WO2015159395A1

WO2015159395A1 - Controller, home system, environment control method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2015159395A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/060853
Authority: WO
Inventors: 矢部　正明; 裕信矢野; 一郎丸山; 聡司峯澤; 遠藤　聡; 雄喜小川; 香佐藤
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2014-04-16
Filing date: 2014-04-16
Publication date: 2015-10-22
Also published as: JPWO2015159395A1; JP6362677B2

Abstract

A setting operation acquisition unit (227) acquires environment setting information that is transmitted from a terminal apparatus (3) in accordance with a user operation and that specifies both designation of a room in a dwelling and an environment setting in the room. A device selection unit (228) selects, from among electric devices (4), a control target electric device (4) on the basis of the environment setting information acquired by the setting operation acquisition unit (227), associated information of an associated information database (213) and device information of a device information database (212). A control content determination unit (229) determines a control content for the electric device (4), which has been selected by the device selection unit (228), on the basis of the environment setting information acquired by the setting operation acquisition unit (227) and environment control information of an environment control information database (214). An instruction unit (230) instructs the electric device (4), which has been selected by the device selection unit (228), on the control content determined by the control content determination unit (229).

Description

Controller, home system, environmental control method, and program

The present invention relates to a controller, a home system, an environment control method, and a program that can appropriately control an indoor environment with a simple operation.

In recent years, home systems in which various electrical devices are connected with the same communication standard have become widespread in ordinary homes. In this home system, for example, electric devices such as an air conditioner, a lighting device, a rice cooker, an IH cooker, and a dehumidifier are connected to be communicable so that each electric device can be managed (monitored and controlled). The user can control the indoor environment by appropriately managing each electrical device.

As a prior art for controlling such an indoor environment, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for controlling an indoor environment based on a result of voice recognition of a user's voice in a room, a detection result of a room by a human sensor, or the like. Is disclosed.

JP 2003-337866 A

In the above-described system of Patent Document 1 and the conventional home system, in order to control the indoor environment, first, the user needs to grasp all the electric devices actually installed in the room. In addition, since the user needs to operate each electric device individually, the burden on the user is large. In addition, there are cases where user's operation mistakes and operation omissions are likely to occur, and the indoor environment cannot be appropriately controlled.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a controller, a home system, an environment control method, and a program capable of appropriately controlling an indoor environment with a simple operation. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, a controller according to the present invention provides:
A plurality of electrical devices installed in a residence, and a terminal device operated by a user, a controller connected via a network,
Acquisition means for acquiring environment setting information that defines the designation of a room in a residence and the environment setting in the room, which is sent from the terminal device in response to a user operation;
Based on the environment setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, the correspondence information associating the electric device with the installed room, and the device information of the electric device, the electric device to be controlled is selected from the electric devices. Selection means to
The control content for the electrical device selected by the selection means comprises a determination means for determining based on the environment setting information acquired by the acquisition means and the environment control information determined according to the environment setting,
The control content determined by the determining means is transmitted to the electrical device selected by the selecting means.

According to the present invention, the controller selects an electric device to be controlled by simply specifying a room in the residence and operating the setting of the indoor environment in the room from the terminal device. Therefore, the indoor environment can be appropriately controlled with a simple operation.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the whole structure of the home system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example of the electric equipment installed in each room in a residence. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the controller which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of floor plan information DB. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of apparatus information DB. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of correspondence information DB. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of environmental control information DB. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of measurement information DB. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a matching screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an indoor environment monitor screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an environment setting screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the environment setting screen in which a part is grayed out. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the mode of the environment setting screen pop-up displayed on an indoor environment monitor screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an apparatus operation screen. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the electric equipment which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information collection process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the environmental control process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a mode that the ventilation fans of different rooms were connected by the ventilation duct. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a mode that the ventilation fans of different rooms were connected by the ventilation duct. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the controller which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of life scene information. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a life scene selection screen.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a home system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The home system 1 is a system for the user to operate the terminal device 3 to control the indoor environment for each room (or the entire house) in the residence H. The home system 1 includes a controller 2, a terminal device 3, a plurality of electrical devices 4, and a plurality of sensors 5. Among these, the controller 2, each electric device 4, and each sensor 5 are communicably connected via the home network 9, and the controller 2 and the terminal device 3 can communicate with each other via a wireless LAN or the like. It is connected.

In the residence H, a plurality of rooms are provided, and each electric device 4 and each sensor 5 are appropriately installed in each room. Explaining with a specific example, as shown in FIG. 2, rooms R1 to R7 are provided in the residence H.

The room R1 is used as a children's room, and is provided with an illumination 4a, an air conditioner 4b, and a television 4c. The room R2 is used as a study, and similarly, an illumination 4a, an air conditioner 4b, and a television 4c are installed.

The room R3 is used as a bedroom, and is provided with an illumination 4a, an air conditioner 4b, a ventilation fan 4d, and a humidifier 4e. The room R4 is used as a bathroom, and is provided with an illumination 4a and a ventilation fan 4d. Furthermore, the room R5 is used as a closet, and similarly, an illumination 4a and a ventilation fan 4d are installed.

Room R6 is used as a dining kitchen, and is provided with lighting 4a, air conditioner 4b, ventilation fan 4d, IH cooker 4f, and refrigerator 4g. The room R7 is used as a living room, and is provided with two lights 4a, two air conditioners 4b, a television 4c, an air purifier 4h, and a floor heater 4i.

Although omitted in FIG. 2, the sensors 5 are also installed in the rooms R1 to R7 as appropriate. Moreover, the controller 2 is installed in the room R7, for example. The terminal device 3 is portable and is used in any of the rooms R1 to R7.

Such a floor plan in the residence H (configuration of the rooms R1 to R7) and installation of the electrical equipment 4 etc. in each of the rooms R1 to R7 (device configuration) are examples. It can be appropriately changed according to the device configuration.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the controller 2 is a device that controls the entire home system 1. The controller 2 communicates with the terminal device 3 to transmit / receive necessary information. In addition, the controller 2 collects information from each home appliance 4 and each sensor 5 and controls each home appliance 4.

An example of the configuration of the controller 2 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the controller 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the controller 2 includes a data storage unit 21, a control unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

The data storage unit 21 serves as a so-called secondary storage device (auxiliary storage device), and includes, for example, a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The data storage unit 21 stores a floor plan information DB (database) 211, a device information DB 212, a correspondence information DB 213, an environment control information DB 214, and a measurement information DB 215 described below. In addition, the data storage unit 21 stores a program executed by the control unit 22.

First, the floor plan information DB 211 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the floor plan information DB 211. The floor plan information DB 211 is information on each room (specifically, the rooms R1 to R7 shown in FIG. 2) provided in the residence H. As illustrated, the floor plan information DB 211 stores a room identification number, the number of floors in which the room is located, the name of the room, the priority, and the like. As will be described later, this priority is a value for defining how the environmental control of each room is performed in order when the entire house is designated at the time of environment setting. Therefore, it is appropriately defined by the user based on, for example, economy and comfort. In addition, it may be automatically changed based on time zone (time zone in which unit price of electricity rate is different) and various events (such as presence / absence of people) based on calendar function (schedule function). .

Next, the device information DB 212 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the device information DB 212. The device information DB 212 is device information regarding each electric device 4. As shown in the figure, the device information DB 212 includes device identification numbers, device types, addresses, operating states, setting states (temperature setting values, air volume setting values, humidity setting values, etc.), error occurrence states, and the like. Remembered. The operation state, the setting state, and the error occurrence state are updated based on information periodically acquired from each electrical device 4 by the control unit 22 (more specifically, a current information acquisition unit 233 described later). The The device information DB 212 may also store various icon images corresponding to each electrical device 4.

Next, the correspondence information DB 213 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence information DB 213. The correspondence information DB 213 is information for associating a room with the electrical device 4. As illustrated, the correspondence information DB 213 stores room identification numbers, device identification numbers, device names, and the like. Such correspondence information DB 213 is generated by the control unit 22 (more specifically, the correspondence information generation unit 223 described later) in accordance with a user operation of the terminal device 3.

Next, the environment control information DB 214 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the environment control information DB 214. The environment control information DB 214 is information that defines the control content of each electric device 4 (more specifically, the type of device) according to the indoor environment setting. As illustrated, the environment control information DB 214 stores environment settings, device types, environment control information, and the like. Note that the environment control information DB 214 in FIG. 7 is simplified for easy understanding, but in reality, the environment control information can be obtained by mathematical formulas and parameters based on the environment settings. ing. For example, the environmental control information is obtained from the difference (change amount) between the current environmental measurement value and the instructed environmental setting value using mathematical formulas, parameters, and the like. Such an environment control information DB 214 is generated by the control unit 22 (more specifically, an environment control information generation unit 224 described later).

Finally, the measurement information DB 215 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the measurement information DB 215. This measurement information DB 215 is information obtained by tabulating environmental measurement values measured by each sensor 5 and each electric device 4 (device having a measurement function) for each room. As illustrated, the measurement information DB 215 stores room identification numbers, temperature, humidity, illuminance, CO2 concentration, and the like. These temperature, humidity, illuminance, and CO2 concentration are appropriately determined based on environmental measurement values periodically acquired from each sensor 5 and the like by the control unit 22 (more specifically, a current information acquisition unit 233 described later). Updated. The environmental measurement values such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, and CO2 concentration are examples, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, a ventilation amount or the like may be added to the environmental measurement value.

Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like (none of which are shown), and controls the entire controller 2. Functionally, the control unit 22 includes an association screen generation unit 221, an association acquisition unit 222, a correspondence information generation unit 223, an environment control information generation unit 224, an environment monitor screen generation unit 225, and an environment setting. Screen generation unit 226, setting operation acquisition unit 227, device selection unit 228, control content determination unit 229, command unit 230, device operation screen generation unit 231, device operation acquisition unit 232, and current information acquisition unit 233. These functions are realized by the CPU appropriately executing various programs stored in the ROM or the data storage unit 21 using the RAM as a work memory.

The association screen generation unit 221 generates an association screen for associating each room in the residence H with each electric device 4. For example, the association screen generation unit 221 generates an association screen P1 as illustrated in FIG. Specifically, the association screen generation unit 221 first generates the layout L of the residence H in which the rooms are arranged based on the floor plan information DB 211 illustrated in FIG. 4 described above. Then, the association screen generation unit 221 generates the icons Ic of the respective electric devices 4 based on the device information DB 212 shown in FIG. The association screen generation unit 221 transmits the association screen P1 generated in this way to the terminal device 3 by controlling the communication unit 23.

Returning to FIG. 3, the association obtaining unit 222 obtains an association between the room and the electrical device 4 in accordance with a user operation in the terminal device 3 obtained via the communication unit 23. For example, the association acquisition unit 222 allows the user to drag and drop the icon Ic in the layout L (in any room) on the terminal device 3 on which the association screen P1 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. Thus, the association between the room and the electric device 4 is acquired.

The correspondence information generation unit 223 generates (updates) correspondence information based on the association between the room acquired by the association acquisition unit 222 and the electrical device 4. The correspondence information generation unit 223 stores the generated correspondence information in the correspondence information DB 213. That is, the correspondence information generation unit 223 constructs the correspondence information DB 213 as shown in FIG.

The environment control information generation unit 224 generates information that defines the control content of each electrical device 4 (more specifically, the device type) according to the indoor environment setting. For example, the environment control information generation unit 224 generates environment control information according to the device type for the environment setting in accordance with the user operation. That is, the environment control information generation unit 224 constructs the environment control information DB 214 as shown in FIG. As described above, the environment control information DB 214 in FIG. 7 is shown in a simplified manner for easy understanding. Actually, for example, the current environment measurement value and the designated environment setting value are displayed. The environmental control information can be obtained from the difference (change amount) using mathematical formulas, parameters, and the like. Therefore, the environment control information generation unit 224 may generate these mathematical formulas, parameters, and the like according to user operations, for example.

The environment monitor screen generation unit 225 generates a screen for presenting environmental measurement values in each room in the residence H. For example, the environment monitor screen generation unit 225 generates an indoor environment monitor screen P2 as shown in FIG. The environmental monitor screen generation unit 225 generates an indoor environment monitor screen P2 displaying the environmental measurement values of the rooms R1 to R7 based on the measurement information DB 215 shown in FIG. In each of the rooms R1 to R7, an environmental measurement value including a temperature D1, a humidity D2, an illuminance D3, and a CO2 concentration D4 is displayed. Note that the environmental measurement values such as the temperature D1 to the CO2 concentration D4 are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, a ventilation amount or the like may be added to the environmental measurement value.

In such an indoor environment monitor screen P2, one of the rooms R1 to R7 can be selected by the user, and an environment setting operation for an arbitrary room can be performed as will be described later. Further, an entire house button Bt1 is also arranged on the indoor environment monitor screen P2. The entire house button Bt1 is pressed by the user when performing an environment setting operation for the entire house H. In other words, the user can perform not only the environment setting operation for each room specifying any of the rooms R1 to R7, but also the environment setting operation for the entire residence H. The environment monitor screen generation unit 225 transmits such an indoor environment monitor screen P2 to the terminal device 3 by controlling the communication unit 23.

3, the environment setting screen generation unit 226 generates a screen for allowing the user to operate the environment setting in any room (or the entire house) in the residence H. For example, in the terminal device 3 on which the indoor environment monitor screen P2 of FIG. 10 described above is displayed, when the user designates a room R7 (living room) for environment setting, the environment setting screen generation unit 226 displays the environment setting screen generation unit 226 in FIG. An environment setting screen P3 as shown in FIG. This environment setting screen P3 displays the current environment measurement values (temperature D1 to CO2 concentration D4) and the environment setting values (temperature S1 to CO2 concentration S4) set by the user. Note that the environmental measurement values such as the temperature D1 to CO2 concentration D4 and the environmental setting values such as the temperature S1 to CO2 concentration S4 are examples, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the ventilation amount or the like may be added to the environmental measurement value or the environmental setting value.

In such an environment setting screen P3, an up button UBt and a down button DBt for changing the values of the environment setting values (temperature S1 to CO2 concentration S4) are respectively arranged. The up button UBt is pressed by the user when increasing the environment setting value, while the down button DBt is pressed when decreasing the environment setting value. The environment setting screen P3 also includes a cancel button Bt2 for canceling the environment setting operation and a determination button Bt3 for determining the environment setting operation. That is, the user presses the up button UBt or the down button DBt to arbitrarily change the environment setting values (temperature S1 to CO2 concentration S4), and then presses the decision button Bt3 to determine the environment setting value. Let

In addition to this, when the user designates, for example, the room R4 (bathroom) in the terminal device 3 on which the indoor environment monitor screen P2 of FIG. An environment setting screen P4 as shown is generated. In this environment setting screen P4, the temperature S1 (and the corresponding up button UBt, down button DBt) at the environment setting value is displayed in gray out in light gray as an example. This is because the electric device 4 (for example, the air conditioner 4b) for changing the temperature is not installed in the room R4. That is, the user is notified that the temperature S1 cannot be set from among the environmental setting values. Such gray-out display is an example, and other expressions (other display forms) may be used. For example, the temperature S1 or the like may be displayed by reverse display in which the color of the text and the background is switched. In other words, the environment setting screen generation unit 226 displays the environment setting items that cannot be set in an expression different from the items that can be set.

In this way, the environment setting screen generation unit 226 standardizes (unifies) the environment setting screens P3, P4, etc., regardless of the difference between the electric devices 4 (differences in device configuration) installed in the rooms R1 to R7. Is generated. At that time, environment setting values that cannot be set in the room are displayed in different expressions such as gray out. As a result, the user interface can be standardized regardless of the device configuration in the room, and the operability and visibility of the user can be improved. The environment setting screen generation unit 226 similarly generates an environment setting screen for the entire house H when the user presses the entire house button Bt1 on the indoor environment monitor screen P2 of FIG. 10 described above.

The environment setting screen generation unit 226 controls the communication unit 23 to transmit the environment setting screens P3 and P4 generated in this way to the terminal device 3. At that time, the terminal device 3 causes the environment setting screens P3, P4, etc. to pop up on the indoor environment monitor screen P2. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the terminal device 3 pops up an environment setting screen P3 on the indoor environment monitor screen P2. FIG. 13 shows a case where the room R7 (living room) on the indoor environment monitor screen P2 is designated by the user and the environment setting operation is performed.

3, the setting operation acquisition unit 227 acquires the user's environment setting operation in the terminal device 3 via the communication unit 23. For example, the setting operation acquisition unit 227 is set by the user pressing the up button UBt or the down button DBt in the terminal device 3 on which the environment setting screens P3, P4, etc. shown in FIGS. An environment setting value (temperature S1 to CO2 concentration S4) determined by pressing Bt3 is acquired. More specifically, the setting operation acquisition unit 227 acquires the designated room, the environmental measurement value, and the environmental setting value. The environmental measurement value is used when determining the amount of change of the environment setting value, that is, the amount of change of the environment setting value based on the environment measurement value.

The device selection unit 228 selects the electrical device 4 to be controlled according to the environment setting operation acquired by the setting operation acquisition unit 227. For example, the device selection unit 228 becomes a control target based on the acquired environment setting operation (designated room), the correspondence information DB 213 illustrated in FIG. 6 described above, and the device information DB 212 illustrated in FIG. 5 described above. Select the electrical equipment 4. Specifically, first, the device selection unit 228 identifies the electrical device 4 installed in the room designated by the user with reference to the correspondence information DB 213. Next, the device selection unit 228 refers to the device information DB 212 and selects the electrical device 4 that can control the environment of the room from the type of the device.

When the entire house H (the entire house) is specified in the environment setting operation, the device selection unit 228 selects a room to be controlled based on the priority of the floor plan information DB 211 shown in FIG. 4 described above. In addition, an electric device 4 that can control the environment of the room is selected. As described above, the priority of each room is appropriately defined based on, for example, economy and comfort. Therefore, the electrical device 4 (electric device 4 capable of environmental control) in the selected room is selected based on economic efficiency, comfort, and the like.

The control content determination unit 229 determines the control content for the electrical device 4 selected by the device selection unit 228. For example, the control content determination unit 229 is based on the environment setting operation (change value of the environment setting value based on the environmental measurement value) acquired by the setting operation acquisition unit 227 and the environment control information DB 214 shown in FIG. 7 described above. Then, the control content for the electrical device 4 selected by the device selection unit 228 is determined. Specifically, the control content determination unit 229 refers to the environment control information DB 214 based on the amount of change in the environment setting value based on the environment measurement value (difference between the environment measurement value and the environment setting value), and The environmental control information corresponding to the type (one that matches the electrical device 4 selected by the device selection unit 228) is determined. Note that, as described above, the environment control information DB 214 in FIG. 7 is simplified for easy understanding, and the control content determination unit 229 is actually instructed as the current environment measurement value, for example. From the difference (change amount) with the environment setting value, the environment control information is determined using mathematical formulas, parameters, and the like.

The command unit 230 commands (transmits) the control content determined by the control content determination unit 229 to the electrical device 4 selected by the device selection unit 228. That is, the command unit 230 issues a command for environmental control to the target electrical device 4 via the communication unit 23. In addition, when the user performs an operation for directly controlling the electrical device 4 on the terminal device 3 (an operation on the device operation screen described below), the command unit 230 performs the target electrical operation according to the user's operation. Command device 4 to control.

The device operation screen generation unit 231 generates a screen for the user to directly control any electrical device 4 in any room. For example, the device operation screen generation unit 231 generates a device operation screen P5 as shown in FIG. The device operation screen generation unit 231 stores each room R1 to R7 based on the floor plan information DB 211 shown in FIG. 4 described above, the device information DB 212 shown in FIG. 5 described above, and the correspondence information DB 213 shown in FIG. A device operation screen P5 displaying the name of the electric device 4 to be installed is generated. The user can directly control by checking each electric device 4 installed in the rooms R1 to R7, specifying the target electric device 4 in the target room. The device operation screen generation unit 231 transmits such a device operation screen P5 to the terminal device 3 by controlling the communication unit 23.

The device operation acquisition unit 232 acquires the user's device operation in the terminal device 3 via the communication unit 23. For example, in the terminal device 3 on which the above-described device operation screen P5 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, the device operation acquisition unit 232 designates an arbitrary electrical device 4 in an arbitrary room and gives an operation instruction. Then, the device operation is acquired. In addition, as described above, the command unit 230 commands the target electrical device 4 to perform control according to the device operation acquired by the device operation acquisition unit 232.

The current information acquisition unit 233 periodically acquires the environmental measurement values measured by the sensors 5 via the communication unit 23. In addition, the current information acquisition unit 233 periodically acquires the operation status (operating state, setting state, error occurrence state, etc.) of each electrical device 4 via the communication unit 23. The current information acquisition unit 233 updates the operating state, the setting state, the error occurrence state, and the like of the device information DB 212 illustrated in FIG. 5 every time the operating status of each electrical device 4 is acquired. Note that, when the electrical device 4 has a measurement function, the current information acquisition unit 233 also periodically acquires an environmental measurement value measured by the electrical device 4. The current information acquisition unit 233 updates the measurement information DB 215 illustrated in FIG. 8 described above each time an environmental measurement value is acquired from each sensor 5 or the like. At that time, the environmental measurement values are aggregated and the measurement information DB 215 is updated for each room, but the following points are also taken into consideration.

For example, when a plurality of sensors 5 and electrical devices 4 having a measurement function are installed in the same room, the current information acquisition unit 233 displays the environmental measurement values together with the installation positions of the sensors 5 and the electrical devices 4 having a measurement function. May be stored (updated) in the measurement information DB 215. And when the environment monitor screen generation part 225 mentioned above produces | generates an indoor environment monitor screen, you may display including distribution of an environmental measurement value. In addition, when a plurality of sensors 5 and electrical devices 4 having a measurement function are installed in the same room, the current information acquisition unit 233 may average each environmental measurement value and update the measurement information DB 215. . Furthermore, when the environmental measurement value includes a singular value (abnormal value), the measurement information DB 215 may not be updated, and even if it is updated, it is not used to generate the indoor environment monitor screen. You may do it.

The communication unit 23 includes, for example, an interface for connection to the home network 9 and an interface for wireless LAN connection compliant with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. Under the control of the control unit 22, the terminal device 3, Data communication is performed with each electrical device 4 and each sensor 5.

Returning to FIG. 1, the terminal device 3 is a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone, and is used by the user. An example of the configuration of the terminal device 3 will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As illustrated, the terminal device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a display unit 32, an input unit 33, a data storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

The communication unit 31 includes, for example, an interface for wireless LAN connection conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, and performs data communication with the controller 3 under the control of the control unit 35.

The display unit 32 includes a liquid crystal panel and displays various screens under the control of the control unit 35. Specifically, the display unit 32 includes, as an example, the association screen P1 shown in FIG. 9 described above, the indoor environment monitor screen P2 shown in FIG. 10 described above, the environment setting screens P3 and P4 shown in FIGS. The above-described device operation screen P5 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.

The input unit 33 includes a touch panel, a touch pad, and the like, and performs a process of receiving an operation input from the user. For example, when a touch panel is adopted as the input unit 33, a transparent flat plate capacitive sensor that detects a change in electrostatic capacitance is mounted on the liquid crystal display. When this capacitive sensor detects a touch (press) on the touch surface (for the user, a display screen of a liquid crystal display) with a user's fingertip or a dedicated pen, the position information (coordinate data) is controlled. Is output to the unit 35. The control unit 35 determines the operation content of the user based on the position information. When the user performs an input operation via the input unit 33, a signal corresponding to the operation content is output to the control unit 35.

The data storage unit 34 plays a role as a so-called secondary storage device (auxiliary storage device), and includes, for example, a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The data storage unit 34 temporarily stores data of various screens (such as the association screen P1 to the device operation screen P5 described above) generated by the controller 2 and received through the communication unit 31. In addition, the data storage unit 34 stores a program executed by the control unit 35.

The control unit 35 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (all not shown) and controls the terminal device 3 as a whole. Functionally, the control unit 35 includes a screen display processing unit 351. This function is realized by the CPU appropriately executing various programs stored in the ROM or the data storage unit 34 using the RAM as a work memory.

The screen display processing unit 351 displays various screens (such as the association screen P1 to the device operation screen P5 described above) sent from the controller 2 through the communication unit 31 on the display unit 32. When the screen display processing unit 351 receives an operation from the input unit 33 for an item on the screen (for example, various buttons) displayed on the display unit 32, the screen display processing unit 351 generates operation information and passes through the communication unit 31. Transmit to the controller 2.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the plurality of electrical devices 4 are various electrical appliances used in each room in the residence H. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 described above, the lighting 4a, the air conditioner 4b, the television 4c, the ventilation fan 4d, the humidifier 4e, the IH cooker 4f, the refrigerator 4g, the air cleaner 4h, and the floor heating 4i are provided in each room R1. To R7 as appropriate. An example of the configuration of such an electric device 4 will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As illustrated, the electrical device 4 includes a communication unit 41, a data storage unit 42, a main function unit 43, and a control unit 44.

The communication unit 41 is, for example, a communication adapter for connecting the home network 9 and performs data communication with the controller 3 via the home network 9 under the control of the control unit 44. In addition, you may comprise the communication part 41 with the external communication adapter which can be attached or detached.

The data storage unit 42 plays a role as a so-called secondary storage device (auxiliary storage device), and includes, for example, a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The data storage unit 42 stores programs executed by the control unit 44 and various data.

The main function unit 43 has a configuration for realizing the original functions of the electric device 4 (for example, air conditioning functions such as cooling, heating and dehumidification for the air conditioner 4a, and freezing / refrigeration functions for the refrigerator 4g). Yes, controlled by the control unit 44.

The control unit 44 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. (all not shown), and controls each unit described above. Functionally, the control unit 44 includes an information notification processing unit 441 and a control execution unit 442. These functions are realized by the CPU appropriately executing various programs stored in the ROM or the data storage unit 42 using the RAM as a work memory.

The information notification processing unit 441 periodically notifies (transmits) the operation status (operating state, setting state, error occurrence state, etc.) of the electrical device 4 to the controller 2 through the communication unit 41. Further, when the electrical device 4 has a measurement function, the information notification processing unit 441 periodically notifies the controller 2 of the measured environmental measurement value.

The control execution unit 442 causes the main function unit 43 to execute control based on the command of the command unit 230 described above in the controller 2. That is, the control execution unit 442 causes the main function unit 43 to execute processing according to a command (control signal or the like) issued from the controller 2.

Returning to FIG. 1, each sensor 5 is a variety of sensor devices that measure any one of temperature, humidity, illuminance, CO2 concentration, and the like, and is installed as appropriate in each room in the residence H. Each sensor 5 periodically transmits the measured environmental measurement value to the controller 2 via the communication unit. Each sensor 5 may be a composite sensor device that measures a plurality of environmental measurement values among temperature, humidity, illuminance, CO2 concentration, and the like.

Hereinafter, the operation of the home system 1 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of information collection processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the environment control process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the information collection process shown in FIG. 17 will be described. This information collection process is a process for the controller 2 to collect information from each sensor 5 and each electric device 4, and is repeatedly executed periodically.

First, the controller 2 acquires measurement information from each sensor 5 (step S501). That is, the current information acquisition unit 233 acquires the environmental measurement value measured by each sensor 5 via the communication unit 23.

The controller 2 acquires device state information and measurement information from each electric device 4 (step S502). That is, the current information acquisition unit 233 acquires the operation status (operating state, setting state, error occurrence state, etc.) of each electrical device 4 via the communication unit 23. When the electrical device 4 has a measurement function, the current information acquisition unit 233 also acquires an environmental measurement value measured by the electrical device 4.

The controller 2 updates the measurement information DB 215 and the device information DB 212 (step S503). That is, when the current information acquisition unit 233 acquires the operation status of each electrical device 4, the current information acquisition unit 233 updates the operating state, the setting state, the error occurrence state, and the like of the device information DB 212 illustrated in FIG. Moreover, the current information acquisition unit 233 updates the measurement information DB 215 illustrated in FIG. 8 described above when the environmental measurement value is acquired from each sensor 5 or each electric device 4 (device having a measurement function).

Subsequently, the environment control process shown in FIG. 18 will be described. This environment control process is a process for the controller 2 to perform environment control of a designated room in accordance with a user operation from the terminal device 3.

First, the controller 2 acquires the environmental measurement value of each room stored in the measurement information DB 215 (step S601). That is, the environment monitor screen generation unit 225 acquires the current environment measurement value that is periodically updated in the information collection process illustrated in FIG. 17 described above from the measurement information DB 215.

The controller 2 generates an indoor environment monitor screen and transmits it to the terminal device 3 (step S602). For example, the environment monitor screen generation unit 225 generates the indoor environment monitor screen P <b> 2 shown in FIG. 10 described above and transmits it to the terminal device 3 through the communication unit 23.

The controller 2 determines whether or not there is an operation from the user at the terminal device 3 (step S603). If the controller 2 determines that there is no operation (step S603; No), the process returns to step S601 described above.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an operation (step S603; Yes), the controller 2 determines whether there is an environment setting request (step S604). That is, on the indoor environment monitor screen P2 shown in FIG. 10 described above, when the user designates one of the rooms R1 to R7 (for example, a touch operation), or the entire house button Bt1 is pressed. If so, the controller 2 determines that there has been an environment setting request.

If the controller 2 determines that there is an environment setting request (step S604; Yes), it generates an environment setting screen and transmits it to the terminal device 3 (step S605). For example, the environment setting screen generation unit 226 generates the environment setting screens P3 and P4 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 described above and transmits them to the terminal device 3 through the communication unit 23. That is, the environment setting screen generation unit 226 generates standardized environment setting screens P3, P4, etc., regardless of the difference in the electrical equipment 4 installed in each of the rooms R1 to R7 (difference in the equipment configuration). At that time, environment setting values that cannot be controlled in the room are displayed in different expressions such as gray out. As a result, the user interface can be standardized regardless of the device configuration in the room, and the operability and visibility of the user can be improved. In addition, the environment setting screen generation unit 226, when the environment setting request specifies the entire house H (when the entire house button Bt1 is pressed by the user on the indoor environment monitor screen P2 of FIG. 10 described above). Similarly, an environment setting screen for the entire residence H is generated in the same manner and transmitted to the terminal device 3.

The controller 2 determines whether or not the change in the environment setting has been confirmed (step S606). That is, the setting operation acquisition unit 227 is set by the user pressing the up button UBt or the down button DBt in the terminal device 3 on which the environment setting screens P3, P4, etc. shown in FIGS. When Bt3 is pressed, it is determined that the change in the environment setting has been confirmed. If the controller 2 determines that the change in the environment setting has not been confirmed (step S606; No), the controller 2 stands by as it is.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the change in the environment setting is confirmed (step S606; Yes), the controller 2 selects the target device (step S607). That is, the device selection unit 228 selects the electrical device 4 to be controlled according to the environment setting operation acquired by the setting operation acquisition unit 227. For example, the setting operation acquisition unit 227 determines the control target based on the acquired environment setting operation (designated room), the correspondence information DB 213 illustrated in FIG. 6 described above, and the device information DB 212 illustrated in FIG. An electrical device 4 is selected. When the entire house H (the entire house) is specified in the environment setting operation, the device selection unit 228 selects a room to be controlled based on the priority of the floor plan information DB 211 shown in FIG. 4 described above. In addition, an electric device 4 that can control the environment of the room is selected.

The controller 2 determines the control content (step S608). That is, the control content determination unit 229 determines the control content for the electrical device 4 selected by the device selection unit 228. For example, the control content determination unit 229 is selected by the device selection unit 228 based on the environment setting operation (environment setting value) acquired by the setting operation acquisition unit 227 and the environment control information DB 214 shown in FIG. 7 described above. The control content for the electric device 4 is determined. And the controller 2 advances a process to step S611 mentioned later.

If it is determined in step S604 described above that there is no environment setting request (in this example, there is a device operation request) (step S604; No), the controller 2 generates a device operation screen. To the terminal device 3 (step S609). For example, the device operation screen generation unit 231 generates the device operation screen P <b> 5 shown in FIG. 14 described above and transmits it to the terminal device 3.

The controller 2 determines whether or not there is an operation on the electrical device 4 (step S610). In other words, the device operation acquisition unit 232, when the user designates an arbitrary electrical device 4 in an arbitrary room and gives an operation instruction on the terminal device 3 on which the above-described device operation screen P5 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Then, it is determined that there is an operation on the electric device 4. When the controller 2 determines that there is no operation on the electric device 4 (step S610; No), it waits as it is.

When it is determined that there has been an operation on the electrical device 4 (step S610; Yes), and after determining the control content in step S608 described above, the controller 2 transmits a control command to the target device (step S611). ). That is, the command unit 230 issues a command to the target electrical device 4 via the communication unit 23. For example, after the control content is determined in step S608 described above, the command unit 230 issues a command for environmental control to the target electrical device 4. In step S610 described above, when there is an operation on the electric device 4, the command unit 230 instructs the target electric device 4 to perform control according to the operation.

As described above, according to the controller 2 and the like according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the indoor environment can be appropriately controlled with a simple operation. That is, the controller 2 selects the electrical device 4 to be controlled by simply specifying the room in the residence H and operating the setting of the indoor environment in the room from the terminal device 3, and the selected electrical device 4. Determine the control content for and issue a command. As a result, an electric device that is actually installed can be obtained simply by instructing an intuitive request as to what kind of indoor environment (temperature, humidity, illuminance, CO2 concentration, etc.) the room designated by the user is desired. The indoor environment can be appropriately controlled without being conscious of 4 (without individually operating).

In the controller 2 according to the first embodiment, the case where the device selection unit 228 selects the electrical device 4 (the electrical device 4 capable of environmental control) installed in the room designated by the user has been described. An electric device 4 that can perform environmental control of a room designated by the user from another room by cooperation between the devices 4 may be selected.

For example, the ventilation fan 4d may be connected to the ventilation fan 4d in another room through a ventilation duct. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19A, the ventilation fan 4d in the room R3 (bedroom) and the ventilation fan 4d in the room R4 (bathroom) are connected by the ventilation duct Du, or as shown in FIG. 19B. The ventilation fan 4d in the room R5 (closet) and the ventilation fan 4d in the room R6 (dining kitchen) are connected by the ventilation duct Du.

In such a case, the electric devices 4 that can change the temperature are not installed in the rooms R4 and R5, but the air conditioners 4b are installed in the rooms R3 and R6 connected by the ventilation duct Du. By operating the ventilation fan 4d of the rooms R3 to R6 and then operating the air conditioner 4b of the rooms R3 and R6, pseudo air conditioning (indirect air conditioning) of the rooms R4 and R5 can be performed. Therefore, the connection information of the ventilation duct Du or the like is stored in, for example, the floor plan information DB 211 or the device information DB 212 so that the connection between rooms as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B can be grasped. The gray-out display on the environment setting screen P4 in FIG. 12 is canceled and generated, and transmitted to the terminal device 3. That is, for the room R4 (bathroom), the setting operation can be performed for the environment setting value of the temperature S1.

When the user changes the environment setting value of the temperature S1 on the environment setting screen P4 in which such grayout display is eliminated, the device selection unit 228 uses not only the ventilation fan 4d in the room R4 but also the ventilation duct Du. The ventilation fan 4d and the air conditioner 4b of the connected room R3 are selected. And the control content determination part 229 determines the control content about the ventilation fan 4d of the room R4 selected by the apparatus selection part 228, the ventilation fan 4d of the room R3, and the air conditioner 4b.

In this way, by linking the electrical devices 4 in different rooms, it is possible to perform environmental control that cannot be performed in that room.

In the controller 2 according to the first embodiment, the case where the environment control is performed based on the environment setting by the user has been described. However, the user selects the life scene, and the environment control is performed based on the selection. Also good. Hereinafter, the controller 7 that performs environmental control based on the life scene selected by the user will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the controller 7 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As illustrated, the controller 7 includes a data storage unit 71, a control unit 72, and a communication unit 23.

The data storage unit 71 plays a role as a so-called secondary storage device (auxiliary storage device), and includes, for example, a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The data storage unit 71 stores the living scene information DB 716 in addition to the floor plan information DB 211, the device information DB 212, the correspondence information DB 213, the environment control information DB 214, and the measurement information DB 215, and the controller 2 according to the first embodiment. This is different from the data storage unit 21 of FIG. That is, the floor plan information DB 211 to the measurement information DB 215 have the same configuration as that of the controller 2 according to the first embodiment.

The life scene information DB 716 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the life scene information DB 716. The life scene information DB 716 is information that defines environment settings according to the life scene. As shown in the figure, the life scene information DB 716 stores life scenes, environment settings, and the like. The life scene can be said to be a superordinate concept of environment setting, and includes, for example, moisturizing, dehumidifying, pollen removal, grilled meat, and economic efficiency. Each life scene is stored in the life scene information DB 716 with its environment setting defined in advance. Note that the user may be able to change the environment setting corresponding to the life scene or register a new life scene and the environment setting corresponding to the new life scene.

Referring back to FIG. 20, the control unit 72 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (all not shown), and controls the entire controller 7. Functionally, the control unit 72 includes an association screen generation unit 221, an association acquisition unit 222, a correspondence information generation unit 223, an environment control information generation unit 224, an environment monitor screen generation unit 225, and an environment setting. Screen generation unit 726, setting operation acquisition unit 727, device selection unit 228, control content determination unit 229, command unit 230, device operation screen generation unit 231, device operation acquisition unit 232, and current information acquisition unit 233. These functions are realized by the CPU appropriately executing various programs stored in the ROM or the data storage unit 71 using the RAM as a work memory. That is, only the environment setting screen generation unit 726 and the setting operation acquisition unit 727 are different from the configuration of the controller 2 according to the first embodiment, and the other configurations are the same.

The environment setting screen generation unit 726 generates a screen for allowing the user to select a life scene in any room in the residence H (or the entire residence H). The environment setting screen generation unit 726 generates a life scene selection screen P6 as shown in FIG. As an example, this life scene selection screen P6 is a screen for selecting each life scene in the room R7 (living), and includes a moisturizing button Bt4, a dehumidifying button Bt5, a pollen removing button Bt6, a grilled meat button Bt7, and an economy. A sex button Bt8 is arranged. The environment setting screen generation unit 726 transmits such a life scene selection screen P6 to the terminal device 3 by controlling the communication unit 23.

The setting operation acquisition unit 727 acquires a user's life scene selection operation in the terminal device 3 via the communication unit 23. For example, the setting operation acquisition unit 727 presses any button (any of moisturizing Bt4 to economic Bt8) by the user in the terminal device 3 on which the life scene selection screen P6 shown in FIG. 22 is displayed. The designated room and the life scene selected in the room are acquired.

Then, the setting operation acquisition unit 727 acquires an environment setting corresponding to the selected life scene with reference to the above-described life scene information DB 716 shown in FIG. The setting operation acquisition unit 727 supplies the designated room and the environment setting acquired according to the life scene to the device selection unit 228.

The device selection unit 228 selects the electrical device 4 to be controlled according to the supplied environment setting and the like, similarly to the configuration of the controller 2 according to the first embodiment described above. For example, the device selection unit 228 selects the electrical device 4 to be controlled based on the designated room, the correspondence information DB 213 illustrated in FIG. 6 described above, and the device information DB 212 illustrated in FIG. 5 described above.

Also, the control content determination unit 229 determines the control content for the electrical device 4 selected by the device selection unit 228, similarly to the configuration of the controller 2 according to Embodiment 1 described above. For example, the control content determination unit 229 determines the control content for the electrical device 4 selected by the device selection unit 228 based on the acquired environment setting and the environment control information DB 214 shown in FIG.

And the instruction | indication part 230 instruct | indicates the control content determined by the control content determination part 229 to the electric equipment 4 which the apparatus selection part 228 selected similarly to the structure of the controller 2 which concerns on Embodiment 1 mentioned above. That is, the command unit 230 issues a command for environmental control to the target electrical device 4 via the communication unit 23.

Thus, according to the controller 7 and the like according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the indoor environment can be appropriately controlled with a simple operation. That is, the user simply designates a room in the residence H and selects a living scene in the room, and the controller 7 acquires an environment setting corresponding to the selected living scene, and selects the electric device 4 to be controlled. Select, determine the control content for the selected electrical device 4, and issue a command. As a result, simply instructing an intuitive request for what kind of life scene the user-designated room is to be used, without being aware of the environment setting or the actually installed electrical device 4, The environment can be controlled appropriately.

In the controller 7 according to the second embodiment, the case where the life scene selection screen P6 as shown in FIG. 22 described above is generated and transmitted to the terminal device 3 to be selected by the user has been described. The life scene may be selected on the controller 7 side according to the user's schedule.

Moreover, although the case where the dedicated controller 2 etc. were used was demonstrated in the said embodiment, the said personal computer is applicable by applying the operation program which prescribes | regulates operation | movement of these controllers 2 etc. to the existing personal computer or an information terminal device. It is also possible to make these functions as the controller 2 or the like according to the present invention.

Further, such a program distribution method is arbitrary. For example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), a memory card, etc. can be read by a computer. It may be distributed by storing in a recording medium, or distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

The present invention is capable of various embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the broad sense. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be employed in a controller, a home system, an environment control method, and a program that can appropriately control the indoor environment with a simple operation.

1 home system, 2, 7 controller, 3 terminal device, 4 electrical equipment, 5 sensor, 9 home network, 21, 34, 42, 71 data storage unit, 22, 35, 44, 72 control unit, 23, 31, 41 Communication unit, 32 display unit, 33 input unit, 43 main function unit

Claims

A plurality of electrical devices installed in a residence, and a terminal device operated by a user, a controller connected via a network,
Acquisition means for acquiring environment setting information that defines the designation of a room in a residence and the environment setting in the room, which is sent from the terminal device in response to a user operation;
Based on the environment setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, the correspondence information associating the electric device with the installed room, and the device information of the electric device, the electric device to be controlled is selected from the electric devices. Selection means to
The control content for the electrical device selected by the selection means comprises a determination means for determining based on the environment setting information acquired by the acquisition means and the environment control information determined according to the environment setting,
A controller that transmits the control content determined by the determination means to the electrical device selected by the selection means.
The controller according to claim 1, wherein the selecting means selects the electrical device installed in another room that can be linked in addition to the electrical device installed in the room designated by the user.
A setting screen for causing a user to operate an environment setting designating a room, further comprising setting screen generating means for generating the standardized setting screen regardless of the difference between the electric devices installed in each room;
The controller according to claim 1, wherein the setting screen generation unit displays an environment setting item that cannot be set in an expression different from an item that can be set.
The acquisition means acquires environment setting information that defines the setting of the indoor environment in the entire residence,
The selecting means selects a room to be subject to environmental control based on the priority defined for each room, and then selects an electric device to be controlled among the electric devices installed in the selected room. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller is selected.
When the acquisition unit acquires a life scene designating a room from the terminal device, the acquisition unit specifies an environment setting according to the life scene,
The said selection means selects the electric equipment used as a control object among the said electric equipments based on the environment setting specified by the said acquisition means, the said correspondence information, and the said apparatus information, The Claim 1 controller.
A home system in which a plurality of electrical devices installed in a residence, a controller, and a terminal device are connected via a network,
The controller is
Acquisition means for acquiring environment setting information that defines the designation of a room in a residence and the environment setting in the room, which is sent from the terminal device in response to a user operation;
Based on the environment setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, the correspondence information associating the electric device with the installed room, and the device information of the electric device, the electric device to be controlled is selected from the electric devices. Selection means to
The control content for the electrical device selected by the selection means comprises a determination means for determining based on the environment setting information acquired by the acquisition means and the environment control information determined according to the environment setting,
The home system which transmits the control content determined by the determination means to the electric equipment selected by the selection means.
A plurality of electrical devices installed in a residence, and a terminal device operated by a user, and an environment control method in a controller connected via a network,
An acquisition step of acquiring environment setting information that defines the designation of a room in a residence and the environment setting in the room, sent from the terminal device in response to a user operation;
Based on the environment setting information acquired in the acquisition step, the correspondence information associating the electric device with the installed room, and the device information of the electric device, the electric device to be controlled among the electric devices A selection step to select
A determination step for determining the control content of the electrical device selected in the selection step based on the environment setting information acquired in the acquisition step and the environment control information determined according to the environment setting; Prepared,
An environmental control method for transmitting the control content determined in the determination step to the electrical device selected in the selection step.
A plurality of electrical devices installed in a residence, a terminal device operated by a user, and a computer connected via a network,
Acquisition means for acquiring environment setting information that specifies the designation of a room in a residence and the environment setting in the room, sent from the terminal device in response to a user operation;
Based on the environment setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, the correspondence information associating the electric device with the installed room, and the device information of the electric device, the electric device to be controlled is selected from the electric devices. Selection means,
The control content of the electrical device selected by the selection unit is caused to function as a determination unit that determines based on the environment setting information acquired by the acquisition unit and the environment control information determined according to the environment setting,
A program for transmitting the control content determined by the determining means to the electrical device selected by the selecting means.