Control system, control method, and program

Abstract

A control system (100) comprises a controlled apparatus (20) and a control apparatus (10) that controls the controlled apparatus (20). The control apparatus (10) determines whether communication between the control apparatus (10) and the controlled apparatus (20) over a local communication network is possible. If the control apparatus (10) determines that communication between the control apparatus (10) and the controlled apparatus (20) over the local communication network is possible, the control apparatus (10) communicates with the controlled apparatus (20) over the local communication network, and if the control apparatus (10) determines that communication between the control apparatus (10) and the controlled apparatus (20) over the local communication network is not possible, the control apparatus (10) communicates with the controlled apparatus (20) over a wide area communication network.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for improving user convenience in a system that controls a plurality of devices connected to a network within a home via a cloud or a server (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-057733 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the device control device described in Patent Document 1, for example, if a user's communication terminal cannot connect to the server due to an Internet malfunction, the user may not be able to control multiple devices via the cloud or server, or may not be able to smoothly control multiple devices due to communication delays.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a control system, a control method, and a program that are capable of performing stable communication with low latency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a controlled device and a control device that controls the controlled device, wherein the control device determines whether the control device and the controlled device can communicate via a local communications network, and if it is determined that the control device and the controlled device can communicate via the local communications network, communicates with the controlled device via the local communications network, and if it is determined that the control device and the controlled device cannot communicate via the local communications network, communicates with the controlled device via a wide area communications network.

[0007] A control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling communication between a controlled device and a controlling device that controls the controlled device, and includes a determination step of determining whether the controlling device and the controlled device can communicate via a local communications network, a local communication step of communicating with the controlled device via the local communications network if it is determined that the controlling device and the controlled device can communicate via the local communications network, and a wide area communication step of communicating with the controlled device via a wide area communications network if it is determined that the controlling device and the controlled device cannot communicate via the local communications network.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method. Effect of the Invention

[0009] A control system, a control method, and a program according to one aspect of the present invention can perform stable communication with low latency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first example of a switching operation of a communication network between a control device and a controlled device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second example of the switching operation of the communication network between the control device and the controlled device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of step S202 in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first modification of the second example of the switching operation of the communication network between the control device and the controlled device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first example of an operation for establishing a communication method for communication between a control device and a controlled device via a local communication network. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the operation of the control device when the result of step S502 in FIG. 6 is No. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a response operation of a controlled device in the first modification of the first example of the communication method establishment operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0012] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) [composition] First, a description will be given of the configuration of a control system according to embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control system 100 according to an embodiment.

[0014] 1 is a control system capable of controlling a plurality of controlled devices 20 installed in a building such as a house, an office, or a hospital. Specifically, the control system 100 switches whether the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 communicate with each other via a local communication network or a wide area communication network (e.g., the Internet 50) depending on whether the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are capable of communicating with each other via a local communication network (e.g., a router 40).

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a control system 100 includes, for example, a control device 10, a controlled device 20, and a server device 30.

[0016] [Control equipment] The control device 10 is a device that controls the controlled device 20. The control device 10 may be, for example, a portable computer device such as a mobile terminal or a tablet terminal, or may be an operation terminal such as a remote control or a control panel installed on a wall of a building.

[0017] The control device 10 includes, for example, a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, an input receiving unit 14, and a display unit 15.

[0018] The communication unit 11 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the control device 10 to communicate with the controlled device 20 and the server device 30. The communication unit 11 includes a first communication unit 11a and a second communication unit 11b.

[0019] The first communication unit 11a is a communication module (communication circuit) for the control device 10 to communicate with the controlled device 20 via a local communication network. The communication performed by the first communication unit 11a is, for example, wireless communication, but may be wired communication. There is no particular limitation on the standard used for the communication. For example, when the first communication unit 11a communicates via a wireless local communication network, the wireless local communication network may be Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). For example, in the example of FIG. 1, when the first communication unit 11a is Bluetooth (registered trademark), communication with the control device 10 is possible without going through the router 40.

[0020] Further, the second communication unit 11b is a communication module (communication circuit) for the control device 10 to communicate with the controlled device 20 and the server device 30 via a wide area communication network. The communication performed by the second communication unit 11b is, for example, wireless communication, but may be wired communication. There is no particular limitation on the standard used for the communication, and for example, when the second communication unit 11b communicates via a wireless wide area communication network, the wireless wide area communication network may be a mobile line network.

[0021] The control unit 12 performs information processing for controlling the operation of the control device 10. The specific operation of the control unit 12 will be described in the section [Operation], and therefore will not be described here. The control unit 12 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0022] The storage unit 13 is a storage device in which computer programs executed by the control unit 12 and the like are stored. Furthermore, when the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via a local communication network, the storage unit 13 may store an access point used in the communication as history information. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the storage unit 13 stores the router 40 as an access point. The storage unit 13 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0023] The input acceptance unit 14 accepts manual input from the user. The input acceptance unit 14 is realized, for example, by a touch panel, but may be realized by a hardware button. The input acceptance unit 14 may also accept voice input from the user. In this case, the input acceptance unit 14 is realized by a microphone or the like.

[0024] The display unit 15 displays characters, images, etc. to be presented to the user under the control of the control unit 12. The display unit 15 is realized by, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel.

[0025] Although one control device 10 is illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, the control system 100 may include a plurality of control devices 10.

[0026] [Controlled equipment] The controlled device 20 is a device controlled by the control device 10, and is installed in a building such as a house, an office, or a hospital. The controlled device 20 may be, for example, a lighting device, an air conditioner, a floor heating device, an electric lock, an electric shutter, an electric blind, an air purifier, a television, an aroma diffuser, or an audio device. The controlled device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0027] The communication unit 21 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables the controlled device 20 to communicate with the control device 10 and the server device 30. The communication unit 21 includes a first communication unit 21a and a second communication unit 21b.

[0028] The first communication unit 21a is a communication module (communication circuit) for the controlled device 20 to communicate with the control device 10 and the server device 30 via a local communication network. The communication performed by the first communication unit 21a is, for example, wireless communication, but may be wired communication. There is no particular limitation on the standard used for communication. For example, when the first communication unit 21a communicates via a wireless local communication network, the wireless local communication network may be Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The first communication unit 21a may perform local communication with the control device 10 in an unencrypted or encrypted manner depending on the type of the controlled device 20 (for example, a device with high confidentiality of information and a device without high confidentiality, etc.). In this case, the control system 100 may include an external communication module attached to the controlled device 20, and the first communication unit 21a may be the external communication module. This allows the user to later attach the communication module to the outside of the housing of the controlled device 20.

[0029] Further, the second communication unit 21b is a communication module (communication circuit) for the controlled device 20 to communicate with the control device 10 and the server device 30 via a wide area communication network. The communication performed by the second communication unit 21b is, for example, wireless communication, but may be wired communication. There is no particular limitation on the standard used for the communication, and for example, when the second communication unit 21b communicates via a wireless wide area communication network, the wireless wide area communication network may be a mobile line network.

[0030] The control unit 22 performs information processing for controlling the operation of the controlled device 20. The specific operation of the control unit 22 will be described in the section [Operation], and therefore will not be described here. The control unit 22 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit.

[0031] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the control unit 22. The storage unit 23 may previously store identification information of the control device 10. The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0032] Although one controlled device 20 is illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, the control system 100 may include a plurality of controlled devices 20.

[0033] [Server device] The server device 30 is a computer located outside the building. The server device 30 is a server that acquires an execution input for executing control of the controlled device 20 from the control device 10, and controls the controlled device 20 via a wide area communication network based on the acquired execution input. The server device 30 includes, for example, a communication unit 31, an information processing unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

[0034] The communication unit 31 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the server device 30 to communicate with the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 via a wide area communication network (e.g., the Internet 50). The communication performed by the communication unit 31 is, for example, wired communication, but may be wireless communication. There is also no particular limitation on the communication standard used for the communication.

[0035] The information processing unit 32 processes information relating to the control of the controlled device 20. The information processing unit 32 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0036] The storage unit 33 is a storage device that stores control information of the controlled device 20 and a control program executed by the information processing unit 32. The storage unit 33 is realized by, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0037] In the example of FIG. 1, one server device 30 is illustrated, but the control system 100 may include a plurality of server devices 30.

[0038] [Operation] Next, the operation of the control system 100 will be described.

[0039] [Switching operation of communication network between control device and controlled device] First, the operation of switching the communication network between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 of the control system 100 will be described.

[0040] [First example] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first example of the operation of switching the communication network between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20. As shown in FIG.

[0041] Although not shown, the input receiving unit 14 of the control device 10 receives a predetermined operation by the user. For example, the user may check an indication (e.g., a mark indicating connection to Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) displayed on the display unit 15 of the control device 10 indicating that the control device 10 is connected to the local communication network, and, if the control device 10 is connected to the local communication network, perform the above-mentioned predetermined operation to input an instruction to control the controlled device 20 via the local communication network.

[0042] When the predetermined operation is accepted, the control device 10 judges whether the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via the local communication network (S101). For example, the control unit 12 of the control device 10 may cause the first communication unit 11a to transmit a signal to the controlled device 20 via the local communication network, and judge whether the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via the local communication network based on whether the first communication unit 11a receives a response signal from the controlled device 20.

[0043] When the control unit 12 of the control device 10 determines that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via the local communication network (Yes in S101), the control unit 12 controls the first communication unit 11a so that the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network. As a result, the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S102).

[0044] On the other hand, when the control unit 12 of the control device 10 determines that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 cannot communicate with each other via the local communication network (No in S101), the control unit 12 controls the second communication unit 11b to communicate with the controlled device 20 via the wide area communication network. As a result, the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the wide area communication network (S103).

[0045] As described above, the control system 100 preferentially uses the local communication network when the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are able to communicate via the local communication network, thereby enabling communication with less latency and more stability than when only the wide area communication network is used.

[0046] [Second example] Next, a second example of the switching operation of the communication network between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 will be described. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing a second example of the switching operation of the communication network between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20. Steps S202, S203, and S204 in Fig. 3 correspond to steps S101, S102, and S204 in Fig. 2, respectively. S103 Corresponds to.

[0047] In the first example, whether or not the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via a local communication network is determined upon receipt of a predetermined operation by a user. The second example differs from the first example in that, when the control device 10 is connectable to the local communication network, it is determined whether or not the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via the local communication network. Here, the differences from the first example will be mainly described, and descriptions of overlapping contents will be simplified or omitted.

[0048] For example, when the input receiving unit 14 of the control device 10 receives an input of a control instruction for the controlled device 20 by a user (not shown), the control unit 12 of the control device 10 judges whether or not the control device 10 can be connected to the local communication network (S201). When the control unit 12 judges that the control device 10 can be connected to the local communication network (Yes in S201), it judges whether or not the control device 10 can communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S202). When the control device 10 judges that the control device 10 can communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (Yes in S202), the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S203). On the other hand, when the control device 10 judges that the control device 10 cannot communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (No in S202), the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the wide area communication network (S204).

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the control device 10 cannot be connected to the local communications network (No), the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the wide area communications network (S204).

[0050] A detailed flow of step S202 will be described below. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of step S202 in Figure 3. Steps S301, S305, and S308 in Figure 4 correspond to steps S201, S203, and S204 in Figure 3, respectively.

[0051] The control unit 12 of the control device 10 determines whether the control device 10 is connectable to the local communication network (S301), and if it is determined that the control device 10 is connectable to the local communication network (Yes), it transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the first communication unit 11a. As a result, the control device 10 transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S302).

[0052] When the control device 10 receives a response signal from the controlled device 20 (Yes in S303), the control unit 12 determines that the control device 10 can communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network (S304). Then, the control unit 12 controls the first communication unit 11a so that the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network. As a result, the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network (S305).

[0053] On the other hand, in step S303, if the control device 10 does not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 (No), the control unit 12 judges whether or not the number of times that the control device 10 did not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 has reached N times (N≧2) in a row (S306). If the control unit 12 judges that the number of times that the control device 10 did not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 has not reached N times in a row (No in S306), the process returns to step S302. In this way, the control device 10 repeatedly transmits a signal to the controlled device 20. On the other hand, if the control unit 12 judges that the number of times that the control device 10 did not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 has reached N times in a row (Yes in S306), the control unit 12 judges that the control device 10 is unable to communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S307). Then, the control unit 12 controls the second communication unit 11b so that the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the wide area communication network. As a result, the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the wide area communication network (S308).

[0054] On the other hand, if control unit 12 determines in step S301 that control device 10 cannot connect to the local communications network (No), control unit 12 determines that control device 10 cannot communicate with controlled device 20 via the local communications network (S307). Then, control device 10 communicates with controlled device 20 via the wide area communications network (S308).

[0055] As described above, the control system 100 can switch between using a local communication network and a wide area communication network depending on the respective communication states of the control device 10 and the controlled device 20.

[0056] In addition, the control system 100 can easily determine that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are able to communicate via the local network, based on the presence or absence of a response signal to a signal transmitted by the control device 10 via the local communication network, without using a wide area communication network.

[0057] Furthermore, the control system 100 does not determine that communication with the controlled device 20 is impossible just because the control device 10 has not received a response signal from the controlled device 20 once, but sets a threshold value for the number of times a response signal is not received and makes a judgment, thereby increasing the possibility of establishing local communication between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20. As a result, the control system 100 can establish local communication between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 even if the controlled device 20 is capable of communicating via a local communication network, for example, if the power of the controlled device 20 is OFF or it is taking time for the radio wave conditions to stabilize.

[0058] [Modification 1 of the second example] Next, a first modified example of the second example will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a first modified example of the second example of the switching operation of the communication network between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20. Steps S401 to S403, S404, S405, S410, S411, and S412 in Fig. 5 correspond to S301 to S303, S304, S305, S307, S308, and S306 in Fig. 4, respectively.

[0059] In the second example, when the control device 10 does not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 N (N≧2) consecutive times, the control unit 12 determines that the control device 10 cannot communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network. In a first variation of the second example, when the control device 10 does not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 for the first time, it is determined whether or not an access point is stored, and if an access point is stored, the control device 10 changes the communication method and retransmits a signal to the controlled device 20.

[0060] The control unit 12 of the control device 10 determines whether the control device 10 is connectable to the local communication network (S401), and if it is determined that the control device 10 is connectable to the local communication network (Yes), it transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the first communication unit 11a. As a result, the control device 10 transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S402).

[0061] When the control device 10 receives a response signal from the controlled device 20 (Yes in S403), the control unit 12 determines that the control device 10 is able to communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network (S404), and controls the first communication unit 11a so that the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network. As a result, the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network (S405).

[0062] On the other hand, in step S403, if the control device 10 does not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 (No), the control unit 12 judges whether or not the number of times that the control device 10 has not received a response signal from the controlled device 20 is the first time (S406). If the control unit 12 judges that the number of times that the control device 10 has not received a response signal from the controlled device 20 is not the first time (No in S406), it judges whether or not the number of times that the control device 10 has not received a response signal from the controlled device 20 has reached N consecutive times (S412). If the control unit 12 judges that the number of times that the control device 10 has not received a response signal from the controlled device 20 has not reached N consecutive times (No in S412), the process returns to step S402. On the other hand, if the control unit 12 judges that the number of times that the control device 10 has not received a response signal from the controlled device 20 has reached N consecutive times (Yes in S412), it judges that the control device 10 is unable to communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (in other words, is not able to communicate) (S410). Then, control unit 12 controls second communication unit 11b so that control device 10 communicates with controlled device 20 via the wide area communication network. As a result, control device 10 communicates with controlled device 20 via the wide area communication network (S411).

[0063] On the other hand, in step S406, when the control unit 12 determines that the number of times that the control device 10 did not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 is the first time (Yes), the control unit 12 determines whether or not an access point is stored in the storage unit 13 (S407). For example, when the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via a local communication network, the control unit 12 may store an access point in the storage unit 13 as a communication history, and the control unit 12 may determine whether or not the access point used in the communication with the controlled device 20 is stored in the communication history in the storage unit 23. When the control unit 12 determines that the access point is not stored (No in S407), the control unit 12 determines that the control device 10 cannot communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S410), and the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the wide area communication network (S411).

[0064] On the other hand, in step S407, if the control unit 12 determines that an access point is stored (Yes), it causes the first communication unit 11a to transmit a signal to the controlled device 20 by multicasting. As a result, the control device 10 transmits a signal to the controlled device by multicasting via the local communication network (S408). When the control unit 12 receives a response signal from the controlled device 20 (Yes in S409), it determines that the control device 10 is able to communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S404), and the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network (S405).

[0065] On the other hand, in step S409, if the control unit 12 determines that it has not received a response signal from the controlled device 20 (No), it determines that the control device 10 is unable to communicate with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network (S410), and the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via the wide area communications network (S411).

[0066] As described above, in the control system 100, the access points that were previously capable of local communication with the controlled device 20 are stored in the memory unit 13 of the controlling device 10. Therefore, if the controlling device 10 transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the local communication network, for example, by unicast and does not receive a response signal, the controlling device 10 can transmit a signal by multicast, thereby increasing the possibility of establishing local communication between the controlling device 10 and the controlled device 20 even if the IP address of the controlled device 20 has changed.

[0067] Furthermore, for example, when the controlled device 20 is in a state in which it cannot connect to the local communications network, the control system 100 can appropriately determine that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 cannot communicate with each other via the local communications network.

[0068] [Establishment of a communication method for communication via a local communication network] Next, an operation of the control device 10 establishing a communication method with the controlled device 20 based on a response signal from the controlled device 20 when the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are capable of communicating with each other via a local communication network will be described. Here, the local communication network is a wireless local communication network. The controlled device 20 includes an external communication module, and the communication module is, for example, the first communication unit 21a. In the following, an example will be described in which the controlled device 20 performs local communication with the control device 10 via the communication module (first communication unit 21a) in an unencrypted or encrypted manner.

[0069] [First example] 6 is a flowchart showing a first example of the operation of establishing a communication method for communication via a local communication network between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20. In the first example, a case will be described in which the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 hold an encryption key in advance.

[0070] When the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are capable of communicating with each other via the local communication network, the control unit 12 of the control device 10 causes the first communication unit 11a to transmit a signal in plaintext to the controlled device 20. In other words, the control device 10 transmits a signal in plaintext to the controlled device 20 (S501).

[0071] When the control unit 12 of the control device 10 determines that a response signal indicating that communication in plain text is possible is received from the controlled device 20 (Yes in S502), the control unit 12 communicates with the controlled device 20 in an unencrypted manner (S503).

[0072] On the other hand, in step S502, when the control unit 12 determines that it has not received a response signal indicating that communication in plain text is possible from the controlled device 20 (No), it causes the first communication unit 11a to encrypt and transmit a signal to the controlled device 20. In other words, the control device 10 encrypts and transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 (S504). Note that, if the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 do not hold an encryption key in advance, the control unit 12 of the control device 10 encrypts and transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 after authenticating the controlled device 20 and exchanging an encryption key (not shown). Then, the control unit 12 controls the first communication unit 11a to communicate with the controlled device 20 in an encrypted format based on the response signal from the controlled device 20. As a result, the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 in an encrypted format based on the response signal from the controlled device 20 (S505).

[0073] An example of the operation of control device 10 when step S502 is No will be described below. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the operation of control device 10 when step S502 in Fig. 6 is No.

[0074] 6, if the control unit 12 of the control device 10 determines that it has not received a response signal indicating that plaintext communication is possible from the controlled device 20 (No), it determines whether or not it has received a response signal indicating that plaintext communication is not possible (S601). If the control unit 12 determines that it has received a response signal indicating that plaintext communication is not possible from the controlled device 20 (Yes in S601), the control unit 12 encrypts and transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the first communication unit 11a (S602). Then, if the control unit 12 receives a response signal from the controlled device 20 (Yes in S603), the control device 10 transmits the encrypted methodThe control unit 12 communicates with the controlled device 20 by the command (S604). On the other hand, when the control unit 12 does not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 (No in S603), it determines that communication with the controlled device 20 is not possible (in other words, communication is not possible) (S605). At this time, the control unit 12 may notify the user that communication with the controlled device 20 is not possible. The control unit 12 may notify the user by displaying, for example, a message such as "Cannot communicate with the controlled device" on the display unit 15, or an image in which an x ​​or an exclamation mark is superimposed on an image of the controlled device. The control unit 12 may stop communication with the controlled device 20 based on a user instruction accepted by the input acceptance unit 14, or may stop communication with the controlled device 20 based on the above judgment.

[0075] As described above, the control system 100 can appropriately determine that the controlled device 20 is in a state in which communication cannot be performed in an encrypted format. Furthermore, when the controlled device 20 does not support communication in an unencrypted format and the control device 10 does not receive a response signal to an encrypted signal from the controlled device 20, the control system 100 can appropriately determine that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are in a state in which they cannot communicate with each other.

[0076] [Modification 1 of the first example] Next, a first modified example of the first example will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a response operation of the controlled device 20 in the first modified example of the first example of the communication method establishment operation. In the first example, when the control device 10 receives a response signal indicating that communication is not possible in plain text from the controlled device 20 (Yes in S601 in FIG. 7), the control device 10 encrypts the signal and transmits it to the controlled device 20 (S602). In the first modified example, the control device 10 differs from the first example in that, when Yes in step S601, the control device 10 transmits a signal including its own identification information to the controlled device 20. An example of a response operation when the controlled device 20 receives a signal including the identification information of the control device 10 will be described below.

[0077] 7, when the control device 10 receives a response signal indicating that communication in plaintext is not possible from the controlled device (Yes), the control device 10 transmits a signal including its own identification information to the controlled device 20 via the first communication unit 11a (not shown). At this time, since an encryption key has not yet been shared between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20, the signal is transmitted in an unencrypted manner.

[0078] When the control unit 22 of the controlled device 20 receives the signal from the control device 10 via the first communication unit 21a (S701), it determines whether or not the identification information included in the received signal is stored in the storage unit 23 (S702). When the control unit 22 of the controlled device 20 determines that the identification information is stored in the storage unit 23 (Yes in S702), it transmits a response signal to the control device 10 (S703). On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the identification information is not stored in the storage unit 23 (No in S702), it does not transmit a response signal to the control device 10 (S704).

[0079] As described above, in the control system 100, when the identification information of the controlling device 10 matches the identification information pre-stored in the memory unit 23 of the controlled device 20, the controlled device 20 transmits a response signal to the controlling device 10, thereby enabling more secure communication.

[0080] [Modification 2 of the first example] In the first example and the first variant of the first example, further, when the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 communicate in an encrypted manner, the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 may jointly generate a common encryption key.

[0081] Although not shown, when the control device 10 receives a response signal from the controlled device 20 in response to the encrypted signal (for example, S603and Yes), transmits a first random number to the controlled device 20. When the controlled device 20 acquires the first random number transmitted from the controlling device 10, it transmits a second random number different from the first random number to the controlling device 10. Note that the controlling device 10 and the controlled device 20 may transmit and receive random numbers, including transmitting and receiving the first random number and the second random number, at least once.

[0082] The control device 10 and the controlled device 20 generate a common encryption key based on the first random number and the second random number, respectively. The generated common encryption key is stored in the storage unit 13 of the control device 10 and the storage unit 23 of the controlled device 20.

[0083] As described above, when the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are able to communicate in an encrypted manner, the control system 100 can generate a common encryption key by transmitting random numbers to each other, and therefore does not need to store the encryption key in advance.

[0084] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the control system 100 includes a controlled device 20 and a control device 10 that controls the controlled device 20. The control device 10 determines whether the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via a local communications network, and if it is determined that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via the local communications network, it communicates with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network. If it is determined that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 cannot communicate with each other via the local communications network, it communicates with the controlled device 20 via a wide area communications network.

[0085] Such a control system 100 preferentially uses the local communication network when the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are able to communicate via the local communication network, thereby enabling communication with less delay and more stability than when only the wide area communication network is used.

[0086] For example, in the control system 100, the control device 10 determines whether or not the control device 10 can be connected to a local communication network, and if it is determined that the control device 10 can be connected to the local communication network, it determines whether or not the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate via the local communication network, and if it is determined that the control device 10 cannot be connected to the local communication network, it communicates with the controlled device 20 via a wide area communication network.

[0087] Such a control system 100 can switch between using a local communication network and a wide area communication network depending on the respective communication states of the control device 10 and the controlled device 20.

[0088] For example, in the control system 100, the control device 10 transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the local communication network, and when a response signal to the signal is received from the controlled device 20, it determines that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are capable of communicating with each other via the local communication network.

[0089] Such a control system 100 can easily determine that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are able to communicate via the local network, based on the presence or absence of a response signal to a signal transmitted by the control device 10 via the local communication network, without using a wide area communication network.

[0090] For example, in the control system 100, the control device 10 repeatedly transmits a signal to the controlled device 20, and if the control device 10 does not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 consecutively N times or more (N is 2 or more), the control device 10 determines that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are not able to communicate via the local communications network.

[0091] Such a control system 100 can establish local communication between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 even if the controlled device 20 is capable of communicating via a local communication network, for example, when the power of the controlled device 20 is turned off or when it is taking time for the radio wave conditions to stabilize.

[0092] For example, in the control system 100, when the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 via a local communication network, it stores the access point used for the communication in the memory unit 13, and when it does not receive a response signal to a signal from the controlled device 20, it determines whether or not the access point is stored in the memory unit 13, and if the access point is stored in the memory unit 13, it transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the local communication network in a multicast manner.

[0093] In such a control system 100, the access point that was previously capable of local communication with the controlled device 20 is stored in the memory unit 13 of the control device 10. Therefore, if the control device 10 transmits a signal to the controlled device 20 via the local communication network, for example, by unicast and does not receive a response signal, the control device 10 can transmit a signal by multicast, thereby increasing the possibility of establishing local communication between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 even if the IP address of the controlled device 20 has changed.

[0094] For example, in the control system 100, if the control device 10 does not receive a response signal to a signal transmitted from the controlled device 20 by the multicast method, the control device 10 determines that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are not able to communicate with each other via the local communications network.

[0095] Such a control system 100 can appropriately determine that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 cannot communicate with each other via the local communications network, for example, when the controlled device 20 is in a state where it cannot connect to the local communications network.

[0096] For example, in the control system 100, when the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are capable of communicating with each other via a local communication network, the control device 10 transmits a signal in plain text to the controlled device 20, and when a response signal indicating that communication in plain text is possible is received from the controlled device 20, the control device 10 communicates with the controlled device 20 using an unencrypted communication method; when a response signal indicating that communication in plain text is possible is not received from the controlled device 20, the control device 10 encrypts and transmits a signal to the controlled device 20, and communicates with the controlled device 20 using the encrypted communication method based on the presence or absence of a response signal from the controlled device 20 in response to the encrypted signal.

[0097] Such a control system 100 can appropriately switch whether to encrypt the communication between the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 depending on the type of the controlled device 20, such as a device that transmits and receives highly confidential information such as personal information, such as a vital sensor, and a device that transmits and receives low confidential information, such as a lighting device. More specifically, the control system 100 can switch to communicate in an encrypted manner for a device that transmits and receives highly confidential information, and to communicate in an unencrypted manner, which has a faster communication speed than the encrypted manner, for a device that transmits and receives low confidential information. This allows the control system 100 to improve the security and speed of communication.

[0098] For example, in the control system 100, when the control device 10 receives a response signal from the controlled device 20 in response to an encrypted signal, it communicates with the controlled device 20 using the encrypted communication method, and when the control device 10 does not receive a response signal from the controlled device 20 in response to the encrypted signal, it determines that it is unable to communicate with the controlled device 20.

[0099] Such a control system 100 can appropriately determine that the controlled device 20 is in a state in which communication cannot be performed in an encrypted format. Furthermore, when the controlled device 20 does not support communication in an unencrypted format and the control device 10 does not receive a response signal to an encrypted signal from the controlled device 20, the control system 100 can appropriately determine that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are in a state in which they cannot communicate with each other.

[0100] For example, in the control system 100, the controlled device 20 stores the identification information of the controlling device 10 in advance in the memory unit 23, and when it receives an encrypted signal transmitted from the controlling device 10, it determines whether the identification information contained in the signal is stored in the memory unit 23 or not, and if it determines that the identification information is stored in the memory unit 23, it transmits a response signal to the controlling device 10, and if it determines that the identification information is not stored in the memory unit 23, it does not transmit a response signal to the controlling device 10.

[0101] In such a control system 100, when the identification information of the controlling device 10 matches the identification information pre-stored in the memory unit 23 of the controlled device 20, the controlled device 20 transmits a response signal to the controlling device 10, thereby enabling more secure communication.

[0102] For example, in the control system 100, when the control device 10 receives a response signal from the controlled device 20 in response to an encrypted signal, it transmits a first random number to the controlled device 20, and the controlled device 20 transmits a second random number to the control device 10, which is different from the first random number transmitted from the control device, and the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 generate a common encryption key based on the first random number and the second random number, respectively.

[0103] In such a control system 100, when the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are capable of communicating in an encrypted manner, they can generate a common encryption key by sending random numbers to each other, so there is no need to store the encryption key in advance.

[0104] For example, the control system 100 further includes a communication module (e.g., a first communication unit 21a) attached to the controlled device 20, and the controlled device 20 performs local communication with the controlling device 10 via the communication module in an unencrypted or encrypted manner.

[0105] In such a control system 100, the controlled device 20 is equipped with an external communication module that supports local communication, so that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via the external communication module in an encrypted or unencrypted manner.

[0106] For example, in the control system 100, the local communication network is a wireless local communication network and the wide area communication network is a wireless wide area communication network.

[0107] Such a control system 100 is capable of communicating with the controlled device 20 even if the control device 10 is a mobile device such as a smartphone, and also allows the installation location of the controlled device 20 within a building to be flexibly changed, thereby improving convenience.

[0108] For example, in the control system 100, the wireless wide area communication network is a cellular network.

[0109] In such a control system 100, even if the control device 10 is a mobile device such as a smartphone, it can communicate with the controlled device 20, thereby improving convenience.

[0110] In addition, a control method executed by a computer such as the control system 100 is a control method for controlling communication between a controlled device 20 and a control device 10 that controls the controlled device 20, and includes a determination step of determining whether the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are capable of communicating via a local communications network, a local communication step of communicating with the controlled device 20 via the local communications network if it is determined that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are capable of communicating via the local communications network, and a wide area communication step of communicating with the controlled device 20 via a wide area communications network if it is determined that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are not capable of communicating via the local communications network.

[0111] In this control method, when the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 are able to communicate with each other via a local communication network, the local communication network is used preferentially, and therefore communication can be performed with less delay and more stability than when only a wide area communication network is used.

[0112] For example, in a control method executed by a computer such as the control system 100, the local communication step includes a first signal transmitting step of transmitting a signal in plain text to the controlled device 20, a first communication step of communicating with the controlled device 20 using an unencrypted communication method when a response signal indicating that plain text communication is possible is received from the controlled device 20, a second signal transmitting step of encrypting and transmitting a signal to the controlled device 20 when a response signal indicating that plain text communication is possible is not received from the controlled device 20, and a second communication step of communicating with the controlled device 20 using an encrypted communication method based on the presence or absence of a response signal from the controlled device 20 to the encrypted signal transmitted in the second signal transmitting step.

[0113] Such a control method can appropriately switch whether to encrypt the communication between the controlling device 10 and the controlled device 20 depending on the type of the controlled device 20, such as a device that transmits and receives highly confidential information such as personal information, such as a vital sensor, and a device that transmits and receives less confidential information, such as a lighting device. This makes it possible for the control method to improve the security and speed of communication.

[0114] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0115] For example, in the above embodiment, a process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. In addition, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the operation examples of the above embodiment may be combined in any manner.

[0116] In the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0117] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

[0118] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0119] For example, the present invention may be realized as a control method executed by a computer such as a control system, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a control method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. The control method executed by a computer such as the control system 100 is a control method for controlling communication between a controlled device 20 and a control device 10 that controls the controlled device 20, and includes a determination step of determining whether the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via a local communication network, a local communication step of communicating with the controlled device 20 via the local communication network when it is determined that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 can communicate with each other via the local communication network, and a wide area communication step of communicating with the controlled device 20 via a wide area communication network when it is determined that the control device 10 and the controlled device 20 cannot communicate with each other via the local communication network. Also, for example, in a control method executed by a computer such as the above-mentioned control system 100, the local communication step may include a first signal transmitting step of transmitting a signal in plain text to the controlled device 20, a first communication step of communicating with the controlled device 20 using an unencrypted communication method when a response signal indicating that plain text communication is possible is received from the controlled device 20, a second signal transmitting step of encrypting and transmitting a signal to the controlled device 20 when a response signal indicating that plain text communication is possible is not received from the controlled device 20, and a second communication step of communicating with the controlled device 20 using an encrypted communication method based on the presence or absence of a response signal from the controlled device 20 to the encrypted signal transmitted in the second signal transmitting step.

[0120] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, 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]

[0121] 10. Control Equipment 13 Storage section 20 Controlled equipment 23 Memory section 100 Control System

Claims

1. A controlled device; A control device that controls the controlled device; Equipped with The control device includes: determining whether the control device and the controlled device are capable of communicating with each other via a local communication network; When it is determined that the control device and the controlled device are capable of communicating with each other via the local communication network, the control device communicates with the controlled device via the local communication network; When it is determined that the control device and the controlled device are not able to communicate with each other via the local communication network, the control device communicates with the controlled device via a wide area communication network; the control device transmits a signal to the controlled device via the local communications network, and when receiving a response signal to the signal from the controlled device, determines that the control device and the controlled device are capable of communicating with each other via the local communications network; The control device includes: When communicating with the controlled device via the local communication network, storing the access point used for the communication in a storage unit; If the response signal to the signal is not received from the controlled device, it is determined whether or not the access point is stored in the storage unit; If the access point is stored, transmitting the signal to the controlled device in a multicast manner via the local communication network. Control system.

2. The control device includes: determining whether the control device is connectable to the local communications network; if it is determined that the control device is connectable to the local communications network, determining whether the control device and the controlled device are capable of communicating with each other via the local communications network; if it is determined that the control device is not connectable to the local communication network, communicating with the controlled device via the wide area communication network; The control system of claim 1 .

3. the control device repeatedly transmits a signal to the controlled device, and when the control device does not receive the response signal from the controlled device in response to the signal two or more times in succession, determines that the control device and the controlled device are not able to communicate with each other via the local communications network; 3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. when the control device does not receive the response signal in response to the signal transmitted by the multicast method from the controlled device, the control device determines that the control device and the controlled device are not capable of communicating with each other via the local communication network.

3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control device includes: When it is determined that the control device and the controlled device are capable of communicating with each other via the local communication network, a signal is transmitted to the controlled device in plain text; When a response signal indicating that communication in plain text is possible is received from the controlled device, communicating with the controlled device in an unencrypted communication method; when the response signal indicating that communication in plain text is possible is not received from the controlled device, an encrypted signal is transmitted to the controlled device, and communication with the controlled device is performed in an encrypted communication format based on the presence or absence of the response signal from the controlled device in response to the encrypted signal. The control system of claim 1 .

6. The control device includes: When receiving the response signal from the controlled device in response to the encrypted signal, communicating with the controlled device in an encrypted communication method; if the response signal from the controlled device to the encrypted signal is not received, it is determined that communication with the controlled device is not possible; 6. The control system of claim 5.

7. The controlled device includes: The identification information of the control device is stored in a storage unit in advance, When receiving the signal encrypted and transmitted from the control device, it is determined whether or not the identification information included in the signal is stored in the storage unit; When it is determined that the identification information is stored in the storage unit, the response signal is transmitted to the control device; when it is determined that the identification information is not stored in the storage unit, the response signal is not transmitted to the control device.

6. The control system of claim 5.

8. The control device includes: transmitting a first random number to the controlled device when the response signal from the controlled device in response to the encrypted signal is received; the controlled device transmits to the controlling device a second random number different from the first random number transmitted from the controlling device; the control device and the controlled device generate a common encryption key based on the first random number and the second random number, respectively.

6. The control system of claim 5.

9. The control system further includes a communication module attached to the controlled device; the controlled device communicates with the control device via the communication module in an unencrypted or encrypted manner over the local communication network; 6. The control system of claim 5.

10. the local communication network is a wireless local communication network; The wide area communication network is a wireless wide area communication network. The control system of claim 1 .

11. the wireless wide area communication network is a mobile line network, The control device is a mobile device that communicates with the controlled device via the mobile line network. The control system of claim 10.

12. A control method for controlling communication between a controlled device and a control device that controls the controlled device, comprising: a determination step of determining whether the control device and the controlled device are capable of communicating with each other via a local communication network; a local communication step of communicating with the controlled device via the local communication network when it is determined that the control device and the controlled device are capable of communicating with each other via the local communication network; a wide area communication step of communicating with the controlled device via a wide area communication network when it is determined that the control device and the controlled device are not capable of communicating with each other via the local communication network; Including, In the determination step, the control device transmits a signal to the controlled device via the local communications network, and when a response signal to the signal is received from the controlled device, the control device determines that the control device and the controlled device are capable of communicating with each other via the local communications network; In the local communication step, the control device When communicating with the controlled device via the local communication network, storing the access point used for the communication in a storage unit; If the response signal to the signal is not received from the controlled device, it is determined whether or not the access point is stored in the storage unit; If the access point is stored, transmitting the signal to the controlled device in a multicast manner via the local communication network. Control methods.

13. The local communication step includes: a first signal transmission step of transmitting a signal in plain text to the controlled device; a first communication step of communicating with the controlled device using an unencrypted communication method when a response signal indicating that communication in plain text is possible is received from the controlled device; a second signal transmitting step of encrypting and transmitting the signal to the controlled device when the response signal indicating that communication in plain text is possible is not received from the controlled device; a second communication step of communicating with the controlled device in an encrypted communication method based on the presence or absence of the response signal from the controlled device in response to the encrypted signal transmitted in the second signal transmission step; Including, The control method according to claim 12.

14. A method for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 12 or 13, program.

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