JP2003199180A - Device controller and method, device control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device controller and method, and a device control system that can control a device to be controlled according to a preset schedule properly in response to a state of surrounding of the device to be controlled. <P>SOLUTION: The device control system is provided with a device to be controlled 12, an internal network connection section 21 connected to a sensor device 11 for sensing a sensor signal denoting a space state in which the device to be controlled 12 exists, a control information storage section 31 for storing control information cross-referencing schedule information indicating a time for controlling the device to be controlled and control contents information denoting control contents of the device to be controlled at a time indicated by the schedule information, and a correctness discrimination database storage section 32 for storing correctness discrimination information to discriminate the correctness of control according to the control contents information. When a time indicated by the schedule information comes, the sensor signal from the sensor device 11 is acquired and the correctness of the control contents denoted by the control contents information is discriminated on the basis of the sensor signal and the correctness discrimination information to control the device to be controlled 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device control apparatus and method for controlling a controlled device according to a preset schedule and control contents, and a device control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for centrally managing the operations of a plurality of controlled devices using a computer or the like has been developed.
For example, it is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-328440. In addition, as a technique for controlling the controlled device according to a preset schedule, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-242242
No. 259159 is disclosed.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-328440, a plurality of controlled devices notify the control computer of static characteristics and dynamic characteristics, and the control computer monitors the state of each controlled device. . Then, the control computer controls the operation of each controlled device according to the static characteristic or the dynamic characteristic.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-259159, a normal operation schedule and a special operation schedule are prepared in advance, and the special schedule is executed with priority over the normal schedule. To do. With this, the user realizes the control according to the scene without interfering with the control.

[0005]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-32844
In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 0, the information notified to the control computer is only the characteristics of each controlled device itself,
It is not information for determining the situation around the controlled device. Therefore, this technique has a problem that the control is lacking in the appropriateness when the situation around the controlled device changes unexpectedly and influences the control of the controlled device.

Further, according to this technique, since the control computer and the controlled equipment are only configured, when the user cannot monitor the control computer, the contents of the control cannot be confirmed and the control cannot be performed. Can not interfere.

Furthermore, in this technique, when the controlled computer controls the controlled device, the control contents are determined only by the state of the controlled device without referring to the schedule set by the user. Therefore, it was not possible to perform control according to a preset schedule.

On the other hand, the technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-259159 performs control based on a preset schedule, but when an unexpected situation change occurs around the controlled device. However, I could not change the schedule. Therefore, this technique has a problem in that it lacks flexibility when executing control.

Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and controls the controlled device in accordance with a preset schedule and performs accurate control according to the situation around the controlled device. An object of the present invention is to provide a device control apparatus and method, and a device control system capable of performing the same.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a device control apparatus according to claim 1, a sensor device for detecting a controlled device and a sensor signal indicating a spatial state in which the controlled device exists. The first communication means connected to the control unit, the schedule information indicating the time at which the controlled device is controlled, and the control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device at the time indicated by the schedule information are stored in association with each other. A legitimacy determination database storage unit that stores legitimacy determination information for determining the legitimacy of control according to the control content information, and a sensor signal from the sensor device at the time indicated by the schedule information. Control the first communication means, and based on the sensor signal and the validity determination information stored in the validity determination database storage unit, To determine the validity of the control content indicated by the information and control means for controlling the controlled device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device control apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first communication means is
The first communication is connected to an internal terminal device operated by a user, and the control means sends a message to that effect to the internal terminal device when starting control of the controlled device according to the schedule information and the control content information. The control means is controlled to notify the user, and the control content is changed according to the instruction information instructing the control content from the internal terminal device received by the first communication means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device control apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a second communication means which is connected to an external communication line network and communicates with an external terminal device owned by a user. Further, the control means controls the second communication means to notify the user so as to transmit the fact to the external terminal device when starting the control of the controlled device according to the schedule information and the control content information. However, the control content is changed according to the instruction information for instructing the control content from the external terminal device received by the second communication means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device control apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the control means transmits the sensor signal detected by the sensor device to an external terminal device. The second communication means is controlled to notify the user, and the control content is changed according to the instruction information instructing the control content from the external terminal device received by the second communication means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device control apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the control means stores the sensor signal and the spatial state in association with each other, and the controlled device indicates the sensor signal. The second communication means is controlled so that the existing spatial state is converted into language data and transmitted.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device control apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the second
It is characterized by further comprising database updating means for updating the contents of the validity judgment database stored in the validity database storage section based on the instruction information received by the communication means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device control apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the database updating means is provided when the same instruction content instructed by the instruction information is given a predetermined number of times or more. It is characterized by being registered as new validity determination information.

The equipment control device according to claim 8 is the equipment control device according to claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the control means determines the tendency of the instruction content indicated by the instruction information. Then, the frequency of notifying the user is changed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device control apparatus according to the second, third or fourth aspect, wherein the control means has the same instruction content indicated by the instruction information. It is characterized in that the frequency of notifying the user is changed when the number of times is equal to or more than a predetermined number.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the device control apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means sets the priority order for each user who sets the control content information stored in the information storage means. If a plurality of pieces of control content information corresponding to the schedule information for controlling the controlled device are set by the different users and stored in the information storage unit in the same time zone, they are set by the user with a high priority. The controlled device is controlled according to the control content information.

The equipment control device according to claim 11 is the equipment control device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein there are a plurality of users, and the second communication means and a plurality of external terminal devices are connected. The control means sets a priority for each external terminal device owned by each user, compares instruction information from each external terminal device, and changes the control content according to the instruction information from the external terminal device with a high priority. It is characterized by doing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a twelfth aspect is provided.
In the device control method according to the above, the control information in which the schedule information indicating the time to control the controlled device and the control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device at the time indicated by the schedule information are associated with each other, The validity determination information for determining the validity of the control according to the content information is set in advance, and when the time indicated by the schedule information comes, a sensor signal indicating the spatial state in which the controlled device exists is displayed. Detecting, the validity of the control content indicated by the control content information is determined based on the sensor signal and the validity determining information, and the operation of the controlled device is controlled.

A device control method according to a thirteenth aspect is the device control method according to the twelfth aspect, wherein when the control of the controlled device is started in accordance with the schedule information and the control content information, a message to that effect is sent to the user home. It is characterized in that it is transmitted to an external external terminal device to notify the user, and the control content is changed according to instruction information instructing the control content from the external terminal device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 14
In the device control system according to the above, a plurality of controlled devices and a sensor device that detects a spatial condition in which the controlled devices exist, the controlled device group installed in the user's home, and the user's outside the user's home. The terminal device is associated with the schedule information indicating the time when the controlled device is installed in the user's house and the control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device at the time indicated by the schedule information. Control information, the validity determination information for determining the validity of the control according to the control content information is preset by the terminal device, and when the time indicated by the schedule information comes, the sensor signal from the sensor device And notifies the terminal device to that effect, and based on the instruction from the terminal device, the sensor signal and the justification information. Te and a device control apparatus which controls the operation of the determination to the controlled device the validity of the contents of control represented by the control contents information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a fifteenth aspect is provided.
In the device control system according to the above, a plurality of controlled devices and a sensor device that detects a spatial condition in which the controlled devices exist, the controlled device group installed in the user's home, and the user's outside the user's home. The terminal device is associated with the schedule information indicating the time when the controlled device is installed outside the user's house and the control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device at the time indicated by the schedule information. Control information, the validity determination information for determining the validity of control according to the control content information is set in advance by the terminal device, and when the time indicated by the schedule information is reached, the sensor from the sensor device is detected. The signal is detected and the fact is notified to the terminal device, and based on the instruction from the terminal device, the sensor signal and the correctness determination information. And a device control device that determines the validity of the control content indicated by the control content information and controls the operation of the controlled device, and the controlled device group, the terminal device, and the device installed in the user's home. And a communication connection device for communicatively connecting to the control device.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is applied to a device control system configured as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

[Configuration of Device Control System] In this device control system, a device control device 1 and a controlled device group 2 are installed in a user's home via an internal network 3, and the user holds the device outside the user's home while away from home. The user terminal device 5 is connected to the device control device 1 via the external network 4. In this device control system, the internal network 3 is, for example, a home L installed in the home.
The external network 4 includes an AN (Local Area Network) and the Internet or a wireless communication network, for example.

The controlled device group 2 includes a plurality of sensor devices 11
A, ..., Sensor device 11N (hereinafter, simply referred to as “sensor device 11” when collectively referred to), plural controlled devices 12A, ..., 12N (hereinafter, simply referred to as “controlled device 12”). , ”), And includes the home terminal device 13. Further, the user terminal device 5 is a personal computer or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) that is outside the home and can be connected to the external network 4.
t), mobile phone terminals, etc.

The controlled device 12 is a household electric appliance in the house, and is, for example, an air conditioner or the like for adjusting the temperature in the room. The controlled device 12 is connected to the device control device 1 via the internal network 3 to thereby provide the device control device 1
It operates according to the control signal from.

The sensor device 11 is provided in the same space as the space in which the controlled device 12 is installed, and detects the surrounding condition of the controlled device 12. The sensor device 11 transmits the detected ambient condition as a sensor signal to the device control device 1 via the internal network 3. Although the sensor device 11 is illustrated separately from the controlled device 12 in this example, the sensor device 11 may be provided inside the controlled device 12.

The home terminal device 13 is, for example, a personal computer operated by a user. In response to being operated by the user, this in-home terminal device 13 generates schedule information indicating the time to control the controlled device 12, control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device 12, and the like to generate the internal network 3. Is transmitted to the device control apparatus 1 via.
Further, this in-home terminal device 13 may generate a notification control signal indicating whether or not to notify the user terminal device 5 of the control of the controlled device 12 by the device control device 1 and transmit the notification control signal to the device control device 1. Alternatively, other settings may be made.

The device control apparatus 1 includes an internal network connection unit 21 connected to the internal network 3, an external network connection unit 22 connected to the external network 4, a connection processing unit 23, a control information storage unit 31, and a validity determination database storage unit. An information storage unit 24 including 32, a notification frequency update unit 25, a database update unit 26, a state translation unit 27, a timer 28, a program storage unit 29, and a control processing unit 30 that controls these units are configured.

The internal network connection unit 21 is connected to the controlled device group 2 via the internal network 3.
The connection / disconnection of the internal network connection unit 21 with the internal network 3 is controlled by the connection processing unit 23.

Upon receiving the sensor signal from the sensor device 11, the internal network connection unit 21 outputs the sensor signal to the control processing unit 30. In addition, the internal network connection unit 21 is connected to the controlled device 12 from the control processing unit 30.
When a control signal for operating is input, the control signal is transmitted via the internal network 3. Further, when the internal network connection unit 21 receives the schedule information and the control content information from the home terminal device 13, the internal network connection unit 21 outputs the received information to the control processing unit 30.

The external network connection unit 22 is connected to the user terminal device 5 via the external network 4. The external network connection unit 22 is the connection processing unit 2
The connection / non-connection with the external network 4 is controlled by 3.

When the external network connection unit 22 inputs the notification information for notifying the user regarding the control from the control processing unit 30, the input notification information is input to the user terminal device 5.
Send to. Then, this external network connection unit 22
When receiving the response instruction information from the user terminal device 5 according to the notification information, outputs the received response instruction information to the control processing unit 30.

The connection processing unit 23 functions as a gateway provided between the internal network 3 and the external network 4, and between the information form transmitted by the internal network 3 and the information form transmitted by the external network 4. Performs protocol conversion processing, etc. The connection processing unit 23 outputs a control signal indicating the connection state of the internal network connection unit 21 and the external network connection unit 22 under the control of the control processing unit 30.

The information storage unit 24 is composed of a rewritable information memory and stores the input information. The information storage unit 24 has a control information storage unit 31 and a validity determination database storage unit 32 by distinguishing addresses. The information storage unit 24 reads the schedule information and the control content information stored in the control information storage unit 31 and the validity determination information stored in the validity determination database storage unit 32 according to a request from the control processing unit 30. Output.

The control information storage unit 31 includes the home terminal device 13
The schedule information and the control content information generated by are input and stored. This schedule information is associated with time information indicating the time at which control is started and information for identifying control content information used for control at this time. Further, the control content information is associated with information for identifying the controlled device 12 to be controlled, the control content of the controlled device 12, and notification frequency information for notifying the user when performing control.

The validity determination database storage unit 32 stores a validity determination database that stores the validity determination information that serves as a reference for determining whether the preset control based on the schedule information and the control content information is valid. There is.
Specifically, the validity determination database stores a plurality of pieces of validity determination information in which the control content information and the sensor threshold value at the time when the control content is executed are associated with each other. The sensor threshold value is compared with the actual sensor signal when the control processing unit 30 executes the control.

The notification frequency updating unit 25 updates the notification frequency information stored in the control information storage unit 31 based on the response instruction information from the control processing unit 30. Specifically, the notification frequency updating unit 25 determines the tendency of the instruction content of the response instruction information received by the external network connection unit 22 and changes the frequency of notifying the user. Further, the notification frequency updating unit 25 changes the frequency of notifying the user when the same instruction content instructed by the response instruction information is given a predetermined number of times or more.

The database updating unit 26 is the control processing unit 3
The validity determination information in the validity determination database storage unit 32 is updated based on the instruction content of the response instruction information from 0. Specifically, the sensor threshold value or the like of the validity determination information is changed. Further, the database updating unit 26 registers as new validity determination information when the same instruction content instructed by the response instruction information is given a predetermined number of times or more.

The state translation unit 27 translates the state of the space in which the controlled device 12 exists into language data that is easy for the user to understand from the sensor signal received by the internal network connection unit 21. The state translation unit 27 stores the sensor signal and the translation content of the language data in association with each other. When the input sensor signal matches the sensor signal stored in advance, it is translated into the corresponding language data. , To the control processing unit 30. This language data is a word that allows the user to understand the situation around the controlled device 12, and is displayed or output as voice.

The timer 28 measures the current time, and the time is monitored by the control processing unit 30.

The program storage unit 29 stores the controlled device 12
A device control program for controlling the device is stored. This device control program is read and executed by the control processing unit 30.

The control processing section 30 includes a program storage section 29.
The device control program stored in is read and executed. The control processing unit 30 executes the device control program to control the controlled device 12 using the schedule information, the control content information, and the validity determination database stored in the control information storage unit 31, Control device 12
The process of notifying the user when starting the control is performed. The specific processing contents of the control processing unit 30 will be described later.

[Operation of Device Control System] "Device Control Process of Device Control Device 1" Next, the operation of the device control system described above will be described in the device control process of the device control device 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device control apparatus 1 first performs preprocessing for controlling the controlled device 12 (step S1). At this time, the device control apparatus 1 has the home terminal device 1
3 or user terminal device 5 inputs schedule information, control content information, validity determination information, and language data corresponding to sensor signals. In response to this, the control processing unit 30 stores the schedule information and the control content information in the control information storage unit 31 and registers them, and stores the validity determination information in the validity determination database storage unit 32 and registers it. , And outputs language data corresponding to the sensor signal to the state translation unit 27. As a result, various types of information are set in advance before controlling the controlled device 12.

In the state where various kinds of information are set in this way, the control processing section 30 compares the time measured by the timer 28 with the scheduled time stored as the schedule information (step S2). .

When the measured time matches the scheduled time, the control content information associated with the schedule information is recognized, and the control content information is read from the control information storage unit 31. At the same time, the control processing unit 30 recognizes the controlled device 12 to be controlled from the read control content information, and receives a sensor signal necessary for controlling the controlled device 12 from the sensor device 11. The connection processing unit 23 and the internal network connection unit 21 are controlled (step S3).

When the sensor signal is input, the sensor threshold value is read out by referring to the validity judgment database corresponding to the control content information, and the read sensor threshold value is compared with the input sensor signal to determine the control content. The validity is determined (steps S4 and S5). That is, the control processing unit 30 determines whether or not it is appropriate to execute the preset control content under the current situation.

When it is determined that the preset control content is appropriate under the current situation, it is determined that the control processing unit 30 executes the control, and a control signal is output to the controlled device 12 to comply with the control content. The specified motion (step S
6).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the preset control content is not appropriate under the current situation, the control processing unit 30 determines whether to change or cancel the control content (step S7). If you decide to cancel the control contents,
The process ends without outputting a control signal to the controlled device 12 (step S8). When it is determined that the control content is changed, the control content is changed according to the preset change policy of the control content (step S9), and the processing from step S2 is repeated.

[Other Device Control Process of Device Control Device 1] Next, in the device control process described with reference to FIG.
The procedure of notifying the user when starting the control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
In the following description, the same step number is assigned to the process described in FIG. 2, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

Step S of preprocessing for performing the processing shown in FIG.
In 1, the notification frequency information included in the control content information is set. In this device control process, the control content is adjusted by performing the processes of step S4, step S5, step S7, and step S9 after step S3 (step S11).

Before outputting the control signal to the controlled device 12 to operate the controlled device 12, the control processing section 3
By setting 0, notification information for notifying that the controlled device 12 is operated according to the control content is transmitted to the external network connection unit 22.
Control to transmit to the user terminal device 5 via (step S12).

Next, by referring to the preset control content information, whether the control content information is set to start the control of the controlled device 12 after transmitting the notification information to the user terminal device 5 is referred to. (Step S13). That is, before controlling the controlled device 12, it is determined whether or not to notify the user to that effect. When it is determined that only that effect is to be notified, a control signal is output to the controlled device 12 to cause it to operate, and the process ends (step S
6). On the other hand, it is not set to simply notify that fact, but is set to execute control after receiving the response instruction information of the user, and it is set to let the user execute, change, or cancel the control. If so, the response instruction information of the user is received and the instruction content is determined (step S1).
4).

When the control processing unit 30 determines that the control content is changed from the response instruction information, the control content instructed by the response instruction information is changed, and the processing from step S2 is repeated. When it is determined from the response instruction information that the control is to be executed, a control signal is output to the controlled device 12 to operate the controlled device 12 (step S6), and when it is determined from the response instruction information that the control is to be stopped, the process ends. Yes (step S8).

Here, when it is set as the control content information when the control is executed after the notification information is transmitted to the user terminal device 5 in step S13 and the response instruction information is received, the response instruction information is set. It is desirable to previously register, as the control content information, the setting for suspending the execution of the control, the setting for stopping the control after a predetermined time, and the setting for starting the control when not received.

The notification information in step S12 may include not only the notification information but also the sensor signal from the sensor device 11 and language data obtained by translating the sensor signal. This allows the user to refer to the sensor signal and the language content when the user decides to execute, change, or cancel the control content.

[Other Processing by Device Control Device 1] In the device control system to which the present invention is applied, the following process may be executed in addition to the above process.

In this equipment control system, the equipment control device 1 receives the response instruction information from the user terminal device 5,
By accumulating the history of the response instruction information, the tendency of the instruction content of the user may be determined, and the database updating unit 26 may execute the process of updating the content of the validity determination database. This process is performed by setting various information in step S1 described above, and is performed in steps S4 and S11.
Refer to.

Specifically, when the response instruction signal indicating the instruction of the similar control content is repeatedly received in response to the notification information including the sensor signal, the database updating section 26 determines the instruction content to a new validity. Register as information and update the correctness judgment database. More specifically, when the database updating unit 26 receives a similar control content instruction a predetermined number of times or more, the instruction content is registered as new validity determination information.

By performing such processing, the correctness can be determined by the new correctness determination information, and the control content can be changed without requiring the user to instruct the control content. It is possible to improve operability based on the tendency.

Further, in this equipment control system, the equipment control apparatus 1 receives the response instruction information and accumulates the history of the response instruction information, thereby determining the tendency of the instruction content of the user and updating the notification frequency information. Notification frequency update unit 25
May be executed by This process is the same as step S above.
This is performed by setting various information in 1.

As a result, the transmission of the notification information can be omitted based on the tendency of the user's instruction content, and the troublesome operation of the user referring to the notification information can be reduced. The database updating unit 26 may change the degree of omitting the transmission of the notification information stepwise, or may transmit the notification information only once in several times,
No notification may be given, or these settings may be changed in step S1.

Furthermore, when there are a plurality of users who use this equipment control system and the response instruction information is input by a plurality of users in step S14, the control processing section 30 compares the plurality of instruction contents. Controlled device 1
Control 2 At this time, when the control processing unit 30 determines that no conflicting control is instructed as a result of comparing the plurality of instruction contents, the control processing unit 30 executes the control as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the control instructions are in conflict with each other,
By referring to the priority order for each user set in advance as the control content information, the control content to be executed is determined based on the priority order. The priority order for each user is set together with other various information in step S1. Thus, when one of the contradictory controls is executed, the control set not only for the user terminal device 5 of the user having a high priority but also for the user terminal device 5 of the user having a low priority has not been executed. May be notified.

Furthermore, the device control system may include the language data by the state translation unit 27 in the notification information when generating the notification information in step S12. As a result, the content to be notified to the user when controlling the controlled device 12 can be made into an easy-to-understand word, and the burden on the user who creates the instruction of the control content can be reduced.

[Specific Example of Device Control Process Performed by Device Control System] A more specific process example performed by the above-described device control system will be described below.

In this processing example, the controlled device 12 is a cooling device, and the sensor device 11 is a room temperature detecting sensor. Then, it is assumed that the control target for starting cooling from a certain time and setting the room temperature to 25 degrees is set in advance by the schedule information and the control content information. Further, in this processing example, the room temperature of 25 degrees is set as the sensor threshold value of the validity determination information, the cooling device is started to operate from a predetermined time before the scheduled time set in the schedule information, and It is assumed that setting the target temperature is legal.

In the state thus set, the control processing unit 30 determines that the room temperature exceeds the target temperature and the sensor threshold value (25 degrees) by "30 degrees" from the sensor signal from the room temperature detection sensor device at the scheduled time. It was. In such a case, the control processing unit 30 transmits to the user terminal device 5 the notification information indicating that the room temperature is currently above the sensor threshold value and the control of the cooling equipment is started.

Further, based on the sensor signal from the room temperature detection sensor device at the scheduled time, the control processing unit 30 causes the room temperature to fall below the target temperature and the sensor threshold value (25 degrees).
It is assumed that it was "0 degree". In such a case, the control processing unit 30 determines from the validity determination information that starting the control of the cooling equipment is not valid, and notifies the user terminal device of the notification information indicating that the control of the cooling equipment is stopped. Send to 5.

Further, from the sensor signal from the room temperature detecting sensor device at the scheduled time, the control processing unit 30 causes the room temperature to exceed the target temperature and the sensor threshold value (25 degrees).
6 degrees ". In such a case, the control processing unit 3
When 0, the notification information indicating whether or not the control of the cooling equipment is executed is transmitted to the user terminal device 5, and the response instruction information from the user terminal device 5 is received. When the instruction content of the received response instruction information indicates the control is stopped, and when the response instruction information of the same instruction content is received a predetermined number of times at another opportunity (around room temperature of 26 degrees), the database updating unit 26 causes the room temperature to change. When the temperature is +1 degree with respect to the target temperature, the validity determination information for stopping the control is created and registered. As a result, in the subsequent processing, if the detected room temperature is about +1 degree with respect to the target temperature, it is set to stop the control of the cooling device.

Furthermore, from the sensor signal from the room temperature detecting sensor device at the scheduled time, the control processing unit 30
When the room temperature is higher than the target temperature and the sensor threshold value (25 degrees), the response instruction information for instructing to start the control of the cooling equipment with respect to the notification information that the control of the cooling equipment is started Is received a predetermined number of times in succession,
The notification frequency update unit 25 updates the notification frequency information.
As a result, the room temperature becomes equal to the target temperature and the sensor threshold value (25
If the number of times exceeds the number of times, the process of transmitting the notification information is stopped, or only once in a certain number of times.

Further, when the notification frequency information is changed, if the room temperature is 30 degrees higher than the target temperature by 5 degrees, and if the response instruction information for executing the control is received plural times, The notification frequency update unit 25 changes the notification frequency information when the room temperature exceeds the target temperature by 5 degrees or more.

Furthermore, the in-home terminal device 13 and the user terminal device 5 are operated by a plurality of users, and schedule information for controlling the same controlled device 12 in the same time zone is stored in the control information storage section 31, and further. When a plurality of pieces of control content information corresponding to the schedule information are set by different users, the control processing unit 30 refers to the preset priority order for each user and executes the control. At this time, the control processing unit 30 executes the control as it is when a plurality of pieces of control content information have the same control content, and when a plurality of pieces of control content information have contradictory control content, a user having a high priority order Execute the set control contents. As a result, the controlled device 12 can be controlled even when contradictory control contents are set in the same time zone.

Furthermore, there are two users who use the equipment control system (first user and second user), and the response instruction information of the instruction content of "room temperature is 25 degrees" is received from the first user, It is assumed that the response instruction information of the instruction content to set the room temperature to 20 degrees is received from the second user. In such a case, the control processing unit 30 refers to the priorities of the first user and the second user set in the pre-processing,
When it is determined that the priority is higher than that of the user, the cooling device is controlled according to the instruction content from the first user.

Furthermore, as a specific processing example of the state translation unit 27, the language data "steamy" is set in advance in correspondence with the sensor signal whose room temperature is 25 degrees or more and humidity is 70% or more. . When the control content information that sets the target temperature to 25 degrees and the target humidity to 50% is registered when the control of the cooling equipment is started, the current room temperature is 30
If the current humidity is 90% is input from the internal network connection unit 21 by the sensor signal from the humidity detection sensor device, the state translation unit 27 creates the language data “steamy” as the notification information, The control processing unit 30 creates notification information including this language data.

[Other Configuration of Device Control System] Next,
Another device control system having a different configuration from the device control system described above will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those of the device control system described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this device control system, the user home system is provided with a network connection device 41 and a controlled device group 2, and a device control device 42 connected to the network connection device 41 via the external network 4 outside the user home, It is configured to include the user terminal device 5.

The equipment control device 42 is connected to the external network 4
An external network connection unit 51 that connects with the network connection device 41 is provided and is connected to the plurality of network connection devices 41. That is, the device control device 42 is connected to a plurality of user homes. The device control device 42 functions as a server that controls each network connection device 41 and the controlled device 12 connected to the network connection device 41.

The equipment control device 42 includes the information storage unit 24, the notification frequency updating unit 25, and the database updating unit 2 described above.
6, state translation unit 27, program storage unit 29, timer 2
8, the control processing unit 30, and the external network connection unit 51 that communicates with the user terminal device 5 and the network connection device 41 under the control of the control processing unit 30. As a result, the device control apparatus 42 realizes the same processing as the above-described device control system.

The network connection device 41 is connected to the internal network connection unit 21 that communicates with the controlled device group 2 via the internal network 3 and the external network connection unit 51 that communicates with the external network connection unit 51 via the external network 4. The configuration includes a connection processing unit 23 that controls the unit 22, the internal network connection unit 21, and the external network connection unit 22. Network connection device 41
Transmits the schedule information, the control content information, and the like input from the home terminal device 13 to the device control device 42, and also transmits a sensor signal to the device control device 42 in response to a request from the device control device 42. Then, the network connection device 41 transmits the control signal from the device control device 42 to the controlled device 12 to operate the controlled device 12.

In such a device control system, schedule information, control content information, etc. generated by the user terminal device 5 or the home terminal device 13 are accumulated in the information storage section 24 of the device control device 42, and the device control device 42 is stored. By this, the set information and the user's home are managed in association with each other. And
At the scheduled time indicated by the schedule information, the network connection device 41 of the associated user's home is accessed and a control signal for controlling the controlled device 12 is transmitted. As a result, the device control device 42 can control the controlled devices 12 in a plurality of user homes.

In this equipment control system, the equipment control device 42 may be managed by a third party. When the device control device 42 is managed by a third party in this way, the user may pay the management fee to the manager as a price for managing the controlled device 12 in the user's house.

[Effects of the Embodiment] As described in detail above, according to the device control system of the present embodiment, when the scheduled time comes, the sensor signal and the validity determination database are included. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the controlled device 12 is controlled by comparing the sensor threshold value with the validity of the control content, it is possible to determine the surrounding conditions of the controlled device 12 when starting the control. The appropriate control can be performed accordingly.

Further, according to this device control system, when controlling the controlled device 12, the user can be notified of that fact and the control content can be changed according to the response instruction information. The control of the controlled device 12 can be changed or stopped according to a new instruction regarding the control of the device 12, and the user can confirm the actual control content. At this time, when transmitting the notification information including the sensor signal to the user terminal device 5, by translating the situation around the controlled device 12, the user can easily grasp the situation around the controlled device 12. .

Further, according to this equipment control system, the contents of the validity judgment database can be updated according to the response instruction information, so that the control more suitable for the user can be realized.

Furthermore, according to this equipment control system, the tendency of the instruction content of the response instruction information is determined and the notification frequency information is updated, so that the user operation for creating the response instruction information can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to this device control system, when there are a plurality of users who use the device control apparatus 1, even if conflicting response instruction information is received, a user with a high priority order receives a reply. It is possible to perform control according to the instruction content of the response instruction information.

The above embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other than this embodiment, as long as it does not deviate from the technical idea of the present invention, various types according to the design etc. Of course, it is possible to change.

[0092]

According to the equipment control device of the first aspect,
The sensor signal from the sensor device is acquired at the time indicated by the schedule information, and the controlled device is controlled by determining the validity of the control content indicated by the control content information based on the sensor signal and the validity determination information. Therefore, it is possible to perform accurate control according to the surrounding conditions of the controlled device when the control is started.

According to the device control apparatus of the second aspect, when the control of the controlled device is started, it is transmitted to the internal terminal device to notify the user, and the control content from the internal terminal device is instructed. Since the control content is changed according to the instruction information, the control of the controlled device can be changed or stopped according to a new instruction regarding the control of the controlled device by the user.

According to the device control apparatus of the third aspect, when starting the control of the controlled device, the fact is transmitted to the external terminal device to notify the user, and the control content from the external terminal device is instructed. Since the control content is changed according to the instruction information, the control of the controlled device can be changed or stopped according to a new instruction regarding the control of the controlled device by the user.

According to the device control apparatus of the fourth aspect, the sensor signal is transmitted to the external terminal device to notify the user, so that the user can confirm the actual surroundings of the controlled device.

According to the device control apparatus of the fifth aspect, since the spatial state of the controlled device indicated by the sensor signal is converted into language data and the notification information is transmitted, the actual controlled device is transmitted. The user can more easily confirm the surrounding situation of the.

According to the device control apparatus of the sixth aspect, the contents of the validity judgment database are updated based on the instruction information, so that control more suitable for the user can be realized.

According to the device control apparatus of the seventh aspect, when the same instruction content instructed by the instruction information is made a predetermined number of times or more, it is registered as new validity determination information.
The effect of claim 6 can be easily realized.

According to the device control apparatus of the eighth aspect, the tendency of the instruction content indicated by the instruction information is determined and the frequency of notifying the user is changed, so that the user operation for creating the instruction information is reduced. You can

According to the equipment control device of the ninth aspect, the frequency of notifying the user is changed when the same instruction content instructed by the instruction information is made a predetermined number of times or more, so that the effect of the eighth aspect is simplified. Can be realized.

According to the equipment control apparatus of the tenth aspect,
Even when different control content information is set by different users in the same time zone, the controlled device can be controlled according to the priority order.

According to the equipment control apparatus of claim 11,
Since each user has a priority for each external terminal device, the instruction information from each external terminal device is compared, and the control content is changed according to the instruction information from the external terminal device with a higher priority, which is a conflict. Even when the instruction information is received, the control can be performed according to the instruction content of the instruction information from the user having a high priority.

According to the device control method of claim 12,
When the time indicated by the schedule information is reached, a sensor signal indicating the spatial state of the controlled device is detected,
Since the operation of the controlled device is controlled by determining the correctness of the control content indicated by the control content information on the basis of the sensor signal and the correctness determination information, the operation of the controlled device is controlled depending on the surrounding conditions of the controlled device when starting the control. Accurate control can be performed.

According to the equipment control method of claim 13,
When the control of the controlled device is started according to the schedule information and the control content information, the fact is transmitted to the external terminal device outside the user's house to notify the user, and the instruction information for instructing the control content from the external terminal device is provided. Since the control content is changed accordingly, the control of the controlled device can be changed or stopped according to a new instruction regarding the control of the controlled device by the user.

According to the device control system of claim 14, when the time indicated by the schedule information is reached,
The sensor signal from the sensor device is detected and the fact is notified to the terminal device, and the validity of the control content indicated by the control content information is determined based on the instruction from the terminal device, the sensor signal and the validity determination information. Since the operation of the controlled device is controlled according to the surrounding conditions of the controlled device when the control is started, it is possible to perform accurate control, and to respond to a new instruction regarding the control of the controlled device from the user. The control of the controlled device can be changed or stopped.

According to the equipment control system of the fifteenth aspect, at the time indicated by the schedule information,
The sensor signal from the sensor device is detected and the fact is notified to the terminal device, and the validity of the control content indicated by the control content information is determined based on the instruction from the terminal device, the sensor signal and the validity determination information. Since the operation of the controlled device is controlled according to the surrounding conditions of the controlled device when the control is started, it is possible to perform accurate control, and to respond to a new instruction regarding the control of the controlled device from the user. The control of the controlled device can be changed or stopped.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device control system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 shows the operation of a device control system to which the present invention is applied.
It is a flow chart for explaining in the equipment control processing of an equipment control device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of another device control process of the device control apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another device control system to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Equipment control device 2 Controlled equipment group 3 Internal network 4 External network 5 user terminal 11 Sensor equipment 12 Controlled equipment 13 Home terminal device 21 Internal network connection 22 External network connection 23 Connection processing unit 24 Information storage unit 25 Notification frequency update unit 26 Database Update Department 27 State Translation Department 28 timer 29 Program storage section 30 control processing unit 31 control information storage unit 32 Validity determination database storage unit

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A first communication means connected to a controlled device and a sensor device that detects a sensor signal indicating a spatial condition in which the controlled device exists, and schedule information indicating a time at which the controlled device is controlled. , An information storage unit that stores the control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device at the time indicated by the schedule information in association with each other, and the validity for determining the validity of the control according to the control content information. A validity determination database storage unit that stores determination information, and controls the first communication unit so as to acquire a sensor signal from the sensor device at the time indicated by the schedule information, and outputs the sensor signal and the validity determination database. Based on the validity determination information stored in the storage unit, the validity of the control content indicated by the control content information is determined to control the controlled device. An apparatus control device comprising: a control means for controlling. 2. The first communication means is connected to an internal terminal device operated by a user, and the control means indicates that when starting control of the controlled device according to the schedule information and control content information. The first communication unit is controlled so as to be transmitted to the internal terminal device to notify the user, and the control content is changed according to the instruction information instructing the control content from the internal terminal device received by the first communication unit. The device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. A second communication means connected to an external communication line network and communicating with an external terminal equipment owned by a user, wherein the control means comprises the controlled equipment according to the schedule information and control content information. When starting the control of the above, the second communication means is controlled so as to transmit the fact to the external terminal device to notify the user, and the control content from the external terminal device received by the second communication means is instructed. The device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control content is changed according to the instruction information. 4. The control means controls the second communication means so as to transmit the sensor signal detected by the sensor device to an external terminal device, notifies the user of the sensor signal, and receives the signal by the second communication means. The device control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control content is changed according to instruction information for instructing the control content from the external terminal device. 5. The control means stores the sensor signal and the spatial state in association with each other, converts the spatial state of the controlled device indicated by the sensor signal into language data and transmits the language data. The device control apparatus according to claim 4, which controls the second communication unit. 6. The database update means for updating the content of the validity determination database stored in the validity database storage unit based on the instruction information received by the second communication means. The equipment control device according to claim 3 or 4. 7. The database updating means registers as new validity determination information when the same instruction content instructed by the instruction information is given a predetermined number of times or more. Equipment control device. 8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the control means determines the tendency of the instruction content indicated by the instruction information and changes the frequency of notifying the user. The equipment control device described. 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the control means changes the frequency of notifying the user when the same instruction content instructed by the instruction information is given a predetermined number of times or more. The device control apparatus according to claim 4. 10. The control means sets a priority for each user who sets the control content information stored in the information storage means, and the control content corresponding to the schedule information for controlling the controlled device in the same time zone. The controlled device is controlled according to the control content information set by a user having a high priority when a plurality of pieces of information are set by different users and stored in the information storage unit. Equipment control device. 11. A plurality of users exist, the second communication means and a plurality of external terminal devices are connected, and the control means provides a priority order for each external terminal device owned by each user, and each external terminal device. The control content is changed according to the instruction information from the external terminal device having a high priority by comparing the instruction information from the devices.
Alternatively, the device control device according to claim 4. 12. Schedule information indicating the time to control the controlled device and control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device at the time indicated by the schedule information are stored in association with each other, and the control content information is stored in the control content information. The validity determination information for determining the validity of the controlled control is set in advance, and when the time indicated by the schedule information is reached,
The sensor signal indicating the spatial state of the controlled device is detected, the legitimacy of the control content indicated by the control content information is determined based on the sensor signal and the legitimacy determination information, and the controlled device An apparatus control method characterized by controlling an operation. 13. When the control of the controlled device is started according to the schedule information and the control content information, the fact is transmitted to an external terminal device outside the user's house to notify the user, 13. The control content is changed according to instruction information for instructing the control content.
The device control method described in. 14. A controlled device group, which comprises a plurality of controlled devices and a sensor device for detecting a spatial condition where the controlled devices exist, and a controlled device group installed inside the user's house, and a terminal device outside the user's house owned by the user. And schedule information indicating the time when the controlled device is installed in the user's house and control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device at the time indicated by the schedule information are stored in association with each other. , The validity determination information for determining the validity of the control according to the control content information is set in advance by the terminal device, and when the time indicated by the schedule information comes, the sensor signal from the sensor device is detected. And notifies the terminal device to that effect, and based on the instruction from the terminal device, the sensor signal and the validity determination information, the control content Equipment control system, characterized in that it comprises a device controller for controlling the operation of the controlled device determines the validity of the contents of control represented by the distribution. 15. A controlled device group, which comprises a plurality of controlled devices and a sensor device that detects a spatial condition where the controlled devices exist, and a controlled device group installed in the user's house, and a terminal device outside the user's house owned by the user. And the schedule information indicating the time when the controlled device is installed outside the user's house and the control content information indicating the control content of the controlled device at the time indicated by the schedule information are stored in association with each other. However, the validity determination information for determining the validity of the control according to the control content information is set in advance by the terminal device, and when the time indicated by the schedule information comes, the sensor signal from the sensor device is set. The control content is detected and the fact is notified to the terminal device, and the control content is based on the instruction from the terminal device, the sensor signal and the correctness determination information. A device control device that determines the correctness of the control content indicated in the report and controls the operation of the controlled device, and a controlled device group, the terminal device, and the device control device that are installed in the user's home. A device control system, comprising: