JP2015148396A - Control system and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an operation control for a device to be controlled to be easily performed by a control device in response to a result of measurement of a measuring device installed in the same room as that for a device to be controlled.SOLUTION: A control system, 1 has one or plural measuring devices 1, 2, a device 3 to be controlled and a control device 4. One or plural measuring devices 1, 2 can perform wireless communication and at the same time measures a physical amount. The device 3 to be controlled can perform wireless communication and at the same time operates in response to an operation command. The control device 4 acknowledges the measuring device 1 installed in the same room as that of the device 3 to be controlled in response to the state of the wireless communication of the device 3 to be controlled. Then, the control device 4 outputs an operation command to the device 3 to be controlled on the basis of the physical amount measured by the measuring device 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control system and a control method.

  There is an air conditioning system in which a plurality of air conditioners (hereinafter referred to as air conditioners) are centrally controlled by a controller (control device). The controller controls the temperature of the air sent from each air conditioner and the intensity of the air blow according to the installation location. For example, the controller lowers the temperature of air sent out by an air conditioner installed in a space that is higher than the set temperature, and sends out an air conditioner installed in a space that is lower than the set temperature. Increase the air temperature. In order to perform such control, an installation location of each air conditioner is set in advance in the controller.

  In order to make it easier to set the location of the air conditioner on the controller, the location information and group information can be registered via the network so that the settings for the indoor unit and central management unit can be made at once. It is considered that. In addition, if the service engineer operates the information transmission means located below the air conditioner, the self-identification information is written into the air conditioner, and the position information of the air conditioner is stored in association with the self-identification information. Technology to make it possible is also considered.

  In the air conditioning system, the current temperature is monitored by temperature sensors installed in various places. Based on the room temperature measured by the temperature sensor, the controller of the air conditioning system adjusts the temperature of the air sent out and the intensity of the air blow so that the room temperature becomes a preset temperature. Some temperature sensors include a transmitter that transmits a measurement result of the sensor to a communication partner. Note that although wireless communication can be used for communication with a temperature sensor or the like, it is known that radio waves are reflected by walls or the like when the frequency of wireless communication is high.

JP 2007-40584 A JP 2007-10223 A JP 2008-148091 A

Seung Joon Lee, Kyeongpyo Kim, Kapseok Chang, Mun Geon Kyeong, Wooyong Lee, Hyun Kyu Chung "Evaluation of 60 GHz MIMO Channel Capacity in the Conference Room STA-STA Scenario", Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), March 2011 , page 1-5

  When controlling air conditioners installed in a plurality of rooms, it is important to accurately grasp the temperature of the room in which each air conditioner is installed. Although a temperature sensor can be built in an air conditioner, the air conditioner is often installed at a high position, and the temperature sensor built in the air conditioner cannot accurately measure the temperature of a person's living space. Therefore, a temperature sensor is installed separately from the air conditioner in the same room as the air conditioner. In this case, by causing the controller to recognize the correspondence between the air conditioner installed in the same room and the temperature sensor, the controller can appropriately control the air conditioner based on the correct temperature of the room where the air conditioner is installed. .

  However, at present, the correspondence between the air conditioner installed in the same room and the temperature sensor is manually input to the controller, which takes time. Moreover, it is easy to make mistakes when manually inputting settings. Therefore, it is not easy to enable the control device to control the operation of the air conditioner according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor installed in the same room as the air conditioner.

  This problem is not limited to the central control of air conditioners. That is, in a general system that performs device control using the measurement results of measurement devices installed at remote positions, it takes time to set the correspondence between the control target device and the measurement device.

  In one aspect, the object of the present invention is to enable the control device to easily perform operation control of the control target device according to the measurement result of the measurement device installed in the same room as the control target device. .

  In one proposal, a control system having one or a plurality of measurement devices, a control target device, and a control device is provided. One or a plurality of measuring devices can perform wireless communication and measure a physical quantity value. The control target device is capable of wireless communication and operates according to the received operation command. The control device recognizes a measurement device installed in the same room as the control target device based on the wireless communication status of the one or more measurement devices and the control target device, and based on the value of the physical quantity measured by the measurement device. To output an operation command to the control target device.

  According to the first aspect, the operation control of the control target device according to the measurement result of the measurement device installed in the same room as the control target device can be easily performed by the control device.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the control system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the hardware of the controller in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the air conditioner in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the temperature sensor in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of installation of an air conditioner and a temperature sensor. It is a figure which shows an example of the function of the controller in 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the procedure of an apparatus detection process. It is a figure which shows an example of an apparatus list. It is a figure which shows the example of transmission of an apparatus correlation command. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus correlation command transmitted from a controller. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus correlation command transmitted from an air conditioner. It is a figure which shows the example of a response to an association request. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus correlation response transmitted from a temperature sensor. It is a figure which shows an example of the temperature sensor list | wrist which an air conditioner has. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus correlation response transmitted from an air conditioner. It is a figure which shows an example of the related information table stored in a controller. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the procedure of an association process. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the procedure of an air-conditioner control process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the correlation process in a controller. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the apparatus correlation process in an air conditioner. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a temperature sensor correlation process. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the temperature sensor in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an apparatus detection process. It is a figure which shows an example of the correlation process of 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the apparatus detection process and association process of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the apparatus correlation process in an air conditioner. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the air conditioner in 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of wireless LANAP in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an apparatus detection process. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus connection notification transmitted wirelessly from an air conditioner. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus list which wireless LANAP has. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus list which a controller has. It is a figure which shows an example of the correlation process of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a MAC address acquisition request. It is a figure which shows an example of a MAC address response. It is a figure which shows an example of the related information table of 4th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the apparatus detection process and association process of 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the correlation process in a controller. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the apparatus correlation process in wireless LANAP.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment can be implemented by combining a plurality of embodiments within a consistent range.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system according to the first embodiment. The control system according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of measuring devices 1 and 2, a control target device 3, and a control device 4. The plurality of measuring devices 1, 2, the control target device 3, and the control device 4 are connected via a network 5. In the example of FIG. 1, the measuring device 1 and the control target device 3 are installed in a room 7 surrounded by a wall 6. The measuring device 2 is installed outside the room 7.

  The measuring devices 1 and 2 are capable of wireless communication and measure a physical quantity value. For example, the measuring device 1 includes a wireless communication unit 1a and a measuring unit 1b. The wireless communication unit 1a performs wireless communication in a high frequency band of, for example, 50 GHz band or higher. As a wireless communication standard in the high frequency band, for example, there is IEEE 802.11ad. IEEE 802.11ad is a standard for performing communication in the 60 GHz band. A radio wave having a frequency of 50 GHz or more is reflected by a shield such as the wall 6 so that the radio wave does not leak out of the room 7. The measuring unit 1b measures a physical quantity indicating the state of air, for example. Examples of physical quantities indicating the state of air include temperature, humidity, and the amount of particles.

  The control target device 3 is capable of wireless communication and operates according to the received operation command. For example, the control target device 3 includes a wireless communication unit 3a and a control unit 3b. The wireless communication unit 3a performs wireless communication in a high frequency band of, for example, 50 GHz band or higher, as with the measuring device 1. The control unit 3 b controls the operation of the control target device 3. The control means 3b can control the operation of the control target device 3 in accordance with a command from the control device 4. For example, if the control target device 3 is an air conditioner, the control means 3b controls the temperature of the air to be sent out, the intensity of the air blow, and the like.

The control device 4 includes a recognition unit 4a, a storage unit 4b, and a command unit 4c.
The recognition unit 4 a recognizes the measurement device 1 installed in the same room 7 as the control target device 3 based on the wireless communication status of the control target device 3 and the plurality of measurement devices 1 and 2. For example, the recognition unit 4a stores the recognized identification information “a” of the measuring device 1 in the storage unit 4b in association with the identification information “A” of the control target device 3.

The storage unit 4 b stores a correspondence relationship between the control target device 3 and the measurement device 1 installed in the same room 7.
The command unit 4 c outputs an operation command for the control target device 3 based on the physical quantity value measured by the recognized measuring device 1. For example, the command unit 4 c refers to the storage unit 4 b and recognizes that the measurement device 1 is installed in the same room 7 as the control target device 3. Next, the command unit 4 c acquires the value of the physical quantity measured by the measuring device 1 from the measuring device 1 via the network 5. Then, the command unit 4 c transmits an operation command for the control target device 3 via the network 5 based on the acquired physical quantity value. For example, when the measuring device 1 is a temperature sensor that measures the temperature, and the control target device 3 is an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the air, the command unit 4c sets the control target device so that the temperature of the room 7 becomes a predetermined temperature. 3 is controlled.

  According to such a control system, for example, wireless communication is attempted between the control target device 3 and each of the measurement devices 1 and 2. At this time, radio communication in a high frequency band is performed. Therefore, communication across an obstacle such as the wall 6 is not successful, and only communication between devices installed in the same room 7 is successful. And the control object apparatus 3 hold | maintains the identification information of the measuring apparatus with which radio | wireless communication was successful.

  The recognition unit 4a of the control device 4 acquires, for example, identification information of the measuring device 1 that has succeeded in wireless communication from the control target device 3 in response to an instruction from the user, and stores the identification information in the storage unit 4b. Thereafter, at a predetermined timing, the command unit 4 c acquires the value of the physical quantity measured by the measurement unit 1 b from the measurement device 1 installed in the room 7, and sends an operation command corresponding to the value to the control target device 3. Output. Then, in the control target apparatus 3, the control means 3b operates the control target apparatus 3 according to the command.

  In this way, even if the user does not set the correspondence between the control target device 3 and the measuring device 1 installed in the same room 7, the correspondence can be automatically recognized by the control device 4. As a result, it is not necessary for the user to input the setting of the correspondence relationship, and the work burden on the user is reduced.

  As a method for recognizing the measurement device 1 installed in the same room 7 as the control target device 3, for example, a measurement device that responds to a message transmitted from the control target device 3 by wireless communication is used in the same room as the control target device 3. 7 can be recognized as the measuring apparatus 1 installed in the apparatus. In this case, the wireless communication unit 3a of the control target apparatus 3 transmits, for example, a broadcast message by wireless communication. This message can be received by the measuring device 1 installed in the room 7, but cannot be received by the measuring device 2 installed outside the room 7. Therefore, a response corresponding to the message is returned to the control target device 3 only from the measuring device 1. The recognition unit 4 a of the control device 4 acquires the identification information “a” of the measurement device 1 that responds to the wirelessly transmitted message from the control target device 3. The recognizing unit 4 a stores the acquired identification information “a” of the measuring device 1 in the storage unit 4 b in association with the identification information “A” of the control target device 3.

  Further, when the control target device 3 receives a message transmitted from the measurement devices 1 and 2 by wireless communication, the measurement device may be recognized as the measurement device 1 installed in the same room 7 as the control target device 3. . In this case, the measuring devices 1 and 2 transmit a broadcast message by wireless communication at a predetermined timing. Of the messages transmitted by the two measuring devices 1 and 2, the message transmitted from the measuring device 1 installed in the room 7 is received by the wireless communication means 3 a of the control target device 3. On the other hand, a message transmitted from the measuring device 2 installed outside the room 7 is blocked by the wall 6 and does not reach the control target device 3. The recognition unit 4 a of the control device 4 acquires the identification information “a” of the measurement device 1 that is the message transmission source from the control target device 3. The recognizing unit 4 a stores the acquired identification information “a” of the measuring device 1 in the storage unit 4 b in association with the identification information “A” of the control target device 3.

  Furthermore, a measurement device capable of wireless communication from an access point common to the control target device 3 can be recognized as a measurement device installed in the same room 7 as the control target device 3. In this case, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access point is installed inside the room 7. Then, the recognition unit 4a of the control device 4 allows the measurement device 1 that can perform wireless communication via the access point to the same room as the control target device 3 when wireless communication is possible with the control target device 3 via the access point. It is recognized as the measuring device 1 installed in the.

  The wireless communication unit 1a of the measuring device 1 can be realized by a processor in the measuring device 1 controlling the wireless communication interface. The measuring means 1b of the measuring device 1 can be realized by a processor controlling a sensor for measuring a physical quantity.

  The wireless communication unit 3a of the control target device 3 can be realized by a processor in the control target device 3 controlling the wireless communication interface. The control means 3b of the control target device 3 can be realized by a processor and other peripheral devices for control.

  The recognition unit 4 a and the command unit 4 c of the control device 4 can be realized by a processor included in the control device 4. Moreover, the memory | storage means 4b is realizable with the memory which the control apparatus 4 has, for example.

Also, the lines connecting the elements shown in FIG. 1 indicate a part of the communication path, and communication paths other than the illustrated communication paths can be set.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is a system for centrally controlling an air conditioner in a home.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example according to the second embodiment. A plurality of air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 are connected to the local network 20 in the home as control target devices. A plurality of temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 391, 392,... Are connected to the local network 20 as measuring instruments. The plurality of air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 are installed in different rooms. Temperature sensors 310 and 320 are installed in the same room 41 as the air conditioner 210. In the same room 42 as the air conditioner 220, temperature sensors 330 and 340 are installed. Temperature sensors 350, 360, and 370 are installed in the same room 43 as the air conditioner 230.

  A controller 100 is further connected to the local network 20. The controller 100 communicates with an air conditioner and a temperature sensor via the local network 20. As a communication protocol between electronic devices in the home, there is the ECHONET Lite protocol. The ECHONET Lite protocol is a communication protocol formulated by the Echonet Consortium. By using the ECHONET Lite protocol, it is possible to control various home appliances that support the ECHONET Lite protocol connected by a LAN or to collect information. The controller 100 shown in FIG. 2 issues a control command to an air conditioner or a temperature sensor using, for example, the ECHONET Lite protocol, or acquires information from the air conditioner or the temperature sensor.

  The local network 20 is connected to the global network 32 via the router 31. At this time, the server 33 installed on the global network 32 can be caused to function as a controller for controlling household devices. For example, the user can access the server 33 prepared as a cloud system using the terminal device 34 and instruct control of the air conditioner. The server 33 communicates with the air conditioner and the temperature sensor via the router 31 to acquire room temperature information from the temperature sensor or instruct the air conditioner to change the set temperature.

  Air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 shown in FIG. 2 are examples of the control target device 3 shown in FIG. The temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 391, 392,... Shown in FIG. 2 are examples of the measuring devices 1 and 2 shown in FIG. A controller 100 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of the control device 4 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the hardware of the controller according to the second embodiment. The entire controller 100 is controlled by the processor 101. A memory 102 and a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the processor 101 via a bus 109. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). At least a part of the functions realized by the processor 101 executing the program may be realized by an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

  The memory 102 is used as a main storage device of the controller 100. The memory 102 temporarily stores at least part of an OS (Operating System) program and application programs to be executed by the processor 101. The memory 102 stores various data necessary for processing by the processor 101. As the memory 102, for example, a volatile semiconductor storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) is used.

  Peripheral devices connected to the bus 109 include an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 103, a graphic processing device 104, an input interface 105, an optical drive device 106, a device connection interface 107, and a network interface 108.

  The HDD 103 magnetically writes and reads data to and from the built-in disk. The HDD 103 is used as an auxiliary storage device for the controller 100. The HDD 103 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data. Note that a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory can be used as the auxiliary memory device.

  A monitor 21 is connected to the graphic processing device 104. The graphic processing device 104 displays an image on the screen of the monitor 21 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 101. Examples of the monitor 21 include a display device using a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and a liquid crystal display device.

  A keyboard 22 and a mouse 23 are connected to the input interface 105. The input interface 105 transmits signals sent from the keyboard 22 and the mouse 23 to the processor 101. The mouse 23 is an example of a pointing device, and other pointing devices can also be used. Examples of other pointing devices include a touch panel, a tablet, a touch pad, and a trackball.

  The optical drive device 106 reads data recorded on the optical disc 24 using laser light or the like. The optical disc 24 is a portable recording medium on which data is recorded so that it can be read by reflection of light. The optical disc 24 includes a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWritable), and the like.

  The device connection interface 107 is a communication interface for connecting peripheral devices to the controller 100. For example, the memory device 25 and the memory reader / writer 26 can be connected to the device connection interface 107. The memory device 25 is a recording medium equipped with a communication function with the device connection interface 107. The memory reader / writer 26 is a device that writes data to the memory card 27 or reads data from the memory card 27. The memory card 27 is a card type recording medium.

  The network interface 108 is connected to the local network 20. The network interface 108 transmits and receives data to and from other computers or communication devices via the local network 20.

  With the hardware configuration described above, the processing functions of the second embodiment can be realized. The control device shown in the first embodiment can also be realized by the same hardware as the controller 100 shown in FIG.

  The controller 100 implements the processing functions of the second embodiment by executing a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, for example. A program describing the processing contents to be executed by the controller 100 can be recorded in various recording media. For example, a program to be executed by the controller 100 can be stored in the HDD 103. The processor 101 loads at least a part of the program in the HDD 103 into the memory 102 and executes the program. A program to be executed by the controller 100 can also be recorded on a portable recording medium such as the optical disc 24, the memory device 25, and the memory card 27. The program stored in the portable recording medium becomes executable after being installed in the HDD 103 under the control of the processor 101, for example. The processor 101 can also read and execute a program directly from a portable recording medium.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment. The air conditioner 210 includes a control unit 211, a memory 212, an individual identification information storage unit 213, an air conditioner 214, a communication control unit 215, a communication interface 216, a communication control unit 217, and a wireless communication interface 218. The control unit 211 is connected to the memory 212, the individual identification information storage unit 213, the air conditioner 214, the communication control unit 215, and the communication control unit 217, and controls the operation of the entire air conditioner 210. The memory 212 stores a program describing the operation content of the control unit 211 and data used for control. The individual identification information storage unit 213 stores identification information of the air conditioner 210. The air conditioner 214 performs temperature adjustment and humidity adjustment by cooling and heating. The communication control unit 215 controls wired communication via the local network 20. The communication interface 216 is an interface connected to the local network 20. The communication control unit 217 controls wireless communication in the high frequency band. The wireless communication interface 218 is an interface that performs wireless communication in a high frequency band. The high frequency band is a frequency band of 50 GHz or more, for example.

  4 shows the hardware configuration of the air conditioner 210, the other air conditioners 220 and 230 have the same hardware configuration as the air conditioner 210. Further, the combined function of the wireless communication interface 218 and the communication control unit 217 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of the wireless communication means 3a of the control target device 3 shown in FIG. The combined function of the control unit 211 and the memory 212 is an example of the control unit 3b of the control target device 3 illustrated in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the temperature sensor according to the second embodiment. The temperature sensor 310 includes a control unit 311, a memory 312, an individual identification information storage unit 313, a temperature sensor module 314, a communication control unit 315, a communication interface 316, a communication control unit 317, and a wireless communication interface 318. The control unit 311 is connected to the memory 312, the individual identification information storage unit 313, the temperature sensor module 314, the communication control unit 315, and the communication control unit 317, and controls the operation of the temperature sensor 310 as a whole. The memory 312 stores a program describing the operation content of the control unit 311 and data used for control. The individual identification information storage unit 313 stores identification information of the temperature sensor 310. The temperature sensor module 314 measures temperature and outputs data indicating the measured temperature. The communication control unit 315 controls wired communication via the local network 20. The communication interface 316 is an interface connected to the local network 20. The communication control unit 317 controls wireless communication in the high frequency band. The wireless communication interface 318 is an interface that performs wireless communication in a high frequency band. The high frequency band is a frequency band of 50 GHz or more, for example.

  5 shows the hardware configuration of the temperature sensor 310, but the other temperature sensors 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 391, 392,... Hardware configuration.

  The function combining the wireless communication interface 318 and the communication control unit 317 illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example of the wireless communication unit 1a of the measurement apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. The combined function of the control unit 311, the memory 312, and the temperature sensor module 314 is an example of the measuring unit 1 b of the measuring device 1 shown in FIG.

Next, an installation example of an air conditioner and a temperature sensor will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of an air conditioner and a temperature sensor. In the example of FIG. 6, the house 40 is provided with four rooms 41 to 44. Air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 are installed in each of the rooms 41 to 43. In the room 41, two temperature sensors 310 and 320 are installed. Two temperature sensors 330 and 340 are installed in the room 42. In the room 43, three temperature sensors 350, 360, and 370 are installed.

  Three temperature sensors 391 to 393 are installed in the hallway 45. In the room 44 where no air conditioner is installed, three temperature sensors 394 to 396 are installed. Two temperature sensors 397 and 398 are installed outdoors.

Next, functions realized by the controller 100 executing software will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of the controller according to the second embodiment. The controller 100 includes a storage unit 110, a device detection unit 120, an association unit 130, and an air conditioner control unit 140.

  The storage unit 110 stores a device list 111 and a related information table 112. The storage unit 110 is a part of the storage area of the memory 102 or the HDD 103, for example. The device list 111 is a list of devices connected via the local network 20. The related information table 112 is information indicating a correspondence relationship between an air conditioner installed in the same room and a temperature sensor.

The device detection unit 120 detects a device connected via the local network 20. The device detection unit 120 registers the detected device information in the device list 111.
The associating unit 130 investigates a temperature sensor installed in the same room as the air conditioner and associates the air conditioner with the temperature sensor. The associating unit 130 stores the information on the associated air conditioner and temperature sensor in the related information table 112.

  Based on the related information table 112, the air conditioner control unit 140 grasps temperature sensors in the rooms 41 to 43 in which the air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 are installed. Next, the air conditioner control unit 140 acquires the temperature of each of the rooms 41 to 43 from the temperature sensor. The air conditioner control unit 140 controls the air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 and adjusts the temperatures of the rooms 41 to 43 in which the air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 are respectively installed.

  In addition, the line which connects between each element shown in FIG. 7 shows a part of communication path, and communication paths other than the illustrated communication path can also be set. Moreover, the function of each element shown in FIG. 7 can be realized, for example, by causing a computer to execute a program module corresponding to the element. Among the elements shown in FIG. 7, the associating unit 130 is an example of the recognition unit 4 a of the control device 4 shown in FIG. 1. The memory | storage part 110 is an example of the memory | storage means 4b of the control apparatus 4 shown in FIG. The air conditioner control unit 140 is an example of the command unit 4c shown in FIG.

In the system configured as described above, device detection processing, association processing, and control processing are performed. Hereinafter, these processes will be described in detail.
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the procedure of the device detection process. In the device detection process, when a device is connected to the local network 20, the device transmits a device connection notification including its identification information to the local network 20 by multicast (steps S11 to S16). For example, information indicating the type of device can be included in the device connection notification. In the example of FIG. 8, an example of transmitting a device connection notification from devices installed in the two rooms 41 and 42 is shown. A device connection notification is transmitted from each of the air conditioners 210 and 220 installed in the rooms 41 and 42 and the temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, and 340 to the controller 100.

  The device detection unit 120 of the controller 100 interprets the device identification information packet transmitted by multicast, and sets the device identification information in the device list 111 in the storage unit 110 of the controller 100.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device list. In the device list 111, for example, columns of type, identification information, and IP address are provided. In the type column, the type of the device that has transmitted the device connection notification is set. As types, there are an air conditioner and a temperature sensor. In the identification information column, the identification information of the device that has transmitted the device connection notification is set. In the IP address column, the IP address of the device that has transmitted the device connection notification is set. The IP address can be obtained from the header of the device connection notification packet.

  Thereafter, when the user instructs the controller 100 to execute an association process between devices, the devices installed in the same room are associated with each other. In association between devices, first, a device association command is transmitted from the controller 100.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a transmission example of a device association command. In response to the input from the user, the controller 100 transmits a device association command 51 to the air conditioner 210. The controller 100 similarly transmits a device association command to the other air conditioners 220 and 230.

  The air conditioner 210 that has received the device association command 51 transmits the device association command 52 by broadcasting through wireless communication in a high frequency band. Since the device association command 52 transmitted from the air conditioner 210 is transmitted by high-frequency wireless communication, it cannot penetrate the wall. Therefore, the device association instruction 52 reaches only the temperature sensors 310 and 320 installed in the same room 41 as the air conditioner 210.

  Similarly, the air conditioners 220 and 230 also transmit device association commands. The device association command transmitted from the air conditioner 220 reaches only the two temperature sensors 330 and 340 installed in the same room 42 as the air conditioner 220. The device association command transmitted from the air conditioner 230 reaches only the three temperature sensors 350, 360, and 370 installed in the same room 43 as the air conditioner 230.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device association command transmitted from the controller. In the device association command 51 transmitted from the controller 100, the IP address of the controller 100 is set as the transmission source IP address. Further, the IP address of the air conditioner 210 is set as the destination IP address. In the device association command 51, an identifier indicating a device association command is set as a message identifier. In response to such a device association command 51, a device association command 52 directed from the air conditioner 210 to the temperature sensors 310 and 320 is transmitted by broadcast.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device association command transmitted from the air conditioner. In the device association command 52 transmitted from the air conditioner 210, the IP address of the air conditioner 210 is set as the transmission source IP address. In addition, an address indicating broadcast is set as the destination IP address. In the device association command 52, an identifier indicating a device association command is set as a message identifier.

The temperature sensor that has received the device association command transmitted from each of the air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 returns a response.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a response to the association request. The temperature sensor 310 that has received the device association command 52 transmits a device association response 53 to the air conditioner 210. A device association response is also transmitted from the temperature sensor 320 to the air conditioner 210. A device association response is transmitted from the temperature sensors 330 and 340 to the air conditioner 220. A device association response is transmitted from the temperature sensors 350, 360, and 370 to the air conditioner 230.

  The air conditioner 210 that has received the device association response from the temperature sensors 310 and 320 collects the received contents and transmits the device association response 54 to the controller 100. Similarly, the air conditioner 220 transmits a device association response obtained by collecting the device association responses received from the temperature sensors 330 and 340 to the controller 100. The air conditioner 230 transmits a device association response obtained by collecting the device association responses received from the temperature sensors 350, 360, and 370 to the controller 100.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device association response transmitted from the temperature sensor. In the device association response 53 transmitted from the temperature sensor 310, the IP address of the temperature sensor 310 is set as the transmission source IP address. Further, the IP address of the air conditioner 210 is set as the destination IP address. In the device association command, an identifier indicating a device association response is set as a message identifier.

  The air conditioner 210 that has received the device association response from the plurality of temperature sensors 310 and 320 generates a temperature sensor list in which the temperature sensors 310 and 320 installed in the same room 41 are registered.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a temperature sensor list included in the air conditioner. The temperature sensor list 61 stored in the memory 212 of the air conditioner 210 is set with temperature sensor identification information. The control unit 211 of the air conditioner 210 generates a device association response 54 to be transmitted to the controller 100 based on the temperature sensor list 61.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device association response transmitted from the air conditioner. In the device association response 54 transmitted from the air conditioner 210, the IP address of the air conditioner 210 is set as the transmission source IP address. Further, the IP address of the controller 100 is set as the destination IP address. The device association response 54 includes a temperature sensor list 61. In the device association response 54, an identifier indicating a device association response is set as a message identifier.

The association unit 130 of the controller 100 that has received the device association response from each of the air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 stores the related information table 112 in the storage unit 110.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a related information table stored in the controller. In the related information table 112, for example, columns of air conditioner identification information, air conditioner IP address, temperature sensor identification information, and temperature sensor IP address are provided. In the column of air conditioner identification information, air conditioner identification information is set. The air conditioner IP address is set in the air conditioner IP address column. In the column of temperature sensor identification information, identification information of a temperature sensor installed in the same room as the air conditioner indicated by the air conditioner identification information is set. The identification information of one or a plurality of temperature sensors can be set in association with the identification information of one air conditioner. The IP address of the corresponding temperature sensor is set in the temperature sensor IP address column.

Next, the procedure of device association processing will be described using a sequence diagram.
FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the procedure of the association process. The association unit 130 of the controller 100 transmits a device association command to the air conditioner 210 in response to an association execution instruction from the user (step S21). When the air conditioner 210 receives the device association command from the controller 100, the air conditioner 210 broadcasts the device association command by high-frequency wireless communication (step S22). The transmitted device association command is received by the temperature sensors 310 and 320 installed in the same room as the air conditioner 210. On the other hand, in the temperature sensors 330 and 340 installed in a room different from the air conditioner 210, the wall of the room becomes an obstacle, and the device association command transmitted from the air conditioner 210 cannot be received.

  The temperature sensor 310 that has received the device association command returns a device association response by wireless communication (step S23). Similarly, the temperature sensor 320 returns a device association response by wireless communication (step S24). The air conditioner 210 collects the device association responses from the two temperature sensors 310 and 320 and transmits the device association responses to the controller 100 (step S25).

  Thereafter, the associating unit 130 of the controller 100 transmits a device association command to the air conditioner 220 (step S26). When the air conditioner 220 receives the device association command from the controller 100, the air conditioner 220 broadcasts the device association command by high-frequency wireless communication (step S27). The transmitted device association command is received by the temperature sensors 330 and 340 installed in the same room as the air conditioner 220. On the other hand, in the temperature sensors 310 and 320 installed in a room different from the air conditioner 220, the wall of the room becomes an obstacle, and the device association command transmitted from the air conditioner 220 cannot be received.

  The temperature sensor 330 that has received the device association command returns a device association response by wireless communication (step S28). Similarly, the temperature sensor 340 returns a device association response by wireless communication (step S29). The air conditioner 220 collects the device association responses from the two temperature sensors 330 and 340 and transmits the device association responses to the controller 100 (step S30).

When the association between the devices is completed, the air conditioner control unit 140 of the controller 100 controls the air conditioners 210, 220, and 230 based on an operation input from the user.
FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the procedure of the air conditioner control process. FIG. 19 shows an example of adjusting the temperature of the room 41 in which the air conditioner 210 is installed.

  When the controller 100 is instructed to set the temperature of the room 41 in which the air conditioner 210 is installed, the air conditioner control unit 140 transmits a status information acquisition request to the air conditioner 210 (step S41). Then, the air conditioner 210 transmits a state information response indicating the current operation state to the controller 100 (step S42). The status information response includes, for example, information such as the current operation mode (cooling or heating), cooling or heating intensity, and blowing intensity.

  Next, the air conditioner control unit 140 refers to the related information table 112 and recognizes the temperature sensors 310 and 320 installed in the same room 41 as the air conditioner 210. And the air-conditioner control part 140 transmits a status information acquisition request with respect to the temperature sensor 310 (step S43). The temperature sensor 310 transmits a state information response including the current temperature to the controller 100 (step S44). The air conditioner control unit 140 also transmits a status information acquisition request to the temperature sensor 320 (step S45). The temperature sensor 320 transmits a status information response including the current temperature to the controller 100 (step S46).

  The air conditioner control unit 140, based on information such as the temperature acquired from the temperature sensors 310 and 320, is suitable for setting the room 41 to the specified temperature, the operation mode of the air conditioner 210, the intensity of cooling and heating, and the intensity of air flow. Determine the appropriate value for. The air conditioner control unit 140 transmits an operation setting change request to the air conditioner 210 so as to operate in the determined state (step S47). The air conditioner 210 changes the operation state in response to the operation setting change request, and transmits a setting change response to the controller 100 (step S48).

  In this way, the air conditioner 210 is controlled from the controller 100, and the temperature of the room 41 can be set to an appropriate temperature. Similarly, the controller 100 can also control the other air conditioners 220 and 230.

Next, internal processing of each device in association processing between devices will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of association processing in the controller.

  [Step S101] The associating unit 130 of the controller 100 acquires an instruction to execute associating from the user. At this time, the associating unit 130 refers to the device list 111 and recognizes a device of the type “air conditioner” as a subordinate air conditioner.

[Step S102] The associating unit 130 sets an initial value “0” to the variable i.
[Step S103] The associating unit 130 transmits a device association command to the i-th air conditioner from the top in the device list 111.

[Step S104] The associating unit 130 receives a device association response from the i-th air conditioner.
[Step S <b> 105] The association unit 130 stores information included in the received device association response in the related information table 112 in the storage unit 110.

[Step S106] The associating unit 130 adds 1 to the value of the variable i.
[Step S107] The associating unit 130 determines whether the value of the variable i is equal to or greater than the number of air conditioners under the controller 100. When the value of the variable i is equal to or greater than the number of air conditioners, the association process ends. If the value of variable i is less than the number of air conditioners, the process proceeds to step S103.

In this way, the controller 100 can cause the device association processing to be executed for all of the subordinate air conditioners and acquire the result.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of device association processing in an air conditioner.

  [Step S <b> 111] The communication control unit 215 of the air conditioner 210 receives a device association command from the controller 100 via the communication interface 216. The communication control unit 215 transfers the received device association command to the control unit 211.

  [Step S <b> 112] The control unit 211 instructs the communication control unit 217 to transmit a device association command by broadcast. The communication control unit 217 broadcasts a device association command by high-frequency wireless communication via the wireless communication interface 218. A response from the temperature sensor to the device association command (device association response) is received by the wireless communication interface 218 and acquired by the communication control unit 217. The communication control unit 217 transfers the acquired device association response to the control unit 211.

  [Step S113] The control unit 211 determines whether a device association response is received from the temperature sensor. If a device association response is received, the process proceeds to step S114. If no device association response has been received, the process proceeds to step S115.

[Step S <b> 114] The control unit 211 stores the temperature sensor identification information included in the device association response in the temperature sensor list 61.
[Step S115] The control unit 211 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the device association command. If the certain time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S116. If the certain time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S113.

  [Step S116] The control unit 211 instructs the communication control unit 215 to transmit a device association response including the contents of the temperature sensor list 61. The communication control unit 215 transmits a device association response to the controller 100 via the communication interface 216.

  In this way, device association processing is executed in the air conditioner 210, and a list of temperature sensors under the control of the air conditioner 210 is transmitted to the controller 100. A similar device association process is also executed in the other air conditioners 220 and 230.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of the temperature sensor association process.
[Step S121] The control unit 311 of the temperature sensor 310 receives a device association command from the air conditioner 210. For example, when a device association command is transmitted by broadcast from the air conditioner 210, the device association command is received by the wireless communication interface 318 of the temperature sensor 310, and the communication control unit 317 acquires the device association command. The communication control unit 317 transfers the acquired device association command to the control unit 311. The control unit 311 receives the device association command transferred from the communication control unit 317.

  [Step S122] The control unit 311 includes the identification information of the temperature sensor 310 in the device association response and transmits it to the air conditioner 210. For example, the control unit 311 acquires the identification information of the temperature sensor 310 from the individual identification information storage unit 313. Then, the control unit 311 instructs the communication control unit 317 to transmit a device association response including the acquired identification information. The communication control unit 317 transmits a device association response to the air conditioner 210 via the wireless communication interface 318.

In this way, the identification information of the temperature sensor 310 is returned from the temperature sensor 310 installed at a position where the device association command from the air conditioner 210 can be received.
As described above, in the second embodiment, the user can associate the air conditioner installed in the same room with the controller simply by instructing the controller 100 to execute the device association process. As a result, it is possible to save time and effort for setting the association by the user and to prevent the occurrence of setting errors. That is, the association between the air conditioner installed in the same room and the temperature sensor can be performed accurately and in a short time.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, a wired communication function can be omitted from the temperature sensor. When the temperature sensor is connected to the network by wire, the installation location of the temperature sensor is restricted. For example, in order to avoid the communication cable from being exposed, the temperature sensor can be installed only in a place where the communication cable can be hidden by a large piece of furniture. However, if the temperature sensor does not require a wired communication function, it is freed from restrictions on the wiring of the communication cable, and the degree of freedom of the location of the temperature sensor is increased. Further, since the wired communication function is not necessary for the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor can be easily downsized.

Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the second embodiment.
FIG. 23 illustrates a system configuration example according to the third embodiment. A plurality of air conditioners 210a, 220a, and 230a are connected to the local network 20 as control target devices. The air conditioners 210a, 220a, and 230a in the third embodiment can operate as a wireless LAN access point. The plurality of air conditioners 210a, 220a, and 230a are installed in different rooms. Temperature sensors 410 and 420 are installed in the same room 41 as the air conditioner 210a. Temperature sensors 430 and 440 are installed in the same room 42 as the air conditioner 220a. Temperature sensors 450, 460, and 470 are installed in the same room 43 as the air conditioner 230a. A controller 100 is further connected to the local network 20. The controller 100 communicates with the air conditioner via the local network 20. The controller 100 communicates with a plurality of temperature sensors 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 491, 492,... Via the air conditioners 210a, 220a, and 230a.

  The hardware configuration of the controller 100 is the same as the hardware configuration of the controller 100 shown in FIG. The function realized by the controller 100 executing software is the same as the function of the controller 100 shown in FIG. The hardware configuration of the air conditioners 210a, 220a, and 230a is the same as the hardware configuration of the air conditioner 210 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a temperature sensor according to the third embodiment. The temperature sensor 410 includes a control unit 411, a memory 412, an individual identification information storage unit 413, a temperature sensor module 414, a communication control unit 417, and a wireless communication interface 418. The control unit 411 is connected to the memory 412, the individual identification information storage unit 413, the temperature sensor module 414, and the communication control unit 417, and controls the operation of the entire temperature sensor 410. The memory 412 stores a program describing the operation content of the control unit 411 and data used for control. The individual identification information storage unit 413 stores identification information of the temperature sensor 410. The temperature sensor module 414 measures temperature and outputs data indicating the measured temperature. The communication control unit 417 controls wireless communication in the high frequency band. The wireless communication interface 418 is an interface that performs wireless communication in a high frequency band. The high frequency band is a frequency band of 50 GHz or more, for example.

  24 shows the hardware configuration of the temperature sensor 410, the other temperature sensors 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 491, 492,... Hardware configuration.

  In the system configured as described above, device detection processing, association processing, and control processing are performed. The control process is the same as that in the second embodiment. Therefore, the device detection process and the association process will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device detection process. In the third embodiment, one air conditioner 210a, 220a, 230a is installed in each of the three rooms 41-43. In the room 41, two temperature sensors 410 and 420 are installed. Two temperature sensors 430 and 440 are installed in the room 42. In the room 43, three temperature sensors 450, 460, and 470 are installed. The temperature sensors 491 to 498 are installed in a place where no air conditioner is installed.

  For example, when the power is turned on, the air conditioner 210 a transmits a device connection notification 55 to the controller 100 via the local network 20. The device connection notification 55 includes identification information of the air conditioner 210a. Similarly, the other air conditioners 220a and 220b transmit a device connection notification when the power is turned on, for example.

  For example, when the power is turned on, the temperature sensor 410 transmits a device connection notification 56 by broadcast in wireless communication in a high frequency band. The device connection notification 56 includes identification information of the temperature sensor 410. The device connection notification 56 is received by the air conditioner 210 a installed in the same room as the temperature sensor 410 and transferred to the controller 100.

  Similarly, the other temperature sensors 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 491 to 498, for example, wirelessly transmit a device connection notification when the power is turned on. The device connection notification transmitted by the temperature sensor 420 is received by the air conditioner 210 a and transferred to the controller 100. The device connection notification transmitted by the temperature sensors 430 and 440 is received by the air conditioner 220 a and transferred to the controller 100. The device connection notification transmitted by the temperature sensors 450, 460, and 470 is received by the air conditioner 230a and transferred to the controller 100. The device connection notification transmitted by the temperature sensors 491 to 498 is not received by any device.

  When the air conditioners 210a, 220a, and 230a transfer the device connection notification of the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor identification information indicated in the transferred device connection notification is stored as the temperature sensor list 61 (see FIG. 15). Thereby, each air conditioner 210a, 220a, 230a can recognize the temperature sensor installed in the same room.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of association processing according to the third embodiment. In response to the input from the user, the controller 100 transmits a device association command 57 to the air conditioner 210a. Similarly, the controller 100 transmits a device association command to the other air conditioners 220a and 230a.

  The air conditioner 210 a that has received the device association command 57 transmits a device association response 58 including the temperature sensor list 61 that it holds to the controller 100. The data structure of the device association response 58 is the same as the device association response 54 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. Device association responses are also transmitted to the controller 100 from the other air conditioners 220a and 230a.

  The controller 100 creates the related information table 112 (see FIG. 17) based on the device association response transmitted by each of the air conditioners 210a, 220a, and 230a and stores it in the memory.

  FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram illustrating procedures of device detection processing and association processing according to the third embodiment. 27, steps S51 to S60 are device detection processes, and steps S61 to S64 are association processes.

  The air conditioners 210a and 220a transmit device connection notifications to the controller 100 via the local network 20 (steps S51 and S52). The temperature sensors 410, 420, 430, and 440 transmit device connection notifications by broadcast in wireless communication (steps S53 to S56). The device connection notification transmitted from the temperature sensors 410 and 420 is transferred to the controller 100 via the air conditioner 210a installed in the same room 41 as the temperature sensors 410 and 420. At this time, the air conditioner 210a stores the identification information of the temperature sensors 410 and 420 (steps S57 and S58). The device connection notification transmitted from the temperature sensors 430 and 440 is transferred to the controller 100 via the air conditioner 220a installed in the same room 42 as the temperature sensors 430 and 440. At this time, the air conditioner 220a stores the identification information of the temperature sensors 430 and 440 (steps S59 and S60).

  Thereafter, when an instruction to execute association processing between devices is input from the user to the controller 100, the controller 100 transmits a device association command to the air conditioner 210a (step S61). When receiving the device association command from the controller 100, the air conditioner 210a transmits a device association response including the stored identification information of the temperature sensors 410 and 420 to the controller 100 (step S62). Next, the controller 100 transmits a device association command to the air conditioner 220a (step S63). When receiving the device association command from the controller 100, the air conditioner 220a transmits a device association response including the stored identification information of the temperature sensors 430 and 440 to the controller 100 (step S64).

The association process executed by the controller 100 in the third embodiment is the same as the process in the second embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of device association processing in the air conditioner.

  [Step S211] The communication control unit 215 of the air conditioner 210a receives a device association command from the controller 100 via the communication interface 216. The communication control unit 215 transfers the received device association command to the control unit 211.

[Step S212] The control unit 211 of the air conditioner 210a acquires the temperature sensor list 61 from the memory 212.
[Step S213] The control unit 211 instructs the communication control unit 215 to transmit a device association response including the contents of the temperature sensor list 61. The communication control unit 215 transmits a device association response to the controller 100 via the communication interface 216.

In this way, it is possible to easily associate the air conditioner with the temperature sensor without connecting the temperature sensor to the local network 20 by wire.
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, not only the temperature sensor but also the air conditioner need not be connected to the local network 20 by wire. If it is not necessary to connect the air conditioner with a wire, it will be easier to install the air conditioner.

Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the third embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example according to the fourth embodiment. A plurality of wireless LAN access points (AP) 610, 620, and 630 that can use high-frequency radio are connected to the local network 20. A plurality of air conditioners 510, 520, and 530 are installed in different rooms. Temperature sensors 410 and 420 are installed in the same room 41 as the air conditioner 510. Temperature sensors 430 and 440 are installed in the same room 42 as the air conditioner 520. Temperature sensors 450, 460 and 470 are installed in the same room 43 as the air conditioner 530. A controller 100 a is further connected to the local network 20. The controller 100 a communicates with the wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630 via the local network 20. In addition, the controller 100a includes a plurality of air conditioners 510, 520, 530 and a plurality of temperature sensors 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 491, 492, ... via wireless LANAPs 610, 620, 630, respectively. Communicate with.

  The hardware configuration of the controller 100a is the same as the hardware configuration of the controller 100 shown in FIG. The function realized by the controller 100a executing software is the same as the function of the controller 100 shown in FIG. The hardware configuration of the temperature sensors 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 491, 492,... Is the same as the hardware configuration of the temperature sensor 410 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment. The air conditioner 510 includes a control unit 511, a memory 512, an individual identification information storage unit 513, an air conditioner 514, a communication control unit 517, and a wireless communication interface 518. The control unit 511 is connected to the memory 512, the individual identification information storage unit 513, the air conditioner 514, and the communication control unit 517, and controls the overall operation of the air conditioner 510. The memory 512 stores a program describing the operation content of the control unit 511 and data used for control. Individual identification information storage unit 513 stores identification information of air conditioner 510. The air conditioner 514 performs temperature adjustment and humidity adjustment by cooling and heating. The communication control unit 517 controls wireless communication in the high frequency band. The wireless communication interface 518 is an interface that performs wireless communication in a high frequency band.

FIG. 30 shows the hardware configuration of the air conditioner 510, but the other air conditioners 520 and 530 have the same hardware configuration as the air conditioner 510.
FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the wireless LANAP in the fourth embodiment. The wireless LAN AP 610 includes a control unit 611, a memory 612, a communication control unit 615, a communication interface 616, a communication control unit 617, and a wireless communication interface 618. The control unit 611 is connected to the memory 612, the communication control unit 615, and the communication control unit 617, and controls the overall operation of the wireless LAN AP 610. The memory 612 stores a program describing the operation content of the control unit 611 and data used for control. The communication control unit 615 controls wired communication via the local network 20. The communication interface 616 is an interface connected to the local network 20. The communication control unit 617 controls wireless communication in the high frequency band. The wireless communication interface 618 is an interface that performs wireless communication in a high frequency band.

  In the system configured as described above, device detection processing, association processing, and control processing are performed. The control process is the same as that in the second embodiment. Therefore, the device detection process and the association process will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device detection process. In the fourth embodiment, one air conditioner 510, 520, 530 is installed in each of the three rooms 41-43. In the room 41, two temperature sensors 410 and 420 and a wireless LAN AP 610 are installed. Two temperature sensors 430 and 440 and a wireless LANAP 620 are installed in the room 42. In the room 43, three temperature sensors 450, 460, 470 and a wireless LANAP 630 are installed.

  For example, when the air conditioner 510 is turned on, the air conditioner 510 transmits a device connection notification 71 by broadcasting in wireless communication in a high frequency band. The device connection notification 71 includes identification information of the air conditioner 510. Similarly, the other air conditioners 520 and 530 and the temperature sensors 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, and 470 also wirelessly transmit device connection notifications when the power is turned on, for example. The device connection notification transmitted by the air conditioner 510 and the temperature sensors 410 and 420 is received by the wireless LAN AP 610 and transferred to the controller 100a. The device connection notification transmitted by the air conditioner 520 and the temperature sensors 430 and 440 is received by the wireless LAN AP 620 and transferred to the controller 100a. The device connection notification transmitted by the air conditioner 530 and the temperature sensors 450, 460, and 470 is received by the wireless LAN AP 630 and transferred to the controller 100a.

  When the wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630 transfer the device connection notification of the air conditioner or temperature sensor, the wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630 store the identification information of the air conditioner or temperature sensor indicated in the transferred device connection notification as a device list.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device connection notification transmitted wirelessly from an air conditioner. In the device connection notification 71 transmitted from the air conditioner 510, the IP address of the air conditioner 510 is set as the transmission source IP address. An IP address indicating multicast is set as the destination IP address. In the device association command, an identifier indicating a device connection notification is set as a message identifier.

  Similarly to the air conditioner 510, the device connection notification is also transmitted from the temperature sensors 410 and 420. The device connection notification transmitted from the air conditioner 510 and the temperature sensors 410 and 420 is received by the wireless LAN AP 610 and transferred to the controller 100a. The wireless LAN AP 610 is, for example, a bridge type access point, and transfers the device connection notification frame to the controller 100a without changing the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the transmission source of the frame.

  The wireless LAN AP 610 stores the MAC address of the transmission source of the device connection notification when the device connection notification is transferred. For example, the source MAC address is registered in the device list in the memory 612.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device list included in the wireless LANAP. In the device list 72 of the wireless LAN AP 610, the MAC address of the subordinate device is set. For example, the MAC addresses of the air conditioner 510, the temperature sensor 410, and the temperature sensor 420 are set.

The controller 100a that has received the device connection notification via the wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630 creates a device list based on the received device connection notification.
FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device list included in the controller. The device list 111a included in the controller 100a is provided with columns of MAC address, IP address, and identification information. In the MAC address column, the MAC address of the device that is the source of the device connection notification is set. The MAC address can be acquired from, for example, the header information of the device connection notification frame. In the IP address column, the IP address of the device that is the source of the device connection notification is set. In the identification information column, identification information of the device that is the source of the device connection notification is set.

Thereafter, an association process is executed in response to an input of an association execution instruction to the controller 100a.
FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of association processing according to the fourth embodiment. In response to the input from the user, the controller 100a transmits a MAC address acquisition request 73 to the air conditioner 510. Similarly, the controller 100a transmits a MAC address acquisition request to the other air conditioners 520 and 530.

  The air conditioner 510 that has received the MAC address acquisition request 73 transmits a MAC address response 74 including the device list 72 that it holds to the controller 100a. The MAC address response is also transmitted from the other air conditioners 520 and 530 to the controller 100a.

The controller 100a creates a related information table based on the MAC address response transmitted by each of the air conditioners 510, 520, and 530, and stores it in the memory.
FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of a MAC address acquisition request. In the MAC address acquisition request 73 transmitted from the controller 100a, the IP address of the controller 100a is set as the transmission source IP address. Further, the IP address of the wireless LAN AP 610 is set as the destination IP address. In the MAC address acquisition request 73, an identifier indicating a MAC address acquisition request is set as a message identifier. In response to such a MAC address acquisition request 73, a wireless LAN AP 610 transmits a MAC address response to the controller 100a.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of a MAC address response. In the MAC address response 74 transmitted from the wireless LAN AP 610, the IP address of the wireless LAN AP 610 is set as the transmission source IP address. In the MAC address response 74, the IP address of the controller 100a is set as the destination IP address. The MAC address response 74 includes a device list 72. In the MAC address response 74, an identifier indicating a MAC address response is set as a message identifier.

The controller 100a that has received the MAC address response from each of the wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630 stores a related information table.
FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an example of a related information table according to the fourth embodiment. In the related information table 112a in the fourth embodiment, for example, columns of MAC address, IP address, identification information, and wireless LANAP are provided. The MAC address of each device is set in the MAC address column. In the IP address column, the IP address of the corresponding device is set. In the identification information column, identification information of the corresponding device is set. In the wireless LANAP column, identification information (for example, IP address) of wireless LANAP that performs wireless communication with the corresponding device is set.

Next, procedures of the device detection process and the association process in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to sequence diagrams.
FIG. 40 is a sequence diagram illustrating procedures of device detection processing and association processing according to the fourth embodiment. Among the processes shown in FIG. 40, steps S71 to S82 are device detection processes, and steps S83 to S86 are association processes.

  The air conditioners 510 and 520 and the temperature sensors 410, 420, 430, and 440 transmit device connection notifications by broadcast in wireless communication (steps S71 to S76). The device connection notification transmitted from the air conditioner 510 and the temperature sensors 410 and 420 is transferred to the controller 100 a via the wireless LAN AP 610. At this time, the wireless LANAP 610 stores identification information between the air conditioner 510 and the temperature sensors 410 and 420 (steps S77 to S79). Device connection notifications transmitted from the air conditioner 520 and the temperature sensors 430 and 440 are transferred to the controller 100a via the wireless LAN AP 620. At this time, the wireless LANAP 620 stores identification information between the air conditioner 520 and the temperature sensors 430 and 440 (steps S80 to S82). The controller 100a registers the information shown in the device connection notification sent from each device in the device list 111a.

  Thereafter, when an instruction to execute association processing between devices is input from the user to the controller 100a, the controller 100a transmits a MAC address acquisition request to the wireless LAN AP 610 (step S83). When receiving the MAC address acquisition request from the controller 100a, the wireless LAN AP 610 transmits a MAC address response including the stored MAC addresses of the air conditioner 510 and the temperature sensors 410 and 420 to the controller 100a (step S84). Next, the controller 100a transmits a MAC address acquisition request to the wireless LAN AP 620 (step S85). When receiving the MAC address acquisition request from the controller 100a, the wireless LAN AP 620 transmits a MAC address response including the stored MAC addresses of the air conditioner 520 and the temperature sensors 430 and 440 to the controller 100a (step S86). The controller 100a that has received the MAC address response from the wireless LANAPs 610 and 620 adds the identification information of the wireless LANAP that is the transmission source of the MAC address of the device to the record of each device shown in the device list 111a, and adds it to the related information table 112a. Set.

Next, internal processing of each device in association processing between devices will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of association processing in the controller.

  [Step S301] The controller 100a obtains an instruction to execute association from the user. It is assumed that the number of wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630 and the IP addresses of the wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630 are registered in advance in the controller 100a.

[Step S302] The controller 100a sets an initial value “0” to the variable j.
[Step S303] The controller 100a transmits a MAC address acquisition request to the jth wireless LANAP.

[Step S304] The controller 100a receives a MAC address response from the jth wireless LANAP.
[Step S305] The controller 100a stores information included in the received MAC address response in the related information table 112a in the memory.

[Step S306] The controller 100a adds 1 to the value of the variable j.
[Step S307] The controller 100a determines whether or not the value of the variable j is equal to or greater than the number of wireless LANAPs under the controller 100a. When the value of the variable j is equal to or greater than the number of wireless LANAPs, the association process ends. If the value of variable j is less than the number of wireless LANAPs, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In this way, the controller 100a can acquire the MAC address of the subordinate device from all the subordinate wireless LANAPs, and associate the devices under the same wireless LANAP.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of device association processing in wireless LANAP.
[Step S311] The communication control unit 615 of the wireless LAN AP 610 receives a MAC address acquisition request from the controller 100a via the communication interface 616. The air conditioner 510 transfers the received MAC address acquisition request to the control unit 611.

[Step S <b> 312] The control unit 611 of the wireless LAN AP 610 acquires the device list 72 from the memory 612.
[Step S313] The control unit 611 instructs the communication control unit 615 to transmit a MAC address response including the contents of the device list 72. The communication control unit 615 transmits a MAC address response to the controller 100a via the communication interface 616.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630 accumulate the device information, so that the air conditioner and the temperature sensor installed in the same room can be connected without connecting the air conditioner via a wired network. Can be associated. In addition, when associating devices, it is only necessary to acquire the MAC address of each device from the wireless LAN APs 610, 620, and 630, and it is not necessary to communicate with an air conditioner or a temperature sensor. Therefore, the association can be performed accurately and in a short time. .

  Further, even after the system operation is started, every time a device such as an air conditioner or a temperature sensor is newly installed, the MAC address of the device is stored in the wireless LANAP of the same room. When the user instructs the controller 100a to start the association process, the association between the temperature sensor and the air conditioner can be updated to the content that matches the latest situation.

  In the fourth embodiment, when each device can communicate with a plurality of wireless LANAPs, each device communicates with the wireless LANAP having the strongest signal strength. Thus, each device communicates with the wireless LANAP in the same room even if the radio wave arrives at the wireless LANAP outside the room where the device is installed. As a result, the temperature sensor installed outside the room in which the air conditioner is installed is prevented from being erroneously associated with the air conditioner.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the 2nd-4th embodiment is an example in the case of controlling an air conditioner according to the temperature which the temperature sensor measured, the technique indicated by the 2nd-4th embodiment is other than an air conditioner. It is also applicable to device control. For example, the operation of the heating device or the cooling device can be controlled according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

A humidity sensor can be used instead of the temperature sensor. In that case, the operation of the air conditioner or the humidifier can be controlled according to the humidity measured by the humidity sensor.
Further, instead of the temperature sensor, a particulate sensor (dust sensor) that measures the amount of particulates (dust) in the room can be used. In that case, the operation of the air cleaner can be controlled according to the amount of fine particles measured by the fine particle sensor.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment was illustrated, the structure of each part shown by embodiment can be substituted by the other thing which has the same function. Moreover, other arbitrary structures and processes may be added. Further, any two or more configurations (features) of the above-described embodiments may be combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Measuring apparatus 1a Wireless communication means 1b Measuring means 3 Control object apparatus 3a Wireless communication means 3b Control means 4 Control apparatus 4a Recognition means 4b Storage means 4c Command means 5 Network 6 Wall 7 Room

Claims (7)

One or a plurality of measuring devices capable of wireless communication and measuring a physical quantity value;
A control target device capable of wireless communication and operating according to the received operation command;
Based on the wireless communication status of the one or more measurement devices and the control target device, the measurement device installed in the same room as the control target device is recognized, and based on the value of the physical quantity measured by the measurement device. A control device that outputs an operation command to the device to be controlled;
Having a control system. The control target device transmits a message by wireless communication, notifies the control device of identification information of a measurement device that responds to the message,
The control device recognizes the measurement device indicated by the identification information notified from the control target device as a measurement device installed in the same room as the control target device.
The control system according to claim 1. The one or more measuring devices transmit a message by wireless communication,
When the control target device receives the message, the control target device notifies the control device of identification information of a measurement device that is a transmission source of the message,
The control device recognizes the measurement device indicated by the identification information notified from the control target device as a measurement device installed in the same room as the control target device.
The control system according to claim 1. A wireless communication access point;
When the control device is capable of wireless communication with the control target device via the access point, a measurement device capable of wireless communication via the access point is installed in the same room as the control target device. Recognize as a device,
The control system according to claim 1.   5. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more measurement devices and the control target device perform wireless communication in a frequency band of 50 GHz or more. The one or more measuring devices are temperature sensors that measure temperature,
The device to be controlled is an air conditioner that regulates the temperature of air,
The control device outputs an operation command for the control target device so that a temperature of a room in which the control target device is installed becomes a predetermined temperature.
The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein In a control method in a control system having one or a plurality of measurement devices capable of wireless communication, a control target device capable of wireless communication, and a control device that controls the control target device,
The control device recognizes a measurement device installed in the same room as the control target device based on the wireless communication status of the one or more measurement devices and the control target device,
The measuring device measures a physical quantity value,
The control device outputs an operation command for the control target device based on the physical quantity value measured by the measurement device,
The device to be controlled operates according to the operation command;
A control method characterized by that.

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