Control System

Abstract

To provide a control system capable of maintaining a comfortable environment inside a building for users. [Solution] The cloud server 1 includes a control mode memory unit 133 that stores multiple types of control modes in association with priorities, an operating state acquisition unit 111 that acquires operating state information of the device 3, an air quality acquisition unit 113 that acquires air quality information within the building, a control mode selection unit 114 that selects one control mode from the control modes stored in the control mode memory unit 133 based on the operating state information and the air quality information, and an equipment control unit 119 that controls the device 3 in the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 114.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to control systems. [Background technology]

[0002] An air conditioner has been proposed that includes a detection unit that detects indicators of the indoor environment and a control unit that determines the indoor situation based on the detected indicators and controls the operation of the humidifier (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-070882 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, there is a demand for maintaining a comfortable environment for users within a building by appropriately controlling the devices installed within the building in response to changes in the environment within the building.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide a control system that can maintain an environment inside a building that is comfortable for users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the control system according to the present disclosure comprises: At least one device; a server; The server a control mode storage unit that stores at least one type of control mode for controlling the at least one device in association with a preset priority; a control mode selection unit that selects at least one control mode from the at least one type of control mode stored in the control mode storage unit; a device control unit that controls the at least one device in one control mode selected by the control mode selection unit, the at least one device operates in either a first device operation mode in which the device operates based on first control information acquired from the device control unit, or a second device operation mode in which the device operates based on operation information acquired from an operation device for operating the at least one device; When the at least one device operates in the second device operation mode, the at least one device transmits driving notification information to the server notifying that the device has been driven in accordance with the instruction from the server; The device control unit avoids execution of control in the one control mode selected by the control mode selection unit for the at least one device that is a sender of the driving notification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a control mode selection unit selects at least one control mode based on at least one of operating state information and air quality information, and if multiple control modes are selected, selects one control mode based on the priority of each of the selected control modes. The device control unit then controls at least one device in the one control mode selected by the control mode selection unit. This prevents the environment inside the building from deviating from the environment desired by users, for example, due to multiple devices being simultaneously controlled in different control modes. This allows the environment inside the building to be maintained as comfortable for users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an operating state storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an air quality storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] 1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a control mode storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a schedule storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B show examples of operation screen images displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows a case where the ventilation device is operating in a control mode for suppressing an increase in CO2, and FIG. 1B shows a case where the ventilation device is operating in a control mode for suppressing a decrease in room temperature. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B show examples of operation screen images displayed on the display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment, in which (A) shows a case where the ventilation device is operating in a control mode for suppressing the intrusion of pollen and PM2.5, and (B) shows a case where the ventilation device is operating in a control mode for energy-saving operation. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment when the ventilation device is operating in manual mode. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment when the ventilation device is operating in priority operation mode. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image for setting the contents of a control mode displayed on the display unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image for setting an operation schedule for a ventilation device, which is displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The control system according to the embodiment includes a control mode storage unit that stores at least one control mode for controlling at least one device, in association with a combination of an operating state condition for the operating state of the at least one device and an air quality condition for the air quality in a building in which the at least one device is installed, and a preset priority, an air quality acquisition unit that acquires air quality information indicating the air quality in the building, an operating state acquisition unit that acquires the operating state information indicating the operating state of the at least one device, an air quality acquisition unit that acquires the air quality information indicating the air quality in the building in which the at least one device is installed, a control mode selection unit that selects at least one control mode from the at least one control mode stored in the control mode storage unit based on at least one of the operating state information and the air quality information, and, if multiple control modes are selected, selects one control mode based on the priority of each of the selected control modes, and a device control unit that controls the at least one device in the one control mode selected by the control mode selection unit.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the control system according to this embodiment includes an environmental sensor 2, a plurality of devices 3 installed in a building H, a terminal device 5, and a cloud server 1. The plurality of devices 3 include, for example, device 3A, which is an air conditioner, and device 3B, which is a ventilation system. The plurality of devices 3 are each connected to a local network NW2 established in the building H via a communication adapter 41. The local network NW2 is connected to a wide area network NW1 via a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 42. The cloud server 1 and the terminal device 5 can communicate with each other via the wide area network NW1, and the cloud server 1 can communicate with the communication adapter 41 via both the wide area network NW1 and the local network NW2. A weather server 6 is also connected to the wide area network NW1. The local network NW2 is, for example, a wired local area network (LAN) or a wireless LAN, and the wide area network NW1 is, for example, the Internet.

[0011] When the weather server 6 acquires air quality request information including regional information indicating the region where building H is located, the weather server 6 generates air quality information including information indicating the temperature, humidity, PM2.5 concentration, and pollen concentration in the region where building H is located, which is indicated by the regional information included in the acquired air quality request information. The weather server 6 then transmits the generated air quality information to the sender of the air quality request information. When the weather server 6 acquires weather information request information transmitted from, for example, the cloud server 1, the weather server 6 generates air quality information based on the regional information included in the acquired weather information request information, and transmits the generated air quality information to the cloud server 1.

[0012] Device 3A, which is an air conditioner, and device 3B, which is a ventilation device, each have an environmental sensor (not shown) that measures the air quality inside building H. Here, the environmental sensor that measures the air quality inside building H of device 3A, which is an air conditioner, consists of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc., provided in an indoor unit installed inside building H. Also, the environmental sensor that measures the air quality inside building H of device 3B, which is a ventilation device, consists of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc., that measure the temperature and humidity of air passing through device 3B when air inside building H is discharged to the outside of building H. Devices 3A and 3B also each have an environmental sensor (not shown) that measures the air quality outside building H. Here, the environmental sensor that measures the air quality of device 3A consists of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc., provided in an outdoor unit installed outside building H. Also, the environmental sensor of device 3B consists of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc., that measure the temperature and humidity of air passing through device 3B when air outside building H is introduced into building H. Each time a preset information transmission time arrives, the device 3 generates operating state information indicating the operating state of the device 3 and air quality information indicating the air quality measured by the environmental sensor, and transmits these to the cloud server 1. The device 3 also operates in one of the following operation modes: a first device operation mode in which the device operates based on first control information acquired from the device control unit 119 of the cloud server 1; a second device operation mode in which the device operates based on operation information acquired from the operation device 32 for operating the device 3 or the terminal device 5; and a third device operation mode in which the device operates based on second control information acquired from another device 3 or the operation device 32, etc. When the device 3 operates in the second device operation mode, it transmits operating notification information to the cloud server 1, and when it operates in the third device operation mode, it transmits priority operating notification information to the cloud server 1.

[0013] The environmental sensor 2 is, for example, a CO2 sensor that measures the CO2 concentration inside the building H. The environmental sensor 2 transmits air quality information indicating the measured air quality to the cloud server 1 every time a preset information transmission time arrives.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the cloud server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary memory 103, a communication unit 106, a clock unit 108, and a bus 109 interconnecting these components. The CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main memory 102 has a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory 103 is made up of a large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for implementing various functions of the cloud server 1. The communication unit 106 is connected to a wide area network NW1. The clock unit 108 has, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock) and notifies the CPU 101 of the clocked time information.

[0015] The CPU 101 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes them, thereby functioning as an operating state acquisition unit 111, an operating state notification unit 112, an air quality acquisition unit 113, a control mode selection unit 114, a control mode notification unit 115, a control mode management unit 116, a schedule setting unit 117, an execution feasibility notification unit 118, and an appliance control unit 119, as shown in FIG. 3 . The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 2 also includes an operating state storage unit 131, an air quality storage unit 132, a control mode storage unit 133, and a schedule storage unit 134, as shown in FIG. 3 . The operating state storage unit 131 stores operating state identification information indicating the operating state of each of the multiple appliances 3 in association with appliance identification information identifying the appliance 3 and appliance operation mode information indicating the type of control of the appliance 3, as shown in FIG. 4(A), for example. The operating state storage unit 131 also stores the appliance identification information of the multiple appliances 3 in association with user identification information of the users who own the multiple appliances 3. Here, the device identification information may be, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address assigned to each device 3. The user identification information may be an email address or a user ID registered by the user in the cloud server 1. Furthermore, the device operation mode information is set to any one of information indicating a first device operation mode in which the device 3 operates by adaptive control based on the operating state conditions and air quality conditions by the cloud server 1, information indicating a second device operation mode in which the device 3 operates based on operation information from the operation device 32, information indicating a third device operation mode in which the device 3 operates according to control information from another device 3 other than the cloud server 1, and information indicating a forced operation mode in which an operation previously designated by the user is forcibly performed. In the example shown in Figure 4(A), the devices 3 identified by device identification information IDD[0] and IDD[2] are in heating operation and dehumidification operation, respectively, and the device 3A, which is an air conditioner identified by operating state identification information IDM[0] and IDM[2], is in heating operation and dehumidification operation, and the device 3B, which is a ventilation device identified by device identification information IDD[1], is in so-called heat exchange ventilation operation, in which air inside building H is exhausted and air outside building H is introduced simultaneously.In addition, the devices 3 identified by the device identification information IDD[0] and IDD[1] are each set to ICC[0], which indicates that they operate in the first device operating mode described above, and the device 3 identified by the device identification information IDD[2] is set to ICC[1], which indicates that they operate in the second device operating mode described above.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4B, the air quality storage unit 132 stores air quality information indicating the air quality inside and outside the building H in which the device 3 is installed, in association with information source identification information indicating the source from which the air quality information was obtained. The air quality storage unit 132 also stores the air quality information in association with the user identification information of the user residing in the corresponding building H. The air quality information includes indoor temperature information and indoor humidity information indicating the temperature and humidity inside the building H, and CO2 concentration information indicating the CO2 concentration inside the building H. The air quality information also includes outdoor temperature information and outdoor humidity information indicating the temperature and humidity outside the building H, PM2.5 concentration information indicating the PM2.5 concentration, and pollen concentration information indicating the pollen concentration. The example shown in FIG. 4B indicates that indoor temperature information, indoor humidity information, CO2 concentration information, outdoor temperature information, and outdoor humidity information are obtained from the device 3A identified by information source identification information IDS[0]. It also indicates that indoor temperature information, indoor humidity information, outdoor temperature information, and outdoor humidity information are acquired from device 3B identified by information source identification information IDS[2]. It also indicates that outdoor temperature information, outdoor humidity information, PM2.5 concentration information, and pollen concentration information are acquired from weather server 6 assigned information source identification information IDS[i].

[0017] The control mode storage unit 133 stores control mode information indicating multiple control modes for controlling the device 3, in association with combinations of operating conditions for the operating state of the device 3 and air quality conditions for the air quality inside and outside the building H in which the device 3 is installed, and preset priorities. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the control mode storage unit 133 stores control mode information indicating the control mode for controlling the device 3, in association with corresponding air quality condition information, operating condition condition information, and priority information indicating preset priorities. The control mode storage unit 133 also stores the control mode information, air quality condition information, operating condition condition information, and priority information in association with user identification information of the user of the device 3 corresponding to the control mode information, air quality condition information, operating condition condition information, and priority information. Here, the "priority" shown in FIG. 5A indicates that the smaller the value, the higher the priority. For example, the example shown in FIG. 5A indicates that when the air quality condition of at least a CO2 concentration of 500 ppm or higher is met, the device 3 is controlled based on the control mode indicated by the control mode information DCM[0], i.e., the "occupancy increase control" control mode, which exhausts CO2 from the building H to the outside. Also, suppose that the air quality satisfies both an air quality condition that the CO2 concentration is 500 ppm or higher and an air quality condition that the temperature Ti inside building H is 15°C or lower and the humidity Mi inside building H is 65% or higher. In this case, based on the priority information corresponding to each control mode information, the device 3 is controlled based on the control mode information with the higher priority, i.e., the control mode indicated by control mode information DCM[0].

[0018] 5(B), the schedule storage unit 134 stores period information indicating the period for executing adaptive control and the period for executing compulsory control for each device 3 in association with control type identification information indicating the type of control, such as adaptive control, compulsory control, etc. Here, when adaptive control is executed, a control mode is selected based on the air quality conditions, operating state conditions, and priorities described above, and the operating state of the device 3 is controlled based on the selected control mode.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 3 , when the driving state acquisition unit 111 acquires driving state information periodically transmitted from each device 3, the driving state acquisition unit 111 stores the acquired driving state information in the driving state storage unit 131 in association with device identification information that identifies the device 3 that transmitted the driving state information. Here, the driving state acquisition unit 111 extracts, for example, a MAC address included in header information of a packet including the driving state information acquired from the device 3, and stores the extracted MAC address in association with the driving state information in the driving state storage unit 131. Furthermore, when the driving state acquisition unit 111 acquires driving notification information or priority driving notification information from the device 3, the driving state acquisition unit 111 updates the driving state information stored in the driving state storage unit 131 based on the acquired driving notification information or priority driving notification information. The driving state notification unit 112 transmits the driving state information stored in the driving state storage unit 131 to the terminal device 5 identified by the user identification information associated therewith.

[0020] The air quality acquisition unit 113 acquires air quality information for the building H in which the device 3 is installed. Specifically, the air quality acquisition unit 113 acquires, from each device 3, air quality information indicating the air quality inside and outside the building H, measured by an environmental sensor provided in each device 3. The air quality acquisition unit 113 also acquires air quality information indicating the air quality measured by the environmental sensor 2 installed in the building H, from the environmental sensor 2. Furthermore, the air quality acquisition unit 113 acquires air quality information indicating the air quality in the area in which the building H is located from the weather server 6. Here, the air quality acquisition unit 113 acquires outside-building air quality information from the weather server 6 by transmitting air quality information request information to the weather server 6, requesting the weather server 6 to transmit air quality information indicating the temperature, humidity, etc. of the area in which the building H is located.

[0021] When the device control unit 119 executes adaptive control of the device 3, the control mode selection unit 114 selects at least one control mode from among the multiple control modes stored in the control mode storage unit 133 based on at least one of the operating state information acquired by the operating state acquisition unit 111 and the air quality information acquired by the air quality acquisition unit 113. Here, the control mode selection unit 114 selects control mode information corresponding to at least one of the operating state conditions satisfied by the operating state of the device 3 indicated by the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality conditions satisfied by the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132. If the control mode selection unit 114 selects multiple pieces of control mode information, it selects one control mode based on the priority of each of the selected pieces of control mode information. The control mode notification unit 115 transmits the control mode information selected by the control mode selection unit 114 to the terminal device 5. Also, suppose that control mode selection unit 114 cannot select control mode information because there is no control mode information that satisfies the operating state conditions or air quality conditions among the control mode information stored in control mode storage unit 133. In this case, control mode selection unit 114 notifies device control unit 119 that it is not possible to select a control mode.

[0022] When control mode management unit 116 acquires setting information including control mode information, air quality information, operating state condition information, and priority information transmitted from terminal device 5, it extracts the control mode information, air quality information, operating state condition information, and priority information from the acquired setting information. Then, control mode management unit 116 updates the control mode information, air quality information, operating state condition information, and priority information stored in control mode storage unit 133 with the extracted control mode information, air quality information, operating state condition information, and priority information. When schedule setting unit 117 acquires schedule information indicating the control schedule of device 3 transmitted from terminal device 5, it updates the schedule information stored in schedule storage unit 134 with the acquired schedule information.

[0023] The execution possibility notifying unit 118 determines whether the operating state information stored in the operating state memory unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality memory unit 132 contain operating state information and air quality information necessary for determining whether the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode are satisfied. The execution possibility notifying unit 118 determines that the control mode is executable if the operating state information stored in the operating state memory unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality memory unit 132 contain all of the operating state information and air quality information necessary for determining the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode. On the other hand, the execution possibility notifying unit 118 determines that the control mode is not executable if the operating state information stored in the operating state memory unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality memory unit 132 do not contain any of the operating state information and air quality information necessary for determining the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode. The executability notifying unit 118 generates executability notifying information indicating whether each of the identified control modes is executable, and transmits the generated executability notifying information to the terminal device 5.

[0024] The device control unit 119 controls the device 3 in the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 114. Specifically, the device control unit 119 generates control information for the device 3 based on the control mode information and controls the operation of the device 3 by transmitting the generated control information to the corresponding device 3. Furthermore, when the device control unit 119 is notified by the control mode selection unit 114 that it is not possible to select a control mode, the device control unit 119 identifies control information for causing the device 3 to operate in the second device operation mode, i.e., the manual operation mode, immediately before it operated in the first device operation mode. The device control unit 119 then generates selection-impossible notification information including the identified control information and transmits it to the device 3. Furthermore, the device control unit 119 avoids transmitting control information to the device 3 operating in the third device operation mode.

[0025] Returning to FIG. 2 , the terminal device 5 is, for example, a smartphone, and includes a CPU 501, a main memory unit 502, an auxiliary memory unit 503, a display unit 504, an input unit 505, a communication unit 506, and a bus 509 connecting these units to one another. The main memory unit 502 has a volatile memory such as RAM and is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The main memory unit 502 also has an image-only memory (not shown) that temporarily stores image information to be displayed on the display unit 504. The auxiliary memory unit 503 is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory and stores programs for the CPU 501 to execute various processes. The display unit 504 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The input unit 505 is, for example, a transparent touchpad placed on top of the display unit 504. The communication unit 506 is connected to the wide area network NW1 and transmits information transferred from the CPU 501 to the cloud server 1 via the wide area network NW1, and transfers information received from the cloud server 1 via the wide area network NW1 to the CPU 501.

[0026] The CPU 501 reads out the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503 into the main storage unit 502 and executes them, thereby functioning as an operating status acquisition unit 511, a control mode acquisition unit 512, a screen generation unit 513, a display control unit 514, a reception unit 515, a setting notification unit 516, and an execution feasibility notification acquisition unit 517, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 503 shown in FIG. 2 also includes an operating status storage unit 531, a control mode storage unit 532, an image storage unit 533, and a display information storage unit 534, as shown in FIG. 3. The image-only memory of the main storage unit 502 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a display screen storage unit 521 that temporarily stores screen images to be displayed on the display unit 504. The operating status storage unit 531 stores operating status information indicating the operating status of at least one device 3 among the devices 3 installed in the building H, which is acquired from the cloud server 1, in association with the device identification information of the device 3.

[0027] The control mode storage unit 532 stores control mode information for controlling the device 3. The image storage unit 533 stores various types of image information including image information showing basic icon images for constructing an operation screen image. The display information storage unit 534 stores multiple types of preset message information indicating the control mode for controlling the device 3, each associated with a combination of operating status information and device identification information of the corresponding device 3. The display information storage unit 534 also stores multiple types of preset message information indicating the operating status of the device 3, each associated with a combination of operating status information and device identification information of the corresponding device 3.

[0028] When operating state acquisition unit 511 acquires operating state information transmitted from cloud server 1, it stores the acquired operating state information together with corresponding device identification information in operating state storage unit 531. When control mode acquisition unit 512 acquires control mode information transmitted from cloud server 1, it stores the acquired control mode information in control mode storage unit 532. When execution possibility notification acquisition unit 517 acquires the above-mentioned execution possibility notification information transmitted from cloud server 1, it notifies screen generation unit 513 of the acquired execution possibility notification information.

[0029] The screen generation unit 513 generates one operation screen image to be displayed on the display unit 504, including the operating state information and control mode information of the device 3, in order to provide a screen for the user to check when operating the device 3. Specifically, the screen generation unit 513 first selects message information corresponding to the various types of image information stored in the image storage unit 533, the operating state information and device identification information stored in the operating state storage unit 531, and the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 532, from among the multiple types of message information stored in the display information storage unit 534. The screen generation unit 513 then generates an operation screen image including the selected message information. The screen generation unit 513 stores image information representing the generated operation screen image in the display screen storage unit 521. The display control unit 514 displays the operation screen image corresponding to the information stored in the display screen storage unit 521 on the display unit 504.

[0030] Receiving unit 515 receives the operation content performed by the user on input unit 505, generates operation information according to the received operation content, and notifies setting notification unit 516. If the operation information indicates an operation for setting a control mode for controlling device 3, setting notification unit 516 generates setting information including control mode information, operating state condition information, air quality condition information, and priority information based on the operation information, and transmits the generated setting information to cloud server 1. Furthermore, if the operation information indicates an operation for setting a control schedule for device 3, setting notification unit 516 generates schedule information indicating the control schedule for device 3 based on the operation information, and transmits the generated schedule information to cloud server 1.

[0031] Next, the operation of the control system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 16. Here, it is assumed that the devices 3A and 3B are operating in a first device operation mode based on control information transmitted from the cloud server 1. First, as shown in FIG. 6, when a preset information transmission time for the device 3A arrives, the device 3A, which is an air conditioner, generates operating status information indicating the operating status of the device 3A, indoor air quality measured by an environmental sensor provided in the device 3A, indoor air quality information indicating the indoor air quality, and outdoor air quality information (hereinafter simply referred to as "air quality information") (step S1). Next, the generated operating status information and air quality information are transmitted from the device 3A to the cloud server 1 (step S2). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operating status information and air quality information from the device 3A, the cloud server 1 updates the operating status information stored in the operating status storage unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 with the acquired operating status information and air quality information (step S3). Furthermore, when a preset information transmission time for device 3B arrives, device 3B, which is a ventilation device, generates operating state information indicating the operating state of device 3B, as well as air quality information indicating the air quality inside the building measured by an environmental sensor provided in device 3B (step S4). Subsequently, the generated operating state information and air quality information are transmitted from device 3B to cloud server 1 (step S5). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operating state information and air quality information from device 3B, cloud server 1 updates the operating state information stored in operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality information stored in air quality storage unit 132 with the acquired operating state information and air quality information (step S6).

[0032] Furthermore, when a preset information transmission time for the environmental sensor 2 arrives, the environmental sensor 2 generates the measured air quality inside the building and air quality information indicating the air quality inside the building (step S7). The generated air quality information is then transmitted from the environmental sensor 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S8). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires air quality information from the environmental sensor 2, it updates the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 with the acquired air quality information (step S9). Next, when a preset time arrives to acquire air quality information from the weather server 6, the cloud server 1 transmits air quality information request information to the weather server 6, requesting the weather server 6 to transmit air quality information (step S10). Meanwhile, when the weather server 6 acquires the air quality information request information, it generates air quality information indicating the air quality outside the building H (step S11). The generated air quality information is then transmitted from the weather server 6 to the cloud server 1 (step S12). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires the air quality information from the weather server 6, it updates the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 with the acquired air quality information (step S13). Thereafter, the devices 3A and 3B transmit operating state information and air quality information each time the aforementioned information transmission period arrives, and the environmental sensor 2 transmits operating state information and air quality information each time the aforementioned information transmission period arrives. In addition, the cloud server 1 acquires air quality information from the weather server 6 by transmitting air quality information request information to the weather server 6 each time the aforementioned air quality information acquisition period arrives.

[0033] 7, assume that a user subsequently performs a startup operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to start a program for executing a device control process for controlling the device 3, and then a preset adaptive control period start time arrives. Then, assume that a preset control mode update time arrives, and the cloud server 1 determines that the operating state stored in the operating state storage unit 131 satisfies the operating state conditions and the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 (step S14). In this case, based on the priority information stored in the control mode storage unit 133, the cloud server 1 selects one piece of control mode information that satisfies at least one of the operating state conditions satisfied by the operating state of the device 3 indicated by the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality conditions satisfied by the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 (step S15). Next, the cloud server 1 generates control information for controlling the device 3 based on the selected control mode information (step S16). Here, if the selected control mode is to start operation of device 3B, which is a ventilation device, cloud server 1 generates control information for controlling the operation of device 3B. Then, the generated control information is transmitted from cloud server 1 to, for example, device 3B (step S17). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information from cloud server 1, device 3B starts operation in accordance with the received control information (step S18).

[0034] Thereafter, the device 3B generates operating state information indicating its own operating state (step S19). Next, the generated operating state information is transmitted from the device 3B to the cloud server 1 (step S20). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operating state information, the cloud server 1 updates the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 with the acquired operating state information (step S21). Next, the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 and the updated operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 are transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5 (step S22).

[0035] On the other hand, when the terminal device 5 acquires the operating state information, it selects, from the message information stored in the display information storage unit 534, message information indicating the control mode indicated by the acquired control mode information and message information indicating the operating state indicated by the operating state information. Then, the terminal device 5 generates an operation screen image including the selected message information (step S23). Subsequently, the terminal device 5 displays the generated operation screen image on the display unit 504 (step S24). Here, the terminal device 5 displays, for example, an operation screen image GA1 as shown in FIG. 8(A) on the display unit 504. The operation screen image GA1 includes a message image M121 indicating the type of control of the device 3B, a message image M111 indicating the control mode of the device 3B, which is a ventilation device, and a message image M131 indicating the operating state of the device 3B. Here, the message image M111 indicates the aforementioned control mode "control when the number of people increases," and the message image M131 indicates an operating state in which the device 3B exhausts CO2 from inside the building H to outside the building H. The operation screen image GA1 also includes an icon image GA121 representing the operating state of the device 3B, and a button image BU11 indicating the touch position on the input unit 505 for switching the operation screen image GA1 to an operation screen image for changing the settings of the control mode described below.

[0036] Alternatively, the terminal device 5 displays, for example, an operation screen image GA2 as shown in FIG. 8(B) on the display unit 504. Note that in FIG. 8(B), the same components as those in FIG. 8(A) are denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation screen image GA2 includes a message image M121, a message image M112 indicating the type of control of the device 3B, and a message image M132 indicating the operating state of the device 3B, which is a ventilation device. Here, the message image M121 indicates that the cloud server 1 coordinates and adaptively controls the devices 3A. Furthermore, the message image M112 indicates a control mode "defrost control" for defrosting the device 3A, which is an air conditioner, and the message image M132 indicates the operating state in which the device 3B is operated to suppress a decrease in the indoor temperature of the building H. Furthermore, the operation screen image GA2 includes an icon image GA122 indicating the operating state of the device 3B, and a button image BU11.

[0037] The terminal device 5 also displays an operation screen image GA3, such as that shown in FIG. 9(A), on the display unit 504. Note that in FIG. 9(A), the same components as those in FIG. 8(A) are denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation screen image GA3 includes a message image M121, a message image M113 indicating the control mode of the device 3B, and a message image M133 indicating the operating state of the device 3B, which is a ventilation device. Here, the message image M113 indicates a control mode "Pollen / PM2.5 intrusion suppression control" that suppresses the intrusion of pollen and PM2.5 into the building H, and the message image M133 indicates the operating state in which the device 3B is operated to introduce air from outside the building H into the building H to create a positive pressure inside the building H relative to the outside of the building H. The operation screen image GA2 also includes an icon image GA123 indicating the operating state of the device 3B, and a button image BU11. Alternatively, the terminal device 5 displays, for example, an operation screen image GA4 as shown in FIG. 9(B) on the display unit 504. Note that in FIG. 9(B), the same components as those in FIG. 8(A) are denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation screen image GA4 includes a message image M121, a message image M114 indicating the control mode of the device 3B, which is a ventilation device, and a message image M134 indicating the operating state of the device 3B. Here, the message image M114 indicates the control mode "seasonal control" that performs suppression according to the season, and the message image M134 indicates the operating state in which the device 3B is operated so as to reduce power consumption according to the season.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 7 , assume that when the adaptive control mode update time arrives, the cloud server 1 determines that the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 and the operating state stored in the operating state storage unit 131 do not satisfy the operating state conditions, as shown in FIG. 10 (step S25). In this case, the cloud server 1 transmits, for example, to device 3B, selection failure notification information notifying that the cloud server 1 cannot select control mode information from the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 (step S26). The selection failure notification information includes control information for causing device 3B to operate in the second device operating mode, i.e., the same as the operation in the manual operation mode, immediately before device 3B controls device 3B in the adaptive control mode. Meanwhile, upon receiving the selection failure notification information from the cloud server 1, device 3B starts operating in the second device operating mode based on the control information included in the selection failure notification information and identical to the control content when device 3B was operating in the second device operating mode before (step S27). Here, device 3B operates based on operation information input from the operating device 32.

[0039] Thereafter, the device 3B generates driving notification information indicating that the device 3B has been driven in accordance with the instructions from the cloud server 1 (step S28). Next, the generated driving notification information is transmitted from the device 3B to the cloud server 1 (step S29). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the driving notification information, the cloud server 1 updates the driving state information stored in the driving state storage unit 131 based on the acquired driving notification information (step S30). Next, the updated device operation mode information and driving state information stored in the driving state storage unit 131 are transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5 (step S31).

[0040] Meanwhile, when the terminal device 5 acquires the appliance operation mode information and the operating state information, it selects, from the message information stored in the display information storage unit 534, message information indicating manual operation indicated by the acquired appliance operation mode information and message information indicating the operating state indicated by the operating state information. Then, the terminal device 5 generates an operation screen image including the selected message information (step S32). Subsequently, the terminal device 5 displays the generated operation screen image on the display unit 504 (step S33). Here, the terminal device 5 displays, for example, an operation screen image GA5 as shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit 504. Note that in FIG. 11, the same components as those in FIG. 9(A) are denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation screen image GA5 includes a message image M122 and a message image M135 indicating the operating state of the appliance 3B. Here, the message images M122 and M135 each indicate that the appliance 3B is in the second appliance operation mode described above, i.e., being manually operated by the user. The operation screen image GA2 also includes an icon image GA125 representing the operating state of the device 3B and a button image BU11.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 10, it is assumed again that the device 3A generates control information (step S34) and transmits the generated control information to the device 3B (step S35). In this case, the device 3B starts operating in accordance with the control information transmitted from the device 3A, i.e., in the third device operation mode (step S36). Next, the device 3B generates priority operation notification information notifying that operation in accordance with the control information transmitted from the device 3A is prioritized (step S37). The generated priority operation notification information is then transmitted from the device 3B to the cloud server 1 (step S38). Meanwhile, upon receiving the priority operation notification information, the cloud server 1 updates the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 131 based on the received priority operation notification information (step S39). Here, the cloud server 1 sets the device operation mode information stored in the operation state storage unit 131 to information indicating priority operation. The device control unit 119 then avoids transmitting control information to the device 3 operating in the third device operation mode. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the updated device operation mode information and operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 are transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5 (step S40).

[0042] On the other hand, when the terminal device 5 acquires the appliance operation mode information and the operating state information, the terminal device 5 selects, from the message information stored in the display information storage unit 534, message information indicating manual operation indicated by the acquired appliance operation mode information and message information indicating the operating state indicated by the operating state information. Then, the terminal device 5 generates an operation screen image including the selected message information (step S41). Subsequently, the terminal device 5 displays the generated operation screen image on the display unit 504 (step S42). Here, the terminal device 5 displays, for example, an operation screen image GA6 as shown in FIG. 13 on the display unit 504. Note that in FIG. 13, the same components as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation screen image GA6 includes a message image M123 and a message image M136 indicating the operating state of the appliance 3B. Here, the message images M123 and M136 respectively indicate that the appliance 3B is operating in the third appliance operation mode, i.e., in accordance with control information from the other appliance 3A. The operation screen image GA2 also includes an icon image GA125 representing the operating state of the device 3B and a button image BU12. Here, the button image BU12 has a display mode indicating that the operation screen image GA6 will not be switched even if the portion of the input unit 505 corresponding to the button image BU12 is touched.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 12 , it is assumed again that the user performs a control mode switching preparation operation via the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to switch the control mode of the device 3. This control mode switching operation corresponds to, for example, the user touching a portion of the input unit 505 corresponding to the button image BU11 while the operation screen image GA1 shown in FIG. 9A is displayed on the display unit 504 of the terminal device 5. When the terminal device 5 accepts the control mode switching operation (step S43), execution possibility notification request information inquiring about the execution possibility of various control modes is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S44). Here, the execution possibility notification request information includes information indicating control mode information selectable by the user. Meanwhile, upon receiving the execution possibility notification request information, the cloud server 1 determines whether each control mode indicated by the execution possibility notification request information is executable based on the operating state condition information and the air quality condition information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 (step S45). Here, the cloud server 1 determines whether the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 contain operating state information and air quality information necessary to determine whether the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode are satisfied. If the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 contain all of the operating state information and air quality information necessary to determine the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode, the cloud server 1 determines that the control mode is executable. On the other hand, if the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 do not contain any of the operating state information and air quality information necessary to determine the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode, the cloud server 1 determines that the control mode is not executable. Thereafter, the cloud server 1 generates execution feasibility notification information indicating whether each of the identified control modes is executable (step S46). Then, the generated execution possibility notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5 (step S47).

[0044] On the other hand, when the terminal device 5 acquires the execution feasibility notification information, it generates an operation screen image for switching the control mode based on the acquired execution feasibility notification information (step S41). Subsequently, the terminal device 5 displays the generated operation screen image on the display unit 504 (step S42). Here, the terminal device 5 displays, for example, an operation screen image GA7 as shown in FIG. 14 on the display unit 504. The operation screen image GA7 includes a button image BU21 indicating a portion to be touched to switch between manual operation and adaptive control by the cloud server 1 in the input unit 505, message images M141, M142, M143, and M144 indicating various control modes, and check box images CB1, CB2, CB3, and CB4 for specifying various control modes. The operation screen image GA7 also includes a button image BU21 indicating a portion to be touched to complete setting of the control mode in the input unit 505.

[0045] 12, suppose that the user performs a control mode switching operation via input unit 505 while terminal device 5 is displaying, for example, operation screen image GA7 shown in FIG. 14 on display unit 504. Specifically, this corresponds to the case where the user performs an operation to specify a control mode and then touches a portion of input unit 505 corresponding to button image BU21. In this case, terminal device 5 accepts the control mode switching operation (step S43), and setting information indicating the new control mode set by the accepted control mode switching operation is transmitted from terminal device 5 to cloud server 1 (step S44). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the setting information, cloud server 1 updates the control mode information stored in control mode storage unit 133 based on the acquired setting information (step S45). 15, based on the updated priority information stored in the control mode storage unit 133, the cloud server 1 selects one piece of control mode information that satisfies at least one of the operating state conditions satisfied by the operating state of the device 3 indicated by the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality conditions satisfied by the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 (step S46). Next, the cloud server 1 generates control information for controlling the device 3 based on the selected control mode information (step S47). Subsequently, the processes from step S17 onwards are executed.

[0046] Also, assume that a user performs a schedule setting operation to set an operation schedule for the appliance 3 via the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5. Here, the user performs the schedule setting operation with, for example, the operation screen image GA8 shown in FIG. 16 displayed on the display unit 504 of the terminal device 5. The operation screen image GA8 includes message images M151, M152, M153, and M154 indicating periods and the type of control for each period, and a button image BU31 indicating a portion of the input unit 505 that is touched to set whether or not to enable control corresponding to each period. The operation screen image GA8 also includes a button image BU32 indicating a portion of the input unit 505 that is touched to add a new period. The user performs the schedule setting operation while appropriately touching a portion of the input unit 505 that corresponds to the button image BU32. Returning to FIG. 15, upon receiving the schedule setting operation (step S48), the terminal device 5 generates schedule information indicating the schedule set by the schedule setting operation (step S49). Then, the generated schedule information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S50).

[0047] On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the schedule information, it updates the schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 134 with the acquired schedule information (step S51). Thereafter, when the forced control start time indicated by the updated schedule information arrives, the cloud server 1 selects control mode information corresponding to the forced control stored in the control mode storage unit 133 (step S52). Next, the cloud server 1 generates control information for controlling, for example, device 3A based on the selected control mode information (step S53). Next, the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to, for example, device 3B (step S54). On the other hand, when the device 3B acquires the control information from the cloud server 1, it starts operating in accordance with the acquired control information (step S55).

[0048] Furthermore, when the time for stopping device 3B indicated by the updated schedule information arrives, cloud server 1 generates, for example, control information for stopping device 3B (step S56). Subsequently, the generated control information is transmitted from cloud server 1 to, for example, device 3B (step S57). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information from cloud server 1, device 3B stops operation in accordance with the received control information (step S58).

[0049] Next, the device control process for controlling the device 3 executed by the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. The device control process is initiated when a program for executing the device control process is started in the cloud server 1. First, as shown in FIG. 17, the operating state acquisition unit 111 and the air quality acquisition unit 113 determine whether they have acquired operating state information and air quality information, respectively (step S101). If the operating state acquisition unit 111 and the air quality acquisition unit 113 determine that they have not acquired operating state information and air quality information (step S101: No), the process of step S103, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if at least one of the operating state acquisition unit 111 and the air quality acquisition unit 113 determines that they have acquired operating state information and air quality information (step S101: Yes), the operating state information and air quality information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality storage unit 132 are updated with the acquired operating state information and air quality information (step S102).

[0050] Next, the control mode selection unit 114 determines whether or not it is an adaptive control period by referring to the schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 134 (step S103). If the control mode selection unit 114 determines that it is not an adaptive control period (step S103: No), the process of step S115, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the control mode selection unit 114 determines that it is an adaptive control period (step S103: Yes), the control mode selection unit 114 determines whether or not the control mode update time has arrived (step S104). If the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the control mode update time has arrived (step S104: No), the process of step S115, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the control mode update time has arrived (step S104: Yes). In this case, the control mode selection unit 114 refers to the operating state condition information and air quality condition information stored in the control mode storage unit 133, and determines whether the operating state of the device 3 indicated by the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality inside and outside the building H indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 satisfy the operating state conditions indicated by the operating state condition information and the air quality conditions indicated by the air quality condition information (step S105). If the control mode selection unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating state of the device 3 and the air quality inside and outside the building H does not satisfy the operating state conditions or air quality conditions (step S105: No), the process of step S111, which will be described later, is executed.

[0051] On the other hand, if the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the operating state of the device 3 and the air quality inside and outside the building H satisfy the operating state condition and the air quality condition, respectively (step S105: Yes), it selects control mode information corresponding to the operating state condition and the air quality condition from the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 (step S106). Next, the device control unit 119 generates control information based on the selected control mode information and transmits it to the device 3 (step S107). After that, the operating state acquisition unit 111 acquires the operating state information transmitted from the device 3 (step S108) and updates the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 with the acquired operating state information (step S109). Next, the operating state notification unit 112 transmits the updated operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 to the terminal device 5, and the control mode notification unit 115 transmits the selected control mode information to the terminal device 5 (step S110). Next, the process of step S115, which will be described later, is executed.

[0052] Furthermore, if the control mode selection unit 114 determines in step S105 that at least one of the operating state of the device 3 and the air quality inside and outside the building H does not satisfy the operating state condition or the air quality condition (step S105: No), the device control unit 119 transmits the aforementioned non-selection notification information to the device 3 (step S111). This non-selection notification information includes control information for causing the device 3B to operate in the same manner as when it was operating in the second device operation mode immediately before the device 3B was controlled in the adaptive control mode. Thereafter, when the operating state acquisition unit 111 acquires the aforementioned operation notification information from the device 3 (step S112), it updates the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 based on the acquired operation notification information (step S113). At this time, the operating state acquisition unit 111 updates the device operation mode information to device operation mode information indicating the second device operation mode. Next, the operating state notification unit 112 transmits the updated appliance operation mode information and operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 to the terminal device 5 (step S114).

[0053] Next, the driving state acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not the driving notification information has been acquired from the device 3 (step S115). If the driving state acquisition unit 111 determines that the driving notification information has not been acquired (step S115: No), the process of step S118, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the driving state acquisition unit 111 determines that the driving notification information has been acquired (step S115: Yes), the driving state acquisition unit 111 updates the driving state information stored in the driving state storage unit 131 based on the acquired driving notification information (step S116). At this time, the driving state acquisition unit 111 updates the first device operation mode information stored in the driving state storage 131 and corresponding to the device 3 that has transmitted the driving notification information to the second device operation mode information. Thereafter, the driving state notification unit 112 transmits the updated device operation mode information and driving state information stored in the driving state storage unit 131 to the terminal device 5 (step S117).

[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the operating state acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not the priority driving notification information has been acquired from the device 3 (step S118). If the operating state acquisition unit 111 determines that the priority driving notification information has not been acquired (step S118: No), the process of step S121, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the operating state acquisition unit 111 determines that the priority driving notification information has been acquired (step S118: Yes), the operating state acquisition unit 111 updates the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 based on the acquired priority driving notification information (step S119). At this time, the operating state acquisition unit 111 updates the first device operation mode information stored in the operating state storage 131 and corresponding to the device 3 that transmitted the wired driving notification information to the third device operation mode information. Subsequently, the operating state notification unit 112 transmits the updated device operation mode information and operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 to the terminal device 5 (step S120).

[0055] Next, the control mode selection unit 114 determines whether the aforementioned forced control period has started by referring to the schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 134 (step S121). If the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the forced control period has not started yet (step S121: No), the process of step S121, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the forced control period has started (step S121: Yes), it selects control mode information indicating the control mode during the forced control period based on the schedule information (step S122). Next, the device control unit 119 generates control information based on the selected control mode information and transmits it to the device 3 (step S123). Thereafter, the device control unit 119 determines whether the aforementioned stop period has started by referring to the schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 134 (step S124). If the device control unit 119 determines that the stop period has not yet started (step S124: No), the device control unit 119 executes the process of step S123 described below. On the other hand, if the device control unit 119 determines that the stop period has started (step S124: Yes), the device control unit 119 generates control information for stopping the device 3 and transmits it to the device 3 (step S125).

[0056] Next, the executability notifying unit 118 determines whether or not it has received the above-described executability notification request information transmitted from the terminal device 5 (step S126). If the executability notifying unit 118 determines that it has not yet received the executability notification request information transmitted from the terminal device 5 (step S126: No), it executes the processing of step S129, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the executability notifying unit 118 determines that it has received the executability notification request information transmitted from the terminal device 5 (step S126: Yes), it determines whether or not each control mode indicated by the executability notification request information is executable, based on the operating state condition information and air quality condition information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 (step S127). Here, the executability notifying unit 118 determines whether or not the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 include operating state information and air quality information necessary for determining whether or not the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode are satisfied. The execution possibility notifying unit 118 determines that the control mode is executable when the operating state information stored in the operating state memory unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality memory unit 132 contain all of the operating state information and air quality information necessary for determining the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode. On the other hand, the execution possibility notifying unit 118 determines that the control mode is not executable when the operating state information stored in the operating state memory unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality memory unit 132 do not contain any of the operating state information and air quality information necessary for determining the operating state conditions and air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode. Next, the execution possibility notifying unit 118 generates execution possibility notifying information indicating whether each of the identified control modes is executable and transmits it to the terminal device 5 (step S128).

[0057] Next, the control mode management unit 116 determines whether or not the setting information transmitted from the terminal device 5 has been acquired (step S129). If the control mode management unit 116 determines that the setting information has been acquired (step S129: Yes), it updates the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 based on the setting information (step S130). Thereafter, the processing from step S105 onwards is executed again. On the other hand, if the control mode management unit 116 determines that the setting information has not yet been acquired (step S129: No), the schedule setting unit 117 determines whether or not the schedule information transmitted from the terminal device 5 has been acquired (step S131). If the schedule setting unit 117 determines that the schedule information has been acquired (step S131: Yes), it updates the schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 134 with the acquired schedule information (step S132). Thereafter, the processing from step S101 onwards is executed again.

[0058] As described above, in the control system according to the present embodiment, the control mode selection unit 114 selects at least one control mode based on the operating state information and the air quality information. If the control mode selection unit 114 selects multiple control modes, it selects one control mode based on the priority of each of the selected control modes. The device control unit 119 then controls the device 3 in the single control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 114. This prevents the environment in the building H from differing from the environment desired by the user, for example, due to multiple devices 3 being simultaneously controlled in different control modes. This allows the environment in the building H to be maintained as comfortable for the user.

[0059] Furthermore, the control mode management unit 116 according to this embodiment updates the operating state condition information, air quality condition information, and priority information associated with the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133, based on the setting information transmitted from the terminal device 5. This allows the user to change the control mode information by performing a control mode setting operation on the terminal device 5, thereby realizing appropriate control of the appliance 3 according to the user's preferences.

[0060] Furthermore, the device 3B according to this embodiment operates in one of three operation modes: a first device operation mode in which the device 3B operates based on control information acquired from the device control unit 119 of the cloud server 1; a second device operation mode in which the device 3B operates based on operation information acquired from an operation device 32 for operating the device 3B; and a third device operation mode in which the device 3B operates based on control information acquired from another device 3A. When the device 3B operates in the second device operation mode, it transmits driving notification information to the cloud server 1. When the device 3B operates in the third device operation mode, it transmits priority driving notification information to the cloud server 1. Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires driving notification information or priority driving notification information, it updates the driving status information stored in the driving status storage unit 131 based on the acquired driving notification information or priority driving notification information. The device control unit 119 avoids controlling the device 3B operating in the second device operation mode or the third device operation mode. As a result, when a new function that operates in the first device operation mode is added to the device 3B, it is not necessary to change the control information of the device 3A that cooperates with the device 3B so that it acquires the control information from the cloud server 1. Therefore, a function that operates in the first device operation mode can be smoothly added to the device 3B. In addition, since operation in the second device operation mode of the device 3B takes priority over operation in the first device operation mode, there is also the advantage that usability for users is improved accordingly.

[0061] Furthermore, the screen generator 513 according to this embodiment generates an operation screen image including information indicating the operating state and the above-described device operation mode of the device 3. This allows the user to grasp the operating state and the device operation mode of the device 3 on one operation screen image without switching between operation screen images, thereby improving user convenience.

[0062] Furthermore, the screen generation unit 513 according to this embodiment generates an operation screen image including information indicating whether a control mode is executable, based on the operating state condition information and air quality condition information associated with each piece of control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133. This allows the user to easily understand the available control modes.

[0063] Furthermore, the control mode selection unit 114 according to this embodiment selects control mode information based on schedule information indicating an operation schedule for the device 3 set by the user. This allows the user to set the schedule information to suit their own lifestyle, thereby improving the usability of the device 3.

[0064] Furthermore, the control mode selection unit 114 according to this embodiment selects new control mode information each time a preset control mode update period arrives. This allows the device control unit 119 to control the device 3 based on the optimal control mode at that time each time a control mode update period arrives, thereby maintaining a comfortable environment for users within the building H.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the cloud server 1 may include an air quality monitoring unit (not shown) that monitors whether the air quality indicated by the air quality information acquired from the device 3 by the air quality acquisition unit 113 satisfies the air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode information selected by the control mode selection unit 114 at the most recent control mode update period. Here, the air quality monitoring unit monitors the air quality information at a cycle shorter than the cycle at which the control mode update period occurs. Then, when the air quality monitoring unit determines that the air quality indicated by the air quality information acquired from the device 3 does not satisfy the air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode information selected at the most recent control mode update period, the control mode selection unit 114 may select new control mode information, and the device control unit 119 may generate new control information based on the newly selected control mode information.

[0066] Furthermore, the various functions of the cloud server 1 and terminal device 5 according to the present disclosure can be realized using a normal computer system, rather than a dedicated system. For example, a program for executing the above operations may be stored on a non-transitory recording medium (such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory)) that can be read by the computer system and distributed to a computer connected to a network, and the cloud server 1 and terminal device 5 that execute the above-described processes may be configured by installing the program in the computer system.

[0067] The method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. The computer then launches the program and executes it under the control of an operating system (OS) in the same way as other applications. This allows the computer to function as a cloud server 1 or terminal device 5 that executes the above-mentioned processes.

[0068] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these. The present disclosure includes appropriate combinations of the embodiments and modifications, and appropriate modifications thereto. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] The present disclosure is suitable as a control system that allows a terminal device to check the operating status of equipment and the environment inside and outside the building in which the equipment is installed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Cloud server, 2 Environmental sensor, 3, 3A, 3B equipment, 5 Terminal device, 6 Weather server, 32 Operation device, 41 Communication adapter, 42 BBR, 101, 501 CPU, 102, 502 Main memory unit, 103, 503 Auxiliary memory unit, 106, 506 Communication unit, 108 Timer unit, 109, 509 Bus, 111, 511 Operation status acquisition unit, 112 Operation status notification unit, 113, 512 Air quality acquisition unit, 114 Control mode selection unit, 115 Control mode notification unit, 116 Control mode management unit, 117 Schedule setting unit, 118 Execution possibility notification unit, 119 Equipment control unit, 131, 531 Operation status memory unit, 132 Air quality memory unit, 133 Control mode memory unit, 134 Schedule memory unit, 504 Display unit, 505 Input unit, 512 control mode acquisition unit, 513 screen generation unit, 514 display control unit, 515 reception unit, 516 setting notification unit, 517 execution possibility notification acquisition unit, 521 display screen storage unit, 533 image storage unit, 534 display information storage unit, BU11, BU12, BU21, BU31, BU32 button images, CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4 check boxes, GA1, GA2, GA3, GA4, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA8: operation screen images, GA121, GA122, GA123, GA124, GA125: icon images, H Building, M111, M112, M113, M114, M121, M122, M123, M131, M132, M133, M134, M141, M142, M143, M144, M151, M152, M153, M154 Message image, NW1 Wide area network, NW2 Local network

Claims

1. At least one device; a server; The server a control mode storage unit that stores at least one type of control mode for controlling the at least one device in association with a preset priority; a control mode selection unit that selects at least one control mode from the at least one type of control mode stored in the control mode storage unit; a device control unit that controls the at least one device in one control mode selected by the control mode selection unit, the at least one appliance operates in either a first appliance operation mode in which the appliance operates based on first control information acquired from the appliance control unit, or a second appliance operation mode in which the appliance operates based on operation information acquired from an operation device for operating the at least one appliance; When the at least one device operates in the second device operation mode, the at least one device transmits driving notification information to the server notifying that the device has been driven in accordance with an instruction from the server; The device control unit avoids execution of control in the one control mode selected by the control mode selection unit for the transmission source of the driving notification information among the at least one device. Control system.

2. the at least one device is further operable in a third device operation mode in which the device operates based on second control information different from the first control information and the operation information; the device control unit avoids executing control of the device operating in the third device operation mode. The control system of claim 1 .

3. A display unit; a screen generator that generates an operation screen image including information representing an operating state of the at least one device and an operation mode of the device; a display control unit that causes the operation screen image to be displayed on the display unit, 3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the screen generation unit generates the operation screen image including information indicating whether the at least one type of control mode is executable, based on the priority associated with the at least one type of control mode stored in the control mode storage unit. The control system of claim 3 .

5. the control mode selection unit selects the control mode based on schedule information indicating an operation schedule of the at least one device that operates in accordance with the control mode; 5. A control system according to claim 3 or 4.

Images