JP4122779B2 - Home appliance control system, home appliance control device, and home appliance - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a home appliance control system that controls home appliances, a home appliance control device,Household appliancesAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-79840 discloses a home that automatically turns on the air conditioner when the user approaches the home by detecting whether the portable wireless device is in the area centered on the home. A control system is disclosed.
  In this system, the setting area is limited to a small area in the center of the air conditioner (for example, an area with a radius of 4 m), and an identification code for identifying the family is attached to the portable wireless device so that the air conditioner performs control operations according to personal information. Is also described. Furthermore, this system can also control the lighting device.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, the conventional home control system as described above can only control one air conditioner or lighting device. Also, when setting personal information, the user has to bother to use a keyboard connected to the information panel of the home control system, and changing the setting is inconvenient. As described above, the conventional home control system has a problem that the user cannot easily operate the home appliance.
[0004]
  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and is an easy-to-operate home appliance control system, home appliance control device,Household appliancesThe purpose is to obtain.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0006]
  The home appliance control system in this invention, when operated by a user, a home appliance that transmits operation information related to this operation, a receiving means that receives the operation information from the home appliance, and a first for the home appliance Storage means for storing setting information; measurement means for measuring the position of the user; determination means for determining whether the home appliance that transmitted the operation information is operated by the user based on the position information measured by the measurement means; Based on the determination result of the determination means, the transmission means for transmitting the first setting information stored for the user to the home appliance, and the operation information of the home appliance includes second setting information indicating a setting change. And setting information updating means for updating the first setting information for the user using the second setting information in correspondence with the determination result of the determination means. Characterized by comprising a consumer electronics control device.
[0007]
  In addition, the home appliance control system according to the present invention includes, when operated by a user, a home appliance that transmits operation information related to this operation, a receiving unit that receives the operation information from the home appliance, and a first appliance for the home appliance. Storage means for storing the setting information of 1 and the position information of the home appliance; measurement means for measuring the position of the user; position information of the user measured by the measurement means; and the home appliance stored in the storage means Determination means for determining whether or not the home appliance that transmitted the operation information has been operated by the user based on the position information, and the first setting information stored for the user based on the determination result of the determination means When the transmission means for transmitting to the household electrical appliance and the operation information of the household electrical appliance include second setting information indicating a setting change, the determination of the determination means Results correspondingly, characterized in that and a home appliance controller having a setting information update means for updating with the first second setting information configuration information for the user.
[0008]
  Moreover, the household appliance control apparatus in this invention WHEREIN: The receiving means which receives the operation information of household appliances from the said household appliances, the memory | storage means which memorize | stores the 1st setting information for said household appliances, The measurement which measures a user's position Means for determining based on the position information measured by the measuring means, whether the home appliance that transmitted the operation information has been operated by the user, and storing for the user based on the determination result of the determining means Corresponding to the determination result of the determination means when the transmission means for transmitting the first setting information to the household appliance and the operation information of the household appliance includes the second setting information indicating a setting change. And setting information updating means for updating the first setting information for the user using the second setting information.
[0009]
  Further, the home appliance control device according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives operation information of the home appliance from the home appliance, a storage unit that stores the first setting information for the home appliance and the position information of the home appliance, Based on the measuring means for measuring the position of the user, the position information of the user measured by the measuring means, and the position information of the home appliance stored in the storage means, the home appliance that has transmitted the operation information is the above Determination means for determining whether the user has operated, transmission means for transmitting the first setting information stored for the user to the home appliance based on the determination result of the determination means, and operation information for the home appliance Includes the second setting information indicating the setting change, the first setting information for the user is used as the second setting information corresponding to the determination result of the determination means. A setting information update means new to, characterized by comprising a.
[0010]
  Moreover, the household appliance control system in this invention memorize | stores personal setting information corresponding to a some user, and when the setting change operation is performed, the household appliances which transmit the request signal which requests | requires identification information, and said request | requirement Based on the receiving means for receiving the signal from the home appliance, the measuring means for measuring the position of the user, and the position information measured by the measuring means, it is determined whether the home appliance that transmitted the request signal has been operated by the user. And a home appliance control device comprising a transmission means for transmitting the user identification information to the home appliance based on the determination result of the determination means and the determination means, the home appliance receives the identification information, The personal setting information of the user corresponding to the identification information is changed.
[0011]
  Further, the home appliance control device according to the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving a request signal for requesting an identification signal from the home appliance, a measuring means for measuring the position of the user, and the request based on the position information measured by the measuring means. A determination unit that determines whether the home appliance that transmitted the signal has been operated by the user; and a transmission unit that transmits the identification information of the user to the home appliance based on the determination result of the determination unit. Features.
[0012]
  In addition, the home electric appliance according to the present invention externally transmits a storage unit that stores personal setting information corresponding to a plurality of users, and a request signal that requests identification information of the operated user when the setting change operation is performed. And a setting changing means for changing the personal setting information of the user corresponding to the identification information when the identification information is received.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference Example 1
  Of this inventionReference exampleAs an example, when there are a plurality of home appliances, the setting information set for one home appliance as the user moves is automatically set for another home appliance.
  Figure 1 shows thisReference exampleIt is a functional block diagram which shows 1 household appliance control system. Here, the first home appliance 3 and the second home appliance 4 are installed in the two rooms 1A and 1B, respectively. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a user who first uses the first home appliance 3 in the room 1A. Reference numeral 6 denotes a portable electronic device carried by the user 2, which outputs radio waves for specifying the position of the user 2. 7 is a position measuring unit that receives radio waves from the portable electronic device 6 and measures the position of the user 2, and 8 is a region between the areas where the user 2 is associated with different home appliances based on the position information measured by the position measuring unit 7. A movement detecting means 9 for detecting whether or not it has moved is a storage means for storing data used by the control means, for example, home appliance setting information, user identification information, and the location where each home appliance is installed. Information is stored. Reference numeral 10 denotes a control unit that receives the movement information of the user 2 from the movement detection unit, and controls the destination household appliance according to the movement when the user 2 moves to an area associated with a different household appliance. . The control means 10 is connected to a plurality of home appliances 3 and 4 through a network.
[0014]
・ Operation of home appliance control device
[0015]
  Next, operation | movement of a household appliance control apparatus is demonstrated using FIG.
  The user 2 changes the setting of the first home appliance 3 by directly operating the remote controller or the first home appliance 3. Here, for example, it is assumed that the temperature setting of the air conditioner is changed.
  Then, the first home appliance 3 transmits the setting information set by the user 2 to the control means 10.
[0016]
  In the home appliance control apparatus that has received this setting information, the position measuring means 7 receives the position information from the portable electronic device 6 (step S2). The position detection method will be described later.
  On the other hand, the control means 10 stores the received setting information in the storage means 9 (step S3). Here, the control means 10 compares the coordinates of the area associated with the home appliance related to the setting information with the coordinates of the position information measured by the position measuring means 7, and the coordinates of the position information enter the above-mentioned area. If so, the personal setting of the user 2 specified by the user identification information transmitted by the mobile electronic device 6 is changed. In addition, when the user 2 is one person, it is not necessary to change the personal setting based on the identification information.
  The movement detection means 8 is based on the position coordinates specified by the position measurement means 7 and the second region associated with the second home appliance 4 from the first area where the user 2 is associated with the first home appliance 3. It is detected whether or not it has moved to the area (step S4). Specifically, the detected position coordinates of the mobile electronic device 6 are compared with the coordinate information of the area stored in advance corresponding to the home appliance, so that the mobile electronic apparatus 6 changes from the first area to the second area. It is determined whether or not it has moved to the area. Here, if it is determined that it has not moved, the process returns to step S2 to return to the detection of position coordinates. If so, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0017]
  Next, when the user 2 moves and information indicating the movement of the user 2 is notified from the movement detection unit 8 to the control unit 10, the control unit 10 selects the household appliances belonging to the moved area from among the plurality of household appliances. Is selected (step S5). Here, since the movement detection means 8 notifies that the user 2 has moved to the second area, the control means 10 selects the second home appliance 4 associated with the second area. Here, for example, the second home appliance 4 is a room air conditioner installed in another room 1B.
[0018]
  Subsequently, the control means 10 reads the setting information stored in the storage means 9 and transmits this setting information to the second home appliance 4.
  Then, the second home appliance 4 receives the setting information, and sets the same setting as that of the first home appliance 3 on its own device based on the received setting information. In the example of the air conditioner described above, the setting of the air conditioner performed in the room 1A is automatically reflected in another air conditioner in the room 1B.
  Here, the compatibility information between the second home appliance 4 and the first home appliance 3 is stored in the storage means 9 in advance, and the compatibility information is compatible with the second home appliance 4. Change the settings of home appliances 4 If there is no compatibility, the setting of the second home appliance 4 may not be changed.
[0019]
  If necessary, after the user 2 moves, the control device 10 may return the setting of the first home appliance 3 installed in the first area to the original setting (for example, the standard setting) ( Step S7). Also, the power can be turned off.
[0020]
  This is the endReference exampleOne home appliance control system is characterized in that the setting set for one home appliance is automatically reflected on other home appliances at the destination as the user 2 moves. Therefore, the user 2 can save the trouble of resetting his / her favorite setting in the home appliance of the moving destination, and does not need to go to the installation location of the control means 10 and change the setting.
[0021]
・ Operation of home appliances
[0022]
  Next, home appliances will be described. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the home appliances 3, 4, and 5. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 represent the same or corresponding parts. Reference numeral 17 denotes a home appliance circuit that has various functions for controlling operation of the home appliance. 18 is a network interface that communicates with the control circuit 10 through a network, 19 is a control circuit that notifies the control means 10 of a setting change of the home appliance via the network interface 18, and receives setting information from the control means 10, A setting change function for reflecting this setting information on the operation of the home appliance circuit 17 is also provided. Reference numeral 20 denotes a storage circuit that stores setting information received by the setting change control circuit 19.
[0023]
  The operation of the home appliance will be described with reference to FIG.
  First, the network interface 18 receives setting information from the control means 10 (step S11). Here, when it is not necessary to obtain the setting information, such as when using the initial setting of the home appliance at the time of activation, this step S11 may not be executed. Also, when the setting information is not transmitted, the process proceeds to the next step S12.
  Subsequently, the setting change control circuit 19 determines whether or not the current setting needs to be changed based on the received setting information (step S12). If there is no change, the process proceeds to step S16.
[0024]
  When changing, the setting change control circuit 19 updates the setting contents of the setting storage circuit 20 based on the setting information (step S13). Here, since the setting information memorize | stored in the setting memory circuit 20 is used when performing operation control of the household appliance circuit 17, the operation | movement of household appliances can be controlled by this setting change.
[0025]
  Next, the setting change control circuit 19 determines whether the user 2 has directly changed the setting of the home appliance using a button provided on the home appliance or a remote controller such as infrared communication made for the home appliance. Check (step S14).
  If the setting has not been changed, the process returns to step S11. If the setting has been changed, setting information set by the user 2 is received from an input device such as a button or a remote controller, and the contents of the setting storage circuit 20 are received. And the updated setting information is transmitted to the control means 10 via the network interface 18 (step S15).
[0026]
  By performing the operation as described above, the home appliance can perform an operation based on the setting information transmitted from the home appliance control apparatus. Moreover, the household appliance control apparatus can collect the information of the setting change which the user 2 performed directly to household appliances.
[0027]
  The setting changed by the user 2 can be any setting used for the home appliance to operate. For example, a TV channel setting, an air conditioner temperature setting, a wind direction setting, and the like can be considered. Since the TV channel setting is stored in a memory (setting storage circuit 20) built in the TV receiver, the setting change control circuit 19 transmits this information to the home appliance control device via the network interface 18. On the other hand, the home appliance control device can be realized by transmitting the received channel setting to another home appliance.
  Further, since the temperature setting of the air conditioner is also stored in the memory (setting storage circuit 20) of the air conditioner, it is possible to transmit the temperature setting set in one home appliance to another home appliance by performing the same control. it can.
[0028]
・ Operations of home appliances using location information from home appliance control devices
[0029]
  Steps S <b> 16 and S <b> 17 in FIG. 4 are additional operation examples of the present invention in which the home appliance controls the operation using the position coordinates of the portable electronic device 6.
  The home appliance setting change control circuit 19 receives the position coordinates measured by the position measurement means 7 via the control means 10, and stores the received position coordinates in the setting storage circuit 20 (step S16).
  Next, the setting change control circuit 17 reads (reads) the position coordinates stored in the setting storage circuit 20, and operates using the position coordinates as operation parameters (step S17).
[0030]
  The home appliance circuit 17 that performs the operation using the position coordinates can be easily realized by using a known technique.
・ Application to air conditioners
  Some known air conditioners detect where a user is and perform wind direction control based on the detection result. For example, it is possible to perform air conditioning that is easy for a person by not directing the person directly on the wind. Here, even if the air conditioner itself is not provided with a human sensor as in the conventional air conditioner, the same control can be performed if the location information of the user 2 is obtained from the home appliance control device that can be used in common by a plurality of home appliances. There is an effect that the configuration of the air conditioner can be simplified.
[0031]
・ Application to TV
  Some known televisions can detect the direction in which the remote controller is present and change the television screen direction by remote operation using a built-in motor. Also in this case, as in the case of the air conditioner described above, if the TV acquires the position information of the user 2 from the home appliance control device, the same direction control is performed without providing a sensor for detecting the direction of the remote controller on the TV itself. Can do.
[0032]
  In the case of the above-described air conditioner and television, if the wind direction or screen direction is calculated from the received position information, the remaining control can be performed in the same manner as when the position or direction is measured by the sensor provided in the device itself. it can. FIG. 5 shows the internal configuration of the home appliance circuit 17 in that case. The direction calculation circuit 17A receives the position coordinates (X1, Y1) of the user 2 and the position coordinates (X2, Y2) of the electronic device from the setting storage device 20. Y2) is received, and the direction of the user 2 is calculated based on the received position coordinates. Then, necessary rotation of the motor 17C is controlled based on the direction information calculated by the motor control circuit 17B. The motor 17C changes the direction of the deflection louver (vane) of the air conditioner and the base of the television.
[0033]
  In the above-described home appliance control system, it is possible to perform not only control such as a room unit or a rough area, but also finer control that specifies a specific position in a room or area.
[0034]
・ Method of position measurement
[0035]
  Figure 6 shows thisReference exampleFIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the position measuring apparatus of FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts.
  Reference numerals 14, 15, and 16 denote antennas that are provided in each room and communicate with the portable electronic device 6, and output radio signals for position measurement of the portable electronic device 6. The antennas 14 to 16 are connected to the position measuring means 7, receive a radio signal from the portable electronic device 6, and transmit it to the control means 10 via the position measuring means 7. Reference numeral 11 denotes an input means such as a button provided on the portable electronic device 6, and 12 denotes a display unit that displays an operation screen when controlling the home appliance, and may also serve as an input device such as a touch panel. Reference numeral 13 denotes an antenna of the portable electronic device 6 that communicates with the antennas 14 to 16 on the home appliance control device side. Here, the position measuring means 7 and the portable electronic device 6 each have a timer, and are synchronized with sufficient accuracy for the position measurement described below.
[0036]
  Next, the operation will be described.
  The position measuring means 7 causes each of the antennas 14 to 16 to output a signal including time information indicating the time of radio wave output from the antenna and an antenna identifier. The antenna 13 of the portable electronic device 6 receives signals from the antennas 14 to 16. Then, the position measuring means 7 measures the reception times t1, t2, and t3 of the identification information transmitted from the respective antennas 14 to 16, and calculates the propagation times d1, d2, and d3 of the respective signals. When this propagation time is multiplied by the signal propagation speed, the distances r1, r2, and r3 from the respective antennas 14 to 16 to the portable electronic device 6 can be obtained.
[0037]
  The portable electronic device 6 calculates the current portable electronic device 6 from the distances r1, r2, r3 and the coordinates (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), (X3, Y3) of the antennas 14 to 16 stored in advance. The coordinates of are calculated. The calculated coordinates are transmitted from the portable electronic device 6 to the control means 10 via the antennas 14 to 16. At this time, user identification information for specifying the user 2 may be transmitted.
  The above can be realized, for example, in the same manner as a known GPS (Global Positioning System) single positioning method. However, the position measurement is not limited to this example, and other positioning methods may be used. For example, in the above-described example, high-resolution measurement is required for measuring the arrival time of signals. However, the radio wave intensity patterns from the antennas 14 to 16 in each room or position are measured in advance, and the radio wave intensity at the position to be measured is measured. The position can also be specified by comparing the pattern with a pre-measured radio wave intensity pattern.
  In the above example, a positioning signal is transmitted from the antennas 14 to 16, but a positioning signal is transmitted from the portable electronic device 6 side, and the time at which each antenna 14 to 16 receives the signal is based on the time. Alternatively, the position may be measured.
  The coordinates are not limited to the two-dimensional case, and the three-dimensional coordinates may be measured using four antennas. This is particularly effective for multi-storey buildings.
  Moreover, the portable electronic device 6 can be used not only for position measurement but also as a remote controller for each home appliance. Also in that case, it is needless to say that the changed setting is set in other household electrical appliances as described above.
[0038]
Reference example2.
  Next, the menu displayed on the portable electronic device 6 is changed according to the position of the user.Reference exampleWill be described.
  Figure 7 shows thisReference example2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the system 2 and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. Here, the portable electronic device 6 is communicably connected via the control means 10 and the antennas 14 to 16 in FIG. 6 and the like, and can control the first to third home appliances 3 to 5.
[0039]
  For example, when the user 2 is in the room 1A, a menu suitable for the position (room 1A) is displayed on the display unit 12 of the portable electronic device 6. That is, since the first home appliance 3 is most frequently controlled in the room 1A, a menu for controlling the first home appliance 3 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.
  Next, when the user 2 moves to the room 1B, a menu corresponding to the moved position (room 1B) is automatically selected on the display unit 12, for example, the second home appliance 4 and the second one. A menu (FIG. 10) for the household electrical appliance 5 is displayed.
[0040]
  In this way, when the portable electronic device 6 is used as a remote controller, the operation menu is selected and displayed according to the position, so that there is an effect that the usability of the user 2 is improved.
[0041]
  next,Reference exampleThe operation of 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the home appliance control apparatus. First, the control means 10 measures the position of the user 2 (the position of the portable electronic device 6) (step S21). The position measuring method is as described with reference to FIG.
  When the position of the user 2 is specified, the control unit 10 reads out information on the home appliance using the specified position from the storage unit 9 as a key. Then, a home appliance corresponding to the corresponding position is selected from a plurality of home appliances (step S22).
  Next, the control means 10 creates a menu for controlling the selected home appliance, and transmits the created menu screen data (menu specific information) via the antennas 14 to 16 (step S23). Here, the menu screen data to be created may have any format. For example, a display format such as HTML (Hyper Text Makeup Language) or an interface program language such as Java (R) language may be used. it can. Further, instead of directly creating the display screen data, a method may be used in which identification information for specifying the home appliance is transmitted to the portable electronic device 6 (as menu specifying information) and a menu screen is created on the portable electronic device 6 side.
[0042]
  By operating as described above, the portable electronic device 6 can receive the menu screen data and display it on the display unit 12. The user 2 can control each home electric appliance by operating the input device 11 (FIG. 6) while looking at the menu displayed on the portable electronic device 6. Here, the operation information of the portable electronic device 6 (instructions for each home appliance, instruction for changing the settings) is transmitted to the antennas 14 to 16 on the home appliance control apparatus side via the antenna 13 of the portable electronic device 6 together with the user identification information. And input to the control means 10. The control means 10 controls each home appliance via the network based on this operation information, and changes the personal setting of the storage means.
[0043]
  For example, when there is an air conditioner (first home appliance 3) in the room 1A, the operation screen of the room air conditioner in the room 1A as shown in FIG. 9 is automatically displayed to the user 2 in the room 1A. At this time, since the mobile electronic device 6 stores that the user 2 is a mother,Reference example 1As described in the above, the screen and settings according to the personal setting information are automatically set in the room air conditioner.
[0044]
  Then, when the user 2 moves to the room 1B, the operation menu displayed on the display unit 12 is also automatically switched, for example, as shown in FIG. Here, since the TV (second home appliance 4) and the room air conditioner (third home appliance 5) are placed in the room 1B, the control means 10 can select the menu of the two home appliances 4 and 5. The menu specifying information is transmitted to the portable electronic device 6 so as to display the message.
[0045]
  On this occasion,Reference exampleAs shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner set in the room 1A may be automatically set in the air conditioner in the room 1B. However, this menu switching system is also effective for a system that does not perform such automatic setting. In this case, the movement detection means 8 is optional.
  Moreover, when controlling the household appliances of another room, the household appliances of another room can be selected from a menu by operation of the user 2.
[0046]
  Note that it is convenient to select home appliances in units of rooms. That is, grouping of a plurality of home appliances is performed as follows.
(First area) Room 1A (x1, y1)-(x2, y2) → First home appliance
(Second area) Room 1B (x3, y3)-(x4, y4) → Second and third home appliances
  Here, the home appliances are grouped in units of rooms as the first group and stored in the storage unit 9. For example, the group of the room 1A is the first home appliance. Similarly, the second group corresponds to the room 1B as the second home appliance and the third home appliance.
[0047]
  Normally, when the user 2 uses a home appliance, the user 2 often operates the home appliance in the room in which the user 2 is located. improves.
[0048]
  Further, the storage means 9 stores the priority order corresponding to each display item on the menu screen, and as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. If the display item does not enter, the display item with the lower priority may be deleted.
  For example, it is assumed that the priority order is set as follows for the display items in FIG. Temperature setting button High (priority)
Power button high
Heating button high
Air conditioning button high
Blow button high
Dehumidification button Low
Wind direction adjustment button Low
[0049]
  In the setting as described above, when the menu of one home appliance is displayed on the display unit 12, the control means 10 or the portable electronic device 6 operates to display all the buttons. On the other hand, when the operation menus of a plurality of home appliances are displayed at a time as shown in FIG. 10, the control means 10 reads the priority from the storage means 9, deletes the display item with the lower priority, The operation screen information is configured by selecting and combining high display items.
  That is, a step (display determination means) for determining whether or not a plurality of predetermined display items can be displayed on one screen, and a priority set corresponding to the display item when it is determined that the display cannot be completed The selection of display items as described with reference to FIG. 10 can be realized by selecting the display items to be displayed and executing the step of configuring the operation menu (screen configuration means).
  The display determination unit and the screen configuration unit may be provided in the home appliance control apparatus or may be provided in the portable electronic device 6.
  By configuring and displaying the screen as described above, the operation menus of a plurality of home appliances can be displayed even on the small display unit 12.
[0050]
Embodiment1.
  Next, a home appliance control system that automatically specifies the user 2 who operates the home appliance based on the position and performs settings and operations according to the user 2 will be described.
  FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram for explaining the home appliance control system of the first embodiment. 11, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 represent the same or corresponding parts, 21 is connected to the home appliance via the network, and receiving means for receiving operation information from the home appliance, and 22 to the home appliance. Transmission means for transmitting personal setting information or personal identification information, 23 is another user, and 24 is a portable electronic device carried by the user 23. Note that the portable electronic devices 6 and 24 may be any devices that can identify the positions of the users 2 and 23, and may not have a function of remotely controlling home appliances like a remote controller. For example, it may be a wristwatch, a necklace, or a small transmitter attached to clothes.
[0051]
  Here, there are a plurality of users, and it is assumed that the first home appliance 3 performs an operation corresponding to the user. That is, when the user 2 approaches the first home appliance 3 and directly operates the first home appliance 3, the personal setting of the user 2 is set in the first home appliance 3. On the other hand, when the user 23 approaches the first home appliance 3 and operates the first home appliance 3, the personal setting of the user 23 is set in the first home appliance 3.
  Further, the control unit 10 automatically learns the operation information sent from the home appliance without setting the user 2 to the control unit 10 via the portable electronic device 6.
[0052]
  By operating as described above, the user 2 can operate the home appliance without having to bother to re-input the user name and his / her favorite setting to the home appliance. For example, when the home appliance is a microwave oven, the user 2 can set a favorite heating time (set temperature). For example, when the milk is warmed, the user 2 likes the heat, so set the heating time longer. And when you actually use the microwave oven, if you choose to heat milk from the menu, the microwave oven will automatically set your favorite temperature. When another user 23 operates the microwave oven, the user 23's favorite setting is automatically set, and for example, the temperature is heated slightly lower than that of the former user 2.
  Here, since the personal setting is automatically learned from the operation of the home appliance previously performed by the user 2 itself, there is an effect that the usability of the user 2 is further improved.
[0053]
  In addition, when the home appliance is a computer, the home appliance control system automatically identifies the user 2, so that the user can use the computer with his own settings without turning on the power and entering the user name. Can do.
[0054]
  Further, when the home appliance is a toilet automatic washing machine, the system automatically sets the user's favorite washing mode without having to input information for identifying the user. Alternatively, if the toilet has an automatic urine test function, the test result is automatically recorded in a file corresponding to the user 2. Note that the example of the toilet and the example of the computer may not have the personal setting automatic learning function.
[0055]
  In addition, when the home appliance is a lighting device, the home appliance control device automatically learns the preference of the user 2, and the lighting environment that the user 2 prefers (if there are multiple lights, the lighting appliance that the user 2 prefers) Lighting up and adjusting the brightness) can be automatically set.
  The home appliance control apparatus according to this embodiment is not limited to these examples, and can be used for any home appliance that operates according to a user.
[0056]
・ Operation of home appliance control device
[0057]
  Next, operation | movement of a household appliance control apparatus is demonstrated in detail using FIG.
  When the first home appliance 3 is operated (for example, when an operation button of a microwave oven is pressed), information on this operation is transmitted from the first home appliance 3 to the receiving means 21. The receiving means 21 receives this operation information. For this operation information, various operation information of home appliances such as information from sensors that detect turning on power, opening / closing of doors, etc. can be used as necessary in addition to various setting information. The identification information of the household electrical appliance that transmitted is inserted.
[0058]
  The control means 10 is the first home appliance that has sent operation information from the location information of the users 2 and 23 measured by the location measurement means 7 and the location information of the first home appliance stored in the storage means 9 in advance. Is selected as the operating user (that is, the operating user is determined. Step S32). In addition, since the other user who does not have the portable electronic device 6 may operate the 1st household appliances 3, when there is the user 2 or 23 within the preset threshold value, it will be set as no user. You may do it.
[0059]
  Subsequently, the control means 10 determines whether or not the operation information is to change the setting (step S33). Here, if not to be changed, the setting information corresponding to the user 2 determined by the control means 10 in step S32 is transmitted to the first home appliance 3 by the transmission means 22 (step S34). When the transmission ends, the process returns to step S31.
[0060]
  If it is to be changed, the changed setting is stored in the storage area of the user 2 in the storage means 9, and the personal setting of the user 2 who has operated the first home appliance 3 is updated (step S35).
[0061]
・ Operation of home appliances
[0062]
  Next, the operation of the home appliance will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
  First, the home appliance determines whether an operation by the user 2 has been performed (step S41). If there is no operation, the loop returning to step S41 is repeated, and the same processing is repeated until there is an operation.
[0063]
  When there is an operation by the user 2, the first home appliance 3 transmits information (operation information) for specifying the operation to the receiving means 21 via the network (step S42).
  Then, the 1st household appliances 3 receive setting information from the transmission means 22 (step S43).
[0064]
  Next, the first home appliance 3 sets an operation mode according to the received setting information, and starts an operation in accordance with the user's personal setting (step S44). Here, when the user's operation is an operation for changing the setting, the setting may be changed and the operation may be performed without waiting for the setting information from the transmission unit 22. When step S44 ends, the process returns to step S41.
[0065]
  By operating as described above, the home appliance or home appliance control device automatically learns the user's personal settings, so that the user 2 bothers to go to the installation position of the control means 10 and update his / her settings. You don't have to. That is, a home appliance control device that is easy for the user to operate can be obtained.
[0066]
  As described above, the example has been described in which the home appliance control apparatus has personal setting information and the home appliance control apparatus transmits the personal setting information to the home appliance. However, the position of the user 2 is specified by the home appliance control apparatus. You may make it give to an apparatus. The embodiment will be described below.
[0067]
  FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram illustrating the home appliance control system. 14, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 or FIG. 11 denote the same or corresponding parts. Reference numeral 19 denotes a setting change circuit that is connected to the network, detects a setting change operation by the user 2, and updates the personal setting information of the home appliance stored in the setting storage circuit 20 according to the user identification information.
[0068]
  Next, the operation will be described. The basic operation is as described with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, but the personal settings are stored and updated in the home appliance, and the information transmitted from the home appliance control device is user identification information. Different.
[0069]
  First, when the first home appliance 3 detects that the user's own device has been operated by the user 2, operation information (request signal) is transmitted to the receiving means 21. This operation information may notify the content of the operation as described above, or may simply be a request signal for requesting transmission of user identification information to the home appliance control device.
  The home appliance control device performs the same operation as described in FIG. 12, but the setting change operation is not necessarily performed. In step S34, the setting information corresponds to the user 2 determined in step S32. Without sending user identification information.
[0070]
  The setting change control circuit 19 of the first household electrical appliance 3 receives this user identification information (step S43 in FIG. 13), and in step S44 in FIG. 13, the user identification information is stored from the personal setting information stored for each user. Read personal setting information corresponding to the information. Then, the setting change control circuit 19 changes the current setting using the read personal setting information. As a result, the current setting stored in the setting storage unit 9 is changed, and the home appliance circuit of FIG. 3 operates based on this current setting, so that the personal setting according to the user 2 is automatically set. .
[0071]
  In addition, regarding the setting change among the operations of the user 2, the home appliance operates as follows. For example, after step S44, the setting changing unit 19 determines whether or not the operation of the user 2 is to change the setting. If it is determined that the setting is not to be changed, the setting changing unit 19 returns to step S41. On the other hand, if it is to be changed, the personal setting information in the setting storage circuit is updated according to the operation of the user 2 in accordance with the user identification information.
[0072]
  By operating as described above, it is possible to perform automatic learning of personal settings according to the user 2 without storing the personal settings in the home appliance control device, and to provide the user 2 with an easy-to-operate home appliance system. be able to.
[0073]
  Reference examples 1, 2,Embodiment1The personal settings are not limited to those described above, for example, air conditioner humidity settings, preferred channel settings for each time zone, and information on specific addresses to be displayed for refrigerators equipped with an Internet information display unit ( Super sale information), for example, for large-capacity recording equipment that records all programs for one week, preset genre settings (edit displayed programs according to this genre setting), microwave oven Temperature settings, electronic locks (e.g., electromagnetic cookers, gas ranges, refrigerators, personal computer settings or child lock settings such as child locks, and lighting devices when a specific person approaches the target home appliance It can be applied to any setting that regulates the operation according to the individual.
  Moreover, as household electrical appliances, all electrical appliances that can be used at home can be used, and not only for personal use but also for commercial use.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
  Since this invention is comprised as demonstrated above, there exists an effect that operation of household appliances can be made easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 of the present inventionReference example1 is a functional block diagram of a home appliance control system according to FIG.
FIG. 2 of the present inventionReference example2 is an operation flowchart of the home appliance control device according to FIG.
FIG. 3 of the present inventionReference exampleIt is a functional block diagram of the household appliances by.
FIG. 4 of the present inventionReference example2 is an operation flowchart of the home appliance according to FIG.
FIG. 5 of the present inventionReference exampleIt is a circuit diagram of the household appliances circuit by.
FIG. 6 of the present inventionReference exampleIt is a functional block diagram of the position measuring system by the.
FIG. 7 of the present inventionReference exampleIt is a functional block diagram of the household appliance control system by 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 of the present inventionReference example2 is an operation flowchart of the home appliance control apparatus according to FIG.
FIG. 9 shows the present invention.Reference example2 is a menu display example according to FIG.
FIG. 10 shows the present invention.Reference example2 is a menu display example according to FIG.
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the present invention.1It is a functional block diagram of the household appliance control system by.
FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the present invention.1It is an operation | movement flowchart of the household appliance control apparatus by.
FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the present invention.1It is an operation | movement flowchart of the household appliances by.
FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the present invention.1It is a functional block diagram of the household appliance control system by.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1A, 1B rooms, 2,23 users, 3-5 home appliances, 6,24 portable electronic devices, 7 position measuring means, 8 movement detection means, 9 storage means, 10 control means 10, 17 home appliance circuit, 18 network interface , 19 setting change control circuit, 20 setting storage circuit.

Claims (7)

When operated by a user, home appliances that transmit operation information related to this operation,
Based on the receiving means for receiving the operation information from the home appliance, the storage means for storing the first setting information for the home appliance, the measuring means for measuring the position of the user, the position information measured by the measuring means, Determining means for determining whether or not the home appliance that has transmitted the operation information has been operated by the user, and transmission for transmitting the first setting information stored for the user to the home electric appliance based on the determination result of the determining means When the operation information of the means and the home appliance includes the second setting information indicating the setting change, the first setting information for the user is set to the second corresponding to the determination result of the determination means. A home appliance control system comprising: a home appliance control device provided with setting information updating means for updating using setting information. When operated by a user, home appliances that transmit operation information related to this operation,
Receiving means for receiving the operation information from the home appliance, storage means for storing first setting information for the home appliance and position information of the home appliance, measuring means for measuring the position of the user, and the measuring means Determining means for determining whether the home appliance that transmitted the operation information is operated by the user based on the measured position information of the user and the position information of the home appliance stored in the storage means, and this determining means Based on the determination result, the transmission means for transmitting the first setting information stored for the user to the home appliance, and the operation information of the home appliance indicate a setting change.
Setting information updating means for updating the first setting information for the user using the second setting information in response to the determination result of the determining means when the second setting information is included. A home appliance control system comprising: a home appliance control device. Receiving means for receiving operation information of the home appliance from the home appliance;
Storage means for storing first setting information for the home appliance;
Measuring means for measuring the position of the user;
Based on the position information measured by the measuring unit, a determining unit that determines whether the home appliance that transmitted the operation information is operated by the user;
Based on the determination result of the determining means, transmitting means for transmitting the first setting information stored for the user to the home appliance;
When the operation information of the home appliance includes the second setting information indicating the setting change, the first setting information for the user is changed to the second setting information corresponding to the determination result of the determination unit. A home appliance control device comprising: setting information updating means for updating by using. Receiving means for receiving operation information of the home appliance from the home appliance;
Storage means for storing first setting information for the home appliance and position information of the home appliance;
Measuring means for measuring the position of the user;
Determining means for determining whether the home appliance that transmitted the operation information is operated by the user based on the position information of the user measured by the measuring means and the position information of the home appliance stored in the storage means When,
Based on the determination result of the determining means, transmitting means for transmitting the first setting information stored for the user to the home appliance;
When the operation information of the home appliance includes the second setting information indicating the setting change, the first setting information for the user is changed to the second setting information corresponding to the determination result of the determination unit. A home appliance control device comprising: setting information updating means for updating by using. Household appliances that store personal setting information corresponding to a plurality of users, and that transmit a request signal for requesting identification information when a setting change operation is performed,
Receiving means for receiving the request signal from the home appliance, measuring means for measuring the position of the user, and the home appliance that has transmitted the request signal based on the position information measured by the measuring means A determination unit that determines whether the user has operated, and a home appliance control device that includes a transmission unit that transmits the identification information of the user to the home appliance based on the determination result of the determination unit;
The home electric appliance receives the identification information and changes the personal setting information of the user corresponding to the identification information. Receiving means for receiving a request signal for requesting an identification signal from the home appliance;
Measuring means for measuring the position of the user;
Based on the position information measured by the measuring unit, a determining unit that determines whether the home appliance that transmitted the request signal has been operated by the user;
A home appliance control apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the identification information of the user to the home appliance based on a determination result of the determination unit. Storage means for storing personal setting information corresponding to a plurality of users;
When a setting change operation is performed, a request signal for requesting identification information of the operated user is transmitted to the outside. When the identification information is received, the personal setting information of the user corresponding to the identification information is transmitted. A home appliance having a setting change means for changing.

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