JP4664579B2 - Management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a management system including a multi-agent system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  By using a combination of a human detection sensor (human sensor) and presence / absence switch for an elderly person living alone, for example, a device that monitors an elderly person who is a resident (for example, Patent Document 1) or a device in a house (in a dwelling unit) via a network An apparatus for monitoring and controlling (for example, Patent Document 2) is provided.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
            JP-A-5-250576
[Patent Document 2]
            JP 2001-16203 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  By the way, in each above-mentioned conventional example, it is a system that takes a form that is completed by a combination of a device and a processing means corresponding to this device, and is flexible and expandable. In some cases, it is difficult to convert the system.
[0005]
  In view of the above points, the present invention can easily reduce or expand the system by deleting or adding device agents or functional agents. It is to provide a management system that makes it easy to convert the system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, in the invention of claim 1, a plurality of device agents that perform information transmission / reception and control processing of a plurality of devices from a plurality of devices to be monitored or controlled, and system management A multi-agent is configured by cooperating with these multiple device agents and multiple functional agents.And a policy agent that has the management policy of the user as information and reflects the information in the processing operation performed by each agent based on the instruction from the user. Control information is generated according to the information, and the device agent performs device control processing based on the control information.It is characterized by that.
[0007]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, as the action setting means of each agent, an action setting means comprising a setting function based on a description in a natural language and a function for interpreting the setting contents in the described natural language. It is characterized by having.
[0008]
  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, as the operation setting means of the entire system, an operation setting comprising a setting function based on a description of a natural language and a function of interpreting a setting content using the described natural language It is characterized by having a means.
[0009]
  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the device agent is provided with means for acquiring information relating to information exchange and control over the device via a network. .
[0010]
  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a manager agent that has information related to characteristics unique to the system and breaks down a management policy related to device control. Characterize.
[0011]
  In invention of Claim 6, in any invention of Claim 1 thru | or 5,The management policy information of the user is given to the user support agent, and the policy agent is made to manage the information.
[0012]
  In the invention of claim 7, in any one of claims 1 to 6,It is characterized by providing a service agent that breaks down an abstract, schematic, and comprehensive user management policy related to device control.
[0013]
  In the invention of claim 8, in any one of claims 1 to 7,The policy agent has a function of interpreting information contents of a management policy written in a natural language.
[0014]
  In invention of Claim 9, in any invention of Claim 1 thru | or 8,Sensors that detect the state of equipment, home appliances, people or things installed in the dwelling unit as the above equipment are provided, and have specifications information on the equipment, home appliances, and sensors. In addition to collecting operating status information of home appliances and detection information from sensors, a device agent having a function of controlling these equipment, home appliances, and sensors is provided.
[0015]
  In the invention of claim 10, in the invention of claim 9,The device agent has means for acquiring the specification information via a network.
[0016]
  In invention of Claim 11, in invention of Claim 9 or 10,A function agent is provided, which has a determination function for performing a composite determination on information collected by the device agent and grasping a living situation of a resident and performing a response process based on the determination result.
[0017]
  In the invention of claim 12, in the invention of claim 9 or 10,An agent having a determination function for grasping the living situation of a resident by making a composite determination of the information collected by the device agent and an agent for performing a response process based on the determination result are provided as independent function agents. And
[0018]
  In invention of Claim 13, in invention of Claim 11 or 12,The above handling process is changed according to a user management policy.
[0019]
  In the invention of claim 14, in any one of claims 11 to 13,The determination function is characterized by determining whether the resident is going home / outing by combining operation status information indicating locking / unlocking of an electric lock used as equipment and detection information of a human sensor.
[0020]
  In the invention of claim 15, in any of claims 11 to 14,The determination function is characterized in that the sleeping state of the resident is determined based on detection information of a human sensor provided in the bedroom and operating state information of the equipment corresponding to the bedroom.
[0021]
  In the invention of claim 16, in any one of claims 11 to 15,The determination function is characterized by grasping an abnormality sign depending on whether or not information indicating a living situation is within a certain range of reference situations.
[0022]
  In the invention of claim 17, in any of claims 9 to 16,A function agent having a determination function for comprehensively determining information collected by the device agent and grasping an energy saving state, and a function for performing a response process when a room for energy saving is detected from the determination result is provided. To do.
[0023]
  In the invention of claim 18, in any one of claims 9 to 17,An agent that has a judgment function that grasps the energy saving situation by making a composite judgment on the information collected by the device agent, and an agent that performs a response process at the time of detecting the energy saving room from the judgment result are provided as independent function agents. It is characterized by being.
[0024]
  In the invention of claim 19, in any one of claims 11 to 18,The determination logic of the determination function is changed according to a user management policy.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
[0026]
  FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a management system of the present invention used in a system for controlling and monitoring equipment around a house, and has specification information of equipment 1 to be controlled and monitored such as housing-related equipment and sensors. Also, a function agent comprising a device agent part A composed of a device agent group for acquiring and controlling device operation status information and detection information, and a function agent group constituting a multi-agent in cooperation with the device agent of the device agent part A Part B, a user policy agent C having user management policy (user policy) as information and reflecting it in the system operation, and taking in the user management policy from the external operation terminal 2, and taking this management policy as the user policy agent User support for management in C Constituted by the stringent D.
[0027]
  The device agent of the device agent section A has an interface for transferring information between devices such as housing facilities and sensors and controlling the device, and plays a role of absorbing differences in the connected devices 1. It is an agent that has.
[0028]
  On the other hand, the function agent of the function agent unit B is composed of agents corresponding to functions necessary for the control / monitoring system to be constructed. These function agents are the device agent of the device agent unit A, the user policy agent C, and the user support. By cooperating with Agent D, a system that performs management by multi-agents is constructed.
[0029]
  Here, for example, in the case of constructing a control / monitoring system mainly for crime prevention and disaster prevention, a system for performing control / monitoring mainly focusing on the elderly person or the like for the security agent part B1 composed of a group of security agents. In the case of construction, in order to determine the status sign agent part B2 consisting of the status grasping agent group having the judgment function for grasping the living situation and the abnormality sign from this situation judgment, and to perform processing corresponding to it Energy-saving agent unit B4 comprising a group of energy-saving agents for judging the energy consumption status in the case of constructing a control / monitoring system for energy-saving. Various machines according to the system to be built By preparing a function agent unit B comprising the agent, to facilitate the extension.
[0030]
  Further, by providing the user policy agent C with information as a management policy for determining how to use each user, the system can be developed for various purposes.
[0031]
  Next, an embodiment of a control / monitoring system using this system will be described.
(Embodiment 1)
  In the present embodiment, a control / monitoring system is installed in an elderly person's house to watch over the elderly person who is a resident. As shown in FIG. , Toilet sensor 11 installed on the door of the toilet, etc. to detect the entrance / exit of the toilet, electric lock 12 installed at the entrance of the house, entrance, etc., lighting fixtures 13 installed in appropriate places such as each room in the house, and air conditioning equipment 14 and the electric curtain 15, the television 16, the massage machine 17, the heating toilet seat 18 and the like are connected through corresponding terminal portions (not shown) for control and monitoring. Predetermined signal forms between the terminals 10 such as the sensors 10 and 11, the electric lock 12, the lighting fixture 13, the air conditioner 14, the massage machine 17, the television 16, the electric curtain 15, and the heating toilet seat 18. Communication function for control and monitoring that performs bidirectional communication from a transmission signal, and protocol conversion function that bidirectionally converts a protocol used in the LAN 30 using a predetermined networking system such as 10BASET and a protocol used in the local bus 3 Are connected to the home gateway 31.
[0032]
  A local computer 32 made up of a personal computer and a router 33 are connected to the LAN 30.TheOn the WAN side of the router 33, the Internet 40 is connected by a dial-up connection using an analog telephone line modem, a terminal adapter for ISDN, or a constant connection using a modem such as ADSL.
[0033]
  That is, the WAN side of the router 33 is connected to the Internet 40, so that the local computer 32 and the home gateway 31 of the LAN 30 and the center server 41 and the mail server 42 on the Internet 40, as well as the gateway 43 and the mobile communication network. For example, information can be exchanged with the mobile phone 20 constituting the operation terminal via a predetermined Internet protocol.
[0034]
  Here, the configuration of the multi-agent used in the system according to the present embodiment has an interface for acquiring each sensor, each equipment device, operation status information and detection information of home appliances, and device control as shown in FIG. , Device agent part A consisting of a group of device agents having specifications of each equipment and home appliance, and a situation grasping agent that grasps the occupant's occupancy status and activity status from the operation status information and detection information of each sensor and each device 1 Situation grasping agent unit B2 composed of a group, and a monitoring agent that performs a judgment of a resident's occupancy status and an abnormality sign in cooperation with each situation grasping agent of the situation grasping agent unit B2 and each device agent of the device agent part A A group of watch agent parts B3 and equipment agent parts A and device status information The energy consumption status (room for energy saving) is determined in cooperation with each status grasping agent of the gent unit B2 and the action agent unit B5 described later, and the detection determination of the energy saving target device for the energy saving countermeasure performed through the device agent is performed. Coordinate with the energy-saving agent part B4 consisting of energy-saving agent groups, each monitoring agent of the monitoring agent part B3, and each energy-saving agent of the energy-saving agent part B4, and determine the action to execute (create e-mail, HTML data, etc.) It consists of an action agent section B5 consisting of a group of action agents to be performed.
[0035]
  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a device agent unit A consisting of a device agent group and a situation grasping agent unit B2 consisting of a situation grasping agent group are incorporated in a local computer 32 consisting of a personal computer connected to the LAN 30. .
[0036]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the computer constituting the center server 41 on the Internet 40 incorporates an energy saving agent unit B4, a monitoring agent unit B3, and an action agent unit B5, and log files such as mail exchanges with users. A database DB is provided.
[0037]
  Here, as the situation grasping agent part B2, as shown in FIG. 6, a room presence state agent B21, an outing and returning agent B22, a bathing agent B23, a toilet agent B24, and a sleeping agent B25 are provided, and the equipment agent part A is a lighting agent. A11, air conditioning (air conditioner) agent A12, television agent A13, massage machine agent A14, and curtain agent A15 are provided. In FIG. 6, each agent is abbreviated as A after the name). Each equipment agent A11... Can acquire specification information such as the type of equipment corresponding to the equipment agent A11 from the outside using the local computer 32, and the operation setting can be performed in a natural language, and has an interpretation function. Further, information on how to exchange information with devices and control methods can be acquired from the outside using the local computer 32.
[0038]
  Furthermore, it is provided as one of the agents watching over the contradiction check agent B31 that checks the contradiction of the occupancy status based on the information from each agent part A, B2, assuming that the resident is one person. These agents B31... Can be set with operation settings from the outside through the LAN 30, and a natural language is used as the setting language, and the agent B31.
[0039]
  Next, the functions of these agents will be described.
[0040]
  The occupancy status agent B21 determines where the resident is currently in based on the detection information of the human sensor 10 provided in each room and the entry detection information of the toilet sensor 11, or the resident's day The occupancy status is grasped, and the determination result and grasp information are watched and given to the agent part B3.
[0041]
  The going-out home agent B22 determines whether the resident is going out / going home, grasps the current outing / occupation status from the lock / unlock information of the electric lock 12 and the detection information of the human sensor 10 installed at the entrance, ”And the like, and the determination result and the grasp information are watched and given to the agent part B3.
[0042]
  The bathing agent B23 performs bathing usage determination, current usage status determination, today's bathing time zone, and the like based on the on / off information of the lighting fixtures 13 installed in the bathroom. The agent part B3 is watched over.
[0043]
  The toilet agent B24 performs the toilet use determination, the current use status determination, grasps the time zone of today's toilet use based on the detection information of the toilet sensor 11, and observes the determination and grasp information to give to the agent unit B3. It is like that.
[0044]
  Furthermore, the bedtime agent B25 determines bedtime and grasps the current bedtime based on the bedroom occupancy information from the occupancy status agent B21 and the on / off information of the lighting fixtures 13 installed in the bedroom. And monitoring the judgment results and grasping information to give to the agent part B3.
[0045]
  The lighting agent A11 of the equipment agent section A grasps the current on / off state of the lighting fixture 13 for each room from the on / off information of the lighting fixture 13, and further grasps the on-time zone of each lighting fixture 13 today. This is done to watch the grasp information and give it to the agent part B3 and the energy saving agent part B4, and perform the off control of the corresponding lighting fixture 13 based on the off control information given through the energy saving agent part B4.
[0046]
  In addition, the air conditioning agent A12 grasps the current on / off status of each air conditioning equipment 14 and the set temperature from the on / off information and temperature setting information of the air conditioning equipment 14, and further grasps the on time zone of each air conditioning equipment today. The temperature of the air conditioner 14 corresponding to the air conditioning equipment 14 is checked based on the off control information and the temperature setting control information given through the energy saving agent unit B4. Off control and temperature setting control are performed.
[0047]
  The TV agent A13 grasps the current on / off state of the TV 16 from the on / off information of the TV 16, and further grasps the on-time period of the TV 16 today. Based on the off control information given to the agent unit B4 and through the energy saving agent unit B4, the corresponding television 16 is controlled to be off.
[0048]
  The massage machine agent A14 grasps the current on / off state of the massage machine 17 from the on / off information of the massage machine 17, and further grasps the on-time period of the massage machine 17 today, and watches the grasp information. The corresponding massage machine 17 is turned off based on the off control information given to the agent part B3 and the energy saving agent part B4 and also through the energy saving agent part B4.
[0049]
  Furthermore, the curtain agent A15 grasps the current opening / closing state of the electric curtain 15 from the opening / closing detection information of the opening / closing detection switch (not shown) of the electric curtain 15, grasps the time zone when the current electric curtain 15 is open, etc. Based on the opening / closing control information given to the grasping information watching agent part B3 and the energy saving agent part B4 and given through the energy saving agent part B4, the corresponding electric curtain 15 is controlled to be opened and closed.
[0050]
  FIG. 7 shows a specific configuration example of the monitoring agent unit B3, the energy saving agent unit B4, and the action agent unit B5 of the center server 41. The monitoring agent unit B3 includes the inconsistency check agent B31, the situation grasping agent unit B2, and the like. The abnormal sign agent B32 for detecting an abnormal sign based on the information from each agent B21 ..., A11 ... of the device agent part A and the information from the above-described contradiction check agent B31, the situation grasping agent part B2 and the device agent part A .., A11... And a daily grasping agent B33 having a function of periodically creating a current situation summary (for example, every hour) based on information from the agents B21..., A11.
[0051]
  On the other hand, the energy saving agent unit B4 passes control information to the agents A11 of the device agent unit A based on the device control execution instruction information from the action agent unit B5, and directly controls the heating toilet seat 18, for example. Energy-saving control agent B41 having a function for generating control information for the weather, a weather information agent B42 for obtaining weather information from the weather information website and outputting the current weather information, and this weather information and situation grasping agent part B2 And an energy saving diagnosis agent B43 that detects an energy saving object based on information from the agents B21..., A11.
[0052]
  Further, the action agent unit B5 sends a notification sent when there is an abnormality in the above-mentioned abnormality sign agent B32, further notifies the completion of the status summary from the day grasping agent B33, and detects the energy saving target from the energy saving diagnostic agent B43. Action decision agent B51 that decides to create and send e-mails based on notifications, and also to create web pages, and scheduled reports, alerts for abnormalities, and confirmation of energy-saving actions (control) based on decisions by action decision agent B51 In the center server 41 based on the creation of each mail, the mail agent B52 that transmits to the mail address of the user registered in advance via the mail server 42, and the web page creation decision of the action decision agent B51. Web server unit 41 provided Create a web page for the user's website built with HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), create a CGI (Common Gateway Interface), and confirm confirmation of energy-saving control from users sent through the web page Web agent B53 which notifies the said energy-saving control agent B41 of an instruction | indication is provided (in FIG. 7, an agent is abbreviated as name A).
[0053]
  Next, the operation in this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.
[0054]
  If the abnormal sign agent B32 of the center server 41 detects the abnormal sign of the resident from the detection information of the toilet agent B24 sent to the center server 41 from the local computer 32 of the residential unit to be watched through the Internet 40, this detection is performed. In response, the action decision agent B51 decides creation / transmission of an e-mail and creation of a Web page, and based on this decision, a text e-mail M as shown in FIG. 8A is addressed to a user who is a resident's family. And send it to the user's email address. The mail server 42 mediates and manages the transmission / reception of the electronic mail.
[0055]
  In the text example of the email M shown in FIG. 8A, a comment sentence indicating that the resident who is the person to be watched is in the toilet for a long time and a sentence prompting the user to check the state are described. A button U that links to the URL of a Web page that contains detailed information is described. The transmission time is also described.
[0056]
  In response to this incoming e-mail notification, a user who has read the text on, for example, a mobile phone 20 having a web browser function first places the cursor on the button unit U and operates the keys to grasp the situation. The URL to be linked is accessed, and the Web page corresponding to the URL is displayed on the Web browser screen of the mobile phone 20 as shown in FIG.
[0057]
  FIG. 8B shows an example of a display screen of a Web page created by the Web agent B 53 based on the current status summary created by the one-day grasp agent B 33 of the center server 41. Along with the heading “Toilet Long Time”, information showing how residents are going to enter and exit the toilet is posted. In addition, as “Today's report”, the number of times the resident has gone out, the time zone, the number of bathing times and the time zone, the number of times the toilet is used and the time, the maximum and minimum temperatures, the usage time zone of the air conditioner (air conditioner) 14 and the time The set temperature is indicated. This display screen is a part, and by scrolling the screen, further information (such as a massage machine usage time zone, a television usage time zone, a bedtime) can be browsed.
[0058]
  As a result, the situation of the resident can be understood, and based on this, measures such as calling the person himself / herself to check the situation or going directly to the residence can be taken. ,
  In the case of FIG. 8, the abnormal sign detection is based on staying in the toilet for a long time. However, when an abnormal sign is detected from other situations, the user is notified by e-mail with the corresponding text, Processing for displaying the corresponding detailed information on the Web page is taken.
[0059]
  FIG. 9 shows an example of a text of an e-mail M periodically sent to report the status of a resident today, and an example of a display screen of a Web page on which detailed information is posted. Fig. 9 (a) shows an example of the text of the e-mail M in which a comment that the resident's nighttime toilet is used frequently is shown, and Fig. 9 (b) shows a comment showing how the resident lives normally. An example of the text of the e-mail M is shown.
[0060]
  FIG. 9C is an example of a Web page display screen corresponding to FIG. 9A. In the illustrated example, the headline “Many toilets at night” and the number of times are listed as special items. Yes. In addition to the items shown in FIG. 8B, “Today's report” includes a massage machine usage time zone, a television usage time zone, a bedtime, and the like.
[0061]
  FIGS. 8 and 9 show examples of abnormal signs detected and periodic directions. For example, the user logs in after receiving authentication from the homepage for the monitoring service published on the Web server unit 41a, and FIG. The menu screen shown in FIG. 5 is called, and the web page of the current resident situation and the past situation (such as yesterday) can be called from the selection buttons BTa and BTb on this menu screen.
[0062]
  For example, when the selection button BTa for the current resident status is selected, information indicating the current resident status based on the current status summary created by the daily grasping agent B33 as shown in FIG. You can browse posted web pages. In other words, the resident's family can check the resident's safety at any time.
[0063]
  8 to 10 are operations related to monitoring of the resident. For example, in the operation for saving energy of the entire dwelling unit, an e-mail is sent to the resident's own mobile phone 20 according to the situation, and confirmation of energy saving control is performed each time. The process of requesting is also performed.
[0064]
  That is, when it is grasped that the resident is out and the lighting equipment in the dwelling unit is forgotten to be turned off at the same time, based on the information from the situation grasping agent part B2 and the equipment agent part A of the local computer 32, the center Based on the diagnosis of the energy saving diagnosis agent B43 of the server 41, it is determined that there is an energy saving measure. Based on the determination notification, the action determination agent B51 determines the creation / transmission of the corresponding e-mail. By this determination, the mail agent B52 creates a corresponding electronic mail and transmits it to the e-mail address of the resident.
[0065]
  FIG. 11A shows an example of the text of the e-mail M that is transmitted when the predetermined room in the dwelling unit is absent (not used) for a long time and the lighting fixture 13 in the room is on. In this case, it is a text that confirms that the luminaire 13 is turned off by the resident. Therefore, when the user moves the cursor to a part where “Yes / No” is displayed and “Yes” is selected, for example, operation data is transferred to the Web server unit 41a, and from the Web agent B53 based on the transferred data. Confirmation of energy saving control is notified to the energy saving agent B41.
[0066]
  The information on the off control is sent from the energy saving agent B41 that has received this notification to the lighting agent A11 of the local computer 32 through the Internet 40. Correspondingly, the lighting agent A11 sends an off control signal to the terminal portion of the corresponding lighting fixture 13 through the home gateway 31 and the home bus 3 to turn off the lighting fixture 13.
[0067]
  When monitoring information indicating that the lighting fixture 13 has been turned off is sent from the terminal unit to the lighting agent A11 of the local computer 32 via the home gateway 31 as operating status information, the center server through the Internet 40 by the lighting agent A11. Information indicating that the lighting fixture 13 has been turned off is sent to the energy saving diagnostic agent B43 of 41, and the energy saving diagnostic agent B43 notifies the action determination agent B51 that the lighting fixture 13 no longer requires the energy saving target. . In response to this, the action determination agent B51 determines creation / transmission of an e-mail indicating the control result, and the mail agent B52 creates an e-mail notifying that the lighting fixture 13 in the room absent for a long time has been turned off. Send to the resident. FIG. 11B shows a text example of the e-mail M.
[0068]
  In addition to the absence, when the user forgets to turn off the luminaire 13 when going out, the e-mail of the text example shown in FIG. The electronic mail shown in FIG. 11 (d) requesting the temperature to be lowered also occupies the electric curtain 15 based on the weather information of the weather information agent B42, thereby promoting the energy saving of the cooling shown in FIG. 11 (e). An e-mail is automatically sent to the resident, and energy saving is achieved by controlling the corresponding device in response to the reply of the resident's energy saving measure confirmation to this e-mail.
[0069]
  By the way, in this embodiment, as one of the situation grasps other than the above, the bathing status is determined by combining the operating status information of a plurality of devices used at the time of bathing, and an abnormal sign is detected from this bathing status. May be.
[0070]
  Furthermore, an imaging camera that images the monitoring area may be provided as the device, and an agent that determines a situation from image data of a video captured by the imaging camera may be provided. In this case, the device agent has specification information for each type of imaging camera, and appropriately controls each imaging camera according to the specification information based on the control policy. Further, the device agent may be provided with means for acquiring the specification information of the imaging camera from the outside.
[0071]
  On the other hand, the determination logic of the function agent that performs the determination for determining the situation from the image information of the imaging camera may be changed during monitoring according to the user management policy. In addition to this, the response processing may be changed according to the management policy of the user according to the determination content by the determination logic.
[0072]
  When determining the situation based on the image data of such an imaging camera, an agent having a determination logic function may be provided as an independent function agent. In addition, an agent having a function for instructing a corresponding processing operation based on the determination may be provided as an independent function agent.
[0073]
  Furthermore, a remote control receiver that receives a remote control signal transmitted to a remote-controllable facility device installed in a dwelling unit is provided, and the function of acquiring the operation status information of the facility device from the reception signal of the remote control receiver It may be given to the device agent.
[0074]
  In addition, in order to grasp the behavior of the resident, a function agent having a function of grasping the map information in the dwelling unit may be provided, and control / monitoring may be performed so as to reflect the location of the resident in the dwelling unit.
[0075]
  Further, the above-described user policy agent C and user support agent D are further incorporated into the center server 41. For example, as an elderly person monitoring policy, transmission of an e-mail for a regular report on the living situation as described above, and detection of abnormal signs User policy includes a monitoring policy for elderly people who send an email indicating an alarm if they do not leave the bedroom for one day, and a contact policy for sending the results to a specific family at the end of the day. By providing the agent C, various forms of watching systems can be constructed.
[0076]
  With the system of this embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to watch over residents and save energy in the dwelling unit.
[0077]
  In the above embodiment, a watch system for the elderly living alone is constructed, but by adding or changing functional agents and equipment agents, crime prevention and disaster prevention in ordinary single-family houses and energy-saving management It is possible to construct a control / monitoring system that performs the above.
[0078]
  For example, if a window sensor or a corresponding device agent is used and a security agent is provided as a functional agent, for example, when the indoor sensor does not respond, the window sensor detects the opening of the window, or the indoor wire path When the device is activated and the presence sensor is activated, the whole family is in the house and the presence sensor in front of the entrance is unresponsive but the electric lock is unlocked, or the whole family is away However, it is possible to realize an abnormal alarm notification system that issues an alarm when a device is activated or a human sensor in a house detects a person. In this case, when the whole family is in the house, when the electric lock at the entrance is unlocked, when you forget to close the window when you go to bed or go out, When an abnormality is detected by a sensor such as 塀, a system that takes preventive measures by illuminating the interior of the house or turning on a dedicated light, or sending a mail or dedicated incoming call to the mobile phone of a householder who is out at the time of alarm notification A function to minimize damage by making a call to make a sound or notifying the location of an intruder, and an alarm set state suitable for each life scene such as home, sleeping, going out, etc. Functions can be easily handled by adding or changing agents.
[0079]
  (Embodiment 2)
  Although the first embodiment is a system centered on watching a resident who lives alone, it can also be used, for example, in a control / monitoring system for an apartment house.
[0080]
  FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the control and monitoring system for this apartment house. As a common facility, a lobby intercom 100 with a camera installed in a common entrance lobby, and an alarm monitoring panel 101 installed in a manager's room, etc. A housing information board 102 with a monitor device provided in each dwelling unit H is connected to a video signal line 103, an audio signal line 104, and a control signal line 105, and in response to a call from the lobby intercom 100, for example, in the alarm monitoring board 101 The intercom apparatus of the house information panel 102 and the lobby intercom 100 are connected by an audio signal line 104 by the operation of a monitoring control unit (not shown) incorporated in the mobile phone to form a speech path, and visitors and residents And the video signal of the visitor is lived from the camera of the lobby intercom 100 through the video signal line 103. The information can be sent to the monitor device 102a of the information panel 102 to allow the resident to monitor the appearance of the visitor, the intercom device attached to the alarm monitoring panel 101 of the management room, the intercom device of the housing information panel 102 and the lobby It is possible to establish a communication path with the intercom 100. Further, the alarm monitoring panel 101 can issue an alarm by transmitting the alarm signal from the security sensor 106 and the emergency push button device 107 connected to the house information panel 102 to the monitoring control unit as monitoring information. It has become. In the figure, 108 is a power superimposing unit for supplying power via the video signal line 103, and 109 is a power line for supplying direct current from the alarm monitoring panel 101 to the lobby intercom 100.
[0081]
  On the other hand, in the dwelling unit H, a home gateway 31 connected to a local computer 32 and a server 114 incorporating a function agent group and a policy agent is provided via a home LAN 30. The home gateway 31 can be connected to an external mobile phone 20 via a mobile communication network 202 by a mobile communication terminal 201 such as PHS in addition to the LAN 30. Further, the control / monitoring local bus 3 'using time division multiplex transmission is connected via the interface unit 111a, and is connected to the control signal line 105 in the apartment house via the interface unit 111b. The video signal line 103 is connected via a video buffer 112.
[0082]
  For example, the local computer 32 is installed at an appropriate place in the dwelling unit H, and is connected to a light receiving device 113 that receives an optical signal from the mobile phone 200 having an infrared signal transmitter owned by each resident. The user command sent through 200 is taken in, and user command information can be sent to the server 114 through the LAN 30 based on the user command.
[0083]
  The mobile phone 200 has, for example, a function for displaying a screen for inputting a command for directly turning on / off the device 1 on the display device and a function for displaying a screen for selecting and inputting a desired operation. YouZakoA command can be input, and when a user command is transmitted as an optical signal, the user command includes information for identifying an individual resident.
[0084]
  In addition, a terminal unit (not shown) provided in equipment such as various lighting fixtures 13, an air conditioner 14, and a television 16 is accessed in the dwelling unit, and the terminal unit is accessed by time division multiplex transmission via the local bus 3 '. Then, a control / monitoring system comprising a monitoring control unit 115 that performs control monitoring of the device by passing control information for controlling the device corresponding to the terminal unit or receiving the operation status information of the device via the terminal unit is installed. Has been.
[0085]
  The local bus 3 ′ of the control / monitoring system and the home gateway 31 are connected via the interface unit 111 a that converts a general-purpose communication (for example, RS232C) signal and a signal on the control / monitoring system side to both directions. A device agent (not shown) incorporated in the home gateway 31 can receive the operation status information from the control / monitoring system side or pass the control information to the control / monitoring system side.
[0086]
  Here, the device agent of the home gateway 31 has an interface function for acquiring the operation status information and outputting the control information, and exchanges information with the agent on the server 114 side via the LAN 30. In cooperation with each other, a multi-agent is configured.
[0087]
  Here, the server 114 incorporates a policy agent that has a user management policy in accordance with the lifestyle of each resident who will be in the dwelling unit. For example, Table 1 shows an example of a management policy (policy) of all residents for the lighting fixture 13 and the air conditioning equipment 14. Table 2 shows an example of a management policy for individual residents. In this case, an abstract, schematic, comprehensive, or non-specific management policy is described using natural language.
[0088]
[Table 1]
[0089]
[Table 2]
[0090]
  By providing the policy agent with the management policies (policies) shown in Table 1 and Table 2, and having the policy agent have the function of interpreting the contents, the lighting of the common room, the lighting of the own room, and further the air conditioning Etc. can be easily controlled in accordance with the living environment and lifestyle according to the residents' preferences such as time of day and season.
[0091]
  That is, when the user command is input by operating the mobile phone 200 described above and transmitted as an infrared signal, the infrared signal is captured by the local computer 32 via the light receiving device 113, and the local computer 32 is based on the captured user command. User command information is sent to the server 114 via the LAN 30, and the functional agent in the server 114 applies to the lighting apparatus 13, the air conditioner 14, the television 16, etc. in accordance with the resident individual policy corresponding to the sent user command information. Control information is generated and passed to the device agent in the home gateway 31. Finally, the device agent sends control information to the control / monitoring system side through the interface unit 111a, and the control / monitoring unit 108 on the control / monitoring system side responds based on this control information to the lighting fixture 13, the air conditioning equipment 14, the television set. 16 etc. are controlled.
[0092]
  In addition, a room manager agent having information on characteristics unique to the system may be provided for each room in which the luminaire 13 and the air conditioner 14 are installed, and a management policy (user policy) breakdown may be performed. .
[0093]
  For example, if the user command is “light on” and the corresponding resident policy is “save” or “now savings”, the corresponding room manager agent will have the lighting installed in the room. Control in accordance with the policy of “saving” is realized by turning off a part of the appliance 13 or sending control information for dimming to the equipment agent. Similarly, if the policy is “I like bright”, the room manager agent sends control information for lighting all the lighting fixtures 13 in the corresponding room to the device agent. Furthermore, when the user command is “I want to relax”, the room manager agent will be relaxed when the light is soft, and therefore, the white lamp of the lighting fixtures 13 installed in the room is turned off, and the daylight color lamp is turned off. Control information such as turning on the appliance or turning on only the downlight is sent to the equipment agent.
[0094]
  Furthermore, when the user command is a command corresponding to an alarm such as “Alarm 7:00” and the policy is “I want to wake up gradually in the morning”, the lighting device 13 of the corresponding room (bedroom) is used. Control information is sent to the function agent so as to perform, for example, a control to increase the illuminance at 7 am over 30 minutes from 7 am, and the air conditioner 14 and the television 16 are turned on 30 minutes before 7 am To the functional agent.
[0095]
  In this way, the room manager agent has information about system-specific characteristics, and also has a function as a service agent that breaks down non-specific control policies from residents (users), and the policy agent has a natural language like spoken language By providing the function of interpreting the information content of the management policy written in the above, it is possible to set the management policy of each user in plain language and to give an instruction.
[0096]
  By the way, the mobile phone 200 has a function of generating and displaying a screen for operating and inputting a user command on the display device 200a, and a target device to be operated as shown in FIG. And a button BT3 for displaying on / off operation buttons BT1 and BT2 and a button for selecting the “desirable thing” of the occupant to display the lighting fixture. When the user wants to turn on / off 13, the cursor key (for example, the cross key) provided on the mobile phone 200 is operated to move the cursor on the screen to the button BT1 or BT2, and the instruction provided on the mobile phone 200 A command is input by operating the key (cross key). Further, when it is desired to instruct what is desired, by operating the button BT3 in the same manner as described above, a plurality of operation buttons BTa... Expressing the “desired things” in a natural language as shown in FIG. 13B are displayed. The screen is displayed, and the resident can select and operate “what he wants to do”.
[0097]
  As a result of the above operation, user command information is sent to the home gateway 31 through the mobile communication network and the Internet 40, and is taken into the corresponding functional agent in the server 101 through the LAN 30 in the same manner as described above.
[0098]
  It also has a function to input user commands that can change the current device control status. For example, when lighting control or air conditioning control is performed according to the user's management policy, you want to change the actual brightness or temperature you feel. In this case, it may be possible to instruct to change the brightness of the lighting fixture 13 or to change the set temperature of the air conditioning equipment 14 using this function. Further, in this case, an agent that learns this change may be provided as a function agent, and the control may be performed with the changed contents for the next control.
[0099]
  When an agent for learning is provided, it can be applied to the following remote assist operation. For example, in a scene where a householder familiar with the system lives remotely, and the householder who is the resident of the unit where the system is installed does not know the operation method, asks the remote householder the operation method using a videophone etc. A mobile communication terminal 201 connected to the mobile communication network 202 is called from the mobile phone 20 using the mobile phone 20 owned by a local householder, and a user command is sent to the mobile communication terminal 201. By sending this user command from the mobile terminal 201 to the home gateway 31 by sending it with a PB signal or the like, the target device is remotely controlled. At this time, the learning agent learns the control contents. It is possible to use the learning agent corresponding to the learning content.
[0100]
  Further, by using this remote operation, for example, a family living in a remote place can remotely operate the facilities provided in the house for the elderly living alone. In this case, a television camera and a projector for projecting the image on the wall surface are provided in the elderly living alone and the family residence, respectively, and the video signal of the television camera reflecting the situation in each elderly living alone is used by telephone line or the Internet 40. Sent to the family house and projected onto the wall with the projector at the family house, and the video signal of the TV camera showing the family house was also sent to the elderly living alone and projected onto the wall with the projector at the elderly living alone. The atmosphere of each house is made so that both sides can see each other, and the mobile phone 20 having the remote control function as described above is used from the family side to the air conditioning equipment 14 in the elderly living alone. The device may be remotely operated. Of course, in this case, it is possible to know the state of the elderly person even if the family is in a remote place by constructing the watching system as in the first embodiment in the elderly living alone.
[0101]
  When the mobile phone 200 with the infrared signal transmitter is used as a remote control device, an instruction may be given by voice input instead of key input, and the voice input instruction may be converted as a user command and transmitted. Further, a cordless telephone cordless handset in a home, a simple mobile phone (PHS), or the like may be used.
[0102]
  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the mobile terminal 201 connected to the mobile communication network 202 is used as a means for exchanging information with the outside, the system can be used as follows. For example, when a grandfather or grandmother goes out while another family is away, the policy agent has a policy of sending an e-mail to the mobile phone 20 of the family who is out, and is incorporated as a function agent according to this policy. A mail agent works to send an e-mail to the family mobile phone 20 through a mail server on the mobile communication network 202 to notify that the grandfather or grandmother has gone out.
[0103]
  Also in this embodiment, energy saving management can be performed using an agent group corresponding to energy saving as in the first embodiment.
[0104]
  By the way, the first and second embodiments are intended for private houses and apartment houses, but the present invention changes the contents of each agent part A, B, user policy agent C, etc. in FIG. Needless to say, it can be applied to the management of facilities such as exhibitions and bazaars, energy saving and security.
[0105]
  The user's management policy can be carried in a mobile phone, and by entering the user's management policy into the policy agent of a hotel or other facility system, it is possible to control lighting etc. in the user's preferred form. Become.
[0106]
【The invention's effect】
  The invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of device agents that perform information transmission / reception from a plurality of devices to be monitored or controlled and a control process for the plurality of devices for each device, and a plurality of functional agents that perform processing related to system management. A multi-agent is configured by these multiple device agents and multiple functional agents cooperating with each otherAnd a policy agent that has the management policy of the user as information and reflects the information in the processing operation performed by each agent based on the instruction from the user. Control information is generated according to the information, and the device agent performs device control processing based on the control information.So, by adding new device agents and function agents, or deleting existing device agents and function agents, it is possible to build a flexible and expandable control and monitoring system, and only devices are installed. A desired management system can be easily constructed by bringing a necessary agent to a place where it is used.Furthermore, it becomes easy to set a management policy for each use and for each user, and general-purpose devices and function agents can be used.
[0107]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, as the action setting means of each agent, an action setting means comprising a setting function based on a description in a natural language and a function for interpreting the setting contents in the described natural language. Because it is provided, the user can set the operation of each agent simply by describing the operation setting contents in the natural language used everyday.
[0108]
  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, as the operation setting means for the entire system, an operation setting comprising a setting function based on a description of a natural language and a function of interpreting the setting content using the described natural language Since the means is provided, the operation setting of the management system can be performed only by describing the operation setting contents in the natural language that the user uses everyday.
[0109]
  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the device agent includes means for acquiring information related to information exchange and control over the device via the network. Information effects, control methods, etc. can be acquired from outside even for devices that are not compatible.
[0110]
  The invention of claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and has a manager agent that has information on characteristics unique to the system and breaks down a management policy related to device control. The device agent and function agent do not need to know information about the unique characteristics of the target system, and the device agent and function agent can have a certain degree of versatility. Easily add device agents and function agents.
[0111]
  The invention of claim 6 is the invention of any one of claims 1 to 5,Since the user support agent has information on the user's management policy and the policy agent manages the information, it is easy for the user to apply the user's management policy to other systems. Management that reflects the management policy.
[0112]
  The invention of claim 7 is the invention of any one of claims 1 to 6,Because it has a service agent that breaks down the abstract, general, and comprehensive user management policies related to device control, the user has non-specific control policies such as abstract, general, and comprehensive. You will be able to instruct.
[0113]
  The invention of claim 8 is the invention of any one of claims 1 to 7,Since the policy agent has a function of interpreting the information content of the management policy written in the natural language, the management policy can be described and set in the natural language that the user uses on a daily basis.
[0114]
  The invention of claim 9 is the invention of any one of claims 1 to 8,Sensors that detect the state of equipment, home appliances, people or things installed in the dwelling unit as the above equipment are provided, and have specification information on the equipment, home appliances, and sensors. As well as collecting the operation status information of home appliances and detection information from sensors, we have equipment agents equipped with functions to control these equipment, home appliances and sensors, so control with excellent flexibility and expandability, A monitoring system can be realized.
[0115]
  The invention of claim 10 is the invention of claim 9,Since the device agent has means for acquiring the specification information via the network, it can be handled without worrying about the type of device, and it is easy to handle devices of unknown types.
[0116]
  The invention of claim 11 is the invention of claim 9 or 10,Since there is a function agent that has a determination function to grasp the living situation of the resident by making a composite determination of the information collected by the device agent, and based on the determination result, a function agent is provided so that the living state of the resident can be determined from the state of the device. Can be grasped, and a monitoring action corresponding to the grasped content can be taken.
[0117]
  The invention of claim 12 is the invention of claim 9 or 10,Since the agent having the determination function for grasping the living situation of the resident by compositely determining the information collected by the device agent and the agent for performing the corresponding processing based on the determination result are provided as independent function agents, the system The flexibility and expandability can be further increased.
[0118]
  The invention of claim 13 is the invention of claim 11 or 12,Since the corresponding processing is changed according to the user's management policy, the flexibility of the system can be increased, and the diversion can be easily performed.
[0119]
  The invention of claim 14 is the invention of any one of claims 11 to 13,The above judgment function determines the return / exit of the resident by combining the operating status information indicating the locking / unlocking of the electric lock used as the equipment and the detection information of the human sensor. It can be grasped in a simple form.
[0120]
  The invention of claim 15 is the invention of any one of claims 11 to 14,The determination function determines the sleeping status of the resident based on the detection information of the human sensor provided in the bedroom and the operating status information of the equipment corresponding to the bedroom. It can be grasped in the form.
[0121]
  The invention of claim 16 is the invention of any one of claims 11 to 15,Since the determination function grasps an abnormality sign depending on whether or not the information indicating the living situation is within a certain range of the reference situation, the normal / abnormal resident living situation can be grasped in a simple manner. .
[0122]
  The invention of claim 17 is the invention of any one of claims 9 to 16,A function agent having a determination function for comprehensively determining information collected by the device agent and grasping an energy saving state, and a function for performing a response process when a room for energy saving is detected from the determination result is provided. To do.
[0123]
  The invention of claim 18 is the invention of any one of claims 9 to 17,An agent that has a judgment function that grasps the energy saving situation by making a composite judgment on the information collected by the device agent, and an agent that performs a response process at the time of detecting the energy saving room from the judgment result are provided as independent function agents. Therefore, in addition to watching, a system that saves energy in a simple form can be realized.
[0124]
  The invention of claim 19 is the invention of claims 11 to 18,Since the determination logic of the determination function is changed according to the user's management policy, the flexibility of the system is increased and it can be easily diversified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a management system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a multi-agent used for the above.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an agent unit of a local computer used in the above.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an agent unit of a center server used for the above.
FIG. 6 is a detailed explanatory diagram of a local computer status grasp agent unit and a device agent unit used in the above.
FIG. 7 is a detailed explanatory diagram of a monitoring agent unit, an energy saving agent unit, and an action agent unit of the center server used in the above.
FIG. 8A is an example of an e-mail transmitted at the time of an alert in the same as above.
  (B) is an example of a Web page presented to the user side at the time of alerting.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing another example of an e-mail transmitted at the time of the scheduled report.
  (C) is an example of a Web page presented to the user at the time of the scheduled report.
FIG. 10A is an example of a menu screen for browsing a Web page of the situation of a resident at any time of the above.
  (B) is an example figure of the web page which presents the situation of the resident at any time.
FIG. 11A is an example of an electronic mail presented to the user when confirming the energy saving action.
(B) is the example of the reply mail at the time of a response to the same as (a).
(C)-(e) is an example figure of the email shown to the user at the time of energy saving action confirmation same as the above.
FIG. 12 is an overall system configuration diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a display example diagram of user commands on the mobile phone according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Equipment
  A Equipment Agent Department
  B Function agent part
  B1 Security Agent Department
  B2 Situation Understanding Agent Department
  B3 Watching Agent Department
  B4 Energy Saving Agent Department

Claims (19)

A plurality of device agents including a plurality of device agents that perform information transfer from a plurality of devices to be monitored and controlled and a control process of the plurality of devices for each device, and a plurality of function agents that perform processing related to system management. A policy in which a multi-agent is configured by an agent and a plurality of functional agents cooperating with each other , has a user management policy as information, and reflects this information in processing operations performed by each agent based on instructions from the user A management system comprising an agent, wherein the functional agent generates control information in accordance with management policy information from a user instruction, and the device agent performs device control processing based on the control information. .   2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the operation setting means of each agent is provided with an action setting means comprising a setting function based on a description in a natural language and a function for interpreting setting contents in the described natural language. .   The operation setting means comprising a setting function based on a description of a natural language and a function of interpreting setting contents using the described natural language as the operation setting means of the entire system. Management system.   The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device agent is provided with means for acquiring information relating to information exchange and control over the device via a network.   The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a manager agent that has information on characteristics unique to the system and breaks down a management policy related to device control. 6. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein information on a user's management policy is given to a user support agent, and the policy agent is made to manage the information. 7. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising a service agent that breaks down an abstract, schematic, and comprehensive user management policy related to device control. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the policy agent has a function of interpreting information content of a management policy expressed in a natural language. Sensors that detect the state of equipment, home appliances, people or things installed in the dwelling unit as the above equipment are provided, and have specifications information on the equipment, home appliances, and sensors. 9. An appliance agent having a function of controlling operation information of home appliances and detection information from sensors and controlling the equipment, home appliances, and sensors is provided. Or the management system described. The management system according to claim 9, wherein the device agent has means for acquiring the specification information via a network. 11. A function agent is provided that has a determination function for grasping a living situation of a resident by performing composite determination on information collected by the device agent and performing a response process based on the determination result. Management system. An agent having a determination function for grasping the living situation of a resident by making a composite determination of the information collected by the device agent and an agent for performing a response process based on the determination result are provided as independent function agents. The management system according to claim 9 or 10. 13. The management system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the handling process is changed according to a user management policy. 12. The determination function according to claim 11, wherein operation status information indicating locking / unlocking of an electric lock used as equipment is combined with detection information of a human sensor to determine whether the resident is going home / out. 14. The management system according to any one of 13 to 13. 15. The determination function according to claim 11, wherein the sleeping state of the resident is determined based on detection information of a human sensor provided in the bedroom and operation status information of equipment corresponding to the bedroom. Any management system described. The management system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the determination function grasps an abnormality sign depending on whether or not information indicating a living situation is within a certain range of reference situations. A function agent having a determination function for comprehensively determining information collected by the device agent and grasping an energy saving state, and a function for performing a response process when a room for energy saving is detected from the determination result is provided. The management system according to any one of claims 9 to 16. An agent that has a judgment function that grasps the energy saving situation by making a composite judgment on the information collected by the device agent, and an agent that performs a response process at the time of detecting the energy saving room from the judgment result are provided as independent function agents. The management system according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein: 19. The management system according to claim 11, wherein the determination logic of the determination function is changed according to a user management policy.