JP6621282B2 - Energy consuming equipment control device and energy consuming equipment control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an energy consuming device control apparatus and an energy consuming device control method, and relates to an energy consuming device control apparatus and an energy consuming device that control an operating state of an energy consuming device provided in a building according to a preset control pattern. It relates to a control method.

  Techniques for controlling the operating state of energy consuming equipment installed in a building according to a preset control pattern are already known. As an example of such a technology, a technology for automatically controlling the operation state of energy consuming equipment used in a home by a home server will be described. The home server is connected to the home equipment via a network so that each device can communicate with each other. The operation schedule of the device is stored. And if a home server performs automatic control, it will communicate with a household device via a network, and will come to control the driving | running state of each apparatus according to a driving schedule.

  Moreover, when using said technique, the resident of the house who is a user will request | require execution of automatic control with respect to a home server through the operation screen displayed on user terminals, such as a personal computer and a smart phone ( For example, see Patent Document 1). That is, the above-described operation screen functions as an interface (strictly speaking, a graphical user interface (GUI)), and a resident of the house performs a predetermined input operation on the operation screen when requesting automatic control of home devices by the home server. Will do.

JP 2007-26099 A

  By the way, normally, an energy-operated device that is subject to automatic control of the home server is separately provided with an operated device such as a wall switch or a remote controller. And the resident | operator can switch the driving | running state of the energy consuming apparatus corresponding to the said to-be-operated device individually by operating a to-be-operated device. Such switching of operation state (hand adjustment) through operation of the operated device is performed, for example, when it is desired to switch the operation state of a certain energy consuming device without depending on automatic control. In other words, the resident has to properly use the hand adjustment and the automatic control by the home server, and needs to grasp each operation procedure and operation content.

  Further, as described above, an operation screen for requesting execution of automatic control by the home server is to be displayed on a user terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone. For this reason, when requesting the execution of automatic control, the user terminal is activated and then the screen display operation is performed, which takes some time. Furthermore, whenever the user terminal is replaced (for example, replaced) or repaired, work such as installation of an application program for automatic control and initial setting such as communication setting is separately required. Furthermore, there may be a case where the user is not used to using a personal computer or a smartphone. In such a case, it is difficult to make an automatic control execution request. In view of the above circumstances, there is a demand for enabling execution of automatic control with simpler operations.

  On the other hand, if it becomes possible to request the execution of automatic control with a simple operation, the execution request for automatic control may be made unintentionally. In such a case, it is desirable that the user can be aware of this and appropriately deal with it.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to make it possible to further simplify the request for performing the control in the configuration in which the energy consuming device is controlled according to the control pattern. An energy consuming equipment control device and an energy consuming equipment control method are provided.
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to appropriately cope with a control request made unintentionally in a configuration capable of requesting control according to a control pattern with a simple operation. That is.

According to the energy consuming equipment control device of the present invention, the subject is a control in which a plurality of energy consuming equipments of a plurality of types provided in a building are set as control target equipment, and an operation state of the control target equipment is set in advance. An energy consuming device control device that controls according to a pattern, (A) a process execution unit that executes a control process for controlling the operating state of each of the devices to be controlled according to the control pattern, and (B) the control pattern The storage unit that stores the start condition of the control process, and (C) the plurality of energy consumptions that can be operated to switch the operation state of the energy consuming device without executing the control process. a detection unit for detecting that one of the plurality of the operating device provided in each device is operated, (D) Izu of the plurality of the operating device When either is detected the detection unit that is operated, the addition to identifying an operation mode during which the operating device is operated, whether a mode is specified the operation manner consistent with the start condition And a determination unit that determines the start condition relating to at least one of a time at which the operation of the plurality of operated devices is performed, a type of operation day, and the number of operations in a unit time. stores the, is solved by initiating the execution of the control process when it is determined that the determination unit (E) and the process execution unit is a mode in which the operation mode is consistent with the start condition .

In the energy consuming equipment control device of the present invention configured as described above, when the operated device is operated to switch the operating state of a certain energy consuming equipment, the operating mode is specified, and the operating mode is controlled. It is to be determined whether or not the start condition is met. When it is determined that the operation mode is a mode that matches the start condition, a control process for controlling the operation state of the control target device according to the control pattern is executed. That is, in the energy consuming equipment control device of the present invention, the control process is executed with the operation of the operated device that satisfies the start condition as a trigger. With such a configuration, it is possible to request execution of the control process with a relatively simple operation of operating the operated device.
Moreover, if it is said structure, it will become possible to request | require execution of the control processing which controls the driving | running state of each apparatus by making several energy consumption apparatus into a control object apparatus by comparatively simple operation.

Further, in the energy consuming device control apparatus, the detection unit is installed at a predetermined location of the building and is operated when switching the operation state of the energy consuming device, or the energy consuming device. it is preferable to detect that a remote control emitting a switching signal of the operating conditions is operated toward the.
In the above configuration, the operation of the mechanical switch or the remote controller is a detection target of the detection unit. If the operation mode when the mechanical switch or the remote controller is operated matches the start condition of the control process, the control process is executed using this as a trigger. With such a configuration, a configuration that requires execution of control processing by a simple operation such as operation of a mechanical switch or a remote controller can be easily realized.

In the energy consuming device control apparatus, it is preferable that the storage unit stores a plurality of the control patterns and stores the start condition for each control pattern.
In the above configuration, a plurality of control patterns are stored, and the control processing start condition is stored for each control pattern. As a result, the number of variations of the control process increases, and the start condition of the control process is determined for each variation. As a result, the usability for the user is improved.

In the energy consuming equipment control apparatus, when the determination unit determines that the operation mode is a mode that matches the start condition, the process execution unit is configured to execute the control process before starting the execution of the control process. It is preferable to execute a notification process that notifies the execution of the control process.
In the configuration described above, when the execution of the control process is started, a notification process for notifying that effect is executed. As a result, when the user unintentionally requests execution of the control process, the user notices that fact.

In the energy consuming device control apparatus, the storage unit further stores a cancellation condition for the control process, and a predetermined time elapses after the process execution unit executes the notification process. When the detection unit detects that the operated device is operated again in the meantime, the determination unit specifies the re-operation mode when the operated device is operated again, and the specified re-operation It is determined whether the operation mode is a mode that matches the cancellation condition, and the processing execution unit performs the control process when the determination unit determines that the re-operation mode is a mode that matches the cancellation condition. It is more preferable to cancel the execution.
In the above configuration, when the operated device is operated in a specific operation mode (specifically, a mode that satisfies the cancellation condition) within a predetermined time after the notification process is executed, the execution of the control process is canceled. Become. As a result, when the user notices that the execution of the control process has been requested unintentionally, the execution of the control process can be canceled (cancelled).

Further, the energy consumption device control apparatus described above, the front term memory unit, it is preferable to store the control pattern which defines the operating state after the control process execution for each said control target equipment.

Further, in the energy consuming device control apparatus described above, it is preferable that the energy consuming device control apparatus includes a home server that is installed in a house as the building and can communicate with the plurality of energy consuming devices in the house via a network built in the house. It is.
If it is said structure, when controlling an energy consuming apparatus in a house automatically by a home server, it will become possible to request | require execution of the said control by comparatively simple operation.

Further, according to the energy consuming device control method of the present invention, the above-described problem is that a plurality of types of energy consuming devices provided in a building are set as control target devices, and the operation state of the control target devices is set in advance. (A) a computer executes a control process for controlling the operation state of each of the devices to be controlled according to the control pattern; and (B) Of the plurality of operated devices provided for each of the plurality of energy consuming devices , wherein the computer is operated to switch the operation state of the energy consuming devices without executing the control process . the method comprising detecting that one is operated, (C) this computer, the one of the plurality of the operated device is operated Upon detection of the addition to identifying an operation mode during which the operating device is operated, a storage unit that stores a starting condition of the control process and the control pattern, the plurality of the operating device The start condition related to at least one of the time when the operation was performed, the type of operation day, and the number of operations during a unit time is stored, the storage unit is accessed, and the specified operation mode is the start condition. And (D) the computer starts executing the control process when it is determined that the operation mode is a mode that matches the start condition. It is solved by.
According to the above method, it is possible to request execution of the control process with a relatively simple operation of operating the operated device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to request execution of a process (control process) for controlling the operation state of a control target device according to a preset control pattern by a relatively simple operation such as operation of an operated device. become. In addition, when an execution request for control processing is made unintentionally, this is notified to the user, and the user can cancel execution of the control processing within a predetermined time after the notification. Thus, it is possible to appropriately cope with an unintended request while adopting a configuration that can more easily request the execution of the control process.

It is a conceptual diagram of the control system containing the energy consuming equipment control apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the energy consuming equipment control apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of a control pattern. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a control pattern. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of a control pattern. It is a figure which shows the flow of an automatic control flow.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment) will be described. The embodiment described below is an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes its equivalents.

  In the following, a house is taken as an example of a building, and a case of controlling an energy consuming device used in the house will be described as an example. However, a house is merely an example of a building, and the present invention can be applied to other buildings other than a house, such as an office building, a building in a factory, a commercial facility, a public facility, or a store.

<< Overview of Energy Consumption Equipment Control Device According to this Embodiment >>
First, an energy consuming equipment control apparatus (hereinafter, the apparatus 1) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a control system (hereinafter, “home appliance control system S”) including the apparatus 1.

  The device 1 is a device that controls an energy consumption device provided in a house as a control target device and controls the operation state of the control target device, and controls the home device together with a network built in the home (hereinafter referred to as a home network 2). A system S is configured. More specifically, the present apparatus 1 is composed of a home server (an example of a computer) installed in a house, and is connected via a home network 2 in a state where it can communicate with home energy consuming devices. Here, “energy consuming equipment” means equipment that consumes energy when used. Specifically, electric equipment such as home appliances, gas consuming equipment such as water heaters, and tap water consumption such as washing machines. Examples include equipment or fuel consuming equipment such as petroleum stoves. Other energy consuming devices include storage batteries that discharge stored power, ventilation devices such as ventilation fans, electric shutters, and electric door locks. Hereinafter, a case where the air conditioner 3, the illumination 5, and the water heater 7 are controlled by the apparatus 1 will be described as an example. However, as a matter of course, the devices to be controlled are not limited to the above three devices, and the type and number of the devices to be controlled may be arbitrarily determined.

  In addition, the present apparatus 1 communicates with each of the air conditioner 3, the lighting 5, and the water heater 7 via the home network 2 to monitor the operation state of each device or automatically control the operation state. Here, the “driving state” is the current state of items that can be controlled (adjustable) with respect to driving, such as start / stop (on / off), driving details (driving mode), driving management values, and the like. The home network 2 is, for example, a wired communication method using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, a communication method such as high-speed power line communication (PLC), a wireless communication method using IEEE802.1x or Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a specific method. It is composed of a communication network that employs a wireless system or the like.

  Furthermore, this apparatus 1 is to read a predetermined control pattern and perform control according to the control pattern in the process of automatically controlling the operation state of the control target device (hereinafter referred to as control process). Here, the control pattern means specific contents (control contents) related to control, and defines what and how to control at what point. In this embodiment, a plurality of scenario data including control patterns (hereinafter referred to as control scenarios) are prepared, and this apparatus 1 reads out one scenario from a plurality of control scenarios and includes it in the scenario. The operation state of the control target device is controlled according to the control pattern.

  Some control scenarios incorporate a control pattern for controlling the operation state of each control target device with a plurality of energy consuming devices as control target devices. In such a control pattern, an operation state after execution of control processing (that is, an operation state after control) is defined for each of a plurality of control target devices. That is, when the present apparatus 1 executes the control process according to the control pattern, the operation state of each of the plurality of control target devices shifts to the operation state defined in the control pattern during the execution period of the process. .

  By the way, each of the air conditioner 3, the illumination 5, and the water heater 7 that is the control target device has an operated device that can be operated to switch the operation state without executing the control process of the present apparatus 1. It is provided in the house. Here, the “operated device” is a device that is operated when individually adjusting the operating state of each device, and is already installed at the time of occupancy, or in the home accompanying the purchase / installation of the device. Or will be introduced. The operated device may be separated from the device whose operation state is switched by the operation, or is integrated with the device (for example, a device that is part of the device). Also good.

  In the present embodiment, a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as an air conditioner remote controller 4) that issues an operation state switching signal toward the air conditioner 3 is provided as an operated device for the air conditioner 3. Similarly, as an operated device for the water heater 7, a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a water heater remote controller 8) that issues an operation state switching signal toward the water heater 7 is provided. In addition, a mechanical switch (hereinafter referred to as an illumination switch 6) that is installed at a predetermined location (for example, a wall or a pillar) of a house and is operated when switching the operation state of the illumination 5 is operated as an operated device for the illumination 5. Is provided. In the present embodiment, the illumination switch 6 is a knob-type movable switch, and is configured to be able to change the illuminance of the illumination 5 by sliding in the vertical direction.

  On the other hand, when the apparatus 1 executes the control process, the resident of the house as the user requests the apparatus 1 to execute the control process by performing a predetermined operation. As described in the section “Problems to be Solved by the Invention”, when requesting automatic control (that is, execution of control processing) of a home device from the home server, a PC, PDA, smartphone, etc. It is common to operate the terminal. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the control processing is requested to be executed by operating the operated devices such as the lighting switch 6 and the hot water supply remote controller 8 described above. As a result, it is possible to request execution of the control process with a simpler operation without requiring an advanced terminal operation. Such a point is a feature of the apparatus 1, and hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the apparatus 1 will be mainly described.

<< Configuration of Energy Consumption Equipment Control Device According to the Present Embodiment >>
Next, the configuration of the apparatus 1 will be described. As described above, the apparatus 1 includes a home server (computer), and includes a CPU, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, a communication interface, and a hard disk drive. In addition, a computer program (hereinafter, device control program) for causing the home server to function is installed in the memory or the hard disk drive. The device control program is read and executed by the CPU of the home server, so that the home server as the device 1 executes control processing (that is, a series of data processing for automatically controlling home devices). Become.

  The configuration of the apparatus 1 will be described again from the functional aspect. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus 1 includes a processing execution unit 11, a storage unit 12, a detection unit 13, and a determination unit 14. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the apparatus 1 in terms of functions. Each of the functional units (that is, the processing execution unit 11, the storage unit 12, the detection unit 13, and the determination unit 14) is such that the hardware device of the home server that forms the device 1 cooperates with a device control program as software. Is realized. Hereinafter, each functional unit will be described.

  The process execution unit 11 executes a control process and a process related to the control process. Specifically, in the control process, the process execution unit 11 reads one scenario from a plurality of control scenarios, identifies a target device from the read scenario, and sets the operation state of the device to the control pattern in the scenario. According to automatic control. Moreover, the process execution part 11 performs the alerting | reporting process which alert | reports execution of a control process with respect to a resident before the execution of a control process is started. In this notification process, the execution of the control process is notified by a preset method. For example, the execution of the control process is notified by blinking the illumination of the room where the resident is present. However, the notification method is not particularly limited, and any method that effectively notifies the resident of the execution of the control process can be used. For example, a message can be displayed on a display (not shown) in the house. It may be displayed or may sound an alarm, chime, voice or music.

  Furthermore, the process execution unit 11 cancels the execution of the control process when a predetermined condition (cancellation condition) is satisfied between the execution of the notification process and the elapse of a predetermined time. In other words, in the present embodiment, the process waits for the execution of the control process until a predetermined time elapses after the execution of the notification process. If the cancel condition is satisfied during the standby period, the control process is performed. Execution is to be cancelled.

  The storage unit 12 stores a control scenario that is referred to when the process execution unit 11 executes a control process. The control scenario will be described. In the control scenario, a device to be controlled (control target device), a start condition of the control processing, a control pattern as specific control content, and a notification when notifying the execution of the control processing A method and a cancellation condition for the control process are defined. That is, the storage unit 12 stores a control pattern, a start condition and a cancel condition for a control process executed according to the control pattern, and a method for notifying the execution of the control process. Note that these items are predetermined and registered in advance.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of control scenarios are prepared in consideration of the resident's action content in each time zone and the difference in the life pattern between weekdays / holidays. For this reason, the storage unit 12 stores a plurality of control scenarios. A control pattern is defined for each control scenario, and a start condition and a cancel condition are set for each control scenario in a corresponding manner. That is, the storage unit 12 stores a plurality of control patterns, and stores a control process start condition and a cancel condition for each control pattern.

  Here, the control scenario will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 are explanatory diagrams of the control scenario, and show an example of the specified items in the control scenario. In addition, about the content illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, it is only an example to the last, Naturally, about the content of each prescription | regulation matter in a control scenario, the resident who is a system designer and a user determines arbitrarily, You may change arbitrarily after determination.

  First, the control scenario illustrated in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as a first scenario) will be described. In the first scenario, the air conditioner 3 and the lighting 5 in the bedroom are set as control target devices. That is, the first scenario is a control scenario for controlling the operation state of each control target device with a plurality of energy consuming devices as control target devices. In the first scenario, as the control content (control pattern), the operation state after the execution of the control process is defined for each of the air conditioner 3 and the lighting 5 in the bedroom. Operation management values (specifically, illuminance and set temperature) are defined.

In the first scenario, a start condition for control processing based on the scenario is set. Here, the start conditions in the first scenario are the contents related to the operation mode when the lighting switch 6 in the bedroom is operated, and specifically, the following three condition contents Ra1, Rb1, and Rc1. Yes.
(Condition content Ra1) Operation to turn off the lighting switch 6 in the bedroom (Condition content Rb1) The operation is performed between 22:00 and 24:00 (Condition content Rc1) The date when the operation was performed Is a weekday and not a holiday

  As described above, in the first scenario, as a control process start condition, the time zone in which the bedroom lighting switch 6 is operated, the type of operation day (whether it is a weekday, a holiday, or a holiday), and the on / off of the switch Is stipulated. In other words, the storage unit 12 relates to the time at which the bedroom lighting switch 6 is operated, the type of operation date, and the specific operation content as a condition (start condition) when the control process is started in the first scenario. I remember the conditions.

  In the first scenario, a notification method for notifying execution of control processing according to the scenario is defined. Specifically, it is defined that the lighting 5 in the bedroom blinks twice. Furthermore, in the first scenario, a cancel condition for executing control processing based on the scenario is set. The cancellation condition in the first scenario is also related to the operation mode when the bedroom lighting switch 6 is operated. Specifically, the bedroom lighting switch 6 is turned on within 3 seconds after the notification process. The canceling condition is to perform the cutting operation twice in succession.

  Next, the control scenario illustrated in FIG. 4 (hereinafter, the second scenario) will be described. In the second scenario, the lighting 5 in all rooms is set as a control target device. That is, the second scenario is also a control scenario for controlling the operation state of each control target device with a plurality of energy consuming devices as control target devices. In the second scenario, as the control content (control pattern), the operation state after the execution of the control process is defined for the lighting 5 in all rooms. More specifically, the timing of control and the on / off state after control are defined. It is prescribed.

In the second scenario, a start condition for control processing based on the scenario is set. Here, the start conditions in the second scenario are the contents relating to the operation mode when the remote controller 8 for the water heater is operated, and specifically, the following two condition contents Ra2 and Rb2.
(Condition content Ra2) Performing an off operation with the water heater remote control 8 (Condition content Rb2) The operation is performed from 21:00 to 2pm on the next day.

  As described above, in the second scenario, the time zone during which the water heater remote control 8 is operated and the contents of the remote control operation are defined as the start conditions of the control process. In other words, the storage unit 12 stores conditions regarding the time when the hot water heater remote control 8 is operated and the specific operation content as conditions (start conditions) for starting control processing in the second scenario.

  As described above, in the second scenario, an operation (specifically, an off operation) of the water heater remote control 8 is used as a start condition of the control process for controlling the lighting 5 in all rooms. This is because the resident's daily behavior pattern such as turning off the water heater 7 immediately before going to bed is reflected. As long as the start conditions of the control process are appropriately set in consideration of the resident's daily behavior pattern in this way, the operation of the operated device provided for the device different from the control target device is used as the control process execution trigger. It may be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation of an operated device provided for switching the operating state of a certain device may be employed as an execution trigger for a control process in which the certain device is a control target device. .

  In the second scenario, a notification method for notifying execution of control processing according to the scenario is defined. Specifically, it is defined that the lighting 5 of the dining room blinks twice. Furthermore, in the second scenario, a condition relating to the operation mode when operating the hot water heater remote control 8 is defined as a cancellation condition for execution of the control process according to the scenario. Specifically, the canceling condition is that the hot water heater remote control 8 is continuously turned on and off twice within 3 seconds after the notification process.

  Next, the control scenario illustrated in FIG. 5 (hereinafter, the third scenario) will be described. In the third scenario, the air conditioner 3, the lighting 5 in all rooms, and the water heater 7 are set as control target devices. That is, the third scenario is also a control scenario for controlling the operation state of each control target device with a plurality of energy consuming devices as control target devices. Further, in the third scenario, as the control content (control pattern), the operation state after the execution of the control process is defined for each of the air conditioner 3, the lighting 5 in all rooms, and the water heater 7, and more specifically, The timing and the on / off state after control are defined.

In the third scenario, a control process start condition based on the scenario is set. Here, the start conditions in the third scenario are the contents regarding the operation mode when the entrance lighting switch 6 is operated, and specifically, the following condition contents Ra3.
(Conditions Ra3) The entrance lighting switch 6 is turned on and off four times within 3 seconds.

  As described above, in the third scenario, the number of operations per unit time of the entrance illumination switch 6 is defined as a control processing start condition. In other words, the storage unit 12 stores a condition regarding the number of operations of the entrance lighting switch 6 during a unit time as a condition (start condition) when the control process is started in the third scenario.

  In the third scenario, a notification method for notifying execution of the control process according to the scenario is defined. Specifically, it is defined that the entrance lighting 5 blinks twice. Furthermore, in the third scenario, a condition relating to an operation mode when the entrance illumination switch 6 is operated is defined as a cancellation condition for execution of the control process according to the scenario. Specifically, the cancellation condition is that the entrance illumination switch 6 is continuously turned on and off twice within 3 seconds after the notification process.

  The detection unit 13 detects the operation when any one of the illumination switch 6 and the water heater remote control 8 as an operated device is operated. More specifically, the home server that constitutes the device 1 monitors the operating state of each electrical device in the house, and the operating state of the lighting 5 changes when the lighting switch 6 is operated. Then, it is detected from the state change that the illumination switch 6 has been operated. The home server includes a receiver (not shown), and the receiver receives a transmission signal from the remote controller 8 for hot water heater, and detects that the remote controller 8 for hot water heater is operated from the reception of the signal. In addition, about said receiver, the apparatus incorporated in the hot water heater 7 may be sufficient, or the apparatus provided separately may be sufficient. Further, the signal reception described above may be performed via a communication network such as the home network 2.

  In this embodiment, when the resident operates the illumination switch 6 or the hot water heater remote control 8 to request execution of the control process, the detection unit 13 detects the operation. Similarly, when the resident operates the lighting switch 6 or the water heater remote controller 8 to cancel the execution of the control process, the detection unit 13 similarly detects the operation. More specifically, when the resident operates the lighting switch 6 or the water heater remote controller 8 in a predetermined operation mode, the process execution unit 11 executes the control process using this as a trigger. A notification process for notifying execution of the control process is executed. On the other hand, when canceling the execution of the control process, the resident operates the lighting switch 6 or the water heater remote control 8 again after a predetermined time has elapsed after the execution of the notification process. The detection unit 13 detects re-operation (hereinafter, cancel operation) of the operated device.

  When the detection unit 13 detects that the lighting switch 6 or the water heater remote control 8 has been operated, the determination unit 14 specifies an operation mode at that time, and the specified operation mode is determined as a control processing start condition. It is determined whether or not it is a matched mode. Here, the “operation mode” means the date and time of operation of the lighting switch 6 or the water heater remote controller 8, the day of the operation day, whether the operation day is a weekday / holiday, the operation content and the operation frequency. It is a concept representing items that characterize (specify) an operation, such as (the number of operations during a unit time).

  The condition determination by the determination unit 14 will be described. The determination unit 14 sequentially reads out control scenarios from the storage unit 12 after specifying the operation mode (operation mode) detected by the detection unit 13. Then, the determination unit 14 determines whether or not the specified operation mode is a mode that matches the start condition by comparing the start condition defined in each read control scenario with the specified operation mode. To do. Incidentally, when the first scenario is read out, when the specified operation mode satisfies all three condition contents Ra1, Rb1, and Rc1, it is determined that the start condition of the first scenario is met. Further, when the second scenario is read out, when the specified operation mode satisfies all of the two condition contents Ra2 and Rb2, it is determined that the start condition of the second scenario is met. Further, when the third scenario is read out, when the specified operation mode satisfies the condition content Ra3, it is determined that the start condition of the third scenario is met.

  In addition, when the detection unit 13 detects that a cancel operation (that is, re-operation of the lighting switch 6 or the water heater remote control 8) is performed within a predetermined time after the notification process is performed, the determination unit 14 Similarly to the procedure of, after specifying the operation mode of the cancel operation (corresponding to the re-operation mode), the control scenario is sequentially read from the storage unit 12. Then, the determination unit 14 compares the cancel condition defined in each read control scenario with the operation mode of the specified cancel operation, so that the specified operation mode matches the cancel condition. Determine if.

<< Flow of energy consuming equipment control according to this embodiment >>
Next, the flow and procedure for automatically controlling various energy consuming devices provided in a house by the apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of an automatic control flow by the apparatus 1.

  Incidentally, in the automatic control flow described below, the energy consuming equipment control method of the present invention is adopted. That is, the home server as a computer implements each process (specifically, each step in the automatic control flow illustrated in FIG. 6) constituting the energy consuming equipment control method of the present invention, thereby An energy consuming device control method is realized. In other words, each step in the automatic control flow corresponds to a component of the energy consuming equipment control method of the present invention.

  At the start of the automatic control flow, the resident requests the home server (that is, the device 1) to execute control processing. Specifically, the resident operates one of the lighting switch 6 and the water heater remote control 8 in a predetermined operation mode. On the other hand, when the home server detects the above operation (S001), it specifies the operation mode of the operation (S002). Thereafter, the home server accesses its own memory and hard disk drive (that is, the storage unit 12), and sequentially reads the control scenarios (S003). Thereafter, the home server compares the operation mode identified in step S002 with the start condition in the control scenario read in step S003, so that the identified operation mode matches the start condition. It is determined whether or not (S004).

  Then, when the identified operation mode is a mode that matches the start condition, the home server carries out the processes after step S006. On the other hand, when the specified mode does not match the start condition, normal individual adjustment is performed instead of the control process by the home server not being performed. As a result, the operating state of the energy consuming device (that is, the illumination 5 or the water heater 7) corresponding to the operated device to be operated is switched (S005).

  In the case where the identified operation mode is determined to be a mode that matches the start condition (Yes in S004), the home server executes a notification process for notifying the execution of the control process (S006). More specifically, the home server specifies a notification method from one control scenario that satisfies the start condition among the control scenarios read out in step S003, and executes the notification process by this method.

  Thereafter, the home server waits until a predetermined time elapses after the notification process is executed. During the standby period, the home server monitors the presence or absence of a canceling operation by the resident (that is, operating the same operated device again as detected in S001) (S007). If there is no cancel operation during the standby period, the home server specifies the control target device and the control pattern from the control scenario that satisfies the start condition after the standby period has elapsed, and then executes the control process. Start (S008). Thereby, the driving | running state of a control object apparatus comes to be controlled according to a control pattern.

  On the other hand, if there is a cancel operation during the standby period, the home server detects this and specifies the operation mode (corresponding to the re-operation mode, hereinafter referred to as “cancel operation mode”) (S009). ). Further, the home server compares the specified cancel operation mode with the cancel condition defined in the control scenario that has already been read (control scenario that satisfies the start condition), so that the specified cancel operation mode is canceled. It is determined whether the mode matches the condition (S010).

  If the specified cancel operation mode is a mode that matches the cancel condition, the home server cancels the execution of the control process (S011). On the other hand, if the specified cancel operation mode does not match the cancel condition, the home server specifies the control target device and the control pattern from the control scenario in which the start condition is satisfied when the standby period after the notification process has elapsed. Then, execution of the control process is started (S008). Thereby, the driving | running state of a control object apparatus comes to be controlled according to a control pattern.

<< Effectiveness of Energy Consumption Equipment Control Device According to this Embodiment >>
This device 1 automatically controls the operating state of energy consuming equipment provided in a house according to a control pattern. On the other hand, when the resident of the house, which is a user, requests automatic control (ie, execution of control processing) from the apparatus 1, an advanced terminal operation is not required, and the lighting switch 6 and the remote controller for the water heater are used. It can be easily requested by operating an individual device for individual adjustment such as 8.

  More specifically, the air conditioner 3, the illumination 5, and the water heater 7 are provided with individual operated devices. In this embodiment, the operated devices are automatically controlled by the apparatus 1. It is also used as a trigger. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a device to be operated separately for the individual adjustment and for the automatic control request, and for the resident who is a user, the trouble of using different devices depending on the situation can be saved. .

  Further, as a general configuration for requesting automatic control (that is, execution of control processing) to a control device such as a home server, a configuration that requests through a terminal such as a PC, a PDA, or a smartphone is conceivable. In such a configuration, it is necessary to perform program installation work, communication setting work, and the like on the terminal side, and it takes time to request automatic control. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is possible to request automatic control by operating the illumination switch 6 or the water heater remote controller 8, so that the above setting work is not necessary.

  As described above, according to the present apparatus 1, it is possible to easily request automatic control by operating the illumination switch 6 and the water heater remote controller 8 so as to satisfy the start condition of the control process. On the other hand, if an automatic control request can be made easily, an unintended automatic control request may be made. However, according to the present apparatus 1, an unintended control request is made. Can be dealt with appropriately.

  Specifically, the apparatus 1 notifies the execution of the control process by a predetermined notification method before starting the execution (automatic control) of the control process. By this notification, the resident becomes aware that the control process will be executed soon. Furthermore, the resident can cancel (cancel) the execution of the control process by his / her own intention by performing a predetermined cancel operation until a predetermined time elapses from the execution of the notification process. With such a configuration, even if an unintended control request is made, it is possible to appropriately cope (specifically, cancel control execution). As a result, automatic control by the apparatus 1 is convenient for the user.

<< Other Examples >>
In the embodiment described above, the configuration of the energy consuming device control apparatus and the energy consuming device control method of the present invention has been described by way of an example. However, such content is merely an example and other embodiments are described. Is also possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the energy consuming equipment control device of the present invention is configured by one computer (home server), but the present invention is not limited to this. The energy consuming equipment control device of the present invention may be configured by a plurality of computers. In addition, at least one of the processing execution unit 11, the storage unit 12, the detection unit 13, and the determination unit 14 may be configured by a computer different from the home server. For example, the memory | storage part 12 may be comprised by the database server which can communicate with a home server via the internet.

  In the above embodiment, the control pattern and the start condition of the control process are both stored in the storage unit 12 as a control scenario. That is, in the above embodiment, the control pattern and the start condition are stored in the same storage area in the common storage medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the stored location (medium and its storage area) may be different between the control pattern and the start condition.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the conditions regarding the operation mode of the operated devices (specifically, the lighting switch 6 and the water heater remote control 8), more specifically, the operation time, the type of operation day (day of week or weekday / rest) Holidays), operation details, the number of operations during a unit time, and the like are used as the start condition and cancel condition of the control process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and conditions related to operation modes other than the contents described above (for example, the difference before and after the change when the operation management value is changed, the place where the operation was performed, etc.) You may employ | adopt as conditions or cancellation conditions.

  In the above embodiment, the operation state of each device is controlled by using a plurality of energy consuming devices as control target devices in one control process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of devices to be controlled in the processing may be one.

  In the above embodiment, the lighting switch 6 and the water heater remote control 8 are described as examples of the operated devices that are operated when requesting the execution of the control process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. The operated device that is operated when requesting the execution of the control process may be considered other than the above-described devices, for example, an air conditioner remote control 4, a TV remote control, a wall-mounted water heater operation panel, etc. Good. Alternatively, it may be an operated device for individually operating other energy consuming devices (for example, storage batteries, ventilation devices, electric shutters, electric door locks, etc.) provided in a house.

1. This device (energy consuming equipment control device)
2 Home network 3 Air conditioner (energy consuming equipment, controlled equipment)
4 Air conditioner remote control (operated device)
5 Lighting (energy consuming equipment, controlled equipment)
6 Lighting switch (operated device)
7 Water heater (energy consuming equipment, controlled equipment)
8 Remote control for water heater (operated device)
11 Process Execution Unit 12 Storage Unit 13 Detection Unit 14 Determination Unit S Home Appliance Control System

Claims (8)

An energy consuming device control device that controls a plurality of energy consuming devices of a plurality of types provided in a building as a control target device, and controls the operation state of the control target device according to a preset control pattern,
A process execution unit that executes a control process for controlling the operation state of each of the devices to be controlled according to the control pattern;
A storage unit storing the control pattern and a start condition of the control process;
Any one of a plurality of operated devices provided for each of the plurality of energy consuming devices capable of switching the operation state of the energy consuming device without performing the control process by being operated. A detection unit for detecting the operation;
When the detecting unit that any of the plurality of the operating device has been operated detected, the addition to identifying an operation mode during which the operating device is operated, the is specified the operation mode A determination unit that determines whether or not the mode matches the start condition,
The storage unit stores the start condition related to at least one of the time when the operations of the plurality of operated devices are performed, the type of operation day, and the number of operations during a unit time,
The said process execution part starts execution of the said control process, when the said determination part determines with the said operation aspect being the aspect which matched the said start conditions, The energy consumption apparatus control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The detection unit is installed at a predetermined location of the building and is operated when switching the operation state of the energy consuming device, or issues a switching signal of the operation state toward the energy consuming device. energy consumption device control apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that to detect that the remote control has been operated.   The energy consuming equipment control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of the control patterns and stores the start condition for each control pattern.   When the determination unit determines that the operation mode is a mode that matches the start condition, the process execution unit executes a notification process for notifying the execution of the control process before starting the execution of the control process The energy consuming equipment control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The storage unit further stores cancellation conditions for the control process,
When the detection unit detects that the operated device has been operated again after a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing execution unit executed the notification process, the determination unit Identify the re-operation mode when the operating device is operated again, determine whether the specified re-operation mode is a mode that matches the cancellation condition,
The energy consumption according to claim 4, wherein the process execution unit cancels the execution of the control process when the determination unit determines that the re-operation mode is in a mode that matches the cancel condition. Equipment control device. Before term memory unit, the energy of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storing the control pattern for each said control target equipment and defining the operating state after the control process execution Consumer equipment control device. The home server installed in the house as the building and comprising a home server capable of communicating with the plurality of energy consuming devices in the house via a network constructed in the house. An energy consuming equipment control device according to claim 1. An energy consuming device control method for controlling a plurality of energy consuming devices of a plurality of types provided in a building as a control target device and controlling an operation state of the control target device according to a preset control pattern,
A computer executing a control process for controlling the operation state of each of the devices to be controlled according to the control pattern;
Of the plurality of operated devices provided for each of the plurality of energy consuming devices , wherein the computer is operated to switch the operation state of the energy consuming devices without executing the control process . Detecting that one of them has been operated,
Computer, when any of the plurality of the operated device detects that it has been operated, the addition to identifying an operation mode during which the operating device is operated, the control process and the control pattern A storage unit that stores a start condition, and stores the start condition related to at least one of a time at which the operations of the plurality of operated devices are performed, a type of operation day, and the number of operations in a unit time. Accessing the storage unit and determining whether the identified operation mode is a mode that matches the start condition,
The computer starts the execution of the control process when it is determined that the operation mode is a mode that matches the start condition.

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