JP2008191757A - Equipment control device and equipment management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an equipment control device and an equipment management system, to select a state list according to a life scene, and record a new state when an operation state of equipment is changed. <P>SOLUTION: This equipment control device has: a communication means 19 transmitting/receiving a signal with the equipment or a device; a recording medium 11 classifying the life scene into a plurality of modes, and recording the state list 12 comprising data associated with the operation state of each the equipment in each the mode; a monitoring means 17 monitoring the operation state of each the equipment based on the signal inputted by the communication means 19; a record update means 16 updating the data of the state list 12 according to the change when detecting the change of the operation state of the equipment; and a collective control means 15 transmitting the signal to each the equipment by the communication means 19 according to data contents of the operation state read from the state list 12 for each the equipment when receiving a setting instruction of the mode made from an input device 50 or the like (a terminal device), and collectively controlling operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device control apparatus and a device management system that collectively control a plurality of devices such as sensor terminals, home appliances, and housing equipment.

In a plurality of devices such as sensor terminals, home appliances, and housing equipment, there are screens, switches, and the like that are individually operated to set / cancel the alarm mode of the sensor terminals and to control each device. Conventionally, a system for controlling home appliances, housing equipment, and the like for each type of alert mode has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, a system that performs control to change the operation state of each device according to schedule information is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2005-332022 A JP 2005-182471 A

  However, the control content for each alert mode in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the schedule information in the system disclosed in Patent Document 2 are both fixed. When control that does not match the lifestyle is performed, the operation state of the device has to be changed manually each time. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and selects a state list corresponding to each life scene, and can record the changed state when the operation state of the device is changed, and The object is to provide a device management system.

(1) Means for solving a problem (hereinafter, simply referred to as “solution means”) 1 is a method for individually operating a plurality of devices such as sensor terminals, home appliances, and housing equipment. A device control device for controlling communication means for transmitting and receiving signals between devices and devices, and data that divides a life scene into a plurality of modes and corresponds to the operation state of each device for each mode. A recording medium for recording a status list, a monitoring unit for monitoring the operating state of each device based on a signal input by the communication unit, and the monitoring unit detecting that the operating state of the device has been changed In response to the mode setting instruction sent from the terminal device and the record update means for updating the state list data corresponding to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection according to the change, the setting instruction Collective control means for reading operation state data from the state list for each device corresponding to the selected mode and transmitting a signal to each device by the communication means according to the read data contents to collectively control the operation. Is the gist.

“Sensor terminals” include, for example, human sensors, open / close sensors, alarm sensors (ie, fire alarms and gas leak alarms), and “home appliances” include, for example, personal computers, cameras (network cameras, (Including digital cameras, etc.), telephones (including IP telephones), printers, outlets capable of power line communication, televisions, videos, refrigerators, stereo devices, etc. , Lighting equipment, air conditioner, stove, etc.
The “mode” in which the life scene is divided into a plurality of cases corresponds to, for example, home / outing / residence / answering machine / sleeping / just before going home.
Furthermore, the “operating state” of the device may be only on / off / maintenance, and a control amount (for example, temperature, humidity, amount of hot water, illuminance, thermal power, etc.) controlled by the device may be added.

  According to the solution means 1, when the monitoring means detects that the operation state of the device has been changed, the state list data relating to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection is updated in accordance with the change. When a setting instruction is given again in this mode, the operating state of the device is controlled based on the updated data. Since the control content of each mode is automatically changed according to the lifestyle, the labor of setting operation does not increase.

(2) Solution 2 is a device control device that individually controls the operation of each device with respect to a plurality of devices such as sensor terminals, home appliances, and housing equipment. Communication means for transmitting and receiving, a life list divided into a plurality of modes, a status list consisting of data corresponding to the operating status of each device for each mode, and a home that defines the correspondence between the person at home and the mode Recording means recording mode information, monitoring means for monitoring the operating state of each device based on the signal input by the communication means, and the monitoring means that the operating state of the device has been changed If detected, a record update unit that updates data of the state list corresponding to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection according to the change, a home visitor identification unit that detects and identifies a home visitor, Based on the at-home person specified by the at-home person specifying means, the mode corresponding to the selected mode is selected by referring to the at-home person mode information, and the operation state data for each device corresponding to the selected mode is stored in the state list. And collective control means for collectively controlling the operation by transmitting a signal to each device by the communication means in accordance with the read data content.

  The “at-home person specifying means” is arbitrary as long as it can detect and specify a home person (family member, visitor, etc.), for example, a mobile terminal (eg, IC card, wireless IC tag, mobile phone) carried by an outsider Etc.), biometric authentication (fingerprint, palm print, retinal print, vascular network, voice print, etc.) and the like, etc.

  According to the solution means 2, when the monitoring means detects that the operation state of the device has been changed, the state list data relating to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection is updated in accordance with the change. If there is a change in the home resident specified by the home resident specifying means when going out, etc., the mode corresponding to the home resident is set, and the operation state of the device is controlled based on the updated data. Since the control content of each mode is automatically changed in consideration of the lifestyle and the person at home, the labor of setting operation does not increase.

(3) The solving means 3 is the device control apparatus described in the solving means 1 or 2, and the recording update means detects a predetermined update condition when the monitoring means detects that the operation state of the device has been changed. The gist is to update the data of the state list relating to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection.
Whether the change in the operating state detected by the monitoring unit is based on “control by the collective control unit” is, for example, whether the change is within a certain time after the control by the collective control unit, or from each device It is necessary to determine whether or not the returned signal includes information indicating “control by collective control means”. The “predetermined update condition” can be set to an arbitrary condition. For example, the number of changes is a fixed number of times (5 times, 7 times, etc.). For example, 10 minutes).

  According to the solution 3, the state list data is updated only when the operation state of the device is changed and a predetermined update condition is satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to update only the data related to the operating state of the device that is highly required to be changed.

(4) The solving means 4 is the device control apparatus according to any one of the solving means 1 to 3, wherein the collective control means receives information specifying the mode in which the setting instruction is given and the date and time when the setting instruction is received. Information is recorded on a recording medium, a mode is set according to the recorded date and time information, and the operation of each device is collectively controlled in accordance with the set mode.
Note that “information specifying the mode” corresponds to, for example, a mode name, number, symbol, and the like, and “information about date and time” corresponds to, for example, date, day of the week, time, season, and the like.

  According to the solution means 4, when the mode setting instruction is issued from the terminal device, the information for specifying the mode and the information related to the date and time are recorded on the recording medium. Therefore, the mode setting instruction is issued at any timing. I can understand. Further, when the same date and time as the information related to the recorded date and time are reached, the recorded mode is automatically set, so the mode is automatically set according to the lifestyle. Therefore, the mode setting can be automated.

(5) The solution means 5 is the equipment control device according to any one of the solution means 1 to 4, and the monitoring means detects that the operation state of the equipment has been changed except for control by the collective control means. Then, referring to the data of the state list for the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection, if the operation state recorded in the state list does not match the detected operation state, the device whose operation state does not match The gist of the present invention is to have an informing means for informing information about the above.
Note that “information about the device” corresponds to, for example, the name, number, and symbol of the device. In addition, the notification by the notification means includes display on a display device, output of sound by a speaker, vibration by a vibrating body, transmission to a device management system or a terminal device via a network (Internet, dedicated communication line, etc.), and the like. .

When the operation state of the device is changed except for the control by the collective control means, generally, an abnormal state (for example, device failure or operation by an intruder) may occur. According to the solution 5, when the operation state recorded in the state list does not match the detected operation state, the notification unit notifies the information about the device whose operation state does not match. It is possible to quickly know whether or not there is a possibility.
In addition, if specific details related to the change in the operating state of the device can be detected, such as a change in the set temperature for floor heating, an air conditioner, etc. It is desirable to notify the detected contents together with the information regarding. This makes it easier to identify the cause of the abnormality.

(6) The solving means 6 can communicate with the plurality of device control apparatuses described in any one of the solving means 1 to 5, and records in one or more of the plurality of apparatus control devices. A list receiving means for receiving the status list recorded on the medium via the communication means, and a predetermined extraction condition for each mode included in each status list based on one or more status lists received by the list receiving means; A state extracting unit that extracts an operating state of a device that satisfies the condition, a record correcting unit that corrects a corresponding part in a reference state list based on the operating state of the device extracted by the state extracting unit, and the plurality of device controls The gist of the present invention is to have list transmission means for transmitting the status list corrected by the recording correction means for recording on each recording medium in the apparatus.
Note that any condition can be set for the “predetermined extraction condition”. For example, the number of updates reaches a certain number (5 times, 7 times, etc.), and the operating state of the same device is updated in the same mode. For example, a certain ratio (5%, 10%, etc.) has been reached, or two or more updates have been made within a certain period (one hour, one day, etc.).

  According to the solution means 6, when a status list transmitted from one or more device control devices is received for a plurality of device control devices communicable by the communication means from the device management system, they are included in each status list by the status extraction means. The operation state of the device that satisfies a predetermined extraction condition is extracted for each mode, and the corresponding part in the reference state list (hereinafter referred to as “reference list”) is corrected by the recording correction means. The state list corrected in this way (hereinafter referred to as “correction list”) is a state list reflecting the average lifestyle at the time of correction, so the list transmission means transmits the correction list to all the device control devices. To be recorded on a recording medium. Since the lifestyle changes from year to year, a standard status list according to the year can be provided, and setting operations for changing the operation status of the device can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the state list is recorded in advance on the recording medium, and the operation state of each device is automatically changed only by setting the mode corresponding to the life scene. Therefore, the setting operation can be simplified as compared with the conventional case.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
The first embodiment is an example of a device control apparatus, and will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration example of the device control apparatus in a block diagram. FIG. 2 shows an example of the state list. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the collective control process. FIG. 4 shows a recording example of mode specifying information and time information. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the data update process.

  The device control apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is also referred to as a “server” and controls a plurality of devices collectively through communication means 19 described later. A plurality of devices are devices that are installed indoors and can be controlled by transmitting signals (regardless of analog or digital types; the same shall apply hereinafter), such as housing equipment, sensor terminals, home appliances, etc. Is applicable. Household equipment includes a floor heater 30, a hot water heater 31, a stove 32, an air conditioner 33, a lighting fixture 34, a fuel cell, an electromagnetic cooker, and the like. In addition to gas sensors and fire alarms, the sensor terminal includes a living window opening / closing sensor 35, a bedroom window opening / closing sensor 36, an entrance window opening / closing sensor 37, a living room presence sensor 38, a bedroom presence sensor 39, and a hallway feeling. This corresponds to the sensor 40 or the like. Household appliances include personal computers, cameras (including network cameras and digital cameras), telephones (including IP telephones), printers, outlets capable of power line communication, TVs, videos, refrigerators, microwave ovens, stereo devices, etc. To do. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which one device is connected for simplicity, there are cases where two or more identical devices are connected.

  The device control apparatus 10 includes a recording medium 11, a batch control unit 15, a recording update unit 16, a monitoring unit 17, a notification unit 18, a communication unit 19, and the like. At least the collective control unit 15, the recording update unit 16, the monitoring unit 17, and the notification unit 18 are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or the like.

  The recording medium 11 corresponds to, for example, a memory or a disk recording device, and records a status list 12, mode specifying information 13, time information 14, and the like. The mode specifying information 13 is information for specifying a mode for which a setting instruction has been issued. For example, the mode specifying information 13 includes a mode name, a number, a symbol, and the like. The time information 14 is information regarding the date and day of the week when the setting instruction is received, for example, the date, day of the week, time, season, and the like.

  The state list 12 is composed of data in which the life scene is divided into a plurality of modes and the operation states of the respective devices are associated with each mode. The mode corresponds to, for example, home / outing / residence / answering machine / sleeping / just before returning home, and may be recorded only by the mode, or may be recorded by combining the mode and other items. Other items include, for example, the season (spring / summer / autumn / winter), calendar (weekdays / holiday / day of the week, etc.), period (am / pm / all day / daytime / night, etc.), and the like.

  For example, FIG. 2 shows an example of the status list 12 in which the life scene is divided into home / outing / residence / answering machine / sleeping / just before going home and the other seasons are recorded as summer / winter. FIG. 2 shows setting data in the initial state, and the operation state is only on / off / maintenance. In the figure, “O” indicates that the corresponding device is turned on, “X” indicates that the corresponding device is turned off, and “-” indicates that control is performed to maintain the current state of the corresponding device. It is.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the collective control unit 15 receives the mode setting instruction from the input device 50, reads out the operation state data for each device corresponding to the mode instructed from the state list 12, According to the read data content, the communication means 19 transmits a signal to each device to control the operation collectively. When the input device 50 is located in the vicinity of the display device 51 or integrated with the display device 51, the content of the current state list 12 (for example, all data of the list and the mode being selected is supported) along with guidance for prompting a setting instruction. It is desirable to display device data) on the display device 51.

  The communication means 19 transmits / receives signals to / from devices and apparatuses. The monitoring unit 17 monitors the operating state of each device based on the signal input by the communication unit 19. When the monitoring unit 17 detects that the operation state of the device has been changed, the record update unit 16 updates the data of the state list related to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection according to the change. When the monitoring unit 17 detects that the operation state of the device has been changed except for the control by the collective control unit 15, the notification unit 18 refers to the data in the state list 12 for the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection. If the operation state recorded in the state list 12 and the detected operation state do not match, information about the device whose operation state does not match is notified.

  An example of performing collective control of devices in the device control apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the batch control process of FIG. 3 and the data update process of FIG. 5 are repeatedly executed in parallel while the power of the device control apparatus 10 is on.

  First, in the collective control process of FIG. 3, when the date and time of the time information 14 or the day of the week has not been reached (NO in step S10), if a mode setting instruction is received from the input device 50 (YES in step S11), the setting is made. The mode specifying information 13 for specifying the instructed mode is recorded in the recording medium 11 in association with the time information 14 related to the date, day of the week, etc. when receiving the setting instruction [step S12], and set in the mode instructed to set ( Including change, and so on.) [Step S13].

  An example of the recording performed in step S12 is shown in FIG. In this example, the mode name is recorded as the mode specifying information 13 (left column in FIG. 4), and the date and time are recorded as time information 14 (right column in FIG. 4). In the determination in step S10, the average date / time, day of the week, etc., the earliest recorded date / day, etc., or the latest recorded date / day, etc. may be used. It is desirable that the user can select which date, day of the week or the like is to be selected from the input device 50 according to the lifestyle.

  If the date and time of the time information 14 and the day of the week are reached in the subsequent processing by the recording in the above step S12 (YES in step S10), the mode corresponding to the time information 14 is set [step S13], and the current date , Day of the week, time of day, temperature (room temperature), weather and other items are automatically set [step S14].

  Subsequently, based on the mode set in step S13 and the other items set in step S14, the operation state data is read from the state list 12 stored in the recording medium 11 [step S15] and read. According to the data content, the communication means 19 transmits a signal to each device to control the operation collectively [step S16], and the collective control process is completed.

  Step S16 corresponds to the collective control means 15, and for example, when “going out” of the life scene is set in the mode, and “summer” of the season is set in other items, according to the data group 12a represented by a one-dot chain line in FIG. Each device is controlled collectively. That is, a signal is sent to each device, the floor heater 30 is turned off, the water heater 31 is maintained, the stove 32 is turned off, the bedroom human sensor 39 is turned on, and the hallway human sensor 40 is turned on. Performs control in a batch.

  In the data update process of FIG. 5, when a signal indicating the operating state is received and monitored from each device through the communication means 19 [step S20], and there is a device whose operating state (on / off only in this example) has been changed. (YES in step S21), one of steps S22 to S26 described below is executed. Step S20 corresponds to the monitoring means 17 together with step S25 described later. On the other hand, when there is no device whose operation state has been changed (NO in step S21), there is no data to be updated, and the data update process is terminated.

  If there is a device whose operating state has been changed, if a predetermined update condition is satisfied (YES in step S22), data is updated in the mode column currently set for the corresponding device in the state list 12 [step S23]. As the predetermined update condition, an arbitrary condition can be set. For example, the number of changes is a fixed number of times (5 times, 7 times, etc.), and a predetermined time (5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.) after the control by the collective control means 15 is performed. ) Is the case.

  Step S23 corresponds to the recording update means 16. Taking the data group 12a of FIG. 2 as an example, when the lighting device 34 is turned on after an instruction to set “going out” from the input device 50, for example, when going out at night, the data 12b is changed to “×”. "" To "○".

  Further, when a device whose operating state has been changed is detected in step S21, the following processing is also performed. That is, when the predetermined update condition is not satisfied (NO in step S22), the currently set mode column for the corresponding device in the state list 12 does not match the detected device operating state (step S24). If the operation state change is not due to the collective control performed in step S16 of FIG. 3 (NO in step S25), there is a possibility that a device failure or an operation by an intruder has occurred. Therefore, the data mismatch is notified [step S26]. Therefore, if the operating states match (NO in step S24), or if the change is due to collective control (YES in step S25), the data update process ends because the data match.

  In step S25, whether or not the operation state is changed due to the collective control is determined within a certain time (for example, 10 seconds or 1 minute) after performing the collective control in step S16 in FIG. Whether or not there is a change or whether or not information (for example, tag information or identification code) indicating collective control is included in the signal transmitted from each device at the time of monitoring in step S20.

Step S26 corresponds to the notification means 18, for example, display on the display device 51, output of sound by a speaker, vibration by a vibrating body, device management system 20 or mobile phone 60 (see FIG. 6) via the network 70, and the like. The transmission or the like is realized in one aspect or a combination of a plurality of aspects. In step S20 described above, it is possible to detect specific contents related to the change in the operating state of the device, such as a change in the set temperature for floor heating, the air conditioner 33, etc., or an increase in the internal temperature accompanying opening / closing of the door in the refrigerator. There is a case. In this case, in order to make it easier to identify which device has changed, it is desirable to add information related to the device such as the name, number, symbol, etc. of the device for notification.
In addition, information for identifying a device or device to be notified (for example, an address such as an IP address or an email address, a telephone number of a mobile phone, etc.), a type of information about the device (for example, the name, number, symbol, etc. of the device) Is previously stored (registered) in the recording medium 11.

According to Embodiment 1 described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(A1) When the monitoring unit 17 detects that the operation state of the device has been changed (see step S21 in FIG. 5), the state list relating to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of the collective control unit 15 12 data were updated in accordance with the change (see step S21 in FIG. 5). When a setting instruction is given again in this mode, the operating state of the device is controlled based on the updated data. Since the control content of each mode is automatically changed according to the lifestyle, the labor of setting operation does not increase.

(A2) Only when the operation state of the device is changed after the control by the collective control means 15 (see step S21 in FIG. 5) and a predetermined update condition is satisfied (see step S22 in FIG. 5). ) The data of the state list 12 is updated (see step S23 in FIG. 5). Therefore, it is possible to update only the data related to the operating state of the device that is highly required to be changed.

(A3) When a mode setting instruction is issued from the input device 50, information specifying the mode and date and time information are recorded on the recording medium 11 (see step S12 in FIG. 3). It is possible to grasp whether a mode setting instruction is performed. Further, when the date and time etc. are the same as the information related to the recorded date and time (see step S10 in FIG. 3), the recorded mode is automatically set (see step S13 in FIG. 3), so that it matches the lifestyle. The mode is set automatically. Therefore, the mode setting can be automated.

(A4) When the operation state recorded in the state list 12 does not match the detected operation state (see step S24 in FIG. 5), the notification unit 18 notifies the information about the device whose operation state does not match. Therefore (see step S26 in FIG. 5), it is possible to quickly know which device may have malfunctioned. Furthermore, in the case where the information about the device is added and notified, it is easy to identify which device has changed.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment is an example of the device management system, and will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example and a connection example of the device management system. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for device management processing. FIG. 8 shows an example of the extracted data. FIG. 9 shows an example of the correction list.
Note that the configuration and the like of the device control apparatus 10 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and in the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described in order to simplify the illustration and description. Therefore, the same elements as those used in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The device management system 20 shown in FIG. 6 is also called a “center device” and is a system that manages a plurality of device control devices 10 and is connected to the network 70 together with the plurality of device control devices 10 and one or more mobile phones 60. Can communicate with each other.
In consideration of the fact that a plurality of device control devices 10 are installed for each household, each device connected to the device control device 10 and controlled (floor heater 30, water heater 31, etc. shown in FIG. 1). ) Generally differs in configuration and quantity.

  The device management system 20 includes a state extraction unit 21, a record correction unit 22, a storage unit 23, a list reception unit 27, a list transmission unit 28, a communication unit 29, and the like. At least the state extraction unit 21, the record correction unit 22, the list reception unit 27, and the list transmission unit 28 are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or the like.

  The plurality of device control apparatuses 10 periodically (for example, every week, every month, etc.) or aperiodically (for example, in step S23 in FIG. 5) the state list 12 recorded in each recording medium 11 individually. The device management system 20 transmits the data via the network 70 every time the data in the list 12 is updated. The list receiving unit 27 receives the state list 12 transmitted from each device control apparatus 10 via the communication unit 29 and stores it in the storage unit 23 as the state list 24. The storage unit 23 corresponds to, for example, a memory or a disk recording device.

 Based on one or more state lists 24 stored in the storage unit 23, the state extraction unit 21 extracts an operation state of a device that satisfies a predetermined extraction condition for each mode. The record correction unit 22 corrects the corresponding part in the reference list 25 based on the operation state of the device extracted by the state extraction unit 21 and creates a correction list 26. The list transmission unit 28 transmits the correction list 26 via the communication unit 29 in order to record on each recording medium 11 in the plurality of device control apparatuses 10.

  An example of managing the status list in the device management system 20 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed while the power of the device management system 20 is on.

  In the device management process of FIG. 7, the plurality of device control devices 10 are managed by the device management system 20, and each device control device 10 includes means for transmitting the state list 12 recorded in the recording medium 11. When the status list 12 is transmitted from one or more device control devices 10 among the plurality of device control devices 10, the status list 12 is received via the network 70 (YES in step S30), and the received status list is received. 12 is stored in the storage unit 23 as the state list 24 [step S31]. Steps S30 and S31 correspond to the list receiving means 27.

  When the timing for extraction correction is reached (YES in step S32), the operation state of the device that satisfies the predetermined extraction condition is extracted for each mode based on one or more state lists 24 stored in the storage unit 23 [step S33. ]. Step S33 corresponds to the state extracting means 21. It is possible to set an arbitrary condition as the predetermined extraction condition. For example, the number of updates reaches a certain number (5 times, 7 times, etc.), and the update of the operation state of the same device in the same mode is a constant rate. (E.g. 5% or 10%), or two or more updates within a certain time (1 hour or 1 day). FIG. 8 shows an example in which data satisfying this extraction condition is collected.

  Extracted data 80 shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the storage unit 23. One item from the top means that the update data is “O” because “lighting” is turned on in the “outing” mode in the “summer” season. The second item means that the update data is “x” because the “hot water heater” is changed to “off” in the “outing” mode in the “summer” season. The three items mean that the update data has become “x” because the “stove” is changed to “off” in the “sleeping” mode in the “summer” season. The four items mean that the update data has become “x” because “stove” is changed to “off” in the “answer machine” mode in the “winter” season. Hereinafter, data extracted in the same meaning is set in the extracted data 80. Note that the contents of the extracted data 80 can be easily confirmed if configured so as to be displayed on a display device, a printing device, or the like provided in the device management system 20. Further, the contents of the extracted data 80 may be edited.

  Based on the operation state of the device extracted by the execution of step S33, that is, based on the extracted data 80, the corresponding part in the reference list 25 is corrected to create the correction list 26 [step S34]. Step S34 corresponds to the recording correction means 22. If the reference list 25 is assumed to have the same data contents as the state list 12 shown in FIG. 2 and is corrected according to the extracted data 80 (four items) in FIG. 8, the correction list 26 shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. In FIG. 9, the corrected data part is surrounded by a thick line. If the contents of the correction list 26 can be displayed on a display device, a printing device, or the like provided in the device management system 20, confirmation can be easily performed. Furthermore, the contents of the correction list 26 may be edited.

  The correction list 26 is transmitted via the communication means 29 for recording (or updating) on the recording medium 11 in all the device control apparatuses 10 managed by the device management system 20 [step S35]. Step S35 corresponds to the list transmission means 28. In the example described above, the correction list 26 shown in FIG. 9 is transmitted to each device control apparatus 10 and recorded in the recording medium 11.

According to the second embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(B1) When the status list 12 transmitted from each device control apparatus 10 is received via the network 70, it is stored in the storage unit 23 as the status list 24 (see steps S30 and S31 in FIG. 7), and predetermined extraction conditions are set. The operation state of the device to be satisfied is extracted (see step S33 in FIG. 7), the corresponding part in the standard list 25 is corrected to create a correction list 26 (see step S34 in FIG. 7), and the generated correction list 26 is It transmitted to each apparatus control apparatus 10, and was recorded on the recording medium 11 as the state list | wrist 12 (refer step S35 of FIG. 7). The correction list 26 is a state list reflecting an average lifestyle at the time of correction. Since the lifestyle changes year by year, a standard state list 12 adapted to the year can be provided, and setting operations for changing the operation state of the device can be reduced.

(B2) Since other requirements, configurations, operations, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained {see the above-described matters (a1) to (a4)}.

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment is an example of the device control apparatus as in the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that the mode is automatically set according to the person at home. The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
Note that the configuration and the like of the device control apparatus 10 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and in the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described in order to simplify the illustration and description. Therefore, the same elements as those used in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a device control apparatus that replaces FIG. 1 is different from the configuration example of FIG. 1 in that the device control apparatus 10 includes a home-based person specifying unit 1A, the home-based person specifying information 1B and the home-based person corresponding mode information 1C are recorded on the recording medium 11, and the state list 12. The contents of data to be recorded. The resident identification information 1B is information necessary to identify the resident by performing detection by authentication or the like. For example, the family configuration, information for identifying the mobile phone 60 (for example, an e-mail address or a telephone number), This corresponds to information for performing biometric authentication (fingerprint, palm print, retinal print, vascular network, voice print, etc.). The resident identification means 1A receives the signal transmitted through the mobile phone 60 carried by the outsider, refers to the resident identification information 1B, performs comparison with the recorded family structure, etc., and detects the resident ( Identify family members and visitors). The correspondence relationship between the resident and the mode is defined in the resident response mode information 1C. The correspondence relationship is not limited to a one-to-one mode relationship, but may be a multiple-to-one mode relationship or a one-to-multiple mode relationship. In the state list 12, instead of (or in addition to) the mode for each living scene shown in FIG. 2, the mode is divided into modes for each person at home, and each mode is composed of data corresponding to the operating state of each device. The mode for each home-stayer can be arbitrarily set, and includes, for example, the whole family / a mother / daughter without a father / infant (or child) without a parent / parent without a child / elderly / visitor.

  An example of performing collective control of devices in the device control apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the collective control processing in FIG. 11 is repeatedly executed in parallel while the device control apparatus 10 is powered on.

  In the collective control process of FIG. 11, a home person is specified [step S40]. This specification may be performed by detecting the resident person itself, or the resident person may be specified by comparing a person who has gone out and a family structure. In the latter case, when the outing person transmits a signal indicating “going out” from the mobile phone 60 to the device control apparatus 10, the at-home person specifying means 1A refers to the at-home person specifying information 1B recorded in the recording medium 11 and is at home. Identify the person. The specifying method may be specified according to the authentication result or the like, or may be specified by excluding the outing person from the family structure or the like.

When there is a change compared to the home specified in the previous time in step S40 (YES in step S41), the home-responding mode information 1C is referred to based on the information on the specified home-in-home. Then, a mode having a corresponding relationship is selected [step S42]. The mode selection method is arbitrary. For example, if the mode is selected according to the result of searching the home-bound person mode information 1C based on the home-resident information, or if the home-resident information is an identifier (number, address, etc.), the mode is selected. The mode corresponding to the identifier is selected with reference to the at-home person correspondence mode information 1C.
Since it is necessary to change to the mode selected in step S42 or to newly record, it is determined whether or not there is a mode corresponding to the resident by referring to the state list 12. If there is a mode corresponding to the person at home (YES in step S43), the mode is changed to that mode [step S44].

  On the other hand, if there is no mode corresponding to the resident (NO in step S43), the operation information of each device at the present time is input [step S45], and a new mode corresponding to the resident is added to the status list 12. And the new mode is set [step S46]. The new mode is the current home-stayer (for example, mother, infant, etc.) identified in step S40, and is recorded in addition to the status list 12 along with on / off of each device.

  After executing Step S44 and Step S46, other items are automatically set based on the current date, day of the week, time, temperature (room temperature), weather, etc. [Step S14], and the operation state is determined from the state list 12. Data is read out [step S15], and the operation of each device is controlled collectively according to the read data content [step S16].

According to the third embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(C1) When the monitoring unit 17 detects that the operation state of the device has been changed (see step S21 in FIG. 5), the state list relating to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of the collective control unit 15 12 data were updated in accordance with the change (see step S21 in FIG. 5). Further, if there is a change in the home person specified by the home person specifying means 1A due to going out (see step S40 in FIG. 11), the correspondence relationship is referred to the home person corresponding mode information 1C based on the home person information. Is selected (see step S42 in FIG. 11) and changed to the selected mode (see step S44 in FIG. 11). Since the control content of each mode is automatically changed according to the lifestyle, the labor of setting operation does not increase. In addition, since the new mode is recorded and set on the recording medium 11 (see step S46 in FIG. 11), the mode is automatically recorded in consideration of the person at home, so that the setting operation does not increase.

(C2) Other requirements, configurations, operations, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained {see the above-described items (a1) to (a4)}.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described according to the first to third embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this mode. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following forms may be realized.

(D1) In the first embodiment described above, a mode setting instruction is given from the input device 50. Instead of this form, it may be configured such that an instruction can be given via the network 70 from another terminal device (for example, the mobile phone 60 shown in FIG. 6). Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to select whether it can be instructed from any terminal device or only from a specific terminal device. In this way, the user can give instructions according to the lifestyle.

(D2) In the first and second embodiments, the operation state of the device is controlled only on / off / maintenance (see FIGS. 2 and 9). Instead of this form, a control amount controlled by the device may be added. The control amount includes, for example, the temperature in the floor heater 30, the water heater 31, the air conditioner 33, the humidity in the air conditioner 33, the amount of hot water in the water heater 31, the illuminance in the lighting fixture 34, the illuminance in the stove 32, the electromagnetic cooker, and the like. For thermal power and sensor terminals, sensitivity and the like are applicable. In this case, it is desirable to record control amount data in the status lists 12 and 24 and the reference list 25 together with on / off / current status data. Further, in step S12 of FIG. 3, the control amount is recorded together with the mode specifying information 13 and the time information 14, the changed control amount is updated in step S23 of FIG. 5, and the control amount is extracted as an extraction condition in step S33 of FIG. It is desirable to set the control amount in accordance with the extracted data in step S34 in FIG. In this way, it is possible to make fine settings for controlling each device, such as raising or lowering the temperature (room temperature, hot water temperature, etc.) or raising or lowering the amount of hot water.

(D3) In the first and second embodiments, the status lists 12 and 24, the reference list 25, and the correction list 26 are modes in which the life scene is divided into home / outing / residence / answering machine / sleeping / just before going home. The season is recorded separately for summer / winter (see FIGS. 2 and 9). Instead of this form, the recording may be performed in another mode or other matters. Other modes correspond to “getting up” corresponding to “sleeping”, “going out” corresponding to “going out” for a long time such as school and work, and “going out” for a short time such as shopping. Other items include, for example, the season (spring / autumn), calendar (weekday / holiday / day of the week, etc.), period (am / pm / all day / daytime / night, etc.), and the like. By increasing the mode and other items, the batch control can be performed in detail.

(D4) In the first and second embodiments, each device is controlled by the collective control means 15 by sending a signal to each device almost simultaneously. Instead of this form, a configuration may be adopted in which one or more devices connected to the device control apparatus 10 are controlled by sending a signal with a time difference (time lag). If the state list 12 shown in FIG. 2 is taken as an example and the sensor terminal is excluded, the hot water heater 31, the air conditioner 33, and the lighting fixture 34 are controlled to be turned on in the “summer” mode “just before returning home”. For example, when the mode “immediately before returning” is set as a reference time, the air conditioner 33 is turned on at the same time as the setting instruction so that the room is already cool when returning home, and the lighting apparatus is turned on after 15 minutes so that it is turned on when returning. It is conceivable that the water heater 31 is turned on after 30 minutes so that the user turns on 34 and then performs a chore before taking a bath. The time difference data can be realized by recording together with “◯” and “X” in the state list 12. In this way, the device can be finely controlled according to the behavior pattern of the householder.

(D5) In the first and second embodiments, the status lists 12 and 24, the reference list 25, and the correction list 26 are configured as fixed tables (see FIGS. 2 and 9). Instead of this form, a configuration in which a new mode is added to the list or an unnecessary mode may be deleted from the list.
The state list 12 will be described as an example. The mode addition means for adding a mode has a function of adding and recording data corresponding to the operation state of each device for a new mode other than the modes recorded as the state list 12 on the recording medium 11. For example, other modes described above (such as “getting up” and “going out”) are applicable. The mode deletion means for deleting a mode has a function of deleting an unnecessary mode from the state list 12 among the modes recorded as the state list 12 on the recording medium 11. One or both of the mode addition unit and the mode deletion unit is provided in the device control apparatus 10.

  If the mode is recorded in advance on the recording medium 11, it may not match the lifestyle. A new mode can be added by the mode adding means, and an unnecessary mode can be deleted by the mode deleting means. Therefore, it becomes possible to add / delete modes according to the lifestyle.

Since the device control apparatus 10 periodically or aperiodically transmits the state list 12 to the device management system 20, if the mode is added / deleted between the previous transmission and the next transmission, the addition / deletion is performed. The state list 12 after being sent is transmitted to the device management system 20. Therefore, mode addition / deletion can be reflected in the correction list 26.
In the above-described example, the description is applied to the state list 12, but the same applies to the case of applying to other lists. In addition, other items (season, calendar, period, etc.) combined with the mode may be provided in the same way.

(D6) In the third embodiment, the outsider is specified by the signal transmitted from the mobile phone 60, but the outsider is specified by the signal transmitted from another mobile terminal (for example, IC card, wireless IC tag, etc.). May be. In particular, since information for identifying a person can be recorded on an IC card, a wireless IC tag, etc., for example, it is possible to determine going out or going home by a sensor installed inside or outside the entrance door, and information recorded on the IC card, wireless IC tag, etc. The person who goes out can be specified by. In other words, it is easy to identify who has gone out and returned home. Thus, if a person who has gone out can be identified, a person who is at home can also be identified (step S40 in FIG. 11).

It is a block diagram showing typically an example of composition of an apparatus control device. It is a figure showing an example of a state list. It is a flowchart showing the example of a procedure of collective control processing. It is a figure showing the example of a recording of mode specific information and time information. It is a flowchart showing the example of a procedure of a data update process. It is a block diagram showing typically a configuration example and a connection example of a device management system. It is a flowchart showing the example of a procedure of apparatus management processing. It is a figure showing an example of extraction data. It is a figure showing an example of a correction list. It is a block diagram showing typically an example of composition of an apparatus control device. It is a flowchart showing the example of a procedure of collective control processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Device control apparatus 11 Recording medium 12 State list 13 Mode specific information 14 Timing information 15 Collective control means 16 Recording update means 17 Monitoring means 18 Notification means 19 Communication means 1A Home-person identification means 1B Home-person identification information 1C Home-house correspondence mode information DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Apparatus management system 21 State extraction means 22 Record correction means 23 Storage part 24 State list 25 Reference list 26 Correction list 27 List reception means 28 List transmission means 29 Communication means 30 Floor heater (house equipment; equipment)
31 Water heater (household equipment; equipment)
32 Stove (Housing equipment; equipment)
33 Air conditioner (Housing equipment; equipment)
34 Lighting equipment (household equipment; equipment)
35 Living window open / close sensor (sensor terminal; equipment)
36 Bedroom window open / close sensor (sensor terminal; equipment)
37 Entrance window open / close sensor (sensor terminal; equipment)
38 Living human sensor (sensor terminal; equipment)
39 Bedroom human sensor (sensor terminal; equipment)
40 Hallway human sensor (sensor terminal; equipment)
50 Input device (terminal device)
51 Display device 60 Mobile phone (terminal device)
70 Network 80 Extracted data

Claims (6)

A device control device that individually controls the operation of each device for a plurality of devices such as sensor terminals, home appliances, and housing equipment,
A communication means for transmitting and receiving signals to and from equipment and devices;
A recording medium for recording a status list composed of data in which the life scene is divided into a plurality of modes and the operation status of each device is associated with each mode;
Monitoring means for monitoring the operating state of each device based on the signal input by the communication means;
When the monitoring unit detects that the operation state of the device has been changed, a record update unit that updates the data of the state list related to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection according to the change,
In response to a mode setting instruction issued from the terminal device, operation state data is read from the state list for each device corresponding to the mode for which the setting instruction has been issued, and a signal is transmitted to each device by the communication means according to the read data content. And a collective control means for collectively controlling the operation by transmitting to the device. A device control device that individually controls the operation of each device for a plurality of devices such as sensor terminals, home appliances, and housing equipment,
A communication means for transmitting and receiving signals to and from equipment and devices;
The life scene is divided into a plurality of modes, and a status list composed of data in which the operation status of each device is associated with each mode and a home-responding mode information that defines a correspondence relationship between the home-resident and the mode are recorded. A recording medium;
Monitoring means for monitoring the operating state of each device based on the signal input by the communication means;
When the monitoring unit detects that the operation state of the device has been changed, a record update unit that updates the data of the state list related to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection according to the change,
A resident identification means for detecting and identifying a resident,
Based on the at-home person specified by the at-home person specifying means, the mode corresponding to the selected mode is selected by referring to the at-home person corresponding mode information, and the operation state data for each device corresponding to the selected mode is stored in the state. A device control apparatus comprising: a collective control unit that reads from a list and transmits a signal to each device by the communication unit according to the read data content to collectively control the operation. The device control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
When the monitoring unit detects that the operation state of the device has been changed, the record update unit updates data in the state list relating to the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection when a predetermined update condition is satisfied. Equipment control device. The device control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The collective control unit records the mode specifying information for specifying the mode in which the setting instruction is given and the timing information on the date and time of receiving the setting instruction and the day of the week on the recording medium, and records the date and time of the recorded timing information. A device control device that sets a corresponding mode when it becomes equal, and collectively controls the operation of each device according to the set mode. The device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the monitoring unit detects that the operation state of the device has been changed except for control by the collective control unit, the operation state of the device corresponding to the mode at the time of detection is referred to and recorded in the state list. A device control apparatus having a notification unit that notifies information related to a device whose operation state does not match if the detected operation state does not match the detected operation state. It is possible to communicate with a plurality of device control devices according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A list receiving means for receiving a status list recorded on a recording medium in one or more equipment control devices among the plurality of device control devices via a communication means;
Based on one or more status lists received by the list receiving means, state extracting means for extracting an operating state of a device that satisfies a predetermined extraction condition for each mode included in each status list;
Based on the operation state of the device extracted by the state extraction unit, a record correction unit that corrects the corresponding part in the reference state list;
A device management system comprising: a list transmission unit configured to transmit a state list modified by the recording modification unit for recording on each recording medium in the plurality of device control apparatuses.

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