JP2005072839A - Apparatus, controller and method and program for reporting event - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a controller should be modified in the case of newly adding an apparatus to a network in order to report an event by the controller when the event to be especially reported to a user is generated in the apparatus capable of communicating with a controller which can remotely monitor the state of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the apparatus A121 connected to the network 120, an event detection part 11 detects an event especially generated on the apparatus and allowed to be reported to the controller and a report specification generation part 12 generates report specification corresponding to the event information, adds the generated report specification to information to be reported and transmits the information to the controller. Thus events such as the end of an operation course generated in the apparatus and the generation of abnormality in the apparatus which are to be especially reported to the controller can be set on the apparatus side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a device that can communicate with a controller that can monitor the state of a device at a remote place, an event notification method, and a program.

  In recent years, communication between home devices and controllers using a communication line (such as the Internet) allows you to view the current state of home devices at remote locations and control operations such as turning on / off the home devices. Possible systems are beginning to spread (Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  Furthermore, in these systems, not only the operation status of home appliances is displayed by the display means of the controller, but also the user set course operation such as a series of operations from washing to dehydration of the washing machine, or the occurrence of an abnormality in the equipment. A configuration having a function of notifying that when an event occurs on the device has been proposed, and the configuration will be described below.

  In FIG. 18, 100 denotes a network such as ECHONET (see http://www.echonet.gr.jp/), and 101 to 104 are devices connected to the network 100 for exchanging information and control (such as network compatible air conditioners and , Internet-compatible refrigerator, etc.).

  FIG. 19 is a system block diagram of the conventional controller 101.

  FIG. 20 is a communication sequence when the controller 101 connected to the device a102 via the network when an event occurs receives state change information from the device.

FIG. 21 is a device status browsing screen displayed on the controller display screen.
FIG. 22 is a pop-up screen that is notified when an event occurs on the device.

  The conventional controller 101 includes a transmission / reception circuit unit 102, a message analysis processing unit 103, a notification control processing unit 104, and a notification information holding unit 105, and transmits when the state of a device connected via the network 100 changes. The state change information to be received is received by the transmission / reception circuit unit 102. Event information indicating which device has changed from state A to state B is obtained from the message received by the message analysis processing unit 103. The obtained event information is compared with the notification information held in advance in the notification information holding unit 105 by the controller 101, and the notification control processing unit 104 notifies the user from the result.

  Referring to the communication sequence of FIG. 20, if any state change occurs on the device a, the device a 102 notifies the controller 101 of state change information 111 that the state of the device a 102 has changed from state A to state B. Send. The controller 102 that has received it returns the response message 112 and then performs a notification process 113 according to the rules of the internal holding information.

At this time, normal information, that is, information that is determined to be information that is not special information that must be notified to the user is displayed on the screen as a state browsing screen as shown in FIG. Information that is determined to be information that must be specially notified to the user, such as end information or device abnormality information, is displayed on the front of the state browsing screen 114 by displaying an operation end notification screen 115 as shown in FIG. By pop-up display, it is notified to the user.
JP 2003-47074 A JP 2002-186057 A JP 2003-207139 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, the notification information, the notification method, and the notification contents are all managed by the controller, and all the events to be notified to the user must be set in the controller in advance. When this happens, it is necessary to first create in the controller how to notify the user in what manner.

  For example, in a system composed of a washing machine and a controller, if the washing machine notifies the controller of the end of the washing course operation, and if the controller wants to pop up an end notification screen, the conventional method starts with “” “When“ Course driving is finished ”” “Status change notification” is received from the device, “Display pop-up screen” with the content “Course driving is finished” is displayed. Set it. And when the washing course operation is finished on the washing machine, the washing machine does not recognize that “the washing course operation is finished” is “information to be specially notified to the controller” As with many other types of information, “state change notification” is transmitted to the controller, assuming that the state has changed. When the controller determines that it has received a “state change notification” indicating that “washing course operation has been completed”, the “display screen” will display “pop-up screen” with the content “course operation has been completed” as set. "And notify the user.

  For this reason, the controller has been reorganized even when it is desired to notify the controller of a new event when a new function is added to the device or a new device is added to the controller, which was not considered in the original controller. Need to do. This is a major issue when considering the versatility and convenience of a network that can be configured with a controller at the center and devices can be additionally connected later.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described conventional problem, the device of the present invention detects an event that occurs on the device and should be notified to the controller, and adds a notification designation of the event information to the information to be notified. Send to controller. This makes it possible for the device to set an event that should be notified to the controller, such as the end of the driving course that has occurred on the device or the occurrence of an abnormality in the device, and how to notify the event on the controller. It is possible to control the notification designation of such event information on the device side.

  In addition, the controller of the present invention determines the notification designation from the received message when a special event occurs on the device, and informs the user of the information received from the device as the information to be specified as specified on the device side. Inform. Thereby, it is not necessary to create in advance in the controller a special event that occurs on the device, for example, the end of the driving course or the event information to be notified specially such as the occurrence of an abnormality in the device, It is possible to realize a controller that can be applied to any device notification with a high degree of freedom.

  That is, for example, in the system consisting of the washing machine of the present invention and the controller of the present invention, when the washing machine operation end is notified from the washing machine to the controller, and when it is desired to pop up an end notification screen on the controller, on the washing machine, When the washing course operation ends, the washing machine detects that “the washing course operation has ended” is “information that should be specially notified to the controller”, and displays it as “the controller display screen” The controller is informed that “I want to“ display ”a“ pop-up screen ”with the content that“ the course operation of the washing machine ”has been completed” ”. In accordance with the content instructed by the device, the controller “displays” a “pop-up screen” with the content “Course operation has been completed” of “washing machine” on the display screen of the controller, and notifies the user.

  In addition, the communication method of the present invention detects an event that should occur on the device and should be notified to the controller, adds the notification designation of the event information to the information to be notified, and then transmits the information that is specific to the controller. Follow the steps to inform as. This makes it possible for the device to set events that should be notified to the controller, such as the end of an operation course that has occurred on the device or the occurrence of an abnormality in the device, and how to notify the event on the controller. It is possible to control notification designation of such event information on the device side.

  In addition, according to the notification method of the present invention, when a special event occurs on the device, the notification designation is determined from the message received by the controller, thereby notifying the information received from the device as the information to be extracted. Follow the steps. With this procedure, it is not necessary to create in advance in the controller a special event that occurs on the device, for example, a notification method for event information that should be specially notified, such as the end of the driving course or the occurrence of an abnormality in the device. Thus, it is possible to realize a controller that can be applied to any device notification with a high degree of freedom.

  The device of the present invention detects an event that should occur on the device and should be notified to the controller, and adds the notification designation of the event information to the information to be notified and transmits it to the controller. This makes it possible to set events that should be notified to the controller in special cases such as the end of the driving course that has occurred on the device or the occurrence of an abnormality in the device. It is possible to control notification designation of event information such as whether to notify on the device side.

  In addition, the controller of the present invention determines the notification designation from the received message when a special event occurs on the device, and informs the user of the information received from the device as the special information specified by the device. Inform. As a result, it is not necessary to create in advance in the controller a method for notifying event information that should be specially notified such as the end of an operation course that occurs on the device or the occurrence of an abnormality in the device. It is possible to realize a controller that can be applied to the notification of devices with a high degree of freedom.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a device that can communicate with a controller that can monitor the state of the device, an event detection unit that detects an event that occurs on the device and should be notified to the controller, and notification designation of the event information Is added to the information to be notified, is transmitted, and is provided with a notification designation generation unit that can be notified as information that is special to the controller. Events that should be notified to the controller in the event of an abnormality can be set on the device side, and event information notification designation such as how to notify the event on the controller can be controlled on the device side It becomes possible.

  In the second invention, in particular, in the device of the first invention, the notification designation generating unit generates a telegram that can designate the type of the event that has emerged. This makes it possible to specify information to be notified to the user as a special event to the controller in advance, instead of specifying it to the controller at the time of message transmission from the device side, and it is easy to add or change the event type to be notified Become.

  In the third invention, in particular, in the device according to the first invention, the notification designation generation unit designates at least one of a time for notifying a special event, a waiting time until notification, and a notification period. A message that can be generated is generated. Thus, for example, by predicting the end time of the operation course of the device and specifying the notification time, the controller notifies the end of the operation course of the device even when communication is difficult due to noise during operation of the device. It is possible to prevent inconsistencies between the state of the device and the controller.

  Further, in a system that takes time until the device starts to move, it is possible to prevent the inconsistency between the operation and the notification state by specifying the waiting time until the notification is made in advance by assuming the time. And if the time until the user notices that the controller has notified a special event that occurred in the device differs depending on the installation environment of the controller, it can be used according to the installation environment by specifying the notification period As a result, the user-friendliness can be improved.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the device of the first aspect of the invention, the notification designation generation unit generates a telegram that can designate a means for notifying an outstanding event. This makes it possible to specify to the controller at the time of message transmission from the device side instead of specifying the means for notifying the user of the special event information in advance, depending on the content to be notified and the environment used. The screen display, sound, light, vibration, and the like can be switched, and the user can be notified using the optimum means for the content to be notified and the situation during use.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the device of the first aspect of the invention, the notification designation generating unit generates a telegram that can specify the priority for notifying the special event. As a result, the priority for notifying the user of the special event information can be specified in advance in the controller instead of in the controller, and for example, the home appliance such as an air conditioner or a washing machine can be specified. Even when a new security device with a high alarm urgency level (such as an intrusion detection sensor) is added to a system consisting of only the controller and the controller, the controller has the highest priority for security without reorganization. An alarm from the device can be notified.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the device of the first aspect of the invention, the notification designation generating unit generates a telegram that can designate a means for deleting the information after notifying the special event. As a result, after notifying the user of a special event, it is possible to specify the controller to erase the information in advance to the controller, instead of specifying it to the controller when transmitting a message from the device side. On the other hand, depending on the degree to which the user wants to recognize the notified information, “the notification information is not deleted unless the button is pressed”, “the notification information is deleted when a part of the display is touched”, “no operation” However, the notification information is erased (after a certain time elapses) "can be used properly, and the user's further attention can be urged.

  In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a controller capable of monitoring the state of a device by communicating with the device, when a special event occurs on the device, a notification that can determine the notification designation from the received message It is a controller that includes an information control processing unit and a notification control processing unit that can notify information received from the device as information to be extracted, and when a special event occurs on the device. In addition, the notification designation is determined from the received electronic message, and the information received from the device is notified to the user as the information on the device side as information to be extracted. As a result, it is not necessary to create in advance in the controller the event information that should be specially notified such as the end of the driving course that occurs on the device or the occurrence of an abnormality of the device, and a more general-purpose controller can be created. It can be realized.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the controller of the seventh aspect of the invention, the notification control processing unit determines the type of event based on the received electronic message and notifies it. As a result, when an event to be notified specially occurs on the device, the type of event to be notified can be controlled by a message received by a remote controller, and the notification is made by the controller. It is also easy to add or change event types.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the controller of the seventh aspect of the invention, the notification control processing unit determines at least one of the time for notifying the event by the received message, the waiting time until notification, and the notification period. Control and alert. Thereby, for example, by predicting the end time of the driving course of the device from the device and designating the notification time, even when communication with the device is difficult at the end of the driving course due to noise during operation of the device, The end of the operation course of the device can be notified by the controller, and inconsistency between the operation state of the device and the notification state of the controller can be prevented. Also, in a system where it takes time for the device to start moving, it is possible to prevent the inconsistency between the state of the device and the controller by designating the waiting time until the notification is made in advance by assuming the time from the device. Can do. When the time until the user notices that a special event that has occurred in the device is different depending on the installation environment of the controller, the installation environment is controlled by controlling the received message in the received message. Therefore, it is possible to improve the user-friendliness.

  In the tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the controller of the seventh aspect of the invention, the notification control processing unit controls and notifies means for notifying the event specified by the received electronic message. As a result, the means for notifying the user of the special event information can be controlled by the controller at a remote place when the controller receives a message, rather than controlling the means in advance by the controller. Depending on the content that the device wants to notify the user and the environment in which the controller is used, it is possible to switch the screen display, sound, light, vibration, etc. Can be notified to the user.

  In the eleventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in the controller of the seventh aspect of the invention, the notification control processing unit determines and notifies the priority of the event based on the received message. In this way, the priority for notifying the user of special event information is not stored and controlled in advance by the controller, but when the telegram is received by the controller, the priority is notified from a remote device. For example, even when a security device with a high alarm urgency level (such as an intrusion detection sensor) is newly added to a system consisting only of a home appliance such as an air conditioner and a washing machine and a controller, An alarm from the security device can be notified with the highest priority by the controller without modifying the controller.

  In the twelfth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the controller of the seventh aspect of the invention, the notification control processing unit erases the information that has been notified so far by means designated by the received electronic message. In this way, after notifying the user of special events, the means for deleting the information is not designated in advance in the controller, but when the telegram is received by the controller, the means for deleting from the remote device Depending on the degree of notification that the user wants to recognize the notified information, the notification information is not deleted unless the button is pressed. “Information is deleted”, “Notification information is deleted even if nothing is done (after a certain period of time has elapsed)”, etc., can be used properly, and further attention of the user can be urged.

  In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in a device that can communicate with a controller that can monitor the state of the device, an event that should occur on the device and should be notified to the controller should be detected, and notification notification of the event information should be notified It is an event notification execution method that is sent in addition to information and notified to the controller as information that is special to the controller. An event can be set on the device side, and notification designation of event information such as how the event is notified by the controller can be controlled on the device side.

  In a fourteenth aspect of the invention, a notification designation message transmitted by adding notification designation of event information to information to be broadcast is designated in the data portion as broadcast content designation, broadcast start time designation, broadcast start waiting time designation, broadcast period designation, broadcast notification This is an event notification execution method composed of a telegram including at least one piece of information among means designation, notification priority designation, and notification erasure designation. With this, the priority for notifying the user of special event information is determined. Rather than controlling in advance by the controller, it is possible to control the priority of notification from a remote device when a message is received by the controller.

  In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in a controller that can monitor the state of a device by communicating with the device, when a special event occurs on the device, the notification that can determine the notification designation from the received message It is an event notification execution method for notifying information received from a device as information to be extracted by performing an information control process. It is not necessary to create in advance in the controller the event information that should be specially notified such as the occurrence of an abnormality, and a more general-purpose controller can be realized.

  In a sixteenth aspect of the invention, when a special event occurs on a device, a notification control message received by the controller is specified in a data portion as notification content, notification start time specification, notification start waiting time specification, notification period specification. , Notification means designation, notification priority designation, notification erasure designation is an event notification execution method comprising a message including at least one piece of information, whereby priority is given to notify the user of special event information. The priority is not controlled by the controller in advance, but it is possible to control the priority of notification from a remote device when a message is received by the controller.

  A seventeenth invention is a program for causing a computer to execute at least one means in the device and controller according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and according to this configuration, the end of the operation course that has occurred on the device In addition, an event that should be notified to the controller in a special manner such as the occurrence of an abnormality in the device can be set on the device side, and the notification designation of event information such as how to notify the event on the controller can be set on the device side. It becomes possible to control. In addition, it is not necessary to create in advance in the controller a method for notifying event information that should be specially notified such as the end of an operation course that occurs on the device or the occurrence of an abnormality in the device. It is possible to realize a controller that can be applied to this notification with a high degree of freedom.

  Since it is a program, a part or all of the device or controller of the present invention can be easily realized using a microcomputer or the like. Further, the program can be easily distributed by recording it on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of the device A 121 connected to the network 120 according to the first embodiment. The configuration is the same as the conventional configuration except that the event detection unit 11 and the notification designation generation unit 12 are described. About the apparatus A comprised as mentioned above, taking a washing machine as an example, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  When notifying the controller connected via the network 120 that the washing course operation of the washing machine A121 has been completed at the end of the washing course operation of the washing machine A121, an event that the washing is finished should be notified specially Is detected by the event detection unit 11 of the washing machine A121. Then, the notification designation generation unit 12 specifies when, how and how the event is to be notified by the controller, and an instruction to the controller is generated. Then, the message analysis processing unit 131 and the transmission / reception circuit unit 132 transmit the message as a message on the network.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the device A 121 detects that the currently occurring event is a special event to be notified by the controller, and information on how to notify the controller accordingly. Since it is also transmitted to the controller, the notification content and the notification method can be controlled from the device side without changing the setting of the controller.

  In this embodiment, a washing machine is used as an example. However, for various devices such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, home appliances such as TVs, security devices such as intrusion detection sensors, and surveillance cameras, medical facilities for nursing care facilities, The present invention can be applied.

  In this embodiment, wireless is used as a communication medium. However, any communication medium such as wired communication using a dedicated line, power line carrier communication, infrared communication, or optical fiber communication has the same effect. It is.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a telegram generated by the notification designation generation unit 12 of the device A 121 according to the second embodiment. The internal block diagram of the device has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  The message generated here is a service code (SC) 20 for designating a communication service such as whether to notify only to the communication partner on the network, whether to wait for a response after the notification, or to write, etc. It consists of a property code (PC) 21 that specifies what the data is (here, data that indicates the notification content follows) and an actual data portion 22 that specifies the type of notification. About the message | telegram structure in the apparatus A comprised as mentioned above, taking a washing machine as an example, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  Events that can occur during the washing machine operation course and that should be notified to the user are “water injection operation start”, “washing operation start”, “rinse operation start”, “dehydration operation start”, “washing end” And so on. If the data corresponding to these are set as in the notification type instructions 23a to 23e in FIG. 2, and if the specification of notifying the user when the water injection operation is started as the device A is determined in FIG. When the event detection unit 11 detects that the water injection operation has been started, the notification designating unit 12 in FIG. 1 creates a telegram with the above-described configuration, and the data unit 22 displays “water injection operation start notification designation”. "0x21" is set. In order to notify the controller with such a message, it is not necessary to check whether or not the “water injection operation start” is information that should be informed specially on the controller side, and the notification method of the controller can be easily controlled from the device. Is possible.

  In this embodiment, the data contents are explained by taking a washing machine as an example. However, if this is a microwave oven, “cooking operation start”, “door opening pause”, “cooking progress notification”, “cooking end” The contents such as “door open alarm” and “consumable replacement” can be set for a refrigerator. These are not limited to home appliances, and can be set similarly for other devices.

  And the message format which added the image data used at the time of alerting | reporting, display character string information, a sound file, and URL information to these information may be sufficient.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a message generated by the notification designation generation unit 12 of the device A 121 according to the third embodiment, as in FIG. Here, the actual data part 22 is composed of a notification content instruction unit 23 and a notification start time designation unit 31. About the message | telegram structure in the apparatus A comprised as mentioned above, taking a washing machine as an example, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  Events that can occur during the washing machine operation course and that should be notified to the user are “water injection operation start”, “washing operation start”, “rinse operation start”, “dehydration operation start”, “washing end” And so on. When the data corresponding to these are set as in the notification type instructions 30a to 30e in FIG. 2 and if the specification of notifying the user when the dehydrating operation is started as the device A is determined, the data in FIG. When the event detection unit 11 detects that a series of washing courses has been started, the start time of the dehydration operation is calculated from the course setting and the current time, and the notification content instruction unit 23 of the data unit 22 Data “0x34” representing “dehydration operation start notification designation” is set. Further, the notification start time designation 31 is set to the notification time.

  Thereby, it is possible to control the event that should be notified to the user by designating the notification time from the device side. Therefore, especially in a device that generates a large noise during operation, such as a washing machine, communication during operation cannot be performed well due to the noise, so the state does not match between the controller and the device (the washing machine is If the device does not give a good indication that the dehydration operation has started even though the rinse operation has been completed and the dehydration operation has started, the controller recognizes that the rinse operation before the dehydration operation has not yet been completed. Can be solved.

  FIG. 4 shows that the actual data part 22 having the above-mentioned telegram structure is composed of a notification content instruction unit 23 and a notification start waiting time designation unit 41. By using this message, the controller can notify the user of a specific event that should be notified to the user at a predetermined time from the time when the message is received.

  Similarly to FIG. 3, taking a washing machine as an example, for example, when specifying that the operation of the device has ended, that is, the washing operation course set by the user has ended, as an event that should be notified to the user think of. The washing machine determines that the washing operation course has ended when the dehydration operation is completed through the “water injection operation”, “washing operation”, “rinse operation”, and “dehydration operation”, and the operation is notified to the controller. After notifying, the power is turned off automatically. Immediately after the dehydration operation is completed, although the power of the device is reduced, the washing tub continues to rotate due to inertia, so that it takes some time to stop completely. Therefore, a discrepancy occurs between the controller end notification and the actual operation state of the device. Of course, it is dangerous during that time, and the user cannot take out the clothes.

  Therefore, as an instruction of the notification time to the controller, the above-mentioned message is set to the notification content instruction 23 and the washing end notification designation 40e is set to 0x0003 (3 minutes). As a result, it is possible to delay the notification of the end of the washing machine by 3 minutes, and at the point of time when the “end of washing course operation” is notified, the movement of the washing machine is stopped and the controller and the state of the washing machine are matched. I can do it. Moreover, since clothes can be taken out safely, the safety | security of an apparatus can be improved and the improvement of a user's convenience can be aimed at by extension.

  This is not limited to washing machines, but it can also provide time delays for notifications at the end of dryers and microwave ovens that generate high heat during operation, causing users to touch the equipment at high temperatures, resulting in injury. Can be prevented.

  For example, in a system that takes time to start up, such as a projector, the start time is predicted in advance when the power is turned on, and a waiting time is provided for notification by the controller so that the user can notify the controller. When received, the projector is in a standby state in a usable state, and inconsistencies between the controller and the device can be prevented.

  Conversely, if the time is set earlier than the end time (a negative value is used, for example: -10 minutes), a notification will be given before the equipment such as a laundromat installed at a place away from the house ends. It is also possible to start the movement after the user notices the notification and that the driving has just ended after the time (for example, 10 minutes) from the house to the coin laundry has elapsed.

  In addition, FIG. 5 shows that the actual data part 22 of the above-mentioned telegram structure is composed of two parts, a notification content instruction part 23 and a notification period specifying part 41.

  As in FIG. 3, taking the washing machine as an example, the notification period specifying unit 51 includes a water injection operation start notification designation information 51 a, a washing operation start notification designation information 51 b, a rinse operation start notification designation information 51 c, and a dehydration operation start notification designation information. In the case of 51d, the notification by the controller is set to end in 3 seconds. Then, in the washing end notification designation 51e which is the final notification event of the course driving, “0x0000: no time designation (wait until it is released due to other factors)” is designated from the washing machine to the controller. Thus, the controller can notify the user by distinguishing between “information that can be automatically deleted” and “information that can be deleted only after it is noticed”. Also, when used in the home, the user is often near even with short notifications, and there is a possibility that it will be noticed immediately, but when used outside the home, the noise is loud, the user is not near, etc. It is possible to change the notification method with a high degree of freedom even in accordance with the usage environment, such as the need for notification for a long time due to factors.

  These may include a notification start time specifying unit 31 in FIG. 3, a notification start waiting time specifying unit 41 in FIG. 4, and a notification time specifying unit 51 in FIG. 5 as data components at the same time.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a message generated by the notification designation generation unit 12 of the device A 121 according to the fourth embodiment as in FIG. The actual data part 22 is composed of a notification content instruction unit 23 and a notification means designation unit 61.

  As in FIG. 2, the washing operation course of the washing machine will be described as an example. When the washing machine starts the washing operation course, the washing machine notifies the controller of the water injection operation start notification designation 61a (0x0001: image on the display screen). The controller which received the message including the instruction to display the message) displays the image 114C indicating the washing process on the display unit 114. Similarly, when the washing machine starts a washing operation, starts a rinsing operation, or starts a dehydrating operation, the washing machine sends a washing operation start notification designation 61b, a rinsing operation start notification designation 61c, Messages including the dehydration operation start notification designation 61d (all values are 0x0001) are sequentially transmitted. In response, the controller sequentially displays an image 114d indicating the rinsing process and an image 114e indicating the dehydration process. When the washing machine finishes washing, the washing machine transmits a message including a washing end notification designation 71e (0x0010: instruction to pop up a large image on the display screen) to the controller, and the controller that receives the message Displays the pop-up screen 115 on the screen 114 as instructed by the device.

  This makes it possible to distinguish between “information that only needs to be displayed small” and “information that should be displayed large and to attract the user's attention” and notify the user from the controller. Also, by controlling it from the device, the controller can notify the user of a new event without modifying the controller even when an event is added to the device.

  Here, the screen display has been described as an example, but this notification means designation is not limited to the screen display, but it is also possible to designate means such as LED lighting, buzzer notification, sound and light, and finally vibration and e-mail transmission. .

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a message generated by the notification designation generation unit 12 of the device A 121 according to the fifth embodiment as in FIG. The actual data part 22 is composed of two parts, a notification content instruction part 23 and a notification priority designation part 71. In the notification priority designating section, the notification priority of the event is expressed by a numerical value, and a method for raising the user's attention more than an event in which an event indicating a larger numerical value is small (for example, loud sound, dazzling light, screen Foremost display) and the like.

  As in FIG. 2, the washing operation course of the washing machine will be described as an example. When the washing machine starts the washing operation course, the washing machine notifies the controller of the water injection operation start notification designation 71a (0x0001: lowest notification priority). The controller that received the message including the level) displays an image diagram (114c in FIG. 21) showing the washing process on the display unit 114. Similarly, when the washing machine starts a washing operation, starts a rinsing operation, and starts a dehydrating operation, the washing machine notifies the controller of a washing operation start notification designation 71b, a rinsing operation start notification designation 71c, and a dehydration operation. Messages including the operation start notification designation 71d (all values are 0x0001 and the same level of priority) are transmitted in order. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 21, the controller sequentially displays an image 114d indicating the rinsing process and an image 114e indicating the dehydration process. When the washing machine finishes washing, the washing machine transmits a message including a washing end notification designation 71e (0x0010: medium level of notification priority) to the controller. The controller that has received it determines from the priority level received from the device, and displays the screen 115 with the screen 115 placed in front of the screen on which the screen 114 is displayed as shown in FIG.

  As a result, it is possible to rank the notification priority of information transmitted from the device, efficiently transmit the information required by the user or the information to be surely delivered to the user, and improve the operability of the device. Improvements can also be achieved.

  This is because notification priority can be set regardless of the type of device, so even when a new security device such as an intrusion detection sensor is added to a network consisting of a home appliance such as a washing machine or refrigerator and a controller. Without reorganizing the controller, information that is more urgent than the original home appliances (such as a thief invading the house) can be reported with the highest priority by the controller.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a message generated by the notification designation generation unit 12 of the device A 121 according to the sixth embodiment as in FIG. The actual data part 22 includes a notification content specifying part 23 and a notification period specifying part 51, and an erasing means specifying part 81. In the erasure means specifying unit 81, the condition of what the event information notification is to be erased by (deletion when the controller button is pressed, erasure when the controller screen is touched, and when the button is pressed on the device side) Erasure).

  As in FIG. 2, when the washing operation course of the washing machine is finished as an example, when the washing machine finishes the washing operation course, the washing machine, together with event information that the operation of the washing machine has ended, is displayed in FIG. A notification control message composed of 80e and 81e is transmitted to the controller. At this time, “0x0000: no time designation (wait until released due to other factors)” is designated in the notification period designation unit 51. Then, since the value “0x01: erase data when the confirmation button is pressed” is designated in the erasing means designating unit 81, the controller that received this message “the washing course operation of the washing machine has been completed”. And deletes the notification information when the confirmation button is pressed without specifying a time. This makes it possible to distinguish the information transmitted from the device, direct the user's awareness to the information that the user needs or wants to reliably deliver to the user, and reliably convey important events to the user. be able to.

  In addition to “0x01: Erase data when the confirmation button is pressed”, there are “0x00: Not specified”, “0x02: Erase instruction by communication”, “0x03: Other notification reception”, and the like.

  Here, the notification period designation is used as the information to be transmitted at the same time, but the notification start time designation 31 in FIG. 3 and the notification start waiting time designation 41 in FIG. 4 may be included at the same time.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 9 is a system block diagram of the controller B 122 connected to the network 120 according to the seventh embodiment. In addition, it is the same as the conventional structure except having indicated with the alerting | reporting information control process part 14. FIG. The electronic message received through the network 120 is analyzed by the electronic message analysis processing unit 133, and the notification information processing unit 14 divides the information into what information about which device and what event is notified to the user at what timing. The control processing unit 135 notifies the user.

  FIG. 10 shows a processing sequence of the controller B122 when the controller B122 shown in FIG. 9 receives notification instruction information from the device A121 connected via the network. Receiving the notification instruction information 63 from the device A 121, the controller B 122 returns a response 64, performs notification processing 65 based on the notification instruction information in the notification information processing unit 14, and notifies the user in the notification control processing unit 135.

  To explain these operations using a washing machine connected to a network as an example, the information that the washing operation course set by the user from the washing machine has been completed is popped up on the controller information display screen. When it is transmitted to the controller B122 together with the notification information designation of “display”, the controller B122 displays the designated image on the information display screen in the notification information control processing unit 14, and the display method is Using the pop-up screen, it is determined that the information is to be displayed immediately, and the notification control processing unit 135 pops up the image 115 designated on the information display screen.

  In this process, the controller B122 does not need to recognize that the information indicating that the washing operation course sent from the washing machine has ended is an event that should be notified specifically to the user. Notify event information as follows.

  As a result, the user can be alerted by the washing operation course end notification screen 115 (FIG. 22) pop-up displayed on the screen of the state browsing screen 114 (FIG. 21) for confirming the operation state of the washing machine, This information can be notified to the user that an event to be notified has occurred.

  This eliminates the need for the controller B122 to have any event information that should be notified of each device, and can realize a controller that can be applied to any device with a high degree of freedom. .

(Embodiment 8)
FIG. 11 is a system block diagram of the controller C123 connected to the network 120 according to the eighth embodiment. This is obtained by adding the notification type information holding unit 15 to the controller B122 shown in FIG. When the controller C123 receives notification instruction information from a device connected via the network, the notification information processing unit 14 processes the notification instruction information. At that time, the event instructed to the notification type information holding unit 15 , And the processing content in the notification control processing unit 135 can be changed according to the type of the transmitted event.

  This is, for example, “if the data is transmitted from a security device-related device, the image is flashed with sound”, “if the data is transmitted from an advertising agency, accesses a specified URL”, etc. Thus, the device connected via the network can more effectively notify the user of information desired to be notified to the user using a remote controller.

(Embodiment 9)
FIG. 12 is a system block diagram of the controller D124 connected to the network 120 according to the ninth embodiment. This is obtained by adding a notification control time information holding unit 16 to the controller B122 shown in FIG. The notification control time information holding unit 16 includes a notification start time information holding unit 17, a notification waiting time information holding unit 18, and a notification period information holding unit 19. When the controller D124 receives notification instruction information from a device connected via a network, the notification information processing unit 14 processes the notification instruction information. At this time, data is stored in each part of the notification control time information holding unit 16. , And the time at which the transmitted event is notified (notifying just before noon, etc.), the time until notification (notifying 5 minutes after receiving the notification designation information, etc.), and the notification period The notification control processing unit 135 can control (such as deleting the notification information after 3 seconds) according to the instruction of the device.

  Thereby, the apparatus connected via the network can inform the user of information desired to be notified more effectively using the remote controller.

(Embodiment 10)
FIG. 13 is a system block diagram of the controller E125 connected to the network 120 according to the tenth embodiment. This is a controller B122 shown in FIG. 9 with a notification means information holding unit 141 added. When the controller E125 receives notification instruction information from a device connected via the network, the notification information processing unit 14 processes the notification instruction information. At that time, the notification means information holding unit 141 is instructed. The notification control processing unit 135 controls the notification means by holding the event notification means and using means such as sound, light, image, vibration, and email communication as instructed by the device when notifying the transmitted event. can do.

  Thereby, the apparatus connected via the network can inform the user of information desired to be notified more effectively using the remote controller.

(Embodiment 11)
FIG. 14 is a system block diagram of the controller F126 connected to the network 120 according to the eleventh embodiment. This is obtained by adding a notification priority information holding unit 142 to the controller B122 shown in FIG. When the controller F126 receives notification instruction information from a device connected via a network, the notification information processing unit 14 processes the notification instruction information. At that time, the notification priority information holding unit 142 instructs the notification. The notification priority of the received event is held, and when the transmitted event is notified, the content that is currently notified and which one has the higher priority are held, and the control that preferentially notifies the higher priority event is performed. The notification control processing unit 135 implements this.

  As a result, information transmitted from the device can be ranked, information required by the user or information to be surely delivered to the user can be efficiently transmitted, and the operability of the device can be improved. Is also possible.

(Embodiment 12)
FIG. 15 is a system block diagram of the controller G127 connected to the network 120 according to the twelfth embodiment. This is obtained by adding a notification release means holding unit 143 to the notification control time information holding unit 16 of the controller D124 shown in FIG. When the controller G127 receives notification instruction information from a device connected via a network, the notification information processing unit 14 processes the notification instruction information. At that time, the notification release means holding unit 143 is instructed. The event notification canceling means is held, and when the transmitted event is notified, under what conditions the event notification is canceled (for example, when the button is pressed, when the controller screen is touched, And the event notification canceling means can be controlled by the notification control processing unit 135.

  This makes it possible to distinguish the information transmitted from the device, direct the user's awareness to the information that the user needs or wants to reliably deliver to the user, and reliably convey important events to the user. be able to.

  Here, the notification release means holding unit 143 is included in the notification control time information holding unit 16, but there is no particular limitation.

(Embodiment 13)
FIG. 16 is an operation flowchart illustrating an event notification execution method in a device connected to the network 120 according to the twelfth embodiment. First, when an event that must be notified to a user generated on the device in S0 is detected, notification information designation is generated in S1, and a notification information designation message is generated in S2. Send it over the network to the controller. Thereby, the notification content and the notification method can be controlled from the device side without changing the setting of the controller.

(Embodiment 14)
FIG. 17 is an operation flowchart illustrating an event notification execution method in the controller connected to the network 120 according to the twelfth embodiment. First, in S4, a notification information designation message transmitted from a remote device is received. And the message | telegram received in S5 is analyzed, the means which receives the result of the analysis and alert | reports in S6 is controlled, and a user is alert | reported in S7. This eliminates the need for the controller to have any event information that should be notified specifically for each device as data, thereby realizing a controller that can be applied to any device notification with a high degree of freedom.

  Note that some of the controllers and devices described in this embodiment may be implemented by a program operation by a microcomputer.

  As described above, the device, the controller, and the event notification method according to the present invention transmit, to the controller, the event that occurs on the device and should be notified to the controller as information that is specified from the device side. Since it is possible to control the designation of the information to be transmitted and the notification method thereof, the controller can effectively notify the user without modifying the controller.

  Therefore, it can be applied to various uses such as home appliances such as networked air conditioners, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and water heaters, and devices installed in public facilities such as security equipment, coin laundry, and schools.

The system block diagram of the apparatus of Example 1 of this invention The electronic message block diagram of the equipment of embodiment 2 of the present invention First telegram configuration diagram of the device according to the third embodiment of the present invention Second telegram configuration diagram of the device according to the third embodiment of the present invention Third telegram configuration diagram of the device according to the third embodiment of the present invention Telegram configuration diagram of the device of the embodiment 4 of the present invention Telegram configuration diagram of the device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention Telegram configuration diagram of the device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention System block diagram of controller of embodiment 7 of the present invention Communication sequence diagram of controller of embodiment 7 of the present invention System block diagram of controller of embodiment 8 of the present invention System block diagram of controller of embodiment 9 of the present invention System block diagram of controller of embodiment 10 of the present invention System block diagram of controller of embodiment 11 of the present invention System block diagram of controller of embodiment 12 of the present invention Operational flow chart of method of embodiment 13 of the present invention Operational flow chart of method of embodiment 14 of the present invention Conventional network configuration diagram System block diagram of a conventional controller Communication sequence diagram of a conventional controller Example of device status browsing screen displayed on a conventional controller Example of operation end screen displayed on a conventional controller

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Event detection part 12 Notification designation | designated production | generation part 14 Notification information control processing part 15 Notification type information holding part 16 Notification control time information holding part 17 Notification start time information holding part 18 Notification waiting time information holding part 19 Notification period information holding part 23 Notification Content instruction unit 31 Notification start time specification unit 41 Notification start waiting time specification unit 51 Notification period specification unit 61 Notification unit specification unit 63 Notification instruction information 71 Notification priority specification unit 81 Erasing unit specification unit 114 Device status browsing screen 115 Operation end pop-up Screen 100, 120 Communication network 101, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127 Controller 102, 103, 104, 121 Equipment 141 Notification unit information holding unit 142 Notification priority information holding unit 143 Notification cancellation unit information holding unit

Claims (17)

In a device capable of communicating with a controller that can monitor the state of the device, an event detection unit that detects an event that occurs on the device and should be notified to the controller, and information to be notified of the notification designation of the event information A device comprising a notification designation generating unit that can be added and transmitted and notified to the controller as special information. The device according to claim 1, wherein the notification designation generation unit generates a telegram that can specify a type of an event that is prominent. The device according to claim 1, wherein the notification designation generation unit generates a telegram that can specify at least one of a time at which a special event is notified, a waiting time until notification, and a notification period. The device according to claim 1, wherein the notification designation generation unit generates a telegram that can designate a means for notifying a special event. The device according to claim 1, wherein the notification designation generation unit generates a telegram capable of designating a priority for notifying a special event. The device according to claim 1, wherein the notification designation generation unit generates a telegram that can designate a means for deleting the information after notifying the special event. In the controller that can monitor the state of the device by communicating with the device, when a special event occurs on the device, a notification information control processing unit that can determine the notification designation from the received message, A controller including a notification control processing unit that can notify information received from a device as information to be distinguished. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the notification control processing unit determines the type of event based on the received electronic message and notifies it. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the notification control processing unit controls and notifies at least one of a time at which an event is notified by a received electronic message, a waiting time until notification, and a notification period. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the notification control processing unit controls and notifies means for notifying an event designated by the received electronic message. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the notification control processing unit determines and notifies the priority of the event based on the received electronic message. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the notification control processing unit deletes information that has been notified so far by means specified by the received electronic message. In a device that can communicate with a controller that can monitor the state of the device, an event detection procedure that detects an event that occurs on the device and should be notified to the controller, and information that should be notified of the notification designation of the event information An event notification method comprising a procedure of adding and transmitting, and a procedure of notifying the controller as special information. The broadcast designation message transmitted by adding the broadcast designation of the event information to the information to be broadcast is specified in the data portion as broadcast content designation, broadcast start time designation, broadcast start waiting time designation, broadcast period designation, broadcast means designation, broadcast priority. The event notification method according to claim 14, comprising an electronic message including at least one piece of information of designation and notification deletion designation. In the controller that can monitor the state of the device by communicating with the device, when a special event occurs on the device, a notification information control processing procedure that can determine notification designation from the received message, An event notification method comprising a procedure for notifying information received from a device as information to be distinguished. When a special event occurs on the device, the notification control message received by the controller is specified in the data portion as notification content, notification start time specification, notification start waiting time specification, notification period specification, notification means specification, notification The event notification method according to claim 15, comprising an electronic message including at least one information of priority designation and notification erasure designation. A program for causing a computer to execute at least one means in the device and the controller according to claim 1.

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