JP2013051668A - Communication device, power consumption control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device that can perform demand control without setting priority of a household electric appliance.SOLUTION: A communication adapter 401 controls a household electric appliance 301 on the basis of an instruction item corresponding to a specified priority order among a plurality of instruction items used for control of the household electric appliance 301 if a reduction instruction DRα for reducing power consumption in a house by a specified rate is received from an external device. The communication adapter 401 switches the instruction item used for controlling the household electric apparatus 301 to an instruction item having a one-step-lower priority order if power consumption of the household electric appliance 301 has not been reduced by the specified rate after control based on the instruction item corresponding to the specified priority order. The communication adapter 401 controls the household electric appliance 301 on the basis of the instruction item after the switching. The communication adapter 401 repeats switching of the instruction item and controlling the household electric appliance 301 on the basis of the instruction item after the switching until power consumption of the household electric appliance 301 is reduced by the specified rate.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a power consumption control method, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication device, a power consumption control method, and a program for controlling a plurality of home appliances in a home.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus that performs power demand control is known.
For example, in Patent Document 1, a demand priority setting unit that sets the priority of demand control and a priority notification unit that notifies the controller of the set priority are installed on the home appliance side as the above devices. A configuration is disclosed in which the controller determines the order of household appliances subject to demand control according to the priority from the priority notification means.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when the current consumption value contracted by the user is likely to be exceeded, the user shifts to the operation of stopping the operation or reducing the power consumption with respect to the radio remote control receiving unit of the air conditioner with the radio remote controller. A configuration for transmitting a simple message is disclosed.

JP 2010-75015 A JP 2010-74591 A

  However, a conventional device that performs demand control has a complicated configuration because the controller is configured to control a plurality of home appliances to be controlled.

  The present application has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a communication device, a power consumption control method, and a program capable of performing demand control of home appliances with a simple configuration. It is in.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the communication device is communicably connected to one of a plurality of home appliances in the house. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The memory stores a plurality of instruction contents used for controlling connected home appliances in association with priorities. The processor receives a reduction instruction for reducing in-home power consumption at a specified rate or more than the specified rate from an external device using the communication interface. When the processor receives the reduction instruction, the processor controls the connected home appliances based on the instruction contents of the designated priority order among the plurality of instruction contents. After the control based on the designated priority instruction content, if the power consumption of the designated percentage is not reduced in the connected home appliance, the processor uses the instruction content used to control the connected home appliance, Switch to the instruction content with the priority order one lower. The processor controls the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after switching. The processor repeats the switching and the control of the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching until the power consumption of the designated ratio is reduced in the connected home appliance.

Preferably, the lower the priority, the greater the power consumption reduction rate of the connected home appliance.
Preferably, the power consumption reduction ratio is associated with the instruction content in advance. The instruction content of the designated priority is an instruction content associated with a reduction rate corresponding to the designated rate.

  Preferably, the processor stores the specified rate in association with the reduction rate associated with the instruction content when the power consumption of the specified rate is reduced in the connected home appliance. When the processor receives again a reduction instruction for reducing power consumption that is the same as the specified ratio or more than the specified ratio from an external device, the processor has a reduction ratio associated with the specified ratio in the memory. The connected home appliance is controlled based on the instruction content. If the power consumption of the specified ratio is not reduced in the connected home appliance by the control based on the instruction content that is the reduction ratio associated with the specified ratio, the processor The control of the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after switching is repeated.

  Preferably, when the processor receives a selection instruction for selecting one instruction content from among a plurality of instruction contents and an update instruction for updating the selected instruction content, the processor updates the selected instruction content. Update the instruction content based on the instruction.

  Preferably, the communication device is an adapter communicably connected to a watt hour meter having a communication function. The external device is a watt hour meter.

  Preferably, the communication device is an adapter connected to a controller that manages a plurality of home appliances. The adapter converts communication data received from any one of the controller and the home appliance connected to the adapter into a communication format communicable with the other. The external device is a controller.

  Preferably, when receiving the reduction instruction, the communication device controls the connected home appliance based on the instruction content having the highest priority among the plurality of instruction contents.

  Preferably, the connected home appliance is a device that performs temperature control. The communication device further includes a thermometer. The memory stores a plurality of instruction contents divided into temperatures. When the processor receives the reduction instruction, the processor acquires the temperature from the thermometer. A processor controls the connected household appliance based on the instruction | indication content of the designated priority among the some instruction | indication content in the division in which the acquired temperature is included.

  Preferably, the connected home appliance is a device that performs temperature control. The communication device further includes a clock. The memory stores a plurality of instruction contents divided into times. When receiving the reduction instruction, the processor acquires the time from the clock. The processor controls the connected home appliances based on the instruction content of the designated priority among the plurality of instruction contents in the section including the acquired time.

  Preferably, the connected home appliance is a device having a lighting device or a display. The communication device further includes an illuminometer. The memory stores a plurality of instruction contents divided into illuminances. When receiving the reduction instruction, the processor acquires illuminance from the illuminometer. The processor controls the connected home appliances based on the instruction content of the designated priority order among the plurality of instruction contents in the category including the acquired illuminance.

  Preferably, a processor acquires the output from the sensor installed in the room in which the some household appliance was installed. The memory stores a plurality of instruction contents divided into sensor outputs. When the processor receives the reduction instruction, the processor controls the connected home appliance based on the instruction content of the designated priority order among the plurality of instruction contents in the section corresponding to the output of the sensor.

Preferably, the sensor is a human sensor or an illuminance sensor.
When the other situation of this invention is followed, a power consumption control method is a power consumption control method in the communication apparatus connected so that communication with one household appliance of the some household appliances in a house was possible. The memory of the communication device stores a plurality of instruction contents used for controlling connected home appliances in association with priorities. The power consumption control method includes a step in which a processor of a communication device receives a reduction instruction for reducing in-home power consumption at a specified rate or more than the specified rate from an external device using a communication interface; When the reduction instruction is received, the step of controlling the connected home appliance based on the instruction content of the designated priority among the plurality of instruction contents, and the control based on the instruction content of the designated priority Later, when the power consumption of the specified ratio is not reduced in the connected household appliance, the step of switching the instruction content used for control of the connected household appliance to the instruction content having a lower priority order; The processor controls the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching, and the processor operates in the connected home appliance. Until the power consumption of the percentage of the is reduced, and a step of repeating the switching, and control of the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the program is a program for controlling a communication device that is communicably connected to one of a plurality of home appliances in the house. The memory of the communication device stores a plurality of instruction contents used for controlling connected home appliances in association with priorities. Using the communication interface of the communication device, the program receives from the external device a step of receiving a reduction instruction for reducing the power consumption in the home at a specified rate or more than the rate, and upon receiving the reduction instruction, The step of controlling the connected home appliances based on the instruction content of the specified priority order among the instruction contents, and the ratio specified in the connected home appliances after the control based on the instruction content of the specified priority order If the power consumption has not been reduced, the instruction content used for controlling the connected home appliance is switched based on the instruction content that has a lower priority and the instruction content after the switching. Steps for controlling home appliances, switching until the specified percentage of power consumption in connected home appliances is reduced, and instructions after switching A step of repeating the control of the connected home appliances based, to be executed by the processor of the communication device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform demand control of home appliances with a simple configuration.

It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of a communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the process of each apparatus in a communication system. It is a figure showing the hardware constitutions of the smart meter. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a home controller. It is a figure showing the table of a different form. It is a figure showing the other table of a different form. It is a figure showing other table of a different form. It is a sequence chart in a communication system. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the data processing in a home controller. It is a figure for demonstrating the other communication system which is a modification of a communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of another communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the process of each apparatus in the communication system of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a communication adapter, and the structure of a household appliance. It is a figure showing the hardware constitutions of the communication adapter. It is the figure which showed the specific example of the table when not using temperature information and time information. It is the figure which showed the specific example of the table in the case of using temperature information. It is the figure which showed the specific example of the table in the case of using time information. It is a figure showing an example of the table stored in the memory of a communication adapter. It is a figure showing an example of the table stored in the memory of another communication adapter. It is a figure showing an example of the table stored in the memory of another communication adapter. 12 is a sequence chart in the communication system of FIG. 11. It is a flowchart in a communication adapter. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication system which is the other modification of the communication system in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication system 1D which is another modification of the communication system in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of another communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating the correspondence of a sensor and household appliances. It is a figure showing the hardware constitutions of the other smart meter. It is a figure showing the table which a home controller uses when a sensor is a human sensitive sensor. It is a figure showing the table which a home controller uses when a sensor is an illumination intensity sensor. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication system which is a modification of the communication system in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of another communication system. It is a figure showing the hardware constitutions of other communication adapters. It is a figure showing the specific example of the table which a communication adapter uses. It is a figure showing the specific example of the table which a communication adapter uses. It is a figure showing the specific example of the table which a communication adapter uses. It is a figure showing the specific example of the table which a communication adapter uses. It is a figure showing the specific example of the table which a communication adapter uses. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication system which is a modification of the communication system of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In 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.

[Embodiment 1]
<A. System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the communication system 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a smart meter 10, a home controller 20, and a household appliance group 30. Home appliance group 30 includes a plurality of home appliances. Home appliance group 30 includes, for example, an air conditioner 301, a refrigerator 302, a lighting device 303, a television 304, a washing machine 305, and a microwave oven 306. The smart meter 10 is installed outside the building 9 (outside the house). The home controller 20 and the household appliance group 30 are installed in the building 9 (home). In the following, for convenience of explanation, when each of the home appliances 301 to 306 included in the home appliance group 30 is expressed without being distinguished, it is expressed as “home appliance 300”.

  In addition, although the household appliance group 30 contains the air conditioner 301, the refrigerator 302, the illuminating device 303, the television 304, the washing machine 305, and the microwave oven 306, it is not specifically limited to this. For example, the household appliance group 30 may include electrical equipment such as an IH (Induction Heating) cooker, a rice cooker, an electric heater, an electronic blind, floor heating, and an electric water heater.

  The smart meter 10 is a watt-hour meter having a communication function. The smart meter 10 is communicably connected to the home controller 20. The smart meter 10 is connected to each home appliance 300 through a power line so as to be able to supply power. The smart meter 10 receives the power generated by the power plant 80 of the power company 8 via the power system 81.

  The smart meter 10 receives from the power company 8 a reduction instruction DRα for reducing power consumed (used) in the building 9 (hereinafter simply referred to as “power consumption”). Typically, the smart meter 10 receives a reduction instruction DRα from the electric power company 8 for reducing predetermined power consumption (use) per hour (hereinafter simply referred to as “power consumption”) in the building 9. Receive. More precisely, the smart meter 10 receives from the electric power company 8 a reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption per unit time (electric power × time) in the building 9.

  The smart meter 10 transmits the received reduction instruction DRα to the home controller 20. As the reduction instruction DRα, an instruction for reducing the power consumption by a certain ratio (for example, 20% (20%)), an instruction for reducing the power consumption by a certain ratio or more, and for reducing the power consumption by a certain power And instructions for reducing power consumption by a certain amount or more. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a case where the smart meter 10 receives an instruction for reducing the power consumption by a certain ratio as the reduction instruction DRα will be described as an example. The same applies to the second embodiment described later.

  The home controller 20 is a controller for controlling each home appliance 300. The home controller 20 is communicably connected to the smart meter 10 and each home appliance 300. The home controller 20 generates a reduction instruction DRβ usable by the home appliance group 30 by performing a predetermined protocol conversion on the reduction instruction DRα received from the smart meter 10. Home controller 20 transmits reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300.

  Each home appliance 300 receives power via the smart meter 10. Each home appliance 300 receives the reduction instruction DRβ from the home controller 20. Each home appliance 300 changes the operation state based on the reduction instruction DRβ. As an example, the air conditioner 301 increases the set temperature during the cooling operation and decreases the set temperature during the heating operation.

  Home controller 20 acquires power consumption in building 9 from smart meter 10 at a predetermined timing after transmission of reduction instruction DRβ. Based on the acquired power consumption and the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα, the home controller 20 determines whether or not the reduction of the power consumption specified by the power company has been achieved. If the home controller 20 determines that it has not been achieved, the home controller 20 performs further processing. Details of this processing will be described later (FIG. 2).

  Here, although the home controller 20 transmits an instruction to reduce the power consumption of a certain ratio to each home appliance 300, the power consumption of the home appliance group 300 is reduced by the instructed ratio (rate). The reason why this condition does not occur is as follows. For example, during the cooling operation, the air conditioner 301 can reduce the power consumption by more than the instructed ratio by switching to the air blowing operation or stopping the operation. On the other hand, the refrigerator 302 can raise the set temperature in the refrigerator, but there is a limit to the rise range. In addition, since it is not appropriate to stop the operation of the washing machine 305, there is a limit in reducing power consumption. For this reason, a state occurs in which the power consumption is not reduced by the ratio instructed by the power company 8.

<B. Overview>
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing of each device 10, 20, 30 in the communication system 1. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows an outline of processing of each device 10, 20, and 30 when the smart meter 10 receives an instruction from the power company 8 to reduce power consumption by 20% as an example. It is a figure for demonstrating.

  Referring to FIG. 2, smart meter 10 transmits a reduction instruction DRα for reducing power consumption by 20% to home controller 20. Home controller 20 receives reduction instruction DRα. The home controller 20 refers to the pre-update table 240 stored in advance in the memory to reduce the power consumption by a ratio (20%) corresponding to the ratio (20%) instructed by the reduction instruction DRα. The reduction instruction DRβ is generated. In the table 240, a ratio (denoted as a reduction instruction DRα in the figure) indicated in the reduction instruction DRα is associated with a ratio (denoted as a reduction instruction DRβ in the figure) corresponding to the reduction ratio. ing.

  The home controller 20 transmits the generated reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300 (301 to 306) in the home appliance group 30. Each home appliance 300 changes the operation state based on the reduction instruction DRβ. Home controller 20 acquires power consumption for building 9 from smart meter 10 after transmission of reduction instruction DRβ.

  The home controller 20 determines whether or not the power consumption can be reduced by 20% based on the acquired power consumption and the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα. If the home controller 20 determines that the power consumption has not been reduced by 20%, the home controller 20 updates the reduction instruction DRβ to a reduction instruction DRβ that requests a reduction in power consumption more than the previously transmitted reduction instruction DRβ. Home controller 20 transmits the updated reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300. For example, home controller 30 transmits a reduction instruction DRβ for reducing power consumption by 30% to each home appliance 300.

  Each home appliance 300 changes its operating state based on a reduction instruction DRβ for reducing power consumption by 30%. Each home appliance 300 transmits the power consumption after the operation state change to the home controller 20. The home controller 20 acquires the power consumption for the building 9 from the smart meter 10 after transmitting the reduction instruction DRβ.

  Based on the acquired power consumption and the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα, the home controller 20 determines again whether or not the power consumption can be reduced by 20% for the home appliance group 30 as a whole. If the power consumption has not been reduced by 20%, the home controller 20 updates the reduction instruction DRβ to a reduction instruction DRβ that requests a reduction in power consumption more than the previously transmitted reduction instruction DRβ. Home controller 20 transmits the updated reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300. For example, home controller 30 transmits a reduction instruction DRβ for reducing power consumption by 40% to each home appliance 300.

  Each home appliance 300 changes its operating state based on a reduction instruction DRβ for reducing power consumption by 40%. The home controller 20 acquires the power consumption for the building 9 from the smart meter 10 after transmitting the reduction instruction DRβ.

  Based on the acquired power consumption and the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα, the home controller 20 determines again whether or not the power consumption can be reduced by 20% for the home appliance group 30 as a whole. When home controller 20 determines that the power consumption has been reduced by 20%, table controller 240 updates table 240 without retransmitting reduction instruction DRβ. Specifically, the home controller 20 updates “20%” in the field of reduction instruction DRβ to “40%” corresponding to the value 20% in the field of reduction instruction DRα.

  The home controller 20 preferably also updates the ratios in the reduction instruction DRβ column corresponding to the ratio 30% and the ratio 40% in the reduction instruction DRα column. In this case, for example, the home controller 20 updates the value 30% of the reduction instruction DRβ corresponding to the value 30% of the reduction instruction DRα to the value 50%, and sets the reduction instruction DRβ corresponding to 40% of the reduction instruction DRα. The value 40% may be updated to the value 60%.

  Further, when the home controller 20 receives again the reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption at the same rate as the previous rate (20%), the power consumption at the rate (40%) associated with the rate in the table 240. Is transmitted to each home appliance 300.

  As described above, the home controller 20 increases the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRβ transmitted to each home appliance 300, so that only home appliances that can further reduce power consumption further reduce power consumption. Thereby, the home controller 20 can reduce the power consumption of the home appliance group 30 (the total power consumption of the home appliances 300) by the ratio instructed by the power company 8.

  In addition, since the home controller 20 updates the table 240, when it receives again the reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption at the same rate as the previous rate, the home controller 20 more quickly calculates the power consumption of the household appliance group 30 It is possible to reduce by the ratio instructed from 8. Hereinafter, the update function of the table 240 by the home controller 20 is also referred to as a “learning function”.

  In the above description, the example in which the reduction ratio is increased by 10% has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The home controller 20 may be configured to increase the reduction rate by a predetermined value.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of each device 10, 20, and 30 for realizing the above processing will be described.

<C. Hardware configuration>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the smart meter 10. Referring to FIG. 3, smart meter 10 includes CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, memory 12, illuminance meter 13, thermometer 14, system communication interface 15, watt hour meter 16, and home use. And a communication interface 17.

  The memory 12 is realized by various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, hard disk, and the like. The memory 12 stores an OS (Operation System) executed by the CPU 201, various control programs, and various data read by the CPU 201.

  The illuminometer 13 measures the illuminance outside the house. The illuminometer 13 notifies the CPU 11 of the measurement result (illuminance information) based on an instruction from the CPU 11. The thermometer 14 measures the outside air temperature outside the house. The thermometer 14 notifies the CPU 11 of the measurement result (temperature information) based on an instruction from the CPU 11. The method of using each measurement result will be described later (FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The system communication interface 15 is an interface used for communication with the electric power company 8. The smart meter 10 receives the reduction instruction DRα using the system communication interface 15.

  The watt-hour meter 16 transmits the power received from the power company 8 to the home appliance group 30. In addition, the watt hour meter 16 measures the power consumption in the building 9. The home controller 20 may acquire power consumption from the watt hour meter 16.

  The in-home communication interface 17 transmits a reduction instruction DRα to the home controller 20. Based on the instruction from the home controller, the in-home communication interface 17 transmits the power consumption at the time when the instruction is attached to the home controller 20.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the home controller 20. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the home controller 20. FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating an aspect of the hardware configuration of the home controller 20.

  4A, the home controller 20 includes a CPU 201, a button 204, a communication interface 205, a touch panel display 206, a speaker 207, a clock 208, and a memory 209. A display 206 with a touch panel includes a display 202 and a tablet 203, and the tablet 203 is laid on the surface of the display 202. However, the home controller 20 may not have the tablet 203.

The memory 209 is realized by various RAMs, ROMs, flash memories, hard disks, and the like. For example, the memory 209 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), which is used via an interface for reading. Memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk, magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated)
Circuit (except memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and other non-volatile medium for storing programs.

  The memory 209 stores an OS, various control programs executed by the CPU 201, and various data tables such as a table 240 read by the CPU 201.

  The display 202 displays the state of each home appliance 300 by being controlled by the CPU 201. More specifically, the display 202 displays various types of information such as the power consumption of each home appliance 300, the total power consumption of the home appliance group 30, and the content of a reduction instruction from the power company 8. The tablet 203 detects a touch operation by a user's finger and inputs touch coordinates and the like to the CPU 201. The CPU 201 receives a command from the user via the tablet 203.

  The button 204 is disposed on the surface of the home controller 20. A plurality of buttons such as a determination key, a direction key, and a numeric keypad may be arranged on the home controller 20. The button 204 receives a command from the user. The button 204 inputs a command from the user to the CPU 201.

  The communication interface 205 transmits / receives data to / from each home appliance 300 of the home appliance group 30 through the network by being controlled by the CPU 201. The communication interface 205 transmits / receives data to / from each home appliance 300 by using, for example, a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wired LAN, or a PLC.

  The speaker 207 outputs sound based on a command from the CPU 201. For example, the CPU 201 causes the speaker 207 to output sound based on the sound data.

  The clock 208 inputs the current date and time to the CPU 201 based on a command from the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 executes various kinds of information processing by executing various programs stored in the memory 209. In other words, the processing in the home controller 20 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 201. Such software may be stored in the memory 209 in advance. The software may be stored in a storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet.

  Such software is read from the storage medium by using a reading device (not shown), or downloaded by using the communication interface 205 and temporarily stored in the memory 209. The CPU 201 stores the software in an executable program format in the memory 209 and then executes the program.

  As storage media, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk , Magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) ) And the like (non-temporary medium) for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner.

  The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  Note that the home controller 20B and the home controller 20B, which will be described later, also have the same hardware configuration as the home controller 20.

<D. Data>
Next, a configuration using the clock 208 of the home controller 20 and the illuminance meter 13 and the thermometer 14 of the smart meter 10 will be described. Specifically, an example of updating a table used by the home controller 20 when at least one of the clock 208, the illuminance meter 13, and the thermometer 14 is used will be described.

(D1. Temperature information)
FIG. 5 shows a table 251 having a different form from the table 240. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a default state of the table 251 when the thermometer 14 is used. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the state of the table 251 at a certain time when the thermometer 14 is used. That is, FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a table after the learning function is executed.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, home controller 20 instructs reduction rate (reduction rate of reduction instruction DRβ) to be given to each home appliance 300 associated with a value (% notation) indicating the rate and a plurality of categories about the temperature. ) Is stored. The default value of the reduction ratio is the same as the value indicating the ratio in the leftmost column. For example, when the value representing the ratio is 10%, the default value of the reduction ratio instructed to each home appliance 300 is 10% in any temperature category. Further, the value representing the ratio corresponds to the power consumption reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα.

  The CPU 201 of the home controller 20 acquires temperature information from the thermometer 14 of the smart meter 10. When the CPU 201 receives the reduction instruction DRα from the power company 8 via the smart meter 10, the CPU 201 reads the value in the temperature category indicated by the acquired temperature information corresponding to the ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα. . The CPU 201 generates a reduction instruction DRβ in which the reduction ratio is the read value, and transmits it to each home appliance 300.

  For example, when the acquired temperature information indicates 22 ° C., the CPU 201 reads data in the table 251 that includes 22 ° C. Here, for example, when the reduction instruction DRα is a signal requesting 20% reduction, the CPU 201 reads “20%”.

  As described later with reference to FIG. 2, the home controller 20 obtains in-home power consumption, updates the reduction instruction DRβ, and updates each home appliance until it achieves reduction of power consumption instructed by the power company 8. Repeat the transmission of the updated reduction instruction DRβ to 300. The home controller 20 updates the table 251 when the instructed power consumption reduction is achieved. In the above case, the data corresponding to the ratio of 20% to 20% is updated.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state after the table 251 is updated a plurality of times. The numerical values in parentheses in the table 251 indicate that the default state has not been updated. Note that after the table 251 is in the state of FIG. 5B, the home controller 20 refers to the table 251 and executes the above-described repetitive processing.

  As described above, the home controller 20 has a reduction ratio (hereinafter also referred to as “first ratio”) indicated in the reduction instruction DRα and the power consumption in the home is equal to or lower than the power consumption before the reduction instruction DRβ is transmitted. A plurality of data corresponding to the reduction ratio (hereinafter also referred to as “second ratio”) with respect to the reduction instruction DRβ is generated according to the temperature indicated in the temperature information. Moreover, when the home controller 20 receives again the reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption at the same rate as the first rate from the power system 81 outside the home, the home controller 20 acquires the temperature information again. Furthermore, home controller 20 transmits to each home appliance 300 a reduction instruction DRβ for reducing the second rate of power consumption according to the temperature indicated in the temperature information acquired again in the associated data. .

(D2. Time information)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a table 252 having a different form from the tables 240 and 251. FIG. 6A illustrates a default state of the table 252 when the clock 208 is used. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the state of the table 252 at a certain time when the clock 208 is used. That is, FIG. 6B shows a table after the learning function is executed.

  With reference to Fig.6 (a), the home controller 20 is a reduction ratio (reduction instruction | indication) instruct | indicated to each household appliance 300 matched with the value (% description) which shows a ratio, and the some division (time slot | zone) about time. A table 252 representing the DRβ reduction ratio) is stored. The default value of the reduction ratio is the same as the value indicating the ratio in the leftmost column. For example, when the value representing the ratio is 10%, the default value of the reduction ratio instructed to each home appliance 300 is 10% in any time segment. Further, the value representing the ratio corresponds to the power consumption reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα.

  The CPU 201 of the home controller 20 acquires time information from the clock 208. When the CPU 201 receives the reduction instruction DRα from the power company 8 via the smart meter 10, the CPU 201 reads the value in the time section indicated by the acquired time information corresponding to the ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα. . The CPU 201 generates a reduction instruction DRβ in which the reduction ratio is the read value, and transmits it to each home appliance 300.

  For example, when the acquired time information indicates 13:00, the CPU 201 reads data in the table 252 that includes 13:00. Here, for example, when the reduction instruction DRα is a signal requesting 20% reduction, the CPU 201 reads “20%”.

  As described later with reference to FIG. 2, the home controller 20 obtains in-home power consumption, updates the reduction instruction DRβ, and updates each home appliance until it achieves reduction of power consumption instructed by the power company 8. Repeat the transmission of the updated reduction instruction DRβ to 300. The home controller 20 updates the table 252 when the instructed power consumption reduction is achieved. In the above case, data corresponding to a ratio of 20% in the section of 12:00:00 to 15:59:59 is updated.

  More specifically, FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a state after the table 252 is updated a plurality of times. A numerical value in parentheses in the table 252 indicates that the default state has not been updated. Note that after the table 252 is in the state of FIG. 6B, the home controller 20 refers to the table 252 and executes the above-described repetitive processing.

  As described above, the home controller 20 has a reduction ratio (hereinafter also referred to as “first ratio”) indicated in the reduction instruction DRα and the power consumption in the home is equal to or lower than the power consumption before the reduction instruction DRβ is transmitted. A plurality of data corresponding to the reduction ratio (hereinafter also referred to as “second ratio”) for the reduction instruction DRβ at this time is generated according to the time indicated in the time information. Further, when the home controller 20 receives again the reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption at the same rate as the first rate from the power system 81 outside the home, the home controller 20 acquires the time information again. Furthermore, home controller 20 transmits to each home appliance 300 a reduction instruction DRβ for reducing the second rate of power consumption according to the time indicated in the time information acquired again in the associated data. .

(D3. Illuminance information, time information, temperature information)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing tables 263 and 264 having a different form from the tables 240 and 251. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state of the table at a certain point in time when the illuminance meter 13 is used. That is, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a table after the learning function is executed.

  FIG. 7A illustrates a table 263 used when the measured illuminance is 100 lux or more. FIG. 7B illustrates a table 264 used when the measured illuminance is less than 100 lux. Note that the value in parentheses indicates that the current value remains the default value.

  Hereinafter, a method of using FIGS. 7A and 7B will be described. The home controller 20 acquires illuminance information from the smart meter 10 based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10. The home controller 20 selects a table to be used based on the illuminance information. Specifically, the home controller 20 uses the table 263 when the illuminance represented by the illuminance information is 100 lux or more, and uses the table 264 when the illuminance is less than 100 lux.

  Hereinafter, a case where the home controller 20 uses the table 263 will be described with a specific example. For example, when the reduction instruction DRα received from the smart meter 10 is an instruction to reduce power consumption by 20%, the CPU 201 acquires the time from the clock 208 in the time zone 16:00:00 to 19:59: 59, and the temperature acquired from the thermometer 14 is 20 ° C. or higher and lower than 25 ° C. In this case, the CPU 201 reads the value 0.8 from the table 263. Further, the CPU 201 divides 20%, which is the instructed reduction ratio, by the read value 0.8. The CPU 201 transmits a reduction instruction DRβ with a reduction ratio of 25%, which is the quotient of the division, to each home appliance 300.

  Next, when the reduction instruction DRα received from the smart meter 10 is an instruction to reduce power consumption by 20%, the CPU 201 acquires the time from the clock 208 in the time zone 16:00:00 to 19:59. : 59, and the temperature acquired from the thermometer 14 is 25 ° C. or higher and lower than 30 ° C. In this case, the CPU 201 reads the value 0.7 from the table 263. Further, the CPU 201 divides 20%, which is the instructed reduction ratio, by the read value 0.7. The CPU 201 transmits a reduction instruction DRβ with a reduction ratio of 29%, which is the quotient of the division, to each home appliance 300.

  Further, when the home controller 20 uses the table 264, the same processing as that described with reference to the table 263 is performed.

  The home controller 20 updates data in the tables 263 and 264 according to the following procedure. The home controller 20 divides the reduction rate indicated in the reduction instruction DRα by the reduction rate when the reduction rate can be achieved. The home controller 20 uses the average value of the quotient of the division as data in the tables 263 and 264. The home controller 20 performs such arithmetic processing for other time zones and other temperature categories. With this processing, the home controller 20 updates the data in the tables 263 and 264.

  In the above, the tables 263 and 264 are tables that are used regardless of the reduction ratio indicated by the reduction instruction DRα, but are not limited thereto. The home controller 20 may be configured to store a plurality of tables according to the reduction ratio.

  Further, the home controller 20 may be configured to use temperature information and time information regardless of illuminance. When the illuminance information is not used as described above, the home controller 20 can be said to have the following configuration. The home controller 20 reduces the reduction ratio (first ratio) indicated in the reduction instruction DRα and the reduction ratio for the reduction instruction DRβ when the in-home power consumption is equal to or lower than the power consumption before transmitting the reduction instruction DRβ ( A plurality of pieces of data associated with the second ratio) are generated according to the temperature indicated in the temperature information and the time indicated in the time information. Further, when the home controller 20 receives again the reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption of the same ratio as the first ratio from the power system 81 outside the home, the home controller 20 acquires the temperature information and the time information again. Furthermore, the home controller 20 uses the reduction instruction DRβ for reducing the power consumption of the second rate according to the temperature indicated in the temperature information acquired again in the associated data and the time indicated in the time information. Is transmitted to each home appliance 300.

  On the other hand, when processing is changed according to illuminance, the home controller 20 can be said to have the following configuration. The home controller 20 reduces the reduction ratio (first ratio) indicated in the reduction instruction DRα and the reduction ratio for the reduction instruction DRβ when the in-home power consumption is equal to or lower than the power consumption before transmitting the reduction instruction DRβ ( A plurality of pieces of data in association with the second ratio) are generated according to the temperature indicated in the temperature information, the time indicated in the time information, and the illuminance indicated in the illuminance information. Further, when the home controller 20 receives again the reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption of the same rate as the first rate from the power system 81 outside the home, the home controller 20 acquires temperature information, time information, and illuminance information again. Further, the home controller 20 consumes the second rate according to the temperature indicated in the temperature information acquired again in the associated data, the time indicated in the time information, and the illuminance indicated in the illuminance information. A reduction instruction DRβ for reducing power is transmitted to each home appliance 300.

<E. Data processing flow>
FIG. 8 is a sequence chart in the communication system 1. Referring to FIG. 8, smart meter 10 transmits a reduction instruction DRα to home controller 20 in step S2. In step S4, the home controller 20 generates a reduction instruction DRβ with reference to the above-described table. In step S <b> 6, the home controller 20 transmits the generated reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300 in the home appliance group 30.

  In step S <b> 8, the home controller 20 acquires power consumption in the house from the smart meter 10. In step S <b> 10, the home controller 20 determines whether or not the power consumption in the ratio instructed by the power company 8 has been reduced.

  If home controller 20 determines that it has been reduced (YES in step S10), it updates the table described above in step S14. In addition, after the process of step S10, when the process of step S12 mentioned later is not performed once, the table is not updated.

  If home controller 20 determines that it has not been reduced (NO in step S10), it executes the process of step S12. Details of the process in step S12 will be described below.

  In step S122, the home controller 20 increases the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRβ transmitted to each home appliance 300. In step S124, the home controller 20 transmits a reduction instruction DRβ in which the reduction rate is increased to each home appliance 300 in the home appliance group 30. In step S <b> 126, the home controller 20 acquires in-home power consumption from the smart meter 10. In step S128, the home controller 20 determines whether or not the power consumption of the ratio instructed by the power company 8 has been reduced.

  If home controller 20 determines that it has been reduced (YES in step S128), the process proceeds to step S14. If home controller 20 determines that it has not been reduced (NO in step S128), the process proceeds to step S122. Thus, the process of step S12 is repeated until the reduction of the power consumption of the ratio instruct | indicated from the electric power company 8 is achieved.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of data processing in the home controller 20. In step S <b> 22, the home controller 20 receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10 using the communication interface 205. In step S24, the home controller 20 refers to the above-described table, reads the reduction ratio corresponding to the reduction instruction DRα, and generates the reduction instruction DRβ for the reduction ratio. That is, the home controller 20 generates the reduction instruction DRβ by performing protocol conversion on the reduction instruction DRα.

  In step S <b> 26, the home controller 20 transmits the generated reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300. In step S <b> 28, the home controller 20 acquires power consumption in the house from the smart meter 10. In step S30, the home controller 20 determines whether or not the power consumption at the rate indicated by the reduction instruction DRα has been reduced.

  If home controller 20 determines that it has been reduced (YES in step S30), it updates the table in step S38. In addition, after the process of step S30, when the process of later-described steps S32, S34, and 36 has not been performed, the table is not updated.

  If home controller 20 determines that it has not been reduced (NO in step S30), it increases the reduction rate instructed to each home appliance 300 in step S32. In step S <b> 34, the home controller 20 transmits a reduction instruction DRβ after increasing the reduction ratio to each home appliance 300. In step S36, the home controller 20 acquires the power consumption in the house from the smart meter. The home controller 20 advances the process to step S30 after the process of step S30.

<F. Modification>
(F1. First modification)
(1) FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a communication system 1 </ b> A that is a modification of the communication system 1. Referring to FIG. 10, communication system 1 </ b> A includes home controller 20 </ b> A incorporating a smart meter, and home appliances 300 (301 to 306) in home appliance group 30. That is, the home controller 20 includes a measuring device for measuring power consumption in the home.

  The communication system 1A is different from the communication system 1 in which the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20 are separated in that the smart meter and the home controller are integrated. The home controller 20 </ b> A has functions of the home controller 20 and the smart meter 10.

  The home controller 20A is not different from the configuration including the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20 except that the home controller 20A is integrated. Therefore, the details of the processing in home controller 20A will not be repeated here. The communication system 1 </ b> A can achieve the same effects as the communication system 1.

  Note that a home controller 20D and a home controller 20F, which will be described later, also have the same hardware configuration as the home controller 20A.

  (2) In the above description, the configuration in which the home controller 20 receives an instruction for the reduction ratio from the power company 8 via the smart meter 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The reduction instruction from the electric power company 8 may be a reduction amount instead of the reduction ratio. In the case of this configuration, the home controller 20 may convert the reduction amount indicated in the reduction instruction DRα into a reduction ratio and transmit the reduction instruction DRβ of the reduction ratio obtained by the conversion to each home appliance 300.

  Specifically, the home controller 20 may generate a reduction instruction DRβ to be transmitted for the first time from the designated reduction amount and the power consumption in the home before transmitting the reduction instruction DRβ. The reduction instruction DRβ transmitted for the first time is a reduction instruction DRβ that is first transmitted to each home appliance 300 after receiving the reduction instruction DRα. For example, when the power consumption in the home is 1 kW, the home controller 20 first receives a reduction instruction DRβ for reducing power consumption by 30% when receiving a reduction instruction of, for example, 0.3 kW from the electric power company. Send to.

  With the configuration of the home controller 20, the communication system 1 can obtain the same effect as when the reduction ratio is instructed from the power company 8 even when the reduction amount is instructed from the power company 8.

(F2. Second modification)
Next, the structure which provides a sensor in the building 9 and a controller controls each household appliance based on the output from the said sensor is demonstrated.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the communication system 1E. Referring to FIG. 25, communication system 1 </ b> E includes smart meter 10 </ b> E, home controller 20 </ b> E, household appliance group 30, and sensor group 60. The sensor group 60 includes a sensor 601 and a sensor 602. The smart meter 10E is installed outside the building 9. Home controller 20 </ b> E, home appliance group 30, and sensor group 60 are installed in building 9. In addition, when each sensor 601 and 602 included in the sensor group 60 is expressed without being distinguished, it is expressed as “sensor 600”.

  Smart meter 10E is a watt-hour meter having a communication function. Smart meter 10E is communicably connected to home controller 20E. The smart meter 10E is connected to each home appliance 300 through a power line so as to be able to supply power. The smart meter 10E receives the power generated by the power plant 80 of the power company 8 via the power system 81.

  The smart meter 10E receives from the power company 8 a reduction instruction DRα for reducing power consumption in the building 9. Typically, the smart meter 10E receives from the electric power company 8 a reduction instruction DRα for reducing power consumption per predetermined time in the building 9. More precisely, the smart meter 10E receives from the power company 8 a reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption per unit time (power × time) in the building 9.

  The smart meter 10E transmits the received reduction instruction DRα to the home controller 20. As the reduction instruction DRα, an instruction for reducing power consumption by a certain ratio (for example, 20% (20%)), an instruction for reducing power consumption by a certain ratio or more, and for reducing power consumption by a certain power And instructions for reducing power consumption by a certain amount or more.

  The home controller 20E is a controller for controlling each home appliance 300. Home controller 20E is communicably connected to smart meter 10, home appliances 300, and sensors 600. The home controller 20E generates the above-described reduction instruction DRβ by performing predetermined protocol conversion on the reduction instruction DRα received from the smart meter 10. Home controller 20E transmits reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300.

  The home controller 20E uses the sensor output from the sensor 600 when generating the reduction instruction DRβ. For example, home controller 20E changes the content of reduction instruction DRβ depending on whether the first output is acquired from sensor 600 or the second output is acquired. Details of generation of the reduction instruction DRβ will be described later.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram for describing a correspondence relationship between the sensor 600 and the home appliance 300. FIG. 26A is a sketch of the inside of the building 9 (home). FIG. 26B is a table showing the correspondence between the sensor 600 and the home appliance 300 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 26A and 26B, the building 9 includes a room A and a room B. In the room A, an air conditioner 301, a lighting device 303, and a television 304 are installed as the home appliance 300. The lighting device 303 is provided on the ceiling of the room A. In the room A, a sensor 601 is installed. The sensor 601 is installed near the lighting device 303, for example. In the room B, as the home appliance 300, a refrigerator 302, a washing machine 305, and a microwave oven 306 are installed. In the room A, a sensor 601 is installed.

  The sensor 600 detects a home state (environment). The sensor 601 detects the state of the room A. The sensor 602 detects the state of the room B. The sensors 601 and 602 are, for example, human sensors. The human sensor may be configured not only to detect the presence / absence of a person but also to detect the number of persons by image recognition. Further, the sensors 601 and 602 may be illuminance sensors.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the smart meter 10E. Referring to FIG. 27, smart meter 10E includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a system communication interface 15, a watt-hour meter 16, and a home communication interface 17. That is, the smart meter 10E is different from the smart meter 10 shown in FIG. 3 in that the illuminance meter 13 and the thermometer 14 are not provided. Other configurations are the same between the smart meter 10E and the smart meter 10. Accordingly, details of the hardware of the smart meter 10E will not be described repeatedly here.

  The home controller 20E controls the air conditioner 301, the lighting device 303, and the television 304 installed in the room A using the table for the room A. The home controller 20E controls the refrigerator 302, the washing machine 305, and the microwave oven 306 installed in the room B using the table for the room B.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a table used by the home controller 20E when the sensors 601 and 602 are human sensors. That is, FIG. 28 is a diagram showing tables 811 and 812 having a different form from the table 240 (FIG. 2). The table 811 is a table for the room A. The table 812 is a table for the room B.

  FIG. 28A is a diagram showing a default state of the tables 811 and 812 when the human sensor is used. FIG. 28B is a diagram showing the state of the table 811 at a certain point in time when the human sensor is used. That is, FIG. 28B is a diagram illustrating a table after the learning function is executed. FIG. 28C is a diagram showing the state of the table 812 at a certain point in time when the human sensor is used. That is, FIG. 28C shows a table after the learning function is executed. Note that the numerical values in parentheses in the tables 811 and 812 in FIGS. 28B and 28C indicate that the default state has not been updated. In other words, the tables 811 and 812 in FIGS. 28B and 28C are used when the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E again.

  Referring to FIGS. 28A to 28C, the home controller 20E stores a table 811 used when the sensors 601 and 602 detect a person and a table 812 used when no person is detected in the memory 209. Is stored.

  When the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E and the sensor 601 detects a person, the home controller 20E uses the numerical value shown in the “detect person” column in the table 811 to use the air conditioner. 301, the lighting device 303, and the television 304 are controlled. On the other hand, when the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E and the sensor 601 does not detect a person, the home controller 20E uses the numerical value shown in the column “not detect person” in the table 811. The air conditioner 301, the lighting device 303, and the television 304 are controlled.

  Further, when the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E and the sensor 602 detects a person, the home controller 20E uses the numerical values shown in the column “Detect a person” in the table 812 to 302, the washing machine 305, and the microwave oven 306 are controlled. On the other hand, when the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E and the sensor 602 does not detect a person, the home controller 20E uses the numerical value shown in the column “not detect person” in the table 812. , Refrigerator 302, washing machine 305, and microwave oven 306 are controlled.

  Thus, home controller 20E controls each household appliance 300 using a different table by the case where there is a person and the case where there is no person. Furthermore, the home controller 20E has a table for each room, and uses different tables for the control of the home appliances in the room A and the control of the home appliances in the room B.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a table used by the home controller 20E when the sensors 601 and 602 are illuminance sensors. That is, FIG. 29 is a diagram showing tables 821 and 822 in a form different from the table 240 (FIG. 2). The table 821 is a table for the room A. The table 822 is a table for the room B.

  FIG. 29A shows a default state of the tables 821 and 822 when the illuminance sensor is used. FIG. 29B is a diagram showing the state of the table 821 at a certain point in time when the illuminance sensor is used. That is, FIG. 29B is a diagram illustrating a table after the learning function is executed. FIG. 29C is a diagram showing the state of the table 822 at a certain point in time when the illuminance sensor is used. That is, FIG. 29C shows a table after the learning function is executed. Note that the numerical values in parentheses in the tables 821 and 822 in FIGS. 29B and 29C indicate that the default state has not been updated. That is, the tables 811 and 812 in FIGS. 29B and 29C are used when the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E again.

  Referring to FIGS. 29A to 29C, the home controller 20E stores a table 821 used when the sensors 601 and 602 detect a person and a table 822 used when no person is detected in the memory 209. Is stored.

  When the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E and the sensor 601 detects illuminance less than 100 lx, the home controller 20E uses the numerical value shown in the “less than 100 lx” column of the table 821 to The conditioner 301, the lighting device 303, and the television 304 are controlled. On the other hand, when the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E and the sensor 601 detects illuminance of 100 lx or more, the home controller 20E uses the numerical value shown in the column “100 lx or more” in the table 821. The air conditioner 301, the lighting device 303, and the television 304 are controlled.

  Further, when the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E and the sensor 602 detects illuminance less than 100 lx, the home controller 20E uses the numerical value shown in the “less than 100 lx” column of the table 822. , Refrigerator 302, washing machine 305, and microwave oven 306 are controlled. On the other hand, when the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα from the smart meter 10E and the sensor 602 detects an illuminance of 100 lx or more, the home controller 20E uses the numerical value shown in the column “100 lx or more” in the table 822. , Refrigerator 302, washing machine 305, and microwave oven 306 are controlled.

  As described above, the home controller 20E controls each home appliance 300 using a different table depending on whether or not the detected illuminance is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Furthermore, the home controller 20E has a table for each room, and uses different tables for the control of the home appliances in the room A and the control of the home appliances in the room B.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a communication system 1F which is a modification of the communication system 1E. Referring to FIG. 30, the communication system 1 </ b> F includes a home controller 20 </ b> F having a built-in smart meter, and home appliances 300 (301 to 306) in the home appliance group 30. That is, the home controller 20 includes a measuring device for measuring power consumption in the home.

  The communication system 1F is different from the communication system 1E in which the smart meter 10E and the home controller 20E are separated in that the smart meter and the home controller are integrated. The home controller 20F has functions of the home controller 20E and the smart meter 10E.

  The home controller 20F is not different from the configuration including the smart meter 10E and the home controller 20E except that the home controller 20F is integrated. Therefore, the details of the processing in home controller 20F are not repeated here. The communication system 1F can achieve the same effects as the communication system 1.

[Embodiment 2]
<G. System configuration>
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the communication system 1B. Referring to FIG. 1, communication system 1 </ b> B includes smart meter 10, home controller 20 </ b> B, home appliance group 30, and communication adapter group 40. The communication adapter group 40 includes a plurality of communication adapters 401 to 406. The home controller 20, the household appliance group 30, and the communication adapter group 40 are installed in the building 9 (home). In the following, for convenience of explanation, when the communication adapters 401 to 406 included in the communication adapter group 40 are expressed without distinction, they are expressed as “communication adapter 400”.

  The smart meter 10 transmits the received reduction instruction DRα to the home controller 20B.

  The home controller 20B is connected to the smart meter 10 and each communication adapter 400 so as to be communicable. The home controller 20B generates a reduction instruction DRβ usable by the communication adapter group 40 by performing a predetermined protocol conversion on the reduction instruction DRα received from the smart meter 10. Home controller 20B transmits a reduction instruction DRβ to each communication adapter 400. In the present embodiment, the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRα and the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRβ have a one-to-one relationship. That is, the reduction ratio of the reduction instruction DRβ does not change. Specifically, the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRα and the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRβ are always the same.

  Each communication adapter 400 is communicably connected to the home controller 20B. Each communication adapter 400 receives the reduction instruction DRβ from the home controller 20B. Communication adapters 401 to 406 in the communication adapter group are communicably connected to one home appliance 301 to 406, respectively. For example, the communication adapter 401 is communicably connected to the air conditioner 301.

  Each communication adapter 400 controls the operation of home appliances connected thereto. Specifically, each communication adapter 400 controls the operation of home appliances connected thereto by transmitting a control signal (command) for controlling the operation of the home appliances to the home appliances. As an example, when each communication adapter 400 receives the reduction instruction DRβ, the communication adapter 400 transmits a control signal for reducing the power consumption of the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRβ to the home appliances connected thereto.

  Each home appliance 300 receives power via the smart meter 10 and the communication adapter 400. Each home appliance 300 receives a control signal from each communication adapter 400. Each household appliance 300 changes an operation state based on a control signal. As an example, the air conditioner 301 increases the set temperature during the cooling operation and decreases the set temperature during the heating operation.

  Each communication adapter 400 acquires the power consumption of the home appliance from the home appliance 300 connected thereto at a predetermined timing after transmission of the control signal. For example, the communication adapter 401 acquires the power consumption in the air conditioner 301 from the air conditioner 301.

  Each communication adapter 400 determines, based on the acquired power consumption, whether or not reduction of power consumption at a reduction rate instructed by the power company has been achieved. If at least one of the communication adapters 400 determines that it has not been achieved, it performs further processing. Details of this processing will be described later (FIG. 12).

<H. Overview>
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an overview of processing of each device in the communication system 1B. Specifically, FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing of each device when the smart meter 10 receives an instruction to reduce power consumption by 20% from the power company 8 as an example. It is.

  Referring to FIG. 12, smart meter 10 transmits a reduction instruction DRα for reducing power consumption by 20% to home controller 20. Home controller 20 receives reduction instruction DRα. The home controller 20 generates a reduction instruction DRβ for reducing power consumption by a ratio (20%) corresponding to the ratio (20%) specified by the reduction instruction DRα. The home controller 20 transmits the generated reduction instruction DRβ to the communication adapters 401 to 406. Hereinafter, the operation of the communication adapter 400 and the home appliance 300 will be described using the communication adapter 401 and the air conditioner 301 connected to the communication adapter 401 as an example.

  The communication adapter 401 stores the table 403 in advance in the memory. In the table 430, the priority order, the ratio, and the instruction content are stored in association with each other. Further, the lower the priority, the larger the power consumption reduction rate of the air conditioner 301.

  When receiving the reduction instruction DRβ from the home controller 20B, the communication adapter 401 acquires the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 from the air conditioner 301. In addition, when the communication adapter 401 receives the reduction instruction DRβ from the home controller 20B, the communication adapter 401 reads out the instruction content having the highest priority (that is, first place) from the table 430. The communication adapter 401 transmits a control signal indicating the read instruction content to the air conditioner 301. That is, the communication adapter 401 increases the set temperature of the air conditioner 301 by 1 ° C. It is assumed that the air conditioner 301 is in a cooling operation.

  The communication adapter 401 acquires the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 after transmitting a control signal for raising the set temperature by 1 ° C. The communication adapter 401 determines whether or not the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 is reduced by 20% based on the power consumption acquired before and after transmitting the control signal for raising the set temperature by 1 ° C.

  When the communication adapter 401 determines that the power consumption has not been reduced by 20%, the instruction content used for the control of the air conditioner 301 is switched to the instruction content that is one order lower in priority, so that the priority order is one. Read out the lower level instruction contents. The communication adapter 401 controls the air conditioner 301 based on the instruction content after switching. Specifically, the communication adapter 401 increases the set temperature of the air conditioner 301 by 2 ° C.

  After transmitting the control signal for increasing the set temperature by 2 ° C., the communication adapter 401 acquires the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 again, and determines whether the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 is reduced by 20%. .

  The communication adapter 401 switches the instruction content and controls the air conditioner 301 based on the instruction content after the switching until the power consumption specified by the air conditioner 301 is reduced (20%). repeat.

  The communication adapter 401 can reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 by the ratio instructed from the home controller 20B by these series of processes.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the communication adapter 401 determines that the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 has been reduced by 20% after transmitting a control signal for raising the set temperature by 3 ° C. In this case, when the communication adapter 401 receives the 20% reduction instruction DRα from the home controller 20 again, the communication adapter 401 transmits a control signal of the instruction content having the third highest priority after the reception. Specifically, it is as follows.

  The communication adapter 401 has a specified rate (20% in the above example) and a reduction rate (above described) associated with the instruction content when the power consumption of the specified rate is reduced in the air conditioner 301. In the example, 30%) is associated and stored in the memory.

  When the communication adapter 401 receives from the home controller 20B again a reduction instruction for reducing power consumption that is the same as the previously specified ratio or more than the ratio, the communication adapter 401 is associated with the specified ratio in the memory. The air conditioner 301 is controlled based on the instruction content (that is, the set temperature is increased by 3 ° C.) that is the reduction ratio (30%). In the present embodiment, a function for performing such control is referred to as a “learning function”.

  In addition, the communication adapter 401, when the power consumption of the specified ratio in the air conditioner 301 is not reduced by the control based on the instruction content that is the reduction ratio associated with the specified ratio, The switching of the instruction content and the control of the air conditioner 301 based on the instruction content after the switching are repeated.

  Through such a series of processes, the communication adapter 401 can reduce the ratio instructed from the home controller 20B more quickly than in the case where the instruction contents are sequentially switched from the instruction contents with the highest priority.

  In the above description, the communication adapter 401 has been described by taking as an example a configuration in which when the reduction instruction DRβ is received from the home controller 20B, the instruction content with the highest priority (first place) is read from the table 430. It is not limited. The communication adapter 401 may be configured to read out the instruction content of the priority order corresponding to the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRβ in the table 430. For example, when the reduction instruction DRβ for reducing the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 by 20% is received, the control content of the priority (second place) associated with 20% in the table 430 (that is, the set temperature is increased by 2 ° C.) ) May be configured to read the communication adapter 401.

  Further, the communication adapter 401 may be configured not to use the learning function. That is, even when a reduction instruction for reducing power consumption that is the same as the ratio specified last time or the same or higher ratio is received from the home controller 20B again, the instruction content with the highest priority (first place) is received. And the communication adapter 401 may be configured to transmit a control signal of the instruction content.

  In the above description, the communication adapter 401 has been described as an example. However, the other communication adapters 402 to 406 are also connected to the communication adapters 402 to 406 except that the instruction content of the table is different from that of the communication adapter 401. The same control is performed on the home appliances. For this reason, the description of the processing of the communication adapters 402 to 406 will not be repeated here.

<I. Configuration of communication adapter and home appliance>
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the communication adapter 400 and the configuration of the home appliance 300. Referring to FIG. 13, communication adapter 400 relays communication performed between home appliance 300 and home controller 20B. The communication format of communication performed between home appliance 300 and communication adapter 400 is different from the communication format of communication performed between communication adapter 400 and home controller 20B. Communication adapter 400 converts data received from one of home appliance 300 and home controller 20B into a communication format in which communication with the other is possible.

  Home appliance 300 includes a device communication control unit 320, a communication interface unit 310, and a plug 330. The device communication control unit 320 executes a device communication program for performing communication with the communication adapter 400 via the communication interface unit 310.

  The device communication control unit 320 includes a device information response unit 322. The device information response unit 322 transmits device information to the communication adapter 400 in response to a request from the communication adapter 400 (specifically, the device information acquisition unit 418).

  The device communication control unit 320 communicates with the communication adapter 400 using a simple communication function such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter). The communication interface unit 310 and the communication adapter 400 may be connected so that they can communicate with each other by wired communication. Alternatively, the communication interface unit 310 and the communication adapter 400 may be connected so as to communicate with each other by wireless communication. The wireless communication may be, for example, short-range wireless communication such as RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) or infrared communication.

  A device communication program for performing communication between the home appliance 300 and the communication adapter 400 exchanges a minimum amount of data with a communication specification unique to each home appliance so that the development burden on the home appliance 300 does not increase.

  The communication adapter 400 includes a home appliance communication interface 408 for connecting to the home appliance 300, a home communication interface 416 for connecting to the home controller 20B, a control unit 440 for controlling the entire device, and a memory 446. , An electric energy meter 480, a socket 490, an illuminance meter 471, a thermometer 472, and a clock 473. The control unit 440 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 440 converts the data received from the home appliance 300 via the home appliance communication interface 408 into data in a communication format corresponding to communication between the communication adapter 400 and the home controller 20B, and sets the home communication interface 416. To the home controller 20B. Alternatively, the control unit 440 converts the data received from the home controller 20B via the in-home communication interface 416 into data in a communication format corresponding to communication between the communication adapter 400 and the home appliance 300, and the home appliance communication interface It transmits to home appliance 300 via 408.

  The control unit 440 includes a device communication control unit 410, a data conversion unit 412, a conversion data rewrite control unit 424, and a network communication control unit 414.

  The home appliance communication interface 408 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data between the home appliance 300 and the communication adapter 400. For example, data may be transmitted / received between the communication interface unit 310 and the home appliance communication interface 408 using wired communication, or data may be transmitted / received using wireless communication. When physically connected to the home appliance 300 using a cable or the like, a connector conforming to a predetermined standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) is used as the home appliance communication interface 408.

  The device communication control unit 410 controls communication with the home appliance 300. Specifically, device communication control unit 410 transmits the data whose communication format has been converted by data conversion unit 412 to home appliance 300 via home appliance communication interface 408. Alternatively, the device communication control unit 410 transmits data received from the home appliance 300 via the home appliance communication interface 408 to the data conversion unit 412.

  The device communication control unit 410 includes a device information acquisition unit 418 and a device information request unit 438. The device information request unit 438 requests the home appliance 300 to transmit the device information of the home appliance 300. The device information acquisition unit 418 acquires device information from the home appliance 300. Specifically, when device information is received from home appliance 300, device information acquisition unit 418 transmits the device information to conversion data rewrite control unit 424 or stores it in a storage medium such as a memory.

  The device information of the home appliance 300 is unique information of the home appliance 300 including manufacturer information of the home appliance 300, model information, and model information such as a function, a model number, a manufacturing year, or a version. The device information of the home appliance 300 is stored in advance in a storage medium such as a memory in the home appliance 300.

  The data conversion unit 412 converts data in a communication format that enables communication with either the home appliance 300 or the home controller 20B into data in a communication format that enables communication with the other.

  Specifically, the data conversion unit 412 converts the data received from the device communication control unit 410 into data in a communication format that enables communication with the home controller 20B, and transmits the data to the network communication control unit 414.

  The data conversion unit 412 converts the data received from the network communication control unit 414 into data in a communication format that enables communication with the home appliance 300 and transmits the data to the device communication control unit 410.

  The data conversion unit 412 includes a basic data conversion unit 442 and an additional data conversion unit 444. The basic data conversion unit 442 performs basic data when data received from either the home appliance 300 or the home controller 20B is basic data based on information such as a data header (for example, a property code described later). Is converted into data in a communication format that enables communication with the other. The basic data includes information that is common among a plurality of electrical devices that share the same model of home appliance 300.

  Additional data conversion unit 444 can communicate additional data with the other data when the data received from either home appliance 300 or home controller 20B is additional data based on information such as the header of the data. Convert the data to the communication format to be used. The additional data is information that is not common among a plurality of electrical devices that share the same model of the home appliance 300, and includes information that depends on the model of the home appliance 300.

  The basic data conversion unit 442 and the additional data conversion unit 444 are realized by software. That is, the basic data conversion unit 442 performs basic data conversion by causing the control unit 440 to execute a program (hereinafter also referred to as a basic data conversion program). Further, the additional data conversion unit 444 performs data conversion of the additional data when the control unit 440 executes a program (hereinafter also referred to as an additional data conversion program). Each of the basic data conversion program and the additional data conversion program is stored in a memory 446 that is a rewritable storage medium in the communication adapter 400. Note that the memory 446 may be provided in the control unit 440. The memory 446 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory.

  The network communication control unit 414 controls communication with the home controller 20B. The network communication control unit 414 executes a communication program for performing communication using a communication method according to the network 50 standard such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol). The network 50 may be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet.

  The network communication control unit 414 transmits the data whose communication format has been converted by the data conversion unit 412 to the home controller 20B via the in-home communication interface 416. Alternatively, the network communication control unit 414 transmits the data from the home controller 20B received via the in-home communication interface 416 to the data conversion unit 412.

  The in-home communication interface 416 is an interface for connecting to the home controller 20B. For example, when the home controller 20B performs communication using a wired cable such as a communication cable, a telephone line, or a power line, a connector conforming to a predetermined standard such as a USB is used as the in-home communication interface 416.

  Further, for example, when communication is performed with an access point connected to the home controller 20B using wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN), the home communication interface 416 is a wireless for transmitting and receiving radio waves from the access point. Units are used.

  The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 controls the rewriting operation of the basic data conversion program or the additional data conversion program. The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 includes a conversion data comparison unit 426.

  The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 uses the update information corresponding to the home appliance 300 acquired via at least one of the home appliance communication interface 408 and the home communication interface 416 and the basic data conversion unit 442 and the additional data The data conversion unit 444 is individually updated. The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 is a case where the basic data conversion unit 442 can convert the communication format of the basic data and the additional data conversion unit 444 cannot convert the communication format of the additional data. The additional data conversion unit 444 is updated using the update information. Furthermore, the conversion data rewrite control unit 424 updates the first conversion unit and the second conversion unit using the update information when the basic data conversion unit 442 cannot convert the communication format of the first data. Furthermore, the conversion data rewrite control unit 424 is a case where the basic data conversion unit 442 can convert the communication format of basic data, and the additional data conversion unit 444 can convert the communication format of additional data. In some cases, neither the basic data conversion unit 442 nor the additional data conversion unit 444 is updated.

  The conversion data comparison unit 426 determines whether the device information of the home appliance 300 received from the device information acquisition unit 418 corresponds to the basic data conversion unit 442. That is, the conversion data comparison unit 426 can convert the communication format of the basic data by the model of the home appliance 300 acquired from the home appliance 300 via the home appliance communication interface 408 and the basic data conversion program stored in the memory 446. It is determined that the communication format of the basic data can be converted if it matches a different model, and it is determined that the communication format of the basic data cannot be converted if they do not match.

  Further, the conversion data comparison unit 426 can convert the communication format of the additional data using the model of the home appliance 300 acquired from the home appliance 300 via the home appliance communication interface 408 and the additional data conversion program stored in the memory 446. If the data type matches, it is determined that conversion of the communication format of the impossible data is possible, and if it does not match, it is determined that conversion of the communication format of the additional data is not possible.

  Note that the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines whether the manufacturer information and model information in the device information of the home appliance 300 match the manufacturer information and model information corresponding to the basic data conversion program stored in the memory 446. judge.

  The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 rewrites both the basic data conversion program and the additional data conversion program when the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines that the device information of the home appliance 300 and the basic data conversion unit 442 do not correspond to each other. Run.

  When it is determined that the device information of the home appliance 300 corresponds to the basic data conversion unit 442, the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines whether the device information of the home appliance 300 corresponds to the additional data conversion unit 444. Specifically, the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines whether or not the model information in the device information of the home appliance 300 matches the model information corresponding to the additional data conversion program stored in the memory 446.

  When the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines that the device information of the home appliance 300 does not correspond to the additional data conversion unit 444, the conversion data rewrite control unit 424 executes rewriting of only the additional data conversion program.

  Note that the conversion data rewrite control unit 424 rewrites the program when the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines that the device information of the home appliance 300 corresponds to each of the basic data conversion unit 442 and the additional data conversion unit 444, for example. Do not execute.

  The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 requests the network communication control unit 414 to acquire a rewrite program when rewriting the program. The network communication control unit 414 includes a conversion data acquisition unit 428 and a control signal generation unit 450. Further, the control signal generation unit 450 includes a learning unit 451.

  The conversion data acquisition unit 428 requests the home controller 20B to acquire a rewrite program in response to a request from the conversion data rewrite control unit 424, and downloads the rewrite program from the home controller 20B. The conversion data acquisition unit 428 acquires an appropriate rewriting program by transmitting device information of the home appliance 300 to the home controller 20B, for example.

  For example, when rewriting both the basic data conversion program and the additional data conversion program, conversion data acquisition unit 428 acquires a rewriting program for one of the programs. The conversion data acquisition unit 428 stores the acquired rewriting program in the temporary storage area of the memory 446. The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 executes rewriting of one program by reading the rewriting program from the temporary storage area and overwriting a predetermined storage area in which one program to be rewritten is stored. After the rewriting of one program is completed, the conversion data acquisition unit 428 requests acquisition of the rewriting program for the other program. The conversion data acquisition unit 428 acquires the rewriting program of the other program transmitted in response to the request from the home controller 20B, and overwrites the temporary storage area of the memory 446. The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 reads the rewrite program from the overwritten temporary storage area, and rewrites the other program by overwriting a predetermined storage area in which the other program is stored.

  If the storage capacity of the temporary data storage area is sufficiently larger than the data size of the basic data conversion program and the additional data conversion program, the conversion data acquisition unit 428 sequentially or after acquiring both rewrite programs Rewriting may be executed in parallel.

  Further, when rewriting only the additional data conversion program, conversion data acquisition unit 428 acquires only the rewriting program of the additional data conversion program.

  Next, the watt-hour meter 480, the socket 490, the plug 330, the control signal generation unit 450, and the learning unit 451 will be described.

  The socket 490 is an outlet for connecting to the plug 330 of the home appliance 300. By inserting the plug 330 into the socket 490, power is supplied to the home appliance 300 via the communication adapter 400.

  The watt-hour meter 480 is a device that measures the amount of power supplied to the home appliance 300. The watt-hour meter 480 notifies the control unit 440 of the measured power amount.

  Control signal generation unit 450 converts reduction instruction DRβ into a control signal for controlling home appliance 300. The learning unit 451 has a specified rate (20% in the example of FIG. 12) and a reduction rate (figure corresponding to the instruction content when the power consumption of the specified rate is reduced in the air conditioner 301). In the example of 12 is stored in the memory 446 in association with each other.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication adapter 400. Referring to FIG. 14, communication adapter 400 includes CPU 41, memory 42, illuminance meter 471, thermometer 472, clock 473, watt hour meter 480, socket 490, home communication interface 416, And a home appliance communication interface 408.

  The memory 42 includes the memory 446 shown in FIG. The memory 42 is realized by various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, hard disk, and the like. The memory 42 stores an OS (Operation System) executed by the CPU 41, various control programs, and various data read by the CPU 41.

  The CPU 41 executes various types of information processing by executing various programs stored in the memory 42. In other words, the processing in the communication adapter 400 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 41. Such software may be stored in the memory 42 in advance. The software may be stored in a storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet.

  Such software is read from the storage medium by using a reading device (not shown), or downloaded by using the communication interface 416 and temporarily stored in the memory 42. The CPU 41 stores the software in an executable program format in the memory 42 and then executes the program.

  As storage media, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk , Magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) ) And the like (non-temporary medium) for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner.

  The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

<J. Data>
Next, a specific example of a table stored in the memory of the communication adapter 401, 402, 403, 404 will be described.

(J1. Table for air conditioner 301)
Specific examples of tables other than the table 430 shown in FIG. 12 stored in the memory of the communication adapter 401 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of a table when the temperature information and time information are not used. FIG. 15A shows a table used by the communication adapter 401 when the air conditioner 301 is in a heating operation. FIG. 15B shows a table used by the communication adapter 401 when the air conditioner 301 is in cooling operation.

  Referring to FIG. 15 (a), for example, the instruction content with the first priority is “lower the set temperature by 1 ° C.”. The communication adapter 401 associates the instruction content with a reduction rate of 10%. That is, in the default state, the communication adapter 401 recognizes that if the set temperature of the air conditioner 301 is lowered by 1 ° C., the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 can be reduced by 10%.

  For example, when the communication adapter 401 determines that the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 cannot be reduced by 10% even if the set temperature of the air conditioner 301 is lowered by 1 ° C., the communication adapter 401 refers to the table 441 and refers to the air conditioner 301. Control to lower the set temperature of 2 ° C. In other words, the communication adapter 401 controls the air conditioner 301 based on the second-order instruction content that is one lower priority.

  For example, when the communication adapter 401 can achieve the reduction ratio (here, 10%) instructed by the home controller 20B with the instruction content having the second highest priority, the communication adapter 401 again sends the reduction instruction DRβ of the same ratio to the home controller 20B. From the learning function, control according to the second-order instruction content is performed without performing control according to the first-priority instruction content.

  Similar to the table 430, the table 441 is configured such that the lower the priority is, the lower the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 is. Further, if the set temperature is lowered by 5 ° C. or more, it is expected that the effect of heating is lost. Therefore, in the table 441, the reduction ratio 50% and “operation stop” are associated with each other for convenience.

  Referring to FIG. 15B, for example, the instruction content with the first priority is “increase the set temperature by 1 ° C.”. The communication adapter 401 associates the instruction content with a reduction rate of 10%. That is, in the default state, the communication adapter 401 recognizes that if the set temperature of the air conditioner 301 is increased by 1 ° C., the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 can be reduced by 10%.

  For example, when the communication adapter 401 determines that the power consumption of the air conditioner 301 cannot be reduced by 10% even if the set temperature of the air conditioner 301 is increased by 1 ° C., the communication adapter 401 refers to the table 442 and refers to the air conditioner 301. Control to raise the set temperature of 2 ° C. In other words, the communication adapter 401 controls the air conditioner 301 based on the second-order instruction content that is one lower priority.

  For example, when the communication adapter 401 can achieve the reduction ratio (here, 10%) instructed by the home controller 20B with the instruction content having the second highest priority, the communication adapter 401 again sends the reduction instruction DRβ of the same ratio to the home controller 20B. From the learning function, control according to the second-order instruction content is performed without performing control according to the first-priority instruction content.

  Similar to the table 430, the table 442 is configured such that the lower the priority, the lower the power consumption of the air conditioner 301. Further, since it is expected that the cooling effect will be lost if the set temperature is increased by 3 ° C. or more, the table 442 associates a reduction ratio of 40% with “stop blowing”. Furthermore, since the power consumption cannot be reduced by 50% in the air blowing operation, the table 442 associates the reduction ratio 50% with “operation stop” for convenience.

  Communication adapter 401 may store a table for heating operation and a table for cooling operation in memory 42 for each set temperature before receiving reduction instruction DRβ.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a specific example of a table in the case of using temperature information. FIG. 16A shows a table used by the communication adapter 401 when the air conditioner 301 is in a heating operation. FIG. 16B shows a table used by the communication adapter 401 when the air conditioner 301 is in cooling operation.

  Referring to FIG. 16 (a), in table 451, the instruction content to air conditioner 301 is set separately in three sections according to the temperature. Each instruction content included in the category is such that the lower the priority, the lower the power consumption of the air conditioner 301. In addition, since there is no method for reducing the power consumption more than when the operation is stopped, the contents of the instructions with the priority ranking of 3rd or higher are all “operation stop” in the category of 16 ° C. or more and less than 20 ° C.

  When using the table 451, the communication adapter 401 controls the air conditioner 301 using the instruction content in the section including the temperature obtained from the thermometer 472. For example, when the temperature obtained from the thermometer 472 is 18 ° C., the communication adapter 401 performs control using the instruction content in the section of 10 ° C. or more and less than 15 ° C.

  Referring to FIG. 16 (b), in the table 452, as in FIG. 16 (a), the instruction content to the air conditioner 301 is set separately in three categories according to the temperature. Each instruction content included in the category is such that the lower the priority, the lower the power consumption of the air conditioner 301. In addition, since there is no method for reducing the power consumption more than when the operation is stopped, all the contents of the instructions with the priority ranking of 4th or higher are “operation stop” in the category of 26 ° C. or more and less than 30 ° C.

  When using the table 452, the communication adapter 401 controls the air conditioner 301 using the instruction content in the section including the temperature obtained from the thermometer 472. For example, when the temperature obtained from the thermometer 472 is 28 ° C., the communication adapter 401 performs control using the instruction content in the section of 26 ° C. or more and less than 30 ° C.

  Note that the learning function in the case of using the table 461 is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of a table when time information is used. FIG. 17A shows a table used by the communication adapter 401 when the air conditioner 301 is in a heating operation. FIG. 17B shows a table used by the communication adapter 401 when the air conditioner 301 is in cooling operation.

  Referring to FIG. 17 (a), in table 461, the contents of instructions to air conditioner 301 are set separately in three time zones. Each instruction content included in the time zone (section) is such that the lower the priority, the lower the power consumption of the air conditioner 301. In addition, since there is no method for reducing power consumption more than the stoppage of operation, in the category from 10:00:15 to 15:59:59, the instruction content with the fourth or higher priority is “stop operation”. It has become.

  When using the table 461, the communication adapter 401 controls the air conditioner 301 using the instruction content in the section including the time obtained from the clock 473. For example, when the time obtained from the clock 473 is 12:00:00, the communication adapter 401 performs control using the instruction content in the section from 10:00:15 to 15:59:59.

  Referring to FIG. 17 (b), in table 462, as in FIG. 17 (a), the instruction content to air conditioner 301 is set separately in three time zones. Each instruction content included in the category is such that the lower the priority, the lower the power consumption of the air conditioner 301. In addition, since there is no method for reducing power consumption compared with the stop of operation, all the contents of the instructions with the fourth or higher priority in the classification from 0:00:00 to 9:59:59 are “stop”. It has become.

  When using the table 462, the communication adapter 401 controls the air conditioner 301 using the instruction content in the section including the temperature obtained from the clock 473. For example, when the time obtained from the clock 473 is 8:00:00, the communication adapter 401 performs control using the instruction content in the section from 0:00:00 to 9:59:59.

  Note that the learning function in the case of using the table 461 is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the communication adapter 401 uses a table in consideration of the time zone, and considers conditions such as the place where the air conditioner 301 is installed (such as the sun hits and the sun hits). Can control.

(J2. Table for refrigerator 302)
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table stored in the memory of the communication adapter 402. Specifically, FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table when time information is used.

  Referring to FIG. 18, in table 431, the instruction content to refrigerator 302 is set separately in three time zones. Each instruction content included in the time zone (section) is such that the lower the priority, the lower the power consumption of the refrigerator 302. Note that it is not preferable to stop the operation of the refrigerator 302 because the food stored in the refrigerator 302 is rotten or the frozen food is thawed. For this reason, the communication adapter 402 does not instruct the refrigerator 302 to stop the operation.

  When using the table 431, the communication adapter 402 controls the refrigerator 302 using the instruction content in the section including the time obtained from the clock 473. For example, when the time obtained from the clock 473 is 12:00:00, the communication adapter 402 performs control using the instruction content in the section from 10:00:15 to 15:59:59.

  In addition, the numerical value in parentheses in the table 431 is an upper limit value of an allowable amount range for ensuring the performance of the refrigerator 302 from the viewpoint of food storage. With these numbers, it is difficult to achieve the indicated reduction rate.

  Note that the learning function when the table 431 is used is the same as the content described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the communication adapter 402 can perform control according to the time zone in which the number of times of opening and closing the table is large and the time zone in which the table is opened and closed by using the table in consideration of the time zone.

(J3. Table for TV 304)
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table stored in the memory of the communication adapter 404. Referring to FIG. 19, for example, the instruction content with the highest priority is “reducing backlight luminance by 20%” for television 304. The communication adapter 404 associates the instruction content with a reduction rate of 10%. That is, the communication adapter 404 recognizes that, in the default state, if the backlight brightness of the television 304 is reduced by 20%, the power consumption of the television 304 can be reduced by 10%.

  For example, when the communication adapter 404 determines that the power consumption of the television 304 cannot be reduced by 10% even if the backlight brightness of the television 304 is reduced by 20%, the communication adapter 404 refers to the table 481 and sets the backlight brightness to 40. % Control is performed. That is, the communication adapter 404 controls the television 304 based on the second-order instruction content with the priority order being one lower.

  For example, when the communication adapter 404 can achieve the reduction ratio (here, 10%) instructed by the home controller 20B with the instruction content having the second highest priority, the communication adapter 404 again sends the reduction instruction DRβ of the same ratio to the home controller 20B. From the learning function, control according to the second-order instruction content is performed without performing control according to the first-priority instruction content. Note that the table 481 is configured such that, as the priority order is lower, the power consumption of the television 304 is lower as the priority is lower, like the table 430.

  Further, the communication adapter 404 may be configured to use illuminance for the control of the luminance of the backlight in the television 304. The configuration will be described below. When the brightness of the surroundings of the television 304 is bright, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the video displayed on the television 304 if the brightness of the backlight is lowered too much. Accordingly, the communication adapter 404 is instructed by the home controller 20B to lower the backlight brightness by 90%, for example, when the brightness around the communication adapter 404 is a predetermined value or more (for example, 100 lux or more). Even if the reduction ratio (here, 10%) can be achieved, an instruction to turn off the backlight is sent to the television 304. With this configuration, the communication adapter 404 can achieve power saving while considering user convenience.

(J4. Table for lighting device 303)
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table stored in the memory of the communication adapter 403. Referring to FIG. 20, for example, the instruction content with the highest priority is “reducing the amount of light by 20%” for lighting device 303. The communication adapter 403 associates the instruction content with a reduction rate of 10%. That is, in the default state, the communication adapter 403 recognizes that if the light amount of the lighting device 303 is reduced by 20%, the power consumption of the lighting device 303 can be reduced by 10%.

  For example, when the communication adapter 403 determines that the power consumption of the lighting device 303 cannot be reduced by 10% even if the light amount of the lighting device 303 is reduced by 20%, the communication adapter 403 refers to the table 491 and performs control to reduce the light amount by 30%. Do. That is, the communication adapter 403 controls the lighting device 303 based on the second-order instruction content that is one lower priority.

  For example, when the communication adapter 403 can achieve the reduction ratio (here, 10%) instructed by the home controller 20B with the instruction content having the second highest priority, the communication adapter 403 again sends the reduction instruction DRβ of the same ratio to the home controller 20B. From the learning function, control according to the second-order instruction content is performed without performing control according to the first-priority instruction content. Note that, as in the table 430, the table 491 is configured such that the lower the priority is, the lower the power consumption of the television 304 is.

  Further, the communication adapter 403 may be configured to use illuminance for the control of the light amount of the lighting device 303. The configuration will be described below. When the surroundings of the lighting device 303 are dark, if the communication adapter 403 performs control along the table 491, user convenience is impaired. Therefore, when the brightness around the communication adapter 403 decreases to a predetermined value (for example, 100 lux) by the control of the communication adapter 403, the communication adapter 403 reduces the light amount of the lighting device 303 to the above value or less. The lighting device 303 is controlled so that it does not occur.

<K. Data processing flow>
FIG. 21 is a sequence chart in the communication system 1B. Referring to FIG. 21, in step S52, smart meter 10 transmits a reduction instruction DRα to home controller 20B. In step S54, the home controller 20B performs protocol conversion for the reduction instruction DRα. In step S56, the home controller 20B transmits the reduction instruction DRβ obtained by the protocol conversion to the communication adapter 400.

  In step S58, the communication adapter 400 refers to the above-described table and reads the designated priority order contents. The designated priority is, for example, the highest priority (1st), the priority corresponding to the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRβ, or the like. In step S <b> 60, the communication adapter 400 transmits a control signal based on the read instruction content to the home appliance 300 connected to the communication adapter 400. In step S62, the communication adapter 400 measures power consumption. In step S64, the communication adapter 400 determines whether or not the instructed ratio of power consumption has been reduced based on the measured power consumption.

  If the communication adapter 400 determines that the power consumption of the specified ratio has been reduced (YES in step S64), the power consumption of the specified ratio is added to the reduction ratio indicated in the received reduction instruction DRβ in step S68. Is stored in association with the control content when the amount of the control can be reduced.

  If communication adapter 400 determines that the specified power consumption cannot be reduced (NO in step S64), it executes the process of step S66. Details of the process in step S66 will be described below.

  In step S662, the communication adapter 400 reads the instruction content that is one order lower in priority from the table described above. In step S664, the communication adapter 400 transmits a control signal based on the read instruction content to the home appliance 300 connected to the communication adapter 400. In step S666, communication adapter 400 measures power consumption in home appliance 300. In step S668, the communication adapter 400 determines whether or not the specified ratio of power consumption has been reduced based on the measured power consumption.

  If communication adapter 400 determines that it has been reduced (YES in step S668), the process proceeds to step S68. If communication adapter 400 determines that it has not been reduced (NO in step S668), processing proceeds to step S662.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart in the communication adapter 400. Referring to FIG. 22, in step S82, communication adapter 400 receives reduction instruction DRβ from home controller 20B. In step S84, the communication adapter 400 refers to the table and reads the instruction content of the designated priority. In step S <b> 86, communication adapter 400 transmits a control signal based on the read instruction content to home appliance 300 connected to communication adapter 400.

  In step S88, the communication adapter 400 measures the power consumption of the home appliance 300 connected to the communication adapter 400. In step S90, the communication adapter 400 determines whether or not the power consumption of the ratio specified by the reduction instruction DRβ has been reduced based on the measured power consumption.

  If the communication adapter 400 determines that the power consumption has been reduced (YES in step S90), in step S98, the instruction content when the power consumption of the designated ratio can be reduced to the reduction ratio indicated in the received reduction instruction DRβ. Are stored in association with each other.

  If communication adapter 400 determines that it has not been reduced (NO in step S90), in step S92, it reads out the instruction content one order lower in priority order from the table. In step S <b> 94, the communication adapter 400 transmits a control signal based on the read instruction content to the home appliance 300 connected to the communication adapter 400. In step S <b> 96, the communication adapter 400 measures the power consumption of the home appliance 300 connected to the communication adapter 400. The communication adapter 400 advances the process to step S90 after step S96.

<L. Modification>
(L1. First modification)
(1) FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a communication system 1C which is a modification of the communication system 1B. In the communication system 1B, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, the home appliance 300 is supplied with power via the communication adapter 400. With reference to FIG. 23, in the communication system 1C, the home appliances 301 to 306 are supplied with power via the smart meter 10 without passing through the communication adapters 401A, 402A, 403A, 404A, 405A, and 406A, respectively. Although not shown, the communication adapters 401 </ b> A to 406 </ b> A are supplied with power via the smart meter 10.

  Other configurations of the communication system 1C are the same as those of the communication system 1B, and thus description thereof will not be repeated here.

  (2) FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a communication system 1D which is another modification of the communication system 1B. Referring to FIG. 24, the communication system 1 </ b> D includes a home controller 20 </ b> D incorporating a smart meter, and each home appliance 300 (301 to 306) of the home appliance group 30. That is, the home controller 20D includes a measuring device for measuring the power consumption in the home.

  The communication system 1D is different from the communication system 1B (see FIG. 11) in which the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20B are separated in that the smart meter and the home controller are integrated. The home controller 20D has functions of the home controller 20B and the smart meter 10.

  The home controller 20D is not different from the configuration including the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20B except that the home controller 20D is integrated. Therefore, the details of the processing in home controller 20D will not be repeated here. The communication system 1D can achieve the same effects as the communication system 1B.

(L2. Second Modification)
(1) You may replace the household appliance group 30 (refer FIG. 1) in Embodiment 1 with the structure (refer FIG. 11) of the communication adapter group 40 and the household appliance group 30 in Embodiment 2. FIG. With the system configuration replaced in this way, finer control can be performed.

  (2) In Embodiment 1, each home appliance 300 may be configured to transmit power consumption to the home controller 20.

  (3) In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the data in the table is not updated has been described as an example. That is, the configuration has been described in which the priority order of the control content read as the learning function is changed (change of the starting point). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The communication adapter 400 may be configured to update the data in the table.

(L3. Third modification)
FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the communication system 1G. Referring to FIG. 31, the communication system 1G includes a smart meter 10, a home controller 20B, a home appliance group 30, and a communication adapter group 40G. The communication adapter group 40G includes a plurality of communication adapters 401G to 406G. Home controller 20G, home appliance group 30, and communication adapter group 40 are installed in building 9 (inside the house). In the following, for convenience of explanation, when the communication adapters 401G to 406G included in the communication adapter group 40G are expressed without being distinguished, they are expressed as “communication adapter 400G”.

  The smart meter 10 transmits the received reduction instruction DRα to the home controller 20B.

  The home controller 20B is communicably connected to the smart meter 10, each communication adapter 400G, and each sensor 600. The home controller 20B generates a reduction instruction DRβ usable by the communication adapter group 40G by performing a predetermined protocol conversion on the reduction instruction DRα received from the smart meter 10. Home controller 20B transmits reduction instruction DRβ to each communication adapter 400G. As described above, the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRα and the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRβ have a one-to-one relationship.

  Each communication adapter 400G is communicably connected to the home controller 20B. Each communication adapter 400G receives the reduction instruction DRβ from the home controller 20B. Communication adapters 401G to 406G in the communication adapter group are connected to one home appliance 301 to 306 so as to communicate with each other. For example, the communication adapter 401G is communicably connected to the air conditioner 301.

  Each communication adapter 400G controls the operation of the home appliance 300 connected thereto. Specifically, each communication adapter 400G controls the operation of home appliances connected thereto by transmitting a control signal (command) for controlling the operation of the home appliances to the home appliance. As an example, when the communication adapter 401G receives the reduction instruction DRβ, the communication adapter 401G refers to the table stored in the communication adapter 401G, thereby reducing the power consumption of the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRβ. And the generated control signal is transmitted to the air conditioner 301 connected to the communication adapter 401G.

  For example, the data table referred to by the communication adapter 403G corresponding to the lighting device 303 is the table 850 in FIG. 35 when the sensor 601 is a human sensor, and the table 870 in FIG. 37 when the sensor 601 is an illuminance sensor. .

  Each communication adapter 400G uses the sensor output from the sensor 600 when generating a control signal. Specifically, the communication adapter 401G corresponding to the air conditioner 301, the communication adapter 403G corresponding to the lighting device 303, and the communication adapter 404G corresponding to the television 304 are controlled using the sensor output from the sensor 601. Generate a signal. A communication adapter 402G corresponding to the refrigerator 302, a communication adapter 405G corresponding to the washing machine 305, and a communication adapter 406G corresponding to the microwave oven 306 generate a control signal using the sensor output from the sensor 602.

  As described in the modification of the first embodiment, the communication adapter 400 corresponds to the home appliance when the first output is acquired from the corresponding sensor 600 and when the second output is acquired. The content of the control signal for controlling is varied.

  Each home appliance 300 receives power via the smart meter 10 and the communication adapter 400G. Each home appliance 300 receives a control signal from each communication adapter 400G. Each household appliance 300 changes an operation state based on the received control signal.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication adapter 400G. Referring to FIG. 32, communication adapter 400G includes CPU 41, memory 42, watt-hour meter 480, socket 490, in-home communication interface 416, and home appliance communication interface 408. That is, the communication adapter 400G is different from the communication adapter 400 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in that the illuminance meter 471, the thermometer 472, and the clock 473 are not provided. Other configurations are the same between the communication adapter 400G and the communication adapter 400. Therefore, the details of the hardware of the communication adapter 400G will not be repeated here.

When the sensors 601 and 602 are human sensors FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a table used by the communication adapter 401G. Specifically, FIG. 33 shows a table used by the communication adapter 401G when the air conditioner 301 is in cooling operation. Referring to FIG. 33, table 830 is divided into table 442 in FIG. 15B in that the instruction content is divided into a case where sensor 601 detects a person and a case where a person is not detected. Is different.

  The communication adapter 401G reads the instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 601 from the table 830, and controls the air conditioner 301 based on the read instruction content.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a table used by the communication adapter 404G. Specifically, FIG. 34 shows a table used by the communication adapter 404G when the television 304 is activated. Referring to FIG. 34, table 840 differs from table 481 in FIG. 19 in that the instruction content is divided into a case where sensor 601 detects a person and a case where a person is not detected. Yes.

  The communication adapter 404G reads the instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 601 from the table 840, and controls the television 304 based on the read instruction content.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a table used by the communication adapter 403G. Specifically, FIG. 35 shows a table used by the communication adapter 403G when the lighting device 303 is turned on. Referring to FIG. 35, table 850 differs from table 491 in FIG. 20 in that the instruction content is divided into a case where sensor 601 detects a person and a case where a person is not detected. Yes.

  The communication adapter 403G reads the instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 601 from the table 850, and controls the lighting device 303 based on the read instruction content.

  Similarly, the communication adapter 402G reads the instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 602 (the presence or absence of a person) from a table (not shown), and controls the refrigerator 302 based on the read instruction content. Further, the communication adapter 405G reads the instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 602 (the presence or absence of a person) from a table (not shown), and controls the washing machine 305 based on the read instruction content. The communication adapter 406G reads the instruction content according to the output from the sensor 602 (the presence or absence of a person) from a table (not shown), and controls the microwave oven 306 based on the read instruction content.

When the sensors 601 and 602 are illuminance sensors FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a table used by the communication adapter 404G. Specifically, FIG. 36 shows a table used by the communication adapter 404G when the television 304 is activated. Referring to FIG. 36, table 860 is divided into a case where the instruction content is detected when sensor 601 detects an illuminance of 50 lx or more and a case where an illuminance of less than 50 lx is detected. Is different.

  The communication adapter 404G reads the instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 601 from the table 860, and controls the television 304 based on the read instruction content.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a table used by the communication adapter 403G. Specifically, FIG. 37 shows a table used by the communication adapter 403G when the lighting device 303 is lit. Referring to FIG. 37, table 870 is divided into a case in which the instruction content is detected when the sensor 601 detects an illuminance of 50 lx or more and a case where the illuminance of less than 50 lx is detected. Is different.

  The communication adapter 403G reads the instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 601 from the table 870, and controls the lighting device 303 based on the read instruction content.

  Similarly, the communication adapter 401G reads the instruction content according to the output from the sensor 601 (whether the illuminance is 50 lx or more) from a table (not shown), and based on the read instruction content, the air conditioner 301 is turned on. Control. The communication adapter 402G reads the instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 602 (whether the illuminance is 50 lx or more) from a table (not shown), and controls the refrigerator 302 based on the read instruction content. Further, the communication adapter 405G reads an instruction content corresponding to the output from the sensor 602 (whether the illuminance is 50 lx or more) from a table (not shown), and controls the washing machine 305 based on the read instruction content. . The communication adapter 406G reads the instruction content according to the output from the sensor 602 (whether the illuminance is 50 lx or more) from a table (not shown), and controls the microwave oven 306 based on the read instruction content.

  As described above, the communication adapter 400 controls the content of the control signal for controlling the corresponding home appliance when the first output is acquired from the corresponding sensor 600 and when the second output is acquired. Make them different. More specifically, the CPU 41 of the communication adapter 400G acquires the output from the sensor 600 installed in a room where a plurality of home appliances are installed. The memory 42 stores a plurality of instruction contents divided into outputs of the sensor 600. When the CPU 41 receives the reduction instruction DRα ′, the CPU 41 controls the connected home appliances based on the designated priority order contents among the plurality of instruction contents in the above classification corresponding to the output of the sensor 600.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining a communication system 1H which is a modification of the communication system 1G. Referring to FIG. 38, the communication system 1H includes a home controller 20D incorporating a smart meter, each home appliance 300 (301 to 306) of the home appliance group 30, and a communication adapter group 40G.

  The communication system 1H is different from the communication system 1G (see FIG. 31) in which the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20B are separated in that the smart meter and the home controller are integrated. Note that the communication system 1H can achieve the same effects as the communication system 1G.

  In the above description, the case where the reduction instruction DRα is directly received from the electric power company has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reduction instruction DRα may be received from a relay company that manages the reduction instruction DRα from the power company. Or, if the power consumption is managed not in each household but in the whole area by the local energy management system using the smart grid, the reduction instruction DRα is issued from the local energy management system in view of the power supply / demand situation in the whole area. You may receive it. Thus, the present invention can be suitably applied when receiving the reduction instruction DRα from the power system outside the home.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above contents. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H Communication system, 8 Electric power company, 9 Building, 10, 10E Smart meter, 12, 42, 209, 446 Memory, 13,471 Luminometer, 14, 472 Thermometer, 15 system communication interface, 16 watt hour meter, 17,416 Home communication interface, 20, 20A, 20B, 20D, 20E, 20F Home controller, 30 Home appliance group, 40 Communication adapter group, 50 Network, 60 Sensor group, 80 power plant, 81 power system, 202 display, 203 tablet, 204 button, 205,416 communication interface, 206 touch panel display, 207 speaker, 208,473 clock, 300 home appliance, 301 air conditioner, 302 Refrigerator, 303 lighting device, 304 TV, 305 washing machine, 306 microwave oven, 310 communication interface unit, 320, 410 device communication control unit, 322 device information response unit, 330 plug, 400, 401, 401A, 402, 402A, 403 , 403A, 404, 404A, 405, 405A, 406, 406A Communication adapter, 408 Communication interface for home appliances, 412 Data conversion unit, 414 Network communication control unit, 418 Device information acquisition unit, 424 Conversion data rewrite control unit, 426 Conversion data Comparison unit, 428 conversion data acquisition unit, 438 device information request unit, 440 control unit, 442 basic data conversion unit, 444 additional data conversion unit, 450 control signal generation unit, 451 learning unit, 490 socket, 601, 602 sensor

Claims (15)

A communication device that is communicably connected to one of a plurality of home appliances in a house,
A processor;
Memory,
A communication interface,
The memory stores a plurality of instruction contents used for controlling the connected home appliances in association with priorities,
The processor is
Using the communication interface, a reduction instruction for reducing the in-home power consumption at a specified rate or more than the specified rate is received from an external device,
When receiving the reduction instruction, based on the instruction content of the priority order specified among the plurality of instruction contents, to control the connected home appliances,
After the control based on the instruction content of the designated priority, if the power consumption of the designated ratio is not reduced in the connected home appliance, the instruction content used for controlling the connected home appliance Is switched to the instruction content in which the priority is one order lower,
Control the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching,
A communication device that repeats the switching and the control of the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching until the power consumption of the specified ratio is reduced in the connected home appliance.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the lower the priority, the greater the reduction rate of power consumption of the connected home appliance. The power consumption reduction ratio is associated with the instruction content in advance,
The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the instruction content of the designated priority is an instruction content associated with the reduction rate according to the designated rate. The processor is
Storing the specified ratio in association with the reduction ratio associated with the instruction content when the power consumption of the specified ratio is reduced in the connected home appliance;
When a reduction instruction for reducing power consumption that is the same as or greater than the specified ratio is received from the external device again, the reduction ratio associated with the specified ratio in the memory Based on the contents of the instruction, the connected home appliance is controlled,
If the power consumption of the specified ratio is not reduced in the connected home appliances even by the control based on the instruction content that is the reduction ratio associated with the specified ratio, the switching is performed. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the control of the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching is repeated.   When the processor receives a selection instruction for selecting one of the plurality of instruction contents and an update instruction for updating the selected instruction contents, the processor updates the selected instruction contents The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is updated to instruction contents based on the instruction. The communication device is an adapter communicably connected to a watt-hour meter having a communication function,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is the watt-hour meter. The communication device is an adapter connected to a controller that manages the plurality of home appliances,
The adapter converts communication data received from any one of the controller and home appliances connected to the adapter into a communication format communicable with the other,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is the controller.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when the reduction instruction is received, the connected home appliance is controlled based on an instruction content having the highest priority among the plurality of instruction contents. The connected home appliance is a device that performs temperature control,
The communication device further includes a thermometer,
The memory stores the plurality of instruction contents divided into temperatures,
The processor is
When receiving the reduction instruction, obtain the temperature from the thermometer,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the connected home appliance is controlled based on an instruction content of the designated priority among the plurality of instruction contents in the section including the acquired temperature. The connected home appliance is a device that performs temperature control,
The communication device further includes a watch,
The memory stores the plurality of instruction contents divided into times,
The processor is
When receiving the reduction instruction, obtain the time from the clock,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the connected home appliance is controlled based on an instruction content of the designated priority among the plurality of instruction contents in the section including the acquired time. The connected home appliance is a device having a lighting device or a display,
The communication device further includes an illuminance meter,
The memory stores the plurality of instruction contents divided into illuminances,
The processor is
When receiving the reduction instruction, obtain illuminance from the illuminometer,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the connected home appliance is controlled based on an instruction content of the designated priority among the plurality of instruction contents in the classification including the acquired illuminance. The processor acquires an output from a sensor installed in a room in which the plurality of home appliances are installed,
The memory stores the plurality of instruction contents divided into output of the sensor,
When the processor receives the reduction instruction, the processor controls the connected home appliances based on the instruction content of the designated priority order among the plurality of instruction contents in the section corresponding to the output of the sensor. The communication device according to claim 1.   The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is a human sensor or an illuminance sensor. A power consumption control method in a communication device that is communicably connected to one of a plurality of home appliances in a home,
The memory of the communication device stores a plurality of instruction contents used for control of the connected home appliances in association with priorities,
The power consumption control method includes:
The processor of the communication device receives a reduction instruction for reducing the power consumption in the home from a specified rate or a specified rate or more from an external device using a communication interface;
When the processor receives the reduction instruction, the processor controls the connected home appliance based on the instruction content of the priority order designated among the plurality of instruction contents;
When the processor does not reduce the power consumption of the designated ratio in the connected household appliance after the control based on the instruction content of the designated priority, the processor controls the connected household appliance. Switching the instruction content to be used to the instruction content having the priority lower by one;
The processor controlling the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching;
The processor repeats the switching and the control of the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching until the power consumption of the designated ratio is reduced in the connected home appliance. A power consumption control method. A program for controlling a communication device communicably connected to one of a plurality of home appliances in a house,
The memory of the communication device stores a plurality of instruction contents used for control of the connected home appliances in association with priorities,
The program is
Using the communication interface of the communication device, receiving a reduction instruction for reducing the power consumption in the home from a specified rate or more than the rate from an external device;
Receiving the reduction instruction, controlling the connected home appliance based on the instruction content of the priority order specified among the plurality of instruction contents;
After the control based on the instruction content of the designated priority, if the power consumption of the designated ratio is not reduced in the connected home appliance, the instruction content used for controlling the connected home appliance Switching to the instruction content with the priority order lower by one;
Controlling the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching;
Repeating the switching and the control of the connected home appliance based on the instruction content after the switching until the power consumption of the specified ratio is reduced in the connected home appliance. Program to be executed by any processor.

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