JP2009118540A - Gateway apparatus, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gateway apparatus which acquires necessary information, and can avoid the confusion of control, when performing the centralized control of various appliances via communication. <P>SOLUTION: The gateway apparatus 100 includes a remote operation signal receiving portion 122 for receiving a signal including the addresses of a screen to display in a remote apparatus from the remote apparatus. This signal may include further parameters for indicating control contents with respect to an apparatus. The gateway apparatus 100 includes further a control signal transmitting portion 132 for specifying a control object apparatus based on the parameters and transmitting a control command to the control object apparatus when this signal includes the parameters, an apparatus information acquiring portion 124 for acquiring apparatus information showing the apparatus state, a screen creating portion 128 for creating screen information including a screen for selecting the control contents and a screen for displaying the apparatus information based on the addresses included in the receiving signal received by the remote operation signal receiving portion 122, and a screen information transmitting portion 130 for transmitting the screen information to the remote apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gateway device that processes communication between devices used at home and the like and remote devices for remotely controlling those devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a gateway device, a computer program, and a recording medium for processing information for performing remote operation on devices used by a plurality of users.

  With the development of information communication technology in recent years, attention has been paid to a technology for efficiently operating these electrical devices by allowing general electrical devices in the home to communicate.

  For example, communication between home appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines, and cooking appliances equipped with communication functions and remote devices used by users, and information on the status of these home appliances Is displayed on the screen of a remote device. With this system, the user of the remote device can obtain information on the status of the devices in the home on the go.

  In addition, for example, a system that controls various devices in a home individually or collectively via a common signal path is becoming common. In this system, remote devices for remotely controlling various devices are connected to a common signal path. Various devices are controlled by an operation with an operation switch provided on the main body and an operation with a remote device. It is possible to perform a control to turn off the power of various devices connected to the common signal path collectively by operating the remote device, and the operational efficiency and convenience of the various devices are improved.

  However, when this system is operated in a home where a plurality of users coexist, the person who actually uses the device is different from the person who operates with the remote device, so the following disadvantages occur. For example, when a user in a room is watching TV, another user performs an operation to turn off the TV using a remote device, which is related to the intention of the user actually watching TV. TV may be turned off.

  As a technology to prevent the occurrence of such harmful effects, set which control is to be given priority between control using the operation unit on the device side and control using a controller that centrally controls multiple devices. A home bus system that controls devices according to the setting is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  According to Patent Literature 1, in a home bus system, a plurality of devices used in a home are connected to a home bus controller via a home bus that is a common signal path. Control intensively. The operation unit of each device is connected to a home bus. The operation unit of the device individually controls the device by giving a control signal to the device via the home bus controller. The home bus controller is configured so that individual control by the operation unit of the device is performed in preference to intensive control by the home bus controller in accordance with a command from the operation unit of the home bus controller or a command from the operation unit of the device. (This setting is hereinafter referred to as “priority setting”). When a plurality of devices are intensively controlled by the home bus controller, the devices that have been set are excluded from the control targets. With this home bus system, it is possible to prevent adverse effects caused by unilaterally controlling devices from the home bus controller side when the devices are centrally controlled from the home bus controller.

JP-A-5-46210

  In the home bus system described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent a harmful effect on the actual user side of the device by unilaterally controlling the device from the home bus controller side. However, in this home bus system, the following adverse effects may occur particularly on the user side who performs control using the operation unit of the home bus controller.

  For example, it is assumed that after a user who actually uses a device performs priority setting for the device, the use of the device is terminated without releasing the priority setting. In such a case, the device should be controllable from the home bus controller side. However, control from the home bus controller side is not possible unless priority setting is canceled.

  In addition, for example, a user on the home bus controller side may not be able to directly check the operation state of the device because the home bus controller and the device to be controlled are not installed at a short distance. In such a case, the user who controls the device using the operation unit of the home bus controller cannot confirm whether the desired control is reflected in the device to be controlled or not. For this reason, there is a possibility that a difference occurs between the operation state that the user on the home bus controller side thinks should have been realized by the control and the operation state of the actual device.

  Furthermore, the user on the home bus controller side cannot determine whether the device is in a state that can be controlled from the home bus controller side or whether the device may be controlled.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable remote control of various devices through communication so that necessary information can be acquired and further control confusion can be avoided. It is to provide a gateway device for processing communication between an operation side device and a device to be controlled.

  The gateway device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a device that processes communication associated with control between a device to be controlled and a remote device that controls the device. The gateway device includes a receiving means for receiving a screen request signal transmitted from the remote device and requesting transmission of a screen to be displayed on the remote device. The screen request signal includes screen designation information for designating a screen to be displayed, and the requested signal may further include a control parameter indicating a control content regarding a device to be controlled. The gateway apparatus further responds to the determination means for determining whether or not the screen request signal received by the receiving means includes a control parameter, and the determination means determining that the screen request signal includes a control parameter. In response to a command transmission means for transmitting a control command, specifying a device to be controlled based on a control parameter, and a predetermined condition being satisfied, the device operates from the device to be controlled. In response to the reception of the screen request signal by the device information acquisition means for acquiring the device information indicating the status, the screen specified by the screen specification information included in the screen request signal is displayed on the remote device. Screen transmission means for creating screen information for transmission to a remote device. The screen transmission unit creates screen information based on the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit and information necessary to generate a control parameter for the device to be controlled.

  Screen information that enables the device to be controlled while confirming the state of the device on the remote device side can be created and provided to the remote device. Based on the control parameters generated by the remote device based on this screen information, a control command can be transmitted to the device to be controlled.

  Preferably, the gateway device further includes user information acquisition means for acquiring user information for specifying a user of a device to be controlled at a predetermined timing. The screen transmission means is a monitor for displaying a menu screen for allowing the remote device to select the control content related to the device to be controlled, the device information acquired by the device information acquisition means, and the user information acquired by the user information acquisition means. Screen information for displaying the screen on the remote device is created.

  By providing information indicating the operating state of the device and information regarding the user of the device to the operator who performs the remote operation, the operator performs control while confirming the presence of the user of the device. It becomes possible to avoid confusion between the operator and the user of the device.

  More preferably, the monitor screen includes a screen that displays the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit for the device to be selected for the control content based on the menu screen.

  The gateway device may further include a holding unit for holding information indicating the menu screen and device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit for the device related to the menu screen in association with the screen designation information. In response to the reception means receiving the screen request signal, the screen transmission means is based on the information indicating the menu screen that is held in the holding means and that is related to the screen designation information included in the screen request signal. A menu screen creating means for creating a screen, a monitor screen creating means for creating a monitor screen for displaying the device information by reading out the device information associated with the screen designation information included in the screen request signal from the holding unit, It includes means for creating screen information for displaying the menu screen created by the menu screen creating means and the monitor screen created by the monitor screen creating means on the remote device, and transmitting the screen information to the remote device.

  The menu screen related to the screen designation information can be displayed on the remote device together with the monitor screen that displays the device information of the device related to the control by the menu screen. Therefore, when the control content is selected using the remote device, it is possible to provide the remote device with device information about the device related to the selection.

  More preferably, the screen request signal may include a request command for requesting execution of control indicated by the control parameter, in addition to the screen designation information and the control parameter. In response to the determination by the determination means that the screen request signal includes a control parameter, the command transmission means includes a request determination means for determining whether or not the screen request signal includes a request command, and a screen request In response to the determination by the request determination means that the signal does not include a request command, a request for specifying a device to be controlled based on the control parameter and transmitting the control command and a screen request signal are requested. In response to the determination by the request determination means when including a command, the control parameter holding means for holding the control parameter included in the screen request signal, and the control indicated by the control parameter held in the control parameter holding means Including a request transmission means for transmitting a notification requesting execution of the request to a predetermined transmission destination.

  According to the request from the remote device side, the control of the device based on the control parameter can be suspended. In addition, it is possible to request control from another apparatus while holding the control. Therefore, it can be expected to avoid the adverse effects caused by unilaterally controlling the device from the remote device side.

  The command transmission means further includes a response determination means for determining whether or not the control parameter is a response to the notification in response to the determination that the screen request signal received by the reception means includes the control parameter, and a response determination In response to determining that the control parameter is a response to the notification by the means, the holding command transmission for identifying the control target device and transmitting the control command based on the control parameter held in the control parameter holding means Means.

  A response to the notification of the request is received, and the suspended control can be executed according to the response. Therefore, the right to determine whether to execute control based on the control parameter can be given to another device.

  In response to the determination by the response determination unit that the control parameter included in the screen request signal received by the reception unit is a response to the notification, the holding command transmission unit determines whether the control parameter is a predetermined type of response. Based on the determination result by the type determination unit and the type determination unit, the first process for realizing the control by the control parameter held in the control parameter holding unit and the control parameter holding unit Means for selectively executing a second process for postponing control by the control parameter.

  Depending on the type of response, whether to execute the pending control immediately or later is selected, so that the right to decide can be given to those who are requested to control the device. The control requested from the remote device can be executed at a timing convenient for the one that has received the control request.

  The gateway device may further include means for associating and storing a user and a remote device corresponding to the user. In response to the determination by the request determination unit that the screen request signal includes a request command, the request transmission unit is identified with a unit for identifying a device to be controlled by the control parameter based on the control parameter. A remote device specifying means for specifying the remote device corresponding to the user of the device with reference to the user information acquired by the user information acquiring means and the means for storing; and the control indicated by the control parameter. Means for sending a notification requesting execution to the remote device identified by the remote device identification means.

  It is possible to request the user of the device to hold the control. From the remote device side, it is possible to avoid unilaterally executing control against the intention of the user of the device.

  Preferably, the screen request signal may include a control reservation command for reserving execution of the control indicated by the control parameter, in addition to the screen designation information and the control parameter, and the command transmission unit may receive the screen received by the reception unit. Based on the control parameter in response to the determination that the request signal includes a control reservation command and the determination that the screen information does not include the control reservation command. A control parameter included in the screen request signal is determined in response to the determination of the device to be controlled and transmitting the control command, and in response to the determination by the reservation determination unit that the screen information includes the control reservation command. In response to a lapse of a predetermined time since the control parameter holding means holds the control parameter. A timer for issuing an intelligence signal, and means for identifying a device to be controlled based on a control parameter held in the control parameter holding means and transmitting a control command in response to a predetermined notification signal including.

  It becomes possible to reserve the control of the device based on the control parameter, and it is possible to execute the control later when it is not desirable to immediately execute the control of the desired device.

  Preferably, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information from the device to be controlled in response to the screen request signal received by the receiving unit requesting transmission of a predetermined screen. including.

  By acquiring the device information in response to the request by the screen request signal, it is possible to efficiently acquire the device information.

  Preferably, in response to a predetermined condition relating to control of the device to be controlled being satisfied, a message creating means for creating a predetermined message and a predetermined message for transmitting to a predetermined destination Message transmission means.

  By creating and transmitting a predetermined message related to device control via the gateway device, information related to device control can be provided to a predetermined destination.

  More preferably, the message creation means includes means for creating a predetermined message in response to the reception means receiving the screen request signal.

  The predetermined message may include a message indicating that the screen information designated by the screen designation signal is transmitted.

  It is possible to notify as a message what kind of screen information is transmitted. With this message, information that makes it possible to predict what kind of control will be executed in the future can be provided to the destination of the message.

  More preferably, the message creation means includes means for creating a predetermined message in response to the determination by the determination means that the screen request signal includes the control parameter.

  The predetermined message may include a message indicating that a control command is transmitted.

  A message can indicate that control is about to be performed by the remote device.

  More preferably, the gateway device further includes event detection means for detecting that the operation state of the device has changed. The message creation means includes means for creating a predetermined message in response to the event detection means detecting that the operating state of the device has changed.

  The predetermined message may include a message indicating that the operation state of the device has changed.

  It is possible to notify when a change occurs in the operating state of the device. Even when there is a user who directly operates the device, a message indicating that the device has changed to the operating state can be transmitted to a predetermined transmission destination. Further, when the remote device receives this message, it can be confirmed from the remote device side whether or not the control performed through the gateway device is reflected.

  More preferably, the gateway device further includes remote device information holding means for holding information identifying the remote device. The message creation means is for creating a predetermined message in response to the transmission source of the screen request signal received by the reception means being a remote device indicated by the information held in the remote device information holding means. Including means.

  The predetermined message may include a message indicating that the screen information is transmitted to the remote device indicated by the information held in the remote device information holding means.

  When there are a plurality of remote devices, it is possible to notify other devices as messages which remote device is going to select the control content.

  The gateway device may further include means for receiving information identifying the remote device from other devices and storing the information in the remote device information holding means.

  It is possible to set a condition for transmitting a message in accordance with information from another device.

  The screen request signal may further include information to be stored in the gateway device and an instruction for storing the information. More preferably, the gateway device further includes means for storing information to be stored in response to receiving the command.

  The message creating means creates a predetermined message in response to the screen designation information included in the screen request signal received by the receiving means corresponding to the information held in the storing means. Means may be included.

  It is possible to receive a message transmission condition from a remote device, create a message according to the condition, and transmit the message.

  The predetermined message may include a message indicating that the screen information designated by the screen designation information is transmitted.

  More preferably, the gateway device further includes means for holding information for specifying a transmission destination of a message created by the message creating means. The message transmission means includes means for transmitting the message created by the message creation means to the transmission destination specified by the information for specifying the transmission destination held in the holding means.

  The destination of the message can be limited.

  The gateway device may further include means for receiving information for specifying a message transmission destination from another device and storing it in the means for holding.

  The destination of the message can be limited according to information given from another device.

  The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention is a computer-executable program that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to operate as the gateway device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  By executing this program on a computer, the operation and effect of the first aspect of the present invention can be realized by the computer.

  The recording medium according to the third aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the gateway device can create screen information that enables the device to be controlled while checking the state of the device on the remote device side, and can provide the screen information to the remote device. Based on the control parameters generated by the remote device based on this screen information, a control command can be transmitted to the device to be controlled. In addition, the operator can perform control while confirming the presence of the user of the device, and avoid confusion between the operator and the user of the device. Therefore, when the control content is selected using the remote device, it is possible to provide the remote device with device information about the device related to the selection.

  According to the request from the remote device side, the control of the device based on the control parameter can be suspended. In addition, it is possible to request control from another apparatus while holding the control. Therefore, it can be expected to avoid the adverse effects caused by unilaterally controlling the device from the remote device side. In addition, the right to determine whether to execute control based on the control parameter can be given to another device. The control requested from the remote device can be executed at a timing convenient for the one that has received the control request. It is possible to request the user of the device to hold the control. From the remote device side, it is possible to avoid unilaterally executing control against the intention of the user of the device. In addition, it is possible to reserve control of a device based on the control parameter, and it is possible to reserve execution when it is not desirable to immediately execute control of a desired device.

  In addition, by acquiring device information in response to a request from the screen request signal, device information can be acquired efficiently.

  By creating and transmitting a predetermined message related to device control via the gateway device, information related to device control can be provided to a predetermined destination. It is possible to notify as a message what kind of screen information is transmitted. With this message, it is possible to provide information that can predict what kind of control will be executed in the future to the transmission destination.

  When a change occurs in the operation state of the device, it is possible to notify by a message. Even when there is a user who directly operates the device, a message indicating that the device has changed to the operating state can be transmitted to a predetermined transmission destination. Further, when the remote device receives this message, it can be confirmed from the remote device side whether or not the control performed through the gateway device is reflected. Even when there are a plurality of remote devices, it is possible to notify other devices as messages which remote device is going to execute control. It is possible to set a condition for transmitting a message in accordance with information from another device.

  Further, it is possible to receive a message transmission condition from a remote device, create a message according to the condition, and transmit the message. Furthermore, the transmission destination of a message can be limited. Further, the destination of the message can be limited according to information given from another device.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the system 60 containing the gateway apparatus 100 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the gateway apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information hold | maintained at the remote operation information storage part 126. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a screen format 140. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen information table 142 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the initial screen displayed on the remote device. It is a figure which shows an example of the top menu screen produced by the screen creation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the control application menu screen produced by the screen creation part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer 240 which operate | moves as the gateway apparatus 100 with a computer program. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a program that causes a computer to operate as a gateway device 100. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the system 290 containing the gateway apparatus 300 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the gateway apparatus 300 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the remote control management table 340. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message format 342. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that causes a computer to operate as gateway device 300. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the processing structure of the message transmission process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program which makes a computer operate | move as a gateway apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the gateway apparatus 420 which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a user registration screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the pull-down menu in the input area 452 of the user registration screen. It is a flowchart which shows the processing structure of the message transmission process in the program operated as the gateway apparatus 420 which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the gateway apparatus 510 which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing structure of the program which operates a computer as the gateway apparatus 510 which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process structure of the process which the adapter which concerns on 5th Embodiment performs. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the gateway apparatus 580 which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a transmission destination management table. It is a figure which shows an example of a user management table. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen information table which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the top menu screen which the screen creation part 582 produces in 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a transmission destination registration screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the pull-down menu of the form which designates an application. It is a figure which shows an example of a user registration screen. It is a flowchart which shows the processing structure of the program which makes a computer operate | move as a gateway apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the gateway apparatus 800 which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a control signal temporary storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the control information management table 860. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen information which the screen creation part 828 which concerns on 7th Embodiment produces. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen information for confirmation of a request message. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen information which transmits a request message and requests | requires transmission of a reply signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen information for performing remote operation using the control signal temporarily stored. It is a flowchart which shows the processing structure of the program which operates a computer as a gateway apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a gateway device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a system including the gateway device will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used for the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
(System configuration)
FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of a system 60 including a gateway device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a system 60 according to the present embodiment is installed in a home, and is controlled by devices 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D, and these devices 70A,..., 70D. To acquire information inside the installed device (hereinafter, this information is referred to as “device information”), transmit the device information via communication, and receive the control signal via communication. Including an adapter 72A, an adapter 72B, an adapter 72C, and an adapter 72D that provide a control signal to the installed device.

  The devices 70A and 70B are installed in a room 80A in the home, and the devices 70C and 70D are installed in a room 80B in the home. In the room 80A, it is assumed that there is a user 90A who directly and individually operates the devices 70A and 70B. In addition, it is assumed that there is a user 90B who directly and individually operates the devices 70C and 70D in the room 80B.

  The system 60 is further installed in each of the room 80A and the room 80B. The system 60 senses that the user 90A or the user 90B is in the installed room, and information about the sensed user (hereinafter, this information is referred to as “user information”). The sensor 92A and the sensor 92B are transmitted.

  The system 60 further includes a remote device 96 that is remotely operated by a user 94 who is a remote operator of the devices 70A,. The system 60 further transmits each of the adapters 72A,..., 72D according to a signal (hereinafter referred to as “remote operation signal”) specifying the content of the operation by the user 94 transmitted from the remote device 96. Device information to be acquired, user information transmitted by the sensors 92A and 92B, information on predetermined screen display including a screen for displaying the acquired device information and user information, and an operation screen for remote operation (Hereinafter, this information is referred to as “screen information”) and is transmitted to the remote device 96. Further, according to the remote operation signal transmitted from the remote device 96, the control signals of the devices 70A,. 72A,..., 72D are included.

  Specifically, as the device 70A, the device 70B, the device 70C, and the device 70D, a lighting device, a television receiver (hereinafter simply referred to as “TV”), an air conditioner (hereinafter simply referred to as “air conditioner”). And general household appliances such as washing machines are assumed. The control of each device performed by the system 60 is typically turning on / off the device. Various sensors 92A and 92B are assumed. For example, these sensors may be composed of an apparatus such as a monitoring camera and an image processing apparatus. Moreover, the badge which recorded the information for specifying a user individual may be installed in a user, a sensor may read information from a badge, and may transmit the read information to the gateway apparatus 100 as user information.

  The remote device 96 receives and displays the screen information transmitted by the gateway device 100 and receives input from the user 94, and determines a remote operation signal to be transmitted to the gateway device 100 based on the input and the screen information. And a function of transmitting the determined remote operation signal. As the remote device 96, a mobile phone or the like capable of data communication can be used.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the gateway apparatus 100 in a block diagram form. Referring to FIG. 2, gateway device 100 includes adapters 72 </ b> A,..., 72 </ b> D, sensors 92 </ b> A and 92 </ b> B and remote device 96 shown in FIG. A remote operation signal is received, and based on the received remote operation signal, a command signal for instructing acquisition of device information and a command signal for instructing creation of screen information are issued. A remote operation signal receiving unit 122 for separating and extracting control parameters indicating control contents.

  The gateway device 100 further responds to a command signal issued by the remote operation signal receiving unit 122, and receives device information and usage from the adapters 72A, ..., 72D, and the sensors 92A and 92B (see FIG. 1) via the communication unit 120. A device information acquisition unit 124 that acquires user information, a device information and user information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 124, and a remote operation information storage unit 126 that stores information used to create screen information. . The gateway apparatus 100 further includes a screen creation unit 128 that creates screen information based on information held by the remote operation information storage unit 126 in response to a command signal issued by the remote operation signal reception unit 122, and a screen creation unit 128. And a screen transmission unit 130 that transmits the created screen information to the remote device 96 via the communication unit 120. Further, the gateway device 100 transmits a control signal for controlling the devices 70A,..., 70D to the adapters 72A,..., 72D via the communication unit 120 according to the control parameters separated and extracted by the remote operation signal receiving unit 122. A control signal transmission unit 132 is included.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of information held in the remote operation information storage unit 126. Referring to FIG. 3, remote operation information storage unit 126 includes screen format 140 that defines the display mode of screen information created by screen creation unit 128 shown in FIG. 2, and device information acquired by device information acquisition unit 124. And screen information table 142 that stores information indicating the status of each device 70A,..., 70D, setting of control parameters indicating the contents of remote control using the remote device 96, screen information, Applications 144A, 144B,... For making associations with control parameters and other settings necessary for device control are included.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the screen format 140 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, a screen format 140 includes a monitor screen format 160 that defines a display mode of a monitor area for displaying device information and user information constituting the screen information table 142 (see FIG. 3), and an application. 144A, 144B,... Includes a menu screen format 162A, 162B,... That defines a menu area for realizing a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The menu screen formats 162A, 162B,... Typically include information in a predetermined format that defines a so-called web page display mode on the Internet, such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language). Based on the information of the screen format 140, a menu area for performing remote operation using the remote device 96 (see FIG. 1), device information of the devices 70A,..., 70D, and user information regarding the user 90A and the user 90B. Screen information including a monitor area for display is created.

  The created screen information is given an address for accessing the screen information. The address is typically a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) used for specifying a web page or the like. For example, the predetermined screen information is identified by a URL “http: //gw/rimo/index.html”.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the screen information table 142 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, screen information table 142 includes a plurality of entries for each address of screen information. Each entry of the screen information table 142 includes an address 170 of screen information, a name 172 of a menu area displayed by the screen information of the address, and a name of a device whose device information should be displayed in the monitor region in relation to the menu region. 174 and a monitor function name 176 that defines the display contents of the monitor area displayed corresponding to the menu area. Each entry of the screen information table 142 further includes a sensor name 178 for acquiring user information to be displayed in the monitor area, and an adapter name 180 for acquiring device information to be displayed. Each entry of the screen information table 142 further includes a user name 182 for storing user information about the user sensed by the sensor, and a state 184 for storing device information received from the adapter.

  Each entry in the screen information table 142 indicates the following, for example. That is, the menu area of the screen information of “address 0” in the screen information table 142 is a menu area named “top menu”. The top menu is a menu area for displaying a list of control applications of devices to be controlled. Corresponding to this menu area, device information of devices whose names are “TV A”, “Lighting A”, “TV B”, and “Lighting B” is displayed in the monitor region. The displayed device information is defined by the monitor function “top monitor”, and there are two sensors from which user information is to be acquired, which are sensors named “sensor A” and “sensor B”, respectively. The names of the adapters from which the device information is to be acquired are “1a”, “2a”, “3a”, and “4a”, respectively. The user information of the user detected by the sensor named “Sensor A” is “User A”, and the user information of the user detected by the sensor named “Sensor B” is “User B”. The device information acquired by the adapters “1a”, “2a”, “3a”, and “4a” are “on”, “on”, “off”, and “on”, respectively.

  The applications 144A, 144B,... Corresponding to the menu area associate each element on the GUI defined by each menu screen format 162A,... Shown in FIG. . The remote operation signal includes an address of screen information to be created next by the screen creation unit 126. Further, the remote operation signal associated with the GUI element for transmitting the control signal for the devices 70A,..., 70D includes a control parameter in addition to the address of the menu area. The control parameter includes a name for identifying the adapter installed in the device to be controlled, and information indicating the content of the control signal to be transmitted to the adapter. For example, if the name of the adapter 72A shown in FIG. 1 is “2a” and the information indicating the control to turn off the power is “off”, the power supply of the device 70A in which the adapter 72A is installed The control parameter for turning off is “2a & off”. The remote operation signal in such a case is “http: //gw/rimo/index.html&2a&off” including the URL and the control parameter.

  The remote device 96 according to the present embodiment roughly displays the following three types of screens. That is, the first type screen is an initial screen for performing an operation for starting the operation of the system 60. The second type screen is a top menu screen for performing an operation of selecting a remote operation target. The third type screen is an individual application menu screen for performing an operation of determining the control contents of the device to be remotely controlled and transmitting a control signal to the adapters 72A, ..., 72D selected on the top menu screen. is there.

  The initial screen is displayed when the remote device 96 is activated, when the remote device 96 is connected to the gateway device 100, when a user inputs a predetermined input to the remote device 96, or when the system 60 becomes operable. Is displayed.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the initial screen. Referring to FIG. 6, initial screen 200 displays remote control menu button 202 that is a GUI element for performing an operation for starting a series of remote operations by system 60. The remote control menu button 202 is associated with the address of the top menu screen. When the remote control menu button 202 is pressed, the remote device 96 transmits the address of the top menu screen associated with this button as a remote operation signal.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a top menu screen 210 for performing an operation of selecting a remote operation target. Referring to FIG. 7, a top menu screen 210 includes a monitor area 212 for displaying device information and user information, and a menu area 214 for realizing a GUI for selecting a remote operation target. In the monitor area 212, device information about devices that can be controlled via the gateway device 100 and user information about a user who may control each device individually are displayed. In the menu area 214, application buttons 216A, 216B,... That are GUI elements for selecting individual application menus are displayed. Each of the application buttons 216A, 216B,... Is associated with an address of an individual application menu screen by an application of the top menu. When the application buttons 216A, 216B,... Are pressed, the remote device 96 transmits the address of the application menu screen associated with the button as a remote operation signal.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an individual application menu screen 220. Referring to FIG. 8, the individual application screen 220 includes a monitor area 222 and a menu area 224, similarly to the top menu screen 210. In the application menu screen 220, device information and user information related to a device that is a target of remote operation on the application screen 220 are displayed in the monitor area 222. In the menu area 224, operation buttons 226A and 226B, which are GUI elements for selecting control contents related to a device that is a target of remote operation, are displayed. Each of the operation buttons 226A and 226B is associated with a remote operation signal including an address of screen information to be displayed next and a control parameter indicating a control content by an individual application. When the operation button 226A or 226B is pressed, the remote device 96 transmits a remote operation signal associated with the operation button.

  The system 60 operates as follows as a whole.

  Referring to FIG. 1, it is assumed that a user 90A operates devices 70A and 70B individually in a room 80A. In addition, it is assumed that the user 90B operates the devices 70C and 70D individually in the room 80B. System 60 is already operational and remote device 96 displays initial screen 200 (see FIG. 6).

  When the user 94 presses the remote control menu button 202 on the initial screen 200 (see FIG. 6), the remote device 96 transmits a remote operation signal including the address of the top menu screen associated with this button to the gateway device 100.

  In response to receiving the remote operation signal including the address of the top menu screen, the gateway device 100 acquires device information and user information at that time from the adapters 72A,..., 72D and the sensors 92A and 92B. save. The gateway device 100 creates screen information of the top menu screen 210 (see FIG. 7) based on the acquired and stored device information and user information, and transmits the screen information to the remote device 96.

  The remote device 96 receives the screen information from the gateway device 100 and displays it. The remote device 96 displays a top menu screen 210 shown in FIG. The user 94 refers to the monitor area 212 of the top menu screen 210 and selects a device to be controlled. Here, it is assumed that the user 94 selects a device whose device name is “lighting A”. When the user 94 presses the “lighting A application” button among the application buttons 216A,... In the menu area 214, the remote device 96 transmits a remote operation signal associated with the pressed application button to the gateway device 100. .

  When the gateway device 100 receives a new remote operation signal, an application menu screen 220 (see FIG. 8) for operating the “lighting A” is created based on the received remote operation signal and transmitted to the remote device 96. .

  The remote device 96 receives the screen information from the gateway device 100 again and displays it. The remote device 96 displays an application menu screen 220 shown in FIG. When the user 94 determines the content of the control with reference to the monitor area 222 and presses the operation button 226A or B in the menu area 224, the remote device 96 sends a remote operation signal associated with the operation button to the gateway device 100. Send.

  When the gateway device 100 receives a remote operation signal including a control parameter, the gateway device 100 separates the control parameter from the received remote operation signal. A control signal is transmitted to the adapter identified by the control parameter. The adapter 72A, 72B, 72C, or 72D (see FIG. 1) that has received the control signal supplies the provided control signal to the installed equipment 70A, 70B, 70C, or 70D. The device given the control signal operates according to the given control signal.

  Hereinafter, details of the operation of the gateway device 100 will be described in the order of creation of screen information for the top menu, creation of screen information for the application menu, and transmission of control signals.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when remote operation signal receiving unit 122 of gateway device 100 receives a remote operation signal from remote device 96 via communication unit 120, the address included in the received remote operation signal is the address of the top menu screen. It is determined whether or not. When it is determined that the address is that of the top menu, the remote operation signal receiving unit 122 gives the address of the top menu screen to the device information acquisition unit 124.

  In response to receiving the address of the top menu screen, the device information acquisition unit 124 commands the adapters 72A,..., 72D and the sensors 92A and 92B shown in FIG. Is transmitted via the communication unit 120.

  When the device information acquisition unit 124 acquires device information from the adapters 72A,..., 72D and user information from the sensors 92A and 92B via the communication unit 120, the device information and user information are acquired. The information is stored in the screen information table 142 (see FIG. 5) of the operation information storage unit 126. The device information is stored in the state item 184 of the screen information table 142. The user information is stored in the user name item 182.

  When the storage of the device information and the user information is completed, the device information acquisition unit 124 gives the address of the top menu screen to the screen creation unit 128.

  Upon receiving the address of the top menu screen, the screen creation unit 128 creates a menu area for screen information at a given address from the menu screen formats 162A, 162B,... Shown in FIG. Select the menu screen format for reading. The screen creation unit 128 creates menu area information at a given address based on the read menu screen format and the applications 144A, 144B,... (See FIG. 3) that have a corresponding relationship with the menu screen format. To do. Here, information on the menu area of the top menu screen is created.

  Since the screen creation unit 128 is given the address of the top menu screen, the screen creation unit 128 reads the monitor screen format 160 from the screen format 140, and from the screen information table shown in FIG. The information stored in the “top menu” entry is read. The screen creation unit 128 creates monitor area information including the device information and user information acquired and stored by the device information acquisition unit 124. The screen creation unit 128 creates the screen information of the top menu screen 210 (see FIG. 7) by combining the created menu area information and the monitor area information. The screen creation unit 128 gives the created screen information to the screen transmission unit 130 shown in FIG. The screen transmission unit 130 transmits the given screen information to the remote device 96 via the communication unit 120.

  When receiving the remote operation signal from the remote device 96 via the communication unit 120, the remote operation signal receiving unit 122 of the gateway device 100 receives the address of the address included in the received remote operation signal as in the case of creating the screen information of the top menu. Make a decision.

  If it is determined that the address included in the received remote operation signal is not for the top menu screen, the remote operation signal receiving unit 122 gives this address to the screen creating unit 128. The screen creation unit 128 refers to the screen information table 142 (see FIG. 5), reads a menu screen format for creating a menu area of screen information corresponding to a given address, and obtains information on the menu area. create. The screen creation unit 128 further reads the information held in each item of the entry corresponding to the address to create monitor information. The information of the monitor area created here is the apparatus information regarding the apparatus to be controlled in the menu area and the user information of the user who may control the apparatus individually. However, these pieces of information are obtained when the top menu screen is created. The screen creation unit 128 creates screen information 220 including the created menu area information and monitor area information, and supplies the screen information 220 to the screen transmission unit 130. The screen transmission unit 130 transmits screen information to the remote device 96 illustrated in FIG. 1 via the communication unit 120.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when remote operation signal receiving unit 122 of gateway device 100 receives a remote operation signal including an address and a control parameter via communication unit 120, remote operation signal receiving unit 122 receives the remote operation signal. The address and control parameters included in the are separated from each other, and based on the address, a signal for instructing the creation of the screen information is generated in the same operation as described above. Further, the remote control signal receiving unit 122 gives the separated control parameter to the control signal transmitting unit 132.

  Based on the given control parameter, the control signal transmission unit 132 specifies an adapter installed in the device to be controlled and a control signal to be transmitted to the adapter. The control signal transmission unit 132 transmits a control signal to the specified adapter via the communication unit 120.

  The gateway apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can be realized by a general computer and a computer program executed on them. Of course, part or all of the functions of the gateway device 100 can be realized by hardware instead of software.

  FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a computer 240 used in this embodiment. Note that the computer 240 shown here is merely an example, and various other configurations are possible. Referring to FIG. 9, a computer 240 includes a bus 241, a central processing unit (CPU) 242, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 244 storing a boot-up program of the computer 240, and the like. , A RAM (Random Access Memory) 246 that provides a work area used by the CPU 242 and a storage area for programs executed by the CPU 242, a screen format 140, a screen information table 142, an application 144 A,... Hard disk 248 to be included. The computer 240 is further connected to a bus 241 and communicates with other devices via a wired or wireless communication network, and a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) connected to the bus 241. ) Drive 254 is included.

  The software that implements the gateway device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is recorded and distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM 252 and is distributed to the computer 240 via a reader such as a CD-ROM drive 254. It is read and stored in the hard disk 248. When the CPU 242 executes this program, the program is read from the hard disk 248 and stored in the RAM 246, and an instruction is read from an address designated by a program counter (not shown) and executed. The CPU 242 reads data to be processed from the hard disk 248 and stores the processing result in the hard disk 54 as well. Since the operation of the computer 240 is well known, details thereof will not be described here.

  Note that the software distribution form is not limited to the form fixed to the storage medium as described above. For example, data from other computers connected through a network may be distributed in a form received by the network interface 250. Further, there may be a distribution form in which a part of software is stored in the hard disk 248 in advance, and the remaining part of the software is taken into the hard disk 248 via a network and integrated at the time of execution.

  In general, a modern program uses general-purpose functions provided by a computer operating system (OS) or a so-called third party, and executes them in an organized form according to a desired purpose. Achieve the goal. Therefore, even if the program (group) does not include general-purpose functions provided by the OS or a third party among the functions of the present embodiment, and specifies only a combination of execution orders of these general-purpose functions. It is obvious that they are included in the technical scope of the present invention as long as they are a program (s) having a control structure that achieves a desired purpose as a whole using them.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to operate as gateway device 100 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 10, when the program is started, control proceeds to step (hereinafter simply referred to as “S”) 262. In S262, a remote operation signal is received from the remote device 96 (see FIG. 1), and the process proceeds to S264. In S264, it is determined whether or not a control parameter is added to the remote operation signal. If a control parameter has been added, the process proceeds to S266. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S272.

  In S266, the address of the screen information to be displayed and the control parameter included in the remote operation signal are separated, and the process proceeds to S268. In S268, a control signal having the content specified by the control parameter is transmitted to any of the adapters 72A,..., 72D (see FIG. 1) specified by the control parameter, and the process proceeds to S272.

  In S272, it is determined whether or not the address of the screen information included in the received remote operation signal is that of the top menu screen. If it is the address of the top menu screen, the control proceeds to S274. If it is any other address, the control proceeds to S280.

  In S274, a signal for instructing transmission of information is issued to the adapter and sensor connected to the gateway apparatus 100, and the process proceeds to S276. In S276, device information and user information transmitted by the adapter and sensor are received, organized into predetermined items in the screen information table 142, and the process proceeds to S278. In S278, it is determined whether the reception and storage of the user information and device information is completed. When the saving is completed, the process proceeds to S280. If the saving has not ended, the control returns to S276.

  In S280, based on the remote operation signal, address information is read from the screen information table, the screen information to be created, the application and screen format corresponding to the menu area, the device information stored in the screen information table, and Read user information. Screen information is created based on the read information. Control proceeds to S282. In S282, the screen information created in S280 is transmitted to the remote device 96 that is the transmission source of the remote operation signal, and the control returns to S262.

  As described above, gateway device 100 according to the present embodiment provides device information and user information together to remote device 96. This makes it easy for the user 94 of the remote device 96 to know whether there is a person using the device, or who is using the device, regarding information regarding the operating state of the device.

  In the first embodiment described above, the remote device 96 controls the devices 70A,..., 70D via the gateway device 100. However, it is also possible for the remote device 96 to directly transmit a control signal to the devices 70A,. In such a case, in response to the operation input by the user 94, the remote device 96 sends the address of the screen information to be displayed among the information associated with the GUI element in the menu area to the gateway device 100 as a remote operation signal. At the same time, the control parameters are transmitted to the devices 70A,..., 70D or the adapters 72A,. The gateway device 100 creates new screen information based on the address included in the received remote operation signal, and transmits it to the remote device 96.

[Second Embodiment]
In the system 60 according to the first embodiment, the gateway device 100 creates screen information including device information and user information and transmits the screen information to the remote device 96. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. A system according to a second embodiment described below includes a plurality of remote devices. Further, the gateway device further has a function of transmitting a message indicating the control contents and the like to another remote device based on a remote operation signal from a certain remote device.

  FIG. 11 shows an outline of a system 290 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, system 290 according to the present embodiment includes devices 70A,..., 70D, adapters 72A,. Sensors 92A and 92B that are installed in 80A and 80B, respectively, detect user 90A and user 90B and transmit user information, respectively.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the system 290 further includes a remote device 96A similar to the remote device 96 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and possessed by the user 90A, the user 90B, and the user 94, respectively. 96B and 96C are included. The system 290 should transmit to the remote devices 96A,..., 96C based on the remote operation signals transmitted from the remote devices 96A,. The gateway device 300 further includes a function of creating and transmitting a message.

  FIG. 12 shows a functional configuration of the gateway device 300 in a block diagram form. Referring to FIG. 12, gateway device 300 includes communication unit 120, device information acquisition unit 124, screen creation unit 128, screen transmission unit 130, and control signal transmission unit similar to gateway device 100 shown in FIG. 132.

  In addition to the functions of the remote operation signal receiving unit 122 shown in FIG. 2, the gateway device 300 requires the remote operation signals from the remote devices 96A,..., 96C shown in FIG. A remote operation signal receiving unit 322 having a function of issuing a message creation command and a message transmission command signal according to the determination result. In addition to the functions of the remote operation information storage unit 126 shown in FIG. 2, the gateway device 300 creates a remote control management table that stores information for identifying the remote devices 96A, 96B, and 96C, and a message. A remote operation information storage unit 326 that holds a message format for storing the information.

  Further, the gateway device 300 is connected to the remote operation signal receiving unit 322 and the remote operation information storage unit 326, and is held in the remote operation information storage unit 326 in response to a message creation command signal issued by the remote operation signal reception unit 322. A message creation unit 330 that creates a message based on the remote control management table and the message format, a communication unit 120, a remote operation signal reception unit 322, a remote operation information storage unit 326, and a message creation unit 330; In response to the message transmission command signal issued by the remote operation signal receiving unit 322, the message created by the message creation unit 330 based on the remote control management table held in the remote operation information storage unit 326 is sent via the communication unit 120. Messages to be transmitted to the remote devices 96A, 96B, and 96C shown in FIG. And an over-di-transmission unit 332.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the remote control management table. Referring to FIG. 13, remote control management table 340 is information including a plurality of entries corresponding to remote devices 96A, 96B, and 96C shown in FIG. 10, and each entry indicates the name of the remote device. A remote device item for storing information, a user item for storing information for identifying a user who owns the remote device, and an e-mail address used when transmitting a message to the remote device are stored. Email address field.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the message format. Referring to FIG. 14, in message format 342, a template serving as initial information for creating a message is stored for each item. Each of the templates includes a variable part surrounded by “()” and other fixed sentence parts. By substituting the user name, device name, control name, etc. corresponding to the given parameter into the variable part, it is possible to create a message using this template.

  For example, it is assumed that the given control parameter specifies the control for turning off the power of the device “TV A”. In this case, the message creation unit 330 reads the template stored in the first item from the message format 342 shown in FIG. 14 and creates a message “(TV A) has been turned off”. The created message is given to the message transmission unit 332.

  Gateway device 300 according to the present embodiment operates as follows.

  The gateway device 300 creates and transmits screen information in response to remote operation signals from the remote devices 96A,..., 96C, similarly to the gateway device 100 according to the first embodiment.

  When the remote operation signal receiving unit 322 of the gateway device 300 receives the remote operation information to which the control parameter is added from any of the remote devices 96A,..., 96C that have received the screen information, the remote operation signal receiving unit 322 relates to the first embodiment. Similar to the remote operation signal receiving unit 122, the control parameter and the screen information address are separated, a signal for instructing the creation of the screen information is issued, and the control parameter is given to the control signal transmitting unit 132. The remote operation signal receiving unit 322 further gives the separated control parameter to the message transmitting unit 330.

  In response to the control parameter from the remote operation signal receiving unit 322, the message creation unit 330 reads a predetermined template from the message format 342 stored in the remote operation information storage unit 326. The message creation unit 330 creates a message to be transmitted by substituting the name of the device specified by the control parameter, the user name, the control content, and the like into the predetermined variable portion of the read template.

  The message transmission unit 332 refers to the mail address stored in the remote control management table 340 (see FIG. 13) of the remote operation information storage unit 326 and sends the message given via the communication unit 120 to each remote device 96A,. , 96C.

  The gateway device 300 according to the present embodiment can be realized by a computer and a program that can be executed on the computer, like the gateway device 100 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to operate as gateway device 300 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 15, the program according to the present embodiment has a control structure similar to the program according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. When the program according to the present embodiment is activated, the process proceeds to S262, which is the same as the program according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and the remote device 96A, 96B, 96C,. Receives an operation signal. In S264, it is determined whether or not a control parameter for controlling the device is added to the received remote operation signal. If a control parameter has been added, control proceeds to S266. Otherwise, control proceeds to S272.

  In S266, the address information included in the received remote operation signal and the control parameter are separated, and the process proceeds to S268. In S268, a control signal is transmitted based on the separated control parameter. Control proceeds to S370. In S370, a message transmission process for creating and transmitting a message is executed, and the process proceeds to S272. Details of the message transmission process will be described later. Hereinafter, the control structure of each step from S272 to S282 is the same as that of the program according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed description will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control structure of message transmission processing S370 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 16, when message transmission processing S370 is started, control proceeds to S380, control parameters separated from the remote operation signal, retained screen information table 142 (see FIG. 5), remote control management table A message to be transmitted is created using 340 (see FIG. 13) and the message format. Control proceeds to S382. In S382, the message created in S380 is transmitted to a remote device other than the remote device that is the transmission source of the remote operation signal, and the message transmission process is terminated. Control proceeds to S272 shown in FIG.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the gateway device 300 creates and transmits a message when transmitting a control signal to a device. However, the gateway device creates and transmits a message to the remote devices 96A, 96B, and 96C before the device is controlled, that is, when an application menu screen for controlling the device is created. Also good.

  In this case, the gateway device creates and transmits a message before receiving the remote operation signal including the control parameter from any of the remote devices 96A,. The template for creating a message is different from that exemplified in the second embodiment, and indicates that the control of the device is started from now on. For example, using the template stored in the second item of the message format 342 shown in FIG. 14, a message “(TV A application) is provided” is created. The created message is transmitted from the gateway device 300 to the remote devices 96A,..., 96C, as in the above embodiment.

  When the remote devices 96A,..., 96C receiving the message display this message, the users 90A, 90B, and 94 can know in advance the control that is expected to be performed. When control that is inconvenient for the actual user of the device to be controlled is about to be performed, the user can take some precautions.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that, when executed on a computer instead of the program according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15, causes the computer to operate as a gateway device according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 17, the control structure of this program is a control structure similar to the program shown in FIG. However, unlike the program shown in FIG. 15, if it is determined in S272 that the address included in the remote operation signal is other than the address of the top menu screen, the control proceeds to S400. In S400, the same process as the message transmission process S370 shown in FIG. 16 is executed.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the gateway device 300 transmits to the remote devices 96A, 96B, and 96C that can communicate with the gateway device 300, but the message destination is limited to a specific remote device. It is also possible to do.

  FIG. 18 shows a functional configuration of the gateway apparatus 420 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in a block diagram form. Referring to FIG. 18, gateway device 420 according to the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of gateway device 300 shown in FIG. However, the gateway device 420 includes a user name storage unit 424 that temporarily stores information related to the user of the remote device to which the message is transmitted, in addition to the gateway device 300 shown in FIG. Further, the gateway device 420 replaces the message creation unit 330 of the gateway device 300 shown in FIG. 12 with a function that the message creation unit 330 has, in addition to holding a user name in the user name storage unit 424, when creating a message. Includes a message creation unit 422 having a function of creating a message using the stored user name.

  The system including the gateway device 420 operates as follows.

  The remote devices 96A, 96B, and 96C transmit to the gateway device 420 a remote operation signal including an address of screen information for registering information about the user of the remote device to which the message is transmitted. In response to the received remote operation signal requesting transmission of the user registration screen, the gateway device 420 creates a user name registration screen and transmits it to the remote devices 96A,.

  An example of a user name registration screen created by the gateway device 420 is shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 19, user name registration screen 450 has a pull-down input area 452 for selecting and inputting a user name to be registered, and a transmission button 454 for transmitting the selected user name to gateway apparatus 420. including. FIG. 20 shows an example of a pull-down menu item in the input area 452. Referring to FIG. 20, a pull-down menu 460 displays a list of users. When the user of the remote device 96A,..., 96C selects a desired transmission destination from the pull-down menu 460 and presses the transmission button 454 shown in FIG. 19, the remote device 96A,. A remote operation signal is transmitted to the gateway device 420.

  Referring to FIG. 18, when remote operation signal reception unit 322 of gateway device 420 receives a remote operation signal via communication unit 120, the parameters are separated and provided to message creation unit 422. The message creation unit 422 gives the given parameter to the user name storage unit 424. The user name storage unit 424 holds the given parameter as a user name.

  The address separated by the remote operation signal receiving unit 322 from the remote operation signal is given from the remote operation signal receiving unit 322 to the screen creating unit 128. The screen creation unit 128 creates screen information as in the first embodiment, and transmits it to the remote device that is the transmission source of the remote operation signal. When the remote device 96A,..., 96C that has received the screen information is operated and the user inputs a determination of the control signal, the remote operation signal with the control parameter added is sent from the remote device 96A,. Sent.

  When the remote operation signal receiving unit 322 shown in FIG. 18 receives the remote operation signal again, the remote operation signal receiving unit 322 separates the parameters and gives them to the message creation unit 422 in the same manner as when receiving the previous remote operation signal. In response to the parameter being a control parameter, the message creation unit 422 stores the parameter, the remote control management table 340 stored in the remote operation information storage unit 326, the message format 342, and the transmission destination storage unit 424. A message is created based on the user name, and is given to the message transmission unit 332. The message transmission unit 332 specifies the address of the remote device held by the user having the user name held by the user name storage unit 332 and transmits a message to the remote device.

  FIG. 21 shows a processing structure of a message transmission process executed in place of the message transmission process S370 shown in FIG. 16 when the gateway device 420 according to the present embodiment is realized by a computer and a program executable on the computer. It is a flowchart which shows. When this message transmission process is started, the control proceeds to S470, and it is determined whether or not the parameter added to the remote operation signal indicates a user name. If it indicates a user name, control proceeds to S476. Otherwise, control proceeds to S472, a message is created using the parameters, and control proceeds to S474. At this time, if the temporary storage of the user name has already been made, a message including the stored user name is created. In S474, a message is transmitted. Also in this case, if the user has already been stored, a message is transmitted to the remote device possessed by the user. In S476, the user name added as a parameter is held, and the process ends.

  In the present embodiment, the user name storage unit 424 temporarily holds information for specifying the transmission destination, but indicates to the user of another remote device who operated the device. It is also possible to create and send a message. For this purpose, the user name storage unit 424 may store the user name of the user who has controlled using the remote device. For example, when the user of the remote device 96A,..., 96C selects the user himself / herself by the screen display similar to the user name registration screen 450 and its pull-down menu 460 shown in FIGS. Transmits a remote operation signal including a parameter indicating the user name of the user of the remote device to the gateway device 420. When the gateway device 420 receives a remote operation signal including a parameter indicating the user name of the user, the user name of the user is transmitted to the user name storage unit 424 (see FIG. 18).

  After that, when the same remote device that has transmitted the remote operation signal including the parameter indicating the user name transmits the remote operation signal including the control parameter, the gateway device 420 is connected to the gateway according to the second embodiment described above. A message is created by the same operation as the apparatus 300. At this time, a message is created using the user name stored in the user name storage unit 424. For example, by using a template stored in the third item of the message format 342 shown in FIG. 14, a message “(User C) has turned (TV A) off” is created. The created message is transmitted to each of the remote devices 96A, 96B, and 96C by the same operation as in the second embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the second embodiment described above, the gateway device creates and transmits a message in response to a remote operation signal from the remote device 96A, 96B, or 96C. However, the user 90A and the user 90B do not necessarily operate the devices 70A,..., 70D using the remote device 96A or 96B. The user 90A and the user 90B may operate these devices using a switch or the like provided on the devices 70A,. In such a case, the gateway device monitors the devices 70A,..., 70D via the adapters 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D, and transmits a message indicating that when the state of those devices changes. It is desirable to do so. The gateway device according to the present embodiment further has a function of transmitting a message indicating that when the state of the device changes.

  FIG. 22 shows a functional configuration of gateway apparatus 510 according to the present embodiment in a block diagram format. Referring to FIG. 22, gateway device 510 has a configuration similar to that of gateway device 300 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. In addition to the functions of the device information acquisition unit 124 of the gateway device 300 shown in FIG. 12, the gateway device 510 is installed in each of the devices 70A,..., 70D when any change occurs in the state of the devices 70A,. , 72D, which is a device information signal (hereinafter referred to as “event signal”) transmitted from the adapters 72A,..., 72D, and an event receiving unit 520 having a function of generating a signal instructing creation of a message. A device information acquisition unit 512 further including In addition to the functions of the message creation unit 330 shown in FIG. 12, the gateway device 510 further changes the internal state of the device in response to the event reception unit 520 generating a signal for commanding the creation of a message. A message creating unit 514 that creates a message for notifying that.

  The event signal received by the event receiving unit 520 of the gateway device 510 includes adapter name information indicating the adapter that is the transmission source of the event signal, and device information indicating the state of the device after the state has changed.

  The event reception unit 520 of the device information acquisition unit 512 acquires an event signal via the communication unit 120. At this time, the device information acquisition unit 512 determines that the acquired signal is an event signal because it has not received a device information acquisition command from the remote operation signal reception unit 322. The event receiving unit 520 identifies information indicating the adapter name and device information from the received event signal, generates a message creation command signal including these information, and provides the message creation unit 514 with the message creation command signal. Upon receiving the message creation command signal, the message creation unit 514 receives the message based on the information included in the message creation command signal and the screen information table 142 and message format 342 held in the remote operation information storage unit 326. Create The message created here is, for example, the content of “(TV B) has been (powered on)”. The message creation unit 514 gives the created message to the message transmission unit 332. The message transmission unit 332 transmits the given message to the remote devices 96A, 96B, and 96C illustrated in FIG. 11 via the communication unit 120.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that, when executed on a computer instead of the program according to the second embodiment (see FIG. 15), causes the computer to operate as the gateway device 510 according to the present embodiment. is there.

  Referring to FIG. 23, this program has a control structure similar to the program according to the second mode shown in FIG. However, the program according to the present embodiment includes steps S540 to S546 instead of S262 of the program shown in FIG.

  When this program is started, control proceeds to S540, in which it is determined whether an event signal has been received. If the event signal is received, the control proceeds to S542. Otherwise, control continues to S546.

  In S542, a message for notifying the occurrence of an event is created based on the event signal, and the process proceeds to S544. In S544, the remote control management table is referenced and the message created in S542 is transmitted to each remote device. Control returns to S540.

  In S546, it is determined whether or not a remote operation signal has been received from any one of the remote devices 96A,. If the remote operation signal is received, the control proceeds to S264 similar to the program shown in FIG. Otherwise, control returns to S540. After S264, the control structure is the same as that of the program according to the second embodiment.

  The adapter according to the present embodiment preferably has a function of temporarily storing device information and transmits an event signal in accordance with a change in the operation state of the device. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a control structure of processing performed by an adapter having a function of transmitting an event signal. Referring to FIG. 24, when the adapter starts processing, the control proceeds to S560. In S560, device information is acquired from the device in which this adapter is installed. In subsequent S562, the device information acquired in S560 is compared with the temporarily stored device information. As a result of the collation, if it is determined that the stored information matches the acquired device information, the control returns to S560. That is, in S560 and 562, the apparatus waits for the device information to change.

  If it is determined that the acquired device information is different from the stored information, the control proceeds to S564. In S564, the acquired device information is saved, and the saved information is updated. In S566, an event signal is created based on the device information stored in S564 and transmitted to the gateway device 510.

  In the present embodiment, the adapter determines whether or not the state of the device has changed, but the gateway device 510 acquires device information from each adapter regardless of the change in the state of the device, and the devices It is also possible to determine whether information has changed. In this case, the device information acquisition unit 512 or the message creation unit 4514 of the gateway device 510 collates the screen information table 142 of the remote operation information storage unit 326 with the acquired device information, and determines whether or not the device information has changed. Make a decision.

[Sixth Embodiment]
In the above-described second to fifth embodiments, the gateway device has a predetermined condition, that is, a condition that the gateway device transmits a control signal, a condition that the gateway device transmits an application menu screen, or a gateway device. In response to satisfying the condition of receiving an event signal, it created and sent a message. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The user of the remote devices 96A,..., 96C (see FIG. 11) sets conditions for the gateway device to send a message, and the gateway device sends a message when the set condition is satisfied. It is also possible.

  In the sixth embodiment of the present invention described below, the gateway device further has a function of transmitting a message based on the set message transmission condition according to the condition setting by the user.

  FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of gateway apparatus 580 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 25, gateway device 580 has a configuration similar to that of gateway device 300 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. The gateway device 580 creates screen information used by the users of the remote devices 96A,..., 96C in addition to the functions of the screen creation unit 128 of the gateway device 300 shown in FIG. A screen creation unit further having a function of receiving and registering information for specifying a message transmission condition and information for specifying a message transmission destination, and determining whether or not to transmit a message based on the registered information 582.

  Further, the gateway device 580 specifies the condition setting information and the message transmission destination in place of the remote operation signal reception unit 322, the remote operation information storage unit 326, and the message creation unit 330 of the gateway device 300 shown in FIG. In addition to the remote operation signal receiving unit 592 further having a function of separating the parameters composed of information from the remote operation signal and giving it to the screen creation unit 582, and the screen information table 142 shown in FIG. A remote operation information storage unit 594 that stores a screen information table that stores parameters in association with addresses of screen information, and a message creation unit 596 that creates a message according to the determination of the screen creation unit 582 are included.

  The screen creation unit 582 creates processing for creating screen information for setting message transmission conditions, processing for acquiring and registering information for specifying message transmission conditions and information for specifying a transmission destination, and registered information. The process for determining the based condition is executed for each of two different message transmission conditions. The screen creation unit 582 includes two functional units that execute the above-described processing corresponding to two different message transmission conditions. In other words, the screen creation unit 582 indicates that the “user who set the message transmission conditions (hereinafter, this user is referred to as“ registrant of (information specifying conditions) ”) for the remote operation of the device itself. The condition “use a specific application” is used as a message transmission condition, and the transmission destination registration unit 602 that performs the above-described processing for the message transmission condition, and “another user specified by the registrant The condition “use a specific application for operation” is a message transmission condition, and the message transmission condition includes a user registration unit 604 that performs the above-described processing.

  The transmission destination registration unit 602 and the user registration unit 604 each include a transmission destination management table 610 and a user management table 612 that store information for specifying message transmission conditions.

  FIG. 26 shows an example of the transmission destination management table 610. Referring to FIG. 26, transmission destination management table 610 includes a “registrant” item indicating a user who is a registrant of information in the transmission destination management table, an “application” item indicating an application used by the registrant, And a “transmission destination” item indicating a transmission destination when the registrant performs a control operation using the application indicated in the “application” item. In the example illustrated in FIG. 26, the registrant name in the transmission destination management table 610 is “user A”. When this user A uses a control application “lighting A application”, the remote device possessed by “user C” Indicates that a message will be sent.

  FIG. 27 shows an example of the user management table 612 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 27, user management table 612 includes a “registrant” item, similarly to transmission destination management table 610 (see FIG. 26). The user management table 612 is further used when the user performs control related to message transmission to the registrant and a “user” item indicating a user name of an application that performs control related to message transmission to the registrant. And an “application” item indicating a control application to be executed. In the example shown in FIG. 27, the registrant of this user management table 612 is “user A”, and “user B” shown in the “user” item uses an application “lighting B application” shown in the application item. , A message indicating that is transmitted to “user A” who is a registrant.

  FIG. 28 shows an example of a screen information table held in remote operation information storage unit 592 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 28, screen information table 620 is a table including the same items as screen information table 142 shown in FIG. The screen information table 620 includes, in addition to the screen information table 142 shown in FIG. 5, a parameter item 622 indicating a parameter for identifying an application having a correspondence relationship with the screen information address.

  In this embodiment, the screen creation unit 582 adds a destination registration for registering information stored in the destination management table 610 in addition to the screen information created by the screen creation unit 128 according to the first embodiment. A screen and a user registration screen for registering information stored in the user management table 612 are created. In addition to the top menu 210 shown in FIG. 7, the screen creation unit 582 creates a top menu further including a GUI element for displaying these registration screens on the remote device.

  FIG. 29 shows an example of a top menu screen created by the screen creation unit 582 in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 29, top menu screen 640 includes a monitor area 212 similar to that of top menu screen 210 shown in FIG. The top menu screen 640 includes a menu area 642 instead of the menu area 214 of the top menu screen 210 shown in FIG. In addition to the application buttons 216A,... On the top menu screen 210 shown in FIG. 7, the menu area 642 is a GUI element “transmission” for the user of the remote devices 96A, 96B, 96C,. It also includes a “first registration” button 644A and a GUI element “user registration” button 644B for the user to perform an operation for starting user registration.

  FIG. 30 shows an example of a transmission destination registration screen created by the transmission destination registration unit 602. Referring to FIG. 30, transmission destination registration screen 650 includes an input form for inputting a registrant name, an input form for specifying an application, and an input form for specifying a transmission destination. These input forms may be in a pull-down format.

  FIG. 31 shows an example of a pull-down menu in the input form for specifying an application. The pull-down menu 660 is a format for selecting an application by the screen name stored in the screen item 172 of the screen information table 620 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 32 shows an example of a user registration screen. Referring to FIG. 32, user registration screen 670 includes an input form for inputting a registrant, an input form for inputting a user name, and an input form for specifying an application. These input forms may be in a pull-down format, similar to the input form of the screen information 650 shown in FIG.

  Each GUI element of the screen information shown in FIG. 30 to FIG. 32 is remotely controlled by the corresponding application 144A,... (See FIG. 3), similarly to the GUI element of the screen information according to the first embodiment described above. The signal is associated.

  Gateway device 580 according to the present embodiment operates as follows.

  First, description will be made regarding operations for registering conditions on the transmission destination registration screen 650 shown in FIG. 30 and message transmission based on the registered conditions.

  For example, when the “destination registration” button 644A is pressed while the top menu screen 640 shown in FIG. 29 is displayed on the remote device 96A (see FIG. 11), the remote device 96A changes the address of the transmission destination registration screen. The remote control signal including the signal is transmitted to the gateway device 580. Referring to FIG. 25, when remote operation signal receiving unit 592 of gateway device 580 receives a remote operation signal via communication unit 120, an address included in the remote operation signal is given to screen creation unit 582. When the screen creation unit 582 receives the address of the transmission destination registration screen, the transmission destination registration unit 602 of the screen creation unit 582 creates the transmission destination registration screen 650 and transmits the remote device via the screen transmission unit 130 and the communication unit 120. To 96A. Remote device 96A receives and displays transmission destination registration screen 650.

  The users of the remote devices 96A,..., 96C use the transmission destination registration screen 650 to input “registrant” indicating the user himself and “application” selection information as information for specifying message transmission conditions. When the “transmission destination” indicating the transmission destination of the message is input, the remote device 96A transmits a remote operation signal using these pieces of information as parameters.

  The parameters transmitted here will be described using an example in which the registrant is “User A”, the application is “Lighting A App”, and the message destination is “User C”. To do. Referring to FIG. 28, the parameter indicating “illumination A application” is “L1”. Therefore, the parameters indicating these input contents are “user A & L1 & user C”. In addition, a parameter “SO” is added to indicate that the condition is registered on the transmission destination registration screen. Therefore, the parameter included in the remote operation signal is “SO & user A & L1 & user C”. The remote device 96A transmits a remote operation signal including such parameters and the screen information address to the gateway device 580.

  In the gateway device 580, the remote operation signal receiving unit 592 receives the remote operation signal including the above parameters via the communication unit 120. The remote operation signal receiving unit 592 separates the address and parameter of the received signal, and performs the same determination as that performed by the remote operation signal receiving unit 122 according to the first embodiment for the separated address. Issue command signal. Further, the remote control signal receiving unit 592 determines whether or not the separated parameter includes the parameter “SO”. If this parameter is included, it relates to the registration of conditions on the transmission destination registration screen, so the separated parameter is given to the screen creation unit 582. The screen creation unit 582 stores the given parameter in the transmission destination management table 610 of the transmission destination registration unit 602.

  Thereafter, when the remote operation signal reception unit 592 of the gateway device 580 receives a remote operation signal including the address of the application menu screen via the communication unit 120, the remote operation signal reception unit 592 is included in the received remote operation signal. And the information indicating the remote device 96A that is the transmission source of the remote operation signal are given to the screen creation unit 582.

  The transmission destination registration unit 602 of the screen creation unit 582 shows the given address and remote device 96A based on the screen information table 620 and remote control management table 340 (see FIG. 13) held in the remote operation information storage unit 594. The information is checked against the transmission destination management table 610 (see FIG. 26). A user name indicating that the given address is associated with the application stored in the transmission destination management table 610 and is associated with the information indicating the remote device 96A is the transmission destination management table. If it matches the registrant stored in 610, the transmission destination registration unit 602 determines that the condition for message transmission is satisfied. In response to the determination result, the transmission destination registration unit 602 gives the parameters stored in the transmission destination management table 610 to the message creation unit 596.

  In response to the parameter stored in the transmission destination management table 610 being given, the message creation unit 596 reads a predetermined template from the message template 342 shown in FIG. The message creation unit 596 creates a message by substituting given parameters into a predetermined part of the read template. When the parameter of the registrant is “User A” and the parameter of the application is “Lighting A app”, for example, “(User A) is using (Lighting A app)” . " The message creation unit 596 gives the created message and a parameter indicating the sender of the given parameter to the message transmission unit 332.

  The message transmission unit 332 refers to the parameter indicating the given sender and the remote control management table 340, and identifies a remote device, for example, the remote device 96C, which is a transmission destination of the given message. The message transmission unit 332 transmits the given message to the identified remote device 96C via the communication unit 120.

  With the above operation, registration of conditions using the transmission destination registration screen 650 and message transmission based on the conditions are performed.

  Next, description will be made regarding the registration of conditions using the user registration screen 670 shown in FIG. 32 and the message transmission operation based on the conditions.

  For example, when the user of the remote device 96A views the screen information 640 on the top menu screen shown in FIG. 29 and presses the “user registration” button 644B, a remote operation signal including the address of the user registration screen is sent to the gateway device 580. Sent. The gateway device 580 creates the user registration screen 670 and transmits it to the remote device 96A by the same operation as that for creating the transmission destination registration screen.

  The user of the remote device 96A uses the user registration screen 670 to input “registrant” in the same manner as the input on the transmission destination registration screen described above, and further input “user” as a message transmission condition. When the “application” is input, the remote device 96A transmits a remote operation signal using these pieces of information as parameters. An example of parameters is shown for a case where the registrant is “user A”, the user is “user B”, and the application is “lighting B application”. Referring to FIG. 28, the parameter indicating “lighting B application” is “L2”. Therefore, the parameters indicating these input contents are “user A & L2 & user B”. In addition, a parameter “RI” is added to indicate that the condition is registered on the user registration screen. Therefore, the parameter included in the remote operation signal is “RI & user A & L1 & user C”. A remote operation signal including this parameter and the address of the screen information to be created next is transmitted from the remote device 96A to the gateway device 580.

  In the gateway device 580, the remote operation signal receiving unit 592 receives the remote operation signal including the above parameters via the communication unit 120. The remote operation signal receiving unit 592 separates the address and the parameter, makes a determination on the address, and issues a command signal, as in the case of input using the transmission destination registration screen 650 (see FIG. 30). Further, the remote control signal receiving unit 592 determines whether or not the separated parameter includes a parameter “RI”. If this parameter is included, it relates to the registration of conditions on the user registration screen 670, and therefore the separated parameter is given to the screen creation unit 582. The screen creation unit 582 stores the given parameters in the user management table 612 of the user registration unit 604.

  Thereafter, when the remote operation signal reception unit 592 of the gateway device 580 receives a remote operation signal including the address of the application menu screen via the communication unit 120, the remote operation signal reception unit 592 is included in the received remote operation signal. And the information indicating the remote device that is the transmission source of the remote operation signal are given to the screen creation unit 582.

  Similarly to the transmission destination registration unit 602, the user registration unit 604 of the screen creation unit 582 is based on the screen information table 620 and the remote control management table 340 (see FIG. 13), information indicating a given address and remote device, Collation with the user management table 612 (see FIG. 27) is performed. The given address corresponds to the application stored in the user management table 612, and the user name corresponding to the information indicating the remote device is stored in the user management table 612. If it matches the existing user, the user registration unit 604 determines that the message transmission condition is satisfied. In response to this determination result, the user registration unit 604 gives the parameters stored in the user management table 612 to the message creation unit 596.

  The message creation unit 596 creates a message by the same operation as when the parameter is given from the transmission destination registration unit 602. The created message indicates the user and the application used by the user. When the user stored in the user management table 612 is “user B” and the information indicating the application is “lighting B application”, the message to be created is, for example, “(user B) is ( Lighting B app) ". The message creation unit 596 gives the created message and a parameter indicating the registrant to the message transmission unit 332.

  The message transmission unit 332 identifies a remote device (in this example, the remote device 96A) possessed by the registrant based on the parameter indicating the given registrant, and transmits the given message via the communication unit 120. To do.

  Through the above operation, registration of conditions using the user registration screen 670 and message transmission based on the conditions are performed.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that causes a computer to operate as gateway device 580 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 33, this program has a control structure similar to the program according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. In the program shown in FIG. 17, when the processing in S266 is completed, the control proceeds to S268. In the program according to the present embodiment, the control proceeds to S700 after the processing in S266 is completed. In S700, it is determined whether or not the head information of the parameter separated in S266 is the parameter “SO” for “transmission destination registration”. If the determination result is “YES”, the control proceeds to S702. If the determination result is “NO”, the control proceeds to S704. In S702, the separated parameter information is saved and destination registration is performed, and control proceeds to S280 similar to the program shown in FIG.

  In S704, it is determined whether or not the information at the head of the parameter separated in S266 is a parameter “RI” for “user registration”. If the determination result is “YES”, the control proceeds to S706. If the determination result is “NO”, the control proceeds to S268 similar to the program shown in FIG. In S706, the separated parameters are saved and destination registration is performed, and control proceeds to S280 similar to the program shown in FIG.

  In the program shown in FIG. 17, if it is determined in S272 that the address included in the remote operation signal is an address other than the address of the top menu screen, the control proceeds to S400 and a message transmission process is performed. However, the program according to the present embodiment includes S710 and S712 instead of S400. When the process proceeds from S272 to S710, it is determined in S710 whether or not the received remote operation signal satisfies the message transmission condition indicated by the parameter stored in S702 or S706. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the control proceeds to S712. Otherwise, control proceeds to S280 similar to that of the program shown in FIG. In S712, message transmission processing similar to S400 is performed based on the parameters saved in S702 or S706, and control proceeds to S280 similar to that of the program shown in FIG.

  As described above, the gateway device 580 can register a message condition in advance, and can transmit a message only when the received remote operation signal satisfies the registered condition.

  In this embodiment, the information indicating the application and the person who uses the application is used as the message transmission condition. However, the message transmission condition is not limited to this. For example, a specific control parameter may be registered as a condition, and a message may be transmitted to a registrant or a specific sender when the gateway device receives a remote operation signal including the registered control parameter. .

[Seventh Embodiment]
The gateway device according to the above-described embodiment transmits a control signal in response to receiving a remote operation signal including a control parameter. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In the seventh embodiment described below, the gateway device further has a function of receiving a setting related to the transmission timing of the control signal and transmitting the control signal at the set timing.

  In the present embodiment, the following two types of timing are exemplified as the set timing. The first timing is when a user requests another user to control the device, and the user who receives the request performs an operation in response to the request. The second timing is when the predetermined time set by the timer setting is reached. In the transmission of the control signal at the first timing, the user who requests control sets the remote device possessed by the request partner and the control content. The gateway device transmits a message notifying the request partner and the control content. In the following description, this message is called a “request message”. Further, the gateway apparatus receives a remote operation signal from the request partner as a reply to the request. In the following description, this remote operation signal is referred to as a “reply signal”.

  The system according to the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of system 290 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, in place of the gateway device 300 shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the function of the gateway device 300, a book that further stores a control signal temporarily and transmits the control signal at a predetermined timing. The gateway apparatus which concerns on embodiment is included. In addition, the devices 70A, ..., 70D, the adapters 72A, ..., 72D, the sensors 92A and 92B, and the remote devices 96A, ..., 96C are the same as those of the system 290 shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 34 shows the configuration of gateway apparatus 800 according to the present embodiment in a block diagram format. Referring to FIG. 34, gateway device 800 includes communication unit 120, device information acquisition unit 124, and screen transmission unit 130 that are the same as those of gateway device 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Including. Gateway device 800 further includes a message transmission unit 332 similar to that of gateway device 300 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. The gateway device 800 further includes a remote operation information storage unit 594 similar to that of the gateway device 580 according to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG.

  The gateway device 800 further receives a reply signal to the message instead of the remote operation information reception unit 322, the screen creation unit 128, and the message creation unit 330 of the gateway device 300 shown in FIG. In addition to the functions of the remote operation information receiving unit 822 further including the reply signal processing unit 820 and the screen creation unit 128, the function of performing display based on the reply signal in accordance with the command from the remote operation signal receiving unit 822 A screen creation unit 828 that creates screen information for generating a request message, and a message creation unit 830 that further has a function of creating a request message.

  Gateway device 800 is further connected to device information acquisition unit 124, remote operation information storage unit 594, remote operation signal reception unit 822, and message creation unit 830, and receives control parameters received from remote device 96A, 96B, or 96C. A control signal temporary storage unit 840 that provides the message generation unit 830 with information necessary when the message generation unit 830 generates a request message, and temporarily stores the control signal at a predetermined timing. 2 includes a control signal transmission unit 842 that receives a control signal from the control signal temporary storage unit 840 and transmits the control signal to the adapters 72A,..., 72D via the communication unit 120 instead of the control signal transmission unit 132 illustrated in FIG. .

  FIG. 35 shows the configuration of control signal temporary storage section 840 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 35, control signal temporary storage unit 840 includes a control information management table 860 that stores control parameters to be temporarily stored, and a timer unit that counts time when control signal transmission is performed at the second timing. 862.

  FIG. 36 shows an example of the control information management table 860. Referring to FIG. 36, control information management table 860 stores entries of control parameters temporarily stored for each device to be controlled. Each entry of the control signal management table 860 includes a device name item indicating a device to be controlled, an “adapter” item that stores information for identifying an adapter installed in the device, and a “user” item. And a “control command” item for storing a control command to be held.

  The remote operation information storage unit 594 includes the same screen information table 620 as that according to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. The message format 340 of the remote operation information storage unit 594 further stores a template for creating a request message. For example, the template for the request message is “(Operator) asks you to (control) the power of (device name). If you do nothing, it will be (control) after 5 minutes. If you want to control (or control) immediately, select the following operation button: <address>. “<Address>” in this template is an address of screen information for transmitting a reply signal to the request message. When the message creation unit 830 creates a request message, the screen creation unit 828 according to the present embodiment creates a menu area of screen information corresponding to this address, and gives it to the message creation unit 830. The message format 340 separately stores a request message confirmation template. The request message confirmation template is, for example, “Message confirmation: To (destination) From (operator): (operator), please (control) the power of (device name). If you do nothing, it will be (controlled) in 5 minutes.If you want to control (control) later, or if you want to control (control) now, please select the following operation button. It is. A message created using this template is created when creating a message confirmation screen to be described later.

  The screen information created by the gateway device 800 includes the following screen information that is different from the screen information in the above-described embodiment. That is, the screen information used for the operation for transmitting the request message, the screen information for confirming the content of the request message, the screen information used for the operation for transmitting the reply signal, and the temporarily stored control signal are executed according to the operation by the user. It is screen information used for operation at the time of performing. Hereinafter, these screen information will be exemplified with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 37 shows screen information of an application menu screen of “macro application” for performing collective control over controllable devices as an example of screen information for performing an operation for transmitting a request message. Referring to FIG. 37, screen information 880 includes a monitor area 882 and a menu area 884 in the same manner as the screen information in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Since the remote operation using the application menu screen is a collective control of devices, the monitor area 882 displays a list of device information and users of devices to be controlled. Further, in the menu area 884, a GUI element for performing an operation of transmitting a request message is displayed together with information indicating a device to be controlled.

  The GUI element to be displayed includes a first operation button 890 for performing an operation for requesting another user to control to turn on the power of the device to be controlled by transmitting a request message, and a request message. The second operation button 892 for performing an operation for requesting another user to control to turn off the power of the device to be controlled, and the third operation button for confirming the content of the request message to be transmitted 894.

  The first button 890, the second button 892, and the third button 894 are respectively associated with remote operation signals by the application. Among these, the remote operation signal associated with the first operation button 890 and the second operation button 892 includes an address of screen information to be displayed next and parameter information for transmitting a request message. The parameter information for transmitting the request message includes a command parameter for instructing transmission of the request message, a parameter for identifying the application corresponding to the screen information for performing the requested control, and a control parameter indicating the control content including. For example, the address of the screen information to be displayed next is “address 0”, the command parameter is “ME”, the parameter for identifying the macro application is “macro”, and the control parameter for batch power off is “off”. Then, the remote operation signal associated with the second operation button 892 is “address 0 & ME & macro & off”.

  The third button 894 is associated with a remote operation signal including an address for identifying screen information for confirming the request message.

  FIG. 38 shows an example of screen information for the message sender to confirm the content of the request message. Referring to FIG. 38, this screen information 900 includes a display area 902 for displaying a request message to be transmitted, and a menu area 904. In the menu area 904, a first operation button 890 and a second operation button 892 similar to those in the menu area 884 of FIG. 38 are displayed. These buttons are associated with remote operation signals similar to those in FIG.

  The display area 902 displays the contents of a request message transmitted when each operation button displayed in the menu area 904 is pressed.

  FIG. 39 shows an example of screen information for transmitting a reply signal. Referring to FIG. 39, screen information 920 for transmitting a reply message includes a display area 922 for displaying a request message transmitted by gateway apparatus 800 according to an operation by another remote apparatus, and a menu area 924. .

  In the menu area 924, a GUI element for performing an operation for executing the control requested by the request message is displayed. The GUI element includes an operation button 930 for executing the requested control later and an operation button 932 for immediately executing the requested control. These operation buttons are respectively associated with remote operation signals by an application. Among these, the remote operation signal associated with the operation button 930 to be executed later is an address of screen information to be displayed next, parameter information indicating that it is a reply signal, and a reply parameter indicating the content of the reply signal. Including. The reply parameter is a parameter indicating whether the requested control is executed later or immediately. Typically, it is a binary parameter in which a parameter indicating immediate execution is “1” and a parameter indicating later execution is “2”. If the address of the screen information to be displayed next is “address 0” and the parameter indicating the control signal is “RE”, the remote operation signal associated with the operation button 930 to be executed later is “ Address 0 & RE & 2 ".

  FIG. 40 shows an example of screen information for executing the temporarily stored control signal according to the operation by the user. Referring to FIG. 40, this screen information 940 is screen information similar to the screen information of top menu screen 210 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Screen information 940 includes a monitor area 942 and a menu area 944. In the monitor area 944, in addition to the display of device information and user information similar to those in the monitor area of the top menu screen 210 shown in FIG. 7, whether or not a control signal related to the displayed device is in a temporarily stored state. An item 946 is displayed. Further, in the menu area 944, in addition to the application buttons 216A,... Shown in FIG. 7, a temporary storage control button 948 for executing control of the device by the temporarily stored control signal is displayed. The temporary storage control button 948 is associated with the same parameter as the operation button 930 shown in FIG. 39 by the application. By transmitting this remote operation signal, the control signal in the temporary storage state is immediately transmitted.

  Gateway apparatus 800 according to the present embodiment operates as follows.

  Referring to FIG. 34, when remote operation signal receiving unit 822 receives a remote operation signal including the address of the application menu screen from the remote device via communication unit 120, remote operation signal receiving unit 822 receives the given signal. Separate the addresses and parameters. The separated address is given to the screen creation unit 828 directly from the remote operation signal reception unit 822 or via the device information acquisition unit 124. The separated parameters will be described later.

  The screen creation unit 828 of the gateway device 800 obtains the screen information of the application screen at the given address based on the screen format 140, the screen information table 620, and the applications 144A,... Held in the remote operation information storage unit 594. create. This operation is the same as that of the screen creation unit 128 according to the first embodiment. However, when an address indicating screen information for performing an operation of transmitting a request message is given, screen creation unit 828 creates screen information 880 shown in FIG.

  The created screen information 880 is transmitted to the remote device that is the transmission source of the remote operation signal via the screen transmission unit 130 and the communication unit 120 as in the first embodiment.

  When a remote operation signal associated with the third operation button 894 shown in FIG. 37, that is, a remote operation signal including the address of the confirmation screen of the request message is transmitted from the remote device to which the screen information 880 is transmitted, the remote information The operation signal receiving unit 822 receives this signal via the communication unit 120. The remote operation signal reception unit 822 gives the address of the confirmation screen for the request message to the screen creation unit 828. The screen creation unit 828 gives a signal for creating a confirmation message to the message creation unit 830. The message creation unit 830 reads a message confirmation template from the message format 342 (see FIG. 14) in accordance with the given signal, creates a confirmation message, and provides the screen creation unit 828 with it.

  The screen creation unit 828 creates message confirmation screen information 900 shown in FIG. 38 based on the given confirmation message. The created screen information is transmitted to the remote device via the screen transmission unit 130 and the communication unit 120.

  The remote device which is the transmission destination of the screen information 880 shown in FIG. 37 or the screen information 900 shown in FIG. 38 is instructed to transmit a remote operation signal associated with the operation button 890 or 892 shown in FIG. When a remote operation signal including parameters is transmitted, the remote operation signal reception unit 822 receives this signal via the communication unit 120. The remote operation signal receiving unit 822 separates the address and the parameter, and gives the address to the screen creation unit 828. Further, the remote operation signal receiving unit 822 gives the parameter separated from the remote operation signal to the control signal temporary storage unit 840 in response to the command parameter “ME” being included in the separated parameter.

  The control signal temporary storage unit 840 refers to the screen information table 620 (see FIG. 28) stored in the remote operation information storage unit 594, and based on the parameters for identifying the application included in the given parameters. ., 70D to be controlled, adapters 72A,..., 72D installed in the devices, and user information relating to users of these devices are specified and read. The control signal temporary storage unit 840 stores the read information together with the control parameter included in the given parameter in the control information management table 860 shown in FIG.

  Control signal temporary storage unit 840 further sets timer unit 862 shown in FIG. 35 with respect to the stored parameters. The setting here is a setting for transmitting a control signal when the gateway apparatus 800 does not receive a reply signal to the request message within a predetermined time. When the storage of parameters in the control information management table 860 and the setting of the timer unit 862 are completed, the control signal temporary storage unit 840 provides information equivalent to the stored information to the message creation unit 830.

  When receiving information from control signal temporary storage section 840, message creation section 830 reads a template for creating a request message from message format 342 of remote operation information storage section 594. Similar to the message creation unit 330 according to the second embodiment, the message creation unit 830 creates a request message by assigning each item of given information to a predetermined location of the read template. In addition, the message creation unit 830 gives the screen creation unit 828 the address of the screen information for sending a reply signal included in the request message template.

  The screen creation unit 828 creates the screen information shown in FIG. 39 based on the screen format 140 and the application 144 stored in the remote operation information storage unit 594 based on the given address. The screen information created here has no request message displayed in the display area 922 in the screen information 920 shown in FIG. The screen creation unit 828 gives the created screen information to the message creation unit 830.

  The message creation unit 830 processes the given screen information 920 so that the created request message is displayed in the display area 922 of the screen information 920 shown in FIG. The message transmission unit 332 refers to the remote control management table 340 of the remote operation information storage unit 594, specifies the transmission destination of the given screen information 920 shown in FIG. 39, and specifies the specified transmission destination via the communication unit 120 Screen information 920 is transmitted to the remote device.

  When the remote operation signal associated with the operation button 930 or 932 shown in FIG. 39, that is, the reply signal is transmitted from the remote device to which the screen information 920 shown in FIG. 39 is transmitted, the remote operation signal receiving unit 822 The signal is received via the communication unit 120. The remote operation signal receiving unit 822 separates the address and the parameter, and gives the address to the screen creation unit 828. Further, the remote operation signal receiving unit 822 gives the parameter separated from the remote operation signal to the control signal temporary storage unit 840 in response to the parameter “RE” indicating the return signal being included in the separated parameter.

  The control signal temporary storage unit 840 refers to the remote control management table 340 stored in the remote operation information storage unit 594 and identifies the transmission source of the reply signal. The control signal temporary storage unit 840 collates the user information included in the control information management table 860 shown in FIG. 36 with the identified transmission source, and sets an entry to be processed by the reply signal in the control information management table 860. Choose from.

  The control signal temporary storage unit 840 further refers to a parameter included in the given parameter indicating whether the requested control is to be executed later or immediately, and immediately controls the control temporarily stored in the selected entry. It is determined whether to execute it later or later. The control signal temporary storage unit 840 gives the control signal indicating the control information indicating the adapter information and the control command stored in the selected entry to the control signal transmission unit 842 according to the determination result, and the selected entry as shown in FIG. The operation of canceling the setting by the timer unit 862 is selectively executed.

  The determination result is to be executed immediately, and when the adapter information and the control parameters are given to the control signal transmission unit 842, the control signal transmission unit 842 is designated by the given information via the communication unit. A control signal based on the given control parameter is transmitted to the adapters 72A,. At this time, the control signal temporary storage unit 840 discards the parameter information stored in the selected entry from the control information management table 860.

  The determination result is to be executed later, and when the setting by the timer unit 862 is canceled, it is held in the control information management table 860.

  If a request message is transmitted and a reply signal is not received even when the time set by the timer unit 862 is reached, the timer unit 862 generates a predetermined signal when the set time is reached. In response to the signal, the control signal temporary storage unit 840 selects an entry for which the return signal has not arrived from the control information management table 860, and sends the information stored in the selected entry to the control signal transmission unit 842. give. The control signal transmission unit 842 transmits a control signal to the transmission destination adapter via the communication unit 120 based on the information given at that time. At this time, the control signal temporary storage unit 840 discards the parameter information stored in the selected entry from the control information management table 860.

  When the address indicating the screen information of the top menu screen is given, the screen creation unit 828 of the gateway device 800 creates the screen information of the top menu screen. However, in the present embodiment, screen information of the top menu screen 940 shown in FIG. 40 is created as the top menu screen. Information displayed in the item “storage control” in the monitor area 942 is acquired by the screen creation unit 828 from the control information management table 860 of the control signal temporary storage unit 840. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the remote operation information storage unit 594 holds a screen format including a temporary storage control button 948 shown in FIG. 40 in advance as the screen format of the top menu screen. As described above, the temporary storage control button 948 is associated with a reply signal indicating immediate execution of control using the temporarily stored parameters. The screen creation unit 828 stores the screen format, the application 144A,... (See FIG. 3), the screen information table 620 (see FIG. 28), and the control signal temporary storage unit 840 stored in the remote operation information storage unit 594. Based on the control information management table 860 (see FIG. 36), screen information of the top menu screen 940 shown in FIG. 40 is created. The created screen information is transmitted from the screen creation unit 828 via the screen transmission unit 130 and the communication unit 120 to the remote device 96A, 96B, or 96C that is the transmission destination of the top menu screen 940.

  When the remote device that has received the top menu screen 940 displays it, and the user presses the temporary storage control button 948 on the top menu screen 940, a remote operation signal associated with this button is transmitted from the remote device to the gateway device 800. This remote operation signal is equivalent to a reply signal indicating that the temporarily stored control is immediately executed. Based on the received remote operation signal, gateway device 800 executes an operation for immediately executing the temporarily stored control. This operation is the same as the immediate execution operation based on the return signal. The description will not be repeated here. By associating the remote operation signal for executing the temporarily stored control with the GUI element displayed on the top menu screen in this way, the remote operation in the following case can be smoothly executed.

  For example, when the user of the remote device transmits a reply signal indicating that the requested control is to be executed later using the display of the reply signal transmission screen 920 shown in FIG. 39, the control signal temporarily shown in FIG. The timer setting by the timer unit 862 of the storage unit 840 is canceled.

  In this way, the parameter of the entry held in the control information management table 860 with the timer setting being released can be executed later by the temporary storage control button on the top menu screen.

  The gateway device 800 according to the present embodiment can be realized by a computer and a program that can be executed on the computer, like the gateway devices according to the first to sixth embodiments described above.

  FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to operate as gateway device 800 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 41, when this program is activated, control proceeds to S262 similar to that of the program according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10, receives a remote operation signal, and proceeds to S264. In S264, as in the first embodiment, it is determined whether a parameter is added to the remote operation signal. If a parameter has been added, control proceeds to S266. If no parameter is added, control proceeds to S272. Hereinafter, the control structure that proceeds from S272 to S282 and returns to S262 is the same as the control structure of the program according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the description will not be repeated.

  In S266, as in the first embodiment, the remote operation signal is separated into an address and a parameter. Control continues to S950.

  In S950, it is determined whether or not the separated parameter includes a command parameter for instructing transmission of a request message. If the command parameter is included, the control proceeds to S952. Otherwise, control proceeds to S960.

  In S952, a parameter for identifying an application and a control parameter included in the separated parameters are temporarily stored. At this time, the timer setting for the parameter to be saved is performed. Control proceeds to S954. In S954, a request message is created with reference to the user information held in the screen information table 620, the remote control management table, and the parameters temporarily stored in S952. Further, screen information for sending a reply signal is created. Control proceeds to S956. In S956, the created message and the screen information for transmitting the reply signal are transmitted to the remote device that is the transmission target of the request message. Control returns to S272.

  In S960, it is determined whether or not the separated parameter is a reply signal. If the parameter is a reply signal, control proceeds to S962. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S268. The control structure from S268 to S272 through S370 is the same as that of the program according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, description will not be repeated here.

  In S962, based on the parameters included in the reply signal, the control parameter to be temporarily saved is identified, and further, the control signal transmission based on the parameter is determined to be executed immediately or later. Do. In the case of immediate execution, the control proceeds to S964. If it is to be executed later, control proceeds to S966. In S964, a control signal based on the specified parameter is transmitted. Control proceeds to S270. In S966, the timer setting set in S952 for the specified parameter is canceled or reset. Control proceeds to S272.

  As described above, the gateway device 800 according to the present embodiment, for example, a message with contents such as whether the user may control the device immediately or whether the user can control the device later instead. Can be sent. Therefore, the control confirmation / promotion message can be distributed. In addition, it is conceivable that the operation of the invisible room is simultaneously operated by a plurality of users, which may cause confusion. However, the gateway device 800 manages the control so that the control is properly performed, and the control by the plurality of users. Operational confusion can be avoided.

  In the second to seventh embodiments described above, the message is created by substituting necessary parameters for the character information stored in the message format. However, the message created and transmitted by the gateway device is not limited to character information. Any message format can be used as long as it can be displayed by the remote device. For example, it may be audio information or image information.

  In the second to seventh embodiments described above, information for identifying a message transmission destination is stored in advance in the remote control management table, and processing such as message transmission is performed based on the stored information. I did it. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the gateway device may provide a remote device with a communication interface capable of changing settings. The gateway device and the remote device may both be connected to a communication network to exchange information.

  In addition, the adapters 72A,..., 72D in the above-described embodiment are configured in separate housings for the devices 70A,..., 70D that can communicate with the devices 70A,. Alternatively, it may be built in the devices 70A, ..., 70D.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sensor 92A and the sensor 92B detect the user, specify the user, and transmit the user information to the gateway device. However, the method for acquiring user information is not limited to such a method. For example, user information may be acquired using a radio signal technology. In this case, the remote device has a wireless signal transmission mechanism, and a coordinator is installed in the room 80A or 80B. The coordinator sends and receives signals to and from the remote device and identifies the remote device. Information on the identified remote device is transmitted to the gateway device. At that time, the gateway device may obtain user information by using information related to the remote device, or may identify user information from information related to the remote device based on the remote control management table. Further, a mechanism for holding user information may be further installed on the remote device side, and the user information held by a radio signal may be transmitted to the coordinator.

  A radio signal may be constantly transmitted and received between the remote device and the coordinator. Alternatively, the remote device may transmit a radio signal in response to the user performing a predetermined operation using the remote device. Further, a method of transmitting a radio signal in response to a user performing a predetermined operation for displaying the initial screen 200 shown in FIG. 6 in order to use the device may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the screen information table stores information necessary for creating screen information for each address of the screen information. However, the screen information table is limited to such a form. Not. For example, necessary information may be stored for each room in which equipment is installed. For the user detected by the sensor, an operation menu for the device may be provided using a management table for the room in which the sensor is installed.

  Further, the operation of the device and the operator may be associated with each other, and information about them may be stored in the screen information table. For example, if air conditioner timer reservation information and information related to the user who made the timer reservation are stored, information indicating who set the air conditioner timer reservation can be displayed in the monitor area. Further, the time when the user leaves the room may be associated. In this case, when a user who exists in the detection range of the sensor or the radio signal goes out of the detection range, a signal is sent to the gateway device, and the time is measured and stored as acquired information. If the monitor area including the stored information is displayed, the user of the remote device can confirm the time when the user is absent. Knowing the time when the user is absent for the user is useful for determining whether or not the user of the device has temporarily removed his / her seat for “toilet” or “responding to a visitor”. When the monitor area indicates that the device is powered on but no user is present, whether the device needs to be remotely controlled based on the exit time of the last user in the room. This is convenient when the user of the remote device makes a judgment. For example, if a long time has passed since the leaving time, it can be determined that the power supply has been forgotten to be turned off, and the power supply of the device can be remotely operated.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are intended. Including.

  60, 290 system, 70A, ..., 70D equipment, 72A, ..., 72D adapter, 92A, 92B sensor, 96, 96A, 96B, 96C remote device 100, 300, 420, 510, 580, 800 gateway device, 120 communication unit 122, 322, 592, 822 Remote operation signal receiving unit, 124, 512 Device information acquisition unit, 126, 326, 594 Remote operation information storage unit, 128, 582, 828 Screen creation unit, 130 Screen transmission unit, 132, 842 Control signal transmission unit, 140 screen format, 142, 620 screen information table, 144A,... Application, 240 computer, 242 CPU, 244 ROM, 246 RAM, 248 hard disk, 250 network interface, 252 CD-RO 254 CD-ROM drive, 330, 422, 514, 596, 830 Message creation unit, 332 Message transmission unit, 340 Remote control management table, 342 Message format, 424 User name storage unit, 520 Event reception unit, 602 Transmission destination registration unit 604, user registration unit, 610 transmission destination management table, 612 user management table, 820 reply signal receiving unit, 840 control signal temporary storage unit, 860 control information management table, 862 timer unit

Claims (24)

A gateway device that processes communication associated with control between a device to be controlled and a remote device that controls the device,
The gateway device includes receiving means for receiving a screen request signal that is transmitted from the remote device and requests transmission of a screen to be displayed on the remote device, and the screen request signal is the screen to be displayed. And the requested signal may further include a control parameter indicating the control content related to the device to be controlled,
The gateway device further includes
Determination means for determining whether or not the screen request signal received by the reception means includes the control parameter;
In response to the determination by the determination means that the screen request signal includes the control parameter, a command transmission means for identifying a device to be controlled based on the control parameter and transmitting a control command When,
In response to satisfying a predetermined condition, device information acquisition means for acquiring device information indicating an operation state from a device to be controlled;
Responsive to the reception means receiving the screen request signal, screen information for causing the remote device to display a screen designated by the screen designation information included in the screen request signal is created, and the remote Screen transmission means for transmitting to the device,
The screen transmission unit creates the screen information based on the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit and information necessary for generating a control parameter for a device to be controlled,
Furthermore, it includes user information acquisition means for acquiring user information for identifying a user of a device to be controlled at a predetermined timing,
The screen transmission means includes a menu screen for causing the remote device to select control contents relating to a control target device, the device information acquired by the device information acquisition means, and the user acquired by the user information acquisition means. A gateway device for creating screen information for causing the remote device to display a monitor screen for displaying information. The monitor screen includes a screen for displaying device information acquired by the device information acquisition means for a device to be selected for control content based on the menu screen,
Furthermore, including a holding unit for holding information indicating a menu screen and the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit for a device related to the menu screen in association with the screen designation information,
The screen transmission means includes
In response to the reception means receiving the screen request signal, a menu screen is displayed on the basis of information indicating the menu screen related to the screen designation information included in the screen request signal, which is held in the holding means. Menu screen creation means for creating,
Monitor screen creation means for reading out device information associated with screen designation information included in the screen request signal from the holding means and creating a monitor screen for displaying the device information;
Including means for creating screen information for causing the remote device to display the menu screen created by the menu screen creating means and the monitor screen created by the monitor screen creating means, and transmitting the screen information to the remote device; The gateway device according to claim 1. The screen request signal may further include a request command for requesting execution of control indicated by the control parameter, in addition to the screen designation information and the control parameter.
The command transmission means includes
In response to determining that the screen request signal includes the control parameter by the determination unit, a request determination unit for determining whether the screen request signal includes the request command;
In response to determining that the screen request signal does not include the request command by the request determination unit, a unit for specifying a device to be controlled based on the control parameter and transmitting the control command; ,
In response to the determination by the request determination means that the screen request signal includes the request command, control parameter holding means for holding the control parameter included in the screen request signal;
The gateway apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising request transmission means for transmitting a notification requesting execution of control indicated by the control parameter held in the control parameter holding means to a predetermined transmission destination. The command transmission means further includes
In response to determining that the screen request signal received by the reception unit includes a control parameter, a response determination unit for determining whether the control parameter is a response to the notification;
In response to determining that the control parameter is a response to the notification by the response determination means, the control target device is specified based on the control parameter held in the control parameter holding means and a control command is issued. The gateway apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising holding command transmission means for transmitting. In response to the determination by the response determination unit that the control parameter included in the screen request signal received by the reception unit is a response to the notification, the holding command transmission unit sets the control parameter to a predetermined value. Type determination means for determining whether or not the response is a type of
Based on the determination result by the type determination unit, the first process for realizing the control by the control parameter held in the control parameter holding unit and the control by the control parameter held by the control parameter holding unit are postponed 5. The gateway apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: means for selectively executing a second process. Means for associating and storing a user and a remote device corresponding to the user;
The request transmission means includes:
Means for identifying a device to be controlled by the control parameter based on the control parameter in response to the request determination unit determining that the screen request signal includes the request command;
A remote device specifying means for specifying a remote device corresponding to the user of the specified device with reference to the user information acquired by the user information acquiring means and the means for storing;
The gateway apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: means for transmitting a notification requesting execution of control indicated by the control parameter to the remote apparatus specified by the remote apparatus specifying means. A gateway device that processes communication associated with control between a device to be controlled and a remote device that controls the device,
The gateway device includes receiving means for receiving a screen request signal that is transmitted from the remote device and requests transmission of a screen to be displayed on the remote device, and the screen request signal is the screen to be displayed. And the requested signal may further include a control parameter indicating the control content related to the device to be controlled,
The gateway device further includes
Determination means for determining whether or not the screen request signal received by the reception means includes the control parameter;
In response to the determination by the determination means that the screen request signal includes the control parameter, a command transmission means for identifying a device to be controlled based on the control parameter and transmitting a control command When,
In response to satisfying a predetermined condition, device information acquisition means for acquiring device information indicating an operation state from a device to be controlled;
Responsive to the reception means receiving the screen request signal, screen information for causing the remote device to display a screen designated by the screen designation information included in the screen request signal is created, and the remote Screen transmission means for transmitting to the device,
The screen transmission unit creates the screen information based on the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit and information necessary for generating a control parameter for a device to be controlled,
In addition to the screen designation information and the control parameter, the screen request signal may further include a control reservation command for reserving execution of control indicated by the control parameter,
The command transmission means includes
Reservation determination means for determining whether or not the screen request signal received by the reception means includes a control reservation command;
In response to determining that the screen information does not include the control reservation command by the reservation determination unit, a unit for identifying a device to be controlled based on the control parameter and transmitting the control command; ,
In response to the determination by the reservation determining means that the screen information includes the control reservation command, control parameter holding means for holding the control parameter included in the screen request signal;
A timer for issuing a predetermined notification signal in response to the elapse of a predetermined time after the control parameter holding means holds the control parameter;
Means for identifying a device to be controlled and transmitting a control command based on the control parameter held in the control parameter holding means in response to the predetermined notification signal. A gateway device that processes communication associated with control between a device to be controlled and a remote device that controls the device,
The gateway device includes receiving means for receiving a screen request signal that is transmitted from the remote device and requests transmission of a screen to be displayed on the remote device, and the screen request signal is the screen to be displayed. And the requested signal may further include a control parameter indicating the control content related to the device to be controlled,
The gateway device further includes
Determination means for determining whether or not the screen request signal received by the reception means includes the control parameter;
In response to the determination by the determination means that the screen request signal includes the control parameter, a command transmission means for identifying a device to be controlled based on the control parameter and transmitting a control command When,
In response to satisfying a predetermined condition, device information acquisition means for acquiring device information indicating an operation state from a device to be controlled;
Responsive to the reception means receiving the screen request signal, screen information for causing the remote device to display a screen designated by the screen designation information included in the screen request signal is created, and the remote Screen transmission means for transmitting to the device,
The screen transmission unit creates the screen information based on the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit and information necessary for generating a control parameter for a device to be controlled,
The device information acquisition unit is configured to acquire the device information from a device to be controlled in response to the screen request signal received by the reception unit requesting transmission of a predetermined screen. The gateway device according to claim 1, comprising means. A gateway device that processes communication associated with control between a device to be controlled and a remote device that controls the device,
The gateway device includes receiving means for receiving a screen request signal that is transmitted from the remote device and requests transmission of a screen to be displayed on the remote device, and the screen request signal is the screen to be displayed. And the requested signal may further include a control parameter indicating the control content related to the device to be controlled,
The gateway device further includes
Determination means for determining whether or not the screen request signal received by the reception means includes the control parameter;
In response to the determination by the determination means that the screen request signal includes the control parameter, a command transmission means for identifying a device to be controlled based on the control parameter and transmitting a control command When,
In response to satisfying a predetermined condition, device information acquisition means for acquiring device information indicating an operation state from a device to be controlled;
Responsive to the reception means receiving the screen request signal, screen information for causing the remote device to display a screen designated by the screen designation information included in the screen request signal is created, and the remote Screen transmission means for transmitting to the device,
The screen transmission unit creates the screen information based on the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit and information necessary for generating a control parameter for a device to be controlled,
A message creating means for creating a predetermined message in response to a predetermined condition regarding control of the device to be controlled being satisfied;
A gateway device further comprising message transmitting means for transmitting the predetermined message to a predetermined destination.   The gateway device according to claim 9, wherein the message creating unit includes a unit for creating the predetermined message in response to the reception unit receiving the screen request signal.   The gateway device according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined message includes a message indicating that screen information designated by the screen designation signal is transmitted.   10. The gateway device according to claim 9, wherein the message creation means includes means for creating the predetermined message in response to the determination by the determination means that the screen request signal includes the control parameter. .   The gateway device according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined message includes a message indicating that the control command is transmitted. Furthermore, an event detection means for detecting that the operating state of the device has changed,
10. The message creating means according to claim 9, wherein the message creating means includes means for creating the predetermined message in response to detecting that the event detecting means has changed the operating state of the device. Gateway device.   The gateway device according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined message includes a message indicating that the operation state of the device has changed. Furthermore, it includes remote device information holding means for holding information identifying the remote device,
In response to the fact that the transmission source of the screen request signal received by the receiving means is a remote apparatus indicated by the information held in the remote apparatus information holding means, the message creating means 10. The gateway device according to claim 9, comprising means for creating a message.   The gateway device according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined message includes a message indicating that screen information is transmitted to the remote device indicated by the information held in the remote device information holding unit.   The gateway device according to claim 16, further comprising means for receiving information identifying the remote device from another device and storing the information in the remote device information holding means. The screen request signal may further include information to be stored in the gateway device and a command for instructing storage of the information,
The gateway device further includes means for storing the information to be stored in response to receiving the command;
In response to the fact that the screen designation information included in the screen request signal received by the receiving means corresponds to information held in the means for storing, the message creating means The gateway apparatus according to claim 9, comprising means for creating a message.   The gateway device according to claim 19, wherein the predetermined message includes a message indicating that screen information designated by the screen designation information is transmitted. Further, means for holding information for specifying a destination of the message created by the message creating means,
The message transmission means includes means for transmitting the message created by the message creation means to a transmission destination specified by the information for specifying the transmission destination held in the holding means. The gateway device according to claim 9, comprising:   The gateway apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising means for receiving information specifying a destination of the message from another apparatus and storing the information in the means for holding.   A computer-executable computer program that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to operate as the gateway device according to any one of claims 1 to 22.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 23 is recorded.

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