JP2012170233A - Apparatus controller and apparatus control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus controller capable of enhancing convenience of a user, and further to provide an apparatus control method.SOLUTION: An apparatus controller 10 comprises: a time-shift time calculating section 14 for calculating a time-shift time indicating an operation start time or an operation stop time, from which or to which an electric bill charged when a household appliance 20 is operated is not greater than a predetermined electricity charge; a re-calculation determining section 17 for determining whether or not the time-shift time having been calculated by the time-shift time calculating section 14 is changed; and a notifying section 18 for notifying a user that the time-shift time having been initially calculated is changed in a case where the time-shift time is determined to be changed by the re-calculation determining section 17.

Description

  The present invention relates to a device control apparatus and a device control method for controlling the operation start time or operation end time of an electric device.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a power load leveling system that presents a time period during which the load of a power supply device of a power company is low during a day and prompts each customer to use power during this time period (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the above power load leveling system, by showing each customer a time zone (recommended power usage time) when the load of the power supply device is low during the day, and encouraging the use of power in this time zone, It is described that the bottom power of the power demand can be increased. Moreover, it can be expected that the peak power will be reduced along with this, and it is described that the load of the power supply apparatus is leveled as a whole.

  In addition, the leveling of the load will lead to a reduction in the cost for the power company to control the amount of power generated by the power supply device in accordance with the power demand. It is described that if a discount is performed, a power user who is a consumer can expect to use cheap power intentionally at that time, and the power demand can be leveled more effectively.

  As an example, electric water heaters and heat pump water heaters that boil hot water using a late-night power contract or an hourly lamp contract in order to equalize the daily power demand are already widespread in the home. The hot water boiled using low-power electricity at the late night of the previous day (for example, between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am) is stored in a hot water storage tank, and this hot water is used for meals, showers, and bathing during the day, morning, and night. By using it, the power demand for boiling water is shifted to the midnight time of the previous day.

  These electric water heaters and heat pump water heaters compatible with midnight power have a clock means in their devices, and start boiling operation when the time set in advance by a contract with an electric power company comes. That is, the reserved operation is performed every day at a preset operation start time (or operation end time).

  In the future, natural energy generators such as solar power generators and wind power generators may be widely used, but it is expected that the amount of power generated by these natural energy generators will vary greatly depending on the climate and time.

  Then, technology to control power demand will become more and more important in the future. It is considered that a new system for controlling the power demand according to the fluctuating power generation amount is required in addition to the conventional system for leveling the power demand and controlling the power generation amount accordingly.

  For example, if an electric power company fluctuates the electricity bill according to the fluctuating power generation amount, the electricity bill is reduced when the power generation amount is large, and the electricity bill is increased when the power generation amount is small, and the electric power bill is changed according to the fluctuating power generation amount. Electric power demand can be controlled.

JP 2007-124793 A

  By the way, there are countries that have adopted a real-time pricing system in regions where solar power generation devices and wind power generation devices are spreading. This is because electricity charges are reduced at a fixed time between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am every day for late-night electricity contracts, whereas real-time pricing is real-time according to the amount of power generated by solar and wind power generators. The electricity rate fluctuates during the same period, and the electricity rate fluctuates depending on the day even in the same time zone.

  For example, electricity price information (a table in which time zones and electricity charges are entered) that increases or decreases electricity charges every hour is distributed from an electric power company to consumers. As for the frequency of distribution of the electricity charge information, for example, the electricity charge information of the next day is distributed today. Alternatively, the electricity bill information for this afternoon will be distributed this morning. The user operates the electric device with reference to the electric charge information.

  However, since the real-time pricing is not considered in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the home appliance is operated by selecting a time zone where the electricity rate is cheaper by using the electricity rate information or the electricity rate menu provided by the power company. In this case, there is a possibility that the convenience of the user is impaired.

  For example, it is possible to reduce the electricity bill by operating the electric device in a time zone where the electricity bill is cheap as in Patent Document 1. When this is applied to frequently changing electricity bill information such as real-time pricing, the operating time of the electric device changes every time the cheap electricity bill time fluctuates. As a result, the operation start time initially set by the user may be different from the operation start time at which the operation of the electric device is actually started.

  In Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to changing the initially set operation start time or operation end time. Therefore, when the initially set operation start time is changed, the user cannot know that the operation start time has been changed, and can grasp when the operation of the electric device is started. There is a risk of disappearing.

  For this reason, it is also conceivable to provide a notification unit to notify the user that the time shift time calculated first is changed when the time shift time is changed from the calculated time. However, in real-time pricing, it is expected that the electricity rate will fluctuate frequently, and the operation time of the electric equipment may change frequently. As a result, the user is often notified that the time shift time is changed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and provides a device control apparatus and a device control method that can suppress unnecessary time shift time change notification as much as possible and improve user convenience. It is for the purpose.

The device control apparatus according to the present invention includes a time shift time calculation unit that calculates a time shift time indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which an electricity bill charged when an electric device is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined charge, A change determination unit that determines whether or not to change the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit, and a change determination unit that is determined to change the time shift time is calculated first. It is determined that the time shift time is changed by the notification unit that notifies the user that the time shift time is changed, the driving avoidance time zone storage unit that stores the malfunction time zone corresponding to the electrical device, and the change determination unit. And the changed time shift time does not correspond to the failure time zone stored in the driving avoidance time zone storage unit. And a notification determination unit to prohibit the notifying operation of the notification unit.

  According to this configuration, the time shift time calculation unit calculates a time shift time indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which the electricity bill charged when the electric device is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined charge. The change determining unit determines whether to change the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculating unit.

  When the change determination unit determines that the operation time is to be changed, the notification availability determination unit compares the drive avoidance time zone stored in the drive avoidance time zone storage unit with the new operation time (time shift time), If the operation start time or operation end time of the new operation time is within the operation avoidance time zone, the notification unit is informed that the time shift time calculated first is changed, and the operation start time and operation of the new time shift time are If the end time is not in the driving avoidance time zone, the notification unit is not notified that the time shift time calculated first is changed.

  Therefore, when the time shift time is changed by the time shift time calculation unit and the change determination unit, the user is notified if the new time shift time is in the driving avoidance time zone, and the new time shift time is in the driving avoidance time zone. If it is not included, the change in the driving time is not notified and the change notification of the unnecessary time shift time can be suppressed as much as possible, so that the troublesomeness of the user can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  In addition, it is not a malfunction time zone and a driving avoidance time zone, and it is a time zone in which there is no problem even if driving, and if the change of the driving time due to time shift is a time zone where there is no problem even if driving, it will not be notified, The same effect can be achieved even by control in which notification is made during a time zone in which there is a problem when driving changes due to time shift.

  Similarly, even in the result of the first time shift time calculation that changes the operation time set by the user, the user is informed if the calculated time shift time is within the drive avoidance time zone, and enters the drive avoidance time zone. If it is not, the change of the driving time is not notified and the notification of the unnecessary change of the driving time can be suppressed as much as possible, the user's troublesomeness can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable to memorize | store the time slot | zone when it is better to avoid driving | operation for every household appliances in said driving avoidance time memory | storage means.

  According to this configuration, even when the user of the dishwasher and the washing / drying machine wants to avoid different operations, the operation avoidance time of the dishwasher and the operation avoidance time of the washing / drying machine can be stored separately, so Conveniently responds to styles and improves convenience.

  In the device control apparatus, the change determination unit determines whether or not to recalculate the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit, and the time shift time calculation unit When the determination unit determines to calculate the time shift time again, the time shift time is calculated, and the notification availability determination unit determines that the new time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit is the time When it is different from the time shift time first calculated by the shift time calculation unit, it is preferable to determine whether or not to notify the user that the operation time is changed by the notification availability determination unit.

According to this configuration, the change determination unit determines whether or not to calculate the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit again. When it is determined that the time shift time is calculated again by the change determination unit, the time shift time is calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit. When the new time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit is different from the time shift time calculated first by the time shift time calculation unit, the notification availability determination unit is further calculated by the time shift time calculation unit. The new time shift time is compared with the time shift time first calculated by the time shift time calculation unit. As a result of the comparison, if the two are different, the notification availability determination unit compares the driving avoidance time zone stored in the driving avoidance time zone storage unit, and changes the time shift time if the new time shift time is within the driving avoidance time zone To the user, and if the new driving time is not within the driving avoidance time zone, the user is not notified of the change in the time shift time.

  Therefore, if the recalculated time shift time is different from the first calculated time shift time, the user is notified if the new time shift time is in the driving avoidance time zone, and the new time shift time is the driving avoidance time. If it is not in the belt, the change of the driving time is not notified and the change notification of the unnecessary time shift time can be suppressed as much as possible, the user's troublesomeness can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  The device control apparatus may further include a power rate information acquisition unit that acquires power rate information indicating a power rate that changes with time, and the change determination unit is acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit. When the power rate information changes, it is preferable to determine that the time shift time is calculated again.

  According to this configuration, when the power rate information indicating the power rate that changes with time changes, the time shift time is calculated again, so that the time shift time according to the current power rate can be determined.

  The device control method according to the present invention includes a time shift time calculating step for calculating a time shift time indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which an electricity bill charged when an electric device is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined charge, When it is determined that the time shift time calculated in the time shift time calculation step is to be changed, and the change determination step is to change the time shift time in the change determination step, it is calculated first. It is determined that the time shift time is changed by the notification step of notifying the user that the time shift time is changed, the driving avoidance time storage step of storing the trouble time zone corresponding to the electric device, and the change determination step. The time shift time after the change is stored in the driving avoidance time storage step. When it is not applicable to the problem hours and a notification determination step of prohibiting the notification operation of the notification step.

  According to this configuration, in the time shift time calculating step, a time shift time indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which the electricity bill charged when the electric device is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined charge is calculated. Next, in the change determination step, it is determined whether or not to change the time shift time calculated in the time shift time calculation step. When it is determined that the time shift time is changed in the change determination step, the driving avoidance time zone stored in the driving avoidance time zone storage step is compared with the new operation time (time shift time), and the operation at the new operation time is performed. If the start time or the operation end time is within the operation avoidance time zone, it is notified that the time shift time calculated first in the notification step is changed, and the operation start time and operation end time of the new time shift time are the operation. If it is not in the avoidance time zone, the notification step does not notify that the time shift time calculated first is changed.

Therefore, when the time shift time is changed by the time shift time calculation step and the change determination step, the user is notified if the new time shift time is in the driving avoidance time zone, and the new time shift time is in the driving avoidance time zone. If it is not included, the change in the driving time is not notified and the change notification of the unnecessary time shift time can be suppressed as much as possible, so that the troublesomeness of the user can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  According to the present invention, when the time shift time calculated first is changed, if the new time shift time is not a particularly insane time and is not in a time zone that causes a problem for the user, the time shift time is again set. Since the change is not notified to the user, unnecessary change notification of the time shift time can be suppressed as much as possible, the user's troublesomeness can be reduced, and convenience can be improved.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the apparatus control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the apparatus control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention First flow chart for illustrating the operation of the home appliance in the present embodiment Second flow chart for illustrating the operation of the home appliance in the present embodiment First flowchart for explaining the operation of the device control apparatus in the present embodiment Second flowchart for explaining the operation of the device control apparatus in the present embodiment Schematic diagram for explaining the time shift time in the embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram for explaining recalculation of time shift time in the present embodiment The figure explaining the internal data structure of the driving avoidance time zone memory | storage part in this Embodiment

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: It is not the thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a device control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A device control system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a device control device 10 and home appliances 20, 30, and 40.

  Home appliances 20, 30, and 40 are, for example, a washing / drying machine, a rice cooker, an electric water heater, a dishwasher, a clothes dryer, an air conditioner, an electromagnetic cooker (IH), and a garbage disposal machine.

  The device control apparatus 10 and the home appliances 20, 30, and 40 are connected to each other via a wireless or wired home network so that information can be transmitted and received between them. In FIG. 1, three home appliances 20, 30, and 40 are connected to the device control apparatus 10, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and two or less, or four or more home appliances are devices. It may be connected to the control device 10.

  Moreover, the apparatus control apparatus 10 may be provided outside the house instead of in the house, and in that case, the home appliances 20, 30, and 40 are connected via an external network such as the Internet. Furthermore, one of the household electrical appliances 20, 30, and 40 may have the function of the device control device 10 without providing the device control device 10.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, since the household appliances 20, 30, and 40 are the same structures, only the household appliance 20 is illustrated in FIG.

  The device control apparatus 10 includes a reception unit 11, a power rate information acquisition unit 12, a power rate information storage unit 13, a time shift time calculation unit 14, a time shift time storage unit 15, a transmission unit 16, a recalculation determination unit 17, and a notification unit. 18. A driving avoidance time zone storage unit 19 and a notification availability determination unit 27 are provided.

  The receiving unit 11 receives various data, information, and signals transmitted by the home appliance 20. The receiving unit 11 receives the time shift time calculation start signal transmitted by the home appliance 20. The time shift time calculation start signal is a signal for instructing start of calculation of the time shift time, identification information for identifying the home appliance 20, driving period information indicating a period required for the home appliance 20 to drive, and the home appliance It includes power information indicating the power required for the device 20 to operate.

  The power charge information acquisition unit 12 acquires power charge information indicating a power charge that changes with time. The power rate information is provided from, for example, an electric power company. For example, the power charge information acquisition unit 12 acquires the power charge information of the day on the previous day and stores it in the internal memory. The power rate information represents a change in power rate per 1 kWh for 24 hours. The electric power charge fluctuates according to time, for example, every hour. This is because electricity supply sources such as solar cells and fuel cells are installed in homes with home appliances, and electricity supply systems to homes change drastically due to the installation of storage batteries. It reflects the changing real-time pricing.

  Real-time pricing generally indicates power rate information notified from an electric power company in advance. Real-time pricing is created not only from information on electricity charges from electric power companies, but also from past results of household appliances such as power supply sources and storage batteries, information on purchased electricity charges, and information on electricity sales. In some cases, the power rate information is displayed.

  As described above, the power rate information is applied only to a certain home created not only from the power rate information from the power company but also from the past performance of the device operation information, the power purchase fee information and the power sale fee information. It may be power rate information. In short, it is only necessary to know a power rate that fluctuates depending on time, and the method of obtaining the information is not limited.

  As described above, real-time pricing in which the charge is changed finely for each unit time based on the power demand prediction is adopted for the power charge information. Factors that fluctuate electricity demand include seasons, days of the week, weather conditions (temperature, relative humidity, weather, etc.), large-scale consumer operation plans, social factors (sports events, etc.), and economic trends. It is closely related to weather conditions. For example, the effect when the temperature changes once is assumed to be 3% for summer power demand and 1.5% for winter power demand.

  In recent years, the installation of photovoltaic power generation devices has been promoted, and the electric power obtained by photovoltaic power generation is being used in the whole society. The amount of power generated by solar power has a significant correlation with sunshine hours, and sunshine hours have a greater effect than temperature fluctuations.

  For example, if the temperature is higher than expected and it is hot and humid, but the sun is blocked by clouds and sufficient sunshine hours are not obtained, the power demand will increase, but the photovoltaic power generation system will Power supply cannot be obtained. From these points, the accuracy of the weather forecast will directly affect the power demand forecast. However, it is currently difficult to accurately predict regional temperatures and sunshine hours.

Unexpected power demand fluctuations are unavoidable at this time, so real-time pricing is required to change the electricity rate every certain unit time (for example, every 3 hours) as the power demand fluctuates. Shifting the operating time of home appliances (so-called time shift) is being demanded as a basic function of home appliances.

  The power rate information storage unit 13 stores the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit 12. In the present embodiment, the power rate information storage unit 13 stores the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit 12, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this and is input by the user. The power charge information may be stored.

  The time shift time calculation unit 14 calculates, as the time shift time, an operation start time at which the electricity bill charged when the home appliance 20 is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined charge. When the home appliance 20 is driven based on the driving period information and power information received by the receiving unit 11 and the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13, the time shift time calculation unit 14 The operation start time at which the electricity bill charged for is the cheapest is calculated. Note that the time shift time calculation unit 14 may calculate only the operation end time instead of calculating only the operation start time, or may calculate both the operation start time and the operation end time.

  The time shift time storage unit 15 includes the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit 14, the operation period information used when calculating the time shift time, and the electric power used when calculating the time shift time. The information is stored in association with the identification information received by the receiving unit 11. The time shift time storage unit 15 stores time shift time, operation period information, and power information for each home appliance.

  The transmission unit 16 transmits various data, information, and signals to the home appliance 20. The transmission unit 16 transmits the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit 14 to the home appliance 20. When the transmitted time shift time is corrected in the home appliance 20, the receiving unit 11 receives a confirmation signal including the corrected time shift time, and stores the corrected time shift time in the time shift time storage unit 15. Remember.

  The recalculation determination unit 17 determines whether or not to change the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit 14. More specifically, the recalculation determination unit 17 determines whether or not to recalculate the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit 14. The recalculation determination unit 17 monitors the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13 and determines whether the power rate information has been updated. When it is determined that the power rate information has been updated, the recalculation determination unit 17 instructs the time shift time calculation unit 14 to recalculate the time shift time. In addition, the recalculation determination unit 17 in the present embodiment corresponds to an example of a change determination unit.

  When the recalculation determination unit 17 determines that the time shift time is calculated again, the time shift time calculation unit 14 calculates the time shift time again. At this time, the time shift time calculation unit 14 is based on the operation period information and power information stored in the time shift time storage unit 15 and the updated power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13. Thus, the operation start time at which the electricity bill charged when the home appliance 20 is operated is the lowest is calculated.

When the recalculation determination unit 17 determines that the time shift time is to be changed, the notification availability determination unit 27 determines whether to notify the user that the time shift time calculated first is to be changed. The notification propriety determination unit 27 is different in the time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit 14 from the time shift time calculated first by the time shift time calculation unit 14 and the driving avoidance time zone storage unit 19. If the time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit 14 is included in the time zone in which it is better to avoid the operation of the home appliance 20 stored in the device, the user should be notified It is judged that.

  Further, the notification propriety determination unit 27 is different from the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit 14 in the time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit 14, but the driving avoidance time zone storage unit When the time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit 14 is not included in the time zone in which it is better to avoid the operation of the household electrical appliance 20 stored in 19, Judge that notification should not be made.

  The transmission unit 16 transmits the notification signal created by the notification unit 18 to the home appliance 20.

  The driving avoidance time zone storage unit 19 stores a time zone in which it is better to avoid driving for each home appliance. For example, when the home appliance 20 is a dishwasher, it is stored as a time when it is better to avoid driving from midnight when a householder is likely to sleep to 5:00 the next morning. In this case, it is better to avoid the time when the house is likely to be absent because it takes time to remove it after drying and wrinkles. The driving avoidance time zone for each of these home appliances may be set by the user, may be notified from the home appliance 20 to the device control device 10, or stored in the driving avoidance time zone storage unit 19 of the device control device 10. It may be written as an initial value at the time of factory shipment.

  In addition, when it is judged that the alerting | reporting possibility determination part 27 should alert | report, as the timing notified to a user, the following six patterns can be considered.

  The first notification timing is immediately before the operation start time after the change. In addition, it is preferable that immediately before the operation start time after change is, for example, 1 to 15 minutes before the operation start time after change. The notification unit 18 has a built-in timer, and outputs a notification signal to the transmission unit 16 when the current time is immediately before the changed operation start time.

  The second notification timing is the operation start time after the change. The notification unit 18 outputs a notification signal to the transmission unit 16 when the current time reaches the changed operation start time.

  The third notification timing is immediately before the operation end time after the change. In addition, it is preferable that immediately before the operation end time after the change is, for example, 1 to 15 minutes before the operation end time after the change. The notification unit 18 outputs a notification signal to the transmission unit 16 when the current time is immediately before the changed operation end time.

  The fourth notification timing is the operation end time after the change. The notification unit 18 outputs a notification signal to the transmission unit 16 when the current time reaches the changed operation end time.

  The fifth notification timing is the operation start time before the change (first). The notification unit 18 outputs a notification signal to the transmission unit 16 when the current time becomes the operation start time before the change.

  The sixth notification timing is a time point when the operation start time (time shift time) is changed. The notification unit 18 outputs a notification signal to the transmission unit 16 when the changed time shift time is transmitted to the home appliance 20.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user that the time shift time calculated first is changed at the first to sixth notification timings. In the following description, an example of notifying the user at the first notification timing will be mainly described.

  The home appliance 20 includes an input operation unit 21, an operation control unit 22, a transmission unit 23, a reception unit 24, a storage unit 25, and a display unit 26.

  The input operation unit 21 receives an input operation by a user.

  When the power is turned on, the operation control unit 22 generates a time shift time calculation start signal for instructing start of calculation of the time shift time, and outputs the generated time shift time calculation start signal to the transmission unit 23. . As described above, the time shift time calculation start signal includes identification information for identifying the home appliance 20, operation period information indicating a period required for the home appliance 20 to operate, and power information indicating power required for the home appliance 20 to operate. including. When the power is turned on, the operation control unit 22 reads the identification information, the operation period information, and the power information stored in advance, and outputs a time shift time calculation start signal including the read identification information, operation period information, and power information. The data is output to the transmission unit 23.

  The transmission unit 23 transmits various data, information, and signals to the device control apparatus 10. The transmission unit 23 transmits the time shift time calculation start signal output from the operation control unit 22 to the device control apparatus 10. When the time shift time transmitted by the device control device 10 is corrected, the transmission unit 23 transmits a confirmation signal including the corrected time shift time to the device control device 10.

  The receiving unit 24 receives various data, information, and signals transmitted by the device control apparatus 10. The receiving unit 24 receives the time shift time transmitted by the device control device 10 and also receives the notification signal transmitted by the device control device 10.

  The storage unit 25 stores the time shift time received by the receiving unit 24. The operation control unit 22 controls the operation of the home appliance 20 based on the operation start time stored in the storage unit 25. That is, the operation control unit 22 has a built-in timer, and outputs a start signal when the current time comes to the operation start time stored in the storage unit 25 to control the home appliance 20 to start operation.

  When the notification signal is received by the receiving unit 24, the display unit 26 displays that the time shift time calculated first is changed. The display unit 26 may display the time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit 14 and the time shift time calculated first by the time shift time calculation unit 14 together. Only the time shift time calculated again by the time calculation unit 14 may be displayed.

  Moreover, when alerting | reporting at a 1st alerting | reporting timing, the display part 26 starts the driving | operation of the household appliances 20 immediately before the driving start time of the household appliances 20 specified based on the time shift time calculated again. Is displayed. When notifying at the second notification timing, the display unit 26 displays that the operation of the home appliance 20 is started at the operation start time of the home appliance 20 specified based on the time shift time calculated again. When the notification is made at the third notification timing, the display unit 26 displays that the operation of the home appliance 20 is ended immediately before the operation end time of the home appliance 20 specified based on the time shift time calculated again. To do.

When informing at the fourth notification timing, the display unit 26 displays that the operation of the home appliance 20 is ended at the operation end time of the home appliance 20 specified based on the time shift time calculated again. When notifying at the fifth notification timing, the display unit 26 has changed the operation start time of the home appliance 20 to the operation start time of the home appliance 20 specified based on the time shift time before the change (first). Display. When notifying at the sixth notification timing, the display unit 26 displays that the operation start time of the home appliance 20 has been changed when the first time shift time is changed.

  Further, a fuzzer may be sounded together with the display of the operation time. Furthermore, when the notification availability determination unit 27 of the device control apparatus 10 determines not to notify, the fuzzer is not sounded, but only the changed operation time may be displayed.

  Further, the notification by the buzzer sound may be performed by the home appliance 20, the device control apparatus 10, or both the home appliance 20 and the apparatus control device 10.

  Next, operation of the home appliance in this embodiment will be described.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts for describing operation of the home appliance in this embodiment.

  First, in step S1, the input operation unit 21 accepts power-on by the user.

  Next, in step S2, the operation control unit 22 generates a time shift time calculation start signal for instructing start of calculation of the time shift time. The operation control unit 22 reads identification information, operation period information, and power information stored in advance, and generates a time shift time calculation start signal including the read identification information, operation period information, and power information. The operation control unit 22 outputs the generated time shift time calculation start signal to the transmission unit 23.

  In the present embodiment, the operation period information and the power information that are stored in advance and are uniquely determined when the power is turned on are read. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and an input operation is performed. The unit 21 may accept input of driving period information and power information by the user. Moreover, the input operation part 21 may receive an input of driving conditions by the user, and the driving period information and the power information may be specified based on the received driving conditions.

  For example, if the home appliance 20 is a washing / drying machine, a laundry course (a standard course, an energy saving course, a short-time course, etc.) is selected by the input operation unit 21, so that operation period information and power information corresponding to the laundry course are obtained. Since it can specify, it is not necessary for a user to input driving | operation period information and electric power information. In short, if the operation period information and the power information can be specified by some input information, the user does not need to input individual information.

  Moreover, the household appliances 20 may memorize | store each information input with the input operation part 21 in internal memory. Here, if the information input by the input operation unit 21 is information that needs to be converted from the driving conditions such as the washing course, the input operation unit 21 sets driving period information and power information corresponding to the washing course. The conversion correspondence table is stored in advance.

  In particular, if the home appliance 20 is a washing / drying machine, a plurality of steps (for example, a washing step, a dehydration step, a drying step, etc.) are sequentially performed during operation, so that the operation period information and power information are complicated. It becomes. The input operation unit 21 stores a plurality of pieces of power information for each sensor result such as a laundry course, the weight of laundry clothes, and an outside air temperature.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, the transmission unit 23 transmits the time shift time calculation start signal output from the operation control unit 22 to the device control apparatus 10.

Next, in step S4, the operation control unit 22 determines whether or not the time shift time is received within a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a timeout time for waiting for transmission of the time shift time from the device control apparatus 10, and is set to 5 minutes, for example. Here, when it is determined that the time shift time has not been received within the predetermined time (NO in step S4), in step S5, the operation control unit 22 notifies the user of the system abnormality. That is, the operation control unit 22 displays a display screen indicating that there is some abnormality in the operation control system on the display unit 26.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the time shift time is received within the predetermined time (YES in step S4), in step S6, the operation control unit 22 displays the time shift time received by the receiving unit 24 on the display unit 26. Control to do. The display unit 26 displays the time shift time.

  Next, in step S <b> 7, the operation control unit 22 determines whether a numerical value increase / decrease button provided in the input operation unit 21 has been pressed. When the numerical value increase / decrease button is pressed, the time shift time displayed on the display unit 26 can be increased or decreased. If it is determined that the numerical value increase / decrease button has not been pressed (NO in step S7), the process proceeds to step S9.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the numerical value increase / decrease button has been pressed (YES in step S7), in step S8, the operation control unit 22 determines the time shift time displayed on the display unit 26 in response to the numerical value increase / decrease button being pressed. Control to change the numerical value.

  Next, in step S <b> 9, the operation control unit 22 determines whether or not a cancel button provided in the input operation unit 21 has been pressed. When the cancel button is pressed, the operation control unit 22 cancels the time shift time displayed on the display unit 26. Here, when it is determined that the cancel button has been pressed (YES in step S9), the process proceeds to step S13, and the operation control unit 22 performs control to immediately start the operation of the home appliance 20.

  In the present embodiment, when it is determined that the cancel button is pressed in step S9, the home appliance 20 is immediately started to operate. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the cancel button is pressed. When it is determined that the operation has been performed, the operation control unit 22 may perform control so as to display a screen for accepting an input of an operation start time by the user. In this case, the input operation unit 21 receives an input by the user of the operation start time.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the cancel button is not pressed, that is, when the confirmation button provided in the input operation unit 21 is pressed (NO in step S9), in step S10, the operation control unit 22 determines the determined time. A confirmation signal including the shift time is transmitted to the device control apparatus 10.

  Next, in step S <b> 11, the operation control unit 22 stores the determined time shift time in the storage unit 25.

  Next, in step S <b> 12, the operation control unit 22 determines whether or not the current time has reached the operation start time (time shift time) stored in the storage unit 25. Here, when it is determined that the current time is the operation start time stored in the storage unit 25 (YES in step S12), the operation control unit 22 starts the operation of the home appliance 20 in step S13. In addition, the driving control part 22 drives the household appliances 20 according to the said driving conditions, when driving conditions are input by the input operation part 21. FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the current time is not the operation start time stored in the storage unit 25 (NO in step S12), in step S14, the operation control unit 22 sets the changed time shift time to the device. It is determined whether or not it has been received from the control device 10. If it is determined that the changed time shift time has not been received from the device control apparatus 10 (NO in step S14), the process returns to step S12.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the changed time shift time is received from the device control apparatus 10 (YES in step S14), in step S15, the operation control unit 22 sets the operation start time stored in the storage unit 25. The updated time shift time received by the receiving unit 24 is updated.

  Next, in step S <b> 16, the operation control unit 22 determines whether a notification signal is received from the device control apparatus 10. If it is determined that a notification signal has not been received from the device control apparatus 10 (NO in step S16), the process returns to step S12.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification signal has been received from the device control apparatus 10 (YES in step S16), in step S17, the operation control unit 22 displays a display screen for notifying that the operation of the home appliance 20 is started. The display is controlled to be displayed on the unit 26, and the process returns to step S12. The display part 26 displays the display screen which alert | reports starting the driving | operation of the household appliances 20. FIG.

  Next, the operation of the device control apparatus in the present embodiment will be described.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the device control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S <b> 21, the reception unit 11 receives a time shift time calculation start signal transmitted from the home appliance 20.

  Next, in step S <b> 22, the time shift time calculation unit 14 selects the home appliance based on the operation period information and power information received by the receiving unit 11 and the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13. The operation start time at which the electricity bill charged when the device 20 is operated is the lowest is calculated as the time shift time. The time shift time calculation unit 14 outputs the calculated time shift time to the transmission unit 16 and the time shift time storage unit 15. The power charge information acquisition unit 12 periodically acquires power charge information and stores it in the power charge information storage unit 13.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the time shift time in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the power rate (yen / kWh).

  The time shift time calculation unit 14 is an operation schedule in which the electricity bill charged when the home appliance 20 is operated is the lowest based on the operation period information, power information, and power rate information (power rate Y (t)). The period Tx is calculated, and the time shift time (operation start time) is calculated based on the scheduled operation period Tx. The time shift time calculation unit 14 uses the following equation (1) to calculate the electricity bill charged when the home appliance 20 is driven. That is, the time shift time calculation unit 14 calculates a value obtained by multiplying the power charge Y (t) for each time period by the power P (t) required for the home appliance 20 to operate from the operation start time t1 to the operation end time t2. By integrating over the operation period, the charged electricity bill can be calculated.

  Note that the power P (t) may be determined by factors other than time, such as when the electricity rate is determined by the peak power during a specific period. In addition, when a plurality of scheduled driving periods Tx with the lowest electricity bill are extracted, the time shift time calculation unit 14 determines the driving scheduled period whose driving start time is closest to the current time ta among the plurality of scheduled driving periods Tx. Select Tx.

  Returning to FIG. 5, next, in step S <b> 23, the transmission unit 16 transmits the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit 14 to the home appliance 20.

  Next, in step S <b> 24, the receiving unit 11 receives a confirmation signal transmitted from the home appliance 20. The confirmation signal includes the time shift time confirmed by the home appliance 20. The time shift time determined by the home appliance 20 is the time shift time transmitted by the transmission unit 16 or the time shift time corrected by the home appliance 20.

  Next, in step S25, the time shift time storage unit 15 stores the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit 14, the operation period information used when calculating the time shift time, and the time shift time. The power information used in the calculation is stored in association with the identification information received by the receiving unit 11. When the time shift time included in the confirmation signal is different from the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit 14, the time shift time storage unit 15 stores the time shift time included in the determination signal.

  Next, in step S <b> 26, the recalculation determination unit 17 determines whether or not the current time has reached the operation start time (time shift time) stored in the time shift time storage unit 15. Here, when it is determined that the current time is the operation start time (time shift time) stored in the time shift time storage unit 15 (YES in step S26), the process of the device control apparatus 10 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current time is not the operation start time (time shift time) stored in the time shift time storage unit 15 (NO in step S26), the recalculation determination unit 17 is determined in step S27. Monitors the power charge information stored in the power charge information storage unit 13.

  Next, in step S28, the recalculation determination unit 17 determines whether or not the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13 has been updated. If it is determined that the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13 has not been updated (NO in step S28), the process returns to step S26.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13 has been updated (YES in step S28), in step S29, the time shift time calculation unit 14 calculates the time shift time again. . At this time, the time shift time calculation unit 14 is based on the operation period information and power information stored in the time shift time storage unit 15 and the updated power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13. Thus, the operation start time at which the electricity bill charged when the home appliance 20 is operated is the lowest is calculated. The time shift time calculation method in step S29 is the same as the time shift time calculation method in step S22.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the recalculation of the time shift time in the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the power rate (yen / kWh).

  First, the time shift time calculation unit 14 is based on the operation period information and power information received by the reception unit 11 and the power rate information (power rate Y (t)) stored in the power rate information storage unit 13. Thus, the operation scheduled period Tx that provides the lowest cost of electricity when the home appliance 20 is operated is calculated, and the time shift time (operation start time) is calculated based on the scheduled operation period Tx.

  Thereafter, when the power rate Y (t) is updated to the power rate Y ′ (t), the time shift time calculation unit 14 stores the operation period information and power information stored in the time shift time storage unit 15, and the power Based on the updated power charge information (power charge Y ′ (t)) stored in the charge information storage unit 13, the operation schedule that the electricity bill charged when the home appliance 20 is operated is the lowest A period Ty is calculated, and a time shift time (operation start time) is calculated based on the scheduled operation period Ty.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the power rate Y (t) is updated to the power rate Y ′ (t), the time shift time is calculated again, and the scheduled operation period Ty is newly calculated. As a result, the time shift time is changed from the first 13:00 to 16:00.

  Returning to FIG. 5, next, in step S <b> 30, the time shift time calculation unit 14 first calculates the time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit 14 and the time shift time storage unit 15. It is determined whether or not the calculated time shift time is the same. Here, if it is determined that the time shift time calculated again and the time shift time calculated first are the same (YES in step S30), the process returns to step S26.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the time shift time calculated again is different from the time shift time calculated first (NO in step S30), in step S31, the transmission unit 16 causes the time shift time calculation unit 14 to The time shift time calculated again is transmitted to home appliance 20.

  Next, in step S <b> 32, the time shift time storage unit 15 updates the stored time shift time to the time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit 14.

  Next, in step S33, the notification unit 18 determines whether or not the current time is immediately before the changed time shift time (operation start time). More specifically, the notification unit 18 determines whether or not the current time is a predetermined time before the changed time shift time (operation start time) (for example, 5 minutes before). Here, when it is determined that the current time is not immediately before the changed time shift time (operation start time) (NO in step S33), in step S34, the recalculation determination unit 17 sets the power rate information storage unit. 13 monitors the power charge information stored in 13.

  Next, in step S35, the recalculation determination unit 17 determines whether or not the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13 has been updated. If it is determined that the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13 has not been updated (NO in step S35), the process returns to step S33.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the power rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13 has been updated (YES in step S35), the process returns to step S29.

    When it is determined that the current time is immediately before the changed time shift time (operation start time) (YES in step S33), the notification availability determination unit 27 again performs the time shift time calculation unit 14 in step 36. As a result of the calculation, whether or not a part of the driving time due to the time shift is included in the time zone where it is better to avoid driving the home appliance 20 stored in the driving avoidance time zone storage unit 19. If it is determined and included, it is determined that the user may be notified (step 37), and a notification signal is transmitted to the home appliance 20 (stap 38).

  In addition, as a result of being calculated again by the time shift time calculation unit 14 in step 36, the notification availability determination unit 27 should avoid driving the home appliance 20 stored in the drive avoidance time zone storage unit 19. If any part of the operation time due to the time shift is not included in the set time zone, it is determined that the user should not be notified (step 39).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the internal data structure of the driving avoidance time zone storage unit 19. The data in the driving avoidance time zone storage unit 19 is a table in which home appliance names (201 to 203) are arranged vertically and times (101 to 104) are arranged horizontally. The time value 101 is the start time of the first driving avoidance time zone, the time value 102 is the end time of the first driving avoidance time zone, the time value 103 is the start time of the second driving avoidance time zone, and the time value 104 is the first time The end time of the second driving avoidance time zone is recorded for each home appliance (201 to 203). As each home appliance, a dishwasher 201, a clothes dryer 202, and a refrigerator 203 are allocated. Here, the refrigerator 203 indicates not the normal operation time but the time during which the defrosting control works. According to the table of FIG. 9, the dishwasher 201 is from 0 to 5 o'clock, the clothes dryer 202 is from 0 to 4 o'clock and from 8 o'clock to noon, and the defrosting control of the refrigerator 203 is From 6 o'clock to 22 o'clock, it is stored as a time zone where driving should be avoided (or avoided).

  The driving avoidance time zone for each home appliance may be set by the user according to the lifestyle of the user.

  As described above, when the time shift time is changed by the time shift time calculation unit and the change determination unit, the user is notified if the new time shift time is in the driving avoidance time zone, and the new time shift time is displayed as the driving avoidance time. If it is not in the belt, the change of the driving time is not notified and the change notification of the unnecessary time shift time can be suppressed as much as possible, the user's troublesomeness can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The device control device and the device control method according to the present invention can improve user convenience and are useful for a device control device and a device control method that control the operation start time or operation end time of an electric device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Device control apparatus 11 Receiving part 12 Electricity rate information acquisition part 13 Electricity rate information memory | storage part 14 Time shift time calculating part 15 Time shift time memory | storage part 16 Transmission part 17 Recalculation judgment part 18 Notification part 20, 30, 40 Home appliance 21 Input operation unit 22 Operation control unit 23 Transmission unit 24 Reception unit 25 Storage unit 26 Display unit 100 Device control system

Claims (5)

A time shift time calculating unit for calculating a time shift time indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which the electricity bill charged when the electric device is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined charge;
A change determining unit that determines whether to change the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculating unit;
When the change determination unit determines to change the time shift time, a notification unit that notifies the user that the time shift time calculated first is changed;
An operation avoidance time zone storage unit for storing a malfunction time zone corresponding to the electrical device;
If the change determination unit determines that the time shift time is to be changed, and if the changed time shift time does not correspond to the failure time zone stored in the driving avoidance time zone storage unit, the notification unit A notification availability determination unit that prohibits the notification operation;
A device control apparatus comprising: The device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving avoidance time zone storage unit stores a failure time zone corresponding to each of a plurality of electrical devices. The change determination unit determines whether to calculate the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculation unit again,
The time shift time calculation unit calculates the time shift time again when it is determined by the change determination unit to calculate the time shift time again,
The notifying unit notifies the time shift time calculated again by the time shift time calculating unit that the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculating unit is different from the time shift time calculated by the time shift time calculating unit. 3. The apparatus control device according to claim 1, wherein when the operation is not prohibited, the device control device notifies the user that the time shift time calculated first is changed. A power rate information acquisition unit that acquires power rate information indicating a power rate that changes every hour;
4. The device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change determination unit determines to calculate the time shift time again when the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit changes. 5. . A time shift time calculating step for calculating a time shift time indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which the electricity bill charged when the electric device is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined charge;
A change determining step for determining whether or not to change the time shift time calculated in the time shift time calculating step;
When it is determined in the change determination step that the time shift time is to be changed, a notification step for notifying the user that the time shift time calculated first is to be changed, and the time shift time is changed by the change determination step. Then, if it is determined, if the time shift time after the change does not correspond to the failure time zone determined corresponding to the electrical equipment, a notification availability determination step that does not execute the notification step;
A device control method comprising:

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