on the power of the air-conditioner 8 in the automatic control mode is not more than 100 meters. The device control means 5 does not control the air conditioner 8. Even when the equipment user 1 heads home in the evening and approaches within 100 meters from the home 4, the equipment control means 5 does not control the power supply to the air conditioner 8, but the state of the air conditioner 8 is automatically controlled. Mode will be the same as if it were controlled in mode,
At this point, the mode returns to the automatic control mode.

Therefore, the next time the appliance user 1 leaves the home 4, the power of the air conditioner is automatically turned off if the appliance user 1 is at least 100 meters away. In this way, even when a manual operation is intervened, the manual operation is prioritized and the operation returns to the automatic control mode in a natural manner, and the automatic control can be continued thereafter.

[0081]

According to the present invention, the current position information of the device user of the electronic device is collected by the position information collecting means, and the collected position information of the device user is transmitted to the predetermined destination by the position information transmitting means. After receiving the transmitted position information of the device user by the position information receiving unit, the device control unit controls the electronic device based on the received position information of the device user. Thus, the device control unit can appropriately control the electronic device according to the position information of the device user notified from the position information transmitting unit, so that the device can be controlled without instructing start / stop of the electronic device. The electronic device can be automatically and finely controlled according to the location of the user.

Further, in the automatic control system of the device, the position information collecting means receives the GPS signal transmitted from the GPS satellite, and obtains its own position based on the received GPS signal. , G
The self-position can be easily and accurately obtained from the PS signal.

In the automatic device control system, the transmission of the position information of the device user by the position information transmitting means is performed at regular time intervals, so that the transmission timing of the position information of the device user can be adjusted. Management can be facilitated.

In the automatic device control system, the position information transmitting means transmits the position information of the device user when the current position of the device user has changed from the position at the last transmission by a certain distance or more. With this configuration, when the device user does not move, it is possible to dispense with notifying the location information, so that the communication cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the location information is notified regardless of the movement of the device user. Can be.

In the automatic device control system, a control method setting holding unit for holding a control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information of the device user is provided. By reading the control method of the electronic device corresponding to the set position information from the control method setting holding unit and controlling the electronic device based on the control method of the electronic device, the preset device user's Based on the control method of the electronic device in consideration of the position information, the electronic device can be appropriately controlled in consideration of the position information of the device user.

Further, the automatic device control system includes a control method setting holding unit for holding a control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information of the device user. A control method of the electronic device corresponding to the collected position information is read from the control method setting holding unit and transmitted, and the electronic control unit is controlled by the device control unit based on the received control method of the electronic device. By doing so, it is not necessary to notify the device control means of the position information every time, so that the communication cost can be reduced.

In the automatic device control system, the setting contents of the control method setting holding means are changed by the setting contents changing means, whereby the setting contents are changed based on the new setting contents inputted. Then, the electronic device can be controlled based on the changed setting content.

In the automatic equipment control system, the position information collecting means is arranged on the electronic device side, and the communication means for communicating with the position information collecting means is arranged on the electronic device user side. Means for collecting, as location information, whether the communication means is within or outside the communication range, thereby controlling the electronic device depending on whether the device user is within or outside the communication range from the electronic device. For example, when the device user enters the communication range, the power of the electronic device is turned on, and when the device user goes out of the communication range and goes out of the communication range, the power of the electronic device is turned off. Can be turned off.

In the automatic device control system, the electronic device has a processing program that is started based on the position information of the device user, so that when the device user approaches the electronic device. Then, a predetermined process can be performed by activating the processing program.

Further, in the automatic device control system, the device control means controls the electronic device so that the response operation when the electronic device is operated from the outside is changed based on the position information of the device user. Accordingly, the location information of the device user can be used as authentication as to whether or not the device user himself / herself uses the electronic device, and unauthorized use of the electronic device by a third party can be prevented.

Further, the automatic device control system has a plurality of position information collecting units, and the electronic device control unit performs electronic control based on the position information of a plurality of device users collected by the plurality of position information collecting units. By configuring to control the device, the electronic device can be appropriately controlled depending on the positional relationship between the plurality of device users and the electronic device.

Also, in the automatic device control system, when the electronic device is manually operated by the device control means, the electronic device enters a non-automatic control mode in which the electronic device is not controlled. When the position information of the electronic device is assumed to have controlled the electronic device based on the position information, the state of the electronic device coincides with the current state of the electronic device. By configuring to return to the control mode, manual operation can be prioritized even when there is manual operation intervention in the electronic device, and the automatic control mode can be returned to the automatic control mode naturally, Can be continued.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of setting contents in a control method setting holding unit used in an automatic device control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic control system for devices according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional automatic control system for devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 51a-51c Device user, 2, 52a-52c
Mobile terminal, 2a, 21b location information collecting means, 2b,
21c location information transmitting means, 3 communication lines, 4 homes,
5, 21a, 31a, 42, 54 device control means, 5
a, 42a, 54a Control method setting holding means, 6, 56
a-56c PC, 7 lighting equipment, 8 air conditioner, 1
1 GPS satellite, 21 controllers, 22 offices, 3
1 server device, 31b server device main body, 31c processing program, 41 passenger car, 43 door lock device,
44 door, 44a lock, 46 third party, 53 office, 55 server device, 61 another housekeeper.

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 2F029 AA07 AB07 AC02 5J062 AA02 BB05 CC07 FF01 5K048 AA04 BA12 BA13 DA02 DC01 EB02 EB13 5K101 KK11 LL01 LL12 QQ04 9A001 BB06 CC05 HH34 JJ75 JJ78 JZ11

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A position information collecting unit for collecting current position information of a device user of an electronic device, a position information transmitting unit for transmitting the collected position information of the device user to a predetermined destination, An automatic device control system, comprising: position information receiving means for receiving position information of a device user; and device control means for controlling an electronic device based on the received position information of the device user. 2. The automatic control system for a device according to claim 1, wherein the position information collecting means includes a GPS (Globa).
l Positioning System) receives a GPS signal transmitted from a satellite, and receives the received GPS signal.
An automatic control system for a device, wherein a self-position is obtained based on a signal. 3. The automatic device control system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission of the position information of the device user by the position information transmitting means is performed at regular intervals. . 4. The automatic device control system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission of the position information of the device user by the position information transmitting means is performed when the current position of the device user is a fixed distance from the position at the time of the previous transmission. An automatic control system for a device, which is performed when the above-mentioned change occurs. 5. The automatic control system for a device according to claim 1, further comprising a control method setting holding unit for holding a control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information of the device user, wherein the device control unit includes: Reading the control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information transmitted by the position information transmitting unit from the control method setting holding unit, and controlling the electronic device based on the control method of the electronic device. Control system. 6. The automatic device control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a control method setting holding unit that holds a control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information of the device user, wherein the position information transmitting unit includes: Reads out the control method of the electronic device corresponding to the position information collected by the position information collecting unit from the control method setting holding unit and transmits it, and the device control unit includes:
An electronic device automatic control system for controlling an electronic device based on a received electronic device control method. 7. The automatic control system for a device according to claim 1, further comprising a setting content changing unit configured to change a setting content of the control method setting holding unit. 8. The automatic control system for a device according to claim 1, wherein the position information collecting means is arranged on the electronic device side, and the communication means for communicating with the position information collecting means on the device user side of the electronic device. Wherein the position information collecting means collects, as position information, whether the communication means is within the communication range or outside the communication range. 9. The automatic control system for a device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device has a processing program started based on positional information of the device user. . 10. The automatic control system for a device according to claim 1, wherein the device control means changes a response operation when the electronic device is externally operated based on the position information of the device user. Automatic control system for equipment, characterized in that: 11. The automatic device control system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of position information collecting means, wherein the apparatus control means includes a plurality of device user information collected by the plurality of position information collecting means. An automatic device control system for controlling an electronic device based on position information. 12. The device automatic control system according to claim 1, wherein the device control means enters a non-automatic control mode in which no control is performed on the electronic device when the electronic device is manually operated. The control means, at the time when the state of the electronic device when the position information of the device user controls the electronic device based on this position information and the current state of the electronic device come to match, An automatic control system for a device, which returns to an automatic control mode for controlling electronic devices.