JP5747190B2 - Home network management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a home network management system, and more particularly, home appliances and sensors are connected to each other via a home network in each home, and further connected to the outside via a home gateway (HGW). The present invention relates to a new home network management system for controlling home appliances in each home via the Internet.

  The current home appliances are designed to the limit as a single device to reduce power consumption. On the other hand, in order to make use of these functions, it is necessary to perform an action suitable for each scene. However, if this goes too far, fine control is required, and conversely the operation becomes complicated, resulting in the function becoming It is getting harder to use.

  Or there exists household appliances which control operation | movement automatically according to ambient illumination and temperature, such as an air conditioner and a television, for example. However, these operations are limited to control based on information measured by a sensor built in the main body.

  On the other hand, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, a home network system has been proposed in which the efficiency of home appliances is improved by centralized home network control. In these environments, it can be expected to increase the efficiency by maintaining the relationship between home appliances such as air conditioners and lighting in each room.

Furthermore, in such a home network, a management system that enables efficient control when home appliances of various manufacturers are mixed is known, for example, in Patent Document 2.
JP 2004-355171 A [G06F1 / 26 G06F13 / 00 H04Q9 / 00] JP 2009-193433 A [G06F 13/00]

  Both the background art of Patent Literature 1 and the background art of Patent Literature 2 are closed as a house, and the control rules of home appliances become rigid in each home. For this reason, in order to cope with a change in usage policy of household appliances of householders or a change in family structure, it is necessary to redesign and adjust control drivers and rules (programs) in each household.

  Furthermore, in the background art, it is only possible to control each home, and it is not possible to control home appliances in each home in consideration of overall harmony.

  Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a new home network management system.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an adaptable home network management system that can easily cope with, for example, changes in usage policies of household electrical appliances and family configurations.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a home network management system capable of controlling home electric appliances under overall harmony.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. The reference numerals in parentheses, supplementary explanations, and the like indicate correspondence relationships with embodiments described later to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way.

1st invention is the management system for managing the home network which the sensor and the household appliances which a user can operate connect via an external network, Comprising: In the communication interface between an external network and a home network, an external network Combined with the power supplier server that notifies the peak information of power supply, coupled to the external network, the sensor information of the sensor, the operating status information of the home appliance and the user operation information of the home appliance from the home network through the communication interface The first server that receives and transmits to the external network together with the power supply peak and the strategy data, and receives the strategy data, sensor information, operation status information, and user operation information transmitted from the first server and receives the strategy. To analyze and to the analyzed strategy Accordingly, a second server for transmitting a control command for the home appliance related to the user operation information to the external network is provided, and the control command transmitted from the second server is converted into the user operation information via the communication interface and the home network. The second server determines whether or not a special contract is made to reduce the supply power when the home notifies the power supply peak with the power supplier, and if there is a special contract, It is a home network management system that generates a control command according to the network.

  In this invention, the home network is wired or wirelessly connected to a sensor (24-30: reference numerals exemplifying corresponding elements in the embodiment, the same applies hereinafter) and a household electric appliance (16-22) operable by the user. The home network is coupled to the external network in a wired or wireless manner via a communication interface (34) between the external network (12) and the home network. The first server (36) receives sensor information (opening / closing states of doors and windows, room temperature, outside temperature, etc.), operating state information (on / off, etc.) of home appliances from the home network via the communication interface (34). Furthermore, it receives a set temperature such as air conditioning) and user operation information of the home appliance (power switch on / off, change of set temperature, etc.). The first server (36) receives the sensor information, the operation state information and the user operation information, formulates or modifies the strategy of the home, and sends the sensor information, the operation state information and the user operation information together with the strategy data to the external network. Send to. The second server (38) is also coupled to the external network by wire or wireless. The second server receives the strategy data, sensor information, operating state information and user operation information transmitted from the first server, analyzes the strategy, applies them to the scenario prepared according to the strategy and category, and the user A control command is generated for the home appliance that the user tried to operate, that is, the user operation information and, if necessary, another home appliance. This control command is transmitted from the second server to the external network, and is further given to the home appliance related to the user operation information via the communication interface and the home network. That is, the home appliance related to the user operation information is controlled by the control command generated by the second server, that is, from the outside.

  According to the present invention, since an appropriate command for the home appliance is provided from the outside, the home appliance can be controlled under the harmony of the entire region, for example.

  According to the present invention, since an appropriate control command for each home electric appliance is provided from the outside according to the strategy of each home, for example, individual home electric home appliances can be controlled under the harmony of the entire region.

  This makes it possible for each household to operate comfortably without having to put up with the operation of home appliances that match their strategies (energy saving, cost saving, safety-oriented, etc.) Management agency service can be obtained.

  In addition, because actual home appliances are controlled not by individual households but by specialized businesses (external), it is easy to concentrate on detailed rule updates and rule changes associated with home appliance updates. Can be implemented. For example, a change in the application scenario of the second server can be easily coped with, for example, a change in the usage policy of household appliances in each household or a change in family structure.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a home network management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing one example of a category map (eco map) showing the categorization of each contracted household and the correlation of each category in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified in category A in FIG. 2, where the horizontal axis indicates the use time and the vertical axis indicates the use frequency. FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified in category B in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis shows the use time, and the vertical axis shows the use frequency. FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified in category C in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the use time, and the vertical axis indicates the use frequency. FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified into the category D in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the use time, and the vertical axis indicates the use frequency. FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified into the category E in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the use time, and the vertical axis indicates the use frequency. FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified in the category F in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the use time, and the vertical axis indicates the use frequency. FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified into the category G in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the use time, and the vertical axis indicates the use frequency. FIG. 10 is a graph showing an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified into the category H in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the use time, and the vertical axis indicates the use frequency. FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of the operation state of home appliances classified into category I in FIG. 2, where the horizontal axis indicates the usage time and the vertical axis indicates the usage frequency. FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating an example of the operation state of the home appliances classified in the category J in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the use time, and the vertical axis indicates the use frequency. FIG. 13 is an illustrative view showing one example of a memory map of the intermediate platform server in FIG. 1 embodiment. FIG. 14 is an illustrative view showing one example of a memory map of the service provider server in FIG. 1 embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the intermediate platform server of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the service provider server of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a modification of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the service provider server of the embodiment of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a home network management system (hereinafter simply referred to as “management system”) 10 of this embodiment uses a network 12 such as the Internet. In that sense, the management system 10 of the embodiment can be said to be a network type management system.

  Each home or house 14 is provided with one or more lighting fixtures 16, an air conditioner 18, an AV device 20, an electric water heater 22, and the like. The term “home appliance” includes these, but is not limited thereto, and includes any type of electricity-utilizing device used at home. These home appliances 16-22 are basically network-compatible, and are all connected to a home network (not shown) by wire or wirelessly. That is, home appliances and sensors are connected to the home network.

  The house 14 is further provided with various sensors such as an open / close sensor 24, a temperature sensor 26, a human sensor 28, and an illuminance sensor 30, each of which is one or more. These sensors 24-30 are also connected to the home network. The open / close sensor 24 is a sensor that can detect the opening and closing of doors and windows, and the temperature sensor 26 detects the temperature (and humidity if necessary) of the target room or region, the outside air temperature, and the like. The human sensor 28 is a sensor that can detect whether a person is present in the target room or region, and how many people are present. The illuminance sensor 30 detects the brightness of the target room or region. These sensors 24-30 and smart meter 32 are also connected to the home network.

  In addition, as these sensors, you may install the original thing for the management system 10 of an Example, However For example, an open / close sensor, a human sensor, etc. can also be shared with the thing of a home security system, for example It is.

  The home appliances 16-22, the sensors 24-30, and the smart meter 32 all acquire operation information (lighting on, door open, etc.) from the external network 12 through the home gateway 34, and commands (lighting lighting, air conditioner). For example, 23 ° C. setting). That is, the home gateway 34 has functions such as a home router, protocol conversion, and a firewall, and enables communication and data transmission between the network 12 and a home network (not shown). In contrast to the home network, the network 12 such as the Internet can be said to be an external network.

  The smart meter 32 generally means a high-function power meter having a communication function and a management function, and the operation status of the home appliance 16-22 and the detection information or sensor information of the sensor 22-30 are transferred from the smart meter 32 to the home gateway. 34, and from there to the outside. Furthermore, when the user operates any home appliance, whether the operation is an operation for turning the corresponding home appliance on or off, or an operation such as changing a temperature setting. Information (user operation information or event information) is output, and the user operation information or event information is also output to the outside from the smart meter 32 via the home gateway 34. However, in order to output the operating state information, user operation information, or sensor information of the sensor 22-30 to the outside (network), there are other arbitrary methods besides the method using the smart meter 32. Available.

  The home gateway 34 is wired or wireless, via the network 12, one or more intermediate platform servers (hereinafter simply referred to as “intermediate servers”) 36, and one or more service provider servers ( Hereinafter, it is simply referred to as “provider server”) 38. That is, the home gateway 34 functions as a communication interface between the home network and the network 12.

  The intermediate server 36 includes a network interface (not shown) and a memory having a memory map as shown in FIG. 13 (described later) (concept including not only a semiconductor memory but also a storage medium such as an HDD or an optical disk). 42 is provided. As will be described in detail later, the intermediate server 36 includes 1) a function for collecting sensor information, operating state information, and user operation information for each home, 2) a function for planning an initial strategy for each home, and 3) a home. Operational state information output from the gateway 34, a function for correcting a strategy from user operation information and sensor information, and 4) a function for transmitting these outputs to the provider server 38.

  In addition to the network interface (not shown), the provider server 38 is provided with a memory (same concept as the memory of the intermediate server) 48 having a memory map as shown in FIG. 14 (described later), for example. The provider server 38 treats each family that has contracted with the service provider (service provider) as a strategy for each household, and analyzes the strategy. Appropriate control commands for each home appliance are generated according to the situation (operating state information, user operation information, sensor information, etc.), and the corresponding home appliance in the corresponding home is generated via the intermediate platform (intermediate server 34). Send a control command to it.

The provider server 38 further determines, for example, the tactics most suitable for the home based on the status of each household (operating state information, user operation information, sensor information, etc.) and presents the tactic, Based on the status of each household (operating state information, user operation information, sensor information, etc.), it also has a function of generating information that is better to be presented to the household and presenting it.

  Here, a strategy is a concept defined as a lifestyle that combines the priorities and awareness of safety, economy, comfort, convenience, etc. related to life and use of home appliances in each household. .

  Tactics is a concept that includes a combination of usage intentions and situations, as well as the resulting operational behavior, in the use of individual or multiple home appliances, such as how to use an air conditioner according to the outside temperature, for example. It is.

  The reason for providing a plurality of intermediate servers 36 and provider servers 38 is to make it easier for each provider to launch its own unique features, in addition to the reason for achieving high-priced and high-price services through competition between intermediate platform providers and service provider providers. It is. Possible features include, for example, being inexpensive, suitable for elderly families, strong in families with children, good at energy saving, and being able to present a wealth of tactics. Therefore, the user only has to select and contract with an intermediate trader or a final trader (service provider) that matches his / her family structure and life pattern. In this way, by having multiple service providers (including intermediate platform companies), each company will appeal its own strategic segments and prepared tactics and acquire contracts with each family. The business model can be expected.

  However, only one intermediate server 36 and one provider server 38 may be provided, and there may be a case where the intermediate server 36 and the provider server 38 are owned by one trader. In that sense, it can be said that the intermediate server 36 is a server that functions as a first server, and the provider server 38 is a server that functions as a second server.

  The initial strategy for each household is formulated by answering a questionnaire on energy consumption. Prepare a category of strategies related to energy consumption (for example, energy saving priority, comfort priority, room temperature priority, safety priority, etc.) from many questionnaire results acquired in advance, and answer similar questionnaires for newly connected homes Use the result and assign it to a category prepared in advance.

  FIG. 2 is a map (eco map 40) showing an example of such category division. This eco-map 40 is an analysis of 800 web questionnaires on power consumption and lifestyle, which the inventors have actually investigated in constructing the management system 10 of the embodiment, and the amount of power consumed, time spent, and at home It includes two evaluation axes obtained from the results of principal component analysis of time, family composition, etc. However, the data was extracted from summer power consumption trends. This is because there were almost no individual differences in the use of heating appliances in winter, while there were considerable individual differences in the use of air conditioners in summer. The target home appliances were three types: “air conditioner”, “television”, and “lighting”, which were recognized to vary in usage. In the Web questionnaire, 24 hours were divided every 3 hours, and the answer to the presence / absence (operation state) of home appliances in each time zone was obtained. That is, for each home appliance, the usage status in eight time zones (“1” when in use, “0” when not in use) is obtained as eight-dimensional data. The 24-dimensional data obtained by connecting the 8-dimensional data in the order of air conditioner-lighting-television was used as input data for generating the eco-map 40 of FIG.

The eco-map 40 in FIG. 2 applies a principal component analysis to 24-dimensional data for 800 persons, and the first principal component (daily household appliance usage) is the X axis and the second principal component (home appliance usage peak time). (Do you use a lot in the daytime or use it a lot in the night?) As a Y-axis to make a two-dimensional plane. However, on the X axis, the trend shifts from the saving tendency to the consumption trend, and on the Y axis, the left indicates the night type and the right indicates the day type. Furthermore, this two-dimensional plane was divided into 12 × 12 grids, and the average amount of home appliances used at home was calculated as a “saving-oriented index” for each grid, and was divided into a waste type and a saving type. The saving-oriented index is calculated using the following formula.
[Equation 1]
Conservation orientation index = (E _{air conditioner} x air conditioner use time + E _TV x TV use time + E _lighting x lighting use time) / at-home time Here, E _i (i indicates a separate air conditioner, TV, and lighting). Based on the power consumption of the latest energy-saving home appliances, E _{air conditioner} = 520, E _television = 52 (liquid crystal), E _illumination = 72 (4 fluorescent lamps). In addition, the home time is the logical sum of the usage time zones of the three types of home appliances. The reason is that erroneous input is conspicuous in the data of the Web questionnaire (for example, mistaken morning and afternoon). However, it is natural that the home time actually measured correctly may be used instead of the logical sum.

  The intention of introducing the saving-oriented index is as follows.

  First, the X-axis (first main component) of the eco-map 40 (FIG. 2) represents the daily household appliance usage. Therefore, even if a person who is hardly at home wastes energy during the short stay at home, the total amount per day is not large. For example, the value of the first principal component (the amount of household appliances used per day) may be about the same for a relatively saving person who stays at home all day and a waste person who hardly stays at home. is there. However, considering the savings trend, there is a big difference between the two. The latter can be regarded as a potential waste type that can lead to a sudden increase in daily consumer electronics usage due to changes in lifestyle patterns (for example, changes that increase the amount of time at home). . In order to clearly distinguish such potential waste types that cannot be separated only by the first principal component axis, a saving orientation index was introduced.

  It should be noted that the calculation of the first principal component, the second principal component, and the saving orientation index represents the operating status (takes a value of 1 or 0) of each of the three types of home appliances in eight time zones. There should be dimension data (eco-map generation input data).

  The eco-map 40 in FIG. 2 is divided into eight categories AJ, and the correlation is indicated by a black arrow line or a white arrow line between the categories AJ. The relationship between the categories indicated by the black arrow lines indicates the possibility of transition to the category indicated by the black arrow lines when the lifestyle pattern changes. The relationship between the categories indicated by the white arrow lines indicates the possibility that the lifestyle pattern does not change, but changes to the category indicated by the white arrow lines in accordance with changes in eco-consciousness.

  Category A is arranged at the top position on the X axis and at the center position on the Y axis in the eco-map 40 of FIG. As shown in the graph of FIG. 3, the life pattern of a home to which this category A belongs is a pattern in which the user stays at home for one day and continues to use home appliances until he gets up in the morning and goes to sleep at night. Therefore, the category A is a category that should be called “no eco-consciousness type”. It can be said that this is the category to which the ultimate waste family belongs.

  In the following graphs up to and including FIG. 12, the frequency of use on the vertical axis means the air conditioner (indicated by a one-dot chain line connected by white squares) and illumination (black squares) in the time zone (360 minutes). This is an index that indicates how many minutes each TV (shown by a solid line connected by a black triangle) has been in operation, and the closer to “1”, the longer the operation time. .

  Category B is arranged in the eco-map 40 with the X axis at the highest position and the Y axis at the rightmost position. As shown in the graph of FIG. 4, the lifestyle pattern of the home belonging to this category B is a category that should be called “eco-conscious type only at night”. .

  Category C is arranged in the center position on the X axis and the leftmost position on the Y axis in the eco-map 40 of FIG. As shown in the graph of FIG. 5, the life pattern of a home to which this category C belongs is a home-staying type, and is absent during the daytime. It is a pattern that keeps using home appliances while at home. Therefore, category C is a category that should also be referred to as “potentially wasted”. In a home of category C, there is a risk that it will easily shift to category A if the lifestyle pattern changes to a home type for one day. However, if the eco-consciousness is changed to suppress the use of home appliances, it is possible to evolve into category F (environmental type) described later.

  The category D is arranged at substantially the center position on both the X axis and the Y axis in the eco map 40. As shown in the graph of FIG. 6, the lifestyle pattern of the home belonging to category D is a one-day home type, which reduces the operating condition of the morning air conditioner and daytime lighting. This is a category that should be said.

  Category E is arranged in the center position on the X-axis and the rightmost position on the Y-axis in the eco-map 40 of FIG. As shown in the graph of FIG. 7, the lifestyle pattern of the home to which category E belongs is a home-staying type during the daytime, and is a pattern in which home appliances are continuously used until going to bed while at home. Accordingly, the category E is also a category that should be called “potentially wasted”, like the category C described above. In a household of category E, there is a risk that it will easily shift to category A if the lifestyle pattern changes to a home type for one day. In addition, to this category E, homes belonging to the category H, which will be described later, may move as the lifestyle pattern changes.

  In the eco map 40, the category F is arranged at a position slightly below the center on the X axis, and slightly below the center on the Y axis. As shown in the graph of FIG. 8, the life pattern of the home to which category F belongs is a home-to-home type, as in the home to category C, but the use of air conditioners is considerably suppressed and eco-consciousness is high. Therefore, the category F is a category that should be called “environmental type”. As described above, the category F may shift from the category C as the eco-consciousness in the home belonging to the category C improves.

  The category G is arranged at a position slightly below the center on the X axis of the eco-map 40 and slightly below the center on the Y axis. As shown in the graph of FIG. 9, the lifestyle pattern of the household belonging to category G is a daytime home type, which uses home appliances properly, but does not thoroughly use them with an awareness of ecology. This is a category that should be called “Eco-type”.

  The category H is arranged near the lowest position on the X axis and at the center on the Y axis in the eco-map 40 of FIG. As shown in the graph of FIG. 10, the life pattern of the home to which category H belongs is a night-home type, and is a pattern in which home appliances are almost continuously used while at home. Accordingly, the category H is also a category that should be called “potentially wasted”, like the above-described categories C and E. At home in category H, there is a risk of easily shifting to category C if the lifestyle pattern changes from morning to night at home and moving to category E if it is at home during the day. However, if the eco-consciousness is changed to suppress the use of home appliances, it is possible to make a transition to category J (environmental type) described later.

  The category I is arranged at a position near the lowest position on the X axis of the eco map 40 and at a position near the rightmost position on the Y axis. As shown in the graph of FIG. 11, the lifestyle pattern of the household belonging to category I is a home type during the day, and the air conditioner is used only when it is hot during the day, and the group time is replaced with television and lighting. It is a category that should be called “Eco-use for different use”, not for home appliances, but for eco-conscious use.

  The category J is arranged at the lowest position on the X axis and at the center position on the Y axis in the eco map 40. As shown in the graph of FIG. 12, the life pattern of the home to which category J belongs is a home-staying type as in the case of homes belonging to category H, but has a high eco-consciousness such as considerably suppressing the use of air conditioners. Therefore, the category F is a category that should be called “environmental type”. As described above, there is a possibility that the category J may be shifted from the category H as the eco-consciousness in the home belonging to the category H is improved.

  According to the inventor's survey, among the significant responses 407 of the Web questionnaire, as shown in FIG. 2, the number of households belonging to category A is 21, the number of households belonging to category B is 12, The number of households belonging to C is 37, the number of households belonging to category D is 73, the number of households belonging to category E is 17, the number of households belonging to category F is 91, and the number of households belonging to category G is 27, the number of households belonging to category H was 51, the number of households belonging to category I was 45, and the number of households belonging to category J was 33. The number of households that are located below the center on the X-axis and therefore consume less power is 247, which is about 1.5 times the number of households that consume more power, which is about 1.5 times. It can be seen that there is an eco-consciousness.

  The intermediate server 36 performs the functions (1) to (4) described above. A memory map of the intermediate server 36 is shown in FIG. The memory 40, which is a concept including all storage media, includes a program area 44, and in addition to the OS 441, a data collection program 442, a strategy generation program 443, a communication program 444, and the like are preset in the program area 44. .

  The data collection program 442 monitors sensor information, operating state information, user operation information, and the like of each home at regular time intervals (for example, 1 second), and changes are made when such information and data change. Is collected as an event, and information and data are collected and stored each time an event occurs. Thereby, it is possible to collect and accumulate necessary data such as the ON / OFF state of each home appliance 16-22 (FIG. 1), the power consumption of each home appliance at that time or the entire home, and the presence of a householder.

  The strategy generation program 443 is a program for drafting an initial strategy for each household and further correcting the strategy based on data and information collected according to the data collection program 442. The initial strategy is planned for each household, and the strategy is planned based on the past history of each household and the results of a questionnaire on energy consumption obtained at the time of contract. In other words, the initial strategy (for example, energy saving priority, comfort priority, room temperature priority, safety priority, etc.) regarding the energy consumption is prepared from many questionnaire results obtained in advance, and the same applies to newly joined households. The questionnaire is answered and assigned to any of the categories AJ described with reference to FIGS. In addition, when changes in the usage pattern of home appliances are observed due to changes in life, such as changes in lifestyle patterns, addition of families, changes or additions of home appliances, changes in the way of thinking (intentions) of householders, etc. Based on the above, the categories classified by the initial strategy are changed in real time (strategy correction).

  The communication program 444 collects data from the home network via the home gateway 34 and outputs commands (such as on / off of each home appliance and temperature setting), information, tactics, and the like output from the provider server 38 to the home gateway 34. It manages the communication of information and data with the home gateway 34, for example. Further, the communication program 444 transmits the information and data collected from the home gateway 34 as described above to the provider server 38 together with the strategy of the target home (modified as necessary), or the provider server 38. The function to transmit information, tactics, and commands to be transmitted to the target home and output to the home gateway 34 is achieved.

A data storage area 46 shown in FIG. 13 is also formed in the memory 40 of the intermediate server 36. The data storage area 46 includes a basic data area 461 and a collected data area 462.
And a temporary storage area 463.

  The basic data area 461 stores basic data necessary for strategy planning and correction, such as the household composition of each household, installed home appliances, the current strategy and its update history, and the category (AJ) to which each household belongs.

  In the collected data area 462, real-time information and data collected from the home gateway 34 as described above are stored and accumulated as a history.

  The temporary storage area 463 temporarily stores information, data, and commands output from the provider server 38 and to be transmitted to the home gateway 34.

  However, the above categories formalize the vague energy usage intentions of each household as a clear strategy.

  FIG. 14 shows a memory map of the provider server 38. The memory 48 of the provider server 38, which is a concept including any storage medium, includes a program area 50, which includes an OS 501, a strategy analysis program 502, an information presentation program 503, a tactic presentation program 504, a command A generation program 505 and a communication program 506 are set in advance.

  The strategy analysis program 502 includes sensor information, operating state information, user operation information, and the like sent from the intermediate server 36 together with strategy data and category data of the target home for each event such as user operation of home appliances at home. Analyzing strategy based on That is, sensor information, operating state information, and user operation information are evaluated using the strategy data and category data of each home as properties.

  The information presentation program 503 presents information indicating the status of each home to each home. For example, in the management system 10 of this embodiment, when mainly collecting power consumption statuses of households belonging to the same category including those in the same region or other regions, the target homes are viewed by the standard of energy saving in the category. , Tell the home what data is "What is the current rank?" The information presentation program 503 is a program for presenting such information to the home. Thus, by presenting energy consumption trends among households having the same strategy (category), an effect of competing the power consumption of each household without difficulty is expected. Alternatively, in such a so-called energy-saving contest, if a higher-ranking home is given a coupon, for example, or if the minimum information that tells where the higher-ranked home is known is broadcast to all homes, the energy-saving awareness will be further increased. Improvement can be expected.

  The tactics presentation program 504 is a program for presenting tactics to be adopted by a household based on the situation and strategy of each family. As described above, for example, in the category C or category E home shown in the eco-map 40, if there is a change in the life pattern, it will move to the worst category A only by that, but category A When you are about to move to, or when you have moved, for example, “It is Category A due to changes in life patterns. It is better to restore life patterns or devise how to use home appliances. ”And other tactical changes can be proposed. Similarly, category H households can easily change to categories C and E, but even in that case, when the signs are seen or when the category actually changes, Suggest how to use it. Further, it is possible to propose tactics for evolving category C households to category F or category H households to category J.

  As for the tactics, please provide more specific tactics such as “It seems that the refrigerator opens for a long time. Let's close it quickly.” Or “The air conditioner temperature is too low.” Also good.

  The command generation program 505 collects the situation of each household collected from the target household via the intermediate server 36 based on the scenario optimal for the category preset in a scenario data area 524 of the data storage area 52 described later (see FIG. In response to the user operation information at that time, an actual control command (such as ON / OFF of each home appliance or temperature setting of each home appliance) indicated by the user operation is generated in accordance with the user operation information at that time. That is, a control command for home appliances that matches the strategy is generated by using the strategy as a property and real-time collected data at that time as input. As an example of a simple home appliance control scenario, a “comfortable life providing service” scenario in which an air conditioner and lighting are appropriately set when a user wants to watch TV is assumed. Then, the command generated by the command generation program 505 is given to the home gateway 34 via the intermediate server 36, and thereby the target home appliance connected to the home gateway is controlled.

  The communication program 506 receives the home information and data collected from the home gateway 34 and the strategy of the target home transmitted from the intermediate server 36, and the information generated by the information presentation program 503 and the tactic presentation program 504. The command generated by the tactic / command generation program 505 is transmitted to the intermediate server 36.

  A data storage area 52 shown in FIG. 14 is also formed in the memory 48 of the provider server 38. The data storage area 52 includes a basic data area 521, a collected data area 522, an equipment data area 523, a scenario data area 524, and a temporary data area 524. A storage area 525 is included.

  In the basic data area 521, basic data necessary for strategic analysis is stored with the personnel configuration of each household, the installed home appliances, the strategy and its history as a category (AJ) to which each household belongs.

  The collected data area 522 stores real-time information and data of each home received from the intermediate server 36 and accumulates it as a history.

  In the device data area 523, device data (for example, power consumption per unit time of home appliances, which is necessary for generating commands by the command generation program 505) for all home appliances installed in the target household. The settable temperature range, etc.) is stored.

  In the scenario data area 524, a scenario for how to control a corresponding home appliance and other home appliances in the same home for the user operation indicated by the user operation information is set in advance for each strategy. Yes. That is, it is a scenario database. The command generation program 505 applies this scenario to the user operation information at that time, generates a command, and gives it to each home.

  Further, the temporary storage area 525 temporarily stores information and data received from the intermediate server 36 and further information, data and commands to be transmitted to the intermediate server 36.

  Referring to FIG. 15, when intermediate server 36 detects a data reception input in step S <b> 1, intermediate server 36 determines whether the data reception is from HGW (home gateway) 34 in step S <b> 3. When it is determined that the data is received from the HGW, in the next step S5, the data and information (operation state information, sensor information, user operation information) are received and collected in accordance with the data collection program 442 described above. Save in the data area 462. In step S7, whether or not the home initial strategy stored in the basic data area 461 needs to be corrected based on the information and data received at that time according to the strategy generation program 443 described above, to decide. For example, when it is determined that the usage pattern of the home appliance has changed significantly, it is necessary to change the category classified by the initial strategy so that it matches the real-time information and data. When “YES” is determined in step S7, strategy correction such as correction of the category is executed in step S9. In step S11, according to the communication program 444 described above, the data and information received in step S1 together with the initial strategy data category determined in step S7 as “NO” or the strategy data category corrected in step S9. Is transmitted to the provider server 38 via the Internet 12.

  On the other hand, the determination of “NO” in step S3 means that the data received in step S1 is from the provider server 38. As described above, the information transmitted from the provider server 38 is the information for presentation generated by the information presentation program 503, the tactic for presentation generated by the tactic presentation program 504, or the command generation program. This is the home appliance control command generated in 505. Therefore, in the next step S13, these information, tactics or commands are stored in the temporary storage area 463. Thereafter, in step S15, information, tactics or commands stored in the temporary storage area 463 are transmitted to the home gateway 34 via the Internet 12 in accordance with the communication program 444 described above.

  Referring to FIG. 16, provider server 38 determines whether information or data has been received in first step S <b> 21. If “YES”, in the next step S23, the strategy analysis is executed according to the strategy analysis program 502 described above.

  In subsequent step S25, according to the information presentation program 503 described above, based on the analyzed strategy and the home information and data (operation status information, sensor information, operation information) received from the intermediate server 36, that is, the home gateway 34 at that time. Generate information to be presented to the home. However, step S25 may be omitted in some cases, that is, when it is not necessary.

  In the next step S27, in accordance with the strategy presentation program 503 described above, the strategy to be presented to the home is determined based on the analyzed strategy and the home information and data (operation status information, sensor information, operation information) at that time. Generate. If this step S27 is not necessary, it may be omitted.

  Further, in the next step S29, according to the command generation program 503 described above, the operation information at that time is based on the analyzed strategy and the home information and data (operation status information, sensor information, operation information) at that time. Control commands for the household electrical appliances indicated by, and related household electrical appliances as necessary. Thereafter, in step S31, the information, tactics or commands stored in the temporary storage area 525 are transmitted to the intermediate server 36 via the Internet 12 in accordance with the communication program 506 described above.

  In this way, for example, when an operation is performed to switch on the lighting at home, the switch-on information is sent from the home to the intermediate platform server 36 via the home gateway 34 as user operation information. The intermediate platform server 36 adds the home strategy as a property to this on-information (user operation information), and sends it to the home network provider server 38 to which the corresponding home contracts.

  The provider server 38 regards the local circumstances and lifestyle patterns of the contracted household as a strategy of each household (strategy analysis), and makes sure that each household appliance is appropriate so that it matches the situation of each household and the user operation information of the household appliance. The operation command (command) is determined, and the command is sent to the home electric appliance in the target home via the intermediate server 36 and the home gateway 34.

  For example, it is assumed that the user operation information indicates a TV on operation and the temperature indicated by the sensor information is 32 ° C. In such a case, for a household with a strategy of emphasizing economy, the provider server 38 says, “At the same time as turning on the TV, air conditioning is turned on at 30 ° C. (outside temperature −2 ° C.), and the lighting is dimmed. To the home gateway 34. On the other hand, for homes that have a strategy of emphasizing comfort, the provider server 38 issues a command “turn on the TV at the same time, turn on the air conditioning at 28 ° C. (constant), leave the lights as is” as the home gateway. 34.

  With such a mechanism, each household can live comfortably without having to endure the operation of home appliances that matches the strategy of each household (energy saving, cost saving, safety-oriented, etc.), that is, within the range set for each household. A device management service can be obtained. In addition, because home appliances are controlled not by individual households but by business operators (service providers), only specialized business operators can perform detailed rule updates or rules changes associated with home appliance updates or additions. It is easy to concentrate and implement.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a management system 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the embodiment in FIG. 1 in that the power supplier server 54 is connected to the network. In this embodiment, the contracted home can make a special contract to reduce the supply power when the power supplier server 54 notifies the peak of power supply. For homes with this special agreement, the provider server 38 or the power supplier gives an advantage, for example, discounting the electricity charge.

  In this embodiment, although not shown, the intermediate server 36 receives the power peak information received from the power supplier server 54 at that time when the strategy and category data or the home gateway 34 is sent in step S11 (FIG. 15). Together with home information and data (operation state information, sensor information, operation information).

  As shown in FIG. 18, the provider server 38 executes up to step S27 in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 16, and then newly inserts it between steps S27 and S29. Judge whether there is a special agreement with the power supplier as described above. Information about whether or not the home has a special agreement with the power supplier as described above is stored as basic data in the basic data area 461 of the intermediate server 36 or the basic data area 521 of the provider server 38. Therefore, in step S33, the presence or absence of a special contract can be confirmed with reference to the basic data area 521.

  If “NO” is determined in step S33, a command is generated in step S29 in the same manner as in step S29 of FIG. In the case of “YES”, a command corresponding to the special contract is generated in the added step S29a. In this case, for example, even if the household contracts with a strategy of “emphasis on comfort”, a command is generated in a scenario corresponding to the strategy of “emphasis on economy” by applying a special agreement. This will be described using the specific example illustrated above.

  For example, it is assumed that the user operation information indicates a TV on operation and the temperature indicated by the sensor information is 32 ° C. In such a case, for a household with a strategy of emphasizing economy, the provider server 38 says, “At the same time as turning on the TV, air conditioning is turned on at 30 ° C. (outside temperature −2 ° C.), and the lighting is dimmed. To the home gateway 34. For homes with a strategy of emphasizing comfort, the provider server 38 sends a command to the home gateway 34 "Turn on the TV at the same time, turn on the air conditioning at 28 ° C (constant), leave the lights unchanged". To do. However, even in a home where comfort is emphasized, a command is generated according to the strategy of emphasizing economy for a home that has a special agreement with a power supplier. In this example, the provider server 38 The command “Turn on the TV at the same time as turning on the air conditioning at 30 ° C. (outside temperature −2 ° C. and the lighting is dimmed)” will be sent to the home gateway 34 of the contract home.

  In this way, home appliance control that reflects the trends and circumstances (power peak) of the entire region is also possible.

10 ... Network type home network management system 12 ... Network 14 ... Home or house 16 ... Home appliance (lighting equipment)
18: Home appliances (air conditioning equipment)
20: Home appliances (AV devices)
22… Household appliances (water heaters)
24 ... Open / close sensor 26 ... Temperature sensor 28 ... Human sensor 30 ... Illuminance sensor 32 ... Smart meter 34 ... Home gateway 36 ... Intermediate platform server (first server)
38 ... Service provider server (second server)
40, 48 ... Memory 54 ... Power supplier server

Claims (1)

A management system for managing a home network connected to a home appliance that can be operated by a sensor and a user via an external network,
A communication interface between the external network and the home network;
A power supplier server coupled to the external network for notifying peak information of power supply;
The sensor is coupled to the external network, receives sensor information of the sensor, operation status information of the home appliance and user operation information of the home appliance from the home network via the communication interface, and includes the power supply peak information and strategy data The first server that transmits to the external network, and the strategy that is coupled to the external network and receives the strategy data, sensor information, operating state information, and user operation information transmitted by the first server, and analyzes the strategy And a second server for transmitting a control command for the home appliance related to the user operation information to the external network,
The control command transmitted from the second server is given to the home appliance related to the user operation information via the communication interface and the home network,
The second server determines whether or not a special agreement is made to reduce the supply power when the household notifies the peak of the power supply with the power supplier. Home network management system that generates control commands.