JP2020173502A - Control device, apparatus operation control system, control method, control program, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

To cause an apparatus to perform a predetermined operation after a long stop time period, without utilization of its own power source.SOLUTION: In an apparatus operation support system 1, a control device 10 comprises: a connection state detection unit 101 which communicably connects with an apparatus 6 and detects a connection state of communication with the apparatus; a time period calculation unit 102 which calculates a disconnection time period; and an operation instruction unit 103 which determines an operation instruction content according to a length of the disconnection time period and instructs the apparatus to perform the operation instruction content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a control device or the like that controls the operation of a device such as a home electric appliance connected to a network.

When the device changes from the state where it is not connected to the network to the state where it is connected to the network, there is a device that determines that the device has been relocated only when there is a change in the network environment and causes the device to perform appropriate processing. .. In addition, there is a device that displays an unusual display when the hibernation state is restarted for a certain period of time. Further, there is conventionally known a system that calculates a period during which a device is stopped in an energized state and displays a message when the length of the stop period elapses for a predetermined time or more.

Seasonal products such as air conditioners are often operated with the AC outlet plugged in during the season, but in the off-season, some users leave the AC outlet unplugged to save power in standby power consumption. .. In the case of an air conditioner, a compressor is used, and if it is not energized for a long period of time, the oil in the compressor will solidify, and the load on the compressor at the start of operation will be greater than usual, causing a malfunction. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to determine that the compressor has not been energized for a long period of time, and at that time, warm up the compressor (maintenance operation).

JP-A-2009-128313 JP 2017-190942

As a technique for solving this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that displays a display different from the usual one when the hibernation state is restarted for a certain period of time. However, in the case of this device, a RAM or a power source for backup is required when the energization is cut off. If the AC outlet is unplugged from a single device without a backup power supply, the power supply to the microcomputer and memory is also cut off, so it is not possible to determine how long the non-power supply period was. Installing a secondary battery in a device only for determining the period has problems such as cost increase and an increase in the mounting area of parts, and in the case of a long period of time such that the capacity of the secondary battery is exhausted, the determination is naturally made. become unable.

Further, in Patent Document 2, when the device changes from the state where the device is not connected to the network to the state where the device is connected to the network, it is determined that the device has been relocated only when there is a change in the network environment, and it is appropriate for the device. A system for performing various processes is disclosed. However, in this system, processing is performed only when the network environment changes, and the network environment does not change just by returning from the state where the AC outlet is unplugged for a long time as described above, so processing is performed. Can't do.

One aspect of the present invention is to realize a control device or the like capable of causing a device to perform a predetermined operation after a long stop period without using its own power source.

In order to solve the above problems, the control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device that is communicably connected to a device and controls the device, and detects a connection state of communication with the device. The connection state detection unit, the period calculation unit that calculates the non-connection period during which communication is not connected to the device based on the detected connection state, and the operation instruction content are determined according to the length of the non-connection period. Then, the device is provided with an operation instruction unit for instructing the operation instruction content.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, the control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling a device connected so as to be communicable, and is a connection for detecting a connection state of communication with the device. The state detection step, the period calculation step for calculating the non-connection period during which communication is not connected to the device based on the detected connection state, and the operation instruction content are determined according to the length of the non-connection period. , Including an operation instruction step for instructing the device of the operation instruction content.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the control device instructs the device to operate according to the length of the non-connection period during which communication is not connected to the device. Here, if the device is not energized and the operation is stopped, the communication with the control device is not connected either. Therefore, during the non-connection period when the device and the communication are not connected, the device is not energized and the operation is performed. It can be regarded as a period of suspension. Therefore, the device can be made to perform a predetermined operation after a long stop period without using its own power supply.

It is a functional block diagram of the control device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence between the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and other apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the disconnection state database of the control device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification operation of the control device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a table which shows the example of the notification message of the control device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the control device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification operation of the control device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

〔Constitution〕
FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the equipment operation control system 1 and the control device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The device operation control system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a control device 10, a device 6, and a terminal device 5.

The device operation control system 1 may be a system in which the control device 10 and the device 6 are configured on a one-to-one basis, or may be a network system including a plurality of devices 6. The communication connecting the control device 10 and the device 6 may be configured by either wired or wireless, and may be partially wireless.

The device operation control system 1 is a control system typically connected by the Echonet Lite standard and included in a domain configured so that home appliances can communicate with each other. Alternatively, it may be included in a network configured according to a specific standard, which is configured so that home appliances can communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the control device 10 is included in the domain. However, the control device 10 may be configured to connect to the domain via a gateway controller (not shown) and provide a control service on the cloud.

The device 6 is typically a device whose frequency of use fluctuates greatly depending on the season, for example, an air conditioner. The content of the maintenance operation is typically the warm-up operation of the compressor. However, it is conceivable that the power may be pulled out due to various factors other than seasonal factors. The device 6 is not limited to the air conditioner, and may be another home electric appliance.

The device 6 includes a display unit 61 and an utterance output unit 62. As will be described later in this embodiment, any of them may not be included.

The display unit 61 presents the notification received from the notification unit 104, which will be described later, to the user using a display device such as a display.

The utterance output unit 62 presents the notification received from the notification unit 104, which will be described later, to the user using the speaker.

The device 6 is always connected to the AC power supply, and can respond to the connection status acquisition request as long as there is no network failure or the like. When the AC outlet of the device 6 is unplugged (or the battery is unplugged to prevent liquid leakage, etc.) in the off-season, the power supply to the device 6 is cut off, and the connection status acquisition request is received and connected. The state cannot respond. When the season comes again and the AC outlet is plugged in again, the device 6 responds to the connection status acquisition request. Here, if the device is not energized and the operation is stopped, the communication with the control device is not connected either. Therefore, during the non-connection period when the device and the communication are not connected, the device is not energized and the operation is performed. It can be regarded as a period of suspension.

The device 6 may be a device that operates by receiving power supply and allows the user to switch between a power supply state and a non-supply state. In the present embodiment, the device 6 is described as being supplied with power from a household power source by wire and switched by connecting / disconnecting an outlet, but is supplied with power wirelessly (non-contactly) and is not supplied by moving from a cradle or the like. It may be a device to be used. Further, the device may have a detachable battery.

The terminal device 5 is a terminal device used by a user of the device to operate the device, and includes a display unit 51. The terminal device 5 is connected to the control device 10 via the communication network 99, and is preset so that it can receive and respond to inquiries and instructions from the control device 10. For example, the terminal device 5 is in a connected state so that it can receive a message related to the notification from the device 6 in the network or the control device 10 by the cloud service provided by the home appliance maker and present it to the user. It is set before the detection starts.

When the terminal device 5 receives an inquiry from the notification method determination unit 1041 described later, the terminal device 5 may answer whether or not the notification can be performed using the display unit 51.

The display unit 51 presents a message related to the notification received from the notification unit 104, which will be described later, to the user using a display device such as a display.

The terminal device 5 may be provided with a vibrating portion to notify by vibration, or may be provided with a configuration of presenting using SNS (Social Network Service). As described above, the terminal device 5 is provided with more notification methods, so that a more suitable method can be selected and the terminal device 5 can be more reliably transmitted to the user.

The control device 10 includes a storage unit 109, a connection state detection unit 101, a period calculation unit 102, a maintenance operation necessity determination unit 105, an operation instruction unit 103, and a notification unit 104, and is connected to a device 6 and a terminal device. 5 is controlled.

The storage unit 109 includes an existing device database 1091, a model database 1092, and a non-connection state database 1093.

The existing device database 1091 holds data on what kind of device is connected to the network as an existing device.

The model database 1092 determines the model of the existing device connected to the network, a predetermined threshold value for the length of the period in which the model is determined to require maintenance operation, and what kind of operation should be performed as maintenance operation. Store. For example, when the device 6 is an air conditioner, the predetermined threshold value for the length of the period in which the air conditioner is determined to require maintenance operation may be one month in consideration of the risk of oil freezing, or the backup power supply is exhausted. One year may be set in consideration of the risk. Various periods can be set in consideration of the characteristics of the equipment, the type of maintenance operation, and the type of risk assumed. The model database 1092 may be incorporated in the control device 10, or data may be acquired by a route (not shown) such as inquiring the manufacturer for data for each model.

The non-connection state database 1093 includes an existing device device ID 1093a, a non-connection state start date and time 1093b, and a maintenance operation flag 1093c for each device 6.

The existing device device ID 1093a includes the device ID, the model name, the IP address at the time when the connection state is finally detected, and the like of the device 6 connected to the communication. The control device 10 records what kind of device is connected by using the existing device device ID 1093a.

The disconnection state start date and time 1093b indicates the time when the device 6 is first detected as unresponsive. As will be described later, when the device 6 is first detected as having no response, the connection state detection unit 101 stores the time when the detection is performed as the disconnection state start date and time.

The maintenance operation flag 1093c is a flag indicating that the non-connection period is equal to or longer than the threshold value. As will be described later, this flag is set by the maintenance operation necessity determination unit 105.

The connection state detection unit 101 receives the existing device device ID from the existing device database 1091, and repeatedly requests the connection state acquisition of the device 6 at a predetermined timing for the device. The predetermined timing may be a fixed cycle such as every 15 minutes or every hour, or may be an indefinite cycle. When the connection state detection unit 101 receives a response from the device 6, it detects that the device 6 is in the connected state. When the response is not received, the connection state detection unit 101 detects that the device 6 is in the non-connection state, and stores the non-connection state start time point in the non-connection state start date and time 1093b. After that, the connection state detection unit 101 transmits the detection result of each device to the period calculation unit 102 (connection state detection step).

The period calculation unit 102 acquires the device ID of the existing device and the non-connection state start date and time from the non-connection state start date and time 1093b. The period calculation unit 102 calculates the non-connection period of each existing device based on the detection result of each device received from the connection state detection unit 101, the device ID of the existing device acquired, and the disconnection state start date and time. (Period calculation step).

The maintenance operation necessity determination unit 105 acquires the data of the device 6 from the model database 1092. The maintenance operation necessity determination unit 105 determines whether or not the length of the received non-connection period is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, sets a flag and sets the maintenance operation flag 1093c. Store. For example, if the device 6 is an air conditioner and the predetermined period is one month, and the length of the non-connection period is one month or more, the AC outlet of the device 6 is unplugged and maintenance operation is required. It is determined that the state is in a state, a flag is set, and the maintenance operation flag 1093c is stored.

When the connection state detection unit 101 detects that the communication with the device 6 is in the connection state, the operation instruction unit 103 receives a notification to that effect from the connection state detection unit 101. Then, the operation instruction unit 103 refers to the maintenance operation flag 1093c of the non-connection state database 1093, and when the flag is set, the operation instruction content (second content) for performing maintenance operation on the device 6. Is transmitted, and the notification unit 104 is requested to give a notification (operation instruction step). At this time, the operation instruction unit 103 rewrites the maintenance operation flag 1093c so that the flag is in a fallen state. When the maintenance operation flag 1093c is referred to, if the flag is not set, the normal operation instruction content (first content) may be transmitted to the device 6.

The notification unit 104 receives the notification request from the operation instruction unit 103, and transmits the received request to the notification method determination unit 1041.

The notification method determination unit 1041 makes an inquiry to the terminal device 5, confirms the model data of the device 6, or makes an inquiry to the device 6, and acquires a notification method that can be used for notification. After that, from the notification method, a notification method for actually performing the notification is determined. Specifically, whether or not the display unit 61 of the device 6 whose calculated length of the non-connection period is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value can be used, that is, whether or not the device 6 includes the display unit 61. Whether or not it is determined, and if possible, notification can be given using the display unit 61. If this is not possible, that is, if the device 6 does not include the display unit 61, the notification method determination unit 1041 can then receive the notification from the control device 10 and present it to the user in advance. It is confirmed whether or not there is a set terminal device 5, and if the terminal device 5 is present, it is inquired whether or not it is provided with a display unit 51 that can be used for notification, other vibration units, and the like. When the terminal device 5 includes any of the components, the notification can be performed using any of the components. If there is no terminal device 5, or if there is no component that can be used for notification, the notification method determination unit 1041 can then make the notification using the utterance output unit 62 of the device 6. When the notification is given by voice, even when the user cannot take his / her hand off, such as when he / she cannot afford to check the screen display, the notification can be transmitted without burdening the user.

The notification method is not limited to one, and a plurality of notification methods may be used in combination. For example, first, the utterance output unit 62 of the device 6 may be used for presentation to the user, and the display unit 61 may be used for presentation. As a result, the message can be transmitted to all users.

After determining the notification method, the notification method determination unit 1041 transmits a creation instruction for creating a message to be used for notification to the message creation unit 1042.

After receiving the creation instruction, the message creation unit 1042 creates an appropriate message for each device. For example, when the device 6 is an air conditioner and the content of the maintenance operation is the warm-up operation of the compressor, a message is created so as to present the reason for the maintenance operation and the device for the maintenance operation to the user.

〔motion〕
Next, the operations of the control device 10, the device 6, and the terminal device 5 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

At the start of the sequence, the device 6 shall be disconnected from the power supply. First, the connection state detection unit 101 receives the existing device device ID from the existing device database 1091, and periodically requests the connection state acquisition of the device 6 for the device (step S001). When the response from the device 6 cannot be obtained, the connection state detection unit 101 detects that the device 6 is in the non-connection state and records the start date and time of the non-connection state (step S002).

After that, the connection state detection unit 101 periodically (for example, every 15 minutes) requests the connection state acquisition of the device 6 until the length of the non-connection period satisfies the condition of the predetermined period (step S003).

After making the connection state acquisition request, the period calculation unit 102 acquires the device ID of the existing device and the non-connection state start date and time from the non-connection state start date and time 1093b. The period calculation unit 102 calculates the non-connection period of each existing device based on the detection result of each device received from the connection state detection unit 101, the device ID of the existing device acquired, and the disconnection state start date and time. Then, it is transmitted to the maintenance operation necessity determination unit 105 (step S004). The maintenance operation necessity determination unit 105 determines whether or not the length of the received non-connection period is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, sets a flag and sets the maintenance operation flag 1093c. Store (step S005).

FIG. 3 shows an example of the non-connection state database 1093. As shown in the column (a) of FIG. 3, in the column of the existing device device ID, the existing devices connected to the network are assigned their IDs and stored. As shown in the column (b) of FIG. 3, the column of the disconnection state start date and time 1093b stores the disconnection state start date and time of the device 6 corresponding to each existing device device ID. If there is no non-response period like the record in which the existing device device ID is "bbbb", that is, if the device 6 responds to the last connection status acquisition request, the non-connection status start date and time 1093b is blank. Is. As shown in the column (c) of FIG. 3, when the maintenance operation necessity determination unit 105 sets a flag, "1" is stored in the maintenance operation flag 1093c.

After the state in which "1" is stored in the maintenance operation flag 1093c, the connection state detection unit 101 further periodically (for example, at intervals of 15 minutes) requests the connection state acquisition of the device 6 (step S101).

Then, after the power supply to the device 6 is restarted, the device 6 that has received the connection status notification request responds to the connection status detection unit 101 with the connection status based on the request content (step S102).

At this time, the operation instruction unit 103 refers to the maintenance operation flag 1093c, confirms that the flag is set, and gives an operation instruction content (second content) for performing maintenance operation on the device 6. Along with the transmission (S103), the notification unit 104 is requested to notify. When requesting the notification, the operation instruction unit 103 rewrites the maintenance operation flag 1093c so that the flag is in a fallen state. That is, "0" is stored in the maintenance operation flag 1093c.

On the other hand, the device 6 operates according to the operation instruction content received from the operation instruction unit 103. For example, if a maintenance operation is instructed, the operation is performed.

In addition, the notification unit 104 that has received the notification request transmits the received request to the notification method determination unit 1041. Then, the notification method determination unit 1041 makes an inquiry to the terminal device 5, confirms the model data of the device 6, or makes an inquiry to the device 6, and acquires a notification method that can be used for notification. After that, from the notification method, a notification method for actually performing the notification is determined (S104).

After the notification method determination unit 1041 determines the notification method, the notification unit 104 has been disconnected from the device 6 or the terminal device 5 such as a smartphone for a long period of time according to the determined notification method ( A message is output (S105a) (S105b) so as to indicate that maintenance operation is to be performed (because there was no operation).

The device 6 that has received the message presents the received message to the display unit 61 of the device 6, or speaks to the user by the utterance output unit 62 of the device 6 (S106a). Further, the terminal device 5 such as a smartphone that has received the message presents the received message on the display unit (S106b).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the device 6 presents to the user the reason for performing the maintenance operation, such as "the power has not been turned on for a long period of time, so the warm-up operation is performed." In addition, the terminal device 5 presents to the user the equipment to be maintained and the reason for the maintenance operation, such as "The air conditioner has not been turned on for a long time, so the air conditioner is warmed up." When the notification is given by the terminal device, it can be more reliably transmitted to the user who owns the terminal device.

FIG. 5 shows (A) a device type, (B) a message presented to the user by the device 6, and (C) a message presented to the user by the terminal device 5, including the case where a device other than the air conditioner is the target device. An example of a message is shown. An example of the air conditioner described above is shown in line i). As shown in ii), iii), iv), v) in row (A), the device 6 may be a microwave oven, a refrigerator, a washing machine, or an air purifier. For example, ii) air-baking operation for microwave ovens, iii) warm-up operation for compressors for refrigerators, iv) washing inside tanks for washing machines, and v) air purifiers. If there is, the filter cleaning operation may be performed. Further, other maintenance operations may be performed depending on the characteristics of the device. For example, the filter cleaning operation may be performed in the air conditioner, which enables various maintenance operations.

By notifying the user by the above process, when the device 6 starts the maintenance operation without the instruction of the user, a message is presented to the user. Therefore, the reason why the maintenance operation is started can be promptly and explicitly communicated to the user, and the user can be noticed.

It should be noted that the maintenance operation may be performed only when the user is allowed to select permission for whether or not the device 6 performs the maintenance operation and the operation is permitted. In this case, the step S103 for transmitting the operation instruction content (second content) may be performed after the user permits the maintenance operation, or the instruction is once transmitted in S103 and the user does not perform the maintenance operation. It may be stopped if permission is selected. As a result, when the user wants to perform another operation immediately regardless of the automatically determined operation content (first content or second content), the automatically determined operation is performed. Instead, the operation intended by the user can be performed. For example, if the air conditioner is reconnected to the AC outlet in the summer and the user wants the device 6 to perform the cooling operation immediately, the cooling is performed even if it is automatically decided to warm up the compressor. The operation can be prioritized. The device 6 or the terminal device 5 such as a smartphone may be used to select whether or not to drive. Even if a device that has not been energized for a long time starts maintenance operation and cannot be operated as instructed by the user, the state and reason are communicated to the user, so it is possible to reduce the stress of the user. it can.

With the above operation, even if the user unplugs the AC outlet of device 6 (air conditioner) to save standby power consumption in the off-season, the compressor is automatically warmed up when the outlet is plugged in again. Can be made. As a result, when the air conditioner (equipment 6) is operated for the first time in a long time, the compressor is warmed up to minimize the load on the compressor at the start of operation and prevent a failure.

By periodically acquiring the connection status of the device 6 from the control device 10, the non-energized state is detected based on the contents of the non-connection status database, and it is possible to determine how long the non-energized period was. become able to.

By detecting the state of not being energized for a long period of time, it becomes possible to perform necessary processing not only when the network environment changes, and it becomes a device that has just recovered from the state where the AC outlet was unplugged for a long time. However, processing can be performed. Further, by notifying the user of the device that has not been energized for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent the user from performing an operation that imposes a burden on the device.

[Embodiment 2]
Subsequently, other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals will be added to the members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment, and the description will not be repeated. In the second embodiment, the device 6 does not include a display unit and an utterance output unit, and the notification device 7 included in the same network domain performs notification on behalf of the device 6.

〔Constitution〕
The equipment operation control system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the device operation control system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the device operation control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the device 6 does not include a display unit and an utterance output unit. The device operation control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a notification device 7. The control device 10 controls the notification device 7.

The notification device 7 according to the present embodiment includes an utterance output unit 72. The utterance output unit 72 presents the notification received from the notification unit 104 to the user using the speaker.

〔motion〕
The operation until the notification method determination unit 1041 receives the notification request is the same as that in the first embodiment.

The notification method determination unit 1041 confirms the model data of the device 6 or makes an inquiry to the device 6, and detects that the device 6 does not have a notification method that can be used for notification. After that, the notification method determination unit 1041 searches for other devices including the utterance output unit 72 in the device operation control system 1 in addition to the device 6. When another device including the utterance output unit 72 exists, the notification method determination unit 1041 determines the device as the notification device 7, and determines to perform voice notification using the utterance output unit 72 of the device. The notification device 7 is, for example, an air purifier.

After the notification method determination unit 1041 determines the notification method, the notification unit 104 maintains the notification device 7 because the device 6 has been disconnected for a long period of time according to the determined notification method, that is, because there has been no operation. Output a message to indicate that you are driving.

A display unit (not shown) may be used instead of the utterance output unit 72. As a result, even if none of the devices includes the utterance output unit 72, if there is a device having a display unit as another means, the display unit can be used to present a message to the user. Further, the other device to be searched is not limited to the device existing in the device operation control system 1, but may be a device connected to another network determined to be a device in the same house. For example, it may be a device on a wireless LAN (WiFi (registered trademark)) network connected to a gateway of a network including the device operation control system 1, or a device connected to Bluetooth (registered trademark). Alternatively, it may be a device provided with GPS (Global Positioning System) and determined to be in the same house by using GPS. For example, if they are installed in the same house, the display function and voice utterance function of the liquid crystal of other home appliances such as a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a television may be used.

As a result, the device 6 does not necessarily have to have a display unit such as a liquid crystal or an utterance output unit, so that the present invention can be carried out at a lower cost.

The notification device 7 presents the received message to the user by voice utterance from the utterance output unit 72 of the notification device 7. Alternatively, the received message is presented on a display unit (not shown) of the notification device 7.

FIG. 7 is an example of the notification operation of the device operation control system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. For example, as the content of the voice utterance message, "The air conditioner has not been turned on for a long time, so the air conditioner will be warmed up." Is presented to the user.

In the above example, the voice call is performed only by the notification device 7, but both the device 6 and the notification device 7 may present the voice call to the user. Specifically, the device 6 is configured to include the display unit 61 or the utterance output unit 62, and after it is decided to present using either of them, the notification method determination unit 1041 searches for another notification device. It may be determined as the notification device 7 and further notified may be performed using the utterance output unit 72 of the notification device 7. By presenting to the user from various devices using various methods, it is possible to convey a message to the user without exception.

[Modification example]
Although an example in which the control device 10 is configured as a device other than the device 6, the terminal device 5, or the notification device 7, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example. For example, the control device 10 may be configured to be included in the terminal device 5 or the notification device 7. As a result, the terminal device 5 or the notification device 7, which is a terminal that presents the notification to the user, performs the device operation control process, so that the control device 10 can perform a faster process in response to the instruction from the user. it can. Further, the control device 10 may be configured to be included in the device 6. For example, an air conditioner and a microwave oven may exist as a plurality of devices 6 in the device operation control system 1, each of which includes a control device 10 and may be configured to detect a connection state and transmit operation instructions to each other. ..

[Example of realization by software]
The control block of the control device 10 (particularly the connection state detection unit 101, the period calculation unit 102, the operation instruction unit 103, the notification unit 104, and the maintenance operation necessity determination unit 105) is a logic formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. It may be realized by a circuit (hardware) or by software.

In the latter case, the control device 10 includes a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function. The computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device) and at least one computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. Then, in the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes it, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, in addition to a "non-temporary tangible medium" such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program may be further provided. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. It should be noted that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
The control device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a control device that is communicably connected to the device and controls the device, and is a connection state detection unit that detects the connection state of communication with the device and the detection. Based on the connection state, the period calculation unit that calculates the non-connection period during which communication is not connected to the device and the operation instruction content are determined according to the length of the non-connection period, and the operation is performed on the device. It is provided with an operation instruction unit for instructing the instruction content.

According to the above configuration, the control device instructs the device to operate according to the length of the non-connection period during which communication is not connected to the device. As a result, when the target device operates again and the non-connection period ends without using its own power supply, a predetermined operation can be performed after the non-connection period.

In the control device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the length of the non-connection period is less than a predetermined threshold value, the operation instruction unit has the first content as the operation instruction content. Is selected, and when the length of the non-connection period is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, a second content different from the first content is selected as the operation instruction content.

According to the above configuration, when the length of the non-connection period is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the control device can, for example, minimize the load on the device and prevent a failure. Can be instructed to the device.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the control device according to the third aspect of the present invention provides a notification unit that notifies the user of the device when the length of the non-connection period is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value. Be prepared.

According to the above configuration, by notifying the user who uses the device whose length of the non-connection period is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, for example, the user can perform an operation content that imposes a burden on the device. It is possible to suppress giving instructions.

In the third aspect, the notification unit according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a display unit included in the device, an utterance output unit included in the device, and a terminal used by a user of the device to operate the device. A message related to the notification is output from at least one of the devices.

According to the above configuration, when the device starts the maintenance operation without the instruction of the user, the reason why the maintenance operation is started can be presented to the user by using the message related to the notification.

The control device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention controls the other device by communicably connecting to another device different from the device installed in the same house as the device in the third aspect. The notification unit outputs a message related to the notification from the other device.

According to the above configuration, a message related to the notification can be output from another device installed in the same house as the device.

In the control device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fifth aspects, the device is an air conditioner, and the second content is a warm-up operation of the compressor.

According to the above configuration, the air conditioner that has been stopped for a long period of time can be made to warm up the compressor when the operation is resumed.

The control device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control device is realized by the computer by operating the computer as each part (software element) included in the control device. The control program of the control device and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

1 Equipment operation control system 10 Control device 101 Connection status detection unit 102 Period calculation unit 103 Operation instruction unit 104 Notification unit 105 Maintenance operation necessity judgment unit 109 Storage unit 1093 Non-connection status database 1093c Maintenance operation flag 5 Terminal device 51 Display unit 6 Equipment 61 Display unit 62 Speech output unit 7 Notification device 72 Speech output unit

Claims (10)

A control device that is communicatively connected to a device and controls the device.
A connection status detector that detects the connection status of communication with the device,
Based on the detected connection status, the period calculation unit that calculates the non-connection period during which communication is not connected to the device,
A control device including an operation instruction unit that determines an operation instruction content according to the length of the non-connection period and instructs the device to the operation instruction content. When the length of the non-connection period is less than a predetermined threshold value, the operation instruction unit selects the first content as the operation instruction content, and the length of the non-connection period is the predetermined threshold value. The control device according to claim 1, wherein in the above case, a second content different from the first content is selected as the operation instruction content. The control device according to claim 2, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user of the device when the length of the non-connection period is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value. The notification unit is used for the notification from at least one of a display unit included in the device, an utterance output unit included in the device, and a terminal device used by a user of the device to operate the device. The control device according to claim 3, which outputs such a message. The control device is installed in the same house as the device and is communicably connected to another device different from the device to control the other device.
The control device according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit outputs a message related to the notification from the other device. The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the device is an air conditioner, and the second content is a warm-up operation of a compressor. A device operation control system including the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the device. A control method that controls communicably connected devices.
A connection status detection step that detects the connection status of communication with the device, and
A period calculation step for calculating the non-connection period during which communication is not connected to the device based on the detected connection state, and
A control method including an operation instruction step of determining an operation instruction content according to the length of the disconnection period and instructing the device of the operation instruction content. A control program for operating a computer as the control device according to claim 1, wherein the computer functions as a connection state detection unit, a period calculation unit, and an operation instruction unit. A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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