Setting terminal, control terminal, control method and program

Abstract

To provide a setting terminal and the like capable of easily identifying a control terminal in which desired settings have been made out of multiple set control terminals.SOLUTION: A setting terminal 20 includes: a communications unit 21 that communicates with multiple control terminals 30 for each controlling a device 40 according to the operation of a user; a setting unit 222 that transmits configuration information to each of the multiple control terminals 30 via the communications unit 21 to set each of the multiple control terminals 30 which device 40 and how should be controlled by the operation; and a notification instruction unit 223 that is configured to control a control terminal 30 among multiple control terminals 30, which has the same setting as specified in the notification command, by transmitting notification commands to the multiple control terminals 30 by using the communications unit 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a setting terminal, a control terminal, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been disclosed that makes it easy to check whether the settings have been completed when configuring multiple devices by controlling the lighting status of configured devices to be different from that of unconfigured devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-204656 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to check the settings of a device that has already been configured. In particular, when the device is a control terminal such as a remote controller, it is inconvenient that the settings cannot be checked.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a setting terminal, a control terminal, a control method, and a program that can easily identify a control terminal with the desired settings from among multiple configured control terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of a setting terminal according to the present disclosure includes a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of control terminals, each of which controls equipment in response to user operation; a setting unit that uses the communication unit to send setting information to each of the plurality of control terminals, thereby configuring each of the plurality of control terminals as to which equipment will be controlled by the operation and how; and an alarm command unit that uses the communication unit to send an alarm command to each of the plurality of control terminals, causing a control terminal among the plurality of control terminals that has the same setting as the setting specified in the alarm command to issue an alarm.

[0007] Furthermore, one aspect of a control terminal according to the present disclosure includes a control unit that controls devices in response to user operation, a communication unit that receives setting information from the setting terminal indicating a first setting for which device is controlled by the operation and in what manner, a memory unit that stores the received setting information, and an alarm unit that, when the communication unit receives an alarm command from the setting terminal, determines whether a second setting specified in the received alarm command matches the first setting indicated by the setting information stored in the memory unit, and issues an alarm when it determines that the second setting matches the first setting.

[0008] Furthermore, one aspect of the control method according to the present disclosure is a control method executed by a computer, and includes a setting step of sending setting information to each of a plurality of control terminals, each of which controls equipment in accordance with user operation, to set in each of the plurality of control terminals which equipment will be controlled by the operation and how; and an alarm command step of sending an alarm command to each of the plurality of control terminals, to cause a control terminal among the plurality of control terminals that has the same setting as the setting specified in the alarm command to issue an alarm.

[0009] These comprehensive and specific aspects can be realized not only as the control method but also as a program that causes a computer to execute the control method, and further as a computer-readable recording medium storing the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the setting terminal, control terminal, control method, and program disclosed herein, it is possible to easily identify a control terminal that has been set to a desired setting from among a plurality of control terminals that have already been set. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a network of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance of a control terminal according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit of the setting terminal when a search operation is performed in the operation of the communication system according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of a setting terminal, a control terminal, a control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components constituting a preferred embodiment.

[0013] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] [composition] First, the configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a communication system 10 according to the embodiment. The communication system 10 includes a setting terminal 20, a plurality of control terminals 30, and a plurality of devices 40.

[0015] In the communication system 10, each of the plurality of control terminals 30 and the plurality of devices 40 has a wireless communication function, and the plurality of control terminals 30 and the plurality of devices 40 form a wireless mesh network 50 (hereinafter also simply referred to as mesh network 50). The wireless mesh network 50 is an example of a wireless network.

[0016] 2 is a schematic diagram of a network of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment. Each circle in FIG. 2 corresponds to one control terminal 30 or one device 40 (in other words, a communication node). In a mesh network 50, when information is transmitted from one communication node (also referred to as a first communication node) to another communication node (also referred to as a second communication node), the information is transmitted, for example, by a routing method, but may also be transmitted by other methods such as a flooding method.

[0017] For example, when the device 40 is a lighting device, the information transmitted through the mesh network 50 is control information for controlling the on / off or dimming of the device 40. Also, for example, when the device 40 is an environmental sensor, the information transmitted is measurement values ​​(sensing information) of the environmental sensor.

[0018] First, the setting terminal 20 will be described. The setting terminal 20 is an information terminal used by a user to control the multiple devices 40 that make up the mesh network 50. The setting terminal 20 is also an information terminal used to configure the multiple control terminals 30 that make up the mesh network 50. The setting terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The setting terminal 20 may also be a dedicated remote controller used in the communication 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 reception unit 25.

[0019] The communication unit 21 is a communication circuit that enables the setting terminal 20 to communicate (more specifically, wirelessly communicate) with each of the multiple control terminals 30 or the multiple devices 40. Specifically, the communication unit 21 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh.

[0020] The information processing unit 22 processes information in response to a user operation received by the setting terminal 20 via the operation receiving unit 25. The information processing unit 22 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 22 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 22 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 23. Specifically, the information processing unit 22 includes an acquisition unit 221, a setting unit 222, a notification command unit 223, and an output unit 224.

[0021] The acquisition unit 221 acquires the user's operation etc. accepted by the operation acceptance unit 35 .

[0022] The setting unit 222 processes information related to settings for allowing the control terminal 30 to control the device 40 .

[0023] The notification command unit 223 performs information processing to cause the control terminal 30 to make a notification in order to identify the control terminal 30 for which a predetermined setting has been made.

[0024] The output unit 224 outputs setting information for causing the control terminal 30 to control the device 40 .

[0025] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores setting information indicating which devices 40 are to be controlled and how, and information necessary for information processing, such as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 22. The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 23 include a dedicated application program for operating the setting terminal 20 as a setting terminal.

[0026] The display unit 24 displays various images and is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel.

[0027] The operation reception unit 25 receives operations from the user and is realized by, for example, a touch panel.

[0028] Next, the control terminal 30 will be described. The control terminal 30 has a wireless communication function, and a plurality of control terminals 30 form a mesh network 50 together with a plurality of devices 40. The control terminal 30 is, for example, a remote controller for controlling the devices 40. The control terminal 30 may be portable. Specifically, the control terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, an information processing unit 32, a storage unit 33, a notification unit 34, and an operation reception unit 35.

[0029] The communication unit 31 is a wireless communication circuit that enables the control terminal 30 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with the setting terminal 20, the devices 40, and other control terminals 30. After the control terminal 30 joins the mesh network 50, the communication unit 31 performs communication through the mesh network 50. Before the control terminal 30 joins the mesh network 50, the communication unit 31 periodically transmits a beacon signal (sometimes referred to as an advertisement signal, etc.) and performs wireless communication individually with setting terminals 20 that receive the beacon signal. Specifically, the communication unit 31 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE or Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh.

[0030] The information processing unit 32 executes information processing and the like for the control terminal 30 to control the device 40. The information processing unit 32 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 32 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 32 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 33. Specifically, the information processing unit 32 includes an acquisition unit 321, a control unit 322, a determination unit 323, and an output unit 324.

[0031] The acquisition unit 321 acquires setting information and the like from the setting terminal 20.

[0032] The control unit 322 configures the control terminal 30 based on the configuration information acquired by the acquisition unit 321. The control unit 322 also controls the device 40 based on the operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit .

[0033] The determining unit 323 determines, based on the search information acquired by the acquiring unit 321, whether or not a predetermined setting has been made in the control terminal 30.

[0034] The output unit 324 outputs signals for controlling the device 40 and the like.

[0035] The storage unit 33 is a storage device that stores setting information set in the control terminal 30 and information necessary for information processing, such as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 32. The storage unit 33 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 33 include dedicated application programs for operating the control terminal 30 as a control terminal for the device 40.

[0036] The notification unit 34 notifies the user of the status of the control terminal 30. The notification unit 34 is realized by, for example, a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and notifies the user of the status of the control terminal 30 by flashing in a predetermined pattern. The notification unit 34 may also be realized by, for example, a speaker, and notifies the user of the status of the control terminal 30 by a predetermined sound.

[0037] The operation acceptance unit 35 accepts user operations and is realized by, for example, a push button or the like.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the exterior of a control terminal 30 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the control terminal 30 is a portable remote controller. The control terminal 30 includes five buttons, "Button 1," "Button 2," "Button 3," "Button 4," and a "Settings button," as an operation reception unit 35. The control terminal 30 also includes a notification unit 34 having an LED. For example, by pressing "Button 1," a user can control a device 40 based on the setting information associated with "Button 1." Furthermore, for example, by pressing the "Settings button," the control terminal 30 can be changed to a state in which it can accept an instruction to change the settings of the control terminal 30. For example, by checking that the LED of the notification unit 34 flashes at a predetermined interval, the user can confirm that the setting terminal 20 and the control terminal 30 are in communication.

[0039] Next, the device 40 will be described. The device 40 has a wireless communication function, and a plurality of devices 40, together with a plurality of control terminals 30, form a mesh network 50. The device 40 is, for example, a lighting device such as a base light that is installed on the ceiling of an indoor space and illuminates the indoor space. The type of lighting device is not particularly limited, and may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. Specifically, the device 40 includes a communication unit 41, an information processing unit 42, a storage unit 43, and a function realization unit 44.

[0040] The communication unit 41 is a wireless communication circuit that enables the device 40 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with the setting terminal 20, the control terminal 30, and other devices 40. After the device 40 joins the mesh network 50, the communication unit 41 performs communication through the mesh network 50. Before the device 40 joins the mesh network 50, the communication unit 41 periodically transmits a beacon signal (sometimes referred to as an advertisement signal, etc.) and individually performs wireless communication with the setting terminal 20 that receives the beacon signal. Specifically, the communication unit 41 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE or Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh.

[0041] The information processing unit 42 executes information processing and the like for the operation of the device 40. The information processing unit 42 operates the device 40 by controlling the function realization unit 44. The information processing unit 42 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 42 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 42 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 43.

[0042] The storage unit 43 is a storage device that stores various types of information required for the operation of the device 40. The storage unit 43 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0043] The function realization unit 44 is a device for realizing the functions of the device 40 when the device 40 operates. The function realization unit 44 is controlled by the information processing unit 42. For example, if the device 40 is a lighting device, the function realization unit 44 is a light source. The light source irradiates white light into an indoor space so that the lighting device 40 can illuminate the indoor space. The light source is realized by, for example, an LED element, but may also be realized by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, an organic EL element, or an inorganic EL element.

[0044] [Operation] Next, the operation of the communication system 10 will be described. As described above, in the communication system 10, a plurality of control terminals 30 and a plurality of devices 40 form, for example, a mesh network 50 as shown in FIG. 2. Wireless communication (hereinafter also simply referred to as communication) between the plurality of control terminals 30 and the plurality of devices 40 is performed, for example, according to a first communication protocol for mesh networks. The first communication protocol is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh or the like.

[0045] On the other hand, the setting terminal 20 does not belong to the mesh network 50 and cannot communicate with the multiple control terminals 30 and the multiple devices 40 using the first communication protocol. However, the setting terminal 20 has a communication function using a second communication protocol for one-to-one communication. The second communication protocol is a communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, such as BLE. Note that the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are communication protocols that use, for example, the same frequency band (e.g., the 2.4 GHz band).

[0046] The setting terminal 20 can transmit setting information to configure each of the multiple control terminals 30, and can transmit a notification command to cause a control terminal 30 that has been configured as desired to make a notification. The operation of such a setting terminal 20 will be described below.

[0047] 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the setting terminal 20 according to the embodiment. The setting terminal 20 performs wireless communication with the control terminal 30 directly or via the mesh network 50.

[0048] First, the user uses the setting terminal 20 to set up the control terminal 30 (S11 to S13).

[0049] First, the operation receiving unit 35 receives a setting operation from the user (S11). The setting operation is received, for example, by selecting setting information to be set in one of the communicating control terminals 30 from among the setting information candidates displayed on the display unit 24 of the setting terminal 20. The setting information indicates which device 40 is to be controlled and how, and is information in which the location at which the device 40 is installed is associated with the operation of the device 40. The setting information may further be associated with identification information for identifying the setting information (for example, setting information 1, setting information 2, etc. in FIG. 5 described later).

[0050] Next, the output unit 224 transmits the setting information to the control terminal 30 (S12). When the setting terminal 20 and the control terminal 30 are communicating via the mesh network 50, the output unit 224 transmits the setting information to the control terminal 30 via the communication unit 21, the mesh network 50, and the communication unit 31. When the setting terminal 20 and the control terminal 30 are communicating directly, the output unit 224 transmits the setting information to the control terminal 30 via the communication unit 21 and the communication unit 31.

[0051] When the acquisition unit 321 of the control terminal 30 acquires the setting information, the control unit 322 stores the acquired setting information in the storage unit 33 (S13). This enables the control terminal 30 to control the device 40 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 33. For example, a user presses "Button 1" on the operation acceptance unit 35 to control the device 40 based on the setting information associated with "Button 1." Specifically, first, the acquisition unit 321 acquires the user's operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit 35. The output unit 324 transmits a control signal via the communication unit 31 (and mesh network 50) and the communication unit 41 in accordance with the acquired user's operation. The information processing unit 42 of the device 40 controls the function implementation unit 44 in accordance with the acquired control signal, thereby implementing the function of the device 40.

[0052] A plurality of control terminals 30 belong to the mesh network 50. The processes of steps S11 to S13 are executed for each control terminal 30 that constitutes the mesh network 50.

[0053] Next, the user uses the setting terminal 20 to identify the control terminal 30 in which the desired setting has been made, from among the control terminals 30 in which the setting has been made through the processing of steps S11 to S13 (S14 to S17).

[0054] First, the operation acceptance unit 25 of the setting terminal 20 accepts a search operation from the user (S14). The search operation is an operation for identifying a control terminal 30 having a desired setting. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit 24 of the setting terminal 20 when a search operation is performed in the operation of the communication system 10 according to the embodiment. In the image shown in FIG. 5, a list of setting information candidates is displayed on the display unit 24, and a search mark 60 is associated with each of the setting information candidates. For example, when the user wants to identify a control terminal 30 having "setting information 1" set, the user touches the search mark 61. In this way, the search operation is, for example, an operation of selecting the search mark 60 associated with each of the setting information candidates displayed on the display unit 24 (specifically, a touch operation).

[0055] The notification command unit 223 transmits a notification command in accordance with the user's search operation received by the operation reception unit 25 (S15). The notification command is a command to cause the control terminal 30 to issue a notification in order to identify the control terminal 30 with the desired settings. The notification command includes the setting information specified by the search operation. Note that the information included in the notification command may be information for identifying the setting information specified by the search operation. The notification command is transmitted to all control terminals 30 constituting the mesh network 50 via the communication unit 21 (and the mesh network 50) and the communication unit 31.

[0056] When the acquisition unit 321 of the control terminal 30 acquires the notification command, the determination unit 323 determines whether or not the setting information included in the acquired notification command matches the setting information stored in the storage unit 33 (S16). Note that if the information included in the notification command is not setting information but identification information for identifying the setting information, the determination unit 323 determines whether or not the setting information matches the identification information for identifying the setting information stored in the storage unit 33. This determination is performed in each of all control terminals 30 constituting the mesh network 50.

[0057] If the determination unit 323 determines that the setting information included in the notification command matches the setting information stored in the storage unit 33, the control unit 322 issues a notification using the notification unit 34 (S17). The control unit 322 notifies the user, for example, by flashing an LED of the notification unit 34. The notification continues for a predetermined period after the determination by the determination unit 323. The predetermined period is, for example, 30 seconds. Here, the length of the predetermined period is not particularly limited.

[0058] Here, if the acquisition unit 321 acquires another notification command while the notification is being made, that is, before a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the determination by the determination unit 323, the control unit 322 stops the notification. As a result, the notification by the control terminal 30 is stopped and then another control terminal 30 makes a notification, which prevents the user from confusing the control terminal 30 they want to search for.

[0059] In addition, if the judgment unit 323 determines in step S16 that the setting information included in the notification command does not match the setting information stored in the memory unit 33, the control terminal 30 does not perform the processing of step S17 (notification using the notification unit 34).

[0060] According to the above operation, the setting terminal 20 transmits setting information to configure each of the multiple control terminals 30, and transmits a notification command to the mesh network 50 to cause a control terminal 30 that has been configured as desired to make a notification among the multiple control terminals 30 that make up the mesh network 50. In other words, the user can use the setting terminal 20 to easily identify the control terminal 30 that has been configured as desired from among the multiple configured control terminals 30.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the devices 40 included in the mesh network 50 are lighting devices, but they do not have to be lighting devices. The devices 40 may be lighting-related devices other than lighting devices. An example of lighting-related devices other than lighting devices is a projector. A projector is a device that projects an image onto a target such as a wall or a screen. The image output from the projector is, for example, an image that imitates a natural subject such as sunlight filtering through the trees (shadows of trees), a sandy beach, a waterfall, or the surface of water.

[0062] Furthermore, the device 40 may be a device other than a lighting-related device. The other device may be a device not directly related to lighting, such as an air conditioner, a ventilation system, a camera, a speaker, a motion sensor, or an environmental sensor. The environmental sensor may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide concentration sensor, and a PM (Particle Matter) sensor.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the plurality of control terminals 30 and the plurality of devices 40 constitute a mesh network 50, but this does not have to be the case. In other words, the communication system 10 may be realized by the plurality of control terminals 30 and the plurality of devices 40 that constitute a communication network other than the mesh network 50.

[0064] [Effects, etc.] Below, examples of technologies that can be obtained from the contents disclosed in this specification will be given, and the effects of the illustrated technologies will be described.

[0065] Technique 1 is a setting terminal 20 that includes a communication unit 21 that communicates with a plurality of control terminals 30, each of which controls a device 40 in response to user operation; a setting unit 222 that uses the communication unit 21 to send setting information to each of the plurality of control terminals 30, thereby setting which device 40 is to be controlled by operation on each of the plurality of control terminals 30 and how; and an alarm command unit 223 that uses the communication unit 21 to send an alarm command to each of the plurality of control terminals 30, thereby causing a control terminal 30 of the plurality of control terminals 30 that has the same settings as those specified in the alarm command to issue an alarm.

[0066] Such a setting terminal 20 transmits setting information to configure each of the multiple control terminals 30, and transmits a notification command to cause a control terminal 30 that has been configured as desired to make a notification. Therefore, the user can easily identify the control terminal 30 that has been configured as desired from among the multiple configured control terminals 30.

[0067] Technique 2 is a control terminal 30 including a control unit 322 that controls devices 40 in response to user operation, a communication unit 31 that receives setting information from a setting terminal 20 indicating a first setting for which devices 40 are controlled by the operation and in what manner, a memory unit 33 that stores the received setting information, and an alarm unit 34 that, when the communication unit 31 receives an alarm command from the setting terminal, determines whether a second setting specified in the received alarm command matches a first setting indicated by the setting information stored in the memory unit 33, and issues an alarm when it determines that the second setting matches the first setting.

[0068] Such a control terminal 30 issues a notification when it determines that the setting information specified in the notification command matches the setting information stored in the storage unit 33. Therefore, when the control terminal 30 is the control terminal 30 that the user is trying to identify, the control terminal 30 can notify the user that it is the control terminal 30.

[0069] Technique 3 is a control terminal 30 of technique 2 in which the notification unit 34 determines whether the identification information of the second setting specified in the received notification command matches the identification information of the first setting indicated by the setting information stored in the memory unit 33.

[0070] Such a control terminal 30 issues a notification when it determines that the identification information of the setting information specified in the notification command matches the identification information of the setting information stored in the storage unit 33. Therefore, when the control terminal 30 is the control terminal 30 that the user is trying to identify, the control terminal 30 can notify that it is the control terminal 30 in question.

[0071] Technique 4 is the control terminal 30 of Technique 2 or 3, in which the notification unit 34 continues to notify for a predetermined period of time when it is determined that the second setting and the first setting match.

[0072] Such a control terminal 30 continues to make a notification for a predetermined period of time when it determines that the setting information specified in the notification command matches the setting information stored in the storage unit 33. Therefore, when the control terminal 30 is the control terminal 30 that the user is trying to identify, the control terminal 30 can notify the user that it is the control terminal 30 in question.

[0073] Technique 5 is a control terminal 30 according to any one of techniques 2 to 4, in which the notification unit stops notification when another notification command is received by the communication unit 31 during a predetermined period.

[0074] Such a control terminal 30 can prevent multiple control terminals 30 from simultaneously issuing notifications, thereby preventing users from becoming confused.

[0075] Technique 6 is a control terminal 30 of any one of techniques 2 to 5, in which device 40 is a lighting-related device.

[0076] Such a control terminal 30 issues a notification when it determines that the setting information for controlling the lighting-related device specified in the notification command matches the setting information for controlling the lighting-related device stored in the storage unit 33. Therefore, when the control terminal 30 is set to control the lighting-related device in accordance with the content that the user intends to perform, the control terminal 30 can notify that it is the control terminal 30.

[0077] In the seventh technique, the control terminal 30 and the device 40 constitute a mesh network 50, and the control terminal 30 is one of the control terminals 30 in the second to sixth techniques.

[0078] When such a control terminal 30 belongs to the mesh network 50, if it is the control terminal 30 that the user is trying to identify, it can announce that it is the control terminal 30.

[0079] Technique 8 is a control method executed by a computer, and includes a setting step of transmitting setting information to each of a plurality of control terminals 30, each of which controls a device 40 in response to a user operation, to set in each of the plurality of control terminals 30 which device 40 will be controlled by the operation and in what way; and an alarm command step of transmitting an alarm command to each of the plurality of control terminals 30, to cause a control terminal 30 among the plurality of control terminals 30 that has the same setting as the setting specified in the alarm command to issue an alarm.

[0080] In this control method, setting information is transmitted to configure a plurality of control terminals 30, and a notification command is transmitted to cause a control terminal 30 with the desired setting to make a notification among the plurality of control terminals 30. Therefore, the user can easily identify the control terminal 30 with the desired setting from among the plurality of configured control terminals 30.

[0081] Technique 9 is a program for executing the control method of technique 8.

[0082] Such a program can assist the user in identifying a control terminal 30 that has the desired settings from among a plurality of control terminals 30 that have already been set.

[0083] (Other embodiments) The setting terminal, control terminal, control method, and program according to the present invention have been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. As long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present invention, various modifications that a person skilled in the art can conceive of to the embodiments, and other forms constructed by combining some of the components of the embodiments, are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the communication system is realized by a plurality of devices. As such, the "system" in this specification may be composed of a plurality of devices or a single device. When the system is composed of a plurality of devices, the components (especially functional components) of the system may be distributed among the devices in any manner.

[0085] Furthermore, the method of communication between the devices in the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited. Furthermore, a relay device (such as a broadband router, not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0087] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0088] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 20 Setting terminal 21 Communications Department 222 Settings 223 Alarm Command Center 30 Control Terminal 31 Communications Department 322 Control Unit 323 Judgment section 33 Storage section 34 Information Department 40 equipment 50 mesh networks

Claims

1. a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of control terminals that each control a device in response to a user's operation; a setting unit that transmits setting information to each of the plurality of control terminals using the communication unit, thereby setting which of the devices is to be controlled and how the device is to be controlled by the operation in each of the plurality of control terminals; a notification command unit that causes a control terminal among the plurality of control terminals that has the same setting as the setting specified in the notification command to perform a notification by transmitting a notification command to each of the plurality of control terminals using the communication unit; Setting terminal.

2. a control unit that controls the device in response to a user's operation; a communication unit that receives setting information from a setting terminal, the setting information indicating a first setting as to how the device is controlled by the operation; a storage unit for storing the received setting information; a notification unit that, when the communication unit receives a notification command from the setting terminal, determines whether a second setting specified in the received notification command matches the first setting indicated by the setting information stored in the storage unit, and issues a notification when it is determined that the second setting matches the first setting. Control terminal.

3. the notification unit determines whether or not the identification information of the second setting specified in the received notification command matches the identification information of the first setting indicated by the setting information stored in the storage unit. The control terminal according to claim 2.

4. the notification unit continues to make the notification for a predetermined period of time when it determines that the second setting and the first setting match.

4. The control terminal according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The notification unit stops the notification when another notification command is received by the communication unit during the predetermined period.

5. The control terminal according to claim 4.

6. The device is a lighting-related device.

4. The control terminal according to claim 2 or 3.

7. The control terminal and the device form a mesh network.

4. The control terminal according to claim 2 or 3.

8. 1. A computer-implemented control method comprising: a setting step of transmitting setting information to each of a plurality of control terminals that control devices in response to user operations, thereby setting in each of the plurality of control terminals which devices are to be controlled in accordance with the operations; a notification command step of causing a control terminal among the plurality of control terminals that has the same setting as the setting specified in the notification command to perform notification by transmitting a notification command to each of the plurality of control terminals; Control method.

9. A program for executing the control method according to claim 8.

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