Control terminal, communication device, communication system, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a control terminal or the like capable of suppressing unintended behavior due to two control signals.SOLUTION: The control terminal 30 belonging to the mesh network 40 to which the plurality of communication devices 20 belong includes the communication unit 31 that transmits the first control signal to the communication device 20 located within the wireless communication range of the control terminal 30 and transmits the second control signal to the plurality of communication devices 20 via the mesh network 40 when a predetermined operation for instructing control related to the plurality of communication devices 20 is received, and the first identification information included in the first control signal and the second identification information included in the second control signal have a predetermined correspondence relationship.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A technology has been proposed for controlling communication devices such as lighting fixtures using two types of control signals. Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system (lighting control system) that controls lighting fixtures using one control signal (scene control command) and another control signal (single control command). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2022-538803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When control signals are transmitted and received using two different communication methods, as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that a communication device that receives two control signals executes two controls, resulting in control that is different from the user's intention.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a control terminal, a communication device, a communication system, a control method, and a program that can prevent unintended behavior due to two control signals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of a control terminal according to the present disclosure is a control terminal belonging to a mesh network, to which a plurality of communication devices belong in addition to the control terminal, and the control terminal has a communication unit that, when receiving a predetermined operation to instruct control of the plurality of communication devices, transmits a first control signal to a communication device located within a wireless communication range of the control terminal and transmits a second control signal to the plurality of communication devices via the mesh network, and a first identification information included in the first control signal and a second identification information included in the second control signal have a predetermined correspondence relationship.

[0007] Furthermore, one aspect of a communication device according to the present disclosure is one of a plurality of communication devices belonging to a mesh network, the communication device including: an acquisition unit that acquires control signals transmitted by a control terminal belonging to the mesh network to control at least some of the plurality of communication devices, the control signals being a first control signal transmitted directly within the wireless communication range of the control terminal and a second control signal transmitted via the mesh network; and a control unit that, when the acquisition unit acquires the first control signal and the second control signal, does not perform control based on the second control signal and transmits the second control signal to the mesh network; and, when the acquisition unit acquires the second control signal without acquiring the first control signal, performs control based on the second control signal and transmits the second control signal to the mesh network.

[0008] Also, one aspect of a communication system according to the present disclosure is a communication system comprising a plurality of the above-mentioned communication devices belonging to a mesh network, and one or more of the above-mentioned control terminals belonging to the mesh network.

[0009] Furthermore, one aspect of the control method according to the present disclosure is a control method executed by a control terminal for controlling a plurality of communication devices belonging to a mesh network, and includes the steps of accepting a predetermined operation, transmitting a first control signal for directly communicating with and controlling communication devices within the wireless communication range of the control terminal, and transmitting a second control signal including second identification information that has a predetermined correspondence with first identification information included in the first control signal for controlling at least some of the plurality of communication devices via the mesh network.

[0010] The present disclosure can be realized not only as the above-described control method, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described control method, and further as a computer-readable recording medium storing the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The control terminal, communication device, communication system, control method, and program according to the present disclosure can prevent unintended behavior due to two control signals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of a mesh network according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a signal format of a control signal according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of a control terminal, a communication device, a communication system, a control method, and a program according to the present disclosure 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 disclosure. The numerical values, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps, the order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components constituting a preferred embodiment.

[0014] 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.

[0015] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in this disclosure do not refer to the number or order of components, etc., but are used for the purpose of avoiding confusion and distinguishing between components, etc. of the same type.

[0016] [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 plurality of communication devices 20 and one or a plurality of control terminals 30.

[0017] In the communication system 10, each of the multiple communication devices 20 and one or more control terminals 30 has a wireless communication function, and the multiple communication devices 20 and one or more control terminals 30 form a mesh network 40. The mesh network 40 is an example of a wireless network.

[0018] The mesh network 40 may include devices other than the plurality of communication devices 20 and the plurality of control terminals 30. For example, the mesh network 40 may include devices such as an environmental sensor or a projector (not shown).

[0019] For example, if the communication device 20 is a lighting device, the information transmitted through the mesh network 40 is control information for controlling the on / off or dimming of the communication device 20. Furthermore, if the communication device 20 is an environmental sensor, the measurement value (sensing information) of the environmental sensor is transmitted.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of a mesh network 40 according to an embodiment. Each circle in FIG. 2 corresponds to one communication device 20 or control terminal 30 (in other words, a communication node). In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, communication devices 20a to 20e are included as the multiple communication devices 20, and three control terminals 30a to 30c are included as the multiple control terminals 30, belonging to the mesh network 40. A dashed-dotted circle centered on the control terminal 30a indicates the wireless communication range of the control terminal 30a, i.e., the range within which a control signal transmitted by the control terminal 30a can reach. The communication devices 20a and 20b receive the control signal transmitted by the control terminal 30a via direct wireless communication and communication via the mesh network 40. The communication devices 20c to 20e and the control terminals 30b and 30c receive the control signal transmitted by the control terminal 30a via communication via the mesh network 40.

[0021] Here, we will explain the transmission of information in communication via the mesh network 40. In the mesh network 40, 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 by, for example, a routing method, but may also be transmitted by other methods such as a flooding method.

[0022] In the mesh network 40, a communication path is set in advance that allows information to be distributed to the communication nodes belonging to the mesh network 40. When the first communication node unicasts information including the address information (destination information) of the second communication node based on the set communication path, other communication nodes belonging to the same mesh network 40 as the first communication node that receive the information further unicast the received information based on the set communication path. In other words, the other communication nodes relay the information. By repeating this relay of information within the same mesh network 40, the second communication node can receive the information transmitted by the first communication node.

[0023] In the mesh network 40, a communication path is set in advance that allows information to be distributed to the communication nodes belonging to the mesh network 40, but the communication path may be changed as appropriate depending on the radio wave strength of the communication node.

[0024] The first communication node may broadcast information including the address information (destination information) of the second communication node, and other communication nodes that receive the information and belong to the same mesh network 40 as the first communication node may relay the received information and further broadcast it. By repeating this relay of information within the same mesh network 40, the information transmitted by the first communication node reaches all communication nodes that belong to the same mesh network 40 as the first communication node. Therefore, the second communication node can receive the information transmitted by the first communication node.

[0025] Returning to Fig. 1, the communication device 20 will be described. The communication device 20 has a wireless communication function, and a plurality of communication devices 20, together with one or more control terminals 30, form a mesh network 40. The communication device 20 has a function of relaying an acquired control signal to another communication device 20 via the mesh network 40.

[0026] The communication device 20 is, for example, a lighting-related device. When the communication device 20 is a lighting device, for example, the communication device 20 is a base light installed on the ceiling of an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space. The communication device 20 has a function of irradiating light into the indoor space based on a control signal acquired via the mesh network 40. The form of the communication device 20 is not particularly limited, and may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. When the communication device 20 is a scheduler, the communication device 20 controls another communication device 20, which is a lighting device, to a predetermined dimming state at a predetermined time based on a predetermined schedule. Furthermore, the communication device 20 may be another lighting-related device, for example, an environmental sensor or a camera.

[0027] Specifically, the communication device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an information processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a function unit 24.

[0028] The communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit that enables the communication device 20 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with the control terminal 30 and other communication devices 20. The communication unit 21 performs communication through a mesh network 40 that is configured by a plurality of communication devices 20 and one or a plurality of control terminals 30. 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.

[0029] The information processing unit 22 executes information processing and the like for the operation of the communication device 20. The information processing unit 22 operates the communication device 20 by, for example, controlling the function unit 24. 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 control unit 222, a determination unit 223, and an output unit 224.

[0030] The acquisition unit 221 acquires a control signal.

[0031] The control unit 222 executes control based on the acquired control signal.

[0032] The determination unit 223 determines whether the acquired control signal satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0033] The output unit 224 transmits the acquired control signal to the other communication device 20.

[0034] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores various types of information necessary for the operation of the communication device 20. The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 23 include dedicated application programs for operating the communication device 20.

[0035] The functional unit 24 is a device for realizing the functions of the communication device 20 during operation of the communication device 20. The functional unit 24 is controlled by the information processing unit 22. When the communication device 20 is a lighting device, the functional unit 24 is, for example, a light source that irradiates white light into an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space. The functional unit 24 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.

[0036] Next, the control terminal 30 will be described. The control terminal 30 has a wireless communication function and configures a mesh network 40 together with a plurality of communication devices 20 and other control terminals 30. The control terminal 30 is, for example, a remote controller for controlling the communication devices 20. 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, and an operation reception unit 34.

[0037] 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 communication device 20 and other control terminals 30. The communication unit 31 performs direct communication with one or more communication devices 20 installed within the wireless communication range. The communication unit 31 also performs communication through a mesh network 40 that is configured by multiple communication devices 20 and one or more control terminals 30. Specifically, the communication unit 31 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE or Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh.

[0038] The information processing unit 32 executes information processing and the like for the control terminal 30 to transmit a control signal for controlling the communication device 20. The information processing unit 32 is realized, for example, by 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, and an output unit 323.

[0039] The acquisition unit 321 acquires the operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit 34 .

[0040] The control unit 322 generates a control signal to be transmitted based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 321 .

[0041] The output unit 323 outputs a control signal for controlling the communication device 20 and the like.

[0042] The storage unit 33 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing, such as a computer program 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 a dedicated application program for operating the control terminal 30 as a control terminal for the communication device 20.

[0043] The operation accepting unit 34 accepts user operations and is realized by, for example, a push button or the like.

[0044] Here, a description will be given of a case where a user configures the control terminal 30. Using a configuration terminal (not shown), the user configures the control target and control content of the control signal that is transmitted when, for example, the operation acceptance unit 34 of each of the multiple control terminals 30 is operated.

[0045] The setting terminal is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc. The setting terminal may also be a dedicated remote controller used in the communication system 10.

[0046] The setting terminal communicates with one of the devices that make up the mesh network 40 using, for example, a communication protocol different from that of the mesh network 40. By transmitting this communication via the mesh network 40, any control terminal 30 can be set.

[0047] Furthermore, the user can use the setting terminal to set the configuration of the mesh network 40. In other words, the user can use the setting terminal to make the communication device 20 or the control terminal 30 join the mesh network 40 and make the communication device 20 or the control terminal 30 belonging to the mesh network 40 leave the mesh network 40.

[0048] [Operation] Information exchanged within the mesh network 40 reaches the entire mesh network 40 by a communication device receiving the information and then repeatedly transmitting the received information to another communication device. In other words, information exchanged within the mesh network 40 is relayed by the communication devices and transmitted in a relay manner.

[0049] Therefore, for example, when a user operates a control terminal belonging to mesh network 40 to control a communication device to a desired state, it takes time for the communication device to reach the desired state, as long as it takes for information to be transmitted by relay. There is a demand for reducing the time required to execute control while still enabling control of multiple communication devices that belong to mesh network 40 and are installed over a wide area.

[0050] To address this issue, a control terminal has been proposed that transmits control signals using two communication methods. Such a control terminal transmits control signals using two communication methods: a control signal transmitted directly to a communication device within the control terminal's wireless communication range, and a control signal transmitted via mesh network 40. Such a control terminal has the advantage of being able to immediately control a communication device installed within the control terminal's wireless communication range, i.e., near the user operating the control terminal. However, because the control terminal transmits two control signals, a communication device installed within the control terminal's wireless communication range receives two control signals with the same control content, which can result in the communication device executing the same control content twice.

[0051] The communication system 10 according to the embodiment can prevent a communication device 20 that has acquired two control signals from behaving in an unintended manner due to the two control signals by establishing a predetermined correspondence between a first control signal that is transmitted directly to a communication device 20 within the wireless communication range of the control terminal 30 and a second control signal that is transmitted via the mesh network 40.

[0052] The user can use the first control signal to bring the communication devices 20 within the wireless communication range of the control terminal 30, i.e., around the user, into the desired controlled state in a relatively short time, and the second control signal can bring all of the multiple communication devices 20 belonging to the mesh network 40 into the desired controlled state.

[0053] The operations of the control terminal 30 and the communication device 20 according to the embodiment will be described below.

[0054] [Control terminal operation] First, a description will be given of the operation of the control terminal 30. Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control terminal 30 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the signal format of a control signal according to the embodiment.

[0055] First, the control terminal 30 accepts a user operation (S11). The user, for example, presses a push button, which is the operation acceptance unit 34. Pressing a button is an example of a predetermined operation.

[0056] Next, the control terminal 30 transmits a first control signal (S12). Specifically, the output unit 323 transmits the first control signal using the communication unit 31. The first control signal is a control signal for controlling the communication device 20 located within the wireless communication range of the control terminal 30. The first control signal is transmitted, for example, by a direct broadcast method.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 4, the first control signal includes first identification information and control content information. The first identification information is, for example, a first number. The first number can be any number within a predetermined range. The control content information is information indicating the content of the control to be executed by the communication device 20 that has received the control signal. The control content information is associated with a predetermined operation that the user has set in advance using a setting terminal.

[0058] Finally, the control terminal 30 transmits a second control signal (S13). The control unit 322 generates the second control signal, and the output unit 323 transmits the second control signal generated by the control unit 322 using the communication unit 31. The second control signal is a control signal for controlling a plurality of communication devices 20 via the mesh network 40. Here, after transmitting the first control signal, the control unit 322 transmits the second control signal at a relatively short interval, such as one second. The second control signal is transmitted, for example, by a direct unicast method.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the second control signal includes second identification information and control content information. The second identification information is, for example, a second number. The first identification information and the second identification information have a predetermined correspondence relationship. For example, the difference between the first number and the second number is a predetermined constant. For example, the predetermined constant is "1000", and when the first number is "0001", the second number is "1001".

[0060] The first identification information and the second identification information may have any correspondence relationship, as long as they have a predetermined correspondence relationship. The correspondence relationship may be, for example, that the sum of the first number and the second number is a constant, or that the second number is a predetermined constant multiple of the first number. However, the first identification information and the second identification information are different identification information. For example, the first number and the second number are not the same number, but are different numbers.

[0061] The control content information included in the first control signal and the control content information included in the second control signal are the same. In other words, the control content that the first control signal instructs communication device 20 to control is the same as the control content that the second control signal instructs communication device 20 to control.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 322 generates the second control signal by overwriting the second identification information in the area of ​​the first control signal in which the first identification information is written in a predetermined signal format.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 322 may separately generate the first control signal and the second control signal. For example, the first identification information and the second identification information are generated based on a process having a predetermined pattern, such as increment or decrement. The control unit 322 can separately generate the first identification information and the second identification information by performing a process having a predetermined pattern on identification information included in a control signal previously generated.

[0064] According to the above-described operation, when the control terminal 30 receives a predetermined operation, it transmits a first control signal and a second control signal such that the first identification information contained in the first control signal and the second identification information contained in the second control signal have a predetermined correspondence relationship, thereby preventing the communication device 20 that receives the two control signals from behaving unintentionally.

[0065] Here, the communication unit 31 transmits a first control signal in which the first identification information has been changed each time a predetermined operation is accepted, and transmits a second control signal in which the second identification information has been changed each time a predetermined operation is accepted. In other words, the control terminal 30 transmits a control signal including first identification information or second identification information that is different from the first identification information or second identification information included in the last transmitted control signal. More preferably, the control terminal 30 transmits a control signal including first identification information or second identification information that is different from the first identification information or second identification information included in a previously transmitted control signal.

[0066] [Operation of communication devices] Next, a description will be given of the operation of communication device 20. Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of communication device 20 according to the embodiment.

[0067] First, the acquisition unit 221 acquires a control signal (S21). Specifically, the acquisition unit 221 of the communication device 20 acquires the control signal received by the communication unit 21.

[0068] When the acquisition unit 221 acquires a control signal, the determination unit 223 determines whether the acquired control signal is a first control signal (S22). For example, the determination unit 223 determines that the acquired control signal is a first control signal when the identification information included in the acquired control signal is within the range of values ​​that the first identification information can take. Furthermore, the determination unit 223 may determine that the acquired control signal is a first control signal when, for example, the acquired control signal does not include information instructing that the control signal be transmitted via the mesh network 40.

[0069] If it is determined that the control signal is not the first control signal (No in S22), that is, if the determination unit 223 determines that the acquired control signal is the second control signal, the determination unit 223 determines whether or not the corresponding first control signal has been acquired in the past (S23). The determination unit 223 determines, for example, whether or not a control signal has been acquired in the past that matches the signal format of the acquired control signal in parts other than the area including the identification information.

[0070] If it is determined that the signal is a first control signal (Yes in S22), or if it is determined that a corresponding first control signal has not been acquired in the past (No in S23), the control unit 222 executes control based on the control signal (S24). Specifically, if the destination information included in the control signal includes the communication device 20, the control unit 222 executes control based on the control signal. For example, if the communication device 20 is a lighting device, the control based on the control signal is control to adjust the dimming state of a light source.

[0071] If it is determined that the corresponding first control signal has been acquired in the past (Yes in S23), or after control based on the control signal has been executed, the output unit 224 uses the communication unit 21 to transmit the control signal to the mesh network 40 (S25). If the destination information included in the control signal includes another communication device 20, the output unit 224 transmits the control signal to the other communication device 20 using the communication unit 21.

[0072] According to the above-described operation, when communication device 20 receives two control signals with the same control content, communication device 20 does not execute overlapping control, and therefore communication device 20 can be prevented from behaving unintendedly.

[0073] [Effects, etc.] The technologies derived from the disclosure of this specification are, for example, the following technologies. Below, the technologies derived from the disclosure of this specification will be described together with the effects and the like obtained by the technologies.

[0074] Technology 1 is a control terminal 30 belonging to a mesh network 40, to which a plurality of communication devices 20 belong in addition to the control terminal 30, and the control terminal 30 is equipped with a communication unit 31 that, when receiving a predetermined operation to instruct control of the plurality of communication devices 20, transmits a first control signal to the communication devices 20 located within the wireless communication range of the control terminal 30 and transmits a second control signal to the plurality of communication devices 20 via the mesh network 40, and the first identification information included in the first control signal and the second identification information included in the second control signal have a predetermined correspondence relationship.

[0075] Such a control terminal 30 can prevent a communication device 20 that receives two control signals from behaving unintentionally by transmitting a first control signal and a second control signal such that the first identification information contained in the first control signal and the second identification information contained in the second control signal have a predetermined correspondence relationship.

[0076] Technique 2 is the control terminal 30 of technique 1, in which the first identification information is a first number, the second identification information is a second number, and the difference between the first number and the second number is a predetermined constant.

[0077] Such a control terminal 30 can transmit a pair of control signals that are associated using a first number and a second number that have a predetermined correspondence relationship.

[0078] Technique 3 is a control terminal 30 of Technique 1 or 2, in which the first control signal has a predetermined signal format, and the second control signal is generated by overwriting the second identification information in an area of ​​the first control signal in which the first identification information in the predetermined signal format is written.

[0079] Such a control terminal 30 transmits a first control signal and a second control signal that share a predetermined signal format, and can easily generate the second control signal based on the first control signal.

[0080] Technique 4 is a control terminal 30 of technique 1 or 2, in which the first control signal and the second control signal are generated separately.

[0081] Such a control terminal 30 can generate the first control signal and the second control signal separately, which simplifies the process for generating the control signals.

[0082] Technique 5 is a control terminal 30 according to any one of techniques 1 to 4, in which the communication unit 31 transmits a first control signal with changed first identification information each time a predetermined operation is accepted, and transmits a second control signal with changed second identification information each time a predetermined operation is accepted.

[0083] Such a control terminal 30 can distinguish between past and present control signals because the identification information included in the first and second control signals is changed each time an operation is received. For example, such a control terminal 30 can contribute to countermeasures against replay attacks. A replay attack is one method of gaining unauthorized access to a mesh network 40 in which an unauthorized third party eavesdrops on legitimate control signals transmitted and received in the mesh network 40 and retransmits the eavesdropped control signals, thereby controlling communication devices 20 belonging to the mesh network 40.

[0084] Technique 6 is a control terminal 30 according to any one of techniques 1 to 5, in which the communication device 20 is a lighting-related device.

[0085] Such a control terminal 30 can prevent lighting-related devices that receive two control signals from behaving unintentionally.

[0086] Technology 7 relates to a communication device 20, which is one of a plurality of communication devices 20 belonging to a mesh network 40, and which includes an acquisition unit 221 that acquires a first control signal transmitted directly within the wireless communication range of the control terminal 30 and a second control signal transmitted via the mesh network 40, which are control signals transmitted by a control terminal 30 belonging to the mesh network 40 to control at least some of the plurality of communication devices 20; and a control unit 222 that, when the acquisition unit 221 acquires the first control signal and the second control signal, does not perform control based on the second control signal and transmits the second control signal to the mesh network 40, and, when the acquisition unit 221 acquires the second control signal without acquiring the first control signal, performs control based on the second control signal and transmits the second control signal to the mesh network 40.

[0087] When such communication device 20 receives two control signals with the same control content, it does not execute overlapping control, and therefore communication device 20 can be prevented from behaving unintentionally.

[0088] The technology 8 is a communication system 10 including a plurality of communication devices 20 of the technology 7 belonging to a mesh network 40, and one or more control terminals 30 of any of the technologies 1 to 6 belonging to the mesh network 40.

[0089] Such a communication system 10 can prevent the communication devices 20 from behaving unintentionally due to the two control signals, even when simultaneously using a first control signal that can bring the desired control state into effect in a relatively short time and a second control signal that can bring all of the communication devices 20 belonging to the mesh network 40 into the desired control state.

[0090] Technique 9 is a control method executed by a control terminal 30 for controlling a plurality of communication devices 20 belonging to a mesh network 40, the control method including the steps of: accepting a predetermined operation; transmitting a first control signal for directly communicating with and controlling communication devices 20 within the wireless communication range of the control terminal 30; and transmitting a second control signal including second identification information that has a predetermined correspondence with first identification information included in the first control signal, for controlling at least some of the plurality of communication devices 20 via the mesh network 40.

[0091] According to this control method, by transmitting a first control signal and a second control signal such that the first identification information contained in the first control signal and the second identification information contained in the second control signal have a predetermined correspondence relationship, it is possible to prevent communication device 20 that receives the two control signals from behaving unintentionally.

[0092] Technique 10 is a program for causing the control terminal 30 to execute the control method of technique 9.

[0093] Such a program can help prevent the communication device 20 that receives the two control signals from behaving unintentionally.

[0094] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0095] For example, the first control signal and the second control signal in the above-described embodiment may be repeatedly transmitted multiple times. For example, when a predetermined user operation is received, the output unit 323 of the control terminal 30 may transmit the same first control signal 20 times in succession at intervals of several milliseconds, and then transmit the same second control signal 20 times in succession at intervals of several milliseconds. By repeatedly transmitting the same control signal multiple times, such control terminal 30 can ensure that the control signal is received by the communication device 20 more reliably.

[0096] For example, in the above embodiment, the communication system is realized by a plurality of devices. When the communication system is realized by a plurality of devices in this way, the components (particularly functional components) of the communication system may be allocated in any manner among the plurality of devices.

[0097] Furthermore, the method of communication between the devices in the above-described embodiments is not particularly limited. Furthermore, a relay device (such as a gateway device) (not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0102] For example, the present disclosure may be realized as a control method executed by a computer such as the communication system of the above-described embodiment, or as a program for causing a computer to execute the control method (in other words, a computer program product).Furthermore, the present disclosure may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0103] In addition, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the intent of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10. Communication Systems 20, 20a~20e Communication equipment 21 Communications Department 22 Information Processing Department 221 Acquisition Department 222 Control Unit 30, 30a to 30c Control terminal 31 Communications Department 40 Mesh Network

Claims

1. A control terminal belonging to a mesh network, In addition to the control terminal, a plurality of communication devices belong to the mesh network, the control terminal includes a communication unit that, when receiving a predetermined operation for instructing control of the plurality of communication devices, transmits a first control signal to a communication device located within a wireless communication range of the control terminal and transmits a second control signal to the plurality of communication devices via the mesh network; the first identification information included in the first control signal and the second identification information included in the second control signal have a predetermined correspondence relationship; Control terminal.

2. the first identification information is a first number, the second identification information is a second number, The difference between the first number and the second number is a predetermined constant. The control terminal according to claim 1.

3. the first control signal has a predetermined signal format; the second control signal is generated by overwriting the second identification information in an area of ​​the first control signal in which the first identification information is described in the predetermined signal format.

3. The control terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first control signal and the second control signal are generated separately.

3. The control terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The communication unit transmitting the first control signal in which the first identification information has been changed each time the predetermined operation is accepted; transmitting the second control signal in which the second identification information has been changed every time the predetermined operation is accepted; 3. The control terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The communication device is a lighting-related device.

3. The control terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

7. One communication device among a plurality of communication devices belonging to a mesh network, an acquisition unit that acquires control signals transmitted by a control terminal belonging to the mesh network to control at least some of the plurality of communication devices, the control terminal acquiring a first control signal transmitted directly within a wireless communication range of the control terminal and a second control signal transmitted via the mesh network; a control unit that, when the first control signal and the second control signal are acquired by the acquisition unit, does not execute control based on the second control signal and transmits the second control signal to the mesh network, and, when the acquisition unit does not acquire the first control signal but acquires the second control signal, executes control based on the second control signal and transmits the second control signal to the mesh network. Communication equipment.

8. a plurality of communication devices according to claim 7 that belong to a mesh network; and one or more control terminals according to claim 1 or 2 belonging to the mesh network. Communication system.

9. A control method executed by a control terminal for controlling a plurality of communication devices belonging to a mesh network, comprising: accepting a predetermined operation; transmitting a first control signal for directly communicating with and controlling a communication device within a wireless communication range of the control terminal; transmitting a second control signal including second identification information that has a predetermined correspondence relationship with the first identification information included in the first control signal, for controlling at least some of the plurality of communication devices via the mesh network; Control method.

10. A program for causing the control terminal to execute the control method according to claim 9.

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