JP2013065189A - Energy management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an energy management system having a program that can easily respond to user needs and support different communication methods between devices, as a program relating to a monitoring screen and a control method necessary for unified management of energy in a building.SOLUTION: An energy management system includes: plural energy consumption devices; an energy consumption measuring device; a communication unit for communicating with a communication target device; a display unit for displaying measurement results from the measuring device; and a control unit for controlling an operational state of a control target device. The communication unit can switch a communication method depending on the communication target device. The display unit obtains the measurement results through the communication unit. The control unit controls the control target device through the communication unit. The communication unit has an API for executing a communication program, mounted therein. A display program and a control program request the communication unit to execute the communication program to use the API.

Description

  The present invention relates to an energy management system provided with a communication unit that communicates with each of a plurality of energy consuming devices used in a building.

  As an energy management system for managing energy consumption in a building, a system capable of monitoring and automatically controlling the operating status of energy consuming equipment installed in a building is already known. In configuring such a system, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 16, a dedicated controller (for example, a remote controller or an operation panel) is provided for each energy consuming device installed in the building. . FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a conventional energy management system.

  Similarly, display screens (displayed to monitor the operation status of equipment, which are also referred to as monitoring screens) and automatic control programs installed in the controller are also developed for each equipment. Was used. When the display screen and control method are device-specific specifications in this way, it is difficult to set (customize) the monitor screen and control method according to the user's needs. In terms of convenience and design, it has become undesirable for users.

  In response to the above problems, a system has been developed that provides a program according to a user's request for a monitoring screen and a control method through a network. More specifically, it is an energy management system using a cloud, which collects the energy consumption of energy consuming devices on a server on the Internet, and executes a display screen and a control method with a server-side application. However, even in such a system, the variation of the background image and the display item is increased, and the system cannot sufficiently meet the user's request. In this case, the maintenance cost of the server that provides the program is required, and if the predetermined number of users of the service cannot be secured, the service may be stopped.

  On the other hand, there is also considered a method in which a user develops a program himself by utilizing a technique for switching a program already installed with respect to a monitoring screen and a control method from a network. In this case, however, the degree of freedom in development becomes too high. As a result, when a plurality of programs are installed, the programs may interfere with each other to cause a problem. In addition, since the program must be developed in accordance with the control specifications of the device, the development cost increases. Furthermore, when the program obtained from the outside is malicious, there is a risk that troubles such as illegal leakage of personal information may occur.

  By the way, in recent years, the home energy management system (HEMS) and the building energy management system (BEMS), as well as the residential network, can be used to centrally manage energy consumption and control equipment in the building. Development of the system to be performed is being actively carried out now. In other words, in recent energy management systems, energy consumption is visualized (visualized) by a home server (also called a home gateway) connected to energy consuming equipment and sensors installed in a house via a home network. Operation control of equipment is unified (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-225357 A

  However, even in a general HEMS, it is still difficult to customize a monitoring screen and a control method for energy consuming equipment in a house according to user needs. In addition, if the communication method (communication protocol, etc.) differs between devices (for example, when a device that adopts a new communication method is introduced) for the convenience of centralizing monitoring and operation control at the home server, the program Need to be modified, and a great deal of labor is required for users who are not used to program development.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to easily meet the needs of users as a program related to a monitoring screen and a control method necessary for unifying energy management in a building. Accordingly, it is to provide an energy management system equipped with a program capable of dealing with differences in communication methods between devices.

  According to the energy management system of the present invention, the object is to execute a plurality of energy consuming devices used in a building, a measuring device that measures energy consumption consumed by the energy consuming devices, and a communication program. A communication unit that communicates with a communication target device among the plurality of energy consuming devices and the measurement device, a display unit that displays a measurement result of the measurement device by executing a display program, and a control program. And a control unit that controls an operation state of the control target device among the plurality of energy consuming devices, and the communication unit executes the communication program to the communication target device. It is possible to switch the communication method according to the display unit, and the display unit causes the communication unit to execute the communication program, thereby causing the The communication unit communicates with the communication unit as a communication target device, acquires the measurement result through the communication unit, and the control unit causes the communication unit to execute the communication program so that the control target device is the communication target device. As the communication unit, controlling the operating state of the control target device through the communication unit, and the communication unit to the communication unit during the execution of at least one of the display program and the control program An API for executing a program is mounted on the communication unit, and the display program and the control program each communicate with the communication unit as information for using the API. This is solved by incorporating information for requesting the execution of the program for use.

According to the above energy management system, it is possible to easily develop a display program and a control program by using an API (Application Program Interface) implemented in the communication unit. More specifically, a communication unit that is a component of the energy management system performs communication while executing a communication program while switching communication methods according to communication target devices. That is, the communication unit is highly versatile with respect to communication target devices, and can communicate while absorbing differences in communication methods between devices.
On the other hand, the communication unit is implemented with an API developed for requesting the communication unit to execute the communication program from another program (specifically, a display program or a control program). If a program using this API is used, even if a device with a new communication method is introduced, it becomes possible to monitor the device and control the operation while supporting the communication method. In developing the above program, information for using the API may be incorporated, and it is easy for a user who is not used to program development. As a result, the user can easily incorporate the information for using the API into the program without being aware of the communication method between the devices, and can easily modify the program according to his / her preference.
As described above, according to the present invention, an energy management system equipped with a program that can easily respond to a user's needs and can cope with a difference in communication method between devices is realized.

  Moreover, in said energy management system, it connects with the home server provided with at least the said communication part among the said communication part, the said display part, and the said control part, and this home server via a network, With respect to the said home server It is preferable to have a program distribution server that distributes at least one of the display program and the control program. If the program can be obtained from the program distribution server in this way, the number of programs that can be used by the user will increase. On the other hand, the program provider (the operator of the program distribution server, etc.) will also be given opportunities for advertising and the like. Be able to. As described above, for the program available from the program distribution server, it is sufficient to incorporate information for using the API implemented in the communication unit, and it becomes easy to increase program variations.

  In the energy management system, the program distribution server calculates a charging fee according to the at least one program when distributing the at least one program to the home server, and the charging fee Is more preferable. As described above, it is possible to easily provide a program (display program or control program) by using the API installed in the communication unit, and the program is charged by charging for the provision of the program. It is possible to develop a business that uses products.

  Further, in the above energy management system, an information processing terminal including a home server, an operation reception mechanism connected to the home server via a network and receiving a user operation, and a display screen on which information is displayed. And the communication unit is provided in the home server, the display unit and the control unit are provided in the information processing terminal, and information according to the measurement result is displayed on the display screen, It is preferable that the operation reception mechanism receives an operation performed by the user when the operation state of the control target device is switched. By installing a display program and a control program in an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, a notebook computer, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), the convenience of device operation management and control is improved for the user. On the other hand, when developing a program to be installed in an information processing terminal, if an API installed in a communication unit is used, the program can be easily developed, and a user easily obtains a program that meets his needs. It is possible.

  Further, the home server and the information processing terminal communicate with each other by HTTP, and the communication unit communicates with the communication unit via the API during execution of at least one of the display program and the control program. When the program is executed, it is more preferable that data in the XML format is transmitted from the communication unit toward the direction of executing the at least one of the display unit and the control unit. A communication protocol called HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is widely used, and any information processing terminal that can be connected to the Internet can be used regardless of the execution environment. In addition, since the data transmitted from the home server to the information processing terminal is in an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format, the data is expanded in an appropriate format according to the specifications (display capability) of the information processing terminal ( Drawing, video playback, etc.).

  According to the energy management system of the present invention, as a program related to a monitoring screen and a control method necessary for unifying energy management in a building, it can easily respond to user needs and cope with differences in communication methods between devices. A system equipped with possible programs is realized.

It is explanatory drawing of the building by which the energy management system which concerns on this invention is mounted. It is a figure which shows the structure of the energy management system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the home server which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram regarding the execution environment of the home server which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an energy management screen (the 1). It is a figure which shows the example of an energy management screen (the 2). It is a figure which shows the example of an energy management screen (the 3). It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which displays an energy management screen. It is a figure which shows the communication procedure using API which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which controls the driving | operation of the apparatus in a building. It is a figure regarding the request message which concerns on a control process. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing terminal which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of communication between the home server using API which concerns on this invention, and an information processing terminal. It is a figure which shows the procedure which acquires a program file from the outside. It is an example of the screen displayed when selecting an energy management screen. It is a confirmation screen when the energy management screen is selected. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the conventional energy management system.

  An energy management system according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a building equipped with an energy management system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the energy management system according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the home server according to the present invention. FIG. 3B is a configuration diagram relating to the execution environment of the home server according to the present invention. 4-6 is a figure which shows the example of an energy management screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for displaying the energy management screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication procedure using the API according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for controlling the operation of the equipment in the building. FIG. 10 is a diagram related to a request message related to the control process. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the home server and the information processing terminal using the API according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a procedure for acquiring a program file from the outside. FIG. 14 is an example of a screen displayed when the energy management screen is selected. FIG. 15 is a confirmation screen when the energy management screen is selected.

<< Overview of energy management system according to this embodiment >>
An energy management system according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, system S) will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, among the lines connecting the elements constituting the system S, the solid line indicates the electrical wiring, and the broken line indicates the communication line.

  Hereinafter, a configuration in which the system S is installed in a house H as an example of a building will be described as an example. However, the house H is merely an example of a building, and the energy management system of the present invention can be used in other buildings such as office buildings, buildings in factories, stores, and the like.

<Configuration of energy management system according to this embodiment>
This system S is for managing the power consumption in the house H as the energy consumption in the house H. More specifically, the present system S is a so-called home energy management system (HEMS), and the power of the power consuming equipment used in the house H is used for the purpose of reducing the power consumption in the house H. The consumption amount is visualized (visualized) and the operation state of the power consuming device is automatically controlled.

  The power consuming device corresponds to an energy consuming device, and specifically includes home appliances, lighting, an air conditioner, a water heater, an AV device, a crime prevention facility, and the like. Moreover, in the house H, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of power consuming devices are used. In other words, the present system S is installed in a house H in which a plurality of power consuming devices are used.

  In FIG. 1, for convenience of illustration, only the air conditioner 7a, the illumination 7b, the water heater 7c, the electronic lock 7d, and the security device 7e are illustrated as power consuming devices. However, the combination of the power consuming devices illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and naturally, more power consuming devices than the power consuming device illustrated in FIG. 1 may be installed in the house H. A power consuming device not shown in FIG. 1 may be installed in the house H.

  Moreover, in the house H, as shown in FIG. 1, while the electric power from the commercial power source 4 (hereinafter, system power) is received, solar power as natural energy is generated by the power generation unit 1 installed in the house H. It is possible to generate electricity using Electric power generated by the power generation unit 1 (hereinafter, generated power) and system power are supplied to each of the power consuming devices installed in the house H through the distribution board 2. The generated power is converted from DC power to AC power by a power conditioner 5 installed between the power generation unit 1 and the distribution board 2.

  In the present embodiment, the power generation unit 1 is linked to the commercial power source 4, and the surplus generated power can be reversely flowed (sold) to the commercial power source 4. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the storage battery 3 is provided, and system power and generated power can be stored in the storage battery 3. Then, the electric power stored in the storage battery 3 (hereinafter, stored electric power) is discharged at an appropriate timing, and is supplied to each of the power consuming devices in the house H through the distribution board 2 like other electric power. A bidirectional inverter 6 is installed between the storage battery 3 and the distribution board 2. The bidirectional inverter 6 converts system power and generated power from AC power to DC power when stored in the storage battery 3, and stored power is converted from DC power to AC power when discharged.

  On the other hand, a sensor group for measuring electric power is provided in the house H in which HEMS (that is, the present system S) is mounted. More specifically, the distribution board 2 is provided with a sensor 21 made of a smart meter, and the total power consumption in the house H is measured by the smart meter.

  In addition, individual sensors 22a, 22b, and 22c are attached to the air conditioner 7a, the illumination 7b, and the water heater 7c, respectively. The sensors 22a, 22b, and 22c correspond to measuring devices, and are power sensors having a communication function in the present embodiment. Each sensor 22a, 22b, 22c measures the power consumption (corresponding to the energy consumption) of the corresponding device.

  In the present embodiment, among the power consuming devices illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic lock 7d and the security device 7e are excluded from the measurement targets of the power consumption because the power consumption is relatively small. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power consumption of the electronic lock 7d and the security device 7e may be measured.

  Furthermore, sensors 23a, 23b, and 23c for measuring generated power, system power, and stored power are provided. More specifically, the generated power sensor 23a is disposed between the power conditioner 5 and the distribution board 2, and the system power sensor 23b is a power receiving facility (not shown) provided in the house H. And the distribution power sensor 23 c are attached to a predetermined position of the storage battery 3.

  In the present embodiment, a toilet with a measurement sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a toilet 24) is installed in the house H in addition to the sensor group described above. While the user (for example, a resident of the house H) urinates and defecates, the toilet 24 is used by a measurement sensor (not shown) to monitor the user's health management index (weight, body temperature, blood pressure, urine sugar value). Etc.) can be measured.

  The present system S installed in the house H having the above-described configuration is connected to the above devices (specifically, power consuming devices, sensors 21, 22a to 22c, 23a to 23c, and the like) via the home network TN. It communicates with the toilet 24) and monitors and controls each power consuming device.

  More specifically, data indicating the measurement results of the sensors 21, 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c are acquired from the sensors 21, 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c through the home network TN. Similarly, data indicating the measurement result of the toilet 24 is acquired from the toilet 24 through the home network TN. In addition, a signal (control signal) for controlling the operation state of the power consuming device is transmitted to the power consuming device through the home network TN. Here, the operation state is a concept indicating the current state of items that can be controlled (adjustable) with respect to operation such as start / stop (on / off), operation modes such as cooling and heating, and operation management values such as set temperatures.

  That is, in this system S, it is possible to remotely control the operation states of the air conditioner 7a, the lighting 7b, the water heater 7c, the electronic lock 7d, and the security device 7e through the home network TN. It is possible to remotely change the temperature, turn on / off the illumination 7b, set the hot water temperature of the water heater 7c, open / close the electronic lock 7d, and set / release the security device 7e.

  Note that the home network TN is configured by, for example, a wired IP network using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable or a wireless IP network using IEEE 802.1x or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The above functions are realized by the home server 10 provided in the house H. That is, in this system S, acquisition of data from the sensors 21, 22 a to 22 c, 23 a to 23 c and the toilet 24 and transmission of control signals to the power consuming devices are performed centrally by the home server 10. .

  On the display 11 connected to the home server 10, a screen (for example, see FIG. 4; hereinafter, energy management screen) on which the measurement results of the sensors 21, 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c are displayed is drawn. A user of the system S (that is, a resident of the house H) can visually recognize the power consumption in each power consuming device and the power supply / demand balance in the house H on the energy management screen.

  Further, the user who is viewing the energy management screen drawn on the display 11 can use the operation buttons (for example, operation buttons B1 to B9 in FIG. 4) provided on the screen through the input device 12 such as a keyboard and a mouse. By performing the pressing operation, it is possible to switch the operation status of the power consuming device whose operation button has been pressed. That is, by the operation of pressing the operation button, the control signal described above is transmitted from the home server 10 to the power consuming device whose operation button is pressed.

  By the way, among the power consuming devices, there are devices having different communication methods (synonymous with communication standards and communication protocols). In general, it is recommended to use power consuming equipment that adopts a common communication method in the house H where HEMS is installed. For example, equipment that adopts the ECHONET standard proposed by the ECHONET consortium It is hoped that they will be unified. On the other hand, the power consumption devices purchased by the user include devices that are not in the ECHONET standard, and thus there are cases where the communication method differs between the power consumption devices used in the house H.

  Here, out of a plurality of power consuming devices and sensor groups in the house H, a device adopting a predetermined communication method (for example, the above-described ECHONET standard) is referred to as a first standard device. Among devices having a communication method different from that of the first standard device, a device adopting the second communication method is called a second standard device, and a third communication method (a communication method other than the second communication method). A device that employs is referred to as a third standard device. The toilet 24 described above is a fourth standard device that does not belong to any of the above-described devices (that is, the first standard device, the second standard device, and the third standard device).

  And the home server 10 which concerns on this embodiment switches a communication system according to the communication object apparatus, and communicates with the communication system corresponding to each communication object apparatus. That is, when the home server 10 communicates with the first standard device, the home server 10 adopts a communication method corresponding to the first standard device. After that, when the home server 10 communicates with the second standard device, the communication method is changed to the second standard device. Switch to a communication method compatible with the device. The configuration of the home server 10 including this function will be described in detail later.

  In addition, in the house H, an information processing terminal is provided in addition to the home server 10 described above. This information processing terminal is connected to the home server 10 via the home network TN and can communicate with the home server 10. Here, the information processing terminal is configured by a smartphone, a PDA, a notebook computer, an operation panel provided in the house H, a digital photo frame on which predetermined application software is installed, or the like. In the following description, an information processing terminal configured by the smartphone 30 will be described as an example.

  Various programs (applications) are installed in the smartphone 30, and one of them is a program that draws a screen similar to the energy management screen described above. In addition, the smartphone 30 employs a touch panel 31, and the touch panel 31 functions as an operation reception mechanism that receives a user operation and also functions as a display screen on which information is displayed. Each program is activated by an operation of a user touching an icon displayed on the touch panel 31. For example, when a program for displaying an energy management screen is activated, the energy management screen is drawn on the touch panel 31. .

  Then, by drawing the energy management screen on the touch panel 31, the user can visually recognize the power consumption in each power consuming device and the power supply / demand balance in the house H. In addition, while viewing the energy management screen displayed on the touch panel 31, the user performs an operation of pressing the operation button provided on the screen through the touch panel 31, so that the power consuming device in which the operation button is pressed is displayed. It is possible to switch the operating state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the home server 10 is communicably connected to the center server 40 via an external network GN made up of the Internet. The center server 40 is, for example, a server owned by a management company of the house H, and is installed to control the HEMS (that is, the present system S) installed in each of the plurality of houses H.

  In response to a transmission request from the home server 10, the center server 40 transmits data (specifically, data indicating information on energy saving and health management) or distributes a predetermined program. That is, the center server 40 corresponds to a program distribution server and distributes the program to the home server 10.

  Here, the program distributed by the center server 40 is a program for displaying the energy management screen (hereinafter referred to as an energy management program). When the energy management program is executed, the energy management screen is drawn on a predetermined display unit (specifically, the display 11), and the measurement result of the sensor group (that is, the power consumption amount) is displayed on the energy management screen. Measurement result) is displayed. In this sense, the energy management program can be said to correspond to a display program for displaying the measurement results of the sensor group. On the other hand, when the user performs an operation for switching the operation state of the power consuming device through the energy management screen, a control signal based on the operation is transmitted to the power consuming device that is the control target. In this sense, it can be said that the energy management program corresponds to a control program for controlling the operation state of the control target device among the plurality of power consuming devices used in the house H.

  As described above, the center server 40 according to the present embodiment distributes the energy management program in which the display program and the control program are integrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display program and the control program may be distributed individually. Further, separate distribution servers may be provided for each of the display program and the control program. That is, it is only necessary to provide a program distribution server that distributes at least one of the display program and the control program.

  Furthermore, the center server 40 according to the present embodiment can selectively distribute a plurality of energy management programs. Specifically, the plurality of energy management programs that can be distributed by the center server 40 according to the present embodiment are different in the design of the energy management screen drawn by the execution, and the user on the home server 10 side is predetermined. One energy management screen is designated on the selection screen (for example, see FIG. 13). Then, the center server 40 delivers an energy management program for drawing the designated energy management screen to the home server 10.

  In addition, some of the energy management programs distributed by the center server 40 are provided free of charge and some are provided for a fee. When distributing a charged energy management program, the center server 40 is a home server. 10 is charged the fee set in the program.

  As described above, the center server 40 distributes to the home server 10 the energy management program corresponding to the energy management screen designated on the home server 10 side. Furthermore, the center server 40 according to the present embodiment can communicate with the above-described smartphone 30 via the outside network GN, and distributes the energy management program to the smartphone 30 in the same procedure as described above. It is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the center server 40 installed in the housing management company is cited as an example of the program distribution server. However, among servers connected to the Internet, a server other than the center server 40 functions as the program distribution server. It is good to do. For example, a home appliance manufacturer or the like may develop an energy management program for advertising and distribute the energy management program from the server of the company.

<Functions of each part of energy management system according to this embodiment>
Next, the configuration of each part of the system S described above will be described again in terms of functions.
(1) About the home server 10 Among the components of the system S, as shown in FIG. 2, the home server 10 which is a main part includes an HS communication unit 101, an HS display unit 102, and an HS control unit 103. Have.

  The HS communication unit 101 corresponds to the communication unit of the present invention, and by executing a communication program, a device in the house H (specifically, a plurality of power consuming devices, a sensor group) via the home network TN. , And the toilet 24). Here, the communication program is a program for switching the communication method according to the communication target device and communicating with the communication method corresponding to the communication target device. That is, the HS communication unit 101 can switch the communication method according to the communication target device by executing the communication program. For example, when communicating with the first standard device, the first standard device Then, when communicating with the second standard device, the communication method corresponding to the second standard device is switched. Details of the communication program will be described later.

  Furthermore, the HS communication unit 101 communicates with the toilet 24 and the smartphone 30 that is an information processing terminal via the home network TN, and communicates with the center server 40 that is a program distribution server via the outside network GN.

  The HS display unit 102 corresponds to the display unit of the present invention, executes an energy management program as a display program, draws an energy management screen, and displays sensor groups (specifically, sensors 21, 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c) are displayed. When displaying the measurement result, the HS display unit 102 acquires the measurement result (strictly, data indicating the measurement result) from each of the sensor groups. Then, the HS communication unit 101 is caused to execute the communication program. Thereby, the HS display unit 102 causes each of the sensor groups to communicate with the HS communication unit 101 as a communication target device, and acquires a measurement result through the HS communication unit 101.

  More specifically, when the HS display unit 102 executes an energy management program (strictly, a part corresponding to a display program in the energy management program), first, data for requesting acquisition of measurement results is obtained. The HS communication unit 101 that has transmitted to the HS communication unit 101 and received the request data sequentially communicates with each of the sensors 21, 22a to 22c, 23a to 23c, and communicates with each of the sensors 21, 22a to 22c, and 23a to 23c. On the other hand, the transmission of the measurement result is requested. As a result, data corresponding to the measurement result is transmitted from the sensors 21, 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c to the HS communication unit 101, and the HS communication unit 101 that has received the data receives the measurement result. Is transferred to the HS display unit 102.

  The HS control unit 103 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention, executes an energy management program as a control program, receives a user's operation, and selects a power consuming device designated by the operation as a control target device. The operation state of the device is controlled. The HS control unit 103 causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute a communication program when controlling the operation state of the control target device. Then, the HS control unit 103 causes the HS communication unit 101 to communicate with the control target device as a communication target device, and controls the operation state of the control target device through the HS communication unit 101.

  More specifically, the HS control unit 103 delivers data for specifying the control target device to the HS communication unit 101, and the HS communication unit 101 that has received the specific data generates a control signal based on the specific data. And then send it to the controlled device. Thereafter, a signal (also referred to as a response signal) corresponding to the operation state after control is transmitted from the controlled device to the HS communication unit 101, and the HS communication unit 101 confirms that the control is completed based on the signal. Data (control completion data) is generated, and the data is transferred to the HS control unit 103.

(2) Smartphone 30 Among the components of the system S, the smartphone 30 as an information processing terminal that communicates with the home server 10 via the home network TN includes a CT communication unit 301 and a CT, as shown in FIG. A display unit 302 and a CT control unit 303 are provided.

  The CT communication unit 301 communicates with the home server 10 via the home network TN and communicates with the center server 40 via the outside network GN. In particular, in this embodiment, the CT communication unit 301 requests the center server 40 to distribute an energy management program, and acquires the energy management program distributed from the center server 40.

  Similar to the HS display unit 102, the CT display unit 102 corresponds to the display unit of the present invention, executes an energy management program as a display program, draws an energy management screen on the touch panel 31, and displays the energy management program on the screen. Each measurement result of the sensor group (specifically, the sensors 21, 22a to 22c, 23a to 23c) is displayed. The CT display unit 302 also causes the HS communication unit 101 of the home server 10 to execute a communication program through the CT communication unit 301 when acquiring measurement results from each of the sensor groups, similarly to the HS display unit 102. . Thereby, the CT display unit 302 causes each of the sensor groups to communicate with the HS communication unit 101 as a communication target device, and acquires a measurement result through the HS communication unit 101 and the CT communication unit 301. Note that the measurement result acquisition procedure is substantially the same as that in the case of the HS display unit 102 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Similar to the HS control unit 103, the CT control unit 303 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention, executes an energy management program as a control program, receives a user operation through the touch panel 31, and then performs the operation. The designated power consuming device is used as a control target device to control the operation state of the device. Similarly to the HS control unit 103, the CT control unit 303 also causes the HS communication unit 101 of the home server 10 to execute a communication program through the CT communication unit 301 in order to control the operation state of the control target device. As a result, the CT control unit 303 causes the HS communication unit 101 to communicate with the control target device as a communication target device, and controls the operation state of the control target device through the HS communication unit 101. Note that the control procedure is almost the same as that by the above-described HS control unit 103, and a description thereof will be omitted.

(3) About the center server 40 As described above, the center server 40 having jurisdiction over the system S communicates with the home server 10 and the smartphone 30 via the outside network GN, and provides energy for the home server 10 and the smartphone 30. Deliver the management program. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the center server 40 includes a CS communication unit 401, a CS database 402, and a CS billing unit 403.

  The CS communication unit 401 communicates with the home server 10 and the smartphone 30 via the outside network GN. In particular, in the present embodiment, the CS communication unit 401 receives a program distribution request transmitted from the home server 10 or the smartphone 30, Based on the request, a program to be distributed is selected from the CS database 402 in which a plurality of programs are stored, and the program is distributed.

  Prior to the distribution of the program by the CS communication unit 401, the CS charging unit 403 calculates a charging fee according to the program to be distributed, and transmits data for presenting the calculated charging fee through the CS communication unit 401 to the home server 10. Or transmitted to the smartphone 30. That is, when the center server 40 as a program distribution server according to the present embodiment distributes a program to be distributed, the center server 40 calculates a charging fee according to the program to be distributed, The above charging fee is presented to a person who requests program distribution.

<< Home server configuration >>
Next, a detailed configuration of the home server 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.
The hardware configuration of the home server 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, a CPU 10a, a memory 10b, a nonvolatile storage device 10c, a communication interface 10d (indicated as communication I / F in FIG. 3A), a display 11 and An input device 12 is provided, and each of these elements is connected through a bus. The nonvolatile storage device 10c stores various programs including a communication program and an energy management program.

  The HS communication unit 101, the HS display unit 102, and the HS control unit 103 of the home server 10 described above are each realized by the above devices. More specifically, for example, the HS communication unit 101 includes a CPU 10a, a memory 10b, a nonvolatile storage device 10c, and a communication interface 10d. The HS display unit 102 includes a CPU 10a, a memory 10b, a nonvolatile storage device 10c, and a display 11. The HS control unit 103 includes a CPU 10a, a memory 10b, a nonvolatile storage device 10c, and an input device 12.

  Next, the execution environment in the home server 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3B, the home server 10 includes an OS 201, a JAVA (registered trademark) virtual machine (hereinafter referred to as JVM) 202, and an OSGi (Open Services Gateway initiative). A framework 203 and software (hereinafter also referred to as a bundle) operating on the OSGi framework 203 are provided.

  The OSGi framework 203 is built on the JVM 202 and manages a life cycle such as downloading, installing, starting and stopping a bundle operating on the OSGi framework 203. The bundles operating on the OSGi framework 203 can be dynamically replaced, and a plurality of bundles can be executed in parallel.

  Bundles operating on the OSGi framework 203 include standard bundles and application bundles. The standard bundle is a bundle of basic protocols such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play).

  The application bundle is application software registered in the OSGi framework 203. Specifically, the communication bundle 204a for the first standard device, the communication bundle 204b for the second standard device, the communication bundle 204c for the third standard device, It is a communication bundle 204d for toilets.

  Here, the communication bundle 204a for the first standard device is application software for communicating with the first standard device by a communication method corresponding to the first standard device. Similarly, the communication bundle 204b for the second standard device is application software for communicating with the second standard device by a communication method corresponding to the second standard device, and the communication bundle 204c for the third standard device is Application software for communicating with a third standard device using a communication method compatible with the third standard device. The toilet bundle 204d is application software for communicating with the toilet 24 by a communication method corresponding to the toilet 24.

  The four communication bundles 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d and the OSGi framework 203 constitute a communication program. Each communication bundle 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d is executed by the CPU 10a, whereby the HS communication unit 101 of the home server 10 can communicate with a desired communication target device. When a device adopting a new communication method is introduced into the house H, by registering application software for communicating with the introduced device in the OSGi framework 203 using a communication method corresponding to the introduced device. The HS communication unit 101 of the home server 10 can select an application for communicating with the introduction device as a bundle (application) to be executed, and can communicate with the device.

  In addition, the function of dynamically switching the bundle of the OSGi framework 203 allows the communication bundle to be executed to be switched according to the communication target device with which the HS communication unit 101 communicates. In other words, the communication method employed by the HS communication unit 101 is switched by switching the communication bundle. That is, as described above, the HS communication unit 101 can switch the communication method according to the communication target device by executing the communication program.

  Furthermore, when each communication bundle is registered in the OSGi framework 203, an interface for using the function of each communication bundle is registered in a registry (also referred to as a service registry). Then, the OSGi framework 203 integrates these interfaces and provides them as an API (Application Program Interface). If a program is developed using this API, the program developer can use a simple command to realize the desired communication target without being aware of the difference in the communication bundle (that is, the difference in the communication method adopted by the communication target device). It becomes possible to cause the HS communication unit 101 to communicate with the device.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the above-described API (hereinafter, general-purpose API) is implemented in the HS communication unit 101 as a mechanism for absorbing differences in communication bundles (differences in communication methods adopted by communication target devices). Yes. And this general purpose API is opened to the public, and is used for development of a program executed on the home server 10 side or the smartphone 30, that is, an energy management program. That is, the energy management program according to the present embodiment uses a general-purpose API, and causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute the communication program via the general-purpose API during the execution. That is, the general-purpose API corresponds to an API for causing the HS communication unit 101 to execute the communication program during execution of the energy management program.

  In the above embodiment, the display program and the control program are integrated as an energy management program. However, as described above, the display program and the control program may be separated as individual programs. Good. In such a case, the general-purpose API may be any program that causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute the communication program during execution of at least one of the display program and the control program.

  The general API may be disclosed to the public widely, or may be disclosed only to those who have the authority to browse through membership registration or the like.

  The general API will be described in more detail. The general API includes a display unit and a control unit that execute an energy management program (that is, the HS display unit 102 and the HS control unit 103, and the CT display unit 302 and the CT control unit 303) and the HS. Data exchange with the communication unit 101 is defined.

  In order to explain more specifically, the case where the HS display unit 102 executes the energy management program will be described as an example. When the HS display unit 102 executes the energy management program, actually, the measurement results are acquired from all the sensors 21, 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c, and for that purpose, the sensors 21, 22a to 22c, 23a to 23c are acquired. Will be sequentially communicated to the HS communication unit 101 as communication target devices. In order to make the explanation easier to understand, in the following, the measurement result is obtained from only one sensor, and the HS communication unit 101 A description will be given assuming a case where communication is performed only with sensors (that is, the following procedure is actually repeated for the number of sensors).

  When executing the energy management program, the HS display unit 102 first identifies a sensor that outputs a measurement result of power consumption to be displayed, and generates data for identifying the sensor. Further, the HS display unit 102 generates communication request data in which the specific data is incorporated, and delivers this communication request data to the HS communication unit 101. On the other hand, the HS communication unit 101 that has received the communication request data analyzes the data, specifies a sensor to be a communication target device, and selects and executes a communication bundle corresponding to the sensor. Thereby, the HS communication unit 101 communicates the above sensor as a communication target device, and transmits / receives data to / from the communication target device. That is, the HS communication unit 101 transmits data requesting transmission of the measurement result to the sensor. On the other hand, when the sensor receives the request data, the HS communication unit 101 responds to the HS communication unit 101 according to the measurement result. Send data. Thereafter, the HS communication unit 101 generates data indicating the measurement result based on the data corresponding to the measurement result, and delivers the data to the HS display unit 102.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by using the general-purpose API described above, a device that is a target of processing by the energy management program (specifically, display processing of measurement results or control processing of operation state) is specified. If the data to be processed is prepared, the HS communication unit 101 is communicated with the device as a communication target device without paying attention to the difference in the communication method between the devices, and the above-described processing is executed. It can be acquired through the communication unit 101.

  In order to take advantage of the general-purpose API described above, the energy management program according to the present embodiment is developed by incorporating information for using the general-purpose API. Here, since the energy management program is an integration of the display program and the control program, in this embodiment, the display program and the control program each have information for using a general-purpose API. Can be said to be incorporated.

  That is, the display program according to the present embodiment incorporates information for using the general-purpose API implemented in the HS communication unit 101. When the information for using the general-purpose API is incorporated into the display program, the HS display unit 102 causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute the communication program via the general-purpose API when the display program is executed. Then, the sensors 21, 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c are communicated to the HS communication unit 101 as communication target devices, and the measurement results of the sensors 21, 22a to 22c and 23a to 23c are acquired through the HS communication unit 101.

  Similarly, the control program according to the present embodiment also incorporates information for using the general-purpose API. When the information for using the general-purpose API is incorporated into the control program, the HS control unit 103 causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute the communication program via the general-purpose API when the control program is executed. Then, the control target device among the power consuming devices in the house H is communicated to the HS communication unit 101 as a communication target device, and the operation state of the control target device is controlled through the HS communication unit 101.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when developing an energy management program (that is, a display program and a control program), program developers including users of the system S care about differences in communication methods between devices. Even if it is not, it is sufficient to incorporate information for using the general-purpose API, and a program can be easily developed.

  Note that the information for using the general-purpose API is information for requesting the HS communication unit 101 to execute a communication program. In the present embodiment, in particular, in accordance with REST (Representative State Transfer). This is information (code) for requesting the HS communication unit 101 to execute the communication program. That is, in this embodiment, communication between the execution unit of the energy management program (that is, the HS display unit 102 and the HS control unit 103 and the CT display unit 302 and the CT control unit 303) and the HS communication unit 101 is performed. The applied communication protocol is HTTP. Therefore, the information for requesting the HS communication unit 101 to execute the communication program includes, for example, the URI of the request destination (that is, the address of the home server 10).

  As described above, when the energy management program is executed, data for specifying a device to be processed by the program is generated and delivered to the HS communication unit 101 together with a communication request command. On the other hand, the HS communication unit 101 specifies a device to be processed by the energy management program, and then selects and executes a communication bundle corresponding to the device. Here, the correspondence relationship between the device and the communication bundle is stored in advance as a table, and the HS communication unit 101 refers to the table and selects a communication bundle corresponding to the device.

  Considering the functions of the general-purpose API from the above procedure, when the general-purpose API passes the data specifying the device to be processed by the energy management program to the HS communication unit 101, the HS communication unit 101 receives the above table. It can be said that this is an API for switching a communication bundle to be executed to a communication bundle corresponding to the device.

  Note that the correspondence between the above table, that is, the device and the communication bundle, may be altered from the outside if it is disclosed together with the general-purpose API. There is a risk that information leakage or the like will occur. Therefore, in order to avoid the above problem, in the present embodiment, the general-purpose API is disclosed, while the table (correspondence between the device and the communication bundle) is not disclosed.

  In addition, when a device adopting a new communication method is introduced into the house H, there is no need to change the general-purpose API, and an application for communicating with the introduced device using a communication method corresponding to the introduced device. Software (communication bundle) may be registered in the OSGi framework 203. Thereby, the candidate of the communication system which can select the HS communication part 101 of the home server 10 increases, and the HS communication part 101 can communicate with said newly introduced apparatus. Further, even when the communication specifications of the devices in the house H are updated due to the development of communication technology, it is not necessary to change the general-purpose API, and only the communication bundle registered in the OSGi framework 203 is changed. Good. As described above, in the present system S, the general-purpose API appropriately responds even when there is a change in the communication method of the device in the house H, and suppresses the cost associated with the update of the present system S due to the change. It is possible.

<< Processing by Display Unit and Control Unit >>
Next, processing by each of the HS display unit 102 and the HS control unit 103 of the home server 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

<About the energy management screen>
In describing the processing performed by each of the HS display unit 102 and the HS control unit 103, an energy management screen displayed on the display 11 in order to confirm the execution status of the processing will be described.

  The energy management screen is drawn by activation of the energy management program, and the energy management program is activated by, for example, an operation of double-clicking an icon of the energy management program. When the energy management screen is drawn, an item indicating the power supply / demand balance in the house H is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. More specifically, a plurality (seven in the example shown in FIG. 4) display areas Ar1 to Ar7 are provided on the energy management screen, and the display area Ar1 indicates a value indicating the amount of power generated by the power generation unit 1. However, a value indicating the amount of power received from the commercial power supply 4 (amount of power purchased) is displayed in the display area Ar2, a value indicating the amount of power stored in the storage battery 3 is displayed in the display area Ar3, and the total power in the house H is displayed in the display area Ar4. A value indicating consumption is displayed.

  On the other hand, the display areas Ar5, Ar6, and Ar7 are allocated to main devices (for example, devices that are frequently used) among the power consuming devices used in the house H, and the example illustrated in FIG. The display area Ar5 is assigned to the air conditioner 7a, the display area Ar6 is assigned to the illumination 7b, and the display area Ar7 is assigned to the water heater 7c. In the display areas Ar5, Ar6, and Ar7 assigned to the power consuming device, operation buttons B1 to B9 are displayed in addition to values indicating the power consumption of the power consuming device.

  The operation buttons B1 to B9 will be described in detail. The operation buttons B1, B2, B4, B5, B7, and B8 are buttons for switching on and off (on / off) of the corresponding devices, and are described as “ON” therein. The operation buttons B1, B4, and B7 are buttons for setting the corresponding device to an operating state (ON state), and the operation buttons B2, B5, and B8, in which “OFF” is indicated, indicate the corresponding device. This is a button for making a stop state (off state).

  The start / stop (on / off) state of each device can be confirmed in the display areas Ar5, Ar6, Ar7 corresponding to each device. More specifically, the operation buttons B1, B4, and B7 written as “ON” are turned on for the devices in the operating state, and the operation buttons B2, B5 written as “OFF” for the devices in the stopped state. , B8 lights up. For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 4, it can be confirmed that the air conditioner 7a and the illumination 7b are in an operating state and the water heater 7c is in a stopped state.

  The operation buttons B3, B6, and B9 are buttons for performing detailed setting of the operation state of the corresponding device. When the operation buttons B3, B6, and B9 are pressed, a detailed setting screen (not shown) is displayed in a pop-up format for energy management. It will be drawn over the screen. Then, through this detailed setting screen, the user can set operation management values such as an operation mode such as cooling and heating, and a set temperature, and can control the operation state of the device to be controlled.

  As described above, the user can change the operation state of the device to be controlled by pressing the operation buttons B1 to B9. In other words, the home server 10 (specifically, the HS control unit 103 of the home server 10) receives a pressing operation of the operation buttons B1 to B9 by the user, and based on the pressing operation, the operation state of the control target device. Will be controlled.

  Among the power consuming devices provided in the house H, those not shown in FIG. 4 (specifically, the electronic lock 7d and the security device 7e) are also operated in accordance with the procedure described above. It is possible to control the state. In the above embodiment, the display areas Ar5, Ar6, Ar7 are assigned only to the main devices, but the present invention is not limited to this, and all the power consuming devices used in the house H are used. In contrast, a display area may be allocated.

  Furthermore, an information update button B11, a detail display button B12, various setting buttons B13, and a top page return button B14 are provided in the lower column of the energy management screen. The information update button B11 is a button for updating values displayed on the energy management screen such as power consumption. In the present embodiment, the display of the energy management screen is automatically updated at regular intervals. However, when the information update button B11 is pressed, a point that does not correspond to the update point (a point in the middle of the update interval) ) Can be updated.

  When the detail display button B12 is pressed, the screen is switched, and detailed items regarding the contents displayed in the display areas Ar1 to Ar7, for example, a graph showing a change with time, and the like are displayed. The various setting buttons B13 are buttons for displaying a setting screen (not shown) for setting the background color and layout of the energy management screen. The top page return button B14 is, for example, a button for returning to the top page (that is, the energy management screen shown in FIG. 4) after switching the screen by pressing the above detailed display button B12.

  The specifications of the energy management screen described above are merely examples, and the design and items displayed on the screen can be arbitrarily designed. For example, in addition to the design illustrated in FIG. 4, the design illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be used. That is, it is possible to display an illustration of characters C1, C2, etc., or to display a message M such as energy saving advice corresponding to the energy management status in the house H.

  In this way, the degree of freedom regarding the specifications of the energy management screen is high, and the program developer including the user develops and modifies the program for drawing the energy management screen, that is, the energy management program according to the needs and preferences of the user. It is possible. Further, when a company provides an energy management program, the energy management program can be used as an advertising medium for the company.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in development of the energy management program is high, and this is due to the fact that the above-described general-purpose API is disclosed. More specifically, since the general-purpose API is open to the public, the program developer simply incorporates information for using the general-purpose API into the program, that is, the function of the HS communication unit 101 of the home server 10, that is, It is possible to develop a program (energy management program) for using the function of switching the communication method according to the device in the house H and communicating with the device. Therefore, the energy management program can be easily developed and modified, and as a result, variations of the energy management program (in other words, variations of the energy management screen) can be enriched.

<About display processing>
Next, display processing by the HS display unit 102 of the home server 10 will be described. A display process is a process which acquires a measurement result from each of each sensor 21, 22a-22c, and 23a-23c, and displays the said measurement result on an energy management screen.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the display process starts from the point where the energy management program is started (S001). That is, at the start of the display process, the HS display unit 102 executes an energy management program (strictly, a part corresponding to the display program in the energy management program). In addition, about the starting procedure of an energy management program, since it is the same as the procedure mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the HS display unit 102 causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute a communication program via the general-purpose API, causes the sensors 21, 22a to 22c, and 23a to 23c to communicate with the HS communication unit 101 as communication target devices. A measurement result is acquired through the communication unit 101.

  Specifically, the HS display unit 102 first identifies one sensor (hereinafter referred to as a specific sensor) from the sensors 21, 22a to 22c, and 23a to 23c, and performs HS communication on the data indicating the specific sensor. Delivered to part 101. The HS communication unit 101 specifies a specific sensor based on this data, then specifies a communication bundle corresponding to the sensor, and executes the communication bundle (S002). Thereby, the HS communication part 101 communicates the said specific sensor as communication object apparatus, and receives the data according to a measurement result from a specific sensor.

  And the HS communication part 101 produces | generates the data which show a measurement result based on the data received from the specific sensor, and delivers the said data to the HS display part 102. FIG. As described above, the HS display unit 102 acquires the measurement result from the specific sensor through the data exchange with the HS communication unit 101 (S003).

  Here, data exchange between the HS display unit 102 and the HS communication unit 101 is performed in accordance with an architecture conforming to REST. That is, the HS display unit 102 and the HS communication unit 101 are regarded as a relationship between the client and the server, and an HTTP request is sent from the HS display unit 102 to the HS communication unit 101 as shown in FIG. An XML-format HTTP response is sent to the HS display unit 102 as a response from the unit 101.

  The HTTP request is a communication program execution request by the HS communication unit 101, and includes a portion indicating URI and instruction classification designation (set / get), a portion indicating information (device ID) for specifying a device, And a part indicating details of the instruction (for example, what information is returned as a response). On the other hand, the HTTP response is response information requested by the HS display unit 102, and specifically, data indicating a measurement result by the specific sensor.

  And HS display part 102 will analyze this, if a HTTP response is received, and will acquire a measurement result by a specific sensor. As described above, since the HTTP response is an XML format message, it is expanded in an appropriate format according to the specification on the HS display unit 102 side (in other words, the specification on the energy management program side). The That is, since the data indicating the measurement result delivered from the HS communication unit 101 is a general-purpose XML format message, the measurement result can be displayed in accordance with the specifications of the home server 10, for example, displayed in a text format. Or display it in a graphical format including a moving image.

  Returning to the description of the display process, as shown in FIG. 7, after acquiring the measurement results of the specific sensor, the HS display unit 102 acquires the measurement results of all the sensors 21, 22 a to 22 c and 23 a to 23 c. The above procedure is repeated until (No in S004). That is, the HS display unit 102 causes each of the sensors 21, 22a to 22c, and 23a to 23c to sequentially be specified sensors, and causes the HS communication unit 101 to communicate with the specified sensors as communication target devices. During this time, when the communication method of the specific sensor is switched, the HS communication unit 101 switches the communication bundle to be executed (S005, S006).

  And the HS display part 102 draws an energy management screen on the display 11 in the step which acquired the measurement result of all the sensors 21, 22a-22c, 23a-23c (S004, Yes), and each display area Ar1 mentioned above The obtained measurement results are displayed in ~ Ar7 (S007). When this process is completed, the display process is completed.

<About control processing>
Next, control processing by the HS control unit 103 of the home server 10 will be described. A control process is a process which controls the driving | running state of the control object apparatus among the power consumption apparatuses installed in the house H based on operation (henceforth control operation) which a user performs through an energy management screen.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control process starts from receiving the control operation by the input device 12 in a state where the energy management screen is drawn on the display 11 (S011). Accordingly, the HS control unit 103 executes a portion corresponding to the control program in the energy management program.

  Next, based on the control operation received by the input device 12, the HS control unit 103 identifies a power consuming device designated as a control target device by the control operation (S012). Thereafter, the HS control unit 103 causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute a communication program via the general-purpose API, causes the HS communication unit 101 to communicate with the device specified as the control target device as the communication target device, and the HS communication unit 101. The operation state of the device is controlled through.

  More specifically, the HS control unit 103 delivers data indicating a device designated as a control target device (hereinafter simply referred to as a control target device) to the HS communication unit 101. The HS communication unit 101 specifies a control target device based on this data, then specifies a communication bundle corresponding to the device, and executes the communication bundle (S013). Thereby, the HS communication unit 101 communicates the control target device as a communication target device, and transmits a control signal to the control target device (S014).

  On the other hand, on the control target device side that has received the control signal, the operation state is controlled by a controller (not shown) installed in the device, and when the control is completed, a signal (response signal) corresponding to the operation state after control is generated. Then, it is transmitted from the control target device to the HS communication unit 101. When receiving the response signal (S015), the HS communication unit 101 generates data indicating that the control is completed (control completion data) based on the response signal, and delivers the data to the HS control unit 103.

  Then, when the HS control unit 103 receives the control completion data (S016), the control process is completed. The operation state after the control is reflected on the energy management screen. For example, when the start / stop state is controlled as the operation state, the operation buttons of the display areas Ar5, Ar6, Ar7 assigned to the control target device Among B1 to B9, a corresponding button (a button that is pressed as a control operation among buttons having ON / OFF written) is turned on.

  Here, the data transfer between the HS control unit 103 and the HS communication unit 101 is performed in accordance with the architecture conforming to the REST, similar to the data transfer between the HS display unit 102 and the HS communication unit 101 described above. Done. That is, an HTTP request is sent from the HS control unit 103 to the HS communication unit 101, and an XML-format HTTP response is sent to the HS control unit 103 as a response from the HS communication unit 101.

  The HTTP request is a communication program execution request by the HS communication unit 101, and includes a part indicating the designation of the URI and command classification, a part indicating information (device ID) for specifying a control target device, and a control content. And a portion to be shown. In addition, in FIG. 10, the structure of the control content when the air conditioner 7a is set as a control target and information (code) corresponding to this are shown as an example of the control content. On the other hand, the HTTP response is response information requested by the HS display unit 102, and specifically, the control completion data.

  As for the HTTP response, as in the case of the display process, the message is in an XML format. Therefore, the display based on the control completion data can be adapted to the specifications of the home server 10, for example, a text format, A display with a high degree of freedom, such as displaying in a graphical format including moving images, is realized.

<< Communication between home server and information processing terminal >>
The above display process and control process are performed as functions of the home server 10. Specifically, in the above display process and control process, the HS display unit 102 provided in the home server 10 and the HS control are provided. The unit 103 causes the HS communication unit 101 provided in the server 10 to execute the communication program via the general-purpose API.

  On the other hand, in the present system S, a smartphone 30 is provided as an information processing terminal that communicates with the home server 10 via the home network TN, and the smartphone 30 performs display processing substantially similar to the display processing described above. A CT display unit 302 to perform and a CT control unit 303 to perform control processing substantially similar to the control processing described above are provided.

  That is, the smartphone 30 includes a CPU 30a, a memory 30b, a nonvolatile storage device 30c, a communication interface 30d (indicated as communication I / F in FIG. 11), and a touch panel 31, as shown in FIG. Each element is connected via a bus. Various programs including an energy management program are stored in the nonvolatile storage device 30c.

  And the CT communication part 301, CT display part 302, and CT control part 303 of the smart phone 30 are each implement | achieved by said apparatus. Specifically, the CT communication unit 301 includes a CPU 30a, a memory 30b, a nonvolatile storage device 30c, and a communication interface 30d. In addition, the CT display unit 302 and the CT control unit 303 are configured by a CPU 30a, a memory 30b, a nonvolatile storage device 30c, and a touch panel 31, respectively.

  In the smartphone 30 configured as described above, when the user performs an operation to activate the energy management program through the touch panel 31, the energy management program is activated, and an energy management screen similar to that illustrated in FIGS. It will be drawn. That is, when the touch panel 31 accepts a program start operation by the user, the CT display unit 302 executes an energy management program (strictly, a portion corresponding to a display program in the energy management program).

  Then, the CT display unit 302 communicates with the HS communication unit 101 via the home network TN, and further causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute a communication program via the general-purpose API, thereby causing the sensors 21, 22a to 22c, 23a. ˜23c are communicated to the HS communication unit 101 as communication target devices. That is, also in the display process by the CT display unit 302, as in the display process by the HS display unit 102, the HS communication unit 101 is caused to execute the communication program via the general-purpose API, and the measurement result is acquired through the HS communication unit 101. To do.

  Note that the display processing by the CT display unit 302 is performed by communication via the home network TN, while the data transfer between the CT display unit 302 and the HS communication unit 101 is performed by the HS display unit described above. This is the same as the procedure of the display processing by 102. Data exchange between the CT display unit 302 and the HS communication unit 101 is performed in accordance with REST, and an HTTP request is sent from the CT display unit 302 to the HS communication unit 101 as shown in FIG. As a response from the HS communication unit 101, an HTTP response in XML format is sent to the CT display unit 302. That is, during the display processing by the CT display unit 302, the home server 10 and the smartphone 30 communicate with each other by HTTP.

  On the other hand, in a state where the energy management screen is drawn on the touch panel 31, an operation (control operation) for the user to switch the operation state of the control target device among the power consuming devices provided in the house H through the touch panel 31. As a result, the CT control unit 303 executes a portion corresponding to the control program in the energy management program. Then, the CT control unit 303 communicates with the HS communication unit 101 via the home network TN, and further causes the HS communication unit 101 to execute the communication program via the general-purpose API, and sets the control target device as a communication target to the HS. The communication unit 101 is made to communicate. That is, also in the control process by the CT control unit 303, as in the control process by the HS control unit 103, the HS communication unit 101 is caused to execute a communication program via the general-purpose API, and the control target device is controlled through the HS communication unit 101. Control the operating state.

  Note that the control process by the CT control unit 303 is that the data transfer between the CT control unit 303 and the HS communication unit 101 is performed by communication via the home network TN. This is the same as the procedure of the control processing by 103. In addition, data exchange between the CT control unit 303 and the HS communication unit 101 is performed in accordance with REST, and an HTTP request is sent from the CT control unit 303 to the HS communication unit 101, and the HS communication unit 101. As a response from, an HTTP response in XML format is sent to the CT control unit 303. That is, during the display process by the CT control unit 303, the home server 10 and the smartphone 30 communicate with each other by HTTP.

  Thus, while the display process and the control process are performed on the smartphone 30 side, the home server 10 and the smartphone 30 communicate with each other by HTTP. Since the communication protocol called HTTP is widely used, any information processing terminal that can be connected to the Internet can be used regardless of the execution environment. Therefore, HTTP is suitable as a communication standard between the home server 10 and the smartphone 30 (information processing terminal).

  In addition, since the HTTP response transmitted from the home server 10 is in the XML format, it can be matched with the specification (display capability) of the information processing terminal that receives the HTTP response, and the HTTP response is converted into an appropriate format. Can be deployed. That is, since the HTTP response transmitted from the HS communication unit 101 is a message in XML format, the display based on the data is displayed in a text format according to the specifications of the smartphone 30 or a graphical including a moving image. A display with a high degree of freedom such as display in a format can be realized.

  As described above, in the system S, the user can visually check the power consumption in each power consuming device and the power supply / demand balance in the house H with the smartphone 30, and each power consuming device through the smartphone 30. It is possible to switch the operation state. Such a function is realized by an energy management program installed in the smartphone 30. Therefore, if the program is installed in an information processing terminal such as a notebook computer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), and an electronic photo frame in addition to the smartphone 30, the above function can be used in an information processing terminal other than the smartphone 30 Is possible. These devices (particularly those having excellent portability such as smartphones) are more convenient than the home server 10. Therefore, if the energy management program is installed in the information processing terminal, the convenience of operation management and control of the power consuming device is improved for the user.

On the other hand, the energy management program installed in the information processing terminal can be easily developed by using the above-described general-purpose API. That is, by using the general-purpose API, the user can develop the energy management program installed in the information processing terminal according to his / her needs. Alternatively, for the application provider, the use of the general-purpose API makes it easier to develop a program, and as a result, it becomes easier to provide a program that meets user needs. Furthermore, by using the general-purpose API, the operation state of the power consuming device is monitored and controlled by another application (for example, an application that realizes a remote control function that controls the AV device in an integrated manner) installed in the smartphone 30. It is also possible to add functions.
As described above, the user can easily obtain a program that meets his needs as a program for HEMS installed in the information processing terminal.

<< Program distribution by program distribution server >>
The home server 10 described above is provided by a housing management company, for example, and is already installed in the house H when the user enters the house H. When the user enters the house H, the home server 10 is loaded (installed) with an energy management program, and further, the OSGi framework 203 as an API providing unit that provides the functions of the general-purpose API described above. In addition, an OS 201 and a JVM 202 which are execution environments thereof are installed.

  By the way, as described above, since the general-purpose API is used for the energy management program, it can be easily developed and modified. In other words, the general-purpose API is installed in the home server 10 (more specifically, the HS communication unit 101), so that the user can modify the energy management program according to his / her needs, It can be easily developed.

  On the other hand, energy management programs can also be obtained from outside. That is, in this embodiment, the center server 40 as a program distribution server that distributes the energy management program exists on the outside network GN (that is, the Internet) and is obtained from the center server 40 via the outside network GN ( The downloaded program can be installed on the home server 10 or the smartphone 30 and used.

  Since the energy management program distributed from the center server 40 can be easily developed by using the general-purpose API, various variations of the program can be developed at low cost. .

  Further, by positioning the program to be distributed (that is, the energy management program) as an advertising tool or a sales promotion tool, the housing management company that manages the center server 40 distributes the program and promotes its own products and products. It becomes possible to do.

  Furthermore, the housing management company that manages the center server 40 can also develop a business that charges for the distribution of the energy management program, and as part of this, it appears in TV, animation, movies, etc. on the energy management screen. It is also possible to conduct a character business that distributes a program that displays characters.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing a general-purpose API, it becomes easier to provide an energy management program, so that the program can be used as a business tool. As a result, in the conventional HEMS, New business development that did not exist will be possible.

  In the following, the procedure of program distribution by the server 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15 by taking the center server 40 that charges for distribution of the energy management program as an example. In the following description, the procedure for receiving the program distributed from the center server 40 on the home server 10 side will be described. However, the procedure for receiving the program on the smartphone 30 side is the same. Description of the procedure to be performed will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the center server 40 distributes the energy management program, first, a program distribution request is transmitted from the home server 10 to the center server 40 (S021). This program distribution request is generated, for example, when the input device 12 accepts a predetermined operation performed by a user to request program distribution.

  When the center server 40 receives the above program distribution request (S022), the center server 40 generates data for displaying a selection screen for selecting a program on the display 11 on the home server 10 side (hereinafter referred to as selection screen data), and performs the selection. The screen data is transmitted to the home server 10 (S023). Upon receiving the selection screen data, the home server 10 draws the selection screen shown in FIG. 14 on the display 11 (S024).

  As shown in FIG. 14, on the energy management screen, thumbnail images Sg1, Sg2, and Sg3 showing three candidates with different designs are presented on the selection screen, and the thumbnail images Sg1, Sg2, and Sg3 are positioned to the left of each thumbnail image Sg1, Sg2, and Sg3. In the area to be displayed, radio buttons R1, R2, and R3 to be checked when the user designates the energy management screen are displayed. On the other hand, charges T1, T2, and T3 required to obtain energy management programs corresponding to the thumbnail images Sg1, Sg2, and Sg3 are displayed in the area located to the right of the thumbnail images Sg1, Sg2, and Sg3. Yes.

  Then, the user desires while referring to the thumbnail images Sg1, Sg2, and Sg3 and the charges T1, T2, and T3 corresponding to the thumbnail images Sg1, Sg2, and Sg3 in the selection screen drawn on the display 11. In order to specify the energy management screen of the design, check the radio button located on the left side of the thumbnail image indicating the design. Thereafter, when the user performs an operation of pressing the selection completion button B21 displayed on the selection screen (the button labeled “Done”), the home server 10 side designates the energy management screen. A series of operations (selection operations) performed by the user through the selection screen is accepted (S025), and based on the selection operation, a user selection result is transmitted from the home server 10 to the center server 40 (S026).

  When the center server 40 receives the user selection result transmitted from the home server 10 (S027), the center server 40 identifies the energy management screen designated by the user based on the selection result, and further draws the screen. Is identified. Then, the center server 40 calculates a charging fee corresponding to the specified program (that is, a fee collected when the specified program is distributed) (S028). Thereafter, the center server 40 generates data (hereinafter referred to as “confirmation screen data”) for rendering a confirmation screen (refer to FIG. 15) for displaying the selection result of the user and the calculation result of the charging fee on the display 11 and confirms the confirmation. The screen data is transmitted to the home server 10 (S029).

  When receiving the confirmation screen data, the home server 10 draws the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 15 on the display 11 (S030). On this confirmation screen, an image G1 indicating the design of the energy management screen designated by the user and information G2 including a charging fee corresponding to a program for drawing the energy management screen are displayed.

  Then, the user charges through the confirmation screen drawn on the display 11 the design of the energy management screen specified by the user and a fee (billing fee) necessary for acquiring a program for drawing the energy management screen of the design. Confirm. As a result of the confirmation, if there is no problem in the content displayed on the confirmation screen, the distribution permission button B31 (the button labeled “Yes” in the inside) is pressed, and if there is a problem, the distribution rejection button Press B32 (the button labeled “No” inside). When such a button operation (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation operation) is received on the home server 10 side (S031), a user confirmation result is transmitted from the home server 10 to the center server 40 based on the confirmation operation (S032). ).

  When the center server 40 receives the confirmation result of the user transmitted from the home server 10 (S033), the center server 40 identifies a program for drawing the energy management screen designated by the user, and distributes the program to the home server 10 (S034). Then, the home server 10 receives the program transmitted from the center server 40 via the external network GN (S035).

  Through the procedure described above, the energy management program is distributed from the center server 40 to the home server 10. Then, in the above procedure, when the center server 40 distributes the energy management program to the home server 10, the center server 40 calculates a charging fee according to the program for drawing the energy management screen specified by the user. Then, the calculated charging fee is presented (specifically, confirmation screen data for displaying the charging fee is transmitted to the home server 10).

  Here, an energy management program can be provided more easily by using a general-purpose API implemented in the HS communication unit 101. On the other hand, a company (that is, a housing management company) that owns the center server 40 having the above functions can develop a new business using the program as a product by charging for the provision of the program. become. Furthermore, as described above, it is also possible to conduct a character business that distributes a program that displays characters appearing in TV, animation, movies, etc. on the energy management screen.

  In the present embodiment, the energy management program is an integration of the display program and the control program. In other words, the center server 40 according to the present embodiment includes the display program and the control program. It is delivered in one piece. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display program and the control program may be distributed individually. Further, separate program distribution servers may be provided for each of the display program and the control program. That is, the specification of the program distribution server may be any one that distributes at least one of the display program and the control program. When the program distribution server distributes at least one of the display program and the control program to the home server 10, the program distribution server calculates a charging fee according to the at least one program, Any device that presents a charge fee may be used.

<< Other Embodiments >>
In the above embodiment, the energy management system of the present invention has been mainly described. However, the above embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as a mechanism for switching and executing communication bundles according to communication target devices and integrating and providing interfaces for using the functions of the respective communication bundles as APIs (general-purpose APIs). The OSGi framework 203 has been described as an example, but any existing technology other than the OSGi framework 203 may be used as long as the OSGi framework 203 has the above functions.

  In the above embodiment, the display program and the control program (specifically, the energy management program in which both programs are integrated) are mounted on the smartphone 30 as the information processing terminal in addition to the home server 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be implemented only in the home server 10. Or it is good also as mounting only in an information processing terminal. In this case, the maintenance cost of the home server 10 can be reduced, and variations are increased for a control program and a terminal that can be selected as an execution environment of the control program.

  In the above-described embodiment, the center server 40 is provided as a program distribution server that distributes a display program and a control program (specifically, an energy management program in which both programs are integrated) over the network. It was decided. When the center server 40 distributes the program, the center server 40 charges a fee according to the program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a program distribution server that distributes the display program and the control program free of charge may be provided. The program distribution server itself may not be provided.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the CT display unit 302 and the CT control unit 303 of the smartphone 30 communicate with the HS communication unit 101 of the home server 10, it is performed by REST. Is not limited to REST, and may be communication by SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol).

  In the above-described embodiment, the energy management system that manages the power consumption in the house H has been described by taking electric power as an example of energy. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a system that includes other energy consumption (gas consumption or water usage) as a management target.

S System H Residential TN Home network GN External network 1 Power generation unit 2 Distribution board 3 Storage battery 4 Commercial power supply 5 Power conditioner 6 Bidirectional inverter 7a Air conditioner 7b Lighting 7c Water heater 7d Electronic lock 7e Security device 10 Home server 10a CPU
10b Memory 10c Non-volatile storage device 10d Communication interface 11 Display 12 Input device 21 Sensor 22a, 22b, 22c Sensor 23a, 23b, 23c Sensor 24 Toilet 30 Smartphone 30a CPU
30b Memory 30c Nonvolatile storage device 30d Communication interface 31 Touch panel 40 Center server 101 HS communication unit 102 HS display unit 103 HS control unit 201 OS
202 JVM
203 OSGi framework 204a First standard equipment communication bundle 204b Second standard equipment communication bundle 204c Third standard equipment communication bundle 204d Toilet communication bundle 301 CT communication unit 302 CT display unit 303 CT control unit 401 CS communication unit 402 CS database 403 CS billing unit Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, Ar4, Ar5, Ar6, Ar7 display area B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9 Operation button B11 Information update button B12 Detail display button B13 Various Setting button B14 Top page return button B21 Selection complete button B31 Distribution permission button B32 Distribution denial button C1, C2 Character M Message R1, R2, R3 Radio buttons Sg1, Sg2, Sg3 Thumbnail images T1, T2, T3 Fee G1 Image showing design of energy management screen specified by user G2 Information including billing fee

Claims (5)

Multiple energy consuming equipment used in the building,
A measuring device for measuring the energy consumption consumed by the energy consuming device;
A communication unit that executes a communication program to communicate with a communication target device among the plurality of energy consuming devices and the measuring devices;
A display unit that displays a measurement result of the measuring device by executing a display program;
A control unit that executes a control program and controls an operation state of a control target device among the plurality of energy consuming devices, and
The communication unit can switch a communication method according to the communication target device by executing the communication program,
The display unit causes the communication unit to execute the communication program to cause the measurement device to communicate with the communication unit as the communication target device, and obtains the measurement result through the communication unit,
The control unit causes the communication unit to execute the communication program, thereby causing the communication unit to communicate with the control target device as the communication target device, and controls an operation state of the control target device through the communication unit. ,
An API for causing the communication unit to execute the communication program during execution of at least one of the display program and the control program is implemented in the communication unit.
Each of the display program and the control program includes information for requesting the communication unit to execute the communication program as information for using the API. And energy management system. Of the communication unit, the display unit, and the control unit, a home server including at least the communication unit;
A program distribution server connected to the home server via a network and distributing at least one of the display program and the control program to the home server. The energy management system according to 1.   The program distribution server, when distributing the at least one program to the home server, calculates a charging fee according to the at least one program and presents the charging fee. Item 3. The energy management system according to Item 2. A home server,
An information processing terminal that is connected to the home server via a network and includes an operation reception mechanism that receives a user's operation and a display screen on which information is displayed;
The communication unit is provided in the home server, the display unit and the control unit are provided in the information processing terminal,
The display screen displays information according to the measurement result,
The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the operation reception mechanism receives an operation performed by a user when the operation state of the control target device is switched. The home server and the information processing terminal communicate by HTTP,
When the communication unit is caused to execute the communication program through the API during execution of at least one of the display program and the control program, the display unit and the control unit 5. The energy management system according to claim 4, wherein data in XML format is transmitted from the communication unit toward one of the programs.

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