WO2012124369A1

WO2012124369A1 - Equipment control device, control method, control program and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2012124369A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/050927
Authority: WO
Inventors: 琢也中井
Original assignee: オムロン株式会社
Priority date: 2011-03-14
Filing date: 2012-01-18
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: JP5747578B2; JP2012195989A

Abstract

An equipment control device (1) equipped with: a generated power assessment unit (11) that assesses the amount of power generated by a photovoltaic power generation device (30) and a wind power generation device (31); a control specification unit (12) that accesses control specification information (22) for specifying, in accordance with the amount of power generated, the manner of controlling the equipment to be controlled, and specifies the manner of control according to the amount of power generated as assessed by the generated power assessment means; and an equipment control unit (13) that executes the specified manner of control as specified by the control specification unit (12).

Description

Device control apparatus, control method, control program, and recording medium

The present invention relates to a device control device and the like for controlling a load device that operates by receiving electric power supplied from a region-distributed power generation device.

In recent years, a region-distributed power supply system that supplies electric power used in each home by a power generator installed in each home is rapidly spreading. In addition, so-called energy-saving activities that reduce household power consumption are also spreading. In particular, solar power generation systems can sell surplus power to electric power companies, and awareness of power generation and power consumption is increasing in households that have introduced or are going to introduce solar power generation systems. .

Against this background, technology to improve the efficiency of regional distributed power supply systems is also progressing. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, power supply / demand control by a plurality of power generators such as an engine generator and a solar power generator installed in a specific region is performed using a power generation output of a power generator or a predicted value of load power. It is described to improve the efficiency.

Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-271723 (published on Nov. 6, 2008)”

However, the conventional technology as described above controls the power generation amount of each power generation device, and does not take into consideration any operation control of load equipment that operates by receiving power supply from the power generation device. That is, there is a problem that the control of the entire system including the power generation device and the load device cannot be optimized.

Here, when performing optimization control including a load device, for example, it is conceivable that a sensor is separately provided for each load device, and the load device is controlled based on data acquired by the sensor. However, it is difficult to provide a sensor for each load device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object thereof is to appropriately control the load device according to the environment in which the load device is placed without separately providing a sensor or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a device control device and the like that can be performed.

In order to solve the above problems, an apparatus control apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus control apparatus that performs operation control of the apparatus, included in a power supply system that supplies power to an apparatus from a power generation apparatus that uses natural energy. The power generation information acquisition means for acquiring the power generation status information indicating the power generation status of the power generation device, and the power generation status acquired by the power generation information acquisition means with reference to the control specification information for specifying the control according to the power generation status It is characterized by comprising control specifying means for specifying control for the device according to information, and device control means for executing control specified by the control specifying means.

In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the control method of the present invention is controlled by a device control device that controls the operation of the device included in a power supply system that supplies power to the device from a power generation device that uses natural energy. A power generation information acquisition step for acquiring power generation status information indicating a power generation status of the power generation device, and control specification information for specifying control according to the power generation status; It includes a control specifying step for specifying control for the device according to the acquired power generation status information, and a device control step for executing the control specified in the control specifying step.

And the control program of the present invention is a control program for operating a device control device that controls the operation of the device, included in a power supply system that supplies power to the device from a power generation device that uses natural energy, The power generation status information acquired in the power generation information acquisition step with reference to the power generation information acquisition step for acquiring the power generation status information indicating the power generation status of the power generation apparatus and the control specification information for specifying the control according to the power generation status In accordance with the above, the computer is caused to execute a control specifying step for specifying control for the device and a device control step for executing the control specified in the control specifying step.

According to the above configuration, the device is controlled according to the power generation status of the power generation device specified with reference to the control specification information. Here, when power generation is performed using natural energy, the power generation status changes depending on the natural environment. Examples of the power generation device that generates power using natural energy include a solar power generation device and a wind power generation device.

That is, the power generation status of the power generation apparatus reflects the environment at that time, and control according to the power generation status is control according to the current environment. Therefore, according to said structure, it becomes possible to perform suitable operation control according to an environment with respect to an apparatus, without providing separately the sensor etc. for detecting the environment where the apparatus is located. Note that the present invention is based on the premise that the environment in which the power generation apparatus is placed and the environment in which the device to be controlled are placed are the same or almost the same. That is, the power generation device and the device are close to each other at least to the extent that the above premise is satisfied.

As described above, the device control apparatus according to the present invention refers to the power generation information acquisition means for acquiring the power generation status information indicating the power generation status of the power generation apparatus, and the control specification information for specifying the control according to the power generation status. The control specifying means for specifying the control for the device according to the power generation status information acquired by the power generation information acquiring means, and the device control means for executing the control specified by the control specifying means.

Further, the control method of the present invention refers to the power generation information acquisition step for acquiring the power generation status information indicating the power generation status of the power generation apparatus, and the control specification information for specifying the control according to the power generation status, and the power generation information This is a configuration including a control specifying step for specifying control on the device according to the power generation status information acquired in the acquiring step, and a device control step for executing the control specified in the control specifying step.

The control program of the present invention refers to the power generation information acquisition step for acquiring the power generation status information indicating the power generation status of the power generation device, and the control specification information for specifying the control according to the power generation status, and the power generation information According to the power generation status information acquired in the acquisition step, the computer executes a control specifying step for specifying control for the device and a device control step for executing the control specified in the control specifying step.

According to the above configuration, since control is performed on the device according to the power generation information reflecting the environment in which the device is placed, a sensor for detecting the status of the environment in which the device is placed is separately provided. Without providing, there is an effect that it is possible to perform appropriate operation control according to the environment for the device.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the equipment control apparatus which comprises the equipment control system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the said apparatus control system. It is a figure which shows an example of the electric power generation amount threshold value which the said apparatus control apparatus stores. It is a figure which shows an example of the control specific information which the said apparatus control apparatus stores. It is a figure which shows an example of the control specific information which matched the classification of an energy generation apparatus, and the control object apparatus which should change control according to the electric power generation condition of the energy generation apparatus of the classification. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus management information which the said apparatus control apparatus stores. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the said apparatus control apparatus performs.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

〔Overview〕
First, the outline | summary of the apparatus control system of this embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the device control system 100. The device control system 100 is a system in which the device control apparatus 1 controls the operation of a control target device included in the system. In addition, the device control system 100 includes an energy generation device that supplies power to the control target device. That is, the device control system 100 can also be said to be a power supply system that supplies power from the energy generating device to the control target device.

The energy generating device is a regional distributed power generator. In other words, energy generation equipment is not a large-scale power generation device such as a power plant operated by an electric power company, but covers a part or all of the power used in facilities such as ordinary households and businesses, so it is close to the facility. It is the power generator provided. Here, a solar power generation device 30 that obtains electric power from light energy and a wind power generation device 31 that obtains electric power from wind energy are illustrated as energy generation devices. However, any power generation device that uses natural energy, such as a geothermal power generation device, is not limited to these examples, and any device can be applied.

The control target device is a load device that operates by receiving power supply from the energy generation device. That is, the device control system 100 can also be said to be an energy supply system that includes an energy generating device and a load device. In the example shown in the figure, as an object to be controlled, an air conditioner (so-called air conditioner) 40, a lighting device 41, a window opening / closing device 42 that opens and closes a window electrically, and a curtain that opens and closes a curtain electrically are installed in one house. The opening / closing machine 43 and the electric fan 44 are illustrated. Note that the device to be controlled is not limited to these examples as long as the device has an advantage in controlling operation according to the environment in which the device is placed.

In addition, the device control system 100 is connected to a power distribution facility 50 that supplies power from a power plant or the like, and the control target device can also receive power supply from the power distribution facility 50. Further, the device control system 100 includes a power storage device 60 so that surplus power generated by the energy generating device can be stored.

In the device control system 100 having such a configuration, the device control apparatus 1 controls the operation of the control target device according to the amount of power generated by the energy generating device. Thereby, operation control according to environmental conditions, such as the weather, becomes possible. This is because the amount of power generated by an energy generating device that generates power using natural energy varies according to the state of the environment such as the weather.

In other words, the device control system 100 performs control according to the environment in which the control target device is placed without newly installing a sensor or the like by using the parameter of the power generation amount output from the energy generation device. Points are the main feature points. Note that the environment where the control target device is placed refers to a situation (natural environment) such as brightness and temperature around the control target device.

For example, in the illustrated example, the maximum power generation amount of the solar power generation device 30 is 4 kW, and the device control device 1 detects that 4 kW power generation (that is, power generation by the maximum power generation amount) is currently being performed. . Thus, when the amount of power generated by solar power generation is large, it is considered that the amount of light received by the solar power generation device 30 is large, that is, the weather is clear.

Therefore, in such a case, the device control apparatus 1 controls the lighting apparatus 41 to be turned off and the curtain opener 43 to open the curtain via the home wiring network.

This control turns off the lighting device 41, so that the power consumption of the entire control target device is reduced. Moreover, since the weather is fine, the brightness of the room is maintained by opening the curtain. That is, according to this control, power consumption can be reduced while maintaining the brightness of the room. In addition, when the brightness of the illuminating device 41 can be changed in a stepwise manner, control for reducing the brightness may be performed.

In the illustrated example, the device controller 1 detects that the maximum power generation amount of the wind power generator 31 is 1 kw and that the current power generation of 0.5 kw (that is, half the maximum power generation amount) is currently being performed. Has been. Thus, when the amount of power generated by wind power generation is large to some extent, it is considered that the wind is blowing continuously. And, when the wind is blowing in this way, the heat can be overcome by opening the window, turning on the wind, and moving the electric fan 44 without using the cooling function of the air conditioner 40.

Therefore, in such a case, the device control apparatus 1 performs control to turn off the air conditioner 40, turn on the electric fan 44, and open the window by the window opening / closing device 42 via the home wiring network. Do. According to this control, the power of the air conditioner 40 is turned off and the power of the electric fan 44 that consumes less power than the air conditioner 40 is turned on, so that the power consumption of the entire control target device can be reduced.

[Configuration of Device Control Device 1]
Then, the structure of the apparatus control apparatus 1 is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the device control apparatus 1. As illustrated, the device control apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 and a storage unit 20.

The control unit 10 controls the operation of the device control apparatus 1 in an integrated manner. The power generation amount acquisition unit (power generation information acquisition unit) 11, the control specification unit (control specification unit, determination unit) 12, and the device control unit (Device control means) 13 is included.

The power generation amount acquisition unit 11 acquires the power generation amount as power generation status information indicating the power generation status of the energy generating device. Here, since the solar power generation device 30 and the wind power generation device 31 are used as energy generation devices, the power generation amount acquisition unit 11 acquires the power generation amount of the solar power generation device 30 and the power generation amount of the wind power generation device 31, respectively. . Specifically, the power generation amount acquisition unit 11 acquires the power generation amount by receiving information indicating the power generation amount transmitted from each energy generating device.

The power generation amount acquisition unit 11 is not limited to this example as long as it acquires information indicating the power generation status of the energy generating device. For example, instead of or together with the power generation amount, information indicating a change in the power generation amount (information indicating that the power generation amount has increased or decreased) or information indicating the amount of change in the power generation amount may be acquired. Good.

Further, the power generation amount may be acquired for a part of the power generation module included in the power generation device, and when there are a plurality of power generation devices, such as the wind power generation device 31 in the example of FIG. The power generation amount of the unit (for example, only one machine) may be acquired.

The control specifying unit 12 specifies control according to the power generation amount acquired by the power generation amount acquiring unit 11, and causes the device control unit 13 to perform control on the specified control target device. The specification of control by the control specifying unit 12 will be described later.

The device control unit 13 executes control on the control target device specified by the control specifying unit 12. Further, the device control unit 13 manages the control target device by acquiring the operation status of the control target device and updating the device management information (operation status information) 23 stored in the storage unit 20.

The storage unit 20 stores various data used by the device control apparatus 1, and stores a power generation amount threshold 21, control specific information 22, and device management information 23.

The power generation amount threshold value 21 is a threshold value used by the control specifying unit 12 to determine whether or not to execute control, and includes a power generation amount threshold value of each energy generation device. That is, in the example of FIG. 1, since the solar power generation device 30 and the wind power generation device 31 are included as energy generation devices, the power generation amount threshold value 21 includes the threshold values of the respective power generation amounts of these devices.

The power generation amount threshold value 21 may be information as shown in FIG. 3, for example. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the power generation amount threshold 21. In the illustrated power generation amount threshold value 21, the threshold value of the solar power generation device 30 is 0.4 kW, and the threshold value of the wind power generation device 31 is 0.3 kW. The control specifying unit 12 compares these threshold values with the power generation amounts of the solar power generation device 30 and the wind power generation device 31 acquired by the power generation amount acquisition unit 11, and the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value or less than the threshold value. Determine if there is.

It should be noted that the power generation threshold 21 is not limited to the example of FIG. 3 as long as it is a reference for determining whether the power generation is large or small. For example, a ratio with respect to the maximum power generation amount may be used as a threshold, such as “50% of the maximum power generation amount”. A plurality of threshold values may be provided for one energy generation device. As a result, when the power generation amount increases or decreases near the threshold value, it is possible to prevent frequent switching of the control and to perform finer control according to the situation.

The control specifying information 22 is information used by the control specifying unit 12 to specify control according to the power generation status. Here, an example will be described in which the control specific information 22 is information in which control according to whether the power generation amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value or less than the threshold value is associated with each energy generation device.

The control specific information 22 may be information as shown in FIG. 4, for example. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control specifying information 22. The illustrated control specific information 22 is information in which an energy generating device, a power generation amount, and control are associated with each other.

Specifically, the control of “darkening the illumination” and the control of “opening the curtain” are associated with the power generation amount “above the threshold” of the solar power generation device 30. Further, control for “brightening illumination” is associated with the power generation amount “less than threshold value”.

That is, when the power generation amount of the solar power generation device 30 acquired by the power generation amount acquisition unit 11 is equal to or greater than the threshold value described in the power generation amount threshold value 21, the device control unit 13 that refers to the control specific information 22 , “To darken illumination” control and “open curtain” control. Similarly, when the acquired power generation amount is less than the threshold value, the control for “lightening the illumination” is specified.

Further, in the control specific information 22 shown in the figure, the control for “stopping the air conditioner 40”, the “opening window” control, and the “operating the electric fan 44” are performed with respect to the power generation amount “above the threshold” of the wind power generation device 31 Control is associated. Further, the control for “operating the air conditioner 40”, the “closing window” control, and the control for “stopping the electric fan 44” are associated with the power generation amount “less than the threshold”.

That is, when the power generation amount of the wind power generator 31 acquired by the power generation amount acquisition unit 11 is equal to or greater than the threshold value described in the power generation amount threshold value 21, the device control unit 13 that refers to the control specific information 22 It is specified that control for “stopping the air conditioner 40”, control for “opening the window”, and control for “operating the electric fan 44” are performed. Similarly, when the acquired power generation amount is less than the threshold value, the control for “operating the air conditioner 40”, the control for “closing the window”, and the control for “stopping the electric fan 44” are specified.

The control identification information 22 may be information that can identify control according to the power generation status. For example, when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control target device to be controlled and the power generation amount is less than the threshold. In this case, a control target device to be controlled may be indicated. In this case, the control specifying unit 12 specifies a control target device according to the power generation amount from the control specification information 22 and instructs the device control unit 13 to perform control predetermined for the specified control target device. To do.

Further, since the control to be executed is preferably in accordance with the date / time, season, external environment, etc., the control specifying information 22 may be information that is changed according to the date / time, season, external environment, etc. Good. That is, a plurality of pieces of control specifying information 22 corresponding to the date, season, external environment, etc. may be prepared, and information corresponding to the current date, season, external environment, etc. may be used. Further, the control specific information 22 may be rewritten according to the date, season, external environment, and the like.

Further, the control identification information 22 may be information that associates the type of the energy generating device with the control target device whose control should be changed according to the amount of power generated by the energy generating device of that type. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control specifying information 22 in which the types of energy generation devices and control target devices whose control should be changed according to the power generation status of the energy generation devices of that type are associated with each other.

The illustrated control specific information 22 includes a solar power generation device and a wind power generation device as types of energy generation devices. And as the control object apparatus corresponding to a solar power generation device, the illuminating device 41 which is a control object apparatus relevant to light, and the curtain switch 43 are matched. In addition, as control target devices corresponding to the wind power generator, an air conditioner 40, a window opening / closing device 42, and a fan 44, which are control target devices related to wind, are associated.

When the control specific information 22 of FIG. 5 is used, the control specific unit 12 refers to the control specific information 22 when the power generation amount of the solar power generation device 30 exceeds the threshold, and the lighting device 41 and the curtain switch 43 is specified as a control target. Then, the device control unit 13 is instructed to perform predetermined control (for example, control for turning off the lighting device 41 and opening the curtain by the curtain opening / closing device 43) for these devices to be controlled.

Similarly, when the power generation amount of the wind turbine generator 31 exceeds the threshold, the air conditioner 40, the window opening / closing device 42, and the electric fan 44 are identified as control targets with reference to the control identification information 22. Then, the device control unit 13 is instructed to control these devices to be controlled in advance (for example, the air conditioner 40 is turned off, the window is opened by the window opening / closing device 42, and the electric fan 44 is turned on. Control).

As described above, when the control to be executed for each control target device is determined in advance, the control specifying information 22 may be any information that can specify the control target device. It can be said that the control specifying information 22 in such a case specifies the control by specifying the control target device.

The device management information 23 is information for managing the operation status of the control target device, and is information (operation status information) indicating the operation status of each control target device. The device management information 23 may be information as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device management information 23. The illustrated device management information 23 indicates the operation status of each control target device. Specifically, the operation states of the lighting device 41, the window opening / closing device 42, the air conditioning device 40, and the curtain opening / closing device 43 are “OFF”, “closed”, “operation (small)”, and “open”, respectively. It is shown that. Note that “closed” of the window opening / closing device 42 indicates a state where the window is open, and “open” of the curtain opening / closing device 43 indicates a state where the curtain is open. Further, “operation (small)” of the air conditioner 40 indicates that the air conditioner 40 is operating with low power consumption. As described above, by including not only whether or not it is operating (operation) but also information indicating how it is operating, it becomes possible to perform finer control according to the operating state.

[Process flow]
Next, the flow of processing executed by the device control apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the device control apparatus 1.

First, the power generation amount acquisition unit 11 acquires the power generation amount of the energy generating device (S1, power generation information acquisition step), and notifies the control specifying unit 12 of the acquired power generation amount. Here, since it is assumed that there are two energy generation devices, the solar power generation device 30 and the wind power generation device 31, the power generation amount is notified for each of these two devices. The notification of the power generation amount may be performed continuously, may be performed at regular intervals, or may be performed when the power generation amount changes.

Next, the control specifying unit 12 determines whether the notified power generation amount is equal to or greater than a threshold (S2). Specifically, the control specifying unit 12 refers to the power generation amount threshold value 21 of the storage unit 20 and determines whether the power generation amount is greater than or equal to the threshold value for each of the solar power generation device 30 and the wind power generation device 31. .

Here, when the control specifying unit 12 determines that the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES in S2), the control specifying unit 12 specifies control to be executed when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the threshold (S3, control specifying step). On the other hand, when it is determined that the power generation amount is less than the threshold (NO in S2), the control to be executed when the power generation amount is less than the threshold is specified (S4, control specifying step). These processes are specified for each of the solar power generation apparatus 30 and the wind power generation apparatus 31 with reference to the control specific information 22.

Subsequently, the control specifying unit 12 acquires the operation status of the control target device that executes the specified control (S5). Specifically, the control specifying unit 12 specifies control target devices that execute the control specified in S3 or S4, and refers to the device management information 23 for each of the specified control target devices, and determines the operation status thereof. get.

And the control specific | specification part 12 judges whether execution of the control specified by S3 or S4 is unnecessary based on the acquired operation condition (S6). Specifically, the control specifying unit 12 first checks whether or not the control has already been performed. For example, when the process of opening the window is specified in S3, the operation state of the window opening / closing device 42 is confirmed with reference to the device management information 23. Here, if the window opening / closing device 42 has already opened the window, it is determined that the control is unnecessary, and if it is not opened, it is determined that the control is necessary.

Further, the control specifying unit 12 determines that the control is unnecessary when it is determined from the acquired operation state that the family member is absent. Specifically, among the devices to be controlled included in the device management information 23, when a device that is not operated when the user is absent is not operating, it is considered that the control is not necessary because the householder is considered absent. Specifically, when both the air conditioner 40 and the lighting device 41 are not operating, it is determined that control is unnecessary. In addition, when all the control target devices are not operating, it may be determined that the control is unnecessary.

Here, if the control specifying unit 12 determines that no control is required for any control target device (NO in S6), the process ends without executing the control. On the other hand, if it is determined that control is required for at least one control target device (YES in S6), the device control unit 13 is instructed to cause the control target device to execute the control specified in S3 or S4 (S7, Device control step), the process is terminated.

In the above example, after the step (S6) for determining whether or not the specified control is necessary, the control determined to be necessary is performed. However, the step for determining whether or not the control is necessary is performed. May be omitted. However, by executing this step, it is preferable to execute this step because unnecessary control is not required when the housekeeper is absent.

[Other examples of control]
The controls such as “opening the curtain” and “stopping the operation of the air conditioner 40” shown in the above example are examples, and the control according to the power generation state is not limited to these examples. Here, another example of control according to the power generation situation will be described.

Here, since the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 30 is affected by the amount of light at that time, the amount of power generated corresponds to the amount of light. In other words, when the amount of power generation is large, the amount of light is large and the outdoors are bright. In addition, when the outdoors is bright, the weather is likely to be sunny. Conversely, when the amount of power generation is small, it can be said that the outdoors are dark and the weather is likely to be cloudy or rainy.

Therefore, when the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 30 is large, control that is preferably executed when the outdoors is bright or when the weather is clear may be performed. When the amount of power generation is small, it is preferable to perform control that is preferably executed when the outdoors is dark or when the weather is cloudy or rainy.

For example, when the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 30 is large, the window opening / closing device 42 may be used to control the opening of the window to ventilate the room. When the amount of power generation is small, control for closing the window by the window opening / closing device 42 or control for turning on the lighting device 41 may be performed.

Further, for example, when the power generation amount acquisition unit 11 is configured to acquire a change in increase or decrease in the power generation amount, when the power generation amount increases, the output of the lighting device 41 may be controlled to be reduced (darkened). Further, when the power generation amount decreases, control for increasing (brightening) the output of the lighting device 41 may be performed.

[Refer to environmental information]
The control specifying unit 12 can specify more appropriate control by referring to information other than the power generation status information. Here, an example will be described in which control is specified with reference to environment information related to the environment where the control target device is placed in addition to the power generation status information.

The environmental information is not particularly limited as long as it relates to the environment in which the control target device is placed. For example, temperature information such as the current temperature and room temperature may be acquired as the environmental information. Thereby, it becomes possible to perform appropriate control according to the temperature at that time. This is because the desired control can be changed when the temperature is high and low even with the same “clear”.

For example, the temperature is divided into a plurality of stages such as “hot”, “comfortable”, and “cold”, and in the control identification information 22, different controls are associated with the above stages, and the temperature indicated by the acquired temperature information It is conceivable to execute control corresponding to a stage in which is included.

Specifically, the following control may be associated as the control when the power generation amount of the solar power generation device 30 exceeds the threshold value. That is, “hot” is associated with control that opens the window by the window opening / closing device 42, turns on the electric fan 44, and turns off the air conditioner 40. Also, “comfortable” is associated with a control that opens the window by the window opening / closing device 42 and turns off the air conditioner 40. Then, control for closing the window by the window opening / closing device 42 may be associated with “cold”. Thus, control that is not desired by the user, such as opening the window when it is cold, is not performed, and appropriate control according to temperature is realized.

The temperature information as described above may be acquired from a website of the Japan Meteorological Agency via a communication network such as the Internet, or may be acquired from a broadcast wave such as terrestrial digital broadcasting. Further, since the temperature at that time can be estimated from the date and time, information indicating the current date, time, season, or the like may be acquired instead of the temperature information. Furthermore, when there is a control target device having a room temperature measurement function like the air conditioner 40, the room temperature may be acquired from such a device. Thereby, control according to room temperature can be performed, without providing a thermometer etc. newly.

Even when such information is acquired as environment information, appropriate control according to the environment information may be associated with the control identification information 22 as in the example using the temperature information. Further, control specific information 22 corresponding to the environmental information may be prepared in advance so that control according to the environmental information is performed, and the control specific information 22 corresponding to the environmental information may be referred to.

Further, the control specifying unit 12 may determine whether or not to execute the control specified from the control specifying information 22 based on the environment information. For example, when the season is winter, the window opening / closing device 42 may not be controlled to open the window. Furthermore, for example, when the time is midnight or early morning, the control for turning on the lighting device 41 may not be performed. In addition, for example, it is also conceivable that information indicating the amount of pollen scattered is acquired so that the window opening / closing device 42 is not controlled to open the window when the amount of scattering is a certain amount or more.

Furthermore, the user of the device control apparatus 1 may be configured to set whether or not the control can be executed. In this case, the control specifying unit 12 executes the control specified by the control specifying information 22 only when the user sets to execute the control. In addition, the user may be able to set a time zone and a period for executing the control.

Here, when performing control to open and close windows and curtains, the effect of the control may vary depending on the position of the windows and curtains. For example, when control is performed to open the curtain facing the east in the morning on a sunny day, it is considered that light enters the room and becomes brighter. On the other hand, when the control for opening the curtain facing the west at the same timing is performed, it is considered that the brightness is not as bright as when the control for opening the curtain facing the east is performed. In addition, for example, when a window or curtain facing a shield such as an adjacent building is opened, the light taken into the room is larger than when a window or curtain not facing such a shield is opened. And the amount of wind is considered to be small.

For this reason, it is preferable to perform control for opening and closing the window or curtain in accordance with the direction in which the window or curtain faces, the time, the presence or absence of a shield, the positional relationship of the window, and the like. Specifically, when performing control to open the curtain in order to brighten the room, it is preferable to perform control to open the curtain of a sunny window at that time. Moreover, when performing control which opens a window in order to cool a room, in order to improve the passage of a wind, it is preferable to perform control which opens each window in the position which opposes. Furthermore, when the wind direction can be specified, it is preferable to perform control to open a window that allows easy entry of wind when the wind direction is the same.

Also, curtain opening / closing control is preferably performed according to the characteristics of the curtain to be opened / closed. For example, when the material of the curtain reflects infrared rays, the room temperature can be prevented from being raised by closing the curtain. For example, when it is considered that the weather is sunny from the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 30, if the temperature is higher than a certain level, it is possible to control the closing of the curtain to suppress an increase in room temperature. In addition to this control, the lighting device 41 may be turned on to maintain the brightness of the room, and the air conditioning device 40 may be operated to lower the room temperature.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope indicated in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Configuration of Control Unit 10]
Finally, each block of the device control device 1, in particular, the power generation amount acquiring unit 11, the control specifying unit 12, and the device control unit 13 included in the control unit 10 is formed by a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip). It may be realized by hardware or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

In the latter case, the device control apparatus 1 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Memory) that stores the program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, the program, A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing various data is provided. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the device control apparatus 1 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the device control apparatus 1 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM, or PLD (Programmable logic device) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) Logic circuits can be used.

Alternatively, the device control apparatus 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the program code. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network (Virtual Private Network), telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, etc. can be used. The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even in the case of wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 wireless, HDR ( It can also be used by wireless such as High Data Rate, NFC (Near Field Communication), DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), mobile phone network, satellite line, and terrestrial digital network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

As described above, the device control device of the present invention is a device control device that controls the operation of the device and is included in the power supply system that supplies power to the device from the power generation device that uses natural energy. The power generation information acquisition means for acquiring the power generation status information indicating the power generation status and the control specification information for specifying the control according to the power generation status, and according to the power generation status information acquired by the power generation information acquisition means The control specifying means for specifying the control for the device and the device control means for executing the control specified by the control specifying means are provided.

Further, as described above, the control method of the present invention is a control method by a device control device that controls the operation of the device, which is included in a power supply system that supplies power to the device from a power generation device that uses natural energy. The power generation status acquired by the power generation information acquisition step with reference to the power generation information acquisition step for acquiring the power generation status information indicating the power generation status of the power generation device and the control specification information for specifying the control according to the power generation status The method includes a control specifying step for specifying control for the device according to information, and a device control step for executing the control specified in the control specifying step.

In addition, the device control apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute the control specified by the control specifying unit with reference to the operation status information indicating the operation status of the device. It is preferable to execute the control that the determination means determines to execute.

According to the above configuration, since it is determined whether or not the control is to be executed from the operation status of the device, it is possible to prevent the control from being determined to be undesirable from the operation status of the device. it can.

In addition, the device includes a device that is not operated when the user is not present at the location, and the determination means operates when the operation status information indicates that the device that is not operated when the user is absent at the location. It is preferable to determine that the control specified by the control specifying unit is not to be executed.

According to the above configuration, the control is not executed when the device that is not operated when the user is not present is not operating. When a device that is not operated when the user is not present is not operating, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the user is absent. According to the above configuration, when the user is highly likely absent It is possible to prevent wasteful control. Examples of devices that are not operated when the user is away from the location include indoor lighting devices, air conditioners, and televisions.

In addition, the device control apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute the control specified by the control specifying unit with reference to environment information related to the environment around the device, and the device control unit includes: It is preferable to execute the control that the determination means determines to execute.

According to the above configuration, it is determined whether or not the control can be executed according to the environment around the device. Therefore, according to said structure, when it is judged that it is unpreferable to control an apparatus from the surrounding environment of an apparatus, it can prevent performing a control.

Note that the environmental information may indicate, for example, weather, temperature, room temperature, brightness, etc. of the room in which the device is installed. In addition, since the environment such as temperature and brightness changes depending on the time and date, the time and date may be applied as the environment information. However, since it is not preferable in terms of cost to provide these sensors with a sensor or the like, it is desirable that the environmental information can be acquired without providing a sensor or the like.

The control specifying information is for specifying control in accordance with an environment around the device and a power generation state of the power generation device, and the control specifying means is an environment related to the environment around the device. It is preferable to specify the control from the control specifying information with reference to the information.

According to said structure, with reference to the environmental information regarding the environment around an apparatus, control is specified from the control specific information for specifying the control according to the environment around an apparatus and the electric power generation condition of an electric power generating apparatus. . Therefore, it is possible to identify and execute more appropriate control according to the environment around the device.

In addition, the device includes a lighting device and a device for opening a curtain, the power generation device is a solar power generation device, and the power generation status information indicates the power generation amount of the power generation device. In the control specifying information, for the power generation amount equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value of the solar power generation device, the control for opening the curtain by the device for opening the curtain and the control for lowering or turning off the output of the lighting device Are preferably associated with each other.

According to the above configuration, in the control identification information, the control for opening the curtain by the device that opens the curtain and the control for lowering or turning off the output of the lighting device are associated with the power generation amount equal to or greater than the threshold value. . For this reason, when the power generation amount equal to or greater than the threshold is acquired, control for opening the curtain and control for lowering or turning off the output of the lighting device are performed.

Here, when the power generation device is a solar power generation device as in the above configuration, the outdoors are considered bright when the amount of power generation is large. That is, according to said structure, since the brightness reduced by control with respect to an illuminating device is compensated by opening a curtain and taking in external light, the brightness of a room | chamber interior can be maintained. And since the output of an illuminating device is reduced or light-extinguished, the power consumption in the whole power supply system can be reduced.

In addition, the device includes a device that opens a window and a cooling device, the power generation device is a wind power generation device, and the power generation status information indicates the power generation amount of the power generation device, In the control identification information, control for opening a window by a device that opens the window and control for stopping the operation of the cooling device are associated with a power generation amount equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value of the wind turbine generator. Is preferred.

According to the above configuration, in the control identification information, the control for opening the window by the device that opens the window and the control for stopping the operation of the cooling device are associated with the power generation amount equal to or greater than the threshold value. For this reason, when the electric power generation amount more than a threshold value is acquired, control which opens a window and control which stops operation | movement of a cooling device are performed.

Here, when the power generation device is a wind power generation device as in the above configuration, it is considered that the wind is continuously blowing at a certain wind speed when the power generation amount is large. That is, according to said structure, since the raise of the room temperature after control with respect to a cooling device is suppressed by opening a window and taking in a wind, comfort is not impaired. And the power consumption in the whole power supply system can be reduced by stopping the operation of the cooling device.

Note that the device control apparatus may be realized by a computer. That is, a control program for causing the computer to execute the steps of the control method and causing the device control apparatus to be realized by the computer, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the control program also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The device control device of the present invention can be applied to ordinary households, commercial facilities, companies, etc. that use power generation devices using natural energy, and can suitably control the operation of devices used in these facilities.

1 device control device 11 power generation amount acquisition unit (power generation information acquisition means)
12 Control specifying unit (control specifying means, judging means)
13 Device control unit (device control means)
22 Control specific information 23 Device management information (operation status information)
30 Solar power generator (power generator)
31 Wind turbine generator (power generator)
100 Equipment control system (power supply system)

Claims

A device control device for controlling the operation of the device, included in a power supply system that supplies power to the device from a power generation device that uses natural energy,
Power generation information acquisition means for acquiring power generation status information indicating a power generation status of the power generation device;
Control specifying means for specifying control for the device according to the power generation status information acquired by the power generation information acquisition means with reference to control specification information for specifying control according to the power generation status;
A device control apparatus comprising device control means for executing control specified by the control specifying means.
With reference to the operation status information indicating the operation status of the device, comprising a determination means for determining whether to execute the control specified by the control specifying means,
The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus control unit executes control that the determination unit determines to execute.
The above devices include devices that do not operate when the user is away from the location,
The determination means determines that the control specified by the control specifying means is not executed when the operation status information indicates that the device that is not operated when the user is not present is not operating. The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 2.
With reference to environmental information related to the environment around the device, a determination means for determining whether to execute the control specified by the control specifying means,
The apparatus control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus control unit executes control that the determination unit determines to execute.
The control specifying information is for specifying control according to the environment around the device and the power generation status of the power generation device,
5. The device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control specifying unit specifies control based on the control specifying information with reference to environmental information related to an environment around the device. 6. .
A control method by a device control device for controlling the operation of the device included in a power supply system that supplies power to the device from a power generation device that uses natural energy,
A power generation information acquisition step of acquiring power generation status information indicating a power generation status of the power generation device;
A control specifying step for specifying control for the device according to the power generation status information acquired in the power generation information acquisition step with reference to control specific information for specifying control according to the power generation status;
And a device control step for executing the control specified in the control specifying step.
A control program for operating a device control device for controlling the operation of the device, included in a power supply system that supplies power to the device from a power generation device that uses natural energy,
A power generation information acquisition step of acquiring power generation status information indicating a power generation status of the power generation device;
A control specifying step for specifying control for the device according to the power generation status information acquired in the power generation information acquisition step with reference to control specific information for specifying control according to the power generation status;
A control program for causing a computer to execute a device control step for executing the control specified in the control specifying step.