JP2022143617A - Control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide techniques for facilitating setting control applications for controlling apparatuses.SOLUTION: A display unit 116 displays information on each of multiple apparatuses. A manipulation unit 118 receives an instruction from a user about at least one piece of the information on each of the multiple apparatuses displayed on the display unit 116. A management unit 112 manages a control application for each of the multiple apparatuses according to the instruction received by the manipulation unit 118. A control unit 120 performs operation control for each of the multiple apparatuses by executing the control application managed by the management unit 112.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to control technology, and more particularly to a control device that controls equipment.

A HEMS (Home Energy Management System) connects home appliances to a communication network and manages them comprehensively using a controller. For example, HEMS monitors power consumption so that users can use power efficiently. This controller provides a management screen that makes it easy to grasp the relationship between pieces of information (see Patent Document 1, for example).

JP 2015-35009 A

A controller controls a home appliance via a communication network by operating an application for controlling the home appliance (hereinafter referred to as "control application"). There is a demand for facilitating the setting of such control applications.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technology that facilitates setting of a control application for controlling equipment.

In order to solve the above problems, a control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device that controls each of a plurality of devices, comprising: a display unit that displays information of a control application for each of the plurality of devices; a management unit that manages the control application displayed in the unit, a control unit that executes the control application managed by the management unit to execute operation control for each of a plurality of devices, and a connection of a new device that is detected and a detector. The display unit displays information about control application candidates including the new device detected by the detection unit. The control application downloaded from the server is downloaded from the server, and the control unit executes the control application downloaded by the management unit.

It should be noted that any combination of the above-described components and expressions of the present disclosure converted between methods, devices, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily set a control application for controlling a device.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to Example 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the control device of FIG. 1; 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing the data structure of the database stored in the storage unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another screen displayed on the display unit in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing still another screen displayed on the display unit in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a control procedure by the control device of FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display unit according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a control procedure by the control system according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display unit according to Example 3; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a control procedure by a control system according to Example 3;

(Example 1)
Before specifically describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be described. This embodiment relates to a control device that controls the operation of each of a plurality of devices installed in a facility such as a residence. The devices are, for example, air conditioners, heat exchange fans, range hoods, air purifiers, and the like, but may also include lighting devices, home electric appliances, and the like. These devices have communication functions compatible with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, and are connected to a control device. The control device executes an application for controlling the equipment (hereinafter also referred to as "control application"), and controls the equipment according to the processing result of the control application. Here, the control device executes a control application corresponding to one device or a combination of two or more devices. The control device is connected to a network such as the Internet, and is connected to a server via the network. The server stores various control applications, and the control device downloads from the server a control application corresponding to connected equipment or a combination of equipment.

When new equipment is installed in a facility, it is desirable to control the new equipment in cooperation with the existing equipment. This corresponds to facilitating setting of control applications that can be linked. The control device according to the present embodiment forms a control group with two or more devices installed in a space, for example, the same room, which is greatly affected by changes in the environment due to air conditioning, and a control application corresponding to each device in the control group. is downloaded from the server and executed. The control device also provides a user interface that allows easy operation for forming control groups.

All of the examples described below represent preferred specific examples of the present disclosure. Therefore, numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, and steps (processes) and order of steps, etc., shown in the following examples are examples and limit the present disclosure. not the gist of it. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following examples, the constituent elements not described in the independent claims representing the top concept of the present disclosure will be described as optional constituent elements. Moreover, in each figure, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the substantially same structure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate|omitted or simplified.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a control system 1000. As shown in FIG. A control system 1000 is provided at a first facility 10a, a second facility 10b, and a third facility 10c, collectively referred to as facilities 10. FIG. The first facility 10a is equipped with a first device 20a to a third device 20c, a first router 30a, a first intra-facility network 40a, a first control device 100a, and a terminal device 200, which are collectively referred to as devices 20. The control device 100 a includes a detection unit 110 , a management unit 112 , a storage unit 114 , a display unit 116 , an operation unit 118 and a control unit 120 . The second facility 10b is provided with a second router 30b, a second intra-facility network 40b, and a second control device 100b. A device 100c is provided. The first router 30a to the third router 30c are connected to a network 50, to which a server 300 is also connected.

The number of facilities 10 provided with the control system 1000 is not limited to "3", and the number of devices 20 is not limited to "3". The first router 30 a to the third router 30 c are collectively referred to as the router 30 , and the first intra-facility network 40 a to the third intra-facility network 40 c are collectively referred to as the intra-facility network 40 . The first control device 100a to the third control device 100c are collectively referred to as the control device 100, and the second control device 100b and the third control device 100c are configured similarly to the first control device 100a. Also, for clarity of explanation, the equipment 20 at the second facility 10b and the third facility 10c is omitted. Although the processing will be described below based on the first facility 10a, the same processing may be performed for the second facility 10b and the third facility 10c.

The device 20 is an air conditioner such as an air conditioner, a heat exchange fan, a range hood, an air purifier, or the like. Each device 20 has a communication function and is connected to the first intra-facility network 40a. The first intra-facility network 40a is, for example, a wireless LAN or a wired LAN, and is also connected to the first control device 100a. The first control device 100 a connects a plurality of devices 20 to be controlled and controls each of the plurality of devices 20 . As described above, the first control device 100a executes control applications to control each of the plurality of devices 20. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the control device 100. As shown in FIG. In the control device 100 , a display unit 116 and an operation unit 118 are arranged on a front surface 104 of a box-shaped housing 102 . A display unit 116 is a monitor capable of displaying information, and an operation unit 118 is a button capable of accepting user operations. When display unit 116 is a touch panel, display unit 116 and operation unit 118 may be integrated. The housing 102 is attached to a wall of the facility 10, for example. Return to FIG.

When a new device 20, for example, a third device 20c, is connected to the first intra-facility network 40a, the new device 20 transmits information about its own device 20 (hereinafter referred to as "device information") to the first intra-facility network 40a. Notify the network 40a. The device information includes, for example, the name of the device 20 and the product number of the device 20 .

The detection unit 110 of the first control device 100a detects connection of a new device 20 by receiving the device information. The detection unit 110 outputs device information to the management unit 112 . The management unit 112 causes the storage unit 114 to store the device information. 3A and 3B show the data structure of the database stored in the storage unit 114. FIG. FIG. 3(a) shows the database at the stage where the device information from the third device 20c is stored. For example, information on five devices 20 installed in the first facility 10a is shown. The device information of the third device 20c corresponds to the information shown in "No. 4". "Device" indicates the name of the device 20 included in the device information, and "Product number" indicates the product number of the device 20 included in the device information. Since "control group" is input by an operation described later, it is left blank for the third device 20c for which device information is only detected. Here, the control group is, as described above, a group formed by two or more devices installed in a space that is greatly affected by environmental changes due to air conditioning. For example, one control group is formed for one room. FIG. 3B will be described later, returning to FIG.

Management unit 112 displays the database stored in storage unit 114 on display unit 116 . FIG. 4 shows a screen displayed on display unit 116 . A first display area 150 is arranged in the upper part of the display part 116 , and a second display area 160 is arranged in the lower part of the display part 116 . The second display area 160 shows the same information as the database shown in FIG. 3(a). That is, the second display area 160 displays information about each of the multiple devices 20 . Specifically, as the information about each of the plurality of devices 20, the name of the device 20 indicating each of the plurality of devices 20 is displayed. An image representing each of the plurality of devices 20 may be displayed in the second display area 160 instead of or in addition to the name. Further, in the second display area 160, information about the new device 20 detected by the detection unit 110 is displayed as information indicated as "No. 4". In the information shown in "No. 4", the "installation location" is left blank.

First display area 150 displays first section 152 a through fifth section 152 e , all sections 154 , collectively referred to as section 152 . Partition 152 and all partitions 154 correspond to each of a plurality of control groups. For example, the first section 152a is the area corresponding to the "Western-style room" control group. The control group should include the device 20 installed in the "western room". For example, in the first section 152a, a first icon 156a indicating "No. , and a third icon 156c indicating .

The second section 152b is an area corresponding to the "LDK" control group. The control group should include the device 20 installed in the "LDK". For example, the second section 152b includes a fifth icon 156e indicating “No. The third section 152c is the area corresponding to the "toilet" control group, the fourth section 152d is the area corresponding to the "dressing room" control group, and the fifth section 152e is the area corresponding to the "bathroom" control group. This is the area where The icons 156 are not included in the third section 152c to the fifth section 152e.

The all section 154 is an area corresponding to the control group of the entire first facility 10a that is not included in rooms such as Western-style rooms and LDKs. The control group should include devices 20 that are not installed in any room. For example, the total section 154 includes a second icon 156 b indicating “No. That is, in each section 152 or all sections 154 displayed in the first display area 150, icons 156 of the devices 20 included in the control group corresponding to the section 152 or all sections 154 are displayed. Instead of the icon 156 of the device 20, the name of the device 20 may be displayed.

The operation unit 118 in FIG. 1 receives a user's instruction for at least one of the information regarding each of the plurality of devices 20 displayed in the first display area 150 or the second display area 160 of the display unit 116 . As described above, the operation unit 118 may be buttons or a touch panel. Here, processing will be described assuming that the operation unit 118 is a touch panel.

In order to include the "No. 4" "air purifier" that is not included in the control group of FIG. Touch the name of the third device 20c, that is, "No. 4" "air purifier". With this touch, the management unit 112 recognizes the user's selection of "No. 4" "air purifier". Following this, the management unit 112 displays the fourth icon 156 d in the “air purifier” portion of “No. The fourth icon 156d is an icon corresponding to "No. 4" "air purifier".

Operation unit 118 receives an operation of dragging and dropping fourth icon 156 d displayed in second display area 160 onto second section 152 b displayed in first display area 150 . Since the management unit 112 recognizes that the second section 152b is an area corresponding to the control group "LDK", the "air purifier" of "No. 4" corresponding to the fourth icon 156d is changed to " LDK” control group. That is, the operation unit 118 receives an instruction to include the new device 20 in the control group. This is a user's instruction to an image or name indicating each of the plurality of devices 20 and can be said to receive an instruction to form a control group from one or more devices 20 .

As shown in FIG. 3B, the management unit 112 adds "LDK" to the "control group" for the "air purifier" of "No. 4". Subsequently, management unit 112 displays the screen shown in FIG. 5 on display unit 116 . FIG. 5 shows another screen displayed on display unit 116 . In the information shown in "No. 4", the "installation location" is shown as "LDK". Return to FIG.

The management unit 112 manages control applications for each of the plurality of devices 20 in accordance with an instruction received by the operation unit 118, that is, an instruction to include each device 20 in one of the control groups. For example, the management unit 112 downloads from the server 300 a control application corresponding to each device 20 included in the control group. For example, the management unit 112 downloads from the server 300 a control application for the air conditioners included in the "Western-style room" control group, and manages the control application. The control application for the air conditioner can control, for example, the operation of the air conditioner (cooling, heating, ventilation), temperature, air volume, and the like. The management unit 112 also downloads from the server 300 a control application for the air purifiers included in the “Western-style room” control group, and manages the control application. A control application for the air purifier can control, for example, the air volume of the air purifier. The air volume indicates the air volume per unit time, for example, one hour.

The management unit 112 downloads from the server 300 a control application for the range hoods included in the “LDK” control group, and manages the control application. A control application for the range hood can control, for example, the air volume of the range hood. Furthermore, when adding “No. That is, the management unit 112 downloads from the server 300 the control application corresponding to the new device 20 included in the control group. Here, the "LDK" control group includes the range hood and the air purifier. When a control application capable of collectively controlling the air volume of the range hood and the air purifier is stored in the server 300, the management unit 112 may download the control application.

The control unit 120 executes control applications managed by the management unit 112 , that is, control applications downloaded by the management unit 112 , thereby controlling operation of each of the plurality of devices 20 . For example, the control unit 120 determines the temperature setting value by executing a control application for the air conditioners included in the "Western-style room" control group. The control unit 120 transmits the temperature set value to the device 20, which is an air conditioner, via the first intra-facility network 40a. The device 20, which is an air conditioner, performs temperature control so as to be close to the received temperature set point. Further, the control unit 120 determines the set value of the air volume by executing the control application for the air purifiers included in the “Western-style room” control group. The control unit 120 transmits the set value of the air volume to the device 20, which is an air purifier, via the first intra-facility network 40a. The device 20, which is an air purifier, adjusts the air volume so as to be close to the received air volume set value.

The management unit 112 determines the set value of the air volume by executing the control application for the range hoods included in the "LDK" control group. The control unit 120 transmits the set temperature value to the device 20, which is a range hood, via the first intra-facility network 40a. The device 20, which is a range hood, adjusts the air volume so as to be close to the received air volume set value.

When the control application for the "No. 4" "air purifier" newly added to the "LDK" control group controls only the air purifier, the control unit 120 controls the air purifier as described above. A process is executed to cause the third device 20c, which is a new air purifier, to adjust the air volume. On the other hand, when the control application for the “air cleaner” of “No. to determine the set value of air volume for the air purifier and the set value of air volume for the range hood. For example, values obtained by halving the desired air volume are determined as the set value of the air volume for the air purifier and the set value of the air volume for the cooker hood. The control unit 120 transmits the set value of the air volume to the third device 20c, which is the new air purifier, and the set value of the temperature to the device 20, which is the range hood, via the first intra-facility network 40a. . Air purifiers and range hoods still do the same thing.

So far, an example of processing for adding "No. 4" "air purifier" to the "LDK" control group has been described. However, in a state where "No. 4" "air purifier" is included in the "Western-style room" control group, "No. 4" "air purifier" is moved to the "LDK" control group. good too. FIG. 6 shows still another screen displayed on display unit 116 . The screen is shown similar to FIG. In the initial state, the fourth icon 156d is arranged in the first section 152a of the first display area 150. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the management unit 112 includes “No. 4” “air purifier” in the “Western-style room” control group.

In order to include "No. 4" "air purifier" included in the "Western-style room" control group in the "LDK" control group, the user touches the fourth icon 156d arranged in the first section 152a. . With this touch, the management unit 112 recognizes the user's selection of "No. 4" "air purifier". Subsequently, the operation unit 118 receives an operation of dragging and dropping the fourth icon 156d arranged in the first section 152a onto the second section 152b. Since the management unit 112 recognizes that the second section 152b is an area corresponding to the control group "LDK", the "air purifier" of "No. 4" corresponding to the fourth icon 156d is changed to " LDK” control group. That is, operation unit 118 accepts an operation of dragging and dropping icon 156 of device 20 included in one of sections 152 displayed in first display area 150 onto another section 152 .

As shown in FIG. 3B, the management unit 112 adds "LDK" to the "control group" for the "air purifier" of "No. 4". Subsequently, management unit 112 displays the screen shown in FIG. 5 on display unit 116 . FIG. 5 shows another screen displayed on display unit 116 . In the information shown in "No. 4", the "installation location" is shown as "LDK". Return to FIG.

The display unit 116 and the operation unit 118 in the first control device 100 a may be included in the terminal device 200 . The terminal device 200 is, for example, a smart phone, a tablet terminal device, or the like. The terminal device 200 may be connected to the first control device 100a via the first intra-facility network 40a, or may be directly connected to the first control device 100a via a short-range wireless communication system such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). good too.

The subject of an apparatus, system, or method in this disclosure comprises a computer. The main functions of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure are realized by the computer executing the program. A computer has a processor that operates according to a program as its main hardware configuration. Any type of processor can be used as long as it can implement functions by executing a program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or LSI (Large Scale Integration). A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or may be provided on a plurality of chips. A plurality of chips may be integrated into one device, or may be provided in a plurality of devices. The program is recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, hard disk drive, or the like. The program may be pre-stored in a recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area network including the Internet.

The operation of the control system 1000 configured as above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a control procedure by the control device 100. As shown in FIG. When the detection unit 110 receives the device information from the new device 20 (Y of S10), the management unit 112 registers the new device 20 (S12). When the operation unit 118 receives an instruction to select a control group for the new device 20 (Y of S14), the management unit 112 registers the control group for the new device 20 (S16). The management unit 112 downloads the control application (S18). If the detection unit 110 does not receive the device information from the new device 20 (N of S10), or if the operation unit 118 does not receive the control group selection instruction for the new device 20 (N of S14), the process ends. be done.

According to this embodiment, when an instruction to form a control group is received from one or more devices 20, a control application corresponding to one or more devices 20 included in the control group is downloaded and executed. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the control application. Further, when an instruction to include a new device 20 in the control group is received, a control application corresponding to the new device 20 included in the control group is downloaded, thereby facilitating setting of the control application. In addition, when an operation of dragging and dropping the icon 156 of the device 20 displayed in the second display area 160 to one of the divisions 152 displayed in the first display area 150 is received, the device 20 is included in the control group. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the control application. Further, when an operation of dragging and dropping an icon 156 of a device 20 included in one of the sections 152 displayed in the first display area 150 to another section 152 is received, the device 20 corresponds to another section 152. Control applications can be set easily because they are included in a specific control group.

A summary of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A control device (100) according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (100) that controls each of a plurality of devices (20), and a display section (116) that displays information about each of the plurality of devices (20). ), an operation unit (118) that receives a user's instruction for at least one of the information on each of the plurality of devices (20) displayed on the display unit (116), and the instruction received by the operation unit (118). Accordingly, a management unit (112) that manages control applications for each of the plurality of devices (20), and by executing the control application managed by the management unit (112), operation of each of the plurality of devices (20) is performed. and a control unit (120) for executing control. A display unit (116) displays an image or a name indicating each of the plurality of devices (20) as information about each of the plurality of devices (20), and an operation unit (118) displays information of the plurality of devices (20). Receiving user instructions for images or names representing each and for forming a control group from one or more devices (20), the management unit (112) selects one device to be included in the control group. A control application corresponding to the device (20) described above is downloaded from the server (300), and the control unit (120) executes the control application downloaded by the management unit (112).

A detection unit (110) that detects connection of a new device (20) may be further provided. A display unit (116) displays information about the new device (20) detected by the detection unit (110), and an operation unit (118) receives an instruction to include the new device (20) in the control group. , the management unit (112) may download a control application corresponding to a new device (20) included in the control group from the server (300).

The display unit (116) has a first display area (150) that displays sections corresponding to each of the plurality of control groups, and a second display area ( 160). Each section displayed in the first display area (150) displays an image or name of the device (20) included in the control group corresponding to the section. 160) of the image or name of the device (20) displayed in the first display area (150) to any one of the sections displayed in the drag-and-drop operation is accepted.

An operation unit (118) accepts an operation of dragging and dropping an image or name of a device (20) included in one of the sections displayed in the first display area (150) to another section.

(Example 2)
Next, Example 2 will be described. Example 2, like Example 1, relates to a control device that controls the operation of each of a plurality of devices. In the first embodiment, when a new device is installed in a facility, the control device includes the new device in one of the control groups by the user's drag-and-drop operation, and each device included in the control group Automatically download the corresponding control application from the server. On the other hand, when a new device is included in one of the control groups, the control device according to the second embodiment cooperates with a control application that supports only the new device and the existing device of the control group and the new device. Let the user choose one of the control applications. The controller downloads the user-selected control application from the server. A control system 1000 according to the second embodiment is of the same type as in FIG. Here, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that a new device 20 such as a third device 20c is connected to the first intra-facility network 40a of FIG. The detection unit 110 of the first control device 100a detects connection of a new device 20 by receiving device information from the third device 20c. The management unit 112 stores the received device information in the database of the storage unit 114 and causes the display unit 116 to display a screen as shown in FIG. When the operation unit 118 receives the user's operation on the screen displayed on the display unit 116, the management unit 112 selects the "air purifier No. 4" corresponding to the fourth icon 156d as in the first embodiment. ” in the control group of “LDK”. In response, management unit 112 updates the database stored in storage unit 114 .

The management unit 112 transmits the device information of each device 20 included in the control group including the new device 20 to the server 300 via the first intra-facility network 40 a , the first router 30 a and the network 50 . The device information of each device 20 included in the control group including the new device 20 is, for example, the air included in the “LDK” control group including the “No. 4” “air purifier”. They are the equipment information of the purifier and the equipment information of the range hood.

When the server 300 receives the device information from the first control device 100a, the server 300 identifies the control application corresponding to the device 20 included in the device information. At that time, a control application corresponding to only one device 20 may be specified, or a control application corresponding to a combination of two or more devices 20 may be specified. Also, more than one control application may be specified for the same device 20 or combination. Two or more control applications, for example, provide different functionality for the same device 20 . The server 300 includes information of one or more specified control applications in the control application candidate information, and transmits the control application candidate information to the first control device 100a via the network 50, the first router 30a, and the first intra-facility network 40a. .

When the control application candidate information is received from the server 300, the management unit 112 of the first control device 100a causes the display unit 116 to display the contents of the control application candidate information. In response, the display unit 116 displays control application information for each of the plurality of devices 20 , particularly control application candidate information including the new device 20 detected by the detection unit 110 . FIG. 8 shows a screen displayed on display unit 116 . As in FIG. 5 , the first display area 150 is arranged in the upper part of the display part 116 and the second display area 160 is arranged in the lower part of the display part 116 . The first display area 150 is the same as in FIG. 5, with a first section 152a corresponding to the "Western-Style Room" control group including a first icon 156a and a third icon 156c. The second section 152b corresponding to the control group "LDK" includes a fourth icon 156d and a fifth icon 156e, and the total section 154 corresponding to the control group for the entire first facility 10a includes a second icon 156b. be That is, the first display area 150 displays a combination of at least one of the multiple devices 20 and the new device 20 .

Here, attention is focused on the “LDK” control group including the fourth icon 156 d corresponding to the new device 20 . When the operation unit 118 receives the user's instruction to select the second partition 152b, the management unit 112 recognizes the selection of the control group "LDK". The management unit 112 causes the second display area 160 to display, among the control application candidate information, information about control application candidates that can be executed by the devices 20 included in the “LDK” control group.

The second display area 160 displays information on a plurality of control application candidates. For example, "No. 1" is information of a control application for an air purifier. Also, "No. 2" is control application information for the combination of the air purifier and the range hood, and "No. 3" is control application information for the combination of the air purifier and the range hood. For example, the control application "No. 2" performs interlocking control of the air purifier and the range hood when the range hood is started, and the control application "No. 3" Execute hood interlock control. In this way, second display area 160 displays control application candidates executable in the combination displayed in first display area 150 .

When the user touches at least one of the plurality of control application candidate information displayed in second display area 160, operation unit 118 instructs to select at least one of the control application candidate information. Accept. Management unit 112 downloads the selected control application from server 300 when operation unit 118 receives an instruction. The control unit 120 performs operation control for each of the plurality of devices 20 by executing the control application downloaded by the management unit 112 as before.

The operation of the control system 1000 configured as above will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a control procedure by the control system 1000. As shown in FIG. The equipment 20 is connected to the intra-facility network 40 (S100). The device 20 transmits device information to the control device 100 (S102). The control device 100 transmits the device information to the server 300 (S104). The server 300 transmits the control application candidate information to the control device 100 (S106). A control application is selected in the control device 100 (S108). The control device 100 transmits a control application request signal for requesting download of the control application to the server 300 (S110). The server 300 transmits the control application to the control device 100 (S112). The control device 100 installs the control application (S114).

According to the present embodiment, information on control application candidates including a new device 20 is displayed, and when an instruction to select at least one of the information on control application candidates is received, the selected control application is downloaded. Since it is executed after the In addition, the first display area 150 displays a combination of at least one of the plurality of devices 20 and a new device 20, and the second display area 160 displays the combination displayed in the first display region 150. Since the information of the candidate control application is displayed, the user's operability can be improved.

A summary of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A control device (100) according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (100) that controls each of a plurality of devices (20), and is a display that displays information of a control application for each of the plurality of devices (20). a management unit (112) for managing the control application displayed on the display unit (116); and executing the control application managed by the management unit (112). It comprises a control unit (120) that executes operation control for each, and a detection unit (110) that detects connection of a new device (20). The display unit (116) displays information about control application candidates including the new device (20) detected by the detection unit (110). is received, the selected control application is downloaded from the server (300), and the control unit (120) executes the control application downloaded by the management unit (112).

The display (116) may comprise a first display area (150) and a second display area (160). A first display area (150) displays a combination of at least one of the plurality of devices (20) and the new device (20), and a second display region (160) displays the first display region (150). Information of control application candidates that can be executed in the combinations displayed in .

(Example 3)
Next, Example 3 will be described. Example 3, like Example 2, relates to a control device that controls the operation of each of a plurality of devices. The control device executes operation control of each device by executing a control application corresponding to each device included in the control group. Under such circumstances, when a new control application that can be executed by the device is uploaded to the server, it is desired that the control device can easily execute the new control application. A control system 1000 according to the third embodiment is of the same type as in FIG. Here we will focus on the differences.

When a new control application is uploaded to server 300, server 300 registers the new control application. The server 300 transmits information about the new control application (hereinafter referred to as “control application information”) to each control device 100 . The control application information includes the name of the new control application, information on the device 20 capable of executing the new control application, and description of the new control application.

The management unit 112 of the first control device 100a receives control application information from the server 300 via the network 50, the first router 30a, and the first intra-facility network 40a. The management unit 112 executes the new control application among the plurality of devices 20 controlled by the management unit 112 based on the information of the devices 20 capable of executing the new control application included in the control application information. Determine whether there is a possible device 20 or not. If it does not exist, the management unit 112 discards the control application information. If it exists, the management unit 112 acquires the control application information. This corresponds to detecting from the server 300 information about new control application candidates for at least one of the plurality of devices 20 . Management unit 112 causes display unit 116 to display information about new control application candidates.

The display unit 116 displays control application information for each of the plurality of devices 20, particularly information about new control application candidates. FIG. 10 shows a screen displayed on display unit 116 . As in FIG. 8 , the first display area 150 is arranged in the upper part of the display part 116 and the second display area 160 is arranged in the lower part of the display part 116 . The first display area 150 is the same as in FIG. 8, and the control application information of "No. 1" to "No. 3" in the second display area 160 is the same as in FIG. "No. 4" is information on a new control application candidate, and is information on a control application for the combination of the air purifier and the cooker hood. Thus, the display unit 116 displays information about new control application candidates detected by the management unit 112 , particularly information about new control application candidates that can be executed in the combination displayed in the first display area 150 . .

When the user touches the information of the control application candidate of “No. Management unit 112 downloads a new control application from server 300 when operation unit 118 receives an instruction. As before, the control unit 120 executes the new control application downloaded by the management unit 112 to control the operation of the combination of the air purifier and the range hood.

The operation of the control system 1000 configured as above will be described. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing control procedures by the control system 1000. As shown in FIG. Server 300 registers a new application (S200). The server 300 transmits control application information to the control device 100 (S202). A new control application is selected in the control device 100 (S204). The control device 100 transmits selection information for requesting download of a new control application to the server 300 (S206). The server 300 transmits the new control application to the control device 100 (S208). The control device 100 installs a new control application (S210).

According to the present embodiment, information about new control application candidates is displayed, and when an instruction to introduce a new control application candidate is received, the new control application is downloaded and then executed. can be easily set. Also, the first display area 150 displays a combination of two or more of the plurality of devices 20, and the second display area 160 displays a new control application executable in the combination displayed in the first display area 150. The user's operability can be improved because the information of the candidate for is displayed.

A summary of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A control device (100) according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (100) that controls each of a plurality of devices (20), and is a display that displays information of a control application for each of the plurality of devices (20). a management unit (112) for managing the control application displayed on the display unit (116); and executing the control application managed by the management unit (112). A control unit (120) that executes operation control for each is provided. A management unit (112) detects, from a server (300), information about new control application candidates for at least one of a plurality of devices (20), and a display unit (116) displays the information that the management unit (112) Display information about the detected new control application candidate, and when the management unit (112) receives an instruction to introduce the new control application candidate, downloads the new control application from the server (300), The control unit (120) executes the new control application downloaded by the management unit (112).

The display (116) may comprise a first display area (150) and a second display area (160). A first display area (150) displays combinations of two or more of the plurality of devices (20), and a second display area (160) performs on the combinations displayed in the first display area (150). Information of possible new control application candidates may be displayed.

The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is an example, and that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure. .

10 Facility 20 Device 30 Router 40 In-facility Network 50 Network 100 Control Device 102 Housing 104 Front 110 Detection Unit 112 Management Unit 114 Storage Unit 116 Display Unit 118 Operation Unit 120 Control Department, 200 Terminal Device, 300 Server, 1000 Control System.

Claims (2)

A control device for controlling each of a plurality of devices,
a display unit that displays control application information for each of the plurality of devices;
a management unit that manages the control application displayed on the display unit;
a control unit that executes operation control for each of the plurality of devices by executing the control application managed by the management unit;
and a detection unit that detects connection of a new device,
the display unit displays information about control application candidates including the new device detected by the detection unit;
the management unit, when receiving an instruction to select at least one of the control application candidate information, downloads the selected control application from a server;
The control unit is a control device that executes the control application downloaded by the management unit. The display unit includes a first display area and a second display area,
the first display area displays a combination of at least one of the plurality of devices and the new device;
2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second display area displays information about candidates for the control application executable in the combination displayed in the first display area.

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