JP2005312017A - Equipment installation-place setting system, equipment control apparatus, electrical equipment, equipment installation-place setting method and equipment installation-place setting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily register, in a database, an installation place of equipment that is newly installed. <P>SOLUTION: A controller 102 receives, from a newly-installed household electrical appliance 101a, the ID of another household electrical appliance 101b which is located within a predetermined range from the newly-installed household electrical appliance; from a database 103 in which equipment information is stored that indicates the ID and installation-place information on a household electrical appliance, the installation-place information is retrieved which corresponds to the ID of the household electrical appliance 101b; based on the ID and the installation-place information on the household electrical appliance 101b, the installation-place information on the household electrical appliance 101a is predicted; and the predicted installation-place information is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a device installation location setting system, a device control device, an electrical device, a device installation location setting method, and a device installation location setting program for setting an installation location of a newly installed electrical device.

Conventionally, in network communication, when data is transmitted to an arbitrary device, an ID uniquely assigned to each device, such as a MAC address or an IP address, is designated and transmitted as a destination. However, since it is difficult for the user of the device (hereinafter referred to as a user) to recognize the ID, the ID has a database that associates the installation location information with the ID, and has a function of converting the ID from the installation location information and the device name. Thus, it is possible for the user to designate a device by location and device name (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-291039 A

  However, in the above-described method, it is necessary to relate the ID and the installation location information and register them in the database. In Patent Document 1, the device ID and the installation location information are registered in a database by the user. Such an input operation is a troublesome operation for the user, and the operation is complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and relates to the installation location information and identification information of a device, and easily registers the installation location of a newly installed device in a database. An object of the present invention is to provide a device installation location setting system, a device control device, an electrical device, a device installation location setting method, and a device installation location setting program.

  The device control apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to a communication unit that receives identification information of a second electric device located within a predetermined range from the first electric device from the first electric device, and the identification information of the electric device. A database control unit for retrieving installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device received by the communication unit from a database storing installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device; and A location prediction processing unit that predicts installation location information of the first electrical device based on the identification information of the second electrical device received by the communication unit and the installation location information searched by the database control unit; and A display unit that displays installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit.

  According to this configuration, the identification information of the second electric device located within the predetermined range from the first electric device is received from the first electric device. Then, installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device is retrieved from a database that stores installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the electrical device. Subsequently, the installation location information of the first electrical device is predicted based on the identification information of the second electrical device and the searched installation location information, and the predicted installation location information is displayed.

  Therefore, the installation location of the newly installed electrical device can be predicted based on the identification information of the electrical device installed in the vicinity of the newly installed electrical device, and the predicted installation location candidate is displayed. The user can register the location of the newly installed electrical device in the database simply by confirming the location without being aware of the identification information of the electrical device to be installed.

  Further, in the device control apparatus, the location prediction processing unit obtains the largest installation location information from the installation location information of the second electrical device searched by the database control unit. It is preferable to predict it as installation location information.

  According to this configuration, the largest installation location information among the searched installation location information of the second electrical device is predicted as the installation location information of the first electrical device. That is, since there is a high possibility that the installation location information is the same as that of the first electrical device, the most frequently installed location of the searched second electrical devices is the first location. It can be inferred as the installation location of electrical equipment.

  In the device control apparatus, a reference device whose installation location is specified in advance is determined in advance, and the location prediction processing unit includes the location information of the second electrical device searched by the database control unit. It is preferable that the installation location information of the reference device is predicted as the installation location information of the first electrical device.

  According to this configuration, the reference device whose installation location is specified in advance is determined in advance, and the installation location information of the reference device is included in the searched installation location information of the second electrical device In addition, since the installation location information of the reference device is predicted as the installation location information of the first electrical device, it is possible to improve the prediction accuracy of the installation location of the first electrical device.

  Further, in the device control apparatus, an input unit that accepts a confirmation input by a user of the installation location information displayed by the display unit, and whether the installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit through the input unit is correct. It is preferable that the information processing apparatus further includes a confirmation processing unit for confirming, and the database control unit stores in the database the installation location information of the first electric device confirmed as correct by the confirmation processing unit.

  According to this configuration, whether or not the displayed installation location information is correct is confirmed by the user, and the installation location information of the first electrical device confirmed to be correct is stored in the database, so the user confirms the installation location. This makes it possible to store the exact installation location in the database.

  The device control apparatus may further include a layout information storage unit that stores in advance layout information in which positions of a plurality of installation locations are associated with each other, and the location prediction processing unit is the installation location searched by the database control unit Based on the information and the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit, predicting a plurality of installation location information where the first electrical device is likely to be installed, and the display unit It is preferable to display the installation location information predicted by the prediction processing unit in the order in which the first electric device is likely to be installed.

  According to this configuration, layout information that associates the positions of a plurality of installation locations is stored in advance. Then, based on the searched installation location information and the stored layout information, a plurality of installation location information that is likely to have the first electrical device installed is predicted, and the predicted installation location information is Since the first electrical devices are displayed in the order of the high possibility that they are installed, it is easy for the user to check the installation location.

  Further, in the above-described device control apparatus, the layout information storage unit stores in advance matrix format layout information in which a plurality of installation locations are associated with each other by a numerical value according to a transmittable distance, and the location prediction processing unit It is preferable to add each element corresponding to each installation location information row of the plurality of installation location information searched by the database control unit, and predict the installation location information according to the value of each added element.

  According to this configuration, layout information in a matrix format in which a plurality of installation locations are associated with each other by a numerical value corresponding to the transmittable distance is stored in advance. Then, each element corresponding to each installation location information row of the plurality of installation location information retrieved is added, and the installation location information is predicted according to the numerical value of each added element. The prediction accuracy of the installation location information can be further improved.

  Further, in the device control apparatus, the layout information storage unit stores in advance layout information indicating the center coordinates of each installation location among a plurality of installation locations, and the location prediction processing unit is configured by the database control unit. It is preferable to calculate the average coordinates of the plurality of found installation location information, calculate the distance between the calculated average coordinates and the center coordinate of each installation location, and predict the installation location information according to the calculated distance.

  According to this configuration, layout information representing the center coordinates of each installation location among the plurality of installation locations is stored in advance. Then, the average coordinates of the plurality of found installation location information are calculated, the distance between the calculated average coordinates and the center coordinates of each installation location is calculated, and the installation location information is predicted according to the calculated distance. Therefore, the prediction accuracy of the installation location information of the first electric device can be further improved.

  Further, in the device control apparatus, an input unit that accepts a confirmation input by a user of the installation location information displayed by the display unit, and whether the installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit through the input unit is correct. A confirmation processing unit for confirming, wherein the database control unit stores in the database the installation location information of the electrical device confirmed to be correct by the confirmation processing unit, and the database control unit sets the installation location in the database. It is preferable to further include a storage completion information transmission unit that transmits storage completion information indicating that the storage of information is completed to the electrical device.

  According to this configuration, in the device control apparatus, the user confirms whether the displayed installation location information is correct, and the installation location information of the electrical device that is confirmed to be correct is stored in the database. Since the storage completion information indicating that the storage is completed is transmitted to the electric device, it is possible to notify the electric device that the storage of the installation location information in the database is completed.

  Moreover, in said apparatus control apparatus, the start request transmission part which transmits the identification information acquisition start request | requirement which requests | requires the acquisition start of the identification information of 2nd electric equipment to a 1st electric equipment, It is memorize | stored in the said database. When the number of electrical devices is less than or equal to the predetermined number, the first transmission range is narrowed step by step so that the identification information acquisition request for acquiring the identification information of the second electrical device can be broadcast. A second step of gradually increasing a transmittable range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted when the number of electrical devices including setting information and stored in the database is equal to or greater than a predetermined number; It is preferable to further include a creation unit that creates the identification information acquisition start request including setting information.

  According to this configuration, when the number of electrical devices stored in the database is equal to or less than a predetermined number, an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of the second electrical device can be broadcast. If the number of electrical devices stored in the database is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, including the first setting information that narrows the transmittable range step by step, it is possible to transmit an identification information acquisition request by broadcast transmission An identification information acquisition start request including the second setting information that broadens the range step by step is created. Then, the created identification information acquisition start request is transmitted to the first electrical device. Accordingly, it is possible to transmit the setting for changing the transmittable range according to the number of already installed electrical devices to the electrical device.

  An electrical device according to the present invention is an electrical device that is communicably connected to a device control device that controls the electrical device, and broadcasts an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of another electrical device. An acquisition request transmission unit, an identification information reception unit that receives identification information of other electrical devices within a predetermined range as a response to the identification information acquisition request transmitted by the acquisition request transmission unit, and received by the identification information reception unit And an identification information transmitting unit that transmits identification information of the other electric device to the device control apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the identification information acquisition request for acquiring the identification information of the other electrical device is broadcast, and the identification information of the other electrical device within the predetermined range is returned as a response to the transmitted identification information acquisition request. Received. Then, the received identification information of the other electric device is transmitted to the device control apparatus.

  Therefore, it is possible to obtain identification information of other electrical equipment installed in the vicinity of the newly installed electrical equipment, and by transmitting this identification information to the equipment control device, the installation location of the newly installed electrical equipment Can be predicted.

  Further, in the above-described electric device, a transmission range setting unit that sets the transmission range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted in stages, and a condition for receiving identification information from other electric devices are set. A condition setting unit that further reduces the transmittable range in a stepwise manner, and the condition setting unit has a predetermined number of pieces of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit. The identification information transmitting unit sets the number of pieces of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit to a predetermined number. It is preferable to transmit the identification information of the other electric device to the device control apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the transmission possible range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted is set to be narrowed in stages. When the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number that is set as a condition, and the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number The identification information of the other electrical equipment is transmitted to the equipment control device.

  Therefore, since the transmittable range is set to be narrowed step by step, the identification information of other electrical devices installed closer to the newly installed electrical device can be acquired, improving the prediction accuracy Can be made. In addition, when the number of pieces of identification information received reaches a predetermined number, the identification information of other electric devices is transmitted to the device control device, so that the number of other electric devices is particularly small. The processing time required to acquire the identification information of other electrical devices can be shortened.

  Further, in the above-described electric device, a transmission range setting unit that sets the transmission range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted in stages, and a condition for receiving identification information from other electric devices are set. A condition setting unit that performs the transmission range setting step by step, and the condition setting unit has a predetermined number of pieces of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit. If the number of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit reaches a predetermined number, set as a condition whether or not the predetermined number has been reached, It is preferable to transmit the identification information of the other electric device to the device control apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the transmittable range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted is set so as to increase stepwise. When the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number that is set as a condition, and the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number The identification information of the other electrical equipment is transmitted to the equipment control device.

  Therefore, since the transmittable range is set so as to gradually increase from a narrow range, it is possible to obtain identification information of other electrical devices installed closer to the newly installed electrical device, and to predict Accuracy can be improved. In addition, when the number of pieces of identification information received reaches a predetermined number, the identification information of other electric devices is transmitted to the device control device, so that the number of other electric devices is particularly large. The processing time required to acquire the identification information of other electrical devices can be shortened.

  Further, in the above electric device, the device control device transmits an identification information acquisition start request for requesting start of acquisition of identification information of another electric device, and the identification information acquisition start request transmitted by the device control device is transmitted. The acquisition request transmission unit further includes an acquisition request transmission unit that receives an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of another electrical device when the acquisition request transmission unit receives the identification information acquisition start request. Broadcast transmission is preferable.

  According to this configuration, the device control apparatus transmits an identification information acquisition start request for requesting start of acquisition of identification information of another electrical device. When the identification information acquisition start request transmitted by the device control apparatus is received in the electric device, an identification information acquisition request for acquiring the identification information of another electric device is broadcast. Accordingly, when the electrical device receives the identification information acquisition start request transmitted by the device control apparatus, the electrical device can automatically broadcast the identification information acquisition request.

  Further, in the above electric device, the electric appliance further includes a storage completion information storage unit that stores storage completion information indicating that the storage of the installation location information in the database by the device control device is completed, and the acquisition request transmission unit includes: When an identification information acquisition start request is received by the start request receiving unit, the storage completion information storage unit is referred to, and if the storage completion information is not stored, the identification information for acquiring the identification information of another electrical device It is preferable to broadcast the acquisition request.

  According to this configuration, the storage completion information indicating that the storage of the installation location information in the database is completed in the device control apparatus is stored in the storage completion information storage unit. Thereafter, when an identification information acquisition start request is received, the storage completion information storage unit is referred to. When the storage completion information is not stored, an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of another electrical device is issued. Broadcast transmission. On the other hand, when the storage completion information storage unit is referred to and the storage completion information is stored, the identification information acquisition request for acquiring the identification information of other electrical devices is not broadcasted.

  In this way, even if the electrical device receives the identification information acquisition request, if the storage completion information is stored, the identification information acquisition request is not broadcast, so only the newly installed electrical device is identified. An information acquisition request can be broadcast.

  Further, in the above-described electric device, a transmission range setting unit that sets the transmission range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted in stages, and a condition for receiving identification information from other electric devices are set. The start request receiving unit is capable of transmitting an identification information acquisition request when the number of electrical devices stored in the database is equal to or less than a predetermined number. The transmission possible range in which the identification information acquisition request can be transmitted by broadcast when the number of electrical devices stored in the database is equal to or more than a predetermined number, including the first setting information that narrows the range stepwise When receiving the identification information acquisition start request including the second setting information to gradually widen, the transmission possible range setting unit, when the first setting information is included in the identification information acquisition start request, Sending If the possible range is narrowed in stages, and the second setting information is included in the identification information acquisition start request, the transmittable range is widened in stages, and the condition setting unit is controlled by the identification information receiving unit. A condition is set as to whether or not the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number, and the identification information transmission unit is configured so that the number of pieces of identification information received by the identification information reception unit is predetermined. When the predetermined number is reached, it is preferable to transmit the identification information of the other electric device to the device control device.

  According to this configuration, when the number of electrical devices stored in the database is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the first setting for gradually narrowing the transmittable range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted If the number of electrical devices that contain information and are stored in the database is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the second setting information that gradually expands the transmittable range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted An identification information acquisition start request is received. Then, when the first setting information is included in the received identification information acquisition start request, the transmittable range is set to be gradually reduced, and the identification information acquisition start request includes the second setting information. The transmission possible range is set so as to increase stepwise. Subsequently, whether or not the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number is set as a condition, and the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number. In this case, the identification information of the other electric device is transmitted to the device control device.

  Therefore, when the number of electrical devices already stored in the database is small, the transmission possible range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted is set to be gradually reduced and already stored in the database. If the number of electrical devices is large, the transmission possible range in which the ID information acquisition request can be broadcasted is set to increase gradually, so depending on the number of other electrical devices already installed The processing time required to acquire the identification information of other electrical devices can be shortened.

  The device installation location setting method according to the present invention includes a communication step of receiving identification information of a second electrical device located within a predetermined range from the first electrical device from the first electrical device, and identification information of the electrical device. A database control step of retrieving installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device received in the communication unit step from a database storing installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with And a location prediction processing step of predicting the installation location information of the first electrical device based on the identification information of the second electrical device received in the communication step and the installation location information searched in the database control step And a display step for displaying the installation location information predicted in the location prediction processing step.

  According to this configuration, the identification information of the second electric device located within the predetermined range from the first electric device is received from the first electric device. Then, installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device is retrieved from a database that stores installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the electrical device. Subsequently, the installation location information of the first electrical device is predicted based on the identification information of the second electrical device and the searched installation location information, and the predicted installation location information is displayed.

  Therefore, the installation location of the newly installed electrical device can be predicted based on the identification information of the electrical device installed in the vicinity of the newly installed electrical device, and the predicted installation location candidate is displayed. The user can register the location of the newly installed electrical device in the database simply by confirming the location without being aware of the identification information of the electrical device to be installed.

  A device installation location setting method according to the present invention is a device installation location setting method for setting an installation location of an electrical device connected to a device control device that controls an electrical device in a communicable manner. An acquisition request transmission step of transmitting an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of the electric device, and identification information of other electric devices within a predetermined range as a response to the identification information acquisition request transmitted in the acquisition request transmission step And an identification information transmitting step of transmitting the identification information of the other electrical device received in the identification information receiving step to the device control apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the identification information acquisition request for acquiring the identification information of the other electrical device is broadcast, and the identification information of the other electrical device within the predetermined range is returned as a response to the transmitted identification information acquisition request. Received. Then, the received identification information of the other electric device is transmitted to the device control apparatus.

  Therefore, it is possible to obtain identification information of other electrical equipment installed in the vicinity of the newly installed electrical equipment, and by transmitting this identification information to the equipment control device, the installation location of the newly installed electrical equipment Can be predicted.

  An apparatus installation location setting program according to the present invention includes a communication unit that receives identification information of a second electric device located within a predetermined range from the first electric device from the first electric device, and identification information of the electric device. A database control unit that retrieves installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device received by the communication unit from a database that stores installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with A location prediction processing unit that predicts the installation location information of the first electrical device based on the identification information of the second electrical device received by the communication unit and the installation location information searched by the database control unit; The computer is caused to function as a display unit that displays the installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit.

  According to this configuration, the identification information of the second electric device located within the predetermined range from the first electric device is received from the first electric device. Then, installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device is retrieved from a database that stores installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the electrical device. Subsequently, the installation location information of the first electrical device is predicted based on the identification information of the second electrical device and the searched installation location information, and the predicted installation location information is displayed.

  Therefore, the installation location of the newly installed electrical device can be predicted based on the identification information of the electrical device installed in the vicinity of the newly installed electrical device, and the predicted installation location candidate is displayed. The user can register the location of the newly installed electrical device in the database simply by confirming the location without being aware of the identification information of the electrical device to be installed.

  An equipment installation location setting program according to the present invention is an equipment installation location setting program for an electrical device that is communicably connected to a device control apparatus that controls the electrical device, and for acquiring identification information of other electrical devices. An acquisition request transmission unit that broadcasts an identification information acquisition request; an identification information reception unit that receives identification information of other electrical devices within a predetermined range as a response to the identification information acquisition request transmitted by the acquisition request transmission unit; The computer is caused to function as an identification information transmitting unit that transmits the identification information of the other electrical device received by the identification information receiving unit to the device control apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the identification information acquisition request for acquiring the identification information of the other electrical device is broadcast, and the identification information of the other electrical device within the predetermined range is returned as a response to the transmitted identification information acquisition request. Received. Then, the received identification information of the other electric device is transmitted to the device control apparatus.

  Therefore, it is possible to obtain identification information of other electrical equipment installed in the vicinity of the newly installed electrical equipment, and by transmitting this identification information to the equipment control device, the installation location of the newly installed electrical equipment Can be predicted.

  An equipment installation location setting system according to the present invention is an equipment installation location setting system in which an electrical device and an equipment control device that controls the electrical equipment are communicably connected. An acquisition request transmission unit that broadcasts an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information, and a response that is transmitted from the acquisition request transmission unit within a predetermined range as a response to the identification information acquisition request An identification information receiving unit that receives identification information of an electric device, and an identification information transmitting unit that transmits identification information of another electric device located within a predetermined range from the own device received by the identification information receiving unit to the device control apparatus And the device control apparatus receives identification information of other electric devices located within a predetermined range from the electric device transmitted by the electric device; and Database control for retrieving installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the other device received by the communication unit from a database that stores installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the electrical device A location prediction processing unit that predicts the installation location information of the electrical device based on the identification information of the other device received by the communication unit and the installation location information searched by the database control unit, and the location prediction A display unit that displays installation location information predicted by the processing unit.

  According to this configuration, in the electrical device, an identification information acquisition request for acquiring the identification information of the other electrical device is broadcast and the other electrical device located within a predetermined range from the own electrical device as a response to the identification information acquisition request. Device identification information is received. And the identification information of the other electric equipment located in the predetermined range from the received own electric equipment is transmitted to the equipment control device. In the device control device, the installation location that represents the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the other electrical device is received from the electrical device transmitted from the electrical device and is identified within the predetermined range. The installation location information corresponding to the received identification information of the other electric device is retrieved from the database storing the information. Then, the installation location information of the electrical device is predicted based on the received identification information of the other electrical device and the searched installation location information, and the predicted installation location information is displayed.

  Therefore, the installation location of the newly installed electrical device can be predicted based on the identification information of other electrical devices installed in the vicinity of the newly installed electrical device, and the predicted installation location candidates are displayed. Thus, the user can register the location of the newly installed electrical device in the database only by confirming the installation location without being aware of the identification information of the installed electrical device.

  According to the present invention, the installation location of the newly installed electrical device can be predicted based on the identification information of the electrical device installed in the vicinity of the newly installed electrical device, and the predicted installation location candidate is determined. By displaying, the user can register the arrangement location of the newly installed electric device in the database only by confirming the installation location without being aware of the identification information of the electric device to be installed.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a home appliance network system to which the present invention is applied. 1 includes a plurality of home appliances 101a to 101d, a controller (device control apparatus) 102, and a database 103. The plurality of home appliances 101a to 101d, the controller 102, and the database 103 are installed in a general house, an apartment house, or the like. The controller 102 is communicably connected to the home appliances 101a to 101d and the database 103 via a home communication line, and controls the operation of the home appliances 101a to 101d by transmitting a control command to the home appliances 101a to 101d. The state of the devices 101a to 101d is monitored. A communicable range 104 represents a communicable range of the home appliance 101a when transmission power described later is suppressed.

  Note that the home appliances 101a to 101d in the home appliance network system are so-called home appliances such as an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a microwave oven, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. That is, not only home appliances but also devices that can be connected to the home network, including housing equipment and sensors that measure and detect the living environment, may be used. In this specification, “electrical equipment” will be used as a generic term for these equipments.

  The home appliances 101a to 101d include a wireless communication unit 207 (see FIG. 3) such as Bluetooth or specific low power wireless. The home appliance 101a is a newly installed home appliance. The home appliance 101b is installed in the vicinity of the newly installed home appliance 101a in a range in which wireless communication is possible (within the communicable range 104) with the newly installed home appliance 101a limiting transmission power. It is a household appliance. Home appliances 101c and 101d are remote from home appliance 101a, and are installed in a range where wireless communication is not possible (outside communicable range 104) when newly installed home appliance 101a restricts transmission power. It is. The database 103 stores a data list including IDs (identification information) of already installed home appliances and installation location information of the home appliances.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data list stored in the database 103. As shown in the data list DL of FIG. 2, the database 103 stores IDs that are identification information of household electrical appliances and installation location information that indicates the installation locations of the household electrical appliances in association with each other. FIG. 2 shows a state before the home appliance 101a is installed. ID 102 is the ID of the controller 102. Since the controller 102 is in the living room, the data of the living room is associated with the ID 102 as the installation location information. ID 101c is an ID of the home appliance 101c. Since the home appliance 101c is in the bedroom, the bedroom data is associated with the ID 102c as the installation location information. Similarly, ID 101b and ID 101d are associated with installation location information such as a kitchen and a child room, respectively. In the data list DL shown in FIG. 2, only the ID of the home appliance and the installation location information of the home appliance are associated, but other data, for example, data indicating the type of home appliance such as an air conditioner, Data indicating the manufacturer name of the home appliance may be associated with the ID of the home appliance. In the configuration of FIG. 1, only one controller exists, but a plurality of controllers may exist.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the home appliance 101 constituting the home appliance network system to which the present invention is applied. Note that since the home appliances 101a to 101d have the same configuration, the home appliances 101a to 101d are collectively referred to as the home appliance 101. In FIG. 3, the home appliance 101 includes an input unit 201, an ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202, an ID reception processing unit 203, a nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204, a transmission power control unit 205, a timer unit 206, and a wireless communication unit 207. , Temporary storage unit 208, ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 209, and home appliance body 210.

  The input unit 201 outputs a start trigger for starting the setting position information registration process when the home appliance is installed. When a start trigger is input from the input unit 201, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 creates a packet for making an ID acquisition request (ID acquisition request packet) and broadcasts it. Temporary storage unit 208 temporarily stores an ID included in a response packet from the home appliance returned in response to the ID acquisition request packet transmitted by ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202. The ID reception processing unit 203 extracts an ID from a response packet returned by another home appliance in response to the ID acquisition request packet transmitted by the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 while the ID reception waiting condition is satisfied, and temporarily stores the ID Save to 208.

  The nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 transmits the ID stored in the temporary storage unit 208 to the controller 102. The timer unit 206 notifies the ID reception processing unit 203 that a certain time has elapsed since the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 transmitted the ID acquisition request packet. The wireless communication unit 207 is connected to the home appliance network and transmits / receives various data. Note that specific examples of the home appliance network include specific low-power radio and Bluetooth. The transmission power control unit 205 controls the transmission power of the wireless communication unit 207. The ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 209 transmits a response packet when receiving the ID acquisition request packet. The home appliance main body 210 performs the original function of the home appliance. For example, if the home appliance 101 is a TV, the home appliance main body 210 corresponds to a portion that receives and demodulates broadcast radio waves and displays an image. Moreover, if the household appliance 101 is an air conditioner, the household appliance main body 210 is equivalent to the part which raises or lowers temperature by heat exchange. The control command transmitted by the controller 102 is transmitted to the home appliance main body 210 through the wireless communication unit 207.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the controller 102 constituting the home appliance network system. 4, the controller 102 includes an input unit 301, a display unit 302, a location prediction processing unit 303, a confirmation processing unit 304, a database operation unit 305, a wireless communication unit 306, an ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 307, and a home appliance control processing unit. 308 is configured.

  The wireless communication unit 306 connects to the home appliance network and transmits and receives various data. Note that specific examples of the home appliance network include specific low-power radio and Bluetooth. The location prediction processing unit 303 receives an ID of a home appliance installed in the vicinity of the newly installed home appliance 101a from the newly installed home appliance 101a, and an installation location of the newly installed home appliance 101a based on the received ID Predict. The display unit 302 displays the installation location information candidates predicted by the location prediction processing unit 303.

  The input unit 301 accepts confirmation input or correction input by the user after the user confirms the installation location information candidates displayed on the display unit 302. The confirmation processing unit 304 outputs the installation location information candidates predicted by the location prediction processing unit 303 to the display unit 302, asks the user for confirmation, and confirms from the input information from the input unit 301. The database operation unit 305 performs registration of data in the database 103, reading of data from the database 103, and the like. The ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 307 transmits a response packet when the ID acquisition request packet transmitted by the home appliance 101 is received. The home appliance control processing unit 308 controls the home appliance 101. For example, the home appliance control processing unit 308 controls the air conditioner by sending a cooling operation command or a heating operation command to the air conditioner, or acquires the temperature in the refrigerator from the refrigerator and displays the temperature on the display unit 302.

  In the present embodiment, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 corresponds to an example of an acquisition request transmission unit, the ID reception processing unit 203 corresponds to an example of an identification information reception unit, and the nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 identifies The ID acquisition request packet corresponds to an example of an information transmission unit, and the ID acquisition request packet corresponds to an example of an identification information acquisition request.

  Next, installation information registration processing for home appliance 101 in Embodiment 1 when a new home appliance is installed will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of installation information registration processing executed by a newly installed home appliance.

  First, the input unit 201 of the newly installed home appliance 101a receives an instruction to start installation information registration processing by the user. Then, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 is activated by an instruction from the input unit 201 of the newly installed home appliance 101a. The ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 instructs the transmission power control unit 205 to suppress transmission power. The transmission power control unit 205 controls the wireless communication unit 207 to suppress transmission power (step S101). The transmission power is preferably such that the communication distance is approximately the same as the room where the newly installed home appliance 101a is installed. For example, when the installed room is a 5 m × 5 m room, the communication distance is controlled to be about 5 m. The relationship between the communication distance and the transmission power differs depending on the communication standard of the wireless communication unit 207. If the communication standard of the wireless communication unit 207 is Bluetooth, the transmission distance of Bluetooth is 1 mw, and the communicable distance is 10 m. Therefore, it is necessary to set the power to at least less than 1 mw.

  Next, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 creates a packet for making an ID acquisition request (ID acquisition request packet) and broadcasts it via the wireless communication unit 207, and also includes a timer unit 206 and an ID reception processing unit. 203 is operated (step S102). Next, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 returns the transmission power of the wireless communication unit 207 suppressed by the transmission power control unit 205 to normal transmission power (step S103).

  Next, the ID reception processing unit 203 determines whether a timeout notification has been received from the timer unit 206 (step S104). If it is determined that a timeout notification has been received from the timer unit 206, it is determined that the ID reception waiting condition is no longer satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S107 described later (NO in S104). If it is determined that the time-out notification has not been received from the timer unit 206, the process proceeds to step S105 described later (YES in S104), assuming that the ID reception waiting condition is satisfied.

  When the ID reception waiting condition is satisfied, that is, when it is determined that the timeout notification has not been received, in step S105, the ID reception processing unit 203 acquires the ID from another node (other home appliance) by the wireless communication unit 207. It is determined whether a response packet for the request has been received. If not received, the process returns to step S104 (NO in step S105). If it has been received, the process proceeds to step S106 (YES in step S105). If it is determined that the response packet has been received, in step S106, the ID reception processing unit 203 acquires the ID of the existing home appliance from the response message (response packet) received from the wireless communication unit 207, and temporarily stores the acquired ID. It is stored in the storage unit 208. After storing the ID, the process returns to step S104.

  On the other hand, if the ID reception waiting condition is not satisfied, that is, if it is determined that a timeout notification has been received, the ID reception processing unit 203 activates the nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 in step S107. The neighborhood home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 acquires the ID of the neighborhood home appliance stored in steps S104 to S106 from the temporary storage unit 208, and transmits it to the controller 102 through the wireless communication unit 207 together with the ID of the newly installed home appliance itself. When there is no existing home appliance in the surrounding area, that is, when the ID of the nearby home appliance is not stored in the temporary storage unit 208, the nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 acquires the ID and ID of the newly installed home appliance itself. Notify that there was no response to the request.

  In step S104, the time-out notification from the timer unit 206 has not been received as the ID reception waiting condition as an example. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the ID reception waiting condition from the timer unit 206 is not limited to this. The timeout notification may be combined with other conditions. For example, a timeout notification is not received from the timer unit 206, and responses of an arbitrary number of ID acquisition request packets may not be received. In the case of this condition, even before receiving a timeout notification from the timer unit 206, when an arbitrary number of response packets are received, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In this way, an identification information acquisition request indicating a request for acquiring identification information (ID) of another household electrical appliance is broadcasted, and the identification information of other household electrical appliances within a predetermined range as a response to the transmitted identification information acquisition request Is received. Then, a condition for receiving the identification information is set, and the identification information of the other home appliances received while satisfying the set condition is transmitted to the controller 102.

  Therefore, it is possible to acquire identification information of other household electrical appliances installed in the vicinity of the newly installed household electrical appliance 101 a, and by transmitting this identification information to the controller 102, installation of the newly installed household electrical appliance 101 a is performed. Predict location.

  Next, the installation information registration process of the controller 102 in Embodiment 1 in the case of newly installing a home appliance will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the installation information registration process executed by the controller.

  First, the wireless communication unit 306 of the controller 102 receives the ID of the newly installed home appliance itself and the ID of the nearby home appliance transmitted from the newly installed home appliance 101a (step S201). When the ID of the newly installed home appliance and the ID of the nearby home appliance are received, the location prediction processing unit 303 of the controller 102 outputs the ID of the nearby home appliance received in step S201 to the database operation unit 305. The database operation unit 305 accesses the database 103 via the wireless communication unit 306, and acquires installation location information associated with the ID of the nearby home appliance (step S202). The database operation unit 305 outputs the installation location information acquired from the database 103 to the location prediction processing unit 303.

  Next, the location prediction processing unit 303 selects one installation location information acquired in step S202, and outputs the selected installation location information to the confirmation processing unit 304. The location prediction processing unit 303 aggregates the installation location information and selects the most installation location information. For example, when there are three installation location information called a living room and there is one installation location information called a bedroom, the location prediction processing unit 303 selects the installation location information called a living room. Note that in step S107 in FIG. 5, when the newly installed home appliance notifies that there is no response to the ID acquisition request, that is, there is no neighboring home appliance, the location prediction processing unit 303 predicts the installation location. Is output to the confirmation processing unit 304 (step S203).

  Next, the confirmation processing unit 304 receives the installation location information output by the location prediction processing unit 303, displays the received installation location information on the display unit 302, and waits for confirmation input from the user (step S204). Next, the confirmation processing unit 304 accepts confirmation input of installation location information. The user checks whether the installation location information displayed on the display unit 302 is correct. If the installation location information is correct, the user performs OK input using the input unit 301. If it is displayed that it is wrong or could not be predicted, the user inputs correct installation location information using the input unit 301 (step S205).

  When OK is input in step S205, the confirmation processing unit 304 outputs the installation location information displayed on the display unit 302 to the database operation unit 305 together with the ID of the newly installed home appliance itself received in step S201. When correct installation location information is input in step S205, the confirmation processing unit 304 outputs the installation location information input by the input unit 301 to the database operation unit 305 together with the ID of the newly installed home appliance itself received in step S201. To do. The database operation unit 305 accesses the database 103 via the wireless communication unit 306, and registers the installation location information and the home appliance ID output by the confirmation processing unit 304 in the database 103 (step S206).

  Thus, the identification information of the other electric appliances located within the predetermined range from the newly installed home appliance 101a is received from the home appliance 101a. And the installation location information corresponding to the identification information of another household appliance is searched from the database 103 which memorize | stores the appliance information which shows the identification information and installation location information of household appliances. Subsequently, the installation location information of the home appliance 101a is predicted based on the identification information of other home appliances and the searched installation location information, and the predicted installation location information is displayed.

  Therefore, the installation location of the newly installed home appliance 101a can be predicted based on the identification information of the home appliance installed in the vicinity of the newly installed home appliance 101a, and the predicted installation location candidates are displayed. As a result, the user can register the location of the newly installed home appliance 101a in the database 103 only by confirming the location without being aware of the identification information of the device to be installed.

  In addition, the largest installation location information among the installation location information of other home appliances searched by the database operation unit 305 is predicted as the installation location information of the newly installed home appliance 101a. That is, since there is a high possibility that the installation location information is the same as the installation location of the newly installed household electrical appliance 101a, the most frequently installed location of the other installed electrical appliances is selected as the newly installed electrical appliance. It can be estimated as the installation location of 101a.

  The location prediction processing unit 303 selects one of the most frequently installed location information items. However, the location prediction processing unit 303 selects a predetermined number of installation location information items in the descending order, and displays the selected plurality of installation location information candidates on the display unit 302. You may display. In this case, the user selects correct installation location information from among a plurality of installation location information displayed on the display unit 302 and inputs it using the input unit 301.

  The database 103 may be built in the controller 102. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the controller when the controller 102 incorporates a database. Description of the parts common to FIG. 4 is omitted. In FIG. 4, since the database 103 is not built in, the database operation unit 305 operates the database 103 existing outside via the wireless communication unit 306, but in FIG. 7, the database operation unit 305 is built in the controller. The database 103 is directly operated.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home appliance network system to which the second embodiment is applied. In FIG. 8, description of elements common to FIG. 1 is omitted. The home appliance network system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes a plurality of home appliances 101a, 101c, and 101d, a controller (device control apparatus) 102, a database 103, and reference devices 801a to 801d. The reference devices 801a to 801d are devices that serve as a reference for position information. One or more reference devices 801a to 801d exist at each location. The reference devices 801a to 801d are installed when the home appliance network system is introduced. Moreover, it is desirable to install the reference devices 801a to 801d in the center of the room.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the reference device 801 constituting the home appliance network system to which the present invention is applied. Since the reference devices 801a to 801d have the same configuration, the reference devices 801a to 801d are collectively referred to as the reference device 801. In FIG. 9, the reference device 801 includes a wireless communication unit 901 and an ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 902.

  A wireless communication unit 901 connects to a home appliance network and transmits and receives various data. The ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 902 transmits a response packet when an ID acquisition request packet transmitted by the home appliance 101 is received. The reference device 801 may not be a device dedicated to the reference device shown in FIG. For example, the home appliance 101 may also serve as a reference device. Home appliances that also serve as reference devices are often located in the center of a room, such as lighting equipment, and are preferably present in each room.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data list stored in the database 103 according to the second embodiment. The database 103 stores a data list DL ′ in which the home appliance ID information, the installation location information of the home appliance, and the reference flag information indicating whether it is a reference device or not a reference device are associated with each other. As shown in FIG. 10, the data list DL ′ includes home appliance ID information (shown as ID in FIG. 10), home appliance installation location (shown as installation location information in FIG. 10), and a reference device or not a reference device. Flag information (indicated in FIG. 10 as a reference flag). In the example of FIG. 10, the reference flag is 1 when the device is a reference device, and the reference flag is 0 when the device is not a reference device.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the home appliance network system according to the second embodiment also performs processing in accordance with the flowcharts shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that the method for selecting one piece of acquired installation location information in step S203 is different. In the second embodiment, when one ID of the reference device is included in the ID of the nearby device transmitted from the newly installed home appliance in step S203, or a plurality of reference device IDs are included and the ID is the same. When converted into information, the installation location information converted from the ID of the reference device is selected. When the reference device ID is converted into different installation location information including a plurality of reference device IDs or when there is no reference device ID, the installation location information is aggregated and the largest number of installation location information is selected.

  If the ID acquisition request is broadcasted while suppressing the transmission power as described above, the home appliances 101c and 101d existing far away from the newly installed home appliance 101a exist in a range where communication is not possible, and thus the ID acquisition request. Not receive. On the other hand, the home appliance 101b existing in the vicinity of the newly installed home appliance 101a receives an ID acquisition request because it exists in a range where communication is possible, and returns an ID to the newly installed home appliance 101a. The ID returned from the nearby home appliance 101b is received. That is, the newly installed home appliance 101a can selectively acquire IDs of home appliances existing in the vicinity. And the controller 102 becomes possible [prediction of the installation place of the newly installed household appliances 101a] by receiving ID of the neighboring household appliances transmitted by the newly installed household appliances 101a.

  In addition, the user performs confirmation or correction input on the installation location candidates displayed by the controller 102, and the database can be constructed without being aware of IDs that are difficult for the user to recognize.

  Furthermore, when the reference devices 801a to 801d serving as the reference for the installation location information are determined in advance and the installation location information of the home appliances retrieved by the database operation unit 305 includes the reference device installation location information. In addition, since the installation location information of the reference device is predicted as the installation location information of the newly installed home appliance 101a, it is possible to improve the prediction accuracy of the installation location of the home appliance 101a.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home appliance network system according to Embodiment 3. In FIG. 11, description of elements common to FIG. 1 is omitted. The home appliance network system according to Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. 11 includes a plurality of home appliances 101a to 101d, a controller (device control apparatus) 102, and a database 103.

  In Embodiment 1, the home appliance 101a reduces the transmission power to narrow the communicable region and predicts the place where the appliance is installed. However, in Embodiment 3, the home appliance 101a transmits the transmission power. Is increased (or decreased) stepwise to widen (or narrow) the communicable range 104 step by step, and the place where the device is installed is predicted.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the controller 102 constituting the home appliance network system in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of home appliance 101 that constitutes the home appliance network system according to the third embodiment. In FIGS. 12 and 13, the description of elements common to FIGS. 3 and 4 is omitted.

  12 includes an input unit 301, a display unit 302, a location prediction processing unit 303, a confirmation processing unit 304, a database operation unit 305, a wireless communication unit 306, and an ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 307. The home appliance control processing unit 308 and the device registration start request creation unit 309 are configured.

  Input unit 301 accepts an input of a registration start instruction for registering a newly installed home appliance in the database. Device registration start request creation unit 309 creates a device registration start request for requesting the start of device registration for registering a newly installed home appliance in the database when an input of a registration start instruction is received by input unit 301. To do. Specifically, the device registration start request creation unit 309 acquires the number of home appliances registered in the database 103, and when the acquired number of home appliances is equal to or less than a specified number, the transmission power is gradually reduced. A device registration start request including the first power control information to be generated is created.

  In addition, the device registration start request creation unit 309 acquires the number of home appliances registered in the database 103, and when the number of acquired home appliances is greater than the specified number, the second step of gradually increasing the transmission power Create a device registration start request that includes power control information. The device registration start request creation unit 309 sends the created device registration start request to the wireless communication unit 306, and the wireless communication unit 306 sends the device registration start request created by the device registration start request creation unit 309 to the home appliance 101. To do.

  The confirmation processing unit 304 outputs the installation location information and ID of the newly installed home appliance to the database operation unit 305, and also registers the registered information indicating that the newly installed home appliance has been registered in the database to the wireless communication unit 306. Output. The wireless communication unit 306 transmits the registered information output by the confirmation processing unit 304 to the newly installed home appliance.

  Home appliance 101 in Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. 13 includes ID acquisition request transmission processing section 202, ID reception processing section 203, neighboring home appliance ID transmission processing section 204, transmission power control section 205, timer section 206, and wireless communication section. 207, temporary storage unit 208, ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 209, home appliance main body 210, start determination unit 211, and registered information storage unit 212.

  When the registered information is received by the wireless communication unit 207, the registered information storage unit 212 stores registered information indicating that the home appliance itself has been registered in the database. Specifically, the registered information storage unit 212 stores a registered flag, and sets the registered flag to 0 when not registered, and sets the registered flag to 1 when registered.

  When the wireless communication unit 207 receives a device registration start request, the start determination unit 211 refers to the registered information storage unit 212 to check whether the device itself has been registered, and starts the set position information registration process It is determined whether or not to do.

  When the first power control information is included in the device registration start request received by the wireless communication unit 207, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 causes the transmission power control unit 205 to reduce the transmission power step by step. Instruct to perform power control. The ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 also causes the transmission power control unit 205 to increase transmission power in a stepwise manner when the second power control information is included in the device registration start request received by the wireless communication unit 207. 2 is instructed to perform power control.

  The ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 performs transmission to the transmission power control unit 205 when the first power control is performed and the number of response packets received from other home appliances is equal to or less than the specified number. The power is returned to normal, and the nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 is instructed to transmit the ID to the controller 102.

  Further, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 performs the second power control, and transmits the response packet to the transmission power control unit 205 when the number of response packets received from other home appliances exceeds a specified number. The power is returned to normal, and the nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 is instructed to transmit the ID to the controller 102.

  In the present embodiment, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 corresponds to an example of an acquisition request transmission unit, a transmittable range setting unit, and a condition setting unit, and a device registration start request corresponds to an example of an identification information acquisition start request. The device registration start request creation unit 309 corresponds to an example of a start request transmission unit, the start determination unit 211 corresponds to an example of a start request reception unit, registered information corresponds to an example of storage completion information, and a confirmation processing unit 304. Corresponds to an example of a confirmation processing unit and a storage completion information transmission unit, the registered information storage unit 212 corresponds to an example of a storage completion information storage unit, and the database operation unit 305 corresponds to an example of a database control unit.

  Next, the installation information registration process of the controller 102 in Embodiment 3 when newly installing a home appliance will be described. The process for registering the installation information in the database is the same as the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 and thus will not be described. In the following description, the process for starting registration will be described. In addition, after performing the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 (after executing the process of step S206), the confirmation processing unit 304 of the controller 102 transmits the registered information to the newly installed home appliance 101. The wireless communication unit 207 of the home appliance 101 receives the registered information transmitted by the controller 102 and writes the received registered information in the registered information storage unit 212. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a registration start process executed by the controller.

  First, the input unit 301 of the controller 102 receives an instruction to start installation information registration processing by the user. When the input of the registration start instruction is accepted by the input unit 301, in step S301, the device registration start request creation unit 309 acquires the number of home appliances registered in the database 103 with respect to the database operation unit 305. Instruct to do. The database operation unit 305 accesses the database 103 via the wireless communication unit 306 and acquires the number of household appliances currently registered. Then, the database operation unit 305 outputs the acquired number of home appliances to the device registration start request creation unit 309.

  Next, in step S302, the device registration start request creation unit 309 determines whether or not the number of registered household electrical appliances output by the database operation unit 305 is equal to or less than a predefined number. If it is determined that the number of registered home appliances is equal to or less than the specified number (YES in step S302), the process proceeds to step S303, and if it is determined that the number of registered home appliances is greater than the specified number (step S302). NO), the process proceeds to step S304.

  When it is determined that the number of registered home appliances is equal to or less than the specified number, in step S303, the device registration start request creation unit 309 issues a device registration start request including first power control information for gradually reducing transmission power. create.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of registered home appliances is greater than the specified number, in step S304, the device registration start request creation unit 309 includes a device registration start request including second power control information that gradually increases transmission power. Create

  Next, in step S305, the device registration start request creation unit 309 includes the device registration start request including the first power control information created in step S303 or the second power control information created in step S304. A device registration start request is output to the wireless communication unit 306. The wireless communication unit 306 broadcasts the device registration start request output by the device registration start request creation unit 309 to all the home appliances 101 connected to the controller 102.

  Next, installation information registration processing for home appliance 101 in Embodiment 3 when a new home appliance is installed will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of installation information registration processing executed by a newly installed home appliance.

  First, in step S <b> 401, the wireless communication unit 207 receives a device registration start request transmitted by the controller 102. The wireless communication unit 207 outputs the received device registration start request to the start determination unit 211.

  Next, in step S402, the start determination unit 211 refers to the registered information storage unit 212, confirms whether the device itself has been registered, and determines whether to start the set position information registration process. The start determination unit 211 determines that the setting position information registration process is to be started if it has not been registered, and determines that the setting position information registration process is not to be started if it has been registered.

  If it is determined to start the setting position information registration process (YES in step S402), a start trigger for starting the setting position information registration process is output to the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 in step S403. On the other hand, if it is determined to start the setting position information registration process (NO in step S402), the setting position information registration process is terminated without starting.

  Next, in step S404, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 sets the initial value of the transmission power in the suppressed state based on the first power control information or the second power control information included in the device registration start request. To do. When the first power control information is included, the initial value is a transmission power value that can secure a transmission distance of approximately 5 m without an obstacle. When the second power control information is included, the initial value is a transmission power value that can secure a transmission distance of approximately 1 m without an obstacle.

  Next, in step S405, the transmission power control unit 205 controls the wireless communication unit 207 so that the transmission power becomes the initial value set in step S404, thereby suppressing the transmission power.

  The processing in steps S406 to S409 is the same as the processing in steps S102 and S104 to S106 shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S407 that a timeout notification has been received from the timer unit 206 (NO in step S407), it is determined that the ID reception waiting condition is no longer satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S410. Next, in step S410, the nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 transmits the number of response packets received from the other home appliances from the temporary storage unit 208 to the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202, and then receives the ID acquisition request. The transmission processing unit 202 determines whether or not the end condition is satisfied. If it is determined that the end condition is satisfied (YES in step S410), the process proceeds to step S412. If it is determined that the end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S410), the process proceeds to step S411.

  Here, the termination condition will be described. The end condition is different between the case of performing the first power control and the case of performing the second power control. When performing the first power control, whether or not the number of response packets received from other home appliances is equal to or less than a specified number (for example, 5), or the set value of transmission power is free of obstacles Whether or not the transmission power value can secure a transmission distance of approximately 1 m in the state is a termination condition. That is, when the number of response packets received from other household electrical appliances is equal to or less than a prescribed number (for example, 5), it is determined that the termination condition is satisfied, and the number of response packets received from other household electrical appliances is prescribed. When the number is larger than the number (for example, 5), it is determined that the termination condition is not satisfied. Alternatively, when the transmission power setting value is a transmission power value that can secure a transmission distance of approximately 1 m without an obstacle, it is determined that the end condition is satisfied, and the transmission power setting value is If it is not a transmission power value that can secure a transmission distance of approximately 1 m in a state where there is no transmission distance, it is determined that the termination condition is not satisfied.

  Also, when performing the second power control, whether or not the number of response packets received from other home appliances is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 5), or the set value of transmission power is an obstacle Whether or not the transmission power value is such that a transmission distance of approximately 5 m can be secured in a state where there is no transmission is a termination condition. That is, when the number of response packets received from other household electrical appliances is equal to or greater than a prescribed number (for example, 5), it is determined that the termination condition is satisfied, and the number of response packets received from other household electrical appliances is prescribed. If it is less than the number (for example, 5), it is determined that the termination condition is not satisfied. Alternatively, when the transmission power setting value is a transmission power value that can secure a transmission distance of approximately 5 m in the absence of an obstacle, it is determined that the end condition is satisfied, and the transmission power setting value is If the transmission power value is not capable of securing a transmission distance of about 5 m in the absence of the transmission distance, it is determined that the termination condition is not satisfied.

  If it is determined that the end condition is not satisfied, in step S411, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 changes the setting of the transmission power in the suppressed state. In the case of the first power control, the transmission power is reduced stepwise (for example, in five steps) from a transmission power value that can secure a transmission distance of approximately 5 m in the absence of an obstacle. In this embodiment, the transmission distance is lowered step by step so as to decrease by about 1 m. Therefore, when the transmittable distance is set to a transmission power of approximately 5 m, the setting is changed to a transmit power of a transmittable distance of approximately 4 m. Similarly, in the case of the second power control, the transmission power is increased stepwise (for example, in five steps) from a transmission power value that can secure a transmission distance of approximately 1 m without an obstacle. The transmission power in the present embodiment is increased stepwise so that the transmission distance is increased by approximately 1 m. Therefore, when the transmittable distance is set to a transmission power of approximately 1 m, the setting is changed to a transmit power of a transmittable distance of approximately 2 m. Then, after the transmission power setting is changed, the process returns to step S405, and thereafter, the processes of steps S405 to S410 are repeatedly performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the end condition is satisfied, in step S412, the ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 202 returns the transmission power of the wireless communication unit 207, which has been suppressed by the transmission power control unit 205, to normal transmission power.

  Next, in step S413, the nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 acquires the ID of the nearby home appliance from the temporary storage unit 208, and transmits it to the controller 102 through the wireless communication unit 207 along with the ID of the newly installed home appliance itself. When there is no existing home appliance in the surroundings, that is, when the ID of the nearby home appliance is not stored in the temporary storage unit 208, the nearby home appliance ID transmission processing unit 204 includes the ID of the newly installed home appliance and the ID Notify that there was no response to the acquisition request.

  As described above, the transmission possible range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted is set to be narrowed step by step. When the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number that is set as a condition, and the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number The identification information of other home appliances is transmitted to the controller 102.

  Therefore, since the transmittable range is set to be narrowed in steps, the identification information of other home appliances installed closer to the newly installed home appliance 101a can be obtained and predicted Accuracy can be improved. In addition, when the number of pieces of identification information received reaches a predetermined number, the identification information of other home appliances is transmitted to the controller 102. In particular, other home appliances already installed When the number is small, the processing time required to acquire the identification information of other home appliances can be shortened.

  In addition, the transmission possible range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcast is set so as to be gradually increased. When the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number that is set as a condition, and the number of pieces of identification information received has reached a predetermined number The identification information of other home appliances is transmitted to the controller 102.

  Therefore, since the transmittable range is set to gradually increase from a narrow range, it is possible to obtain identification information of other home appliances installed at a position closer to the newly installed home appliance 101a, Prediction accuracy can be improved. In addition, when the number of pieces of identification information received reaches a predetermined number, the identification information of other home appliances is transmitted to the controller 102. In particular, other home appliances already installed When the number is large, the processing time required to acquire the identification information of other home appliances can be shortened.

  Furthermore, when an identification information acquisition start request for requesting acquisition start of identification information of other home appliances is received, an identification information acquisition request indicating an acquisition request for identification information of other home appliances is broadcasted. Upon receiving the identification information acquisition start request, the home appliance 101a can automatically broadcast the identification information acquisition request.

  Furthermore, when the number of pieces of device information already stored in the database 103 is small, the transmission possible range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcasted is set to be gradually reduced and stored in the database 103 already. If there is a large amount of device information installed, the number of other home appliances that have already been installed is set so that the transmission possible range in which the ID information acquisition request can be broadcast is gradually increased. Accordingly, the processing time required to acquire the identification information of other home appliances can be shortened.

  In addition, it is confirmed whether the displayed installation location information is correct, the installation location information of the household electrical appliance 101a that is confirmed to be correct is stored in the database 103, and a storage indicating that the storage of the installation location information in the database 103 is completed. Completion information is transmitted to the home appliance 101a. Then, in the home appliance 101a, the transmitted storage completion information is received, and the received storage completion information is stored. Thereafter, when an identification information acquisition start request is received, the storage completion information is referred to. If the storage completion information is not stored, the identification information acquisition request is broadcast. On the other hand, when the storage completion information is stored with reference to the storage completion information, the identification information acquisition request is not broadcast.

  Therefore, even if the home appliance receives the identification information acquisition request, if the storage completion information is stored, the identification information acquisition request is not broadcast, so only the newly installed home appliance that received the identification information acquisition start request However, it is possible to broadcast the identification information acquisition request.

  In the third embodiment, the appliance registration start request transmitted by the controller 102 includes the information indicating whether the first power control or the second power control is performed, thereby transmitting the home appliance 101 However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. As in the first embodiment, when the home appliance 101 includes the input unit 201, the input unit 201 may accept selection of whether to perform the first power control or the second power control. Moreover, the household appliance 101 may be a mode in which only one of the first power control and the second power control is performed.

  In Embodiment 3, the ID acquisition request is transmitted by gradually increasing or decreasing the transmission power after the transmission power is suppressed to the predetermined transmission power. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, After suppressing the transmission power, send an ID acquisition request, receive a response packet for the ID acquisition request, and select whether to increase or decrease the transmission power stepwise depending on the number of response packets received May be.

  For example, first, an ID acquisition request is transmitted after suppressing the transmission power to a transmission distance of 3 m with no obstacles. When the number of received response packets is equal to or greater than a first specified number (for example, 7), first power control is performed to reduce transmission power in stages, and the number of received response packets is the first When the number is less than the second specified number (for example, 4) less than the specified number, second power control is performed to increase the transmission power in a stepwise manner. In this case, whether or not the number of received response packets is in a range (for example, 4 to 6) that is greater than or equal to the second specified number and less than the first specified number, or the transmission power transmission distance is 5 m or 1 m. Whether or not the ID has been obtained is set as an ID acquisition end condition.

  In this way, after suppressing to a predetermined transmission power, transmit an ID acquisition request, receive a response packet to the ID acquisition request, or increase the transmission power stepwise according to the number of received response packets, By selecting whether to reduce the transmission power, the transmission power is gradually increased or decreased, the ID acquisition request is transmitted in stages, and the ID of the other home appliance is received earlier than the response packet is received. Can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the second embodiment and the third embodiment may be combined. In the second embodiment, information indicating whether or not the device is a reference device is stored in the database 103. However, the reference device stores information on whether or not the device itself is a reference device, and a response packet to the ID acquisition request. May be transmitted including information indicating that it is a reference device. When the first power control is performed, whether the acquired number of reference device IDs is 1 or less is set as an ID acquisition end condition. When the second power control is performed, the acquired reference device Whether the number of IDs is 1 or more is set as an ID acquisition end condition.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The location prediction processing unit 303 of the controller 102 in Embodiment 1 predicts the installation location with the largest number of installation location information corresponding to the received ID as the installation location of the newly installed home appliance. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, layout information that associates each installation location with each other according to the communicable distance is stored in advance, and the location prediction processing unit 303 sets the installation location information and layout corresponding to the received ID. Based on the information, an installation place where the home appliance is likely to be installed is predicted.

  FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the controller 102 constituting the home appliance network system according to the fourth embodiment. The controller 102 shown in FIG. 16 includes a layout information storage unit 310 in addition to the configuration of the controller 102 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The layout information storage unit 310 stores in advance layout information in which the installation locations are associated with each other according to the communicable distance. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the layout information in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17A is a diagram illustrating an example of a room layout when a certain house is viewed from above, and FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating an example of layout information. Installation locations A, B, C, and D shown in FIG. 17A represent rooms such as living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, hallways, and the like. As shown in FIG. 17B, the layout information is tabular table data, and a numerical value corresponding to the communicable distance is associated with each installation location.

  For example, in the row of the installation location A in FIG. “3” is associated with the element of the column of the installation location A in the row of the installation location A, and “1” is associated with the element of the column of the installation locations B and C adjacent to the installation location A. In addition, “0” is associated with the element in the column of the installation location D that is not adjacent to the installation location A. The numerical values such as “3”, “1”, and “0” described above are examples, and a larger numerical value may be assigned to a place where radio waves easily reach. For example, when the installation location A and the installation location B are separated by a wall that does not allow radio waves to pass through, even if the installation location A and the installation location B are adjacent to each other, the element in the column of the installation location B is “0”. May be associated.

  In this way, layout information in a matrix format in which a plurality of installation locations are associated with each other by a numerical value corresponding to the transmittable distance is stored in advance. Then, each element corresponding to each installation location information line of the plurality of installation location information searched is added, and the installation location information is predicted according to the numerical value of each added element. The prediction accuracy of information can be further improved.

  Next, installation location prediction processing by the location prediction processing unit 303 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The IDs of the five home appliances are received by the wireless communication unit 306, and as a result of the search by the database operation unit 305, the installation locations associated with the IDs of the respective home appliances are A, B, B, C, and D. Suppose. In this case, the location prediction processing unit 303 adds elements corresponding to the rows of the installation locations A, B, B, C, and D. That is, when the A line, the B line, the B line, the C line, and the D line are added, (3, 1, 1, 0) + (1, 3, 1, 1) + (1, 3, 1, 1) + (1, 1, 3, 1) + (0, 1, 1, 3) = (6, 9, 7, 6). The place prediction processing unit 303 predicts that an element having a larger numerical value of the calculation result is a place having a higher probability of being installed. In this example, the order in which the probability of being arranged is predicted to be high is the order of installation location B, installation location C, and installation location A or installation location D.

  The location prediction processing unit 303 then ranks the acquired installation location information and transmits the ranked installation location information to the confirmation processing unit 304. The confirmation processing unit 304 receives the installation location information transmitted by the location prediction processing unit 303 and causes the display unit 302 to display the received installation location information in descending order of the probability of being arranged.

  Next, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the layout information storage unit 310 stores a numerical value corresponding to the communicable distance in association with each installation location. On the other hand, the layout information storage unit 310 in the modification of the fourth embodiment stores the center coordinates of each installation location. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining layout information in a modification of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, when the lower left corner when a certain house is viewed from above is a reference point (origin), the center coordinates Ao, Bo, Co, Do of each installation location A, B, C, D are , (3, 5), (9, 5), (6, 1), and (15, 4), respectively. The right direction on the paper surface is the x axis, and the upper direction on the paper surface is the y axis.

  Next, an installation location prediction process by the location prediction processing unit 303 according to a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. The IDs of the five home appliances are received by the wireless communication unit 306, and as a result of the search by the database operation unit 305, the installation locations associated with the IDs of the respective home appliances are A, B, B, C, and D. Suppose. In this case, the location prediction processing unit 303 calculates the average coordinate of the center coordinates Ao, Bo, Bo, Co, Do of each installation location A, B, B, C, D. That is, the average coordinate of the center coordinates Ao, Bo, Bo, Co, Do is {(3,5) + (9,5) + (9,5) + (6,1) + (15,4)} /5=(8.4, 4).

Then, the place prediction processing unit 303 calculates the square of the distance between the calculated average value coordinate and each center coordinate. That is, the square of the distance between the average coordinate (8.4, 4) and the center coordinate Ao (3, 5) of the installation location A is {(3, 5)-(8.4, 4)} ² = (−5.4, 1) ² = 30.16. Further, the square of the distance between the average value coordinates (8.4, 4) and the center coordinates Bo (9, 5) of the installation location B is {(9, 5) − (8.4, 4)} ² = (0.6, 1) ² = 1.36. Further, the square of the distance between the average coordinate (8.4, 4) and the center coordinate Co (6, 1) of the installation location C is {(6, 1) − (8.4, 4)} ² = (−2.4, −3) ² = 14.76. Similarly, the square of the distance between the average value coordinate (8.4, 4) and the center coordinate Do (15, 4) of the installation location D is {(15, 4) − (8.4, 4)} ^2. = (6.6,0) ² = 43.56.

  Then, the place prediction processing unit 303 predicts that an installation place with a smaller square value of the calculated distance is a place with a higher probability of being installed. In the case of this example, the order in which the probability of being arranged is predicted to be high is the order of installation location B, installation location C, installation location A, and installation location D. The location prediction processing unit 303 then ranks the acquired installation location information and transmits the ranked installation location information to the confirmation processing unit 304. The confirmation processing unit 304 receives the installation location information transmitted by the location prediction processing unit 303 and causes the display unit 302 to display the received installation location information in descending order of the probability of being arranged.

  In this modification, the distance between the average value coordinate and each center coordinate may be obtained. In this case, since the square root must be calculated, the processing speed becomes slow. Therefore, in this modification, the amount of calculation is reduced by calculating the square of the distance between the average value coordinate and each center coordinate. In addition, the layout information in the present modification is represented by two-dimensional coordinates, but may be represented by three-dimensional coordinates in consideration of a two-story house.

  In this way, layout information that associates the positions of a plurality of installation locations is stored in advance. Then, based on the searched installation location information and the stored layout information, a plurality of installation location information that is likely to be installed with the newly installed home appliance 101a is predicted, and the predicted installation location information is Since the newly installed home appliances 101a are displayed in the order of the high possibility that they are installed, it is easy for the user to check the installation location.

  In addition, layout information representing the center coordinates of each installation location among a plurality of installation locations is stored in advance. Then, the average coordinates of the plurality of found installation location information are calculated, the distance between the calculated average coordinates and the center coordinates of each installation location is calculated, and the installation location information is predicted according to the calculated distance. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the prediction accuracy of the installation location information of the electrical equipment.

  The device control device, the electric device, the device installation location setting method, the device installation location setting program, and the device installation location setting system according to the present invention relate the device installation location information and the identification information, and It is possible to easily register the installation location in the database, and the device control device, the electric device, the device installation location setting method, and the device installation location setting program for setting the installation location of the newly installed electrical device It is useful as a device installation location setting system.

It is a figure which shows an example of the household appliance network system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data list which a database memorize | stores. It is a functional block diagram of the household appliances which comprise a household appliance network system. It is a functional block diagram of the controller which comprises a household appliance network system. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the installation information registration process performed with the household appliances newly installed. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the installation information registration process performed with a controller. It is a functional block diagram of a controller when a controller incorporates a database. It is a figure which shows an example of the household appliance network system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the reference | standard apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data list which the database in Embodiment 2 memorize | stores. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home appliance network system in a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a controller that constitutes the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of home appliances that constitute a home appliance network system in a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the registration start process performed with a controller. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the installation information registration process performed with the household appliances newly installed. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a controller that constitutes the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining layout information in a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing layout information in a modification of the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101, 101a to 101d Home appliances 102 Controller 103 Database 201 Input unit 202 ID acquisition request transmission processing unit 203 ID reception processing unit 204 Near home appliance ID transmission processing unit 205 Transmission power control unit 206 Timer unit 207 Wireless communication unit 208 Temporary storage unit 209 ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit 210 Home appliance main body 211 Start determination unit 212 Registered information storage unit 301 Input unit 302 Display unit 303 Location prediction processing unit 304 Confirmation processing unit 305 Database operation unit 306 Wireless communication unit 307 ID acquisition request response transmission Processing unit 308 Home appliance control processing unit 309 Device registration start request creation unit 310 Layout information storage unit 801, 801a to 801d Reference device 901 Wireless communication unit 902 ID acquisition request response transmission processing unit

Claims (20)

A communication unit that receives, from the first electric device, identification information of the second electric device located within a predetermined range from the first electric device;
Search the installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device received by the communication unit from the database storing the installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the electrical device. A database control unit,
A location prediction processing unit that predicts the installation location information of the first electrical device based on the identification information of the second electrical device received by the communication unit and the installation location information searched by the database control unit;
A device control device comprising: a display unit that displays installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit.   The location prediction processing unit predicts the most installation location information among the installation location information of the second electrical device searched by the database control unit as the installation location information of the first electrical device. The device control apparatus according to claim 1. Predetermine a reference device whose installation location is specified in advance,
The location prediction processing unit, when the installation location information of the reference device is included in the installation location information of the second electrical device searched by the database control unit, the installation location information of the reference device The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is predicted as installation location information of the first electric apparatus. An input unit for receiving a confirmation input by the user of the installation location information displayed by the display unit;
A confirmation processing unit for confirming whether the installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit through the input unit is correct;
The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database control unit stores, in the database, installation location information of the first electric device that is confirmed to be correct by the confirmation processing unit. A layout information storage unit that stores in advance layout information that associates positions of a plurality of installation locations;
The location prediction processing unit may install the first electrical device based on installation location information searched by the database control unit and layout information stored in the layout information storage unit. Predict multiple high installation location information,
2. The device control according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit in an order in which the first electric device is likely to be installed. apparatus. The layout information storage unit stores layout information in a matrix format in which a plurality of installation locations are associated with each other by a numerical value corresponding to a transmittable distance,
The location prediction processing unit adds each element corresponding to each installation location information row of the plurality of installation location information searched by the database control unit, and predicts the installation location information according to the value of each added element 6. The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The layout information storage unit stores in advance layout information representing the center coordinates of each installation location among a plurality of installation locations,
The location prediction processing unit calculates an average coordinate of a plurality of installation location information searched by the database control unit, calculates a distance between the calculated average coordinate and the center coordinate of each installation location, and calculates the calculated distance. 6. The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the installation location information is predicted accordingly. An input unit for receiving a confirmation input by the user of the installation location information displayed by the display unit;
A confirmation processing unit for confirming whether the installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit through the input unit is correct;
The database control unit stores in the database the installation location information of the first electrical device confirmed to be correct by the confirmation processing unit,
The storage completion information transmitting unit that transmits storage completion information indicating that storage of installation location information in the database is completed by the database control unit to the first electrical device. Equipment control device. A start request transmission unit for transmitting an identification information acquisition start request for requesting acquisition start of identification information of the second electric device to the first electric device;
When the number of electrical devices stored in the database is equal to or less than a predetermined number, a transmission possible range in which an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of the second electrical device can be broadcast A range of possible transmissions in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcast when the number of electrical devices stored in the database is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The device control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a creation unit that creates the identification information acquisition start request including the second setting information to be broadened. An electrical device that is communicably connected to a device control device that controls the electrical device,
An acquisition request transmission unit that broadcasts an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of other electrical devices;
An identification information receiving unit that receives identification information of other electrical devices within a predetermined range as a response to the identification information acquisition request transmitted by the acquisition request transmitting unit;
An electrical device comprising: an identification information transmission unit that transmits identification information of another electrical device received by the identification information reception unit to the device control apparatus. A transmittable range setting unit for setting in a step a transmittable range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcast;
A condition setting unit that sets conditions for receiving identification information from other electrical devices,
The transmittable range setting unit narrows the transmittable range step by step,
The condition setting unit sets as a condition whether or not the number of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit has reached a predetermined number,
The identification information transmitting unit transmits the identification information of another electrical device to the device control device when the number of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit reaches a predetermined number. The electric device according to claim 10, wherein A transmittable range setting unit for setting in a step a transmittable range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcast;
A condition setting unit that sets conditions for receiving identification information from other electrical devices,
The transmittable range setting unit expands the transmittable range step by step,
The condition setting unit sets as a condition whether or not the number of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit has reached a predetermined number,
The identification information transmitting unit transmits the identification information of another electrical device to the device control device when the number of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit reaches a predetermined number. The electric device according to claim 10, wherein The device control apparatus transmits an identification information acquisition start request for requesting acquisition start of identification information of another electrical device,
A start request receiving unit for receiving an identification information acquisition start request transmitted by the device control device;
The acquisition request transmission unit, when an identification information acquisition start request is received by the start request reception unit, broadcasts an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of another electrical device. Item 10. The electric device according to Item 10. A storage completion information storage unit for storing storage completion information indicating that the storage of the installation location information in the database by the device control device is completed;
The acquisition request transmission unit refers to the storage completion information storage unit when the identification information acquisition start request is received by the start request reception unit. If the storage completion information is not stored, the acquisition request transmission unit identifies other electrical devices. 14. The electric apparatus according to claim 13, wherein an identification information acquisition request for acquiring information is broadcast. The electrical equipment is
A transmittable range setting unit for setting in a step a transmittable range in which the identification information acquisition request can be broadcast;
A condition setting unit that sets conditions for receiving identification information from other electrical devices,
The start request receiving unit first gradually reduces a transmittable range in which an identification information acquisition request can be broadcast when the number of electrical devices stored in the database is equal to or less than a predetermined number. The number of electrical devices stored in the database is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the transmission range that can broadcast the identification information acquisition request is gradually increased. Receiving the identification information acquisition start request including setting information;
When the first setting information is included in the identification information acquisition start request, the transmittable range setting unit narrows the transmittable range in steps, and the second setting information is included in the identification information acquisition start request. If included, gradually increase the transmission range,
The condition setting unit sets as a condition whether or not the number of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit has reached a predetermined number,
The identification information transmitting unit transmits the identification information of another electrical device to the device control device when the number of identification information received by the identification information receiving unit reaches a predetermined number. The electrical apparatus according to claim 13, wherein A communication step of receiving, from the first electric device, identification information of the second electric device located within a predetermined range from the first electric device;
From the database storing the installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the electrical device, the installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device received in the communication unit step. Database control steps to search;
A location prediction processing step of predicting the installation location information of the first electrical device based on the identification information of the second electrical device received in the communication step and the installation location information searched in the database control step;
A display step of displaying the installation location information predicted in the location prediction processing step. A device installation location setting method for setting an installation location of an electrical device that is communicably connected to a device control device that controls the electrical device in the device control device,
An acquisition request transmission step of transmitting an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of another electrical device;
An identification information receiving step of receiving identification information of other electrical devices within a predetermined range as a response to the identification information acquisition request transmitted in the acquisition request transmission step;
An identification information transmission step of transmitting identification information of the other electrical apparatus received in the identification information reception step to the apparatus control device. A communication unit that receives, from the first electric device, identification information of the second electric device located within a predetermined range from the first electric device;
Search the installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the second electrical device received by the communication unit from the database storing the installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the electrical device. A database control unit,
A location prediction processing unit that predicts the installation location information of the first electrical device based on the identification information of the second electrical device received by the communication unit and the installation location information searched by the database control unit;
An apparatus installation location setting program that causes a computer to function as a display unit that displays installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit. A device installation location setting program for an electrical device that is communicably connected to a device control device that controls the electrical device,
An acquisition request transmission unit that broadcasts an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of other electrical devices;
An identification information receiving unit that receives identification information of other electrical devices within a predetermined range as a response to the identification information acquisition request transmitted by the acquisition request transmitting unit;
A device installation location setting program that causes a computer to function as an identification information transmission unit that transmits identification information of another electrical device received by the identification information reception unit to the device control apparatus. An equipment installation location setting system in which an electrical equipment and a equipment control device that controls the electrical equipment are connected to be communicable,
The electrical equipment is
An acquisition request transmission unit that broadcasts an identification information acquisition request for acquiring identification information of other electrical devices;
An identification information receiving unit that receives identification information of another electrical device located within a predetermined range from the own electrical device as a response to the identification information acquisition request transmitted by the acquisition request transmitting unit;
An identification information transmitting unit that transmits identification information of other electric devices located within a predetermined range from the own electric device received by the identification information receiving unit to the device control device;
The device control device
A communication unit that receives identification information of another electrical device located within a predetermined range from the electrical device transmitted by the electrical device;
Search the installation location information corresponding to the identification information of the other electrical device received by the communication unit from the database storing the installation location information representing the installation location of the electrical device in association with the identification information of the other electrical device. A database control unit,
A location prediction processing unit that predicts the installation location information of the electrical device based on the identification information of the other electrical device received by the communication unit and the installation location information searched by the database control unit;
A device installation location setting system comprising: a display unit that displays installation location information predicted by the location prediction processing unit.

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