JP7027785B2 - Equipment operation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device operation system.

For example, it is known to operate a handy type remote controller when a user operates a home electric appliance in a space such as a room (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Further, it is known that a wall switch provided on a wall surface of a room is operated when a user operates a home electric appliance (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-216835 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-239337

However, with regard to the handy type remote controller, when the user wants to operate the device, he / she may not be able to find it in the room and may have to search for it. On the other hand, in the case of a wall switch, since the installation location is fixed, there is no need to search for it, but the user always moves to the location where the wall switch is located, and the wall switch itself. Need to be operated.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when the user operates the device, the physical range that the user can operate is expanded without using a handy type remote controller. With the goal.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is the back surface of the light-transmitting wall so that the operation guidance display for guiding the operation of the device can be visually recognized on the front surface of the light-transmitting wall. A display unit that reveals an operation guidance display by light emission or light reflection from, a sensor unit provided to detect vibration transmitted through the wall, and a knock operation that hits the wall based on the vibration detected by the sensor unit. It is a device operation system including a control unit that determines the pattern of the device and controls the operation of the device according to the determined knock operation pattern.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the user operates the device, it is possible to obtain the effect that the physical range that the user can operate is expanded without using a handy type remote controller. ..

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the equipment operation system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode example of the device operation guidance display in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the device control unit in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the installation mode of the device control unit in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure executed by the device control unit in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure executed by the device control unit in 2nd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration example of the device operation system 1 of the present embodiment. In the figure, an example in which the device operation system 1 of the present embodiment is provided in the room 1 is shown. The room 1 may be, for example, one room in a house, a facility, or the like.

The room 1 is provided with a lighting device 2 and a curtain drive device 3 as devices to be operated (devices to be operated) in the device operation system 1 of the present embodiment. The lighting device 2 is a device that illuminates the room as the room 1. The curtain drive device 3 is a device that opens and closes the curtain 4 provided in the room as the room 1.

The device control unit 100 is provided on the wall WL of the room 1 of the present embodiment. The device control unit 100 is connected to the lighting device 2 and the curtain drive device 3 which are the operation target devices by the control line CTL.
The device control unit 100 performs an operation guidance display for guiding the operation of the operation target device toward the user Y existing in the room 1. The user Y performs an operation for controlling the operation of the operation target device while the operation guidance display is being performed. The device control unit 100 outputs a command to the operation target device via the control line CTL in response to detecting the operation performed by the user Y. The operation target device to which the command is input executes the operation according to the input command.

Next, an example of the operation guide display in the present embodiment and an example of the operation performed by the user Y will be described.
When the user Y tries to operate the lighting device 2 or the curtain drive device 3, the user Y first, in a state where the operation guidance display is not performed (not manifested), the sensor in the device control unit 100 in the room 1 The operation of knocking (tapping) the wall WL around the position where the portion is provided (operation guide display instruction operation) is performed once. In the following description, the operation of knocking on the wall around the position where the sensor unit is provided, which is performed in connection with the operation of the operation target device, will be described as “knock operation”.
In response to the operation guidance display instruction operation, the device control unit 100 performs display control so as to manifest the operation guidance display on the surface of the wall WL. As a result, the user Y can visually recognize the operation guidance display on the front surface of the wall WL.

In the present embodiment, the detection of the knock operation is performed based on the detection signal of the sensor unit provided to detect the vibration generated in the wall WL. Therefore, the range of the wall WL in which the knock operation should be performed may be a range in which the sensor unit can detect the vibration generated in the wall WL in response to the knock operation.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an operation guide display 200 performed on the surface of the wall WL. The front surface of the wall WL is provided with a layer of a decorative sheet having light transmission. The decorative sheet is an interior building material on which, for example, wood grain, stone grain, pattern, etc. are printed and used for finishing a wall surface or the like. The operation guide display 200 is a display observed from the front surface of the decorative sheet by projecting light according to the aspect of the figure so as to be transmitted from the back surface side to the front surface of the decorative sheet. That is, the operation guide display corresponds to the user Y performing one knock operation as the operation guide display instruction operation at a predetermined portion on the wall WL of the room 1 where nothing has been displayed so far. , Is displayed as if it emerges.

In the operation guide display 200 of the figure, individual operation guide areas 21-1, 201-2, and 201-3 are arranged. In the following description, it will be referred to as an individual operation guide area 201. The individual operation guidance area 201 is an area in which the content for guiding the operation method for the specific operation item corresponding to each is displayed.

In the individual operation guidance area 2011-1, contents for guiding how to turn on (on) and turn off (off) the lighting device 2 are displayed. In the individual operation guidance area 201-2, contents for guiding how to open the curtain 4 are displayed. In the individual operation guidance area 201-3, contents for guiding how to close the curtain 4 are displayed.

In the individual operation guidance area 201, an operation type instruction area 211 and an operation method instruction area 212 are arranged, respectively. The operation type instruction area 211 indicates what the corresponding operation is. The operation method instruction area 212 indicates a method for the corresponding operation. The method for the corresponding operation is shown as the number of knock operations.

Specifically, in the individual operation guidance area 201-1, it is shown that the operation type instruction area 211 corresponds to the on / off operation of the lighting device 2, and the knock operation should be continuously performed by the operation method instruction area 212. It is shown that the number of times is one. That is, by looking at the individual operation guidance area 211-1, the user Y can understand that one knock operation is sufficient to turn the lighting device 2 on and off.
Further, in the individual operation guidance area 201-2, it is shown that the operation type instruction area 211 corresponds to the operation of opening the curtain 4, and in the operation method instruction area 212, the number of times that the knock operation should be continuously performed is twice. Is shown to be. That is, by looking at the individual operation guidance area 201-2, the user Y can grasp that the knock operation may be performed twice in order to open the curtain 4.
Further, in the individual operation guidance area 201-3, it is shown that the operation type instruction area 211 corresponds to the operation of closing the curtain 4, and in the operation method instruction area 212, the number of times that the knock operation should be continuously performed is three times. Is shown to be. That is, by looking at the individual operation guidance area 201-2, the user Y can grasp that the knock operation may be performed three times in order to close the curtain 4.
Further, the state in which the operation guide display 200 is displayed is also a state in which a knock operation for causing the operation target device to perform a predetermined operation can be accepted. That is, by looking at the operation guidance display 200, the user Y can also confirm that the knock operation for operating the operation target device performed by the user Y can be accepted.

In this case, the individual operation guidance area 201 in the operation guidance display 200 is not a direct operation target. However, it is said that the user Y indirectly operates the switch as the individual operation guide area 201 arranged in the operation guide display 200 by knocking the position of the wall WL different from the individual operation guide area 201. You can have a sense. That is, each of the individual operation guide areas 201 in the operation guide display 200 can be regarded as a simulated switch for operating the corresponding operation item.

When the lighting device 2 is to be turned on or off while the operation guidance display 200 is displayed by the previous operation guidance display instruction operation, the user Y performs one knock operation (lighting on / off operation). conduct.
When the lighting device 2 is in the off state until the lighting on / off operation is performed, the lighting device 2 operates so as to turn on according to the lighting on / off operation. On the other hand, when the lighting device 2 is in the lighting state until the lighting on / off operation is performed, the lighting device 2 operates so as to turn off in response to the lighting on / off operation.

Further, when the user Y wants to open the curtain 4 while the operation guide display 200 is displayed by the previous operation guide display instruction operation, the user Y performs a knock operation (curtain opening operation) twice in a row. .. The curtain driving device 3 drives the curtain 4 to open in response to the curtain opening operation.
Further, when it is desired to stop the operation of opening the curtain 4, the user Y may perform the same knock operation twice in succession as the curtain opening operation again while the curtain 4 is open (during the opening operation). good. That is, the two knock operations during the open operation are open operation stop instruction operations that instruct the stop of the open operation.

Further, when the user Y wants to close the curtain 4 while the operation guide display 200 is displayed by the previous operation guide display instruction operation, the user Y performs a knock operation (curtain closing operation) three times in a row. .. The curtain driving device 3 drives the curtain 4 to close in response to the curtain closing operation.
Further, when it is desired to stop the operation of closing the curtain 4, the user Y can perform the same knock operation three times in a row as the curtain closing operation again while the curtain 4 is closed (during the closing operation). good. That is, the three knock operations during the closing operation are the closing operation stop instruction operations for instructing the stop of the closing operation.

The operation guidance display 200 may be erased according to the elapse of a certain time without detecting any of the lighting on / off operation, the curtain opening operation, and the curtain closing operation, for example. In the state where the display of the operation guide display 200 is erased, the place where the operation guide display 200 is displayed is only the pattern or pattern of the decorative sheet as a normal wall WL, and the operation guide display 200 exists. And no evidence is recognized.

As described above, in the device operation system 1 of the present embodiment, the device to be operated can be operated by knocking on the wall WL. Here, the knock operation for knocking the wall WL is not for a specific position on the wall WL, but in the wall WL as long as the vibration generated in the wall WL in response to the knock operation can be detected by the sensor unit. It can be done at any position.
For example, by providing a pressure-sensitive sensor on the back side of a display input panel equipped with a touch sensor, the pressure-sensitive sensor detects pressure in response to pressing on the display input panel, and the display input panel responds to the pressure detection. Is also known to be configured to start displaying.
However, in such a configuration, the range that can be operated by the user is limited to the portion corresponding to the display input panel. In the present embodiment, as described above, as long as the sensor unit can detect the vibration generated in the wall WL, the area other than the portion where the operation guide display 200 is displayed on the wall WL can be operated. It becomes a range.

As a result, even if there is no handy type remote controller or the like, it is possible to expand the physical range in which the user Y can operate the device as compared with the case where the operation is performed by the wall switch, for example. Further, after the physical range in which the device can be operated is expanded in this way, any operation on the plurality of devices can be performed in the same physical range in which the sensor unit 101 can detect the vibration due to the knock operation. .. That is, in the present embodiment, the places where the corresponding operations are performed for each of the plurality of operation items can be aggregated in a specific range. As a result, the user Y does not need to move to another place when operating the plurality of devices.

Further, the operation of the operation target device is an operation of knocking the wall WL by changing the number of times according to the operation item. That is, the user Y can select the operation target device and the operation to be performed by the operation target device depending on the number of knock operations. Once remembered, such operations can be easily performed by, for example, small children and elderly people. In addition, the user Y can also learn how to perform such an operation.

Further, the operation guidance display 200 is hidden when no operation is performed on the operation target device, and in the non-display state, the display location of the operation guidance display 200 is the same as that of the normal wall WL. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly designed space without spoiling the aesthetic appearance in the room 1. Further, since the operation guide display 200 is displayed so as to emerge on the wall WL only when the operation is performed, the user Y can feel the fun.

A configuration example of the device control unit 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The device control unit 100 in the figure includes a sensor unit 101, a display unit 102, a control unit 103, and a storage unit 104.

The sensor unit 101 is provided so as to detect the vibration transmitted through the wall WL. A piezoelectric sensor can be used for the sensor unit 101, for example, but the device may be other than the piezoelectric sensor as long as it is a device capable of detecting vibration, and is not particularly limited.

The display unit 102 emits light from the back surface of the light-transmitting decorative sheet so that the operation guide display 200 for guiding the operation of the operation target device can be visually recognized on the front surface of the decorative sheet. That is, the display unit 102 displays the operation guide display 200 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 on the front surface of the decorative sheet.

The control unit 103 determines a knock operation pattern for hitting a wall based on the vibration detected by the sensor unit 101, and controls the operation of the operation target device according to the determined knock operation pattern. In controlling the operation target device, the control unit 103 outputs a command to the operation target device (lighting device 2 or curtain drive device 3) via the control line CTL. The control line CTL may be wired or wireless.
The function as the control unit 103 is realized by executing a program by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the device control unit 100.
The storage unit 104 stores various types of information used by the control unit 103.

An example of an installation mode of the device control unit 100 with respect to the wall WL will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the figure, the side indicated by the arrow A is the front side, and the side indicated by the arrow B is the back side.

The wall WL corresponding to the portion where the device control unit 100 is installed has a decorative sheet L1 provided on the front surface of the wall WL and a transparent base material L2 provided on the back surface of the decorative sheet L1. As described above, the decorative sheet L1 has light transmission. Further, as the transparent base material L2, for example, acrylic resin or the like is used. As described above, the wall WL of the present embodiment has light transmission.

The sensor unit 101 in the figure is in a state of being sandwiched by, for example, the rigid members L3 and L4 on the plate. In addition, the front surface of the rigid member L3 is provided so as to come into contact with the back surface of the transparent base material L2. The rigid members L3 and L4 are fixed to the transparent base material L2 by screws 160 and 160 with the sensor portion 101 sandwiched between them.

The vibration generated in the wall WL includes vibrations other than the knocking operation generated inside and outside the room 1, but the sensor unit 101, for example, eliminates noise and detects the vibration corresponding to the knocking operation as accurately as possible. Is required.
Therefore, the sensor unit 101 of the present embodiment is set so as not to indirectly contact the building material portion included in the wall WL, and its own vibration is regulated by the rigid members L3 and L4. This makes it difficult to detect vibrations other than knock operations, and allows user Y to detect vibrations in response to knock operations that are positively performed on the wall WL at the highest possible level with respect to other vibrations. I have to.

Further, the rigid members L3 and L4 are formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin. By using the acrylic resin, the rigidity required for the rigid members L3 and L4 can be secured. Further, in the structure of the figure, the rigid members L3 and L4 are arranged so as to be interposed between the light emitting portion 140 and the wall WL, but by making the rigid members L3 and L4 transparent, the operation guide display 200 Does not interfere with the transmission of light required to do this.

Further, the transmitted light may be diffused by forming the surface of at least a part of the transparent base material L2 and the rigid members L3 and L4 so as to be rough. By diffusing the transmitted light, the operation guide display 200 on the front surface of the decorative sheet L1 can be easily seen.

Further, among the rigid members L3 and L4, the box-shaped housing portion 110 is attached so as to be fixed to the rigid member L4 on the back surface side. The substrate 120 is arranged in the space formed by the rigid member L4 and the housing portion 110, and the control circuit portion 130 and the light emitting portion 140 are electrically connected to the substrate 120. ..
A partition plate 111 is provided between the control circuit unit 130 and the light emitting unit 140. This makes it possible to prevent the light emitted from the light emitting unit 140 from being inadvertently diffused.
The control circuit unit 130 is a circuit unit that realizes a function corresponding to the control unit 103 in FIG.

The light emitting unit 140 is a portion that projects light toward the front surface side. The light emitting unit 140 is a portion formed by arranging light emitting devices such as LEDs (Light Emitted Diodes). The device that emits light may be other than an LED, for example, a device using an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence).
Further, in the space formed by the rigid member L4, the housing portion 110, and the partition plate 111, a light-shielding pattern portion 150 is provided on the back surface of the rigid member L4. That is, the light-shielding pattern portion 150 is provided on the front surface side of the light-emitting portion 140.
As the light-shielding pattern unit 150, for example, a sheet having no light transmission is used, for example, a sheet in which a portion corresponding to a pattern of the operation guide display 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is hollowed out so that light can pass through.
Under such a configuration, the light emitted by the light emitting unit 140 is projected to the front side. The light projected from the light emitting portion 140 to the front side passes through the portion where the light shielding pattern portion 150 is not provided, further passes through the transparent rigid members L4 and L3, and further passes through the decorative sheet L1 from the transparent base material L2. .. As a result, when the decorative sheet L1 is viewed from the front side, the operation guide display 200 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 can be observed on the decorative sheet L1.
That is, the light emitting unit 140 and the light shielding pattern unit 150 in the figure are included in the portion that realizes the function as the display unit 102 in FIG.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the device control unit 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process of the figure is started in a state where the operation guide display 200 is not displayed.

Step S101: In the device control unit 100, the control unit 103 inputs a detection signal output from the sensor unit 101 while the operation guidance display 200 is not displayed. Based on the input detection signal, the control unit 103 determines whether or not one knock operation has been performed as a knock operation pattern. That is, the control unit 103 determines in step S101 whether or not the operation guidance display instruction operation has been performed.

When the user Y performs one knock operation as an operation guidance display instruction operation, the vibration generated in the wall WL in response to the one knock operation performed is detected by the sensor unit 101, and the detection signal is detected by the control unit. It is input to 103.
In the storage unit 104, for example, a knock operation performed once, a knock operation performed twice in succession (hereinafter, also referred to as "two knock operations"), and a knock operation performed twice in succession (hereinafter, "three times"). The signal pattern information associated with the signal pattern (for example, the waveform pattern) indicated by the detection signal according to the vibration is stored for each (described in the knock operation).
In response to the input of the detection signal indicating vibration, the sensor unit 101 refers to the signal pattern information and determines the pattern of the knock operation corresponding to the signal pattern of the input detection signal. As a judgment result about the pattern of the knock operation performed in this way, one knock operation, two knock operations, three knock operations, not applicable (one knock operation, two knock operations, and It does not correspond to any of the three knock operations).

Further, in order to make the determination of the knock operation as accurately as possible, it is preferable to be able to exclude the vibration generated by the wall WL other than the knock operation as noise from the detection target. Therefore, in determining step S101, the control unit 103 sets a threshold value for the level of the detection signal of the sensor unit 101, and determines that the knock operation is determined by assuming that the detection signal at a level lower than the threshold value is noise. It may not be used for.

Step S102: When it is determined in step S101 that one knock operation has been performed, the control unit 103 controls the display unit 102 so that the operation guidance display 200 is started. For this purpose, the control unit 103 may control the light emitting unit 140 to emit light. By such control, the light emitting unit 140, which has been in a non-light emitting state, emits light, and the operation guidance display 200 is started.

Step S103: Under the state where the operation guidance display 200 is displayed due to the execution of the process of step S102, the control unit 103 monitors the detection signal input from the sensor unit 101 and knocks once. Determine if an operation has been performed. That is, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the lighting on / off operation has been performed in step S103.

Step S104: When it is determined that one knock operation has been performed, the control unit 103 outputs a lighting on / off command to the lighting device 2 with the control line CTL light oil.
The lighting device 2 operates in response to the input of the lighting on / off command so as to switch to the extinguished state when it has been in the lighting state so far. Further, the lighting device 2 operates so as to switch to the lighting state when the lighting device 2 has been turned off so far.

Step S105: When it is determined in step S103 that one knock operation is not performed, or after executing the process of step S104, the control unit 103 determines whether or not two knock operations have been performed. judge. The determination in step S105 is also executed under the state where the operation guidance display 200 is being performed, as in step S103.
The two knock operations performed while the operation guide display 200 is being performed are a curtain opening operation or a stop instruction operation for the opening operation. That is, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the curtain opening operation or the stop instruction operation for the opening operation has been performed in step S105.

Step S106: When it is determined in step S105 that the knocking operation has been performed twice, the control unit 103 is in the opening operation in which the operation of opening the curtain 4 is being performed. Judge whether or not.
In determining whether or not the operation is open, for example, the control unit 103 may output a state inquiry command inquiring the curtain drive device 3 about the current drive state via the control line CTL. The control unit 103 determines whether or not the open operation is in progress depending on whether or not the signal indicating the current state input from the curtain drive device 3 in response to the state inquiry command indicates that the open operation is in progress. It's okay.

Step S107: When it is determined in step S106 that the open operation is not in progress (that is, the closed operation is in progress, or the opening / closing of the curtain 4 is stopped and stopped), the control unit 103 performs the open operation. The instructed curtain opening command is output to the curtain driving device 3. In response to the input of the curtain opening command, the curtain driving device 3 starts the opening operation.

Step S108: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that the opening operation is in progress, the control unit 103 executes the following processing. That is, the control unit 103 outputs the curtain stop command to the curtain driving device 3. The curtain stop command is a command for instructing the stop of the opening / closing operation of the curtain 4. In response to the input of the curtain stop command, the curtain drive device 3 stops the opening operation so far.

Step S109: When it is determined in step S105 that the knock operation is not performed twice, or after the processing of step S107 or after the processing of step S108, the control unit 103 executes the following processing. .. That is, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the knock operation has been performed three times. The determination in step S109 is also executed under the state where the operation guidance display 200 is performed, as in steps S103 and S105.
The three knock operations performed while the operation guide display 200 is being performed are a curtain closing operation or a stop instruction operation for the closing operation. That is, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the curtain closing operation or the stop instruction operation for the closing operation has been performed in step S109.

Step S110: When it is determined in step S109 that the knocking operation has been performed three times, the control unit 103 is currently performing a closing operation in which the curtain 4 is closing. Judgment about.
In determining whether or not the closing operation is in progress, the control unit 103 outputs a state inquiry command to the curtain driving device 3. The control unit 103 determines whether or not the closed operation is in progress depending on whether or not the signal indicating the current state input from the curtain drive device 3 in response to the state inquiry command indicates that the closed operation is in progress. It's okay.

Step S111: When it is determined in step S110 that the curtain 4 is not in the closed operation (that is, the open operation or the stopped state), the control unit 103 issues a curtain closing command instructing the closing operation. , Output to the curtain drive device 3. In response to the input of the curtain closing command, the curtain driving device 3 starts the closing operation.

Step S112: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that the closing operation is in progress, the control unit 103 executes the following processing. That is, the control unit 103 outputs the curtain stop command to the curtain driving device 3. In response to the input of the curtain stop command, the curtain drive device 3 stops the closing operation so far.

Step S113: When it is determined in step S109 that the knock operation is not performed three times, or after the processing of step S111 or after the processing of step S112, the control unit 103 executes the following processing. .. That is, the control unit 103 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the last knock operation performed under the state where the operation guidance display 200 is being performed.
Although the operation guide display instruction operation is performed and the operation guide display 200 is displayed, the operation guide display 200 remains displayed because, for example, the user Y has inadvertently operated the operation. In particular, the knock operation may not be performed by the user Y. Therefore, the control unit 103 may determine that a certain time has passed since the last knock operation even when a certain time has passed without any particular knock operation being performed from the timing when the operation guidance display 200 is started. ..
If it is determined in step S113 that a certain period of time has not yet elapsed, the process is returned to step S103.

Step S114: When it is determined in step S113 that a certain time has elapsed, the control unit 103 stops the operation guidance display 200 that has been performed so far. At this time, the control unit 103 may control the light emitting unit 140 so as to stop the light emission.

In the processing procedure example shown in FIG. 5, when controlling the curtain drive device 3, the control unit 103 of the device control unit 100 determines whether or not the curtain drive device 3 is in the open operation (step S106) or closes. It is determined whether or not it is in operation (step S110). Then, the control unit 103 determines which of the curtain open command, the curtain close command, and the curtain stop command should be output according to the determination result.
However, as a modification of the present embodiment, the control unit 103 outputs a curtain open command in step S107 regardless of the state of the curtain drive device 3 in response to the two knock operations performed in step S105. You can do it. Further, the control unit 103 may output a curtain closing command regardless of the state of the curtain driving device 3 in response to the three knock operations performed in step S109. In this case, the processes of steps S106, S108, S110, and S112 are omitted.
When such a process is executed, the curtain driving device 3 is configured to switch the operation according to its own state. That is, when the curtain open command is input, the curtain drive device 3 switches to the open operation when its own operation is in the closed operation or the stopped state, and when the open operation is being executed, the curtain drive device 3 switches to the open operation. The operation may be stopped. Further, when the curtain closing command is input, the curtain driving device 3 switches to the closing operation when its own operation is in the open operation or the stopped state, and when the closing operation is being executed, the curtain driving device 3 switches to the closing operation. The operation may be stopped.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, first, in the operation guide display 200 displayed by the operation guide display instruction operation by one knock operation, the operation guide display 200 is individually according to each of all the operation items possible by the device operation system 1. The operation guidance area 201 was displayed.
Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in the operation guide display 200, three individual operation guide areas 201 corresponding to the respective operation items of the lighting on / off operation, the curtain opening operation, and the curtain closing operation are displayed. Was there. Then, the user Y is configured to perform a predetermined number of knock operations corresponding to any one of the respective operation items. However, the above knock operation procedure is an example, and other procedures may be adopted. Therefore, as the second embodiment, the following knock operation procedure example will be given.

The device control unit 100 has, for example, an operation item corresponding to the number of knock operations in response to a certain number of knock operations instructing the operation of the device while the operation guide display is hidden. The operation guidance display may be performed by arranging one corresponding individual operation guidance area.
As a specific example, when one knock operation is performed while the operation guide display is hidden, the lighting on / off operation is performed in the individual operation guide areas 201-1 to 2013-3 in FIG. The operation guidance display in which only the individual operation guidance area 211-1 corresponding to the above is arranged is performed.
In addition, when the knock operation is performed twice while the operation guidance display is hidden, the operation guidance display in which only the individual operation guidance area 201-2 corresponding to the curtain opening operation is arranged is displayed. Will be.
In addition, when the knock operation is performed three times while the operation guidance display is hidden, the operation guidance display in which only the individual operation guidance area 201-3 corresponding to the curtain opening operation is arranged is displayed. Will be.
When the user Y confirms that the operation guidance display includes the individual operation guidance area 201 of the operation item as intended, the user Y performs a knock operation for instructing the execution of the operation of the device according to the operation item. To be done.
That is, in the present embodiment, first, the operation target device and the operation to be performed by the operation target device are selected by the knock operation according to the number of times corresponding to the operation item, and then the operation of the operation target device selected by the knock operation. Is instructed to execute. Even by such an operation, the user Y can make the device perform an operation by a knock operation.

The functional configuration of the device control unit 100 of the present embodiment may be the same as that shown in FIG. Then, the device control unit 100 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to display any one of the individual operation guidance areas 21-1 to 201-3 as the operation guidance display. For this purpose, for example, the light emitting units 140 arranged at the positions corresponding to the individual operation guide areas 211-1 to 2013-3 are individually arranged in units corresponding to the individual operation guide areas 201-1 to 201-3. It should be made to emit light. At this time, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 140 at the position corresponding to one individual operation guide area 201 is prevented from leaking from the light-shielding pattern unit 150 at the position corresponding to the other individual operation guide area 201. A light-shielding plate or the like may be provided in the body portion 110.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the device control unit 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process of the figure is started in a state where the operation guide display 200 is not displayed.
Step S201: Whether or not the control unit 103 in the device control unit 100 has performed one knock operation based on the detection signal input from the sensor unit 101 in a state where the operation guidance display is not performed. Is determined. That is, the control unit 103 waits for the operation of selecting the operation item of the lighting on / off operation to be performed.

Step S202: When it is determined in step S201 that one knock operation has been performed, the control unit 103 starts the operation guidance display according to the lighting on / off operation. That is, the control unit 103 corresponds to the individual operation guidance area 201-1 so that the individual operation guidance area 201-1 corresponding to the lighting on / off operation is displayed from the individual operation guidance areas 211-1 to 2013-3. The light emitting unit 140 at the position where the light is to be emitted is made to emit light.

Step S203: When it is determined in step S201 that one knock operation is not performed, the control unit 103 determines whether or not two further knock operations have been performed. That is, the control unit 103 waits for the operation of selecting the operation item of the curtain opening operation to be performed.

Step S204: When it is determined in step S203 that the knocking operation has been performed twice, the control unit 103 starts the operation guidance display corresponding to the curtain opening operation. That is, the control unit 103 corresponds to the individual operation guidance area 201-2 so that the individual operation guidance area 201-2 corresponding to the curtain opening operation is displayed from the individual operation guidance areas 211-1 to 2013-3. The light emitting unit 140 at the position where the light is to be emitted is made to emit light.

Step S205: When it is determined in step S203 that the knock operation is not performed twice, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the knock operation is further performed three times. That is, the control unit 103 waits for the operation of selecting the operation item of the curtain closing operation to be performed.
If it is determined in step S205 that the knock operation is not performed three times, the process is returned to step S201.

Step S206: When it is determined in step S205 that the knocking operation has been performed three times, the control unit 103 starts the operation guidance display corresponding to the curtain closing operation. That is, the control unit 103 corresponds to the individual operation guidance area 201-3 so that the individual operation guidance area 201-3 corresponding to the curtain closing operation is displayed among the individual operation guidance areas 201-1 to 201-3. The light emitting unit 140 at the position where the light is to be emitted is made to emit light.

Step S207: Under the state where the operation guidance display is started by any one of steps S202, S204, and S206, the control unit 103 performs a knock operation instructing the execution of the operation of the operation target device according to the selected operation item. It is determined whether or not (operation execution instruction knock operation) has been performed. In determining the operation execution instruction knock operation, the number of knock operations is not particularly a determination factor, and it may be determined that at least one knock operation has been performed.

Step S208: In response to the operation execution instruction knock operation, the control unit 103 outputs a command corresponding to the operation item indicated by the operation guide display being displayed to the operation target device.
For example, if the operation execution instruction knock operation is performed while the operation guidance display of the lighting on / off operation is performed in step S202, the control unit 103 outputs a lighting on / off command to the lighting device 2. do.
Further, if the operation execution instruction knock operation is performed in the state where the operation guidance display of the curtain opening operation is performed in step S204, the control unit 103 executes the following processing. That is, the control unit 103 may output a curtain open command or a curtain stop command by, for example, a process according to steps S106 to S108 of FIG.
Further, if the operation execution instruction knock operation is performed in the state where the operation guidance display of the curtain closing operation is performed in step S205, the control unit 103 executes the following processing. That is, the control unit 103 may output a curtain closing command or a curtain stop command by, for example, a process according to steps S110 to S112 of FIG.
Alternatively, regarding the control of the curtain drive device 3, the control unit 103 may output a curtain open command or a curtain close command regardless of the state of the curtain drive device 3, as in the modification of the first embodiment. .. In this case, the curtain driving device 3 may switch the operation according to its own state in response to the input of the curtain opening command or the curtain closing command.

Step S209: If it is determined in step S207 that the operation execution instruction knock operation is not performed, the control unit 103 determines whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed without performing the operation execution instruction knock operation from the start of the operation guidance display. Judgment about. If it is determined that the fixed time has not passed yet, the process is returned to step S207.

Step S210: When a command is output in step S208, or when it is determined in step S209 that a certain time has elapsed without performing an operation execution instruction knock operation from the start of the operation guidance display, the control unit 103 Execute the following processing. That is, the control unit 103 stops the operation guidance display started by any one of steps S202, S204, and S206.

<Modification example>
Hereinafter, modification corresponding to each of the above embodiments will be described.
In the above embodiment, the display unit 102 displays the operation guide display 200 by passing the light emitted by the light emitting unit 140 through the portion where the light shielding pattern unit 150 is not provided.
However, as the display unit 102 of the present embodiment, a display device having a method of visually recognizing the display contents by reflected light (that is, reflecting external light) may be used, for example, electronic paper. Such electronic paper can be hidden by displaying black and white inversion.
Further, as the display unit 102, a liquid crystal display device or the like that emits light by a backlight may be used.
When a display device such as an electronic paper or a liquid crystal display device is used as the display unit 102, the display content can be revealed by driving the pixels, so that the portion corresponding to the light-shielding pattern unit 150 may be omitted.

If, for example, the noise component included in the detection signal output by the sensor unit 101 is reduced even if the vibration is not regulated by the rigid members L3 and L4 due to the installation method of the sensor unit 101, the rigid member L3 and L4 may be omitted.

In the installation mode of the device control unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 4, the sensor unit 101 has a portion corresponding to the control unit 103 (control circuit unit 130, etc.) and a portion corresponding to the display unit 102 (light emitting unit 140, shading). It is arranged in the vicinity of the pattern portion 150 and the like). However, the sensor unit 101 may be installed at a position away from the portion corresponding to the control unit 103 or the portion corresponding to the display unit 102.
For example, in the above embodiment, the operation guidance display is performed on the wall WL on the side surface of the inner wall in the room 1, and the knock operation is accepted. However, for example, in the operation guidance display, the operation guidance display may be performed on the wall as the ceiling, and the knock operation may be accepted on the side wall. Further, for example, the wall in the room 1 where the operation guidance display and the knock operation are accepted may be a floor portion.

In the above embodiment, the operation target device is the lighting device 2 and the curtain drive device 3, but the operation target device is not limited to the lighting device 2 and the curtain drive device 3. For example, the operation target device may be various home appliances such as an air conditioner and a television receiver.

The above-mentioned program for realizing the function as the device control unit 100 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read by the computer system and executed. The processing as the device control unit 100 may be performed. Here, "loading and executing a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and a dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. As described above, the recording medium in which the program is stored may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium accessible from the distribution server for distributing the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format that can be executed by the terminal. That is, the format stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed by the terminal. It should be noted that the configuration in which the program is divided into a plurality of parts and downloaded at different timings and then combined by the terminal, or the distribution server for distributing each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network, and holds the program for a certain period of time. It shall include things. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Further, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

1 equipment operation system, 2 lighting equipment, 3 curtain drive equipment, 4 curtains, 100 equipment control unit, 101 sensor unit, 102 display unit, 103 control unit, 104 storage unit, 110 housing unit, 111 board, 120 board, 130 Control circuit section, 140 light emitting section, 150 shading pattern section, 160 screws, 200 operation guidance display, 201 (201-1, 201-2, 201-3) individual operation guidance area, 211 operation type instruction area, 212 operation method instruction Area, L1 decorative sheet, L2 transparent base material, L3, L4 rigid member, WL wall

Claims (6)

On the front surface of the light-transmitting wall, the back surface of the light-transmitting wall so that a plurality of operation guidance displays indicating different control targets and corresponding knock operation patterns can be visually recognized. A display unit that manifests the plurality of operation guidance displays by light emission or light reflection from
A sensor unit provided to detect vibration transmitted through the wall,
A device operation system including a control unit that determines a knock operation pattern for hitting the wall based on the vibration detected by the sensor unit and controls the operation of the device according to the determined knock operation pattern. In the surface direction of the wall, the area where the plurality of operation guidance displays are manifested and the position where the sensor unit is provided are made different from each other.
The device operation system according to claim 1. The control unit
1 . The device operation system according to 2 . The control unit
The device operation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an operation to be performed by the device to be operated is selected according to the number of times the knock operation is performed, which is determined as a pattern of the knock operation. The device operation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the sensor unit is provided so as to be sandwiched between rigid members. The device operation system according to claim 5 , wherein the member having rigidity is a transparent acrylic resin.

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