Setting terminal, setting system, setting method, and program

Abstract

A setting terminal (20) includes a communication section (21) that communicates with a plurality of control terminals (30) each controlling a device (40) according to an operation by a user, and a setting section (222) that sends setting information to the plurality of control terminals (30) respectively using the communication section (21), thereby setting the plurality of control terminals (30) respectively how to control which device (40) by the operation, wherein the setting section (222) can set the plurality of control terminals (30) identically.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to setting up terminals, setting up systems, setting up methods, and procedures. Background Technology

[0002] A technique for setting up multiple control terminals that communicate with each other using a master terminal is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-153998 Summary of the Invention The problem the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, since multiple control terminals are configured differently, there is a problem that the control terminals must be distinguished and identified when using the control terminals to control the equipment.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a setting terminal, setting system, setting method, and program that can use any control terminal to control a desired device. Solution for solving the problem

[0006] One method of setting a terminal according to this disclosure includes: a communication unit that communicates with multiple control terminals, each of which controls a device according to a user's operation; and a setting unit that uses the communication unit to send setting information to the multiple control terminals respectively, thereby setting which device to control and how to control it through the operation for each of the multiple control terminals, wherein the setting unit can perform the same setting on the multiple control terminals.

[0007] In addition, one embodiment of the setting system disclosed herein includes: the aforementioned setting terminal; the plurality of control terminals; and the aforementioned device.

[0008] In addition, one aspect of the setting method disclosed herein is a method executed by a computer of a setting terminal, including a setting step in which setting information is sent to multiple control terminals, each of which controls the device according to the user's operation, thereby setting which device to control and how to control it through the operation for each of the multiple control terminals. In the setting step, the same settings can be performed on the multiple control terminals.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented not only as the aforementioned setting method, but also as a program that causes a computer to execute the setting method. Moreover, it can also be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium storing the program. The effects of the invention

[0010] The setting terminal, setting system, setting method, and program disclosed herein can be used to control desired devices using any control terminal. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the setting system involved in the implementation method. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the network of the setting system involved in the implementation method. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the control terminal involved in the implementation method. Figure 4 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the setting system according to the implementation method. Figure 5 This is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the setting terminal during the operation of the setting system according to the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0012] (Implementation Method) The following detailed description, using accompanying drawings, illustrates the implementation of the setting terminal, setting system, setting method, and program according to the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described below represent preferred examples of the present invention. The numerical values, structural elements, configuration positions and connection methods of structural elements, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Additionally, structural elements in the following embodiments not described in the independent claims are described as any structural element constituting the preferred embodiment.

[0013] Furthermore, the figures are schematic diagrams and may not be strictly representational. Additionally, substantially identical structures are labeled with the same reference numerals across the figures, and sometimes repetitive descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0014] [structure] First, the structure of the setting system involved in this embodiment will be explained. Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the setting system 10 according to the embodiment. The setting system 10 includes a setting terminal 20, multiple control terminals 30, and multiple devices 40.

[0015] In the system 10, multiple control terminals 30 and multiple devices 40 each have wireless communication capabilities, and the multiple control terminals 30 and multiple devices 40 constitute a wireless mesh network 50 (hereinafter also referred to as mesh network 50). Wireless mesh network 50 is an example of a wireless network.

[0016] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the network of the setting system 10 according to the implementation method. Figure 2 The circular marker in the diagram represents a control terminal 30 or a device 40 (in other words, a communication node). In the mesh network 50, when information is transmitted from one communication node (also referred to as the first communication node) to another communication node (also referred to as the second communication node), the information may be transmitted, for example, through routing, but may also be transmitted through other methods such as flooding.

[0017] The information transmitted via the mesh network 50 includes, for example, control information for turning on, turning off, or dimming the device 40 when the device 40 is a lighting device. Additionally, for example, when the device 40 is an environmental sensor, it transmits the sensor's measured values ​​(sensing information).

[0018] First, the setting terminal 20 will be described. The setting terminal 20 is an information terminal used by a user to control multiple devices 40 constituting the mesh network 50. Additionally, the setting terminal 20 is also an information terminal used to set up multiple control terminals 30 constituting the mesh network 50. The setting terminal 20 can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Alternatively, the setting terminal 20 can also be a dedicated remote control used in the setting system 10. Specifically, the setting terminal 20 includes a communication unit 21, an information processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, a display unit 24, and an operation receiving unit 25.

[0019] The communication unit 21 is a communication circuit used to configure the terminal 20 to communicate (more specifically, wirelessly) with multiple control terminals 30 or multiple devices 40 respectively. Specifically, the communication unit 21 performs wireless communication according to communication standards such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) or Bluetooth mesh.

[0020] The information processing unit 22 processes information based on user operations received by the operation receiving unit 25 from the setting terminal 20. The information processing unit 22 may be implemented using a microcomputer, but it can also be implemented using a processor or dedicated circuitry. The functions of the information processing unit 22 are achieved by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 22 executing computer programs (software) stored in the storage unit 23. Specifically, the information processing unit 22 includes an acquisition unit 221, a setting unit 222, and an output unit 223.

[0021] The acquisition unit 221 acquires user operations, etc., that are handled by the operation acceptance unit 35.

[0022] The setting unit 222 performs information processing related to the setting of the control terminal 30 to control the device 40.

[0023] The output unit 223 outputs setting information for the control terminal 30 to control the device 40.

[0024] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores setting information indicating which device 40 is controlled and how, as well as information required for information processing, such as the computer program executed by the information processing unit 22. The storage unit 23 is implemented, for example, using a semiconductor memory. The computer program stored in the storage unit 23 includes a dedicated application program for enabling the setting terminal 20 to operate as a setting terminal.

[0025] Display unit 24 displays various images. Display unit 24 is implemented by display panels such as liquid crystal panels or organic EL (Electroluminescence) panels.

[0026] The operation reception unit 25 receives user operations. The operation reception unit 25 is implemented, for example, by a touch panel.

[0027] Next, the control terminal 30 will be described. The control terminal 30 has wireless communication capabilities, and multiple control terminals 30 together with multiple devices 40 constitute a mesh network 50. The control terminal 30 is, for example, a remote control for controlling the devices 40. The control terminal 30 may also be portable. Specifically, the control terminal 30 includes a wireless communication unit 31, an information processing unit 32, a storage unit 33, a notification unit 34, and an operation receiving unit 35.

[0028] The wireless communication unit 31 is a wireless communication circuit used for wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) between the control terminal 30 and the setting terminal 20, the device 40, and other control terminals 30. After the control terminal 30 joins the mesh network 50, the wireless communication unit 31 communicates through the mesh network 50. Alternatively, before the control terminal 30 joins the mesh network 50, the wireless communication unit 31 periodically sends beacon signals (sometimes also called advertising signals, etc.) to communicate independently with the setting terminal 20 that receives the beacon signals. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 31 communicates wirelessly according to communication standards such as BLE or Bluetooth (registered trademark) Mesh.

[0029] The information processing unit 32 performs information processing for controlling the control terminal 30 and the control device 40. The information processing unit 32 can be implemented, for example, by a microcomputer, but it can also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuitry. The functions of the information processing unit 32 are achieved by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 32 executing computer programs (software) stored in the storage unit 33. Specifically, the information processing unit 32 includes an acquisition unit 321, a control unit 322, and an output unit 323.

[0030] The acquisition unit 321 acquires setting information from the setting terminal 20, etc.

[0031] The control unit 322 configures the control terminal 30 based on the configuration information acquired by the acquisition unit 321. Furthermore, the control unit 322 controls the device 40 based on the operations received by the operation acceptance unit 35.

[0032] The output unit 323 outputs signals for controlling the device 40, etc.

[0033] The storage unit 33 is a storage device that stores setting information configured on the control terminal 30 and information required for information processing, such as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 32. The storage unit 33 is implemented, for example, using a semiconductor memory. The computer program stored in the storage unit 33 includes a dedicated application program for enabling the control terminal 30 to operate as a control terminal for the device 40.

[0034] The notification unit 34 displays the status of the control terminal 30 to the user. The notification unit 34 may be implemented using a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and displays the status of the control terminal 30 to the user through flashing in a predetermined pattern. Alternatively, the notification unit 34 may be implemented using a speaker, displaying the status of the control terminal 30 to the user through a predetermined sound.

[0035] The operation processing unit 35 processes user operations. This is achieved, for example, by pressing a button.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the control terminal 30 according to the embodiment. Figure 3As shown, the control terminal 30 is a portable remote control. The control terminal 30 has five buttons as an operation receiving unit 35: "Button 1," "Button 2," "Button 3," "Button 4," and "Setting Button." The control terminal 30 also has a notification unit 34 with LEDs. For example, by pressing "Button 1," the user can control the device 40 based on the setting information corresponding to "Button 1." Furthermore, for example, by pressing the "Setting Button," the user can change the state to accept instructions for changing the settings of the control terminal 30. For example, by observing the flashing of the LEDs in the notification unit 34 at predetermined intervals, the user can confirm that the setting terminal 20 and the control terminal 30 are in communication.

[0037] The device 40 will now be described. The device 40 has wireless communication capabilities, and multiple devices 40 together with multiple control terminals 30 form a mesh network 50. The device 40 is, for example, a lighting device such as a ceiling light installed in an indoor space to illuminate that space. Furthermore, the form of the lighting device is not particularly limited; it can also be a ceiling light, a downlight, or a spotlight. Specifically, the device 40 includes a wireless communication unit 41, an information processing unit 42, a storage unit 43, and a function implementation unit 44.

[0038] The wireless communication unit 41 is a wireless communication circuit used for wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) between the device 40 and the setting terminal 20, the control terminal 30, and other devices 40. After the device 40 is added to the mesh network 50, the wireless communication unit 41 communicates through the mesh network 50. Alternatively, before the device 40 is added to the mesh network 50, the wireless communication unit 41 periodically sends beacon signals (sometimes also called advertising signals, etc.) to communicate independently with the setting terminal 20 that receives the beacon signals. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 41 communicates wirelessly according to communication standards such as BLE or Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh.

[0039] The information processing unit 42 performs information processing to operate the device 40. The information processing unit 42 operates the device 40 via the control function implementation unit 44. The information processing unit 42 is implemented, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuitry. The functions of the information processing unit 42 are implemented by the hardware constituting the information processing unit 42, such as a microcomputer or processor, executing computer programs (software) stored in the storage unit 43.

[0040] The storage unit 43 is a storage device for various information required for the storage device 40 to operate. The storage unit 43 is implemented, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

[0041] The function implementation unit 44 is a device for implementing the functions of the device 40 during its operation. The function implementation unit 44 is controlled by the information processing unit 42. For example, in the case where the device 40 is a lighting device, the function implementation unit 44 is a light source. The light source illuminates the indoor space with white light in order to make the device 40, as a lighting device, light the indoor space. The light source is implemented, for example, by an LED element, but may also be implemented by other light-emitting elements such as semiconductor lasers, organic EL, or inorganic EL.

[0042] [action] Next, the operation of the setting system 10 will be described. As described above, in the setting system 10, multiple control terminals 30 and multiple devices 40 constitute, for example, Figure 2 Such a mesh network 50. Wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as communication) between multiple control terminals 30 and multiple devices 40, for example, is carried out according to a first communication protocol used in mesh networks. The first communication protocol is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh, etc.

[0043] On the other hand, since the configuration terminal 20 does not belong to the mesh network 50, it cannot communicate with multiple control terminals 30 and multiple devices 40 using the first communication protocol. However, the configuration terminal 20 has a communication function that uses a second communication protocol for one-to-one communication. The second communication protocol is a different communication protocol from the first communication protocol, such as BLE. Furthermore, the first and second communication protocols are, for example, communication protocols using the same frequency band (e.g., the 2.4 GHz band).

[0044] When setting terminal 20 communicates one-to-one with control terminal 30 using the second communication protocol, it can change the settings of control terminal 30. Furthermore, setting terminal 20 can change the settings of the desired control terminal 30 by using the second communication protocol to communicate with control terminal 30 or device 40 constituting mesh network 50, and by using the first communication protocol to communicate with the desired control terminal 30. The operation of such setting terminal 20 will be explained below.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the setting terminal 20 according to the embodiment. The setting terminal 20 communicates wirelessly with the control terminal 30 directly or via the mesh network 50.

[0046] First, the user changes the control terminal 30 to a setting standby state (S11). The setting standby state refers to the state used to accept instructions to change the settings of the control terminal 30. For example, the user changes the control terminal 30 to the setting standby state by pressing the "setting button" on the control terminal 30. The control unit 322 may also indicate to the user that the control terminal 30 is in the setting standby state by flashing the LED of the notification unit 34 at predetermined intervals.

[0047] When the control terminal 30 enters a set standby state, the output unit 323 of the control terminal 30 sends a control terminal identification signal to the setting terminal 20 (S12). The control terminal identification signal is an identification signal set for each control terminal 30, and the setting terminal 20 can determine the control terminal 30 that is communicating based on the control terminal identification signal. When the setting terminal 20 and the control terminal 30 communicate via the mesh network 50, the output unit 323 sends the control terminal identification signal to the setting terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 31, the mesh network 50, and the communication unit 21. When the setting terminal 20 and the control terminal 30 communicate directly, the output unit 323 sends the control terminal identification signal to the setting terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 31 and the communication unit 21.

[0048] When the acquisition unit 221 of the setting terminal 20 acquires the control terminal identification signal, the setting unit 222 determines the control terminal 30 in the setting standby state based on the acquired control terminal identification signal (S13). The setting unit 222 may also present the determined control terminal 30 to the user via the display unit 24.

[0049] Next, the operation receiving unit 25 accepts the selection of setting information (S14). The user selects the setting information to be set for the control terminal 30 from the candidates of setting information. The candidates of setting information are preset by the user in the setting terminal 20 and stored in the storage unit 23. Alternatively, the user can also input the setting information to be set for the control terminal 30 in step S14.

[0050] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the setting terminal 20 during operation of the setting system 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, the display unit 24 displays the setting information and candidate setting information stored in the connected control terminal 30. The setting information includes information corresponding to "Area", "Zone", "Button 1", "Button 2", "Button 3", and "Button 4". "Area" and "Zone" indicate the space and location where the device 40 to be controlled is installed. "Button 1", "Button 2", "Button 3", and "Button 4" indicate how each button on the operation reception unit 35 of the control terminal 30 controls the device 40 to be controlled. In the case that the device 40 is a lighting device, the dimming rate, color temperature, etc. are set.

[0051] For example, in Figure 5The “control terminal A” shown stores “setting information 2”. By pressing “button 2” on “control terminal A”, the device 40 (here, a lighting device) set in “A2: area 2” and “Z3: area 3” can be lit with a dimming rate of 100% and a color temperature of 6500K.

[0052] When the selection of setting information is accepted by the operation receiving unit 25, the output unit 223 sends the selected setting information to the control terminal 30. Figure 4 (S15). The output unit 223 sends setting information to the control terminal 30 via the communication unit 21 (mesh network 50) and the wireless communication unit 31.

[0053] When the acquisition unit 321 of the control terminal 30 acquires setting information, the control unit 322 updates the settings of the control terminal 30 based on the acquired setting information. Figure 4 (S16). That is, the control unit 322 changes the setting information stored in the storage unit 33.

[0054] When the setting information stored in the storage unit 33 is changed, the output unit 323 will send the acquisition completion information to the setting terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 31 (mesh network 50) and the communication unit 21. Figure 4 (S17). Acquisition completion information indicates that the setting information stored in the control terminal 30 has been updated. When the acquisition unit 221 of the setting terminal 20 acquires the acquisition completion information, the setting unit 222 uses the display unit 24 to present to the user that the setting information of the control terminal 30 has been changed. At this time, the acquisition completion information (identification information of the control terminal 30 whose setting information has been changed) acquired by the acquisition unit 221 is not stored in the storage unit 23. That is, the setting terminal 20 does not manage which control terminal 30 has been set and what settings have been applied. Alternatively, the acquisition completion information can be stored in the storage unit 23. That is, the setting terminal 20 can also manage which control terminal 30 has been set and what settings have been applied.

[0055] Finally, the user uses the control terminal 30 to control the device 40. Figure 4 (S18). For example, a user controls the device 40 based on setting information corresponding to "Button 1" by pressing "Button 1" on the operation receiving unit 35. Specifically, first, the acquisition unit 321 acquires the user's operation received by the operation receiving unit 35. The output unit 323 sends a control signal via the wireless communication unit 31 (mesh network 50) and the wireless communication unit 41 according to the acquired user operation. The information processing unit 42 of the device 40 controls the function implementation unit 44 according to the acquired control signal, thereby realizing the function of the device 40.

[0056] Through the actions described above, the setting terminal 20 updates the setting information of a control terminal 30 belonging to the mesh network 50 as specified by the user. Therefore, according to such a setting system 10, the user can use the setting terminal 20 to set any one of the multiple control terminals 30 constituting the mesh network 50, thereby using the control terminal 30 to control the devices 40 constituting the mesh network 50.

[0057] For example, if multiple control terminals 30 are configured differently, when a user wants to control a specific device 40, they need to find the specific control terminal 30 that can control that specific device 40 to operate it.

[0058] In contrast, in the setting system 10, the setting terminal 20 does not manage which control terminal 30 has been configured and what settings have been applied. The setting system 10 allows multiple control terminals 30 to have the same settings applied. When a user wants to control a specific device 40, they use the setting terminal 20 to change the settings of nearby control terminals 30 so that they can control the specific device 40. Therefore, the user can control the specific device 40 even without searching for it, simply by operating nearby control terminals 30.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the device 40 included in the mesh network 50 is a lighting device, but it may not be a lighting device. The device 40 may also be a lighting-related device other than a lighting device. As a lighting-related device other than a lighting device, a projector is an example. A projector is a device that projects images onto a projected object such as a wall or screen. The image output from the projector is, for example, an image of a subject that imitates sunlight filtering through leaves (tree shadows), a beach, a waterfall, or the surface of water.

[0060] Alternatively, device 40 can be any device other than lighting-related equipment. Other devices could include air conditioners, ventilation systems, cameras, speakers, human sensors, or environmental sensors—devices not directly related to lighting. Furthermore, environmental sensors include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, carbon dioxide concentration sensors, and PM (Particle Matter) sensors.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the multiple control terminals 30 and the multiple devices 40 constitute a mesh network 50, but it is also possible not to constitute a mesh network 50. That is, the setting system 10 can also be implemented by multiple control terminals 30 and multiple devices 40 constituting a communication network other than the mesh network 50.

[0062] [Effects, etc.] The following examples illustrate techniques obtained from the disclosure of this specification, and explain the effects and other benefits obtained from the illustrated techniques.

[0063] Technology 1 is a setting terminal 20, comprising: a communication unit 21 that communicates with multiple control terminals 30, each of which controls a device 40 according to user operations; and a setting unit 222 that uses the communication unit 21 to send setting information to the multiple control terminals 30 respectively, thereby setting which device 40 is controlled by the multiple control terminals 30 and how it is controlled by the operation, wherein the setting unit 222 is capable of performing the same settings on the multiple control terminals 30.

[0064] This configuration terminal 20 configures multiple control terminals 30 to control the same device with the same settings. Therefore, by using the configuration terminal 20 to configure any control terminal 30, the user can control the desired device 40 using any control terminal 30.

[0065] Technology 2 is the setting terminal 20 of Technology 1, wherein the communication unit 21 receives acquisition completion information from the control terminal 30 indicating that the control terminal 30 has acquired setting information, and the setting unit 222 does not perform the processing of matching the identification information of the control terminal 30 contained in the received acquisition completion information with the content of the setting information sent to the control terminal 30.

[0066] Since the setting terminal 20 does not store the identification information and setting information of the control terminal 30, the memory capacity of the storage unit 23 can be saved accordingly. In addition, the setting unit 222 can store the settings made to the multiple control terminals 30 in the storage unit 23, or it can choose not to store them.

[0067] Technology 3 is the setting terminal 20 of Technology 1 or 2, wherein the setting unit 222 sets how the device is controlled by operating each of the multiple control buttons of the control terminal 30 by sending setting information to one of the multiple control terminals 30.

[0068] This configuration of terminal 20 enables a control terminal 30 to control device 40 in multiple control modes.

[0069] Technology 4 is the setting terminal 20 of any one of technologies 1 to 3, wherein the device 40 is set in an indoor space containing multiple areas, and the setting unit 222 sets which area of ​​the multiple areas the device 40 is set as the control object by sending setting information to one of the multiple control terminals 30.

[0070] Based on this configuration of terminal 20, users can distinguish multiple areas where device 40 is configured and use a control terminal 30 to control device 40.

[0071] Technology 5 is the setting terminal 20 of any one of technologies 1 to 4, wherein device 40 is a lighting-related device.

[0072] Based on this setting terminal 20, the user can set any control terminal 30 by using the setting terminal 20, and can use any control terminal 30 to control lighting-related equipment.

[0073] Technology 6 is the setting terminal 20 of any one of technologies 1 to 5, wherein the device 40 and the control terminal 30 constitute a mesh network 50.

[0074] According to the setting terminal 20, the user can use the setting terminal 20 to set any one of the multiple control terminals 30 that constitute the mesh network 50, and thereby use the control terminal 30 to control the devices 40 that constitute the mesh network 50.

[0075] Technology 7 is the setting terminal 20 of any one of technologies 1 to 6, wherein the control terminal 30 is movable.

[0076] Based on this configuration of terminal 20, by configuring the portable control terminal 30, the user can use the handheld control terminal 30 to control the desired device 40.

[0077] Technology 8 is a setting system 10, comprising: a setting terminal 20 of any one of technologies 1 to 7; multiple control terminals 30; and a device 40.

[0078] According to this setting system 10, the user can set any control terminal 30 by using the setting terminal 20, and can use any control terminal 30 to control the desired device 40.

[0079] Technology 9 is a setting method executed by a computer of setting terminal 20, including a setting step in which setting information is sent to multiple control terminals 30 that control the device 40 according to the user's operation, thereby setting which device 40 to control and how to control it through operation for each of the multiple control terminals 30. In the setting step, the same settings can be performed on multiple control terminals 30.

[0080] According to this setting method, the user can set any control terminal 30 by using the setting terminal 20, and can use any control terminal 30 to control the desired device 40.

[0081] Technology 10 is a program used to execute the setting method of Technology 9.

[0082] Such a program allows the user to configure any control terminal 30 using the setting terminal 20, thereby assisting in the control of the desired device 40 using any control terminal 30.

[0083] (Other implementation methods) The above description, based on embodiments, outlines the setting terminal, setting system, setting method, and program involved in this invention. However, this invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications to the embodiments that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, as well as other methods that combine some structural elements of the embodiments, are also included within the scope of this invention, provided they do not depart from its spirit.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the system is implemented using multiple devices. Thus, the term "system" in this specification can refer to a system composed of multiple devices or a system composed of a single device. When the system is composed of multiple devices, the structural elements (especially functional structural elements) of the system can be arbitrarily distributed among the multiple devices.

[0085] Furthermore, the communication method between the devices in the above embodiments is not particularly limited. Additionally, relay devices (such as broadband routers, not shown) can also be used in the communication between the devices.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the processing performed by a specific processing unit can also be performed by other processing units. Additionally, the order of multiple processes can be changed, or multiple processes can be executed in parallel.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, each structural element can also be implemented by executing a software program suitable for that structural element. Each structural element can also be implemented by reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor.

[0088] Furthermore, the structural elements can also be implemented using hardware. For example, each structural element can be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits can either form a single circuit as a whole or be separate circuits. Additionally, these circuits can be either general-purpose or specialized circuits. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0089] 10. System Settings 20. Setting up the terminal 21 Ministry of Communications 222 Setting Department 23 Storage Department 30 Control Terminal 40 devices 50 mesh networks

Claims

1. A setting terminal, comprising: The communication unit communicates with multiple control terminals, each of which controls the device according to user operations; and The setting unit uses the communication unit to send setting information to each of the plurality of control terminals, thereby setting which device to control and how to control it through the operation for each of the plurality of control terminals. in, The setting unit can perform the same settings on the multiple control terminals.

2. The setting terminal according to claim 1, wherein, The communication unit receives from the control terminal a completion message indicating that the control terminal has acquired the set information. The setting unit does not perform the process of matching the identification information of the control terminal contained in the received acquisition completion information with the content of the setting information sent to the control terminal.

3. The setting terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The setting unit sends the setting information to one of the plurality of control terminals to set how the device is controlled by operating each of the multiple control buttons on the control terminal.

4. The setting terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The device is installed in an indoor space that includes multiple areas. The setting unit sends the setting information to one of the plurality of control terminals to set which of the multiple areas the device located in is the control object.

5. The setting terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The device in question is a lighting-related device.

6. The setting terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The device and the control terminal form a mesh network.

7. The setting terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control terminal is portable.

8. A setting system, comprising: The setting terminal according to claim 1 or 2; The plurality of control terminals; and The device.

9. A setting method, which is executed by a computer setting a terminal. The method includes a setting step, in which setting information is sent to multiple control terminals, each of which controls the device according to the user's operation, thereby setting which device to control and how to control it through the operation for each of the multiple control terminals. In the setting step, the same settings can be performed on the multiple control terminals.

10. A program for performing the setting method according to claim 9.

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