Information terminal, communication system, display method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides an information terminal that can manage the display identification information assigned to an icon when displaying an icon for a wireless communication device, as well as the unique identification information of the wireless communication device. [Solution] The information terminal 30 includes a wireless communication unit 33 that receives a beacon signal emitted by the lighting fixture 20, a display unit 32, a storage unit 35, and an information processing unit 34 that, upon receiving a beacon signal, (a) generates display identification information, (b) stores in the storage unit 35 the correspondence between the generated display identification information and the unique identification information of the lighting fixture 20 included in the received beacon signal, and (c) displays on the display unit 32 an icon that represents the lighting fixture 20 and to which the generated display identification information is attached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information terminal used for initial settings and the like of a communication system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a method of exchanging header information for data transmission and reception.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an information terminal or the like that can manage display identification information assigned to an icon and unique identification information of a wireless communication device when displaying an icon of the wireless communication device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An information terminal according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit that receives a beacon signal emitted by a wireless communication device, a display unit, a storage unit, and, upon receipt of the beacon signal, (a) generates display identification information, (b) stores in the storage unit a correspondence relationship between the generated display identification information and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device included in the received beacon signal, and (c) an information processing unit that displays on the display unit an icon to which the generated display identification information is assigned and that indicates the wireless communication device.

[0006] A communication system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the information terminal and the wireless communication device.

[0007] A display method according to one aspect of the present invention is a display method performed by an information terminal equipped with a display unit and a storage unit, and includes the steps of: receiving a beacon signal emitted by a wireless communication device; (a) generating display identification information as a trigger for the reception of the beacon signal; (b) displaying an icon on the display unit to which the generated display identification information is attached and which represents the wireless communication device; and (c) storing in the storage unit the correspondence between the generated display identification information and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device included in the received beacon signal.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program that causes the information terminal to execute the display method described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The information terminal of the present invention can manage the display identification information assigned to the icon and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device when displaying the icon of the wireless communication device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a mesh network. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of the initial setup process. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is the first sequence diagram of the initial setup operation. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is the second sequence diagram of the initial setup operation. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the initial setup screen. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the detection operation of a lighting fixture. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of identification information management information. [Figure 8]Figure 8 shows an example of the initial setup screen after the installation location has been specified. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0012] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of the lighting system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the lighting system 10 comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and an information terminal 30.

[0014] In the lighting system 10, each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 has a wireless communication function, and the multiple lighting fixtures 20 constitute a wireless mesh network (hereinafter also simply referred to as a mesh network). A wireless mesh network is an example of a wireless communication network.

[0015] FIG. 2 conceptually shows a mesh network. The circles in FIG. 2 correspond to one lighting fixture 20 (or, in other words, a communication node). In a mesh network, when transmitting information from one communication node (also described as the first communication node) to another communication node (also described as the second communication node), the information is transmitted, for example, in a routing manner, but may also be transmitted in other manners such as a flooding manner.

[0016] The information transmitted through the mesh network is, for example, control information for controlling the lighting fixture 20 to turn on, turn off, or dim. Also, when the mesh network includes an environmental sensor as described later, there may be cases where the measured value (sensing information) of the environmental sensor is transmitted.

[0017] First, the lighting fixture 20 will be described. The lighting fixture 20 is a base light or the like installed on the ceiling of an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space. As described above, each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 has a wireless communication function, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 constitute a mesh network. Note that the form of the lighting fixture 20 is not particularly limited and may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. Specifically, the lighting fixture 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a light source 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0018] The wireless communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit for the lighting fixture 20 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with other lighting fixtures 20 and the information terminal 30. After the lighting fixture 20 joins the mesh network, the wireless communication unit 21 performs communication through the above-described mesh network. Also, before the lighting fixture 20 joins the mesh network, the wireless communication unit 21 periodically transmits a beacon signal (which may also be called an advertisement signal) and performs individual wireless communication with the information terminal 30 that has received the beacon signal. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 21 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) Low Energy) or Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) mesh.

[0019] The light source 22 irradiates white light into the indoor space so that the lighting fixture 20 can illuminate the indoor space. The light source 22 is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be realized by other light emitting elements such as semiconductor lasers, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or inorganic EL.

[0020] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores various information necessary for the lighting fixture 20 to operate, such as the unique identification information of the lighting fixture 20 and setting information (described later). The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the information terminal 30 will be described. The information terminal 30 is an information terminal used by a user to perform settings (initial settings and setting changes) related to the mesh network and control of a plurality of lighting fixtures 20. The information terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Further, the information terminal 30 may be a dedicated remote controller used in the lighting system 10. Specifically, the information terminal 30 includes an operation reception unit 31, a display unit 32, a wireless communication unit 33, an information processing unit 34, a storage unit 35, and a measurement unit 36.

[0022] The operation reception unit 31 receives the user's operations. Specifically, the operation reception unit 31 is realized by, for example, a touch panel or the like.

[0023] The display unit 32 displays various images. The display unit 32 is realized by, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0024] The wireless communication unit 33 is a wireless communication circuit for the information terminal 30 to perform wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) with each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 33 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE.

[0025] The information processing unit 34 performs information processing in response to user operations received by the operation reception unit 31. The information processing unit 34 is implemented, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 34 are realized by the execution of computer programs (software) stored in the storage unit 35 by the hardware, such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the information processing unit 34.

[0026] The memory unit 35 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing, such as computer programs, executed by the information processing unit 34. The memory unit 35 is implemented, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

[0027] The measurement unit 36 ​​is a measurement circuit that measures the received signal strength (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the beacon signal emitted by the lighting fixture 20, which is received by the wireless communication unit 33. The measurement unit 36 ​​may be included in the wireless communication circuit of the wireless communication unit 33.

[0028] [Initial Operation] The information terminal 30 can build a mesh network by performing an initial setup operation. The initial setup operation will now be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of the initial setup operation. As shown in Figure 3, the initial setup operation includes the detection phase S10, the identification and registration phase S20, and the configuration phase S30 in that order. The specific processes performed in each phase will be described below with reference to the sequence diagrams. Figures 4A and 4B are sequence diagrams of the initial setup operation. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the initial setup screen. The initial setup operation shown in Figures 4A and 4B is performed, for example, after multiple lighting fixtures 20 have been installed on the ceiling by the installer.

[0029] First, let's explain the process that takes place in the detection phase S10. The operation reception unit 31 of the information terminal 30 receives a start operation from the user to begin detecting (scanning) the lighting fixtures 20 (S10a). The start operation is a tap operation on the detection icon 32c on the initial setup screen in Figure 5.

[0030] Each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 periodically transmits a beacon signal (sometimes called an advertisement signal, etc.) before joining the mesh network (S10b). Upon acceptance of the start operation in step S10a, the wireless communication unit 33 of the information terminal 30 receives the beacon signal. The beacon signal emitted by each of the multiple lighting fixtures 20 contains the unique identification information of that lighting fixture 20. The unique identification information is, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address, but is not limited to a MAC address as long as it can uniquely identify the lighting fixture 20.

[0031] The information processing unit 34 displays an icon of the lighting fixture 20 that is the source of the received beacon signal on the display unit 32 (S10c). As shown in Figure 5, the initial setup screen displays multiple icons 32a corresponding to multiple lighting fixtures 20 that are sources of the beacon signal, arranged in a horizontal row.

[0032] Furthermore, the initial setup screen in Figure 5 also displays a map image 32m. The map image 32m is a top-down view of the area where multiple lighting fixtures 20 are installed, and in the example in Figure 5, the installation positions P1 to P6 of the lighting fixtures 20 are indicated by circles. In other words, the map image 32m is an image showing the installation positions of multiple lighting fixtures 20. The map image 32m is stored in the memory unit 35 in advance.

[0033] At step S10c, while the arrangement of multiple lighting fixtures 20 is known, the location of each lighting fixture 20 is unknown. In other words, at step S10c, the installation location of the lighting fixtures 20 is not associated with the unique identification information of the lighting fixtures 20.

[0034] The processes described above in steps S10a to S10c constitute the processes performed in the detection phase S10. Next, the processes performed in the identification and registration phase S20 will be explained.

[0035] The operation reception unit 31 receives a selection operation from the installer for one of several icons 32a (S20a). The selection operation is, for example, a tap operation on one of the icons 32a. Based on the selection operation received by the operation reception unit 31, the information processing unit 34 establishes a communication connection between the lighting fixture 20 (hereinafter also referred to as the target lighting fixture 20) corresponding to the selected icon 32a and the wireless communication unit 33 (S20b), and starts individual communication (one-to-one communication) with the target lighting fixture 20. The information processing unit 34 causes the wireless communication unit 33 to send a blinking command (S20c). The blinking command is sent, for example, after the selection operation, triggered by the reception of a tap operation on a blinking icon 32b.

[0036] The flashing command is control information (control command) for selectively flashing the target lighting fixture 20. When the target lighting fixture 20 receives the flashing command, it flashes (S20d). This allows the user to identify the target lighting fixture 20.

[0037] The user visually confirms the actual installation location of the flashing light fixture 20 (S20e) and specifies the installation location of the flashing light fixture 20 on the map image 32m (for example, one of installation locations P1 to P6). The operation reception unit 31 receives the user's operation to specify the installation location of the light fixture 20 in the map image 32m (S20f). Then, the information processing unit 34 associates the unique identification information indicated by the icon 32a selected in step S20a with the installation location (coordinates) specified in step S20f and stores it in the storage unit 35 (S20g). The information processing unit 34 also removes the display of the icon 32a for which the association has been completed (S20h). In other words, the number of icons 32a displayed in step S10c decreases by one. Then, the information processing unit 34 disconnects the communication connection with the target light fixture 20 (S20i).

[0038] The processing in steps S20a to S20i is repeated until all icons 32a (unique identification information) displayed in step S10c are associated with their installation locations. As a result, the storage unit 35 stores the unique identification information of multiple lighting fixtures 20 and correspondence information showing the relationship between their installation locations. In other words, multiple lighting fixtures 20 are registered in the information terminal 30.

[0039] The processes described above in steps S20a to S20i constitute the processes performed in the identification and registration phase S20. Next, we will explain the processes performed in the configuration phase S30. The processes performed in the configuration phase S30 are also known as provisioning.

[0040] The information processing unit 34 establishes a communication connection between the designated lighting fixture 20 and the wireless communication unit 33 (S30a) based on an operation to specify one of the lighting fixtures 20 received by the operation reception unit 31, and starts individual communication with the lighting fixture 20. The information processing unit 34 causes the wireless communication unit 33 to transmit setting information to the lighting fixture 20 (S30b). The lighting fixture 20 receives the setting information and stores it in the storage unit 23 provided in the lighting fixture 20 (S30c).

[0041] The configuration information is the information required for the lighting fixture 20 to join the mesh network. The configuration information includes the network ID of the mesh network to which the lighting fixture 20 belongs, and the address information (unicast address) of the lighting fixture 20 used for communication within the mesh network. The configuration information may also include, if necessary, a security passcode (authentication information) used for communication within the mesh network, channel information indicating the frequency channel used for wireless communication in the mesh network, and unique identification information of the information terminal 30 that performed the initial setup operation. Once the configuration information is stored in the storage unit 23, the lighting fixture 20 can join the mesh network.

[0042] When the lighting fixture 20 has finished storing the setting information, it sends a setting completion notification to the information terminal 30 (S30d). When the information processing unit 34 of the information terminal 30 receives the setting completion notification by the wireless communication unit 33, it disconnects the communication connection with the lighting fixture 20 that it connected to in step S30a (S30e).

[0043] The processing in steps S30a to S30e is repeated until all lighting fixtures 20 join the mesh network. Once a lighting fixture 20 joins the mesh network, it stops the periodic transmission of beacon signals that it was performing before joining, as needed.

[0044] The processes described above in steps S30a to S30e constitute the processes performed in the setting phase S30 (also referred to as the setting process).

[0045] Note that the processing in steps S20i and S30a can be omitted. In other words, the processing in steps S30b to S30e may be performed without disconnecting the communication connection in step S20i.

[0046] As explained above, the information terminal 30 can bring multiple lighting fixtures 20 into the mesh network by performing an initial setup operation. In other words, the information terminal 30 can build a mesh network.

[0047] [Management of display identification information] The word "Dimming" at the top of icon 32a displayed on the initial setup screen in Figure 5 indicates the type (function) of the lighting fixture 20, specifically that the lighting fixture 20 is a dimmable lighting fixture. The text such as "L001" at the bottom of icon 32a is display identification information to distinguish icon 32a.

[0048] One possibility is to extract a portion of the string of unique identification information (MAC address) contained in the beacon signal and use it as display identification information. However, in this case, the display identification information for icon 32a representing a certain lighting fixture 20 may overlap with the display identification information for other lighting fixtures 20, making it difficult for the installer to distinguish between icons 32a.

[0049] Therefore, the information processing unit 34 of the information terminal 30 generates display identification information separate from the unique identification information and assigns it to the icon 32a for display. However, once display identification information is assigned to a lighting fixture 20 detected by the detection phase S10, if the lighting fixture 20 is detected again due to a re-processing of the detection phase S10, new display identification information is assigned. In other words, the display identification information assigned to the icon 32a representing the same lighting fixture 20 changes each time the detection phase S10 is performed, making it difficult for the installer to identify the lighting fixture 20.

[0050] Therefore, when the information processing unit 34 generates display identification information for a lighting fixture 20 that is detected for the first time, it stores the correspondence between the generated display identification information and the unique identification information of the lighting fixture 20 in the storage unit 35. If display identification information has already been generated for the detected lighting fixture 20, the icon 32a of the lighting fixture 20 is assigned the already generated display identification information. As a result, the same display identification information is assigned to the same lighting fixture 20, making it easy for the installer to identify the lighting fixture 20.

[0051] [Lighting fixture detection operation] The following describes the detection operation of the lighting fixture 20 (the operation performed in the detection phase) when the correspondence between the display identification information and the unique identification information is stored as described above. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the detection operation of the lighting fixture 20.

[0052] The operation reception unit 31 of the information terminal 30 receives a start operation from the user to instruct the start of the initial setup operation (S10a). The wireless communication unit 33 of the information terminal 30 receives one or more beacon signals (S10b).

[0053] The information processing unit 34 selects one beacon signal from among the one or more received beacon signals that has not been processed since step S10d (S10d). The information processing unit 34 determines whether or not display identification information corresponding to the unique identification information contained in the selected beacon signal has already been generated by referring to the identification information management information stored in the storage unit 35 (S10e). Figure 7 shows an example of the identification information management information. As shown in Figure 7, the identification information management information is information that shows the correspondence between unique identification information and display identification information.

[0054] If the information processing unit 34 determines that display identification information has not yet been generated (No in S10e), it generates display identification information (S10f). The display identification information is represented, for example, by an alphabet and a number following the alphabet, where the alphabet indicates the type of equipment (L in the case of the lighting fixture 20). Note that such display identification information is just an example, and the specific form of the display identification information is not particularly limited.

[0055] Next, the information processing unit 34 stores in the storage unit 35 the correspondence between the unique identification information contained in the received beacon signal and the display identification information generated in step S10f (S10g). Specifically, in step S10g, the information processing unit 34 updates the identification information management information by adding the correspondence between the unique identification information contained in the received beacon signal and the generated display identification information to the identification information management information stored in the storage unit 35 (Figure 7).

[0056] Then, the information processing unit 34 displays the icon 32a of the lighting fixture 20 that is the source of the received beacon signal, which has been assigned the display identification information generated in step S10f, on the display unit 32 (S10h).

[0057] On the other hand, if the information processing unit 34 determines that display identification information has already been generated (Yes in S10e), it identifies the display identification information associated with the unique identification information in the identification information management information (S10i). The information processing unit 34 displays the icon 32a of the lighting fixture 20 that is the source of the received beacon signal, which has the display identification information identified in step S10i attached to it, on the display unit 32 (S10j).

[0058] After processing in step S10h or step S10j, the information processing unit 34 determines whether there are any unprocessed beacon signals among the one or more beacon signals received in step S10b (whether all beacon signals have been processed) (10k). If the information processing unit 34 determines that there are unprocessed beacon signals (Yes in S10k), it selects an unprocessed beacon signal (S10d) and proceeds with the processing from step S10d onward. If it determines that all beacon signals have been processed and there are no unprocessed beacon signals (No in S10k), the operation ends.

[0059] In this way, the information terminal 30 can use the identification information management information to assign the same display identification information to the icon 32a representing the same lighting fixture 20, even if the same lighting fixture 20 is detected multiple times. Therefore, the installer can easily identify the lighting fixture 20.

[0060] If the wireless communication unit 33 receives multiple beacon signals corresponding to multiple lighting fixtures 20 in step S10b, the processing from step S10d onward is repeated multiple times. In this case, for example, in step S10d, the beacon signal that was processed first among the unprocessed beacon signals is selected, and the numerical value of the display identification information generated in step S10f is incremented (or decremented) each time it is newly generated. As a result, the multiple icons 32a displayed on the initial setup screen are assigned numerical values ​​indicating the order in which the beacon signals were received.

[0061] Furthermore, after step S10b, the measurement unit 36 ​​may measure the received signal strength of each of the one or more beacon signals received in step S10b. In this case, for example, in step S10d, the beacon signal with the highest received signal strength among the unprocessed beacon signals is selected, and the numerical value of the display identification information generated in step S10f is incremented (or decremented) each time it is newly generated. As a result, the multiple icons 32a displayed on the initial setup screen are assigned numerical values ​​indicating the ranking of the received signal strengths.

[0062] As explained in step S20e above, the user visually verifies the actual installation location of the lighting fixture 20 against its position on the map image 32m. In step S20a, if the icon 32a of a lighting fixture 20 that is far from the user is selected, the lighting fixture 20 will blink, and the user will not be able to determine the exact installation location of the blinking lighting fixture 20, requiring them to move in order to determine the correct location. In other words, this presents a problem of work delays.

[0063] To address these challenges, if icons 32a are assigned numerical values ​​indicating the ranking of received signal strength, the received signal strength will have a meaning similar to the distance between the information terminal 30 and the lighting fixture 20 that is the source of the beacon signal. Therefore, the installer can prioritize selecting the lighting fixture 20 that is thought to be nearby, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0064] [Replacement of display identification information with identification information corresponding to the installation location] Following the detection operation of the lighting fixture 20 described above, the identification and registration phase S20 is performed. After the installation location of the lighting fixture 20 on the map image 32m is specified in step S20f, the information processing unit 34 of the information terminal 30 may replace the display identification information with identification information corresponding to the specified installation location and display an icon 32a with the identification information corresponding to the installation location on the display unit 32.

[0065] For example, suppose the operation to specify the installation location accepted in step S20f is to drag and drop one of the icons 32a displayed in a horizontal row at the top of Figure 5 onto one of the P1 to P6 (candidate installation locations) on the map image 32m. In this case, when the icon 32a with the display identification information "L001" is dragged and dropped onto installation location P1, the information processing unit 34 replaces "L001" in the icon 32a with "P1" and then displays it at installation location P1. Figure 8 shows an example of the initial setup screen after the installation location has been specified in this way.

[0066] In this way, the information terminal 30 replaces the display identification information with identification information corresponding to the specified installation location and displays it. The installer can easily determine the installation location of the lighting fixture 20 from the identification information assigned to the icon 32a.

[0067] [Notification of display identification information to lighting fixtures] In the detection operation of the lighting fixture 20 described above, at any timing after the correspondence between the unique identification information and the display identification information has been stored in the storage unit 35, the information processing unit 34 may communicate with the lighting fixture 20 using the wireless communication unit 33 to notify the lighting fixture 20 of the display identification information assigned to it. The display identification information is notified to the lighting fixture 20, for example, by being included in the flashing command in step S20c of the identification and registration phase S20.

[0068] As a result, after receiving notification, the lighting fixture 20 stores the display identification information in the storage unit 23 and can emit a beacon signal containing the display identification information in place of, or in addition to, the unique identification information. Furthermore, after receiving notification, the lighting fixture 20 can respond to inquiries from the information terminal 30 with the display identification information. In other words, the information terminal 30 can utilize the display identification information for other information processing.

[0069] [Differentiation] In the above embodiment, in the initial setup screen (Figure 5), the multiple icons 32a corresponding to the multiple lighting fixtures 20 that are the source of the beacon signal are displayed in a horizontal row from left to right in the order in which the beacon signal reception processing is completed. However, the multiple icons 32a may also be displayed in a horizontal row from left to right in order of decreasing received signal strength.

[0070] As a result, the icons of the lighting fixtures 20 that have high received signal strength and are the source of the beacon signal are displayed sequentially from left to right, making it easy to register the installation locations by flashing the lighting fixtures 20 that are thought to be located near the information terminal 30 in order.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the initial setup screen (Figure 5) displayed multiple icons 32a corresponding to all lighting fixtures 20 that were able to receive the beacon signal. However, the number of icons 32a displayed on the initial setup screen may be narrowed down. For example, only a predetermined number of icons 32a with the highest corrected received signal strength (i.e., icons 32a with the highest predetermined number of received signal strengths) may be displayed. The predetermined number may be a fixed number, or it may be configurable by the installer's operation on the information terminal 30.

[0072] Furthermore, if, after a tap operation on the first detection icon 32c (hereinafter also referred to as the first scan) displays multiple icons 32a, and then a tap operation on the second detection icon 32c (hereinafter also referred to as the second scan) is performed, the multiple first icons corresponding to the multiple lighting fixtures 20 detected in the first scan will, for example, be hidden (deleted), and the multiple second icons corresponding to the multiple lighting fixtures 20 detected in the second scan will be displayed.

[0073] However, multiple first icons may remain displayed while multiple second icons are displayed to their right, or multiple second icons may be displayed while multiple first icons are displayed to their right. When both multiple first icons and multiple second icons are displayed, the multiple first icons may be displayed in a different manner than the multiple second icons. In this case, a different manner means that at least one of the icons is different, such as color, pattern, size, and shape. A different manner may be achieved by superimposing a mark or text onto the icon.

[0074] In the above embodiment, each of the multiple wireless communication devices constituting the mesh network was a lighting fixture 20, but it does not have to be a lighting fixture 20. The multiple wireless communication devices may include lighting fixtures 20 and other devices, or they may not include lighting fixtures 20 and only include other wireless communication devices. Furthermore, the mesh network may include an information terminal 30.

[0075] Other wireless communication devices mentioned above include a remote controller for lighting, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimmer, a scheduler, and an AC (Alternating Current) relay, all of which are operated by the user to control the lighting fixture 20.

[0076] A PWM dimmer is a device that can dim the lighting fixture 20 attached to the PWM dimmer. A scheduler is a device that turns the lighting fixture 20 on, off, or dims it according to a pre-set schedule.

[0077] AC relays include the following two types: first AC relay and second AC relay. The first AC relay is a device that is mounted on a wiring duct and can turn on and off a single device mounted on the wiring duct by switching the AC power to that device on and off. The second AC relay is a device that is mounted at the base of a wiring duct and can turn on and off all devices mounted on the wiring duct by switching the AC power supply to the wiring duct on and off. Alternatively, an AC relay may be a wireless control switch or the like that does not utilize a wiring duct.

[0078] Furthermore, the other wireless communication devices mentioned above may include devices not directly related to lighting, such as air conditioners, ventilation systems, cameras, speakers, motion sensors, or environmental sensors. Environmental sensors include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, carbon dioxide concentration sensors, and PM (Particle Matter) sensors.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the light source 22 of the lighting fixture 20 was used as a status indicator for the installer to visually confirm the installation position of the lighting fixture 20. However, since the wireless communication equipment constituting the mesh network is not limited to the lighting fixture 20, various forms of status indicators provided by wireless communication equipment are conceivable.

[0080] For example, a wireless communication device may be equipped with a light source (such as an LED indicator if the device is not a lighting fixture 20) as a status indicator. A wireless communication device may be equipped with a speaker as a status indicator and indicate its status by sound output. A wireless communication device may use a dedicated function of the device (such as a blower function if the device is an air conditioner) as a status indicator. A wireless communication device should transition to a state different from other wireless communication devices based on a control command (control information) transmitted from the information terminal 30.

[0081] [Effects, etc.] The following describes examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosures in this specification, and explains the effects and other benefits that can be obtained from such inventions.

[0082] Invention 1 is an information terminal 30 comprising a wireless communication unit 33 that receives a beacon signal emitted by a wireless communication device, a display unit 32, a storage unit 35, and an information processing unit 34 that, upon receiving a beacon signal, (a) generates display identification information, (b) stores in the storage unit 35 the correspondence between the generated display identification information and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device included in the received beacon signal, and (c) displays on the display unit 32 an icon 32a to which the generated display identification information is attached, which represents a wireless communication device.

[0083] Such an information terminal 30 can manage the display identification information assigned to the icon 32a and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device.

[0084] Invention 2 is an information terminal 30 of Invention 1, wherein the wireless communication unit 33 receives other beacon signals emitted by the wireless communication device after (b) is performed, and the information processing unit 34, upon receiving the other beacon signals, (d) refers to the storage unit 35 to determine that display identification information corresponding to the unique identification information contained in the other beacon signals has been generated, and (e) displays an icon 32a, which is an icon 32a indicating a wireless communication device and to which the display identification information has been assigned, on the display unit 32.

[0085] Such an information terminal 30 can use identification information management information to assign previously generated display identification information when it receives a beacon signal from a lighting fixture 20 that has already generated display identification information. This allows the installer to easily identify the lighting fixture 20.

[0086] Invention 3 is an information terminal 30 of Invention 1 or 2, wherein when the information processing unit 34 receives a beacon signal from each of the multiple wireless communication devices, it assigns a numerical value indicating the order in which the beacon signals were received to multiple icons 32a as display identification information and displays it on the display unit 32.

[0087] Such an information terminal 30 can be assigned a numerical value indicating the order in which the beacon signals were received as display identification information.

[0088] Invention 4 is an information terminal 30 of Invention 1 or 2, further comprising a measuring unit 36 ​​for measuring the received signal strength of the received beacon signal, and an information processing unit 34 which, when a beacon signal is received from each of a plurality of wireless communication devices, assigns a numerical value indicating the order of strength of the received signal strength to a plurality of icons 32a as display identification information and displays it on the display unit 32.

[0089] Such an information terminal 30 can be assigned a numerical value indicating the ranking of received signal strength as display identification information.

[0090] Invention 5 is an information terminal 30 of any of Inventions 1 to 4, further comprising an operation reception unit 32 that receives an operation from the user to specify the installation location of the wireless communication device, and an information processing unit 34 that replaces the display identification information with identification information corresponding to the specified installation location and displays an icon 32a on the display unit 32. The installer in the above embodiment is an example of a user.

[0091] With such an information terminal 30, the user can easily determine the location of the wireless communication device from the identification information assigned to the icon 32a.

[0092] Invention 6 is an information terminal 30 according to any of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein the information processing unit 34 communicates with a wireless communication device using the wireless communication unit 33 to notify the wireless communication device of display identification information, and the wireless communication device, upon receiving the notification, emits a beacon signal containing the display identification information.

[0093] Such an information terminal 30 can utilize the display identification information for other information processing.

[0094] Invention 7 is an information terminal 30 of any of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein the information processing unit 34 communicates with the wireless communication device using the wireless communication unit 33 to notify the wireless communication device of display identification information, and the wireless communication device, after receiving the notification, responds with display identification information in response to an inquiry from the information terminal 30.

[0095] Such an information terminal 30 can utilize the display identification information for other information processing.

[0096] Invention 8 is a wireless communication device which is a lighting fixture 20 having wireless communication capabilities, and an information terminal 30 which is one of Inventions 1 to 7.

[0097] Such an information terminal 30 can manage the display identification information assigned to the icon 32a and the unique identification information of the lighting fixture 20.

[0098] Invention 9 is a communication system comprising an information terminal 30 according to any of Inventions 1 to 8 and a wireless communication device. The lighting system 10 of the above embodiment is an example of a communication system.

[0099] Such a communication system can manage the display identification information assigned to icon 32a and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device.

[0100] Invention 10 is a display method performed by an information terminal 30 equipped with a display unit 32 and a storage unit 35, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a beacon signal emitted by a wireless communication device; (a) generating display identification information triggered by the reception of the beacon signal; (b) displaying an icon 32a on the display unit 32 to which the generated display identification information is attached, which represents a wireless communication device; and (c) storing in the storage unit 35 the correspondence between the generated display identification information and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device included in the received beacon signal.

[0101] This display method allows for the management of both the display identification information assigned to icon 32a and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device.

[0102] Invention 11 is a program that causes the information terminal 30 to execute the display method of Invention 10.

[0103] According to such a program, the information terminal 30 can manage the display identification information assigned to the icon 32a and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device.

[0104] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0105] For example, in the above embodiment, a process performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Furthermore, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0107] Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, a component such as a control unit may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0108] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0109] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a communication system or information terminal as described in the above embodiment, or as a display method executed by an information terminal. The present invention may be implemented as a program for causing an information terminal (computer) to execute such a display method, or as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded. In other words, a program is a computer program product. Such a program includes an application program for causing a computer, such as a general-purpose information terminal, to function as an information terminal as described in the above embodiment.

[0110] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] 10. Lighting System (Communication System) 20. Lighting fixtures (wireless communication equipment) 21 Wireless Communication Section 22 Light source 23, 35 Storage section 30 Information terminals 31 Operation reception section 32 Display section 32a Icon 32b Blinking icon 32c detection icon 32m map image 33 Wireless Communication Section 34 Information Processing Section 36 Measurement Unit

Claims

1. A wireless communication unit that receives beacon signals emitted by wireless communication equipment, Display unit and Memory unit and, The information processing unit, upon receiving the beacon signal, includes: (a) generating display identification information; (b) storing the correspondence between the generated display identification information and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device included in the received beacon signal in the storage unit; and (c) displaying an icon on the display unit that represents the wireless communication device and to which the generated display identification information is attached. Information terminal.

2. After (b) is performed, the wireless communication unit receives other beacon signals emitted by the wireless communication device, The aforementioned information processing unit, Upon receiving the aforementioned other beacon signal, (d) by referring to the storage unit, it is determined that the display identification information corresponding to the unique identification information contained in the aforementioned other beacon signal has been generated, and (e) an icon to which the display identification information is attached, which represents the wireless communication device, is displayed on the display unit. The information terminal according to claim 1.

3. When the information processing unit receives the beacon signal from each of the multiple wireless communication devices, it assigns a numerical value indicating the order in which the beacon signals were received to the multiple icons as display identification information and displays it on the display unit. The information terminal according to claim 1.

4. Furthermore, it includes a measuring unit that measures the received signal strength of the received beacon signal, When the information processing unit receives the beacon signal from each of the multiple wireless communication devices, it assigns a numerical value indicating the order of strength of the received signal intensity to the multiple icons as display identification information and displays it on the display unit. The information terminal according to claim 1.

5. Furthermore, it includes an operation reception unit that receives an operation from the user to specify the installation location of the wireless communication device, The information processing unit replaces the display identification information with identification information corresponding to the specified installation location and displays the icon on the display unit. The information terminal according to claim 1.

6. The information processing unit communicates with the wireless communication device using the wireless communication unit to notify the wireless communication device of the display identification information. After receiving the aforementioned notification, the wireless communication device emits a beacon signal containing the display identification information. The information terminal according to claim 1.

7. The information processing unit communicates with the wireless communication device using the wireless communication unit to notify the wireless communication device of the display identification information. After receiving the notification, the wireless communication device responds to the inquiry from the information terminal with the display identification information. The information terminal according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned wireless communication device is a lighting fixture having wireless communication capabilities. The information terminal according to claim 1.

9. An information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The wireless communication equipment Communication system.

10. A display method performed by an information terminal equipped with a display unit and a storage unit, The steps include receiving a beacon signal emitted by a wireless communication device, Upon receiving the beacon signal, the process includes the steps of: (a) generating display identification information; (b) displaying an icon on the display unit to which the generated display identification information is attached, which represents the wireless communication device; and (c) storing in the storage unit the correspondence between the generated display identification information and the unique identification information of the wireless communication device included in the received beacon signal. Display method.

11. A program for causing the information terminal to execute the display method described in claim 10.

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