Control system, control device and method

Abstract

The objective is to provide a control system, control device, and method that can improve user convenience. [Solution] According to the embodiment, a control system is provided comprising a terminal device configured to periodically transmit data and a control device configured to receive data transmitted from the terminal device. The control device includes a first control means for controlling the device to operate when data is received and setting a time for the device to operate, and a second control means for controlling the device to stop operating if no data is received between the time the operating time is set and the time elapsed.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] ,

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a control system, a control device, and a method.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, for the purpose of energy conservation and the like, it is known to control equipment using a human presence sensor capable of detecting human movement, for example.

[0003] However, when using a human presence sensor as described above, it may not be possible to achieve the expected control of the equipment, and the convenience for the user may be low.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0007] [Figure 1] A diagram illustrating the outline of a control system relating to a comparative example of the embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the overview of the control system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 5] A block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a control device. [Figure 6] A diagram illustrating the specific configuration of lighting equipment. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure of a control system. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating an example of the process for registering configuration information. [Figure 9] A diagram illustrating another example of the process for registering configuration information. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of the data structure of configuration information. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of the data structure of data transmitted from a terminal device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a control system configured to provide a service for controlling equipment is described, and such equipment is assumed to be, for example, lighting equipment installed in a building.

[0009] Here, with reference to Figure 1, an overview of a control system according to a comparative example of this embodiment will be described. In the control system 1 shown in Figure 1, for example, a motion sensor 3 is installed near a lighting device 2, and the motion sensor 3 is connected to the lighting device 2. The motion sensor 3 is configured to detect the movement of a person (i.e., a user) in the vicinity of the motion sensor 3 based on temperature changes caused by infrared radiation emitted from the person.

[0010] With such a control system 1, for example, if the motion sensor 3 detects a user's movement, the lighting device 2 can be controlled to turn on based on the output from the motion sensor 3 (i.e., the result of detecting the user's movement). On the other hand, if the motion sensor 3 does not detect a user's movement, the lighting device 2 can be controlled to turn off.

[0011] In other words, as described above, the control system 1 that utilizes the motion sensor 3 can achieve energy savings by providing a service that turns on the lighting equipment 2 only when user movement is detected.

[0012] However, as described above, the motion sensor 3 is configured to detect user movement and cannot detect a user who is not moving. Therefore, in the control system 1 according to the comparative example of this embodiment, if the user is not moving (or moving very little) near the motion sensor 3 after the lighting device 2 has been turned on, the lighting device 2 will turn off even though the user is near the lighting device 2, and the control system 1 will not be able to achieve the expected control of the lighting device 2 (i.e., the control system 1 will perform lighting control that is contrary to expectations).

[0013] Therefore, in the comparative example of the above-described embodiment, it may not be possible to realize lighting control that is highly convenient for the user.

[0014] Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a control system 10 that provides a service for controlling the lighting device 2 without depending on the above-described human sensor 3 is proposed.

[0015] Although details will be described later, the control system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a terminal device 11 and a control device 12.

[0016] The terminal device 11 is, for example, a smartphone or the like possessed by a user, and operates to periodically transmit data. Further, the control device 12 corresponds to a communication device having a function of communicating with the terminal device 11, and operates to turn on the lighting device 2 when data periodically transmitted from the terminal device 11 is received.

[0017] According to such a control system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, as long as the control device 12 can receive data transmitted from the terminal device 11 possessed by the user regardless of whether the user is moving, the lighting device 2 can be maintained lit without being turned off.

[0018] Hereinafter, the control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 11 included in the control system 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 11 includes a storage unit 111, a management unit 112, and a communication unit 113.

[0019] The storage unit 111 stores setting information regarding data transmitted and received between the terminal device 11 and the control device 12. Note that, for example, a bit pattern or the like is set in the setting information stored in the storage unit 111.

[0020] The management unit 112 manages the configuration information stored in the storage unit 111. The management unit 112 performs processes such as registering, modifying, and deleting the configuration information stored in the storage unit 111.

[0021] The communication unit 113 periodically transmits data of the bit pattern set in the configuration information, for example, by referring to the configuration information stored in the storage unit 111.

[0022] Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 11 described above. As shown in Figure 4, the terminal device 11 includes a processor 11a, non-volatile memory 11b, main memory 11c, and communication device 11d, etc.

[0023] The processor 11a is configured to control the operation of each component within the terminal device 11, and may be, for example, a CPU. The processor 11a may be a single processor or composed of multiple processors. The processor 11a executes various programs loaded from the non-volatile memory 11b into the main memory 11c. The communication device 11d is, for example, a device for communicating with the control device 12.

[0024] In this embodiment, the storage unit 111 shown in Figure 3 is realized by the non-volatile memory 11b shown in Figure 4 or other storage device (not shown), etc.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, some or all of the management unit 112 and communication unit 113 shown in Figure 3 may be implemented by having the processor 11a shown in Figure 4 execute a predetermined program (i.e., software), or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or by a configuration combining software and hardware.

[0026] In Figure 4, the terminal device 11 was described as comprising a processor 11a, non-volatile memory 11b, main memory 11c, and communication device 11d. However, as mentioned above, if the terminal device 11 is, for example, a smartphone, then the terminal device 11 may further include a touchscreen display (touch panel and display), etc.

[0027] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 12 included in the control system 10. As shown in Figure 5, the control device 12 includes a storage unit 121, a management unit 122, a communication unit 123, and a control unit 124.

[0028] The storage unit 121 stores setting information related to data transmitted and received between the terminal device 11 and the control device 12. The setting information stored in the storage unit 121 is the same as the setting information stored in the storage unit 111 included in the terminal device 11 described above.

[0029] The management unit 122 manages the configuration information stored in the storage unit 121. The management unit 122 performs processes such as registering, modifying, and deleting the configuration information stored in the storage unit 121.

[0030] The communication unit 123 receives data transmitted from the terminal device 11. The communication unit 123 then determines whether the bit pattern of the received data matches the bit pattern set in the configuration information stored in the storage unit 121.

[0031] When the communication unit 123 receives data with a bit pattern that matches the bit pattern set in the above-mentioned configuration information, the control unit 124 controls the lighting device 2 so that it lights up (i.e., the lighting device 2 operates) and sets the time for which the lighting device 2 stays lit (hereinafter referred to as the device operating time).

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit 124 controls the lighting device 2 so that it turns off (i.e., stops operating) if it does not receive data transmitted from the terminal device 11 (data of the bit pattern set in the setting information) between the time the device operating time is set and the time the device operating time has elapsed, as described above.

[0033] Although not shown in the figures, the hardware configuration of the control device 12 is generally the same as that of the terminal device 11 described above, and the control device 12 is assumed to include, for example, a processor, non-volatile memory, main memory, and communication devices. In this case, the storage unit 121 shown in Figure 5 is realized by the non-volatile memory or other storage device provided in the control device 12. Furthermore, the management unit 122, communication unit 123, and control unit 124 shown in Figure 5 may be realized by having the processor provided in the control device 12 execute a predetermined program (i.e., software), by hardware such as an IC, or by a configuration that combines software and hardware.

[0034] In this embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the control device 12 is provided separately from the lighting equipment 2, but the control device 12 may also be incorporated into the lighting equipment 2 as a control unit, for example.

[0035] Here, with reference to Figure 6, a specific embodiment of the lighting equipment 2 incorporating the control device 12 as a control unit will be described. In the example shown in Figure 6, the lighting equipment 2 comprises a lighting equipment body 201 and LEDs (bars) 202.

[0036] Although not shown in Figure 6, for example, the lighting fixture body 201 incorporates a host controller (not shown) for the lighting fixture 2, and this host controller is connected to the control device 12. The host controller and control device 12 of the lighting fixture 2 can be connected via a connection interface such as a USB connector or a pin slot connector. The connection of the host controller and control device 12 of the lighting fixture 2 in this way is equivalent to providing the lighting fixture 2 with communication functionality.

[0037] The lighting equipment unit 201 (host interface) may be connected to, for example, a commercial power supply and configured to supply power to the control device 12 connected to the host interface.

[0038] The LED 202 is powered by the lighting fixture body 201. The control device 12 may also have a built-in actuator for driving the LED 202, which is connected to the LED 202. This allows the control device 12 to control the on / off state of the LED 202. The control device 12 may also be configured to adjust the light output of the LED 202, for example, via a dimming interface.

[0039] The following describes an example of the processing procedure of the control system 10 according to this embodiment, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7. Figure 7 primarily describes the processing of the control device 12. Furthermore, it is assumed that the lighting equipment 2 is turned off when the processing in Figure 7 begins.

[0040] First, in this embodiment, the terminal device 11 and the control device 12 are connected in a way that enables communication, and short-range wireless communication is assumed to be performed between the terminal device 11 and the control device 12. Short-range wireless communication is assumed to be wireless communication based on Bluetooth® or Bluetooth Low Energy (hereinafter referred to as BLE) or Wi-Fi®, etc.

[0041] In this embodiment, the terminal device 11 (communication unit 113) is configured to periodically transmit data equivalent to a beacon, for example. According to the short-range wireless communication described above, the control device 12 (communication unit 123) can receive data transmitted from the terminal device 11 when the user possessing the terminal device 11 is near the control device 12 (i.e., the lighting equipment 2). On the other hand, if the user possessing the terminal device 11 is not near the control device 12 (i.e., the lighting equipment 2), the control device 12 (communication unit 123) cannot receive data transmitted from the terminal device 11.

[0042] First, the control unit 124 included in the control device 12 determines whether or not the data for controlling the lighting equipment 2 (hereinafter referred to as equipment control data) transmitted from the terminal device 11 has been received by the communication unit 123 (step S1).

[0043] Here, the storage unit 111 included in the terminal device 11 stores configuration information, and the device control data described above is the bit pattern data set in the configuration information. In this embodiment, the bit pattern corresponds to the password set between the terminal device 11 and the control device 12, and as described above, the storage unit 121 included in the control device 12 stores the same configuration information as the configuration information stored in the storage unit 111 included in the terminal device 11.

[0044] According to this, the control unit 124 can determine whether or not the data received by the communication unit 123 is equipment control data by referring to the setting information stored in the storage unit 121.

[0045] In other words, even if data is received by the communication unit 123, if the bit pattern of the data received by the communication unit 123 does not match the bit pattern set in the configuration information stored in the storage unit 121, it is determined that the device control data has not been received by the communication unit 123. If no data is received by the communication unit 123, it is determined that the device control data has not been received by the communication unit 123.

[0046] On the other hand, if the bit pattern of the data received by the communication unit 123 matches the bit pattern set in the configuration information stored in the storage unit 121, it is determined that the device control data has been received by the communication unit 123.

[0047] If it is determined that the device control data has not been received by the communication unit 123 (NO in step S1), the process in step S1 is repeated.

[0048] On the other hand, if it is determined that the equipment control data has been received by the communication unit 123 (YES in step S1), the control unit 124 controls the lighting equipment 2 and turns on the lighting equipment 2 (step S2).

[0049] Here, the control unit 124 has a timer, and when the process in step S2 is executed, the above-mentioned equipment operating time is set in the timer (step S3). After the equipment operating time is set in step S3, the timer operates to notify the system that the time has elapsed. The equipment operating time set in the timer is assumed to be, for example, 10 minutes, but it may be any other time. Note that the process in step S3 may be, for example, a process to start the timer on which the equipment operating time has been set.

[0050] Next, the control unit 124 determines whether or not the above-mentioned device control data has been received by the communication unit 123 (step S4). Since the process in step S4 is the same as the process in step S1 described above, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0051] If it is determined that the device control data has been received by the communication unit 123 (YES in step S4), the process returns to step S3 and is repeated. In other words, if the device control data is received by the communication unit 123 after the device operating time has been set in the timer, the process of resetting the device operating time in the timer (i.e., updating the timer and extending the device operating time) is executed.

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined that the equipment control data has not been received by the communication unit 123 (NO in step S4), the control unit 124 determines whether or not the equipment operating time described above has elapsed (step S5). In step S5, it can be determined that the equipment operating time has elapsed if the timer described above notifies that the equipment operating time has elapsed (that is, the timer on which the equipment operating time is set has run out and the timer has output that the equipment operating time has elapsed).

[0053] If it is determined that the device operating time has not elapsed (NO in step S5), the process returns to step S4 and is executed.

[0054] On the other hand, if it is determined that the equipment operating time has elapsed (YES in step S5), the control unit 124 controls the lighting equipment 2 to turn it off (step S6).

[0055] According to the process shown in Figure 7 above, when a user possessing the terminal device 11 enters an area where short-range communication with the control device 12 is possible, the lighting device 2 can be controlled to turn on (i.e., start turning on the lighting device 2). Furthermore, according to the process shown in Figure 7, the operating time of the lighting device 2 can be extended so that it remains lit as long as the user possessing the terminal device 11 continues to stay within the area where short-range communication with the control device 12 is possible. Moreover, according to the process shown in Figure 7, when a user possessing the terminal device 11 leaves an area where short-range communication with the control device 12 is possible, the lighting device 2 can be controlled to turn off (i.e., stop turning on the lighting device 2).

[0056] In Figure 7, the terminal device 11 and the control device 12 are described as communicating using, for example, Bluetooth (short-range wireless communication). However, wireless communication between the terminal device 11 and the control device 12 may be conducted using, for example, Wi-Fi® or LoRa®, or other standards. In this embodiment, however, since it is necessary to turn on the lighting device 2 when the user possessing the terminal device 11 is near the control device 12, if wireless communication using, for example, Wi-Fi is conducted between the terminal device 11 and the control device 12, the distance between the terminal device 11 and the control device 12 can be estimated based on the received signal strength of the data received by the control device 12, and the lighting device 2 can be turned on if the estimated distance is less than or equal to a predetermined value. Instead of estimating the distance, the signal strength of the data received by the terminal device 11 in the control device 12 may be used, and the lighting device 2 can be turned on if the signal strength is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0057] By the way, in Figure 7, the lighting device 2 can be turned on when the control device 12 receives the bit pattern data (i.e., device control data) set in the configuration information. Therefore, the control system 10 cannot turn on the lighting device 2 unless it is a terminal device 11 in which the configuration information is registered (i.e., a terminal device 11 in which the configuration information is stored in the storage unit 111). In other words, in the control system 10 according to this embodiment, a service to control the lighting device 2 is provided only to specific users who possess a terminal device 11 in which the configuration information has been registered in advance, making it possible to avoid situations in which the lighting device 2 is turned on by beacons or the like transmitted from other terminal devices.

[0058] In this embodiment, the bit pattern set in the configuration information registered in the terminal device 11 may be different for each user who can use the control system 10, or it may be common to multiple users who can use the control system 10.

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, it is necessary to register setting information in the terminal device 11 in advance. This setting information can be registered (stored) in the terminal device 11 by downloading an application program (hereinafter referred to as the equipment control application) for operating as the terminal device 11 in the control system 10 to the terminal device 11. With this, by starting the application program in the terminal device 11 and enabling the service (function) for controlling the lighting equipment 2, it becomes possible to periodically transmit bit pattern data set in the setting information from the terminal device 11.

[0060] The configuration information may also be registered in the terminal device 11 by entering a password obtained from the building administrator where the lighting equipment 2 is installed on a screen like the one shown in Figure 8, which is displayed when the above-mentioned equipment control application is launched (i.e., based on user input operations performed on the terminal device 11).

[0061] Furthermore, the configuration information may also be registered by reading a two-dimensional code, such as the one shown in Figure 9, which is placed inside the building, using a terminal device 11 that has launched the equipment control application. In this case, the configuration information encoded in the two-dimensional code may be registered in the terminal device 11, or the configuration information obtained after accessing the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) encoded in the two-dimensional code and undergoing user authentication may be registered in the terminal device 11.

[0062] This explanation assumes that configuration information is newly registered in the terminal device 11. However, the process of registering the configuration information described above may also be executed when changing or switching the configuration information (including the bit patterns, etc.).

[0063] In this embodiment, the lighting device 2 is controlled (for example, turned on) when the bit pattern of the data transmitted from the terminal device 11 matches the bit pattern set in the setting information stored in the storage unit 121 of the control device 12 (hereinafter referred to as the setting information of the control device 12). However, the content of the control performed according to the bit pattern may differ.

[0064] Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration information for the control device 12. As shown in Figure 10, the configuration information for the control device 12 includes control content (permitted control) associated with each of the multiple bit patterns. In other words, the configuration information can be said to be information in which different control content is set for each bit pattern.

[0065] In the example shown in Figure 10, for example, if data with the bit pattern "01010101" is transmitted from the terminal device 11, the control described in "Control Content 1" is performed.

[0066] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 10, it is indicated that if data with the bit pattern "11110000 00001111" is transmitted from the terminal device 11, the control described in "Control Content 2" will be performed.

[0067] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 10, it is indicated that if data with the bit pattern "11001100 00110011" is transmitted from the terminal device 11, the control described in "Control Content 3" will be performed.

[0068] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 10, it is indicated that if data with the bit pattern "01110001 01010101 0011" is transmitted from the terminal device 11, the control described in "Control Content 4" will be performed.

[0069] In other words, according to the configuration information of the control device 12 as shown in Figure 10, it becomes possible to perform different types of control based on the data transmitted from the terminal device 11 according to the configuration information (i.e., bit pattern) registered in the terminal device 11.

[0070] In the configuration information shown in Figure 10, it was explained that bit patterns and control content are included in correspondence. However, the configuration information may also include, for example, unique data for identifying the terminal device 11, the device control application running on the terminal device 11, or the user who possesses the terminal device 11, instead of the bit pattern. With such configuration information, for example, when the unique data is transmitted from the terminal device 11, it becomes possible to perform control according to that unique data.

[0071] Furthermore, the configuration information may include the bit pattern and unique data described above. In this case, for example, data in which the bit pattern and unique data are stored (arranged) at different starting positions can be transmitted from the terminal device 11, making it possible to perform control according to the combination of the bit pattern and unique data.

[0072] Furthermore, in the setting information shown in Figure 10, different control content is set for each bit pattern. This control content may differ for each bit pattern, for example, the time for which the lighting device 2 is turned on (i.e., the device operating time). For example, the device operating time could be set to 10 seconds, 60 seconds, 10 minutes, and 60 minutes. Also, the control content may differ for each bit pattern, for example, the brightness of the lighting device 2 when it is turned on.

[0073] The setting information in this embodiment can be, for example, information indicating conditions for controlling the lighting device 2, and by receiving data that matches these conditions, it becomes possible to control various lighting devices 2.

[0074] The following describes an example of the data structure (packet format) of data transmitted from the terminal device 11, referring to Figure 11. Here, we assume that the data is transmitted as, for example, a BLE beacon.

[0075] As shown in Figure 11, the data transmitted from the terminal device 11 includes a header, payload 1, and payload 2.

[0076] The header stores management information defined by the communication method used when transmitting data from the terminal device 11. This management information includes, for example, packet type and address information.

[0077] Payload 1 stores the bit pattern data described above. Payload 2 stores the unique data described above. The unique data may be, for example, data specific to the terminal device 11, data specific to the device control application, or data specific to the user.

[0078] The data transmitted from the terminal device 11 may include additional data, such as data specified by the communication method used when transmitting data from the terminal device 11.

[0079] The data structure shown in Figure 11 is just one example, and in the data transmitted from the terminal device 11, either Payload 1 or Payload 2 may be omitted. Also, in the data transmitted from the terminal device 11, the order of Payload 1 and Payload 2 may be reversed from the data structure shown in Figure 11.

[0080] In this embodiment, it has been explained that a service to control the lighting equipment 2 is provided only to specific users because setting information is registered in the terminal device 11 and the control device 12. However, if the goal is simply to control the lighting equipment 2 when data transmitted from the terminal device 11 is received by the control device 12, a simpler configuration in which setting information is omitted is also acceptable.

[0081] As described above, the control system 10 according to this embodiment includes a terminal device 11 configured to periodically transmit data and a control device 12 configured to receive data transmitted from the terminal device 11. In this embodiment, when data is received, the control device 12 controls the lighting device 2 to turn on and sets the device operation period (the time during which the lighting device 2 is lit). Furthermore, if no data is received between the time the device operation period is set and the time the device operation period has elapsed, the control device 12 controls the lighting device 2 to turn off.

[0082] In this embodiment, the above-described configuration makes it possible to improve user convenience.

[0083] Specifically, as explained in Figure 1 above, in the control system 1 that utilizes the motion sensor 3, the lighting device 2 turns off if the user is not moving near the motion sensor 3. In contrast, according to the control system 10 of this embodiment, as explained in Figure 2, it is possible to turn on the lighting device 2 even when the user is not moving, thus enabling the control of the lighting device 2 as expected by the user.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lighting device 2 can be turned off when there is no user in its vicinity, thereby achieving energy savings in the control of the lighting device 2.

[0085] In this embodiment, the communication between the terminal device 11 and the control device 12 is assumed to be short-range wireless communication based on, for example, Bluetooth. With this configuration, in order to control the lighting device 2 (i.e., to provide a service to control the lighting device 2), it is not necessary to perform tasks such as LAN (Local Area Network) connection or WAN (Wide Area Network) connection to the lighting device 2, and thus the control system 10 can be easily realized. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is also the advantage that the control of the lighting device 2 based on data transmitted from the terminal device 11 can be performed offline without preparing a server device or the like (i.e., introducing a large-scale system).

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by configuring the system to reset the equipment operating period if data is received before the equipment operating period has elapsed, it is possible to keep the lighting equipment 2 stably lit as long as a user is near the lighting equipment 2 (i.e., the control device 12 receives the data).

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by configuring the terminal device 11 and the control device 12 to send and receive pre-set bit pattern data (i.e., device control data), it becomes possible to provide a service that controls the lighting equipment 2 to a specific user who possesses a terminal device 11 on which setting information with a set bit pattern is registered.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, by referring to setting information that includes different control content associated with each of a plurality of bit patterns, the lighting device 2 may be controlled based on the control content included in the setting information in relation to the bit pattern of the received data. With such a configuration, appropriate control of the lighting device 2 can be performed according to the data (bit pattern) transmitted from the terminal device 11.

[0089] By the way, in this embodiment, we have mainly described the case where the device controlled by the control system 10 (hereinafter referred to as the controlled device) is the lighting device 2, but the controlled device may be a device other than the lighting device 2.

[0090] Specifically, the controlled device may be a display device. When the controlled device is a display device, for example, it becomes possible to display predetermined information on the display device while the control device 12 is receiving data transmitted from a terminal device 11 held by the user as the user approaches. In this case, possible display devices include, for example, displays installed in vending machines or displays installed for the purpose of displaying advertisements.

[0091] Furthermore, the controlled device may also be a sensing device (sensor). If the controlled device is a sensing device, for example, when a user approaches, the sensing device can perform sensing (data measurement, detection, etc.) while the data transmitted from the terminal device 11 held by the user is being received by the control device 12. The data obtained by sensing may be transmitted to the terminal device 11, for example. Such a control system 10 can be used, for example, in equipment inspections of a plant.

[0092] Furthermore, the controlled device may also be an actuator. If the controlled device is an actuator, for example, it is possible for the actuator to operate while the control device 12 is receiving data transmitted from a terminal device 11 held by a user as the user approaches. In this case, the actuator may operate to open and close a door set in a building, for example. Alternatively, the actuator may operate to drive a player or speaker that plays music or sound used for advertising in a supermarket, for example.

[0093] Here, for example, let's assume that the controlled device in this embodiment is a lighting device 2, and that the lighting device 2 and the control device 12 that controls the lighting device 2 are installed in a toilet in a building. In such a case, it becomes possible to control the lighting device 2 so that it turns on when a user with a terminal device 11 enters the toilet, and turns off when the user leaves the toilet.

[0094] However, in such cases, the terminal device 11 does not necessarily have to be possessed by the user. Specifically, the terminal device 11 may be implemented as a tag or the like configured to transmit beacons, and may be attached, for example, to the door of a toilet stall. In this case, the terminal device 11 may be connected to a sensor capable of detecting, for example, the opening and closing of the toilet stall door or the lock on the door, and may operate to periodically transmit data when the door or the lock on the door is closed.

[0095] Furthermore, the terminal device 11 may be attached to, for example, a toilet seat. In this case, the terminal device 11 may be connected to a sensor capable of detecting, for example, the opening and closing of the toilet seat lid, and may operate to periodically transmit data when the toilet seat lid is open. Alternatively, the terminal device 11 may be connected to a sensor capable of detecting whether or not a user is sitting on the toilet seat based on the deformation of the toilet seat, and may operate to periodically transmit data when a user is sitting on the toilet seat.

[0096] With this configuration, even if the user does not possess the terminal device 11, the lighting device 2 can be turned on when the user is inside the toilet, and the lighting device 2 will not turn off even if the user inside the toilet is not moving around much.

[0097] Furthermore, when applying the control system 10 according to this embodiment to a toilet, as described above, the controlled device may be a device configured to play sound while the toilet is in use, rather than the lighting device 2.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it has been explained that, for example, the device control application is downloaded to the terminal device 11 and the setting information is registered in the terminal device 11. However, the setting information may be registered by other methods. Specifically, the setting information may be registered based on user input operations performed on the terminal device 11 after the device control application is launched as described above, or it may be registered by reading a two-dimensional code with the terminal device 11.

[0099] Furthermore, if, as described above, setting information containing different control content is stored in the storage unit 121 of the control device 12, a bit pattern selected from among the multiple bit patterns by, for example, a DIP switch attached to the terminal device 11 may be registered as setting information in the terminal device 11. For example, if a DIP switch is attached to the controlled device, the DIP switch may be used to select a bit pattern effective for controlling the controlled device from among the multiple bit patterns described above.

[0100] In this embodiment, a control system 10 that provides a service for controlling a target device without relying on the human presence sensor 3 shown in Figure 1 has been described. However, the control system 10 may also be configured to control the target device by using both the human presence sensor 3 and the control device 12 in combination.

[0101] Specifically, in this embodiment, the controlled device is described as being controlled so that it operates based on data periodically transmitted from the terminal device 11. However, depending on the interval at which the data is transmitted, the controlled device may not operate properly when a user approaches it.

[0102] Considering this point, for example, if the motion of a user is detected by the motion sensor 3 before the data transmitted from the terminal device 11 is received by the control device 12, the controlled device may be operated based on the output from the motion sensor 3 (the detection result of the motion sensor 3). However, in order to avoid the controlled device stopping even when a user is nearby, as described above, the controlled device will continue to operate as long as the data transmitted from the terminal device 11 is being received by the control device 12, even if the motion sensor 3 has not detected the user's movement.

[0103] In other words, as described above, in the configuration in the control system 10 according to this embodiment in which the human presence sensor 3 and the control device 12 are used in combination, when operating the controlled device, priority is given to control based on the output of the human presence sensor 3, and when stopping the operation of the controlled device, priority is given to control based on the data transmitted from the terminal device 11.

[0104] Furthermore, if, for example, the terminal device 11 is a smartphone or the like, and the user leaves the terminal device 11 near the controlled device, a situation may arise where the controlled device continues to operate even though the user is no longer near the controlled device. For this reason, if, for example, the period during which the control device 12 continues to receive data transmitted from the terminal device 11 exceeds a predetermined period, the control based on the output of the motion sensor 3 may be prioritized over the control based on the data transmitted from the terminal device 11, and the operation of the controlled device may be stopped.

[0105] The period during which control based on the output of the human presence sensor 3 is given priority, and the period during which control based on data transmitted from the terminal device 11 is given priority (i.e., the priority for each control) may be set, for example, in the setting information of the control device 12.

[0106] In this embodiment, the control device 12 and the controlled device (for example, the lighting device 2) have been described as being configured separately. However, as explained in Figure 6 above, the control device 12 may be incorporated into the controlled device. Alternatively, only a part of the control device 12 may be incorporated into the controlled device.

[0107] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0108] 1, 10... Control system, 2... Lighting equipment, 3... Motion sensor, 11... Terminal device, 11a... Processor, 11b... Non-volatile memory, 11c... Main memory, 11d... Communication device, 12... Control device, 111... Storage unit, 112... Management unit, 113... Communication unit, 121... Storage unit, 122... Management unit, 123... Communication unit, 124... Control unit.

Claims

1. In a control system comprising a terminal device configured to periodically transmit data and a control device configured to receive data transmitted from the terminal device, The control device is A first control means controls the device to operate when the aforementioned data is received, and sets the operating time of the device. A second control means controls the device to stop operating if the data is not received between the time set for the device to operate and the time elapsed. including Control system.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the communication between the terminal device and the control device includes short-range wireless communication.

3. The control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first control means resets the operating time of the device if the data is received between the time the operating time of the device is set and the time the device has elapsed.

4. The first control means controls the device to operate when data of a preset bit pattern is received, and sets the time for which the device operates. The second control means controls the device to stop operating if no data of the preset bit pattern is received between the time the device is set to operate and the time elapsed. The control system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control device includes storage means for storing setting information that includes different control content associated with each of a plurality of bit patterns. The first control means controls the device based on the control content included in the setting information, corresponding to the bit pattern of the received data. The control system according to claim 4.

6. The control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the equipment includes lighting equipment, display equipment, sensing equipment, or actuators.

7. The control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first control means controls the device to operate based on the output from a human presence sensor installed near the device.

8. In a control device configured to receive data transmitted from a terminal device configured to periodically transmit data, A first control means controls the device to operate when the aforementioned data is received, and sets the operating time of the device. A second control means controls the device to stop operating if the data is not received between the time set for the device to operate and the time elapsed. A control device equipped with the following.

9. A method performed by a control system comprising a terminal device configured to periodically transmit data and a control device configured to receive data transmitted from the terminal device, The control device, upon receiving the data, controls the device to operate; The steps include setting the operating time of the aforementioned device, If the control device does not receive the data between the time set for the device to operate and the time elapsed, the control device controls the device to stop operating. A method that provides for this.

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