JP5589947B2 - Home appliance and home appliance control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a home electric appliance and a home electric appliance control method for controlling the operation start time or operation end time of the electric home appliance.

  Conventionally, in an electric water heater and a heat pump water heater, hot water stored in a hot water storage tank is generally made at night when the amount of electric power used is small and used in the daytime. As a result, the operation of the device shifts to the night when the amount of power used is smaller than that in the daytime, so that the power load can be leveled. In addition, the cost of electricity can be reduced by using the power at night when the power charge is low for the user.

  In addition, there is currently a time-based power charge system in which the power charge differs for each predetermined time period. In the future, it is conceivable that the environment related to electricity usage such as the spread of solar cells, the installation of storage batteries, and the development of new home appliances will change drastically, and real-time pricing (RTP) will be introduced in which the electricity rate changes in real time.

  As a method of further leveling the load and reducing the electricity charge according to such situations, not only night use of conventional electric water heaters and heat pump water heaters, but also home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, rice cookers, etc. via the network. A system has been proposed in which load leveling and power charge reduction are performed by connecting to a server and changing the usage time zone of the home appliance by the server (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Literature 1, the user operates the input operation panel to input the desired usage time of the home appliance. Then, on the server side connected to the home appliance, in consideration of the usage time desired by the user and the characteristics of the home appliance to be used, an optimal use time zone plan is created, and the home appliance is controlled according to the plan. A configuration is disclosed.

JP 2008-0667473 A

  However, in the above prior art, although an algorithm for shifting the operation time of the home appliance to an optimal time zone is described in consideration of the electricity bill, etc., how to use the time shift function of the home appliance. There has not been enough consideration.

  If the time shift function can be used with the help of a conventionally used input operation panel provided in home appliances, there is an advantage that the conventional operation method can be followed and intuitive input / operation can be performed. However, the conventional input operation panel provided in the home appliance is not designed assuming the display of information related to time shift. For this reason, when the conventional input operation panel is used as it is, there are restrictions and restrictions on the display contents, and all information related to time shift cannot be displayed satisfactorily. For this reason, there is a demerit that the convenience of the user who uses the time shift function is not good.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a home appliance and a home appliance control method in consideration of the convenience of the user who uses the time shift function.

The home appliance according to one aspect of the present invention is an operation start time at which the electricity bill related to driving is the cheapest based on information related to timer reservation of other home appliances, power consumption information and power rate information of the other home appliances, or A home appliance having a time shift function for performing a timer reservation process based on a time shift calculation result , which is communicably equipped with a device control device having a time shift time calculation unit for calculating an operation end time, and the user An input operation unit for performing operations related to driving, a display unit for displaying information related to driving of household electrical appliances, and an operation control unit for controlling the operation of household electrical appliances based on the time shift calculation result When the timer reservation time is set by the user from the input operation unit, the timer operation time is earlier than the timer reservation time input by the input operation unit. Performs automatic timer reservation processing based on the electricity bill is cheapest becomes such a time shifting operation result according to, to display the timer reservation time on the display unit.

  According to said structure, the household appliances are equipped with the time shift function which performs a timer reservation process based on the time shift calculation result which shows the driving | operation start time or driving | operation end time when the electricity bill concerning driving | operating becomes the cheapest, If the timer reservation time for operation start or operation end is set from the input operation unit, the operation start time or operation end time within the time earlier than the input timer reservation time and at which the electricity bill for operation is the cheapest is set. Timer reservation processing is automatically performed based on the time shift calculation result shown.

  As a result, the user can input the desired time that the user wants to start or end the operation by the approximate time from the input operation unit included in the home appliance, so that the electricity cost related to the operation of the home appliance is the most. Timer reservation can be made automatically at a cheaper time. Furthermore, since the timer reservation time obtained by the automatic timer reservation process is displayed on the display unit, the user recognizes that the automatic timer reservation has been made, and the electricity bill for driving the home appliance is the lowest. Timer reservation time (operation start time or operation end time) can be confirmed.

  In this case, even if the time shift function is used by using the input operation panel or the remote control that has been conventionally used for home appliances as the input operation unit or the display unit, while following the previous operation method, Intuitive input operation can be performed. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user who uses the home appliance having the time shift function.

  Further, in the above-described home appliance, when a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit within a predetermined time after the timer reservation time is displayed on the display unit, the operation control unit is first input by the user It is preferable to return to the reserved timer time.

  There is a case where the user of the home appliance having the automatic timer reservation function wants to start or end the operation accurately at the input timer reservation time. According to the above configuration, the automatic timer reservation processing is performed by inputting the reservation time from the input operation unit, and if the timer reservation time is within a predetermined time after being displayed on the display unit, the user By a simple operation of the input operation unit, the timer reservation time corrected by the device control system can be canceled and returned to the timer reservation time initially input by the user. And the cancellation operation of the timer reservation time corrected by this device control system can be easily realized by using an existing input operation panel, remote control, or the like included in the home appliance as the input operation unit or the display unit.

  Further, in the above-mentioned home appliance, when the timer reservation time after the correction process is not input from the input operation unit within a predetermined time after the timer reservation time after the correction process is displayed on the display unit, The operation control unit preferably determines the timer reservation after the correction process.

According to the above configuration, when the user is not dissatisfied with the timer reservation time after the correction process in which the electricity cost related to the operation of the home appliance obtained by the automatic timer reservation process is the lowest, the operation start time is displayed. By leaving it in this state, the timer reservation after the correction process can be confirmed without any operation.

  Further, in the above-described home appliance, when a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit by the operation start time based on the timer reservation after the timer reservation is confirmed, the operation control unit It is preferable to control so as not to operate.

  In the above configuration, for example, when the user presses a reservation button that is lit on the input operation unit, the reservation button is turned off and the timer reservation can be canceled. Thereby, for example, even if it is necessary for the user to go out after the reservation is confirmed and there is a problem in driving the home appliance at the reservation time, a simple input operation unit such as pressing the reservation button, for example With this operation, it is possible to cancel the timer reservation and control the home appliance not to operate. As a result, it is possible to further improve the convenience of the user who uses the home appliance having the time shift function. The timer reservation canceling operation can be easily realized by using an existing input operation panel, remote controller, or the like included in the home appliance as the input operation unit or the display unit.

  Further, in the above-described home appliance, the display unit displays a display state of the timer reservation time other than the period within the predetermined time until a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit. It is preferable to make it different from the display state.

  According to the above configuration, since the display state of the timer reservation time is different from the display state other than the period, the user instructs the timer reservation time displayed on the display unit by his input operation. It is possible to easily recognize that it is not the reservation time but the timer reservation time (time shift time) at which the electricity bill related to the home appliance operation obtained by the automatic timer reservation process is the cheapest.

  Further, in the above-described home appliance, the operation control unit operates the time adjustment button operation of the input operation unit during the predetermined time period until a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit. Based on the above, it is preferable to increase or decrease from the timer reservation time at which the electricity bill related to the operation of the home appliance obtained by the automatic timer reservation process is the cheapest.

  With the above configuration, the user can change the timer reservation time by the automatic timer reservation process to a desired operation start time by a simple operation of the time adjustment button.

  As a result, for example, the timer reservation time corrected by the device control system can be slightly adjusted so that the user approaches the desired time. The timer reservation time increase / decrease operation can be easily realized by using an existing input operation panel, remote controller, or the like included in the home appliance as the input operation unit or the display unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling home appliances, in which an electric bill related to operation of home appliances is based on information related to timer reservation of other home appliances, power consumption information of the other home appliances, and power rate information shows the cheapest consisting operation start time or the operation end time appropriate for operation, a control method for home appliance having a time shift function for timer reservation processing based on the time shift calculation result, the timer time by the user when set from the input operation unit, and the oPERATION control unit timer reservation correction processing step of performing automatic timer reservation time correcting process based on the time shift calculation result, modifying the display unit of the home appliance And a display step for displaying the timer reservation time after processing.

According to said structure, the household appliances are equipped with the time shift function which performs a timer reservation process based on the time shift calculation result which shows the driving | operation start time or driving | operation end time when the electricity bill concerning driving | operating becomes the cheapest, If the timer reservation time for operation start or operation end is set from the input operation unit, the operation start time or operation end time within the time earlier than the input timer reservation time and at which the electricity bill for operation is the cheapest is set. Timer reservation processing is automatically performed based on the time shift calculation result shown.

  As a result, the user can input the desired time that the user wants to start or end the operation by the approximate time from the input operation unit included in the home appliance, so that the electricity cost related to the operation of the home appliance is the most. Timer reservation can be made automatically at a cheaper time. Furthermore, since the timer reservation time obtained by the automatic timer reservation process is displayed on the display unit, the user recognizes that the automatic timer reservation has been made, and the electricity bill for driving the home appliance is the lowest. Timer reservation time (operation start time or operation end time) can be confirmed.

  In this case, even if the time shift function is used by using the input operation panel or the remote control that has been conventionally used for home appliances as the input operation unit or the display unit, while following the previous operation method, Intuitive input operation can be performed. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user who uses the home appliance having the time shift function.

  According to the present invention, even when a time shift function is used by using an input operation panel or a remote control that is conventionally used in home appliances as the input operation unit or display unit, the conventional operation method is followed. However, an intuitive input operation can be performed. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user who uses the home appliance having the time shift function.

Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the equipment control system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention Functional block diagram of the device control system according to the present embodiment The schematic diagram for demonstrating the time shift period and driving | operation period which concern on one embodiment of this invention The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the apparatus control system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the input operation part of the household appliances which concern on one embodiment of this invention Explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the input operation part of the household appliances which concern on one embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the further another example of the input operation part of the household appliances which concern on one embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the further another example of the input operation part of the household appliances which concern on one embodiment of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the household appliances which concern on one embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: It is not the thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a device control system according to Embodiment 100 of the present invention. A device control system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a device control device 10 and household electrical appliances 20, 30, and 40.

  In the present embodiment, a washing / drying machine will be described as an example of a home appliance, but the home appliance of the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a timer reservation operation at the start of operation and a timer reservation operation at the end of operation. In addition to being suitable for air conditioners with both functions, it is also suitable for washing machines, clothes dryers, electromagnetic cookers (IH), electric water heaters, dishwashers, rice cookers, garbage disposal machines, etc. can do.

  The device control apparatus 10 and the home appliances 20, 30, and 40 are connected to each other via a wireless or wired home network so that information can be transmitted and received between them. In FIG. 1, three home appliances are connected to the device control apparatus 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary that at least one home appliance is connected to the device control apparatus 10.

  In the present embodiment, the device control device 10 and the home appliances 20, 30, and 40 are described as being installed in the house, but the device control device 10 may be installed outside. Moreover, any of the home appliances 20, 30 and 40 is described below by connecting the home appliances 20, 30 and 40 installed indoors so that they can communicate with each other by wireless or wired communication means. It is good also as a structure provided with ten functions.

  Moreover, although the following description demonstrates the structure and operation | movement of household appliances (washing / drying machine) 20, description of the structure and operation | movement shall be applicable to the household appliances 30 and the household appliances 40, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the device control apparatus 10 includes a reception unit 11, a time shift time calculation unit 12, a power rate information storage unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a transmission unit 15. The function and operation of the device control apparatus 10 will be described later.

  The home appliance 20 includes an input operation unit 21, a transmission unit 22, a reception unit 23, a storage unit 24, an operation control unit 25, and a display unit 26.

  The input operation unit 21 is an input terminal including an operation screen, for example, and accepts input of various information for the user to perform operations related to the operation of the home appliance 20. Specifically, the user can input an operation start instruction, a timer reservation time, a change instruction thereof, a cancel instruction, and the like by operating the input operation unit 21. The input operation unit 21 outputs the operation period information, the power information, and the allowable period information to the transmission unit 22 together with the operation start signal of the home appliance 20 via the operation control unit 25.

  In the present embodiment, since a washing / drying machine is used as the home appliance 20, the laundry course (standard course, energy-saving course, short-time course, etc.) is selected by the input operation unit 21, so that the washing course is supported. Since the operation period information and the power information can be specified, the user does not need to input the operation period information and the power information. In short, when the allowable period information, the operation period information, and the power information can be specified by some input information, the user does not need to input individual information.

  The allowable period (time shift period) is a time shift period that is allowed even if the operation start time or the operation end time is earlier than the reserved time input by the user. The allowable period (time shift period) can be set to an arbitrary period according to the usage mode by the user using the input operation unit 21. This permissible period may be stored with different permissible periods for each household electrical appliance, or may be different according to the desired operation time or the operation time of the equipment. When the time period for calculating the time shift is determined on the device control apparatus 10 side, it is not necessary to transmit the allowable period information.

  The storage unit 24 may further store in advance a conversion correspondence table in which driving period information and power information corresponding to the laundry course are defined. In addition, since a plurality of processes (for example, a washing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process) are sequentially performed while the home appliance (washing / drying machine) 20 is in operation, the operation period information and the power information are complicated. Therefore, the storage unit 24 may be configured to further store a plurality of pieces of power information for each sensor result such as the washing course, the weight of the laundry, and the outside air temperature.

  When the timer reservation time of the home appliance 20 is instructed by the user's operation of the input operation unit 21, the transmission unit 22 transmits the operation period information, the power information, and the allowable period information to the device control apparatus 10 side together with the operation start signal. To do.

  The receiving unit 23 of the home appliance 20 receives the operation start time as the time shift time transmitted from the transmitting unit 15 on the device control apparatus 10 side.

  The operation control unit 25 includes a timer reservation unit 27. The display part 26 is comprised, for example with a liquid crystal display device, and displays the timer reservation time of the household appliances 20 set in the timer reservation part 27. FIG. When the receiving unit 23 receives the operation start time (time shift time), the timer reservation unit 27 sets the received operation start time as the timer reservation time. Then, the timer reservation time set by the timer reservation unit 27 is displayed on the display unit 26.

  The timer reservation unit 27 stores the set timer reservation time, and the operation control unit 25 controls the operation of the home appliance 20 based on the timer reservation time stored in the timer reservation unit 27. That is, for example, when the timer reservation time indicates the operation start time, the operation control unit 25 outputs a start signal when the current time reaches the operation start time stored in the timer reservation unit 27 and starts the operation of the home appliance 20. Control to do.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, when a rough time is set by the user from the input operation unit 21, the home appliance 20 notifies the device control device 10, and the device control device 10 automatically starts the timer. While performing a reservation process, it has the characteristic structure which displays the timer reservation time of a time shift calculation result on the display part 26 of the household appliances 20. FIG.

  Next, the configuration of the device control apparatus 10 will be described.

  The reception unit 11 of the device control apparatus 10 receives timer reservation time information of the home appliance 20 from the transmission unit 22 of the home appliance 20. When the timer reservation time indicates the operation start time, the transmission unit 15 of the device control apparatus 10 uses the operation start time as the calculation result of the time shift time calculation unit 12 stored in the storage unit 14 as a home appliance. 20 is transmitted.

  The power rate information storage unit 13 stores power rate information indicating a power rate that changes with time. The power rate information is provided from, for example, an electric power company. For example, the device control apparatus 10 acquires the power charge information on the previous day, and stores the power charge information in the power charge information storage unit 13. Then, the electricity rate information stored in the power rate information storage unit 13 is read and output to the time shift time calculation unit 12.

  The power rate information represents, for example, time fluctuation of the power rate per 1 kWh for 24 hours. This is because electricity supply sources such as solar cells and fuel cells are installed in homes with home appliances, and the electricity supply system to homes is greatly changed by installing storage batteries. This reflects real-time pricing that fluctuates.

  Real-time pricing generally indicates power rate information notified from an electric power company in advance. In addition, real-time pricing is not only information on power rates from power companies, but also power rates created based on past results of equipment operation information such as household power supply sources and storage batteries, power purchase fee information, and power sale fee information. Information may also be indicated.

  Note that the device control apparatus 10 does not necessarily have the power rate information storage unit 13. For example, when the time shift time is set by the time shift time calculation unit 12 instead of the configuration for reading the electricity rate information from the power rate information storage unit 13, the external server operated by the power company is accessed and the external server It is good also as a structure which acquires electric power rate information.

  As described above, the power rate information is applied only to a certain home created not only from the power rate information from the power company but also from the past performance of the device operation information, the power purchase fee information and the power sale fee information. It may be power rate information. In short, it is only necessary to know a power rate that fluctuates depending on time, and the method of obtaining the information is not limited.

  The time shift time calculation unit 12 is based on the timer reservation time information received by the reception unit 11, the power consumption information of the home appliance 20, the power rate information read from the power rate information storage unit 13, the allowable period information, and the like. The operation start time at which the electricity bill related to the operation of the home appliance 20 is the cheapest is calculated.

  The memory | storage part 14 memorize | stores the optimal driving | operation start time of each household appliances 20, 30, and 40 as a calculation result of the time shift time calculating part 12. FIG. And the optimal driving | operation start time of the household appliances 20 is transmitted from the transmission part 15 to the household appliances 20 side.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a time shift period and an operation period representing a period in which the operation start time of the home appliance can be shifted. 3, the horizontal axis represents time, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents power rate Y (t) (yen / kWh). When a rough timer reservation time is set by the user from the input operation unit 21 at the current time ta, when the timer reservation time indicates the operation start time, the time shift time calculation unit 12 displays the time at which the timer reservation is made. For example, a time shift period (allowable period) Tz having a time width of 12 hours is set.

  And the time shift time calculating part 12 is the case where the household appliance 30 is drive | operated within the time shift period Tz based on desired time information, driving | operation period information, electric power information, and electric power charge information (electric power charge Y (t)). The operation period Tx in which the electricity bill charged for is the cheapest is calculated, and the operation start time is calculated based on the operation period Tx. The time shift time calculation unit 12 calculates the electricity bill charged when the home appliance 20 is driven using the following equation (1). That is, the time shift time calculation unit 12 operates a value obtained by multiplying the power charge Y (t) for each time period by the power P (t) required for the home appliance 30 to operate from the operation start time t1 within the time shift period. By integrating over the operation period up to the end time t2, it is possible to calculate the charged electricity bill.

Note that the power P (t) may be determined by factors other than time, such as when the electricity rate is determined by the peak power during a specific period. In addition, when a plurality of operation periods Tx in which the electricity bill is the cheapest are extracted, the time shift time calculation unit 12 selects an operation period Tx whose operation end time is closest to the desired operation end time among the plurality of operation periods Tx. A configuration may be selected.

  Next, the operation of the device control system 100 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device control system according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 is an example of the input operation section 21 of the home appliance 20 according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the user presses the start button S _S. 6, as another example of the input operation section 21 of the home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment, increase or decrease button (+ button and - buttons, etc.) shows a state where the S _C is set to be pressed timer reservation time . FIG. 7 shows a state in which the timer reservation time is blinking as another example of the input operation unit 21 of the home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the timer reserved time is lit and displayed as another example of the input operation unit 21 of the home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the user presses the start button _{S S} of the input operation section 21 of the home appliance 20 (S1), further pressing the increase and decrease buttons _{S C} combined timer reservation time (S2), pressing the reservation button _{S R} Then, the timer reservation time information (timer reservation time 1) is transmitted from the transmission unit 22 to the reception unit 11 of the device control apparatus 10 (S4). When the reception unit 11 receives the timer reservation time information (timer reservation time 1) on the device control apparatus 10 side (S5), the time shift time calculation unit 12 automatically has the lowest electricity bill for driving the home appliance 20. The operation start time is calculated (S6). That is, the time shift time calculation unit 12 uses the operation start signal received by the reception unit 11, information related to timer reservation for other home appliances, power consumption information, and power rate information read from the power rate information storage unit 13. Based on this, the operation start time at which the electricity cost related to the operation of the home appliance 20 is the lowest is calculated. For example, the home appliance 20 is operated in a time shift period (allowable period) from the current time to a predetermined time (for example, 12 hours later) as the operation start time at which the electricity bill related to the operation of the home appliance 20 is the cheapest. In such a case, the operation start time of the home appliance 20 is calculated so that the operation is performed in a time zone in which the charged electricity charge is the lowest.

  In addition, when the reservation time indicates the operation start time, the allowable period is a period that is allowed even if the operation start time is earlier than the reservation time initially set by the user. May be stored, or the user may set an arbitrary period according to the usage mode. In addition, the allowable period may be stored differently for each home appliance, or the allowable period may be changed according to the desired operation time or the operation time of the device.

  Further, the time shift time calculation unit 12 stores the operation start time (time shift time), which is the calculation result, in the storage unit 14 as the timer reservation time 2. And the transmission part 15 of the apparatus control apparatus 10 transmits driving start time (timer reservation time 2) to the receiving part 23 of the household appliances 20 (S7). In step S8, when receiving unit 23 of home appliance 20 receives the operation start time (timer reservation time 2), timer reservation unit 27 of operation control unit 25 sets the received operation start time as new timer reservation time 2. Set (S9). Then, the operation start time set in the timer reservation unit 27 is displayed on the display unit 26 as the timer reservation time 2 as a result of the time shift calculation (S10). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, “2” indicating the timer reservation time 2 (after 2 hours) is displayed in a blinking manner instead of a flashing display. When the user inputs the timer reservation time, it is lit up instead of flashing. Therefore, by the above blinking display, the user is not the reserved time instructed by his / her input operation, but the operation cost at which the electricity cost related to the operation of the home appliance 20 derived as a result of the calculation on the device control apparatus 10 side is the lowest It can be recognized that this is the start time (time shift time).

As described above, the home appliance 20 includes a time shift function for performing timer reservation processing based on a time shift calculation result indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which the electricity cost related to operation is the lowest, and the user If an approximate timer reservation time is set from the input operation unit 21, the operation control unit 25 automatically performs timer reservation processing based on the time shift calculation result.

  In addition, the home appliance control method according to the present embodiment is a time shift that performs timer reservation processing based on a time shift calculation result indicating an operation start time or an operation end time at which the electricity cost related to operation of the home appliance is the lowest. Timer reservation processing step for controlling home appliances having a function, wherein when a user sets a rough timer reservation time from the input operation unit 21, timer reservation processing is automatically performed based on the time shift calculation result And a display step of displaying the timer reserved time on the display unit 26 of the home appliance 20.

  As a result, the user can automatically make a timer reservation with which the electricity cost for driving the home appliance 20 is the lowest by an extremely simple operation such as setting a rough timer reservation time from the input operation unit 21 of the home appliance 20. Can be done. Furthermore, since the timer reservation time obtained by the automatic timer reservation process is displayed on the display unit 26, the user recognizes that the automatic timer reservation has been made, and the electricity bill related to the operation of the home appliance 20 is The timer reservation time (operation start time or operation end time) that is the cheapest can be confirmed.

  In this case, even if the time shift function is used by using the input operation panel or the remote control that has been conventionally used for home appliances as the input operation unit or the display unit, while following the previous operation method, Intuitive input operation can be performed. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user who uses the home appliance having the time shift function.

  Further, the display unit 26 makes the display state of the timer reservation time different from the display state other than the period during the predetermined time period until the timer operation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit 21. Is preferred.

  According to the above configuration, since the display state of the timer reservation time is different from the display state other than the period, the user instructs the timer reservation time displayed on the display unit 26 by his input operation. It is possible to easily recognize that it is not the reserved time but the timer reserved time (time shift time) at which the electricity bill related to the operation of the home appliance 20 obtained by the automatic timer reservation process is the cheapest.

  The display of the time shift time is not limited to the blinking display as long as it can be distinguished from the reserved time designated by the user through the input operation. For example, in the display unit 26 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, when the time shift time (operation disclosure time) derived by the calculation on the device control apparatus 10 side is displayed on the display panel 26P, the time shift display 26T is displayed. On the other hand, when the reservation time by the user input is displayed, the reservation display 26R may be displayed in a lighted manner so that the user can be identified. Moreover, you may comprise so that a user can identify by displaying by the color different from the time shift time derived | led-out by the calculation by the side of the apparatus control apparatus 10, and the reservation time by a user's input.

If a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit 21 to the timer reservation unit 27 within a predetermined time after the timer reservation time 2 is displayed on the display unit 26 in step S10 (YES in S11), the operation control The unit 25 sets again the timer reservation time 1 which is first set and input by the user (S12). On the other hand, when the timer reservation cancel instruction is not input from the input operation unit 21 to the timer reservation unit 27 within a predetermined time (for example, within 10 minutes) after the timer reservation time is displayed on the display unit 26 (NO in S11). The operation control unit 25 determines the timer reservation time 2 displayed on the display unit 26 (S13). In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the blinking display of “2” indicating the time reservation time (after 2 hours) is switched to a flashing display, and the user can recognize that the time reservation time (after 2 hours) has been determined. I am doing so.

  It is needless to say that the predetermined time is not limited to 10 minutes and can be set to an appropriate time for each home appliance.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit 21 within a predetermined time after the timer reservation unit 27 of the operation control unit 25 displays the timer reservation time on the display unit 26. In this case, the operation control unit 25 resets the timer reservation time 1 that is first set and input by the user. The timer reservation time canceling operation can be easily realized by using an existing input operation panel, remote controller, or the like included in the home appliance 20 as the input operation unit 21 or the display unit 26.

  When the timer reservation unit 27 of the operation control unit 25 displays the timer reservation time on the display unit 26 and no timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit 21 within a predetermined time, the timer reservation unit 27 The timer reservation is confirmed.

  Thereby, when the user is not dissatisfied with the operation start time (time shift time) at which the electricity cost related to the operation of the home appliance 20 derived as a result of the calculation on the device control apparatus 10 side is the lowest, the operation start time By leaving it in a state where is displayed, it is possible to determine the timer reservation time 2 based on the result of the time shift calculation without any operation.

Further, the user can change by a simple operation of increasing or decreasing button (time adjustment button) S _C, the timer reservation time 2 by a result of the time-shift operation to the desired operation start time.

Accordingly, for example, when the timer reservation time 2 is 2 hours later, and the operation is started after 2 hours, the increase / decrease button S is used when the desired processing of the home appliance is not completed within the desired time. _The reservation start time can be advanced by a simple operation of _C. Conversely, it may be convenient for the user to start driving after 2 hours. Again, the user can delay the reservation start time by a simple operation of increasing or decreasing button S _C. The timer reservation time increase / decrease operation can be easily realized by using an existing input operation panel, remote controller, or the like included in the home appliance 20 as the input operation unit 21 or the display unit 26.

  Then, the operation control unit 25 determines whether or not the current time has reached the operation start time stored in the timer reservation unit 27 (S14). When it is determined that the current time is not the operation start time stored in the timer reservation unit 27 (NO in S14), a standby state is entered, and the operation start stored in the timer reservation unit 27 is started. The determination process in step S14 is repeated at a predetermined timing until the time comes.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current time is the operation start time stored in the timer reservation unit 27 (YES in S14), the operation control unit 25 starts the operation of the home appliance 20 in step S15 ( S15). In addition, the driving control part 25 drives the household appliances 20 according to the said driving conditions, when driving conditions are input by the input operation part 21. FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of home appliance 20 in the first embodiment.

First, in step S21, the user presses the start button _{S S} of the input operation section 21 of the home appliance 20 (FIG. 5), by operating the increase and decrease buttons _{S C} (S22) combined rough timer reservation time (S23) , pressing a reservation button _{S R} (S24). Then, it is considered that the setting of the reservation time by the user is completed, and this reservation time is determined as the timer reservation time 1 (S25). Next, the transmission unit 22 transmits the timer reservation time 1 to the device control apparatus 10 (S27). Thereafter, if the timer reservation time 2 (time shift time) as a result of the time shift calculation process is not received from the device control apparatus 10 within a predetermined time (NO in S28), it is determined that the system is abnormal (S29). On the other hand, when timer reservation time 2 of the time shift calculation processing result is received from device control apparatus 10 within a predetermined time (YES in S28), timer reservation unit 27 of operation control unit 25 receives the timer of the received time shift calculation processing result. Reservation time 2 (time shift time) is set (S30). Then, the timer reservation time 2 set by the timer reservation unit 27 is blinked and displayed on the display unit 26 (S31). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, “2” indicating the time reservation time (after 2 hours) is displayed in a blinking manner instead of a flashing display. Thereby, the user is not the reserved time instructed by his / her input operation, but the operation start time at which the electricity cost related to the operation of the home appliance 20 derived as a result of the time shift calculation on the device control apparatus 10 side is the cheapest. You can recognize that there is.

  When a timer reservation cancel instruction is input by operating the input operation unit 21 within a predetermined time after the timer reservation time is displayed on the display unit 26 in step S31 (YES in S32), the time shift calculation result is displayed. The timer reservation time 2 is reset to the timer reservation time 1 initially set by the user on the assumption that the user has rejected (S33).

  On the other hand, if the cancel instruction is not input by the user even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer reservation time is displayed on the display unit 26 (S34), it is determined that the timer reservation time 2 is confirmed and the timer reservation is made on the display unit 26. The time is lit and displayed (S35). In addition, when the timer reservation time 1 is reset at step 33, the timer reservation time is lit in step 35.

  Next, in step 36, it is confirmed whether or not the timer reservation has been canceled by operating the input operation unit 21. If there is no cancellation (NO in S36), it is confirmed whether or not the reserved time has come. (S38). When the reserved time is reached (YES in S38), the operation is started (S39).

On the other hand, if the reservation is canceled in step 36 (S36 YES), the operation is terminated without operation (S37). Thus, in the present embodiment, when a timer reservation cancel instruction is input by the user operating the input operation unit 21 between the time when the timer reservation is confirmed and the operation start time based on the timer reservation. The operation control unit 25 is configured to control the home appliance 20 so that it does not operate. Specifically, the user can by pressing a reservation button S _R lit of the input operation unit 21 shown in FIG. 8, no longer lit display reservation button S _R, cancels the timer reservation.

Thus, for example, a user might need to go out after the reservation has been confirmed, even if the inconvenience to operate the home appliance 20 to the reserved time occurs, as simple as pressing a reservation button S _R input By operating the operation unit 21, it is possible to cancel the timer reservation and control the home appliance 20 not to operate. As a result, it is possible to further improve the convenience of the user who uses the home appliance 20 having the time shift function. The timer reservation canceling operation can be easily realized by using an existing input operation panel, remote controller, or the like included in the home appliance 20 as the input operation unit 21 or the display unit 26.

Also, check the middle to the pressing of the increase and decrease button S _C of step 36 and step 37, which is waiting for until a time that is reserved while to see if there is a cancellation of the reservation, if increase or decrease button S _C Moga押If it is done, the reservation time can be easily changed accordingly.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the timer reservation time displayed on the display unit 26 has been described as the time to start driving, but it is also possible to set it as the driving end time. In this case, the time shift calculation result of the device control apparatus 10 also notifies the home appliance 20 of the operation end time, and the timer reservation unit 27 of the home appliance 20 receives the operation end time (time shift time) when the receiving unit 23 receives the operation end time (time shift time). The operation time indicated by the operation period information is subtracted from the received operation end time, and the subtraction result is set as the operation start time, which is used as the timer reservation time. Then, the operation end time received by the receiving unit 23 is displayed on the display unit 26 as the operation end time of timer reservation.

  In addition, the device control device 10 calculates the reservation time set and input by the user first, but the time is earlier than the reservation time set and input by the user, but calculates a time later than the reservation time set and input by the user. There is no problem even if you do it.

  In the present embodiment, the time shift time calculation unit 12 drives the home appliance 20 based on the operation period information, the allowable period information, the power consumption information, and the power charge information (power charge Y (t)). In this case, the operation period Tx in which the power charge charged in the case is the lowest is calculated, and the operation start time is calculated based on the operation period Tx.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation end time may be calculated as the time shift time based on the operation period Tx. In this case, from the device control device 10, the operation end time (time shift time) is transmitted to the receiving unit 23 of the home appliance 20 as a calculation result of the time shift time calculating unit 12 and stored in the storage unit 24. And the drive control part 25 should just be set as the structure which controls so that a driving | operation of the household appliances 20 may be started so that a driving | operation may be complete | finished at the driving | running end time memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 24.

  Furthermore, although the configuration in which “2” indicating the operation start time (after 2 hours) is displayed on the display panel 26P of the display unit 26 as the time reservation time has been described, in the configuration for calculating the operation end time, Instead of “2” indicating the start time (after 2 hours), when the operation period is 3 hours, “5” indicating the operation end time (after 5 hours) may be displayed.

  The home appliance and the home appliance control method according to the present invention are useful for home appliances, home appliance control methods, and home appliances that require convenience for users who use the time shift function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Device control system 10 Device control apparatus 11 Receiving part 12 Time shift time calculating part 13 Electricity charge information storage part 14 Storage part 15 Transmitting part 20, 30, 40 Home appliance 21 Input operation part 22 Transmitting part 23 Receiving part 24 Receiving part 24 Storage part 25 operation control unit 26 display unit 27 timer reservation section 100 device control system S _C decrease button (time adjustment button)
S _R reservation button S _S start button Tx operation period Tz time-shift period

Claims (7)

Time shift time calculation unit for calculating the operation start time or the operation end time at which the electricity bill for operation is the cheapest based on information related to timer reservation of other home appliances, power consumption information and power rate information of the other home appliances A device control device having a communicable , home appliance with a time shift function that performs timer reservation processing based on a time shift calculation result,
An input operation unit for the user to perform operations related to the operation of the home appliance;
A display unit for displaying information related to the operation of the home appliance;
An operation control unit that controls the operation of the home appliance based on the time shift calculation result,
Time shift calculation result that when the timer reservation time is set by the user from the input operation unit, the electricity cost for driving is the cheapest within the time reserved for the timer input by the input operation unit And automatically displaying a timer reservation time on the display unit.   When a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit within a predetermined time after the timer reservation time after the correction processing is displayed on the display unit, the operation control unit first receives the timer reservation time input by the user. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein   When a timer reservation cancel instruction is not input from the input operation unit within a predetermined time after the timer reservation time after the correction process is displayed on the display unit, the operation control unit confirms the timer reservation. The home electric appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that:   When a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit by the operation start time based on the timer reservation after the timer reservation is confirmed, the operation control unit controls the home appliance not to operate. The home appliance according to claim 3, wherein   The display unit is configured to make a display state of the timer reservation time different from a display state other than the period during the predetermined time period until a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit. The home electric appliance according to any one of claims 2 to 4.   The operation control unit performs the time shift calculation based on a time adjustment button operation of the input operation unit during a period within the predetermined time until a timer reservation cancel instruction is input from the input operation unit. The home appliance according to claim 3, wherein the timer reservation time according to the result is increased or decreased. Based on information related to timer reservation of other home appliances, power consumption information and power rate information of the other home appliances, an operation start time or an operation end time suitable for driving where the electricity cost related to the operation of the home appliance is the lowest shown to a control method for a home appliance having a time shift function for timer reservation processing based on the time shift operation result,
When you set the timer reservation time from the input operation unit by a user, and the OPERATION control unit timer reservation correction processing step of performing correction processing automatically timer reservation time based on the time shift calculation result,
A display step of displaying the timer reservation time after the correction process on the display unit of the home appliance.

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