JP6669228B2 - Equipment control system and equipment control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device control system and a device control device .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technology for supporting a meeting is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a presenter makes a presentation in a room such as a conference room, the presenter controls the operation of the device and the application used by the presenter in the presentation based on the settings of the device and the application of the presenter. A technique for supporting a presentation by a presenter is disclosed.

  However, in the conventional technology described above, in order to receive support, the presenter or a participant of a conference manually prepares device and application settings, or manually starts up a device or the like. There is a need to.

  As described above, the related art merely controls the device so as to perform a desired operation when the device is used in a certain place, and sets the device in a state where the device can perform the desired operation. Requires manual operation of a user or the like, and a user burden is caused.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a device control system and a device control device that can reduce a user's burden when the device is placed in a state in which the device can perform a desired operation. And

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an apparatus control system according to one embodiment of the present invention provides at least one apparatus, information for identifying a place reserved by a user, and date and time of using the place. A reservation management device for storing information, information for identifying the device used at the place at the date and time, and electronic data used by the device at the reserved place; and control for activating the device via a network. The reservation management device, the device management device, the information to identify the device used in the place at the date and time , and the electronic data used in the device at the reserved place the device control device transmitted to the device control apparatus, based on the information identifying the device that has received, performs control to start the device, the reservation to the device that has started Transmitting the electronic data received from the management apparatus.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect that the user's burden when setting the apparatus in the state which can perform operation | movement according to the objective can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the device control system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the reservation management device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the device control device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reservation information according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device information according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reservation process performed by the device control system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a start process executed by the device control system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an end process performed by the device control system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of each device according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a device control system and a device control device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device control system 1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device control system 1 includes devices 10-1 to 10-n (n is a natural number of 1 or more), a device 11-1, a reservation management device 100, a device control device 200, It includes a remote management device 600 and a conference management device 700.

  In the first SITE, the devices 10-1 to 10-n, the reservation management device 100, and the device control device 200 are arranged. Note that the device 10-1 may be a device arranged (provided) in the first conference room in the first SITE, or may be a device that can be used in the first conference room. . Each device and each device arranged in the first SITE are connected to the first network 2.

  The device 11-1 is arranged in the second SITE. Note that the device 11-1 may be a device arranged (provided) in the 21st meeting room in the second SITE, or may be a device that can be used in the 21st meeting room. . In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 11-1 is illustrated as the device and device arranged in the second SITE. However, actually, the same device and device as the first SITE are arranged. However, in the example shown in FIG. 1, illustration of these devices and devices is omitted. Each device and each device such as the device 11-1 arranged in the second SITE are connected to the first network 4.

  The first SITE and the second SITE are, for example, bases of companies and the like such as business offices and factories, and are provided in physically distant areas. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first SITE and the second SITE are shown as the bases, but the number of bases is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

  The first network 2 and the first network 4 are connected via the second network 3. The remote management device 600 and the conference management device 700 are connected to the second network 3. The first network 2 and the first network 4 include, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), and the second network 3 includes, for example, the Internet, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second network 3 may be a dedicated line or the like.

  The devices 10-1 to 10-n and the device 11-1 are, for example, various electronic devices such as a projector, a fluorescent lamp, an air conditioner, a conference terminal, an electronic blackboard, a camera, a refrigerator, and a vending machine, a printing device, a copier, and a multifunction device. (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral), an image forming apparatus such as a scanner apparatus and a facsimile apparatus, and an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) and a tablet terminal. The multifunction peripheral has at least two of a copy function, a print function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  In the present embodiment, the devices 10-1 to 10-n are devices to be managed by the device control device 200, but are not limited thereto. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the devices 10-1 to 10-n, the devices 10 may be simply referred to as the device 10.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the reservation management device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the reservation management device 100 includes a communication unit 110, an operation unit 120, a display unit 130, a storage unit 140, and a control unit 150.

  The communication unit 110 communicates with an external device such as the device control device 200 via a network, and can be realized by a communication device such as a NIC (Network Interface Card).

  The operation unit 120 performs input of various operations, and can be realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, and a touch panel.

  The display unit 130 displays various screens, and can be realized by a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a touch panel display.

  The storage unit 140 stores various programs executed by the reservation management device 100, data used for various processes performed by the reservation management device 100, and the like. The storage unit 140 includes, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and an electric device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, an optical disk, a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). It can be realized by at least one of the storage devices capable of temporarily storing. Storage section 140 includes a reservation information storage section 141. The details of the reservation information storage unit 141 will be described later.

  The control unit 150 controls each unit of the reservation management device 100, and can be realized by a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Control unit 150 includes a reservation unit 151 and a determination unit 153. The details of the reservation unit 151 and the determination unit 153 will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the device control device 200 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the device control device 200 includes a communication unit 210, an operation unit 220, a display unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

  The communication unit 210 communicates with external devices such as the devices 10-1 to 10-n, the reservation management device 100, the remote management device 600, and the conference management device 700 via a network. Can be realized by:

  The operation unit 220 inputs various operations, and can be realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, and a touch panel.

  The display unit 230 displays various screens, and can be realized by a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a touch panel display.

  The storage unit 240 stores various programs executed by the device control device 200, data used for various processes performed by the device control device 200, and the like. The storage unit 240 can be realized by at least one of magnetic, optical, and electrically storable storage devices such as an HDD, an SSD, a memory card, an optical disk, a ROM, and a RAM. The details of the storage unit 240 will be described later.

  The control unit 250 controls each unit of the device control device 200, and can be realized by a control device such as a CPU. The control unit 250 includes a device information acquisition unit 251, a control information generation unit 253, and a device control unit 255. The details of the device information acquisition unit 251, the control information generation unit 253, and the device control unit 255 will be described later.

  Here, the reservation unit 151, the determination unit 153, and the reservation information storage unit 141 of the reservation management device 100 will be described.

  The reservation unit 151 receives input of the place identification information for identifying the place and the use date and time at which the place is used, and reserves use of the place and the devices arranged at the place during the use date and time.

  For example, the reservation unit 151 receives, from an information processing apparatus used by the user, input of place identification information, use date and time, and user identification information for identifying a user who uses the place. The reservation unit 151 acquires one or more pieces of first device identification information associated with the received location identification information, and transmits the acquired information to an information processing device used by the user, whereby the one or more pieces of first device identification information are acquired. The user selects the first device identification information of the device used by the user from the identification information, and receives an input of the selected first device identification information from the information processing device.

  In the present embodiment, the location identification information and the first device identification information are stored in the storage unit 140 in association with each other in advance, so that the received location identification information is associated with the location identification information. One or more pieces of first device identification information can be obtained. The information processing device used by the user may be any of the devices 10-2 to 10-n, or may be a device (not shown) other than the device 10. That is, in the present embodiment, the information processing device used by the user may be a device to be managed by the device control device 200 or may not be a device to be managed by the device control device 200.

  Then, the reservation unit 151 receives the location indicated by the received location identification information and the device (device indicated by the selected first device identification information) arranged by the user indicated by the received user identification information. The reservation information for reserving the use date and time is generated and stored in the reservation information storage unit 141.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reservation information according to the present embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the reservation information is information including reservation identification information, place identification information, use date and time, user identification information, and first device identification information, but is not limited thereto. .

  The reservation identification information is an identifier for identifying the reservation information, such as a reservation ID. The place identification information is an identifier for identifying a place, and includes, for example, a place ID. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the place is a conference room, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any place may be used as long as the place can be reserved. The use date and time is the date and time when the location indicated by the location identification information is used. The user identification information is an identifier for identifying a user who uses the location indicated by the location identification information, and includes, for example, a user ID (employee ID). The first device identification information is an identifier for identifying a device arranged at the location indicated by the location identification information, and includes, for example, a serial number and a model number.

  The reservation information shown in FIG. 4 includes the place identification information (001), the date and time of use (2014/2/1 13: 00-15: 00), the user identification information received by the reservation unit 151 from the information processing device used by the user. (301) and the first device identification information (101) with the reservation identification information (201) added thereto.

  That is, the reservation information of the reservation identification information (201) shown in FIG. 4 is that the user indicated by the user identification information (301) indicates the location indicated by the location identification information (001) and the first device identification information (101). This is information indicating that the device is used on the date and time of use (2014/2/1 13: 00-15: 00).

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the location indicated by the location identification information (001) is the first conference room of the first SITE, and the device indicated by the first device identification information (101) is the device 10-1. Although described, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, one user uses the reserved place. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more users may be used. Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the number of the devices 10 arranged in the reserved place is one, but the number is not limited thereto, and may be two or more.

  If the device arranged at the reserved place includes a conference terminal, the reservation unit 151 further receives input of specific information capable of specifying another conference terminal that communicates with the conference terminal, and Another conference terminal may be specified from the information, the first device identification information of the specified other conference terminal may be further included in the reservation information, and the use of the other conference terminal may be further reserved.

  The specific information includes place identification information of a place where another conference terminal is located. For example, it is assumed that another conference terminal is the device 11-1, and the location indicated by the location identification information (specific information) is the 21st conference room of the second SITE. In this case, the reservation unit 151 uses the remote management device 600 to acquire information defining the correspondence between the location identification information and the first device identification information from the second SITE reservation management device (not shown). The first device identification information of the device 11-1 can be obtained from the location identification information (specific information). However, the specific information may be the first device identification information of another conference terminal itself.

  In addition, the reservation unit 151 may further receive input of software identification information for identifying software used in the device indicated by the received first device identification information, and may further reserve the use of the software with the device. .

  In this case, the first device identification information and the software identification information are stored in the storage unit 140 in association with each other in advance, and the reservation unit 151 calculates the first device identification information from the received first device identification information. To obtain one or more pieces of software identification information associated with. Then, the reservation unit 151 transmits the obtained one or more pieces of software identification information to the information processing device used by the user, and selects the software identification information of the software used by the user from the one or more pieces of software identification information. Then, the input of the software identification information selected from the information processing apparatus may be accepted.

  In addition, the reservation unit 151 may further receive an input of electronic data to be used by the device indicated by the received first device identification information, and may further make a reservation to use the electronic data. In this case, the reservation unit 151 may further receive input of electronic data from the information processing device used by the user.

  The determination unit 153 refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 141 and determines whether there is any reservation information whose use date and time starts after the first time. Then, when there is reservation information whose use date and time starts after the first time, the determination unit 153 notifies the device control device 200 of the first device identification information included in the reservation information. The first time can be set in accordance with the situation in which the device control system 1 is used, and can be, for example, 3 minutes or 5 minutes.

  For example, if the reservation information whose use date and time starts after the first time is the reservation information of the reservation identification information (201) shown in FIG. 4, the determination unit 153 determines the first device identification information (101) by device control. The device 200 is notified and the device 10-1 indicated by the first device identification information (101) is powered on.

  If the reservation includes use of another conference terminal in the reservation, the determination unit 153 uses the first device identification information of the other conference terminal in addition to the first device identification information (101). The device 200 may be notified. If the use of software is included in the reservation, the determination unit 153 may notify the device control apparatus 200 of software identification information of the software in addition to the first device identification information (101). If the use of the electronic data is included in the reservation, the determination unit 153 may notify the device control device 200 of the electronic data in addition to the first device identification information (101).

  The determination unit 153 refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 141 and determines whether there is any reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time. Then, when there is reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time, the determination unit 153 refers to other reservation information including the location identification information included in the reservation information, and determines the location indicated by the location identification information. It is determined whether there is a reservation to be used immediately after the use date and time ends. Note that the second time can be set according to the situation in which the device control system 1 is used, and can be, for example, 10 minutes or 5 minutes.

  If there is no reservation, the determination unit 153 notifies the device control apparatus 200 that there is no next reservation together with the first device identification information included in the reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time, and there is a reservation. In this case, the determination unit 153 notifies the device control apparatus 200 that there is a next reservation together with the first device identification information included in the reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time.

  For example, the reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time is the reservation information of the reservation identification information (201) shown in FIG. 4, and if there is no next reservation, the determination unit 153 determines the first device identification information. Along with (101), the device controller 200 is notified that there is no next reservation, and if there is a next reservation, the determination unit 153 determines that there is a next reservation together with the first device identification information (101). Notify the device 200.

  Next, the storage unit 240, the device information acquisition unit 251, the control information generation unit 253, and the device control unit 255 of the device control device 200 will be described.

  The device information acquisition unit 251 acquires device information from the devices 10-1 to 10-n, and manages the acquired device information on the storage unit 240. Specifically, the device information acquisition unit 251 performs communication using a general-purpose protocol generally used in device management, such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), with the devices 10-1 to 10-n. Get information. Note that the device information acquisition method may be a method in which the device information acquisition unit 251 mainly acquires the device information from the devices 10-1 to 10-n, or the device information acquisition unit 251 mainly acquires the device information. Alternatively, a method of notifying the device control device 200 (device information acquisition unit 251) may be used.

  The device information of the present embodiment includes at least second device identification information (an example of device identification information) for identifying the device 10 on the network. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device information according to the present embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the device information is information including the first device identification information and the second device identification information, but is not limited thereto.

  The first device identification information is an identifier for identifying the device 10, and includes, for example, a serial number and a model number. The second device identification information is an identifier for identifying the device 10 on the network, and includes, for example, an IP address.

  The control information generation unit 253 acquires device information including the first device identification information notified to power on the device 10 from the reservation management device 100 from the storage unit 240, and uses the device information to perform the first The first control information for controlling at least the power-on state of the device 10 indicated by the device identification information is generated. Note that the first control information includes at least a power-on command for WOL (Wake On LAN) using the second device identification information. In the present embodiment, controlling the power supply to the ON state includes controlling partial power supply (for example, supplying power to only a part of a plurality of substrates) while the main power supply is turned on. Includes operation control such as insertion control.

  In the present embodiment, if the reservation management device 100 determines that the use time starts before the first time, the first device identification information is notified to the device control device 200 to turn on the device 10. It is assumed that the control information generating unit 253 generates the first control information after the first time before the use time starts. However, the generation timing is not limited to this. For example, the first control information may be generated in advance.

  For example, it is assumed that the first device identification information (101) is notified from the reservation management device 100 to the device control device 200 in order to power on the device 10-1. In this case, the control information generation unit 253 acquires device information (see FIG. 5) including the first device identification information (101) from the storage unit 240, and controls the device 10-1 to be in a power-on state. As the first control information, control information including a power-on command for WOL using the second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) is generated.

  In addition, the control information generation unit 253 controls the network connection state in addition to the WOL power-on command using the second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) as the first control information. May be generated.

  If the device 10-1 is a conference terminal, the control information generating unit 253 turns on the power for WOL using the second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) as the first control information. In addition to the command, it includes the second device identification information based on the first device identification information of the other conference terminal notified from the reservation management device 100, and sets the conference terminal in a state in which it can be conferenced with the other conference terminal. Control information including a command for the control may be generated.

  For example, if the other conference terminal is the device 11-1, if the control information generation unit 253 obtains device information from the second SITE device control device (not shown) using the remote management device 600, the other The second device identification information can be obtained from the first device identification information of the conference terminal.

  In addition, the control information generation unit 253 performs, as the first control information, a power-on command for WOL using the second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx), and reserve management for the device 10-1. Control information for executing the software indicated by the software identification information notified from the device 100 may be generated.

  Further, the control information generation unit 253 obtains device information including the first device identification information notified from the reservation management device 100 together with the presence / absence of the next reservation from the storage unit 240, and uses the device information The second control information for causing the device 10 to output an image or a sound indicating that the end of the use date and time or the end time of the use date and time is imminent is generated.

  In the present embodiment, if the reservation management device 100 determines that the use time ends before the second time, the first device identification information is notified to the device control device 200 together with the presence or absence of the next reservation. It is assumed that the generation unit 253 generates the second control information after the second time before the use time ends. However, the generation timing is not limited to this. For example, the second control information may be generated in advance.

  For example, it is assumed that the reservation management apparatus 100 notifies the device control apparatus 200 of the fact that there is no next reservation and the first device identification information (101). In this case, the control information generation unit 253 acquires the device information (see FIG. 5) including the first device identification information (101) from the storage unit 240, and, as the second control information, the second device identification information ( xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) is used to generate control information for causing the device 10-1 to output an image or sound indicating whether or not the use date and time has been extended. As for the image or sound indicating whether or not the use date and time is extended, data may be stored in the storage unit 240 in advance, and this data may be used.

  For example, suppose that the reservation management apparatus 100 notifies the device control apparatus 200 of the next reservation and the first device identification information (101). In this case, the control information generation unit 253 acquires the device information (see FIG. 5) including the first device identification information (101) from the storage unit 240, and, as the second control information, the second device identification information ( xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx), and generates control information for causing the device 10-1 to output an image or sound indicating that the end time of the use date and time is approaching. For an image or a sound indicating that the end time of the use date and time is approaching, data may be stored in the storage unit 240 in advance, and this data may be used.

  The device control unit 255 controls the device 10 to at least the power-on state based on the use date and time of the reservation information and the second device identification information of the device 10. Specifically, when the reservation management device 100 determines that the use date and time is the first time before the start of use by the reservation management device 100, the device control unit 255 uses the first control information generated by the control information generation unit 253, The device 10 is controlled at least to a power-on state.

  For example, it is assumed that the first control information is control information including a power-on command for WOL using the second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx). In this case, the device control unit 255 controls the device 10-1 to be in a power-on state using the first control information.

  Further, for example, the first control information includes control information including a command for controlling a network connection state in addition to a power-on command for WOL using the second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx). And In this case, the device control unit 255 controls the device 10-1 in a power-on state and a network connection state using the first control information.

  In addition, for example, the first control information includes a second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) in addition to a power-on command for WOL using the second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx). xxx) and the second device identification information of the other conference terminal, and is control information including a command for bringing the device 10-1 which is the conference terminal into a state in which a conference is possible with the other conference terminal. In this case, the device control unit 255 controls the device 10-1 which is the conference terminal to be in a power-on state using the first control information, and sets the device 10-1 which is the conference terminal to another conference terminal. Control to a state where meetings are possible. Specifically, the device control unit 255 controls the device 10-1 that is the conference terminal to be in a power-on state, and gives the device 10-1 that is the conference terminal the second device identification information (xxx.xxx. xxx.xxx) and the second device identification information of the other conference terminals are transmitted to the conference management device 700. As a result, the conference management device 700 controls the device 10-1 as the conference terminal and another conference terminal so that a conference is possible.

  Also, for example, the first control information is a control information for causing the device 10-1 to execute software, in addition to a power-on command for WOL using the second device identification information (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx). And In this case, the device control unit 255 controls the device 10-1 to be in a power-on state using the first control information, and causes the device 10-1 to execute the software indicated by the software identification information.

  Further, for example, when electronic data has been notified from the reservation management apparatus 100, the device control unit 255 controls the device 10-1 to be in a power-on state using the first control information, and transmits the electronic data. To deliver.

  When the reservation management device 100 determines that the use date and time is a second time before the end of the use date and time, the device control unit 255 uses the second control information generated by the control information generation unit 253 to set the use date and time. The device 10 is caused to output an image or a sound indicating that the extension or the end time of the use date is imminent.

  For example, it is assumed that the second control information is control information for causing the device 10-1 to output an image or sound indicating whether or not the use date and time has been extended. In this case, the device control unit 255 uses the second control information to cause the device 10-1 to output an image or sound indicating whether or not the use date and time has been extended. In this case, the device 10-1 may be a device capable of outputting an image or sound, and examples thereof include a projector, a conference terminal, an electronic blackboard, an image forming device, and an information processing device.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the second control information is control information for causing the device 10-1 to output an image or a sound indicating that the end time of the use date and time is approaching. In this case, the device control unit 255 uses the second control information to cause the device 10-1 to output an image or sound indicating that the end time of the use date and time is approaching. In this case, the device 10-1 may be a device capable of outputting an image or sound, and examples thereof include a projector, a conference terminal, an electronic blackboard, an image forming device, and an information processing device.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reservation process executed by the device control system 1 of the present embodiment.

  First, the reservation unit 151 of the reservation management device 100 receives an input of the selected use date and time from the information processing device used by the user (step S101).

  Subsequently, the reservation unit 151 receives input of place identification information indicating the selected place from the information processing device used by the user (Step S103).

  Subsequently, the reservation unit 151 receives input of device identification information indicating the selected device 10 from the information processing device used by the user (Step S105).

  Subsequently, the reservation unit 151 uses software together with the selected device 10 (Yes in step S107), and when the software can be selected (Yes in step S109), inputs the software identification information indicating the selected software. Is received (step S111).

  Here, examples of the software used together with the device 10 include a conference application used when the device 10 is a conference terminal. In the case where software can be selected, for example, the license is managed at the use date and time entered in step S101 under the condition that the software is managed by a license and only the number of contracted licenses can be used at the same time. And the like.

  If the software is not used together with the selected device 10 (No in step S107), or if the software cannot be selected (No in step S109), the process of step S111 is not performed.

  Subsequently, when accepting a confirmation input for confirming the reservation from the information processing device used by the user (Yes in step S113), the reservation unit 151 stores the received information as reservation information in the reservation information storage unit 141, The reservation is confirmed (step S115).

  If the reservation unit 151 does not receive a confirmation input for confirming the reservation from the information processing apparatus used by the user (No in step S113), the process returns to step S101, and accepts correction of the selection.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a start process performed by the device control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the determination unit 153 refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 141, and checks whether there is reservation information whose use date and time starts after the first time (step S201). If there is no reservation information whose use date and time starts after the first time (No in step S201), the process returns to step S201.

  If there is reservation information whose use date and time starts after the first time (Yes in step S201), the determination unit 153 indicates the first device identification information included in the reservation information by the first device identification information. In order to turn on the power of the device at least, the device control device 200 is notified to the device control device 200, and the control information generation unit 253 determines at least the device 10 indicated by the first device identification information based on the notified first device identification information. First control information for controlling power-on is generated (step S203).

  Subsequently, the device control unit 255 controls the device 10 to at least the power-on state using the first control information (Step S205).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an end process performed by the device control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the determination unit 153 refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 141, and confirms whether there is any reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time (step S301). If there is no reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time (No in step S301), the process returns to step S301.

  If there is reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time (Yes in step S301), the determination unit 153 refers to other reservation information including the place identification information included in the reservation information, and It is determined whether or not there is a reservation to use the location indicated by immediately after the end of the use date and time (step S303).

  If there is no reservation (No in step S303), the determination unit 153 notifies the device control apparatus 200 that there is no next reservation together with the first device identification information included in the reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time. The control information generation unit 253 notifies the control information generation unit 253 of the second control information for causing the device 10 indicated by the first device identification information to output an image or a sound indicating whether or not the use date and time has been extended (step S305).

  On the other hand, if there is a reservation (Yes in step S303), the determination unit 153 determines that the next reservation is present together with the first device identification information included in the reservation information whose use date and time ends after the second time. 200, and the control information generating unit 253 generates second control information for outputting an image or a sound indicating that the end time of the use date and time is approaching to the device 10 indicated by the first device identification information. (Step S307).

  Subsequently, if the second control information is the control information generated in step S305, the device control unit 255 outputs an image or sound indicating whether or not the use date and time has been extended to the device 10 indicated by the first device identification information. If the second control information is the control information generated in step S307, an image or a sound indicating that the end time of the use date and time is approaching is output to the device 10 indicated by the first device identification information (step S307). S309).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the device control of the device arranged at the reserved place is performed using the reservation information and the device information. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the apparatus to a state in which the operation according to the purpose such as the power-on of the apparatus can be automatically performed without the intervention of the user or the like at the start of the use time. In addition, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when the device is brought into a state in which the operation can be performed according to the purpose.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the reservation information includes a plurality of first device identification information, and the device 10 indicated by one piece of the first device identification information is an electronic blackboard. In this case, when the user performs a sharing operation, the device 10 as the electronic blackboard transmits output information (for example, screen information) output by the device 10 to the reservation management device 100 together with its own first device identification information. Then, the reservation management device 100 transmits another first device identification information included in the reservation information including the first device identification information to the device control device 200 together with the output information, and the device control unit 255 The output information may be distributed to the device 10 indicated by the first device identification information.

  In this way, data sharing during a conference or the like can be automated.

  Further, in the above embodiment, some or all of the functions of the reservation management device 100 and the device control device 200 may be integrated into one device.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the reservation management device 100 and the device control device 200 (hereinafter, referred to as each device of the embodiment) of the embodiment. Each device of the above embodiment includes a control device 801 such as a CPU, a storage device 802 such as a ROM and a RAM, an external storage device 803 such as an HDD, a display device 804 such as a display, and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. 805 and a communication I / F (interface) 806, and have a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  The program executed by each device of the above embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a memory card, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a flexible disk (FD). The program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium and provided.

  Further, the program executed by each device of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by each device of the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the program executed by each device of the above embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in a ROM or the like in advance.

  The program executed by each device of the above embodiment has a module configuration for realizing each of the above-described units on a computer. As actual hardware, the CPU reads out a program from the HDD onto the RAM and executes the program, whereby the above-described units are realized on a computer.

Reference Signs List 1 device control system 2 first network 3 second network 4 first network 10-1 to 10-n (10) device 11-1 device 100 reservation management device 110 communication unit 120 operation unit 130 display unit 140 storage unit 141 reservation information Storage unit 150 Control unit 151 Reservation unit 153 Judgment unit 200 Device control device 210 Communication unit 220 Operation unit 230 Display unit 240 Storage unit 250 Control unit 251 Device information acquisition unit 253 Control information generation unit 255 Device control unit 600 Remote management device 700 Conference Management device 801 Control device 802 Storage device 803 External storage device 804 Display device 805 Input device 806 Communication I / F

Japanese Patent No. 5088153

Claims (7)

At least one device;
Information for identifying the place reserved by the user, information of the date and time to use the place, information to identify the device to be used at the place at the date and time, and electronic data to be used by the device at the reserved place. A reservation management device that stores
A device control device that performs control for activating the device via a network,
Including
The reservation management device transmits information identifying the device to be used at the place at the date and time , and electronic data to be used by the device at the reserved place to the device control device,
The device control device, based on the received information for identifying the device, controls the activation of the device, and transmits the electronic data received from the reservation management device to the activated device ,
Equipment control system. The device control device that activates the device is a device that is provided according to the location and includes a touch panel that receives an operation input.
The device control system according to claim 1. The device control device , based on the information obtained from the reservation management device and identifying the device to be used in the place at the date and time, depending on the presence or absence of the next reservation, the device to use the date and time to use the place To output a sound that the end time is approaching,
The device control system according to claim 1. The device is an information processing device including an electronic blackboard or a display,
The device control system according to claim 1. The device transmits screen information of the device to the reservation management device based on a sharing operation by a user,
The device control system according to claim 4. Screen information of the device transmitted to the reservation management device, via the device control device, transmitted to other devices,
The device control system according to claim 5. In a device control device for controlling activation of at least one device via a network,
Information for identifying the place reserved by the user, information of the date and time to use the place, information to identify the device to be used at the place at the date and time, and electronic data to be used by the device at the reserved place. From the reservation management device that stores the information that identifies the device to be used at the location on the date and time, and means for receiving electronic data used by the device at the reserved location,
Based on the received information for identifying the device, while performing control to start the device, means for transmitting the electronic data received from the reservation management device to the started device,
An equipment control device comprising:

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