WO2014020879A1

WO2014020879A1 - Operation system for home electric appliances and program for operating home electric appliances

Info

Publication number: WO2014020879A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/004557
Authority: WO
Inventors: 廣和加守田; 新田　武彦; 牧　昌弘; 山岡　勝; 坂田　毅; 利光弘田; 啓伊内
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2012-07-30
Filing date: 2013-07-26
Publication date: 2014-02-06
Also published as: JPWO2014020879A1; EP2881677A1; JP6094836B2; EP2881677A4; EP2881677B1; CN104508391A; CN104508391B

Abstract

An operation system for a home electric appliance (12) has a mobile terminal (16) to send an operation signal for operating the home electric appliance (12), and a communication device (14) to send the operation signal from the mobile terminal (16) to the home electric appliance (12). The mobile terminal (16) sends, by way of a user operation, to the communication device (14), a request signal for requesting the communication device (14) to send, to the mobile terminal (16), information on the working status of the home electric appliance (12) after receiving the operation signal. Upon receiving the request signal from the mobile terminal (16), the communication device sends, to the mobile terminal (16), information on the working status of the home electric appliance (12) after receiving the operation signal. The mobile terminal (16) notifies the user of the information on the working status of the home electric appliance (12) after receiving the operation signal sent from the communication device (14). The mobile terminal (16) notifies the user that the operation signal has been sent to the home electric appliance (12) and at the same time prompts the user to perform operations to send the request signal.

Description

Home appliance operation system and program for operating home appliance

The present invention relates to a home appliance operating system for operating home appliances with a mobile terminal, and a program for operating the home appliances.

Conventionally, home appliances have been operated by a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. For example, the home appliance operating system described in Patent Literature 1 is configured to be able to operate a home appliance via a mobile phone. In addition, when the user operates the home appliance using a mobile phone, the operation system for the home appliance disclosed in Patent Document 1 notifies the user that the home appliance has actually operated based on the operation via the mobile phone. It is configured. Thus, the user can know that the home appliance has actually operated by an operation via the mobile phone.

Japanese Patent No. 4621643

By the way, in the case of the operation system for home appliances described in Patent Document 1, an operation status of the home appliances is unnecessarily notified to a user at a position where the home appliances are visible.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to notify the user of the operation status of the home appliance after the operation by the mobile terminal when necessary, when the home appliance is operated by a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation system for a home appliance, which is a portable terminal that transmits an operation signal for operating the home appliance. And a communication device that is connected to the home appliance and receives an operation signal from the mobile terminal and transmits the operation signal to the home appliance, and the mobile device transmits information on the operation status of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal. A request signal for requesting transmission to the mobile terminal is configured to be transmitted to the communication device by a user's operation, and when the communication device receives the request signal from the mobile terminal, the home appliance after receiving the operation signal Configured to acquire and transmit information on the driving status of the mobile device to the mobile terminal, and also configured to notify the user of the operating status information of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal transmitted from the communication device Is The mobile terminal further simultaneously notifies the transmission completion of the operation signal to the home device to a user, an operation to transmit a request signal is configured to prompt the user, Appliances operation system is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for operating a home appliance that is installed in a communicable mobile terminal, the operation signal for operating the home appliance being a mobile terminal, Means for transmitting the operation signal from the portable terminal to the communication device that receives the operation signal from the portable terminal and transmits it to the home appliance, and the communication device transmits information on the operation status of the household appliance after receiving the operation signal to the portable terminal. A means for transmitting a request signal for requesting to the communication device by a user operation, a means for notifying the user of the operating status information of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal transmitted from the communication device, and the home appliance Pro for operating home appliances to function as a means for prompting the user to perform an operation for transmitting a request signal at the same time as notifying the user of the completion of transmission of the operation signal Lamb is provided.

According to the present invention, when the home appliance is operated by the mobile terminal, the operation status of the home appliance after the operation by the mobile terminal can be notified to the user as necessary.

These aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this drawing,
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an operation system for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the operation screen of an air conditioner The flowchart figure which shows the first half part of an example of the flow of operation | movement of a portable terminal and a wireless communication adapter The flowchart figure which shows the latter half part of an example of the flow of operation | movement of a portable terminal and a wireless communication adapter The figure which shows an example of the transmission completion notice window Figure showing an example of a transmission failure notification window Figure showing an example of the driving status information window Figure showing an example of the status check failure notification window The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the air conditioner in the state to which the wireless communication adapter was connected The perspective view which shows the inside of an air conditioner A perspective view showing a configuration of a wireless communication adapter The figure which shows the radio | wireless communication adapter attached to an air conditioner Front view of a part of an air conditioner showing an example of a wiring layout of lead wires of a wireless communication adapter The perspective view of a part of the air conditioner showing an example of the wiring layout of the lead wire of the wireless communication adapter

One embodiment of the present invention is an operation system for home appliances, a mobile terminal that transmits an operation signal for operating the home appliance, and the home appliance connected to the home appliance and receiving an operation signal from the mobile terminal A communication device that transmits a request signal for requesting the communication device to transmit information on the operating status of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal to the mobile terminal. Configured to transmit to the device, and when the communication device receives a request signal from the mobile terminal, the communication device is configured to acquire information on the operating status of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal and transmit the information to the mobile terminal. The terminal is also configured to notify the user of the operation status information of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal transmitted from the communication device, and the mobile terminal further notifies the user that the operation signal has been transmitted to the home appliance. And it is configured to simultaneously promote the operation for transmitting the request signal to the user when to notify.

According to the home appliance operating system having such a configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the operation status of the home appliance after the operation by the mobile terminal, if necessary.

A router device connected to the Internet, and a relay device that relays communication between the communication device and the mobile terminal are further included, and the mobile terminal and the relay device are connected only between the mobile terminal and the relay device via the router device. The first communication for communication and the second communication for communication between the portable terminal and the relay device via the Internet and the router device are configured to be executable, and the portable terminal is configured to be the first by the user via the portable terminal. It may be a home appliance operation system configured to be able to execute the selection of the communication or the second communication.

Thus, the home appliance can be operated by the mobile terminal from outside the home where the home appliance is installed via the Internet. In addition, home appliances can be comfortably operated with a portable terminal in the house without using the Internet.

The home appliance may be an air conditioner, and the communication device may be connected to an operation control unit of the air conditioner that controls the air conditioning operation.

Thereby, the air conditioner can be operated by the portable terminal.

When the home appliance is an air conditioner, the communication device is a communication device main body that communicates with the relay device, a communication device connection terminal provided in the operation control unit of the air conditioner, a connector for detachably connecting, and a communication You may have a lead wire which connects an apparatus main body and a connector, and a fixture for attaching a communication apparatus main body in the residence where the air conditioner or the air conditioner was installed.

Thereby, according to the communication state between the communication device and the relay device, the communication device can be attached to the house in which the air conditioner or the air conditioner is installed via the attachment. As a result, communication between the communication device and the relay device is stabilized, and the user can reliably operate the air conditioner with the portable terminal.

An air conditioner has a main body and a front panel that covers the front of the main body so as to be openable and closable,
The communication device connection terminal of the operation controller of the air conditioner is provided at the front of the main body of the air conditioner, and the attachment of the communication device is configured to sandwich the edge of the housing of the main body of the air conditioner. It may be.

Thus, when the front panel is opened, the connector of the communication device can be immediately connected to the communication device connection terminal provided at the front of the main body of the air conditioner. At the same time, the communication device main body of the communication device can be easily attached to the air conditioner by holding the edge of the housing of the air conditioner main body in the attachment. Therefore, the communication device can be easily installed in the air conditioner in a short time.

The housing of the air conditioner main body is clamped at a position where the air blown from the air outlet of the air conditioner does not directly hit the communication device main body with the fixture holding the edge of the housing. It is preferred to have possible edges.

Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation (water droplets) on the surface of the communication device when the cool air directly hits the surface of the communication device main body of the communication device. As a result, the communication between the communication device main body and the relay device is prevented from being blocked by condensation (water droplets). Therefore, even when the air conditioner is in the cooling operation, the communication quality between the communication device main body and the relay device can be favorably maintained, and the communication reliability is improved.

The operation control unit of the air conditioner may be provided in the front part of the main body of the air conditioner, and the communication device connection terminal may be directly provided in the operation control unit.

As a result, the assemblability is improved and the cost is reduced as compared with the case where the communication device connection terminal is indirectly provided in the operation control unit via, for example, a lead wire.

In addition, a program installed on a communicable mobile terminal for operating a home appliance, the operation signal for operating the mobile terminal, the home appliance, and the operation signal from the mobile terminal connected to the home appliance A request signal for requesting the communication device to transmit the information on the operation status of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal to the mobile terminal. Means for transmitting to the communication device by the operation of the device, means for notifying the user of the operating status information of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal transmitted from the communication device, and notifying the user of completion of transmission of the operation signal to the home appliance At the same time, it is preferable to prepare a program for operating home appliances to function as a means for prompting the user to perform an operation for transmitting a request signal. .

This makes it possible to operate home appliances with a general-purpose portable terminal such as a smartphone.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a home appliance operating system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, although the operation system of the household appliances demonstrated below is an operation system of the air conditioner which is an example of household appliances, this invention does not limit a household appliance to an air conditioner.

1 is a system for operating at least one air conditioner by a portable terminal. As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner operating system 10 includes at least one air conditioner 12, a wireless communication adapter (communication device) 14 provided in each of the air conditioners 12, and a portable terminal owned by a user. 16, a gateway device (relay device) 18 that relays communication between the wireless communication adapter 14 and the mobile terminal 16, the Internet 20, and a server device 22 connected to the Internet 20.

The air conditioner 12 is installed in the residence 24 of the user of the mobile terminal 16, for example. One wireless communication adapter 14 is connected to each of the plurality of air conditioners 12.

The wireless communication adapter 14 is connected to an operation control unit (not shown) that controls the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 12. The specific connection between the air conditioner 12 and the wireless communication adapter 14 will be described later. The wireless communication adapter 14 is configured to communicate with the gateway device 18. Although the details will be described later, the wireless communication adapter 14 receives an operation signal for operating the air conditioner transmitted from the portable terminal 16 via the gateway device 18, and uses the received operation signal as the operation of the air conditioner 12. Send to the control unit. Based on this operation signal, the operation control unit controls the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 12.

Although the details will be described later, the wireless communication adapter 14 is configured to acquire information on the operation status of the air conditioner 12 from the operation control unit of the air conditioner 12 and transmit the information to the gateway device 18.

The portable terminal 16 is a general-purpose portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC (personal computer), for example. In the present invention, the portable terminal 16 communicates with a function (means) for connecting to the Internet 20 and a gateway device 18 described later. Function (means) for

The mobile terminal 16 is configured so that, for example, a smartphone is connected to the Internet 20 via a telephone line network (for example, a 3G line network). In addition or alternatively, for example, the mobile terminal 16 is configured to connect to the Internet 20 via a public wireless LAN with a Wi-Fi communication function.

By connecting to the Internet 20, for example, the mobile terminal 16 can obtain a program for operating the air conditioner 12 from the website of the manufacturer of the air conditioner 12 via the Internet 20. By installing the acquired program in the mobile terminal 18 and starting the installed program, the mobile terminal 18 can operate the air conditioner 12. That is, the portable terminal 16 can generate and transmit an operation signal for operating the air conditioner 12.

The mobile terminal 18 is also connected to the router device 26 by general-purpose communication not via the Internet 20 such as Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, and infrared communication, and the gateway device 18 via the router device 26. Is configured to connect to the communication. A device for that purpose (for example, a Wi-Fi antenna or the like) is incorporated in the portable terminal 18.

The gateway device 18 is a device that relays communication between the wireless communication adapter 14 and the mobile terminal 16, and is configured to be communicable with the wireless communication adapter 14 and to be communicable with the mobile terminal 18. The gateway device 18 is installed in a user's residence 24 where the air conditioner 12 is installed, and is connected to a router device 26 connected to the Internet.

For example, the gateway device 18 is configured to communicate with the wireless communication adapter 14 using a signal in a specific low power wireless special small frequency band (924.0 to 928.0 MHz). The communication frequency band between the gateway device 18 and the wireless communication adapter 14 is preferably a low frequency band that reaches a long distance.

The gateway device 18 is also configured to be in communication connection with the mobile terminal 16 via the router device 26. That is, the gateway device 18 is configured so that communication (first communication) can be executed only through the router device 26 without going through the mobile terminal 16 and the Internet 20.

The gateway device 18 is further configured to be connectable to the Internet 20 via the router device 26. Accordingly, the gateway device 18 can communicate with the mobile terminal 16 (second communication) via the Internet 20 and the router device 26 and can also communicate with the server device 22.

Therefore, the gateway device 18 communicates with the mobile terminal 16 without going through the Internet 20 (that is, the first communication through only the router device 26) and through the Internet 20 (that is, through the Internet 20 and the router device 26). Second communication). The reason for this configuration will be described later.

The server device 22 is a server device prepared by the manufacturer of the air conditioner 12, and is used for authentication of the portable terminal 16 that has accessed the gateway device 18, and for the air conditioner 12, the wireless communication adapter 14, and the portable terminal. 16 and the gateway device 18 are provided for holding information.

Hereafter, the operation of the air conditioner 12 by the mobile terminal 16 will be described with an example. In addition, the portable terminal 16 mentioned as an example here is a smart phone provided with the touch panel 16a, Comprising: The operation program of the air conditioner 12 has already been installed and started. Further, a case where the mobile terminal 16 and the router device 26 perform Wi-Fi communication will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation screen 30 of the air conditioner 12 displayed on the touch panel 16a of the portable terminal 16. The portable terminal 16 is configured to display the operation screen 30 on the touch panel 16a when operating the air conditioner.

When there are a plurality of air conditioners 12, the portable terminal 16 is configured to display an air conditioner selection screen so that the user can select the air conditioner 12 operated by the portable terminal 16.

2, the operation screen 30 for operating the air conditioner 12 includes a plurality of buttons 30a to 30e for setting the operation of the air conditioner. 2 is a screen for operating the air conditioner 12 installed in the living room.

The “operation mode” button 30a is a button for the user to select an air conditioning operation mode. When the user touches the “operation mode” button 30a, the mobile terminal 16 is configured to allow the user to select one air conditioning operation mode from a plurality of air conditioning operation modes such as heating operation, cooling operation, and dehumidifying operation. A selection window (not shown) is displayed on the touch panel 16a. The mobile terminal 16 displays the operation mode selected by the user on the setting content display unit 30f of the operation screen 30 and also stores it in a storage unit (not shown).

The “temperature setting” button 30 b is a button for the user to set the temperature of the air blown from the air conditioner 12. When the user touches the “temperature setting” button 30b, the mobile terminal 16 displays, for example, a temperature input window (not shown) for the user to input a desired temperature on the touch panel 16a. The portable terminal 16 displays the temperature input by the user on the setting content display unit 30f and stores it in the storage unit.

The “air volume setting” button 30 c is a button for the user to set the air volume of the air blown from the air conditioner 12. When the user touches the “air volume setting” button 30c, the mobile terminal 16 displays, for example, an air volume input window (not shown) for the user to input a desired air volume on the touch panel 16a. The portable terminal 16 displays the air volume input by the user on the setting content display unit 30f and stores it in the storage unit.

The “wind direction setting” button 30 d is a button for the user to set the direction of the air blown from the air conditioner 12. When the user touches the “wind direction setting” button 30d, the mobile terminal 16 displays, for example, a wind direction input window (not shown) for the user to input a desired wind direction on the touch panel 16a. The portable terminal 16 displays the wind direction input by the user on the setting content display unit 30f and stores it in the storage unit.

The “send setting” button 30 e is a button for sending information about the operation mode, temperature, air volume, and wind direction set by the user via the mobile terminal 16 to the air conditioner 12.

When the user touches the “send setting” button 30e, the operation mode, temperature, air volume, and wind direction information that is set by the user and stored in the storage unit, that is, displayed in the setting content unit 30f is included. The portable terminal 16 is configured to transmit an operation signal of the air conditioner 12 to the gateway device 18.

The operation signal includes identification information of the air conditioner 12 to be operated. Thereby, the gateway apparatus 18 can transmit an operation signal to the wireless communication adapter 14 connected to the air conditioner 12 that is the operation target of the mobile terminal 16.

At this time, the portable terminal 16 transmits the operation signal of the air conditioner 12 to the gateway device 18 only through the router device 26 without passing through the Internet 20, or through the Internet 20 and the router device 26. Send to. Specifically, the mobile terminal 16 is configured to transmit an operation signal to the gateway device 18 based on the communication setting when the user touches the “send setting” button 30 e.

As shown in FIG. 2, specifically, for the communication setting, the user performs communication between the portable terminal 16 and the gateway device 18 only through the router device 26 or through the Internet 20 and the router device 26.

Buttons

30g and 30h for selecting whether to perform or not are provided on the operation screen 30.

When the user touches the “direct” button 30 g, the mobile terminal 16 is configured to set “direct” communication only through the router device 26 as communication between the mobile terminal 16 and the gateway device 18.

When the user touches the “send setting” button 30e in a state where “direct” communication is set, an operation signal of the air conditioner is transmitted from the portable terminal 16 to the gateway device 18 via the router device 26 only. .

On the other hand, when the user touches the “server” button 30 h, the mobile terminal 16 is configured to set “server” communication via the Internet 20 and the router device 26 as communication between the mobile terminal 16 and the gateway device 18. Has been.

When the “server” communication is set and the user touches the “send setting” button 30e, the operation signal of the air conditioner is transmitted from the portable terminal 16 to the server device 22 via the Internet 20 and the router device 26. Is done. Then, the server device 22 transmits the received operation signal to the gateway device 18 via the Internet 20 and the router device 26.

In addition, you may comprise so that the operation signal of an air conditioner may be transmitted to the gateway apparatus 18 via the internet 20 and the router apparatus 26 from the portable terminal 16 not via the server apparatus 22. FIG.

As described above, the reason why the user selects the communication method between the mobile terminal 16 and the gateway device 18 is that the mobile terminal 16 is used outside the user's residence 24 as shown in FIG. 1 (solid line). This is to prepare for the case where it is used in the residence 24 (two-dot chain line).

As shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, when the mobile terminal 16 is located outside the residence 24, in a broad sense, when the mobile terminal 16 is present at a position where it cannot communicate directly with the router device 26, the mobile terminal 16 is connected to the Internet 20 and the router. The air conditioner 12 can be operated by communicating with the gateway device 18 via the device 26. That is, when the user is outside the residence 24, the user can operate the air conditioner 12 by the portable terminal 16 by setting the “server” communication by touching the “server” button 30 h.

On the other hand, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, when the mobile terminal 16 is located in the residence 24, in a broad sense, when the mobile terminal 16 is present at a position where it can directly communicate with the router device 26, the mobile terminal 16 It is possible to communicate with the gateway device 18 only through the router device 26, and it is also possible to communicate with the gateway device 18 through the Internet 20 and the router device 26. That is, the user can select either “direct” communication or “server” communication.

However, when the user in the residence 24 wants to frequently operate the air conditioner 12 with the mobile terminal 16, “server” communication via the Internet 20 and the router device 26 is not preferable as communication between the mobile terminal 16 and the gateway device 18. . The reason is that a delay may occur in the response of the air conditioner 12 to the user's operation on the mobile terminal 16 due to congestion of the line of the Internet 20 or the like. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user cannot comfortably operate the air conditioner 12 with the portable terminal 16.

As a countermeasure, the operation system of the air conditioner 12 is configured so that communication via only the router device 26 between the portable terminal 16 and the gateway device 18 that is not affected by the congestion of the line of the Internet 20 can be executed. Is structured. When the mobile terminal 16 and the gateway device 18 communicate with each other only through the router device 26, the user can comfortably operate the air conditioner 12 with the mobile terminal 16 in the same manner as a remote controller attached to the air conditioner 12. be able to.

The reason why the user selects the communication method between the mobile terminal 16 and the gateway device 18 is that only the user knows whether or not the air conditioner 12 is frequently operated by the mobile terminal 16.

In addition to the plurality of buttons described above, although not shown, the operation screen 30 of the portable terminal 16 has a button for turning on or off the operation of the air conditioner 12, automatically when a predetermined time comes. A button for setting a timer for starting the operation of the air conditioner 12 is displayed.

From here, the operation of the mobile terminal 16 and the wireless communication adapter 14 after the mobile terminal 16 transmits the operation signal will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. The left flow shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 shows an example of the operation flow of the mobile terminal 16, and the right flow shows an example of the operation flow of the wireless communication adapter 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, in step S100 and step S110, as described above, the mobile terminal 16 transmits an operation signal for the air conditioner toward the wireless communication adapter 14 (via the gateway device 18).

On the other hand, when the wireless communication adapter 14 receives the operation signal from the mobile terminal 16 (via the gateway device 18) (when the reception of the operation signal is confirmed) in step S300, the wireless communication adapter 14 receives the operation signal received in the next step S310. Is transmitted to the operation control unit of the air conditioner 12. Then, the air conditioner 12 starts operation based on the operation signal.

Furthermore, in the subsequent step S320, the wireless communication adapter 14 sends a transmission completion signal for transmitting the completion of transmission of the operation signal to the air conditioner 12 to the portable terminal 16 (via the gateway device 18). Send.

When the portable terminal 16 receives the transmission completion signal from the wireless communication adapter 14 in step S120 (when reception of the transmission completion signal is confirmed), the portable terminal 16 transmits an operation signal to the air conditioner 12 in the next step S130. Notify the user that has completed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 16 displays a transmission completion notification window 32 on the touch panel 16a. The transmission completion notification window 32 includes a message 32a for notifying the user that the transmission of the operation signal is completed, and the contents of the operation signal transmitted from the portable terminal 16 to the air conditioner 12 as the operation mode, temperature, air volume, And wind direction information 32b is displayed. Such a transmission completion notification window 32 allows the user to know that the transmission of the operation signal from the portable terminal 16 to the air conditioner 12 has been completed, that is, has succeeded.

On the other hand, when the reception of the transmission completion signal from the wireless communication adapter 14 cannot be confirmed in step S120, the portable terminal 16 has elapsed time since transmitting the operation signal of the air conditioner 12 in step S110 in step S150. However, it is determined whether or not a predetermined elapsed time (for example, 30 seconds) has been exceeded, that is, whether a timeout has occurred. When the elapsed time after transmitting the operation signal of the air conditioner 12 exceeds the predetermined elapsed time (in the case of timeout), the process proceeds to step S160. Otherwise, the process returns to step S120.

If the transmission completion signal from the wireless communication adapter 14 cannot be received even after a predetermined elapsed time has elapsed since the operation signal of the air conditioner 12 was transmitted, the portable terminal 16 receives the signal from the portable terminal 16 in step S160. The user is notified that transmission of the operation signal to the air conditioner 12 has failed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the portable terminal 16 displays a transmission failure notification window 34 on the touch panel 16a. In the transmission failure notification window 34, a message 34a for informing the user that transmission of the operation signal has failed is displayed. Such a transmission failure notification window 34 allows the user to know that transmission of the operation signal from the portable terminal 16 to the air conditioner 12 has failed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission failure notification window 34 is provided with a “retry” button 34 b for re-transmitting the operation signal of the air conditioner 12 from the portable terminal 16 to the wireless communication adapter 14. ing. When the user touches the “retry” button 34b, the portable terminal 16 transmits the operation signal again toward the wireless communication adapter 14, that is, returns to step S110.

When the portable terminal 16 displays the transmission completion notification window 32a on the touch panel 16a in step S130, in step S140, the portable terminal 16 provides the user with information on the operating condition of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal. The “driving condition” button 32c is displayed on the touch panel 16a. That is, the portable terminal 16 is configured to propose to the user confirmation of information on the operating condition of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal.

In the case of the present embodiment, an “operation status” button 32 c is displayed simultaneously with the communication completion notification window 32. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a “driving condition” button 32 c is displayed in the communication completion notification window 32. Thereby, the portable terminal 16 notifies the user of the completion of the transmission of the operation signal to the air conditioner 12, and at the same time prompts the user to perform an operation for confirming the information on the operating condition of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal. be able to. As a result, the user operates the air conditioner 12 according to the user's operation on the portable terminal 16 immediately after receiving the notification of the completion of transmission of the operation signal to the air conditioner 12 from the portable terminal 16 and without forgetting it. Can be confirmed.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the “driving condition” button 32a is operated by the user in step S170 (when the portable terminal 16 confirms the operation of the “driving condition” button 32a), the portable terminal 16 proceeds to the next step S180. The operation status request signal is transmitted to the wireless communication adapter 14. The operating status request signal is used to request the wireless communication adapter 14 to transmit the information to the mobile terminal 16 in order for the mobile terminal 16 to acquire information on the operating status of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal. Signal.

In step S170, if there is no user operation on the “driving condition” button 32a, the process returns to step S100.

On the other hand, when the wireless communication adapter 14 receives the driving condition request signal from the portable terminal 16 in step S330 (when reception of the driving condition request signal is confirmed), the wireless communication adapter 14 operates the air conditioner 12 in the next step S340. Information on the current operating status, that is, information on the operating status of the air conditioner 12 performing the operation corresponding to the operation signal from the portable terminal 16 is acquired from the control unit. For example, the wireless communication adapter 14 acquires information on the operation mode, temperature, air volume, and wind direction set in the current air conditioner 12. When the air conditioner 12 includes a sensor for detecting the indoor temperature, the indoor humidity, and the outdoor temperature, the wireless communication adapter 14 uses the information on the indoor temperature, the indoor humidity, and the outdoor temperature as information on the operation status. You may get it.

When the wireless communication adapter 14 acquires the information on the operating condition of the air conditioner 12 in step S340, the wireless communication adapter 14 transmits the acquired operating condition information to the portable terminal 16 in step S350.

When the portable terminal 16 receives the information on the operation status of the air conditioner 12 from the wireless communication adapter 14 in step S190 (when reception of the information on the operation status is confirmed), the received operation is performed in the next step S200. Notify users of status information.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 16 displays an operation status information window 36 on the touch panel 16a. The operation status information window 36 displays information 36a of the operation status of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal at the present time. For example, information 32a on the operation mode, temperature, air volume, and wind direction set in the current air conditioner 12 is displayed. Further, when the wireless communication adapter 14 acquires information on the indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature from the air conditioner 12 and transmits the information to the portable terminal 16 as information on the operating status, the indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and The outdoor temperature information 36 b is displayed in the operation status information window 36. Such an operation information status window 36 allows the user to know the operation status of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal from the portable terminal 16. In other words, the user can know that the air conditioner 12 has performed a corresponding operation by operating the mobile terminal 16.

On the other hand, when the reception of the operation status information of the air conditioner 12 from the wireless communication adapter 14 cannot be confirmed in step S190, the portable terminal 16 transmits the operation status request signal in step S180 in step S210. It is determined whether or not the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined elapsed time (for example, 30 seconds), that is, whether or not a timeout has occurred. When the elapsed time after transmitting the driving condition request signal exceeds the predetermined elapsed time (timeout), the process proceeds to step S220. Otherwise, the process returns to step S190.

If the mobile terminal 16 fails to receive the information on the operation status of the air conditioner 12 from the wireless communication adapter 14 after a predetermined elapsed time has elapsed since the transmission of the operation status request signal, the portable terminal 16 performs wireless communication in step S220. The user is notified that the portable terminal 16 has failed to check the information on the driving situation from the communication adapter 14.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the mobile terminal 16 displays a status confirmation failure notification window 38 on the touch panel 16a. In the state confirmation failure notification window 38, a message 38a is displayed for notifying the user that the portable terminal 16 has failed to confirm the state operation of the air conditioner 12. Such a status check failure notification window 38 allows the user to know that the mobile terminal 16 has failed to acquire information on the status check of the air conditioner 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, the status check failure notification window 38 is provided with a “retry” button 38 b for re-transmitting the driving status request signal from the mobile terminal 16 to the wireless communication adapter 14. . When the user touches the “retry” button 38b, the mobile terminal 16 transmits the driving condition request signal again toward the wireless communication adapter 14, that is, returns to step S180.

As described above, according to the configuration of the air conditioner operation system 10 as described above, it is determined that the transmission of the operation signal for operating the air conditioner 12 to the air conditioner 12 has been completed or the transmission has failed. In addition, the user is notified of information on the operating condition of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal. Thereby, when the air conditioner 12 does not operate by the operation of the portable terminal 16, the user can know (guess) the reason.

More specifically, after the input for operating the air conditioner 12 to the mobile terminal 16 is executed, there are three notifications that the user receives from the mobile terminal.

First, as a first notification, a notification that allows the user to understand that transmission of the operation signal from the portable terminal 18 to the air conditioner 12 has failed, for example, via the transmission failure notification window 34 in FIG. Receive from terminal 16.

Next, as a second notification, although the transmission of the operation signal from the portable terminal 18 to the air conditioner 12 has succeeded, the user is informed that the portable terminal 16 has not been able to acquire the operating condition information of the air conditioner 12. For example, the user receives the notification to be understood from the portable terminal 16 via the transmission completion notification window 32 in FIG. 5 and the status confirmation failure window 38 in FIG.

Then, as the third notification, for example, a notification for allowing the user to understand that the operation signal is successfully transmitted from the portable terminal 18 to the air conditioner 12 and the information on the operation status of the air conditioner 12 can be acquired. 5 is received from the portable terminal 16 via the transmission completion notification window 32 of FIG. 5 and the driving status information window 36 of FIG.

The user knows the existence of the first to third notifications. Therefore, when the first notification is received from the mobile terminal 16, the user temporarily or semi-permanently due to congestion of the Internet 20 or semi-permanently due to disconnection of the line (wireless communication). It can be assumed that communication cannot be performed with the adapter 14). Therefore, for example, the user can try the operation of the air conditioner 12 by the portable terminal 18 again after a while.

When the second notification is received from the mobile terminal 16, the user has received an operation signal from the mobile terminal 16 reaching the air conditioner 12 (wireless communication adapter 14). Can be guessed that is not working. For example, the user can guess a failure of the air conditioner 12, a disconnection of the main power source, and the like. Therefore, for example, the operation signal from the portable terminal 16 is erroneously interpreted as not reaching the air conditioner 12 due to temporary congestion of the Internet 20, and the operation of the air conditioner 12 by the portable terminal 16 is wasted. Repeating is avoided.

When the third notification is received from the mobile terminal 16, the user can guess that the air conditioner 12 is performing a corresponding operation by operating the mobile terminal 16.

In addition, as described above, the user is provided with the information on the operation status of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal from the mobile terminal 16, for example, by the user in the “operation status” of the transmission completion notification window 32 of FIG. 5. "By touching the button 32c, i.e. when the user needs it. In other words, the information on the operation status of the air conditioner 12 after receiving the operation signal is not automatically provided to the user. The reason is that the user may be in a position where the air conditioner 12 can be visually recognized. That is, since the user who is in a position where the air conditioner 12 can be viewed can directly check the operating condition by looking directly at the air conditioner 12, it is not necessary to provide information on the operating condition from the portable terminal 16. Thereby, it is possible to suppress unnecessary notification of the operation status of the air conditioner 12 to the user who is in a position where the air conditioner 12 can be visually recognized via the portable terminal 16.

From here, the connection between the air conditioner 12 and the wireless adapter 14 will be described in detail.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the air conditioner 12, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the air conditioner 12.

As shown in FIG. 9, the air conditioner 12 includes a main body 12a mainly constituted by a frame, and a front panel 12b that covers the front portion of the main body 12a (the front side portion of the air conditioner 12) so as to be opened and closed. And have. Most of the main body 12a and the front panel 12b are made of synthetic resin.

As shown in FIG. 10 in which the front panel 12b is omitted, the air conditioner 12 is formed at an upper part and a front part of the main body 12a and sucks air into the main body 12a, and below the main body 12a. And an air outlet 12d for blowing air inside the main body 12a to the outside (inside the residence 24). When air is sucked into the main body 12a through the suction port 12c, the front panel 12b is opened to expose the suction port 12c formed in the front portion of the main body 12a to the outside. Moreover, between the inlet 12c and the outlet 12d, the fan 12e for generating the air flow which goes to the outlet 12d from the inlet 12c, and the heat exchanger which heat-exchanges with the air inhaled in the main body 12a (Not shown).

Also, a control box 12g for controlling the air conditioner 12 is attached to a frame 12f located in the upper front part of the main body 12a of the air conditioner 12. An operation control unit 12h is accommodated in the control box 12g.

The operation control unit 12h has a control board, and an adapter connection terminal 12i for connecting to the wireless communication adapter 14 is directly provided on the control board.

In addition, when the wireless communication adapter 14 for operating the air conditioner 12 by the portable terminal 16 is not connected to the adapter connection terminal 12i of the operation control unit 12h, the air conditioner 12 is incorporated in the operation control unit 12h. The air conditioning operation is executed according to the control sequence.

As shown in FIG. 11, the wireless communication adapter 14 includes a communication device main body 14b for communicating with the gateway device 18, and a connector 14c detachably connected to the adapter connection terminal 12i of the operation control unit 12h of the air conditioner 12. And a lead wire 14d for connecting the communication device main body 14b and the connector 14c.

In addition, the wireless communication adapter 14 connects the communication device main body 14b to the air conditioner 12 (its main body portion 12a) or the interior of the house 24 in which the air conditioner 12 is installed (for example, the room in which the air conditioner 12 is attached). And a fixture 14e for attaching to a wall, a column in the vicinity of the air conditioner 12, and the like.

Specifically, in the case of the present embodiment, the attachment 14e of the wireless communication adapter 14 is produced by folding a thin metal plate into two U-shapes as shown in FIG. It is a clip shape. The base 14f of the fixture 14e is fixed to the back surface of the communication device main body 14b. In the case of the present embodiment, a through hole 14g is formed in the base portion 14f of the fixture 14e, and a protrusion 14h that engages with the through hole 14g is formed on the back surface of the communication device main body 14b. In addition, a pair of locking pieces 14i into which the base portion 14f of the attachment 14e is inserted along the back surface of the communication device main body 14b is formed on the back surface of the communication device main body 14b.

Further, the attachment 14e of the wireless communication adapter 14 has a facing portion 14j that faces the base portion 14f with a space therebetween. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication device main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 is held by sandwiching the edge 12j of the housing of the main body 12a of the air conditioner 12 between the base portion 14f and the facing portion 14j of the fixture 14e. It can be attached to the air conditioner 12. In FIG. 12, the communication device main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 is attached in a state of being exposed to the outside of the main body 12a of the air conditioner 12, but it may be attached in the main body 12a without being exposed to the outside. Is possible.

Moreover, it is preferable that the housing of the main body 12a of the air conditioner 12 includes an edge 12j that can be clamped by the attachment 14e of the wireless communication adapter 14 at a portion away from the air outlet 12d. Specifically, in the housing of the main body 12a of the air conditioner 12, the air blown from the outlet 12d is directly directed to the communication device main body 14b in a state where the fixture 14e sandwiches the housing edge 12j of the main body 12a. It is preferable to provide the edge 12j that the fixture 14e can hold in a position where it does not hit. Thereby, at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation of the air conditioner 12, it is suppressed that a lot of cold air | gas from the blower outlet 12d hits the communication apparatus main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14. FIG. As a result, the occurrence of condensation (water droplets) on the surface of the communication device main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 is suppressed, and the communication between the communication device main body 14b and the gateway device 18 is obstructed by the condensation (water droplets). Is suppressed. Accordingly, even when the air conditioner 12 is in the cooling operation, the communication quality between the wireless adapter 14 and the gateway device 18 can be maintained well, and the communication reliability is improved.

Further, the attachment 14e of the wireless communication adapter 14 includes a front rear circular attachment hole 14k for attaching the communication device main body 14b in the room of the residence 24 in the facing portion 14j. The communication device main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 can be attached to the room by engaging, for example, a screw 141 attached to the wall surface of the room with the attachment hole 14k.

The communication device body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 can be attached to the room of the air conditioner 12 or the house 24 where the air conditioner 12 is installed by using such an attachment 14e. That is, the degree of freedom regarding the installation of the communication device main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 is improved.

In the state where the communication device main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 is disposed inside the air conditioner 12, for example, when the fixture 14e holds the edge 12j of the housing of the main body 12a of the air conditioner 12 shown in FIG. It is suppressed that the external appearance of the air conditioner 12 is impaired by the machine main body 14b. In this case, the lead wire 14d of the wireless communication adapter 14 is disposed in an arbitrary position inside the air conditioner 12 and connected to the adapter connection terminal 12i of the operation control unit 12h. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lead wire 14d is formed in the control box 12g that accommodates the operation control unit 12h, and is provided on the outer periphery of the fan 12e and the lead wire guide groove 12k that accommodates the lead wire 14d. It is connected to the adapter connection terminal 12i of the operation control unit 12h via the duct 121 or the like.

If the communication device main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 is disposed in the air conditioner 12 without being exposed to the outside, the stability of communication between the communication device main body 14b and the gateway device 18 may be reduced. For example, when the air conditioner 12 is attached to the wall surface of the interior of the residence 24 via a metal attachment plate (not shown), communication between the communication device body 14b and the gateway device 18 is obstructed by the attachment plate. May be. In such a case, the communication device main body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 is exposed to the outside of the air conditioner 12 as shown in FIG. Attached to.

If the communication unit 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14 is attached to the air conditioner 12 with the communication unit 14b exposed to the outside, and the communication stability between the communication unit 14b and the gateway device 18 is low, the unit of the communication unit 14 b is installed at a position away from the air conditioner 12. For example, the communication device main body 14b is attached to the indoor wall surface by engaging the attachment hole 14k of the attachment 14e with the screw 14l attached to the indoor wall surface portion of the residence 24 away from the air conditioner 12. In this case, a part of the lead wire 34 is pulled out from the inside of the air conditioner 12, and is disposed on, for example, an indoor wall surface.

Thus, since there is a high degree of freedom regarding the installation of the communication device body 14b of the wireless communication adapter 14, the communication device body 14b is installed at a position where communication between the communication device body 14b of the wireless adapter 14 and the gateway device 18 is stable. can do.

In connection with the arrangement of the lead wire 14d of the wireless communication adapter 14, as shown in FIG. 10, the adapter connection terminal 12i of the operation control unit 12h to which the lead wire 14d (its connector 14c) is connected is air. It is preferable to provide in the front part of the main body 12a of the conditioner 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the operation control unit 12h is provided in the front part of the main body 12a of the air conditioner 12, and the adapter connection terminal 12i is directly provided in the operation control unit 12h. Thereby, the lead wire 14d can be easily connected to the adapter connection terminal 12i of the operation control unit 12h by opening the front panel 12b. As a result, the installation work of the wireless adapter 14 including the arrangement of the lead wire 14d can be performed in a short time.

According to the present embodiment, when the air conditioner 12 is operated by the mobile terminal 16, the operation status of the air conditioner 12 after the operation by the mobile terminal 16 can be notified to the user as necessary.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

For example, in the case of the above-described embodiment, communication between the mobile terminal 16 and the wireless communication adapter 14 is performed via the gateway device 18 that is a relay device, but the present invention is not limited to this. The operation system 10 of the air conditioner may have a configuration in which the gateway device 18 is omitted from the configuration illustrated in FIG. In this case, the wireless communication adapter 14 is configured to be connectable to the Internet 20 and / or the wireless communication adapter 14 and the portable terminal 16 are configured to be able to directly communicate with each other.

In the case of the above-described embodiment, the information on the operating condition of the air conditioner 12 can be provided to the user after transmitting the operation signal from the portable terminal 16 to the air conditioner 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Absent. For example, the operating system of the air conditioner 12 may be configured so that information on the operating status of the air conditioner 12 can be provided to the user when the user desires, that is, anytime.

Furthermore, in the case of the above-described embodiment, the portable terminal that operates the air conditioner is a general-purpose portable terminal such as a smartphone, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated portable terminal only for operating the air conditioner may be used.

Furthermore, in the case of the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the wireless communication adapter 14 transmits an operation signal to the air conditioner 12, it transmits a transmission completion signal to the mobile terminal 15. In addition, when the portable terminal 16 receives the transmission completion signal, the portable terminal 16 notifies the user of the completion of transmission of the operation signal. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the portable terminal 16 may be configured to notify the user of completion of transmission of the operation signal when the operation signal is transmitted to the wireless communication adapter 14.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the adapter connection terminal 14 i connected to the wireless communication adapter 14 is directly provided in the operation control unit 12 h of the air conditioner 12, but for example, via a lead wire The operation control unit 12h may be provided indirectly.
In this case, the adapter connection terminal 14 i can be provided at an arbitrary position of the air conditioner 12. For example, the adapter connection terminal 14 i may be provided on the outer surface of the air conditioner 12. In this case, for example, a cap is provided to cover the adapter connection terminal 14i when the wireless communication adapter 14 is not connected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when the adapter connection terminal 12i is directly provided in the operation control unit 12h, the lead wire or the like is not required, so that the assemblability is improved and the cost is reduced.

In addition, the wireless communication adapter 14 is provided in an integrated manner in the air conditioner 12 instead of being detachably provided in the air conditioner 12, that is, as an optional part that can be retrofitted to the air conditioner 12. One component of the air conditioner 12 may be sufficient.

Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included therein, so long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention according to the appended claims.

Disclosure of specifications, drawings, and claims of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-167971 filed on July 30, 2012 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-172265 filed on August 2, 2012 Are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

A home appliance operation system,
A portable terminal that transmits an operation signal for operating the home appliance;
A communication device connected to the home appliance, receiving an operation signal from the mobile terminal and transmitting the operation signal to the home appliance;
The mobile terminal is configured to transmit a request signal for requesting the communication device to transmit to the mobile terminal information on the operation status of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal, to the communication device by a user operation,
When the communication device receives a request signal from the mobile terminal, the communication device is configured to acquire information on the driving status of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal and transmit the information to the mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal is also configured to notify the user of information on the driving status of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal transmitted from the communication device,
A home appliance operation system configured to further prompt a user to perform an operation for transmitting a request signal at the same time that the portable terminal notifies the user of the completion of transmission of the operation signal to the home appliance.
A router device connected to the Internet;
A relay device that relays communication between the communication device and the mobile terminal;
The first communication in which the mobile terminal and the relay device communicate between the mobile terminal and the relay device only through the router device, and the first communication in which the mobile terminal and the relay device communicate with each other through the Internet and the router device. 2 communication can be performed,
The home appliance operating system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal is configured so that the user can select the first communication or the second communication via the mobile terminal.
The home appliance is an air conditioner,
The home appliance operation system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the communication device is connected to an operation control unit of an air conditioner that controls the air conditioning operation.
The communication device
A communication device that communicates with the relay device;
A connector for detachably connecting to a communication device connection terminal provided in the operation control unit of the air conditioner;
A lead wire for connecting the communication device body and the connector;
The home appliance operation system according to claim 3, further comprising an air conditioner or an attachment for attaching the communication device main body to a room in which the air conditioner is installed.
An air conditioner has a main body and a front panel that covers the front of the main body so as to be openable and closable,
The communication device connection terminal of the operation control unit of the air conditioner is provided at the front of the main body of the air conditioner,
The home appliance operation system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment of the communication device is configured to sandwich an edge of the housing of the main body of the air conditioner.
The housing of the main body of the air conditioner is clamped at a position where the air blown from the air conditioner outlet does not directly hit the communication device main body with the fixture holding the edge of the housing. The home appliance operating system according to claim 5, comprising a possible edge.
The operation control unit of the air conditioner is provided at the front of the main body of the air conditioner,
The home appliance operation system according to claim 4, wherein the communication device connection terminal is directly provided in the operation control unit.
A program installed on a mobile terminal capable of communication and used to operate home appliances,
Mobile device
Means for transmitting an operation signal for operating the home appliance to a communication device connected to the home appliance and receiving the operation signal from the mobile terminal and transmitting the operation signal to the home appliance;
Means for transmitting a request signal for requesting the communication device to transmit the information on the operating status of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal to the mobile terminal to the communication device by a user operation;
Means for notifying the user of the operating status information of the home appliance after receiving the operation signal transmitted from the communication device; and
A program for operating a home appliance to function as a means for prompting the user to perform an operation for transmitting a request signal at the same time as notifying the user of the completion of transmission of the operation signal to the home appliance.