Application program, home appliance control system, and home appliance control method

Abstract

To allow a user to easily issue an instruction to operate home appliances with icons, while improving the convenience for the user.SOLUTION: An application program is executed by a computer of a terminal device equipped with a display device, the computer being connected over a network to a server device which manages home appliances, the program including: an acquisition step of acquiring status of the home appliances and external environmental condition; and a display processing step of displaying, on a screen of the display device, a plurality of icons for making an instruction to operate the home appliances, and displaying, in a predetermined arrangement region in the screen, the icons while changing display mode of the icons based on the acquired status of the home appliances and the external environmental condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an application program, a home appliance control system, and a home appliance control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a home appliance control system that controls one or more home appliances such as an air conditioner or a refrigerator connected to a network, a technology for remotely operating a home appliance with an application executed on a terminal device such as a smartphone is known. In such an application, it is common for a user to perform a click operation or the like on icons such as various operation buttons and shortcuts from the screen of the application to give an instruction to the home appliance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in such a conventional technology, when a user operates an icon such as such an operation button or a shortcut, depending on the arrangement position of the icon, it may be difficult to operate.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an application program, a home appliance control system, and a home appliance control method that are easy for a user to operate and can improve the convenience of the user when giving an operation instruction to a home appliance with an icon.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The application program according to the embodiment is an application program to be executed on a computer of a terminal device including a display device, which is connected to a server device for managing home appliances via a network. The application program causes the computer to execute an acquisition step of acquiring the state of the home appliances or the external environmental situation, and a step of displaying a plurality of icons for instructing operations on the home appliances on the screen of the display device. Based on the acquired state of the home appliances or the external environmental situation, a display processing step of changing the display form of the plurality of icons and displaying the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area on the screen is executed by the computer.

[0007] In the application program according to the embodiment, in the acquisition step, as the state of the home appliances, the operation mode of the home appliances is acquired, and in the display processing step, according to the acquired operation mode, the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons is changed, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area.

[0008] In the application program according to the embodiment, in the display processing step, according to the acquired external environmental situation, the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons is changed, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area.

[0009] In the application program according to the embodiment, the computer is further caused to execute a communication processing step of transmitting a request for acquiring weather information, which is information related to the weather, to the server device based on the position information of the home appliances. In the acquisition step, the computer further receives the weather information as the external environmental situation from the server device. In the display processing step, according to the received weather information, the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons is changed, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area.

[0010] In the application program according to the embodiment, in the display processing step, further, according to the progress degree of the processing by the home electric appliance, the priority of the types or arrangements of the plurality of icons is changed, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area.

[0011] In the application program according to the embodiment, in the acquisition step, the current set temperature is acquired as the state of the home electric appliance, the indoor temperature is acquired as the external environmental situation, and in the display processing step, based on the difference between the current set temperature and the indoor temperature, the priority of the types or arrangements of the plurality of icons is changed, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area.

[0012] In the application program according to the embodiment, in the display processing step, when the difference is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the priority of the types or arrangements of the plurality of icons is changed to be higher in the order of the degree of change being larger, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area.

[0013] In the application program according to the embodiment, the terminal device includes an acceleration sensor, and in the display processing step, when the acceleration sensor detects an operation of tilting the terminal device by a user, the arrangement positions of the plurality of icons are changed.

[0014] In the application program of the embodiment, in the display processing step, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the icon by the user, the arrangement positions of the plurality of icons are changed.

[0015] In the application program according to the embodiment, the computer is further caused to execute a setting step of presetting the arrangement area according to an instruction from the user.

[0016] In the application program according to the embodiment, the setting step receives a designation of the hand for operating the screen of the terminal device, and if the received hand is the right hand, sets the arrangement area to the lower right area of the screen, and if the received hand is the left hand, sets the arrangement area to the lower left area of the screen.

[0017] The home appliance control system according to the embodiment includes a home appliance, a server device that is connected to the home appliance via a network and manages the home appliance, and an application program for causing a computer of a terminal device including a display device and connected to the server device via a network to execute. The application program causes the computer to execute an acquisition step of acquiring the state of the home appliance or an external environmental situation, and a step of displaying a plurality of icons for instructing an operation on the home appliance on the screen of the display device, and changing a display form of the plurality of icons based on the acquired state of the home appliance or the external environmental situation, and displaying the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area on the screen.

[0018] In the home appliance control system according to the embodiment, the application program further causes the computer to execute a communication processing step of transmitting a request for acquiring weather information, which is information related to the weather, to the server device based on the position information of the home appliance. When the server device receives the request for acquiring the weather information from the application program, the server device transmits the request for acquiring the weather information and the position information of the home appliance to a weather information cloud that provides the weather information, receives the weather information in the area corresponding to the position information from the weather information cloud, and transmits the received weather information to the application program. The acquisition step further receives the weather information as the external environmental situation from the server device. The display processing step changes the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons according to the received weather information and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area.

[0019] The home appliance control method according to the embodiment includes a home appliance, a server device that is connected to the home appliance via a network and manages the home appliance, and an application program for causing a computer of a terminal device that is connected to the server device via a network and includes a display device to execute. The home appliance control method is executed in a home appliance control system including: an acquisition step of acquiring a state of the home appliance or an external environmental situation; and a step of displaying a plurality of icons for instructing an operation on the home appliance on a screen of the display device, wherein a display form of the plurality of icons is changed based on the acquired state of the home appliance or the external environmental situation, and the plurality of icons are displayed in a predetermined arrangement area on the screen.

[0020] According to the above application program, home appliance control system, and home appliance control method, when an operation instruction is given to a home appliance using an icon, it is easy for the user to operate, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the application program, home appliance control system, and home appliance control method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the components according to the embodiments and the descriptions of the components may be described in a plurality of expressions. The components and their descriptions are examples and are not limited by the expressions in this specification. The components may be specified by different names from those in this specification. Also, the components may be described by expressions different from those in this specification.

[0023] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a home appliance control management system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the home appliance control system 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a server device 40, a terminal device 30, a refrigerator 10A, a washing machine 10B, an air conditioner 10C, an air conditioner 10D, and a microwave oven 10E. The refrigerator 10A, the washing machine 10B, the air conditioner 10C, the air conditioner 10D, and the microwave oven 10E are provided in one household.

[0024] The refrigerator 10A, washing machine 10B, air conditioner 10C, air conditioner 10D, microwave oven 10E, and terminal device 30 are connected to a network via a router or the like provided in the home. Also, the refrigerator 10A, washing machine 10B, air conditioner 10C, air conditioner 10D, microwave oven 10E, and terminal device 30 are connected to the server device 40 via the network. The network is composed of the Internet, a general telephone line, a mobile phone line, and the like.

[0025] Here, the refrigerator 10A, washing machine 10B, air conditioner 10C, air conditioner 10D, and microwave oven 10E are examples of home appliances, and the types and numbers are not limited to these. In the following description, when not particularly distinguishing each of the refrigerator 10A, washing machine 10B, air conditioner 10C, air conditioner 10D, and microwave oven 10E, any one of them is referred to as a home appliance 10.

[0026] The terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet device, and displays information regarding the refrigerator 10A, washing machine 10B, air conditioner 10C, air conditioner 10D, and microwave oven 10E via the server device 40 and also remotely operates them.

[0027] An application program (hereinafter referred to as an "application") for remotely operating the home appliance 10 is installed in the terminal device 30. A user (also referred to as a user) starts the application of the terminal device 30 to remotely operate the home appliance 10. The application communicates with the home appliance 10 via the network through the server device 40. Details of the application will be described later.

[0028] The server device 40 is a device that manages home appliances 10, and relays communication between the terminal device 30 and the home appliances 10 in order to remotely control the home appliances 10. Further, the server device 40 is accessible to a weather information cloud 50 existing on the network. When the weather information cloud 50 receives a weather information acquisition request together with position information, it transmits the weather information of the area corresponding to the received position information to the requester. The weather information is various information regarding the current or future weather, and for example, the current or future weather, temperature, humidity, etc. are applicable.

[0029] First, the details of the server device 40 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device 40 according to the first embodiment. The server device 40 of the present embodiment mainly includes a communication unit 401, a control unit 402, and a storage unit 410.

[0030] The storage unit 410 is a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). In the storage unit 410 of the present embodiment, a management database 411 (hereinafter referred to as "management DB411") is stored.

[0031] The management DB411 is a database for managing the home appliances 10. The management DB411 is registered with, for example, a user ID for identifying a user, a device ID for identifying the home appliances managed by the user of the user ID, the current status of the home appliances, the position information of the home appliances 10 of the device ID, etc. associated therewith.

[0032] The control unit 402 performs various controls on the home appliances 10. Specifically, the control unit 402 registers in the management DB411 in association with the user ID of the user who manages the home appliances 10 according to an instruction from the application of the terminal device 30.

[0033] The control unit 402 receives the current state from each of the home appliances 10 and transmits it to the application of the terminal device 30. The control unit 402 receives a control instruction for the home appliance 10 from the application of the terminal device 30 and controls the home appliance 10.

[0034] The communication unit 401 controls the communication with the home appliance 10 and the terminal device 30. That is, when the control unit 402 transmits a request or instruction to the terminal device 30 or transmits information to the terminal device 30, it does so via the communication unit 401. Also, when the control unit 402 receives information from the home appliance 10 or gives a control instruction or the like to the home appliance 10, it does so via the communication unit 401.

[0035] Next, the details of the terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 30 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a display device 302, an input device 303, a communication device 304, a storage device 305, an acceleration sensor 306, and an application 301. The terminal device 30 also includes a CPU (not shown). The terminal device 30 is configured with hardware by a CPU (not shown), a display device 302, an input device 303, a communication device 304, and a storage device 305.

[0036] The display device 302 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL. The input device 303 is an input device such as a touch panel or hard keys superimposed on the display device 302. The communication device 304 is an interface that performs wireless communication according to each standard of wireless LAN, 4G (for example, LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc.), and 5G.

[0037] The storage device 305 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0038] The acceleration sensor 306 detects the acceleration of the terminal device 30, thereby detecting the movement applied to the terminal device 30 and the inclination of the terminal device 30.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the application 301 mainly includes a communication processing unit 3011, an input processing unit 3012, a display processing unit 3013, a control unit 3014, a setting unit 3015, and an acquisition unit 3016. The application 301 is stored in a storage device 305 such as a ROM, a RAM, or a flash memory. Here, the application may also be referred to as an "app".

[0040] The application 301 is an example of an application program. The application 301 has a module configuration including each of the above-described functional units (communication processing unit 3011, input processing unit 3012, display processing unit 3013, control unit 3014, setting unit 3015, and acquisition unit 3016). As actual hardware, the CPU reads the application 301 from a storage device 305 such as a flash memory and executes it, thereby starting the application 301. Then, each of the above units is loaded onto a storage device 305 such as a RAM, and the communication processing unit 3011, the input processing unit 3012, the display processing unit 3013, the control unit 3014, and the acquisition unit 3016 are generated on the storage device 305 such as a RAM.

[0041] The control unit 3014 performs various controls of the application 301. The communication processing unit 3011 controls the communication by the communication device 304. Further, when the input processing unit 3012 receives a control instruction from the user for the home appliance 10, the communication processing unit 3011 transmits the received control instruction to the server device 40.

[0042] The acquisition unit 3016 acquires the state of the home appliance 10 or the external environmental situation. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 3016 acquires the operation mode of the home appliance 10 as the state of the home appliance 10. Here, the state of the home appliance 10 such as the operation mode last set by the user for the home appliance 10 and the state of the home appliance 10 such as the operation mode of the home appliance 10 received from the server device 40 are stored in the storage device 305, and the acquisition unit 3016 may be configured to acquire the state such as the operation mode of the home appliance 10 from the storage device 305.

[0043] The display processing unit 3013 controls the display of various information on the display device 302. When the application 301 is launched, the display processing unit 3013 first displays the application home screen on the display device 302. Here, the application screen is a screen displayed within the application. Then, the display processing unit 3013 displays various icons on the application screen.

[0044] The display processing unit 3013 displays a plurality of icons for instructing operations on the home appliance 10 on the screen of the display device 302. In the present embodiment, the display processing unit 3013 changes the display form of the plurality of icons based on the state of the home appliance 10 acquired by the acquisition unit 3016 or the external environmental situation, and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area on the screen. Specifically, the display processing unit 3013 changes the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons according to the operation mode acquired by the acquisition unit 3016, and displays the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area.

[0045] Here, the predetermined arrangement area is an area on the application screen for the user to operate the icon. As the arrangement area, for example, when the user holds the terminal device 30 by hand, the range that the finger of the held hand can easily reach, in other words, the range that is easy for the user to operate can be used. Such an arrangement area is set in advance by the user as a desired range.

[0046] When the display processing unit 3013 detects an operation in which the terminal device 30 is tilted by the user using the acceleration sensor 306, it changes the arrangement positions of a plurality of icons.

[0047] Here, the icons include buttons and shortcuts for giving control instructions to the home appliance 10. Further, as the application screen, for example, it can be the application home screen that is first displayed when the application is launched.

[0048] The input processing unit 3012 receives the user input from the input device 303. The input processing unit 3012 receives the operation input from the user from the application screen (that is, the input device 303 such as a touch panel). In the present embodiment, the input processing unit 3012 receives the operation input to the home appliance 10 from the user from the icons such as the operation buttons and shortcuts displayed on the application screen.

[0049] The setting unit 3015 preset the range within which a plurality of icons move based on the priority according to an instruction from the user.

[0050] Next, the home appliance control process by the home appliance control system 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the flow of acquiring the state of the home appliance 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the process of acquiring the state of the home appliance 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0051] When the user performs control on the home appliance 10, that is, a setting instruction, by icon operation in the application 301, the communication processing unit 3011 transmits the setting instruction to the server device 40 (S101a). In the server device 40, the communication unit 401 receives the setting instruction from the application 301 of the terminal device 30 and transmits the setting instruction to the target home appliance 10 (102a). In the home appliance 10, the setting instruction is received, and its own settings and controls are performed according to the setting instruction (103a). Then, the home appliance 10 transmits the current state due to the setting as a setting result to the server device 40 (104a). In the server device 40, the communication unit 401 receives the setting result, and transmits the received setting result to the application 301 of the terminal device 30 (105a). The application 301 has the communication processing unit 3011 receive the setting result from the server device 40, and stores the received setting result in the storage device 305 as the state of the home appliance 10. Such processing is executed for each setting instruction (S101b~S105b, S101c~S105c).

[0052] Next, the icon display processing by the application 301 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the icon display processing according to the first embodiment.

[0053] First, the display processing unit 3013 determines whether the inclination of the terminal device 30 is detected from the detection signal from the acceleration sensor 306 (S201). If the inclination is not detected (S201: No), it is in a state of waiting for inclination detection.

[0054] When the inclination of the terminal device 30 is detected (S201: Yes), the acquisition unit 3016 acquires the operation mode of the home appliance 10 from the storage device 305 (S202). Next, the display processing unit 3013 determines the priority of each function of the home appliance 10 based on the operation mode acquired by the acquisition unit 3016 (S203). Then, the display processing unit 3013 changes the arrangement of the function icons in descending order of the determined priority and displays them in the arrangement area (S204).

[0055] Here, in this embodiment, when the terminal device 30 is tilted to the right, a plurality of icons corresponding to functions are arranged in a predetermined range of the lower right area of the screen, and when the terminal device 30 is tilted to the left, a plurality of icons corresponding to functions are arranged closer to and arranged in a predetermined range of the lower left area of the screen.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of icon arrangement change in the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 6, the home appliance 10 is an air conditioner 10C. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 6, operation button icons for each of a plurality of functions such as cooling, dehumidifying, and heating are displayed on the application screen. And it is assumed that the current operation mode is the cooling mode.

[0057] In this state, when the user tilts the terminal device 30 to the right, since the current operation mode is the cooling mode, the display processing unit 1013 sets a high priority for the operation button icons of the modes of functions other than cooling. Specifically, the display processing unit 3013 increases the function priority in the order of "dehumidifying", "heating", and other operation modes. As a result, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 6, as modes of functions other than "cooling", they are displayed closer to the lower right arrangement area of the application screen in the order of "dehumidifying", "heating", and other operation modes.

[0058] Note that in the right diagram of FIG. 6, the priority decreases from the bottom to the top of the screen, and the priority also decreases from the right to the left of the screen.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of icon arrangement change in the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 7, the home appliance 10 is a refrigerator 10A. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 7, operation button icons for each of a plurality of functions such as "frozen rice", "normal operation", "notification cooling", and "quick-freezing compartment" are displayed on the application screen. And it is assumed that the current operation mode is the frozen rice mode.

[0060] In this state, when the user tilts the terminal device 30 to the right, since the current operation mode is the frozen rice mode, the display processing unit 1013 sets a higher priority for the icons of the operation buttons of the modes of functions other than "frozen rice". Specifically, the display processing unit 3013 increases the priority in the order of "normal operation", "notification cooling", and "quick-freezing compartment". As a result, as shown in the right figure of FIG. 7, as modes of functions other than frozen rice, "normal operation", "notification cooling", and "quick-freezing compartment" will be displayed closer to the lower right placement area of the application screen in this order.

[0061] Note that also in the right figure of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the priority decreases from the bottom to the top of the screen and also decreases from the right to the left of the screen.

[0062] Next, the setting of the placement area where the icons are arranged in order of priority will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting the placement area of the icons in the first embodiment.

[0063] The display processing unit 3013 displays the screen shown in FIG. 8 and allows the user to select the placement area from among a plurality of areas. In the example of FIG. 8, the selection is made from among four areas A to D. The input processing unit 3012 accepts the selection, and the setting unit 3015 sets the accepted area as the placement area.

[0064] Thus, in this embodiment, the application 301 of the terminal device 30 acquires the state of the home appliance 10 or the external environmental situation, displays a plurality of icons for instructing operations on the home appliance 10 on the application screen of the display device 302, and changes the display form of the plurality of icons based on the acquired state of the home appliance 10 or the external environmental situation, and displays the plurality of icons on the application screen. Specifically, the application 301 acquires the operation mode of the home appliance as the state of the home appliance 10, and changes the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons according to the acquired operation mode, and displays the plurality of icons in the placement area of the application screen.

[0065] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the icon is arranged in an area where it is easy for the user to operate according to the state such as the operation mode of the home appliance 10. When giving an operation instruction to the home appliance 10 using the icon, it is easy for the user to operate, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0066] Also, in this embodiment, since the arrangement area of the application screen can be preset according to the user's instruction, with a simple operation, the user can set the area where the user can operate most easily as the arrangement area. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when giving an operation instruction to the home appliance 10 using the icon, it is easy for the user to operate, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0067] (Modification example) Note that, in this embodiment, the arrangement area of the icon is set by allowing the user to select from a plurality of areas, but it is not limited to this.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting the arrangement area of the icon in the modification example. In the example of FIG. 9, the setting unit 3015 sets the range dragged by the user on the screen as the arrangement area.

[0069] In this case, the user can set an arrangement area suitable for the operation according to the user's wishes with a simpler operation, and the convenience of the user can be further improved.

[0070] In addition, the setting unit 3015 can also be configured to receive the designation of the hand for operating the screen of the terminal device 30, and set the arrangement area at the lower right of the application screen when the received hand is the right hand, and set the arrangement area at the lower left of the application screen when the received hand is the left hand.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for allowing a user to specify a hand for operating the screen of the terminal device 30 in a modified example. The input processing unit 3012 receives a hand specification from the user on the screen shown in FIG. 10. When the received hand is the right hand, the setting unit 3015 sets the icon arrangement area to the lower right of the application. When the received hand is the left hand, the setting unit 3015 sets the icon arrangement area to the lower left of the application screen.

[0072] In this case, the user can set an arrangement area suitable for the operation with a simpler operation, and the convenience of the user can be further improved.

[0073] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the types and arrangement priorities of a plurality of icons are changed according to the situation such as the operation mode of the home appliance 10 and displayed in the arrangement area. In this second embodiment, the types and arrangement priorities of a plurality of icons are changed according to the external environmental situation and displayed in the arrangement area.

[0074] The configurations of the home appliance control system 1, the home appliance 10, the server device 40, and the terminal device 30 according to the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0075] In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 3016 of the application 301 in the terminal device 30 acquires information on the external environmental situation of the home appliance 10. Examples of the information on the external environmental situation include, but are not limited to, the current indoor temperature, humidity, etc. The acquisition unit 3016 acquires the information on the external environmental situation from the home appliance 10 via the server device 40 or directly from the home appliance 10. The acquisition unit 3016 may acquire the information on the external environmental situation in advance and store it in the storage device 305.

[0076] In addition, the display processing unit 3013 of this embodiment has the same function as that of the first embodiment. Further, according to the external environmental situation acquired by the acquisition unit 3016, the types or arrangement priorities of a plurality of icons are changed, and the plurality of icons are moved and displayed in the arrangement area of the application screen.

[0077] Next, the icon display process by the application 301 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the icon display process according to the second embodiment.

[0078] Similar to S201 in the first embodiment, the display processing unit 3013 is in a state of waiting to detect the inclination of the terminal device by 30 degrees (S301). When the inclination of the terminal device 30 is detected (S301: Yes), the acquisition unit 3016 acquires information regarding the external environmental conditions (S302).

[0079] Next, the display processing unit 3013 determines the priority of each function of the home appliance 10 based on the information regarding the external environmental conditions acquired by the acquisition unit 3016 (S303). Then, the display processing unit 3013 changes the arrangement of the function icons in descending order of the determined priority and displays them in the arrangement area (S304).

[0080] Here, taking the case where the home appliance 10 is the air conditioner 10C as an example, the details of the processes of S303 and 304 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the icon display process when the home appliance 10 is the air conditioner 10C in the second embodiment.

[0081] In S302, the acquisition unit 3016 acquires information regarding the external environmental conditions. In this example, it is assumed that the acquisition unit 3016 acquires the indoor temperature and humidity of the room where the air conditioner 10C is installed from the air conditioner 10C via the server device 40 as the information regarding the external environmental conditions.

[0082] Next, the display processing unit 3013 determines whether the acquired indoor temperature is 25°C or higher (S401). If the indoor temperature is less than 25°C (S401: No), the display processing unit 3013 increases the priority of the "heating" function and preferentially arranges and displays the "heating" icon (S402). Specifically, the display processing unit 3013 moves the "heating" icon preferentially so as to approach the arrangement area.

[0083] In S401, if the indoor temperature is 25°C or higher (S401: Yes), the display processing unit 3013 determines whether the acquired humidity is 70% or higher (S403). If the humidity is 70% or higher (S403: Yes), the display processing unit 3013 increases the priority of the "dehumidification" function and preferentially arranges the "dehumidification" icon (S404). Specifically, the display processing unit 3013 moves the "dehumidification" icon preferentially so as to approach the arrangement area.

[0084] In S403, if the humidity is less than 70% (S403: No), the display processing unit 3013 increases the priority of the "cooling" function and preferentially arranges the "cooling" icon (S405). Specifically, the display processing unit 3013 moves the "cooling" icon preferentially so as to approach the arrangement area.

[0085] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement change of icons on the application screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an example of the icon of the air conditioner 10C. In the example shown in FIG. 13, as shown in the left figure, currently, the function of the air conditioner 10C is stopped, and as the acquired external environmental conditions, the indoor temperature is 28°C and the humidity is 40%. In this case, from the flowchart of FIG. 12, since the indoor temperature is 25°C or higher and the humidity is less than 70%, the process proceeds to S405, the priority of cooling becomes high, and the display processing unit 3013 moves the icon so that the cooling icon preferentially approaches the arrangement area in the lower right of the screen as shown in the right figure of FIG. 13.

[0086] In the example of FIG. 13, the display processing unit 3013 determines the priorities of functions in the order of cooling, dehumidifying, AI comfort, air cleaning, cleaning, and heating, and arranges the icons of the respective functions in the arrangement area at the lower right of the application screen in this order of priority.

[0087] As described above, in the present embodiment, the application 301 changes the type or arrangement priority of a plurality of icons according to the external environmental conditions acquired by the acquisition unit 3016, and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area where the user can easily operate them. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, the icons are arranged in the arrangement area where the user can easily operate them according to the external environmental conditions outside the home appliance 10, and when giving an operation instruction to the home appliance 10 with an icon, it is easy for the user to operate, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0088] (Third Embodiment) In the second embodiment, the type and arrangement priority of a plurality of icons are changed according to external environmental conditions such as the indoor temperature and humidity, and displayed in the arrangement area. However, in this third embodiment, the weather information of the area corresponding to the current position information of the terminal device 30 is acquired as the external environmental condition, and the type and arrangement priority of the plurality of icons are changed according to this weather information and displayed in the arrangement area.

[0089] The configurations of the home appliance control system 1, the home appliance 10, the server device 40, and the terminal device 30 according to the third embodiment are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. In the present embodiment, the communication processing unit 3011 of the application 301 in the terminal device 30 designates the device ID of the home appliance 10 to be operated, and transmits a request for acquiring weather information based on the position information of the home appliance 10 with the device ID to the server device 40.

[0090] In addition, the acquisition unit 3016 acquires, from the server device 40, as the external environmental condition, the weather information of the area corresponding to the position information of the home appliance 10 to be operated via the communication processing unit 3011.

[0091] The display processing unit 3013 changes the priority of the types or arrangements of a plurality of icons according to the weather information acquired by the acquisition unit 3016, and moves and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area of the application screen.

[0092] Further, in the present embodiment, the display processing unit 3013 further changes the priority of the types or arrangements of a plurality of icons according to the progress of the processing by the home appliance device 10, and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area of the application screen. For example, when the processing in the home appliance device 10 is completed, the priority of the types or arrangements of a plurality of icons is changed, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area.

[0093] Here, the progress of the processing in the home appliance device 10 may be determined not only within the application 301 but also by notification from the server device 40.

[0094] When the communication unit 401 of the server device 40 receives a weather information acquisition request from the application 301, it acquires the position information of the home appliance device 10 corresponding to the specified device ID from the management DB 411, and transmits the acquired position information and the weather information acquisition request to the weather information cloud 50. Then, the communication unit 401 receives the weather information in the area corresponding to the position information from the weather information cloud 50, and transmits the received weather information to the application 301 of the terminal device 30.

[0095] Note that, in the present embodiment, the communication unit 401 uses the position information of the home appliance device 10 registered in advance in the management DB 411, but is not limited thereto. For example, the communication unit 401 may be configured to request the home appliance device 10 for position information and acquire the position information when a request is made from the application 301.

[0096] Next, the weather information acquisition process in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the weather information acquisition process according to the third embodiment. Here, the acquisition process of the state of the home appliance device 10 from S101a to S105b is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0097] Next, the communication processing unit 3011 of the application 301 specifies the device ID of the target home appliance 10 and transmits a weather information acquisition request to the server device 40 (S602).

[0098] When the server device 40 receives a weather information acquisition request by the communication unit 401, it acquires the location information corresponding to the specified device ID from the management DB 411, and transmits the location information and the weather information acquisition request to the weather information cloud 50 (S603).

[0099] In response to the weather information acquisition request, the weather information cloud 50 transmits the weather information of the area corresponding to the transmitted location information (S604). In the server device 40, the communication unit 401 receives the weather information from the weather information cloud 50, and transmits the received weather information to the application 301 that transmitted the weather information acquisition request (S605). In the application 301, the acquisition unit 3016 acquires the weather information transmitted from the server device 40.

[0100] Next, the icon display process by the application 301 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the icon display process according to the third embodiment.

[0101] Similar to S201 in the first embodiment, the display processing unit 3013 is in a state of waiting to detect the inclination of 30 degrees of the terminal device (S801). When the inclination of the terminal device 30 is detected (S801: Yes), the communication processing unit 3011 specifies the device ID of the home appliance 10 to be operated and transmits a weather information acquisition request to the server device 40 (S802). Then, since the weather information is transmitted from the server device 40, the acquisition unit 3016 acquires the weather information (S803).

[0102] Next, the display processing unit 3013 determines the priority of each function of the home appliance 10 based on the weather information acquired by the acquisition unit 3016 (S804). Then, the display processing unit 3013 changes and displays the arrangement of the function icons in descending order of the determined priority (S805).

[0103] Next, the display processing unit 3013 determines whether the progress of the processing of the home appliance 10 has advanced to a predetermined degree (S806). If the progress of the processing has not advanced to the predetermined degree (S806: No), it waits as it is. If the progress of the processing has advanced to the predetermined degree (S806: Yes), the display processing unit 3013 changes the arrangement of the icons according to the progress and displays them in the arrangement area (S807).

[0104] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of changing the arrangement of icons when the home appliance 10 is the air conditioner 10C in the third embodiment. In the example of FIG. 16, the home appliance 10 is the air conditioner 10C. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 16, the icons of the operation buttons are displayed on the application screen for each of a plurality of functions such as cooling, dehumidification, and heating. And it is assumed that the current operation mode is stopped. Also, as the acquired weather information, it is assumed that the weather is rainy and the temperature is 28°C.

[0105] In this state, when the user performs an operation of tilting the terminal device 30 to the right, since the weather is rainy and the temperature is 28°C, the display processing unit 1013 sets the priority of the icon of the "dehumidification" operation button high. Specifically, the display processing unit 3013 sets the priority of the functions in descending order as "dehumidification", "cooling", "AI comfort", "air cleaning", "cleaning", and "heating". As a result, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 16, they are displayed closer to the lower right arrangement area of the application screen in the order of "dehumidification", "cooling", "AI comfort", "air cleaning", "cleaning", and "heating".

[0106] Note that in the right diagram of FIG. 16, the priority decreases from the bottom to the top of the screen, and the priority also decreases from the right to the left of the screen.

[0107] Next, taking the case where the home appliance 10 is the washing machine 10B as an example, the details of the processing from S804 to S807 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the icon display processing procedure when the home appliance 10 is the washing machine 10B in the third embodiment. FIGS. 18 and 19 are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement change of icons on the application screen when the home appliance 10 is the washing machine 10B in the third embodiment.

[0108] When the acquisition unit 3016 acquires weather information from the server device 40 in S803, the display processing unit 3013 determines whether the weather in the weather information is rain (S1001). If the weather is not rain (S1001: No), the display processing unit 3013 increases the priority of the "washing - dehydration" function and arranges and displays the "washing - dehydration" icon (S1003). Specifically, the display processing unit 3013 moves the "washing - dehydration" icon so as to come closer to the arrangement area preferentially.

[0109] In S1001, if the weather is rain (S1001: Yes), the display processing unit 3013 determines whether the washing machine 10B has finished washing according to a predetermined degree of progress (S1002). If the washing machine 10B has finished washing (S1002: Yes), the display processing unit 3013 increases the priority of the "drying" function and arranges and displays the "drying" icon (S1004). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the display processing unit 3013 moves the "drying" icon so as to come closer to the arrangement area preferentially.

[0110] In S1002, if the washing machine 10B has not finished washing (S1002: No), the display processing unit 3013 increases the priority of the "washing - dehydration" function and arranges and displays the "washing - dehydration" icon (S1005). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the display processing unit 3013 moves the "washing - dehydration" icon so as to come closer to the arrangement area preferentially.

[0111] Thus, in this embodiment, the application 301 transmits a request to acquire weather information, which is information related to the weather, to the server device 40 based on the location information of the home appliance 10. When the server device 40 receives a request to acquire weather information from the application 301, it transmits the request to acquire weather information and the location information of the home appliance 10 to the weather information cloud 50 that provides weather information, receives the weather information in the area corresponding to the location information from the weather information cloud 50, and transmits the received weather information to the application 301. The application 301 receives the weather information as an external environmental condition from the server device 40, and changes the priority of the types or arrangements of a plurality of icons according to the received weather information, and displays the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area.

[0112] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the icons are arranged in an arrangement area where the user can easily operate them according to the weather information in the area corresponding to the location information of the home appliance 10. When an operation instruction is given to the home appliance 10 using an icon, it is easy for the user to operate, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0113] Also, in this embodiment, the application 301 changes the priority of the types or arrangements of a plurality of icons according to the progress of the process by the home appliance 10, and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the icons of the necessary operations are arranged in an arrangement area where the user can easily operate them according to the progress of the process of the home appliance 10. When an operation instruction is given to the home appliance 10 using an icon, it is easy for the user to operate, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0114] (Fourth Embodiment) In this fourth embodiment, the types and arrangement priorities of a plurality of icons are changed according to the difference between the set temperature as the state of the home appliance 10 and the indoor temperature as the external environmental condition, and are displayed on the application screen.

[0115] The configurations of the home appliance control system 1, the home appliance 10, the server device 40, and the terminal device 30 according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those in the first to third embodiments.

[0116] In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 3016 of the application 301 in the terminal device 30 acquires the current set temperature as the state of the home appliance 10. Further, the acquisition unit 3016 acquires the indoor temperature as the external environmental situation.

[0117] Based on the difference between the current set temperature and the indoor temperature acquired by the acquisition unit 3016, the display processing unit 3013 changes the priority of the types or arrangements of a plurality of icons and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area of the application screen. Specifically, when the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold, the display processing unit 3013 changes the priority of the types or arrangements of the plurality of icons to be higher in the order of the degree of change being large, and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area of the application screen.

[0118] For example, based on the difference, the display processing unit 3013 determines the priority of the icons for changing a predetermined amount or intensity, and moves the icons for changing the predetermined amount or intensity to be arranged in the arrangement area in the order of the highest priority.

[0119] Next, the icon display processing by the application 301 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of icon display processing according to the fourth embodiment.

[0120] Similar to S201 in the first embodiment, the display processing unit 3013 is in a state of waiting to detect the inclination of the terminal device 30 (S1101). When the inclination of the terminal device 30 is detected (S1101: Yes), the acquisition unit 3016 acquires the set temperature as the current state of the home appliance 10 to be operated and the indoor temperature as the external environmental situation from the storage device 305 or the like (S1102).

[0121] Next, the display processing unit 3013 calculates the difference between the set temperature acquired in S1102 and the indoor temperature (S1103). Then, based on the calculated difference, the display processing unit 3013 determines the priority of the change icons for a predetermined amount or strength (S1104). Then, the display processing unit 3013 arranges the change icons for a predetermined amount or strength in the arrangement area in descending order of priority (S1105).

[0122] Examples of the change icons for a predetermined amount include the icon of the air volume change button in the air conditioner 10C. In this case, when the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold, the display processing unit 3016 arranges them in the arrangement area in descending order of the degree of air volume change, that is, in descending order of strength.

[0123] FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement change of icons on the application screen when the home appliance 10 is the air conditioner 10C in the fourth embodiment. When the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is less than a predetermined threshold, as shown in FIG. 21, the display processing unit 3013 arranges them in descending order of the degree of air volume change so as to approach the lower right arrangement area in the order of "Quiet", "Slight", "Weak", "Strong", "Powerful".

[0124] On the other hand, when the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold, as shown in FIG. 22, the display processing unit 3013 arranges them in descending order of the degree of air volume change so as to approach the lower right arrangement area in the order of "Powerful", "Strong", "Weak", "Slight", "Quiet".

[0125] Examples of the change icons for a predetermined strength include the icon of the set temperature change button in the refrigerator 10A. In this case, when the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold, the display processing unit 3016 arranges them in the arrangement area in descending order of the degree of set temperature change, that is, in descending order of strength.

[0126] FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement change of icons on the application screen when the home appliance 10 is the refrigerator 10A in the fourth embodiment. When the difference between the set temperature of the refrigerating compartment and the indoor temperature is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, as shown in FIG. 23, the display processing unit 3013 arranges them in ascending order of the degree of change in the set temperature so as to approach the arrangement area in the lower right in the order from "weak" to "strong".

[0127] On the other hand, when the difference between the set temperature of the refrigerating compartment and the indoor temperature is larger than a predetermined threshold value, as shown in FIG. 24, the display processing unit 3013 arranges them in descending order of the degree of change in the set temperature so as to approach the arrangement area in the lower right in the order from "strong" to "weak". In FIGS. 22 and 24, an example of the set temperature of the refrigerating compartment is shown, but the same applies to the case of the set temperature of the freezing compartment.

[0128] As described above, in this embodiment, the application 301 acquires the current set temperature as the state of the home appliance 10, acquires the indoor temperature as the external environmental situation, and based on the difference between the current set temperature and the indoor temperature, changes the priority of the types or arrangements of a plurality of icons and displays the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is larger than a predetermined threshold value, the application 301 changes the priority of the types or arrangements of a plurality of icons to be higher in descending order of the degree of change and displays the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area. Therefore, according to this embodiment, according to the difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature, icons such as change buttons for quantity, strength, etc. are arranged in an arrangement area that is easy for the user to operate in consideration of the degree of change, and when an operation instruction is given to the home appliance 10 with an icon, it is easy for the user to operate, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0129] (Modification example) In the example shown in the above embodiment, the display processing unit 3013 of the application 301 moves and displays a plurality of icons that were displayed on the application screen before the inclination of the terminal device 30 was detected, in descending order of priority in the arrangement area after the inclination of the terminal device 30 is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display processing unit 3013 may be configured to move and display icons of a high-priority type other than the plurality of icons that were displayed on the application screen before the inclination of the terminal device 30 is detected, to the arrangement area. In other words, the display processing unit 3013 may be configured to change the priority of the icon types and display them in the arrangement area. Even in this case, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the display processing unit 3013 of the application 301 changes the arrangement of a plurality of icons when the inclination of the terminal device 30 is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display processing unit 3013 may be configured to change the arrangement positions of a plurality of icons when a predetermined time has elapsed since an icon operation by the user. In this case, since the plurality of icons are changed to an arrangement that is easier to operate without the user performing an explicit operation, the convenience of the user can be further improved.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the server device 40 is configured as a single device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the functional units (communication unit 401, control unit 402, storage unit 410) of the server device 40 or the functions of each unit may be distributed and configured in a plurality of devices. Even in this case, the users who use the application 301 of the terminal device 30 can enjoy all the operational effects described in the above embodiment and the modified example.

[0132] Further, when the server device 40 is configured to be provided overseas outside Japan, or when the server device 40 is configured to be distributed among a plurality of devices and a device having a part of the functional units (communication unit 401, control unit 402, storage unit 410) or a part of the functions of each unit is provided overseas, if it is regarded as being substantially executed in Japan, the user who uses the application 301 of the terminal device 30 can enjoy all the operational effects described in the above-described embodiments and modified examples.

[0133] The application 301 executed on the terminal device 30 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the application 301 executed on the terminal device 30 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0134] The application 301 executed on the terminal device 30 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), USB memory, SD card, etc. in an installable or executable file format and provided.

[0135] Further, the application 301 executed on the terminal device 30 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be configured to be provided by being pre-embedded in a ROM or the like.

[0136] The server device 40 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples includes a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD and a CD drive device, a display device such as a display, and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

[0137] The home appliance control program executed by the server device 40 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. in a file in an installable format or an executable format.

[0138] Alternatively, the home appliance control program executed by the server device 40 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the home appliance control program executed by the server device 40 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Alternatively, the home appliance control program executed by the server device 40 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be configured to be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0139] The home appliance control program executed by the server device 40 in the above-described embodiments and modified examples has a module configuration including the above-described respective parts (communication unit 401, control unit 402). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads the home appliance control program from the above-described storage medium and executes it, whereby the above-described respective parts are loaded onto the main storage device and the communication unit 401 and the control unit 402 are generated on the main storage device.

[0140] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0141] 1 Home Appliance Control System 10 Home Appliances 30 Terminal Devices 40 Server Devices 50 Weather Information Cloud 401 Communication Unit 402 Control Unit 410 Memory Unit 411 Management DB 301 Application 302 Display Device 303 Input Device 304 Communication Device 305 Memory Device 306 Acceleration Sensor 3011 Communication Processing Unit 3012 Input Processing Unit 3013 Display Processing Unit 3014 Control Unit 3015 Setting Unit 3016 Acquisition Unit

Claims

1. An application program for causing a computer of a terminal device having a display device to be executed, which is connected to a server device for managing home appliances via a network, an acquisition step of acquiring a state of the home appliance or an external environmental situation; a display step of displaying a plurality of icons for instructing an operation on the home appliance on a screen of the display device, and changing a display form of the plurality of icons based on the acquired state of the home appliance or the external environmental situation, and displaying the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area on the screen; a display processing step; An application program for causing the computer to execute.

2. In the acquisition step, as the state of the home appliance, an operation mode of the home appliance is acquired, and in the display processing step, the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons is changed according to the acquired operation mode, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area. The application program according to claim 1.

3. In the display processing step, the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons is changed according to the acquired external environmental situation, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area. The application program according to claim 1.

4. A communication processing step of transmitting a weather information acquisition request, which is information related to weather, to a server device based on the position information of the home appliance, and further causing the computer to execute, In the acquisition step, the weather information is further received from the server device as the external environmental situation, In the display processing step, the type or arrangement priority of the plurality of icons is changed according to the received weather information, and the plurality of icons are displayed in the arrangement area. The application program according to claim 1.

5. The display processing step further changes the priority of the types or arrangements of the plurality of icons according to the progress of the processing by the household electrical appliance, and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area. The application program according to claim 1.

6. The acquisition step acquires the current set temperature as the state of the household electrical appliance and acquires the indoor temperature as the external environmental situation. The display processing step changes the priority of the types or arrangements of the plurality of icons based on the difference between the current set temperature and the indoor temperature, and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area. The application program according to claim 1.

7. When the difference is greater than a predetermined threshold, the display processing step changes the priority of the types or arrangements of the plurality of icons to be higher in the order of the degree of change, and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area. The application program according to claim 6.

8. The terminal device includes an acceleration sensor. When the acceleration sensor detects an operation in which the terminal device is tilted by a user, the display processing step changes the arrangement positions of the plurality of icons. The application program according to claim 1.

9. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the icon by the user, the display processing step changes the arrangement positions of the plurality of icons. The application program according to claim 1.

10. A setting step of presetting the arrangement area according to an instruction from a user. The application program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further causing the computer to execute.

11. The setting step receives a designation of the hand for operating the screen of the terminal device, and if the received hand is the right hand, sets the arrangement area to the lower right area of the screen, and if the received hand is the left hand, sets the arrangement area to the lower left area of the screen. The application program according to claim 10.

12. A home appliance control system including a home appliance, a server device connected to the home appliance via a network and managing the home appliance, and an application program for causing a computer of a terminal device connected to the server device via a network and including a display device to execute. The application program An acquisition step of acquiring the state of the home appliance or an external environmental situation, A step of displaying a plurality of icons for instructing operations on the home appliance on the screen of the display device, and based on the acquired state of the home appliance or the external environmental situation, changing the display form of the plurality of icons and displaying the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area on the screen. A display processing step for causing the computer to execute. Home appliance control system.

13. The application program A communication processing step of further causing the computer to transmit a weather information acquisition request, which is information related to weather, to the server device based on the position information of the home appliance. The server device When receiving the weather information acquisition request from the application program, transmits the weather information acquisition request and the position information of the home appliance to a weather information cloud that provides the weather information, receives the weather information in the area corresponding to the position information from the weather information cloud, and transmits the received weather information to the application program. The acquisition step further receives, from the server device, the weather information as the external environmental situation. The display processing step changes the priority of the types or arrangements of the plurality of icons according to the received weather information and displays the plurality of icons in the arrangement area. The home appliance control system according to claim 12.

14. A home appliance control method executed in a home appliance control system including: a home appliance; a server device connected to the home appliance via a network and managing the home appliance; and an application program for causing a computer of a terminal device connected to the server device via the network and including a display device to execute. An acquisition step of acquiring a state of the home appliance or an external environmental situation. A step of displaying a plurality of icons for instructing operations on the home appliance on a screen of the display device, the display processing step changing a display form of the plurality of icons based on the acquired state of the home appliance or the external environmental situation and displaying the plurality of icons in a predetermined arrangement area on the screen. A home appliance control method including the above.

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