Information processing method, information processing program, and information processing device

Abstract

In the present invention, an equipment management server: acquires, from equipment installed in the indoor environment, first identification information for identifying a position identification device installed in a predetermined space among a plurality of spaces included in an indoor environment and second identification information for identifying the equipment; identifies the name of the space associated with the acquired first identification information for identifying the position identification device, by referring to a first table in which the first identification information is associated, in advance, with the name of the space in which the position identification device is installed; generates the name of the equipment by using the identified name of the space; and registers, in a second table, the generated name of the equipment and the acquired second identification information in association with one another.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for creating names for devices installed in an indoor environment. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, US Pat. No. 6,399,633 discloses a method for determining the relative locations of a plurality of wirelessly controllable building service equipment nodes within a building and a switching control node within the building.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, building service equipment nodes are grouped into a first group and a second group based on a spatial distribution of the building service equipment nodes as indicated by received signal strength indication (RSSI) values, and the building service equipment nodes of the first group are allocated for operation by a switching control node and the building service equipment nodes of the second group are not allocated.

[0004] However, while the above-mentioned conventional technology discloses how a switching control node determines which building service equipment node to operate from among multiple building service equipment nodes, it does not disclose how to create names for the building service equipment nodes, and further improvement was needed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4981784 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide technology that enables users to easily create device names that are identifiable by users, thereby simplifying the cumbersome task of creating device names.

[0007] An information processing method according to the present disclosure includes a computer acquiring, from an apparatus, first identification information for identifying a positioning device installed in a predetermined space among a plurality of spaces included in an indoor environment and second identification information for identifying the apparatus installed in the indoor environment, referring to a first table in which the first identification information for identifying the positioning device is pre-associated with the name of the space in which the positioning device is installed, identifying the name of the space associated with the acquired first identification information, creating a name of the apparatus using the identified name of the space, and registering the acquired second identification information and the created name of the apparatus in a second table in association with each other.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a user can easily create a name for a device that can be identified by the user, and the cumbersome task of creating a name for the device can be simplified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management server according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a repeater management table stored in a repeater management table storage unit in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a device management table stored in a device management table storage unit in the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a repeater registration process by the device management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a repeater registration start screen displayed on an integrated terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a repeater registration screen displayed on an integrated terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 8]4 is a flowchart illustrating a device name registration process performed by the device management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a device registration start screen displayed on an integrated terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a registration completion notification screen displayed on the integrated terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a device type input screen displayed on an integrated terminal in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management server according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a device management table stored in a device management table storage unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a device name registration process performed by a device management system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a registration completion notification screen displayed on the integrated terminal in the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management server according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a position reference device management table stored in a position reference device management table storage unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a position reference device registration process performed by a device management system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a position reference device registration start screen displayed on the integrated terminal in the third embodiment. [Figure 22]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a position reference device registration screen displayed on the integrated terminal in the third embodiment. [Figure 23] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a device name registration process performed by a device management system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management server according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a room name changing process performed by a device management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a room name change screen displayed on the integrated terminal in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management system according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management server according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 30] 13 is a first flowchart illustrating a room name changing process by a device management system according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 31] 23 is a second flowchart illustrating the room name changing process by the device management system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 32] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a room name change screen displayed on the integrated terminal in the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Findings on which this disclosure is based) When a user uses a terminal to operate multiple devices in a home, the terminal needs to identifiably display the multiple devices to be operated, and each of the multiple devices needs to be given a name that makes it easy to identify. For example, in the past, the identification number of a device connected to a network was displayed on the terminal, and the user input a name for the displayed identification number. However, multiple devices are installed in a home. Therefore, the task of a user inputting the names of multiple devices was very cumbersome.

[0011] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses how a switching control node determines which building service equipment node to operate from among multiple building service equipment nodes, but does not disclose how to create names for the building service equipment nodes.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer acquiring, from a device, first identification information for identifying a positioning device installed in a predetermined space among a plurality of spaces included in an indoor environment and second identification information for identifying the device installed in the indoor environment, referring to a first table in which the first identification information for identifying the positioning device is pre-associated with the name of the space in which the positioning device is installed, identifying the name of the space associated with the acquired first identification information, creating a name of the device using the identified name of the space, and registering the acquired second identification information and the created name of the device in a second table in association with each other.

[0013] According to this configuration, the name of the device is created using the name of the space in which the location identification device is installed in a predetermined space, so that a user-identifiable device name can be easily created, simplifying the complicated task of creating device names.

[0014] In addition, in the above information processing method, the location identification device may be a network connection device used to connect the device to a network, and the device may be communicatively connected to the computer via the network connection device.

[0015] According to this configuration, the device is communicatively connected to the computer via a network connection device installed in the same space as the device, so that the name of the device can be created using the name of the space in which the network connection device is installed.

[0016] In addition, in the above information processing method, the network connection device may be installed in each of two or more spaces among the plurality of spaces, and in identifying the names of the spaces, a name of the space that corresponds to the first identification information for identifying a network connection device installed in the space in which the device is installed, among the two or more network connection devices installed in each of the two or more spaces, may be identified.

[0017] According to this configuration, the name of the space in which a network connection device installed in the same space as a device is installed is identified, so that the name of the space in which the network connection device is installed can be used to create the name of the device installed in the same space as the network connection device.

[0018] In addition, in the above information processing method, the location determination device may be a signal transmission device that transmits a wireless signal including the first identification information, and the equipment may receive the wireless signal transmitted by the signal transmission device and transmit the first identification information contained in the received wireless signal to the computer.

[0019] According to this configuration, the device receives a wireless signal emitted by a signal emitting device installed in the same space as the device and transmits the first identification information contained in the received wireless signal to the computer, so that the name of the device can be created using the name of the space in which the signal emitting device is installed.

[0020] In addition, in the above information processing method, the signal emitting device may be installed in each of two or more spaces among the multiple spaces, and in identifying the names of the spaces, a name of the space that corresponds to the first identification information for identifying the signal emitting device installed in the space in which the equipment is installed, among the two or more signal emitting devices installed in each of the two or more spaces, may be identified.

[0021] According to this configuration, the name of the space in which a signal emitting device installed in the same space as an equipment is installed is identified, so that the name of the space in which the signal emitting device is installed can be used to create the name of the equipment installed in the same space as the signal emitting device.

[0022] In the above information processing method, in creating a name for the device, a name of the identified space may be created as the name of the device.

[0023] According to this configuration, the name of the space in which the position specifying device is installed is created as the name of the device, so that the user can easily identify the device from the name of the space.

[0024] In addition, in the above information processing method, when creating the name of the device, the name of the identified space may be displayed, and the type of the device accepted on a type input screen for accepting input of the type of the device may be obtained, and the name of the device may be created based on the obtained type of device and the name of the space.

[0025] According to this configuration, the name of the device is created based on the input type of device and the name of the space in which the location identification device is installed, so that the user can easily identify the device from the type of device and the name of the space.

[0026] In addition, in the above information processing method, when obtaining the first identification information and the second identification information, a type of the device may be further obtained, and when creating a name of the device, the name of the device may be created by combining the specified name of the space and the obtained type of the device.

[0027] According to this configuration, the name of the equipment is created by combining the name of the identified space with the obtained type of equipment, so that the user can easily identify the equipment from the combination of the name of the space and the type of equipment.

[0028] In addition, in the above information processing method, audio information in the indoor environment may be acquired, a name of a space contained in the audio information may be extracted, and if the extracted name of the space does not exist among the names of the spaces associated with the first table, the extracted name of the space may be presented to a user and a change input screen may be output to accept a change by the user to the name of the space associated with the first table.

[0029] The names of the spaces registered in the first table may change over time. Therefore, when the name of a space not registered in the first table is spoken in an indoor environment, the name of the space registered in the first table is changed to the name of the space not registered in the first table extracted from the voice information, thereby making it possible to create a device name that matches the current name of the space.

[0030] Furthermore, in the above information processing method, the number of times each of the names of the multiple spaces is spoken may be counted based on the extracted name of the space, and if, in outputting the change input screen, the extracted name of the space is not included in the names of the spaces associated with the first table, a name of the multiple spaces that has been spoken less than a threshold value may be identified, and the change input screen may be output for receiving input from the user as to whether or not to change the identified name of the space to the extracted name of the space.

[0031] Among the names of the multiple spaces registered in the first table, the names of the spaces that have been spoken less than a threshold value are likely to be names of spaces that are no longer called by the user. Therefore, among the names of the multiple spaces registered in the first table, the names of the spaces that have been spoken less than a threshold value are changed to the names of spaces that are not registered in the first table extracted from the voice information, so that a name of a device that matches the name of the current space can be created.

[0032] In addition, in the above information processing method, sensing data may be acquired from a sensor that detects people installed in each of the multiple spaces, and the frequency at which the person is present in each of the multiple spaces may be calculated based on the acquired sensing data, and the threshold value may be set lower for a space with a higher calculated frequency.

[0033] The name of a room where people are frequently present is also called by people less frequently. Therefore, by setting a lower threshold value for a room where people are detected more frequently, it is possible to prevent the name of a room where a user is frequently present from being changed.

[0034] The present disclosure can be realized not only as an information processing method for executing the characteristic processes as described above, but also as an information processing device having a characteristic configuration corresponding to the characteristic method executed by the information processing method. Also, the present disclosure can be realized as a computer program that causes a computer to execute the characteristic processes included in such an information processing method. Therefore, the same effects as those of the above information processing method can be achieved in the following other aspects as well.

[0035] An information processing program according to another aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of acquiring, from a device, first identification information for identifying a positioning device installed in a predetermined space among a plurality of spaces included in an indoor environment and second identification information for identifying the device installed in the indoor environment, referring to a first table in which the first identification information for identifying the positioning device is pre-associated with the name of the space in which the positioning device is installed, identifying the name of the space associated with the acquired first identification information, creating a name of the device using the identified name of the space, and registering the acquired second identification information and the created name of the device in a second table in association with each other.

[0036] An information processing device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires from an apparatus first identification information for identifying a positioning device installed in a predetermined space among a plurality of spaces included in an indoor environment and second identification information for identifying the apparatus installed in the indoor environment, an identification unit that refers to a first table in which the first identification information for identifying the positioning device and the name of the space in which the positioning device is installed are previously associated, and identifies the name of the space associated with the acquired first identification information, a creation unit that creates a name of the apparatus using the identified name of the space, and a registration processing unit that associates the acquired second identification information with the created name of the apparatus and registers them in the second table.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The device management system shown in Fig. 1 includes a device management server 1, a router 2, an integrated terminal 3, a first repeater 4A, a second repeater 4B, a first device 5A, and a second device 5B. The router 2, the integrated terminal 3, the first repeater 4A, the second repeater 4B, the first device 5A, and the second device 5B are installed in a residence 9.

[0039] The device management server 1 manages a repeater management table in which at least one repeater identification information for identifying at least one repeater installed in the residence 9 is associated with the name of the space (room) in which the at least one repeater is installed, and an appliance management table in which at least one appliance identification information for identifying at least one appliance installed in the residence 9 is associated with the name of at least one appliance. The configuration of the device management server 1 will be described later.

[0040] The residence 9 includes a plurality of rooms (spaces). The residence 9 includes a first room (first space) 91 and a second room (second space) 92. The first room 91 is, for example, a living room, and the second room 92 is, for example, a kitchen.

[0041] The router 2 is installed in a residence 9. The router 2 is a communication device that connects a wide area network (WAN) 6 and a first local area network (LAN) 7 and relays data. The WAN 6 is, for example, a general telephone line or the Internet such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), and the first LAN 7 is, for example, power line communication (PLC) that uses a power line as a communication line. The first LAN 7 is composed of the router 2, an integrated terminal 3, a first repeater 4A, and a second repeater 4B.

[0042] The integrated terminal 3 is installed, for example, in a living room in the residence 9, and is a controller for integrally controlling the first device 5A and the second device 5B used in the residence 9. The integrated terminal 3 includes a display unit and an input unit. The integrated terminal 3 may include a touch panel having the functions of the display unit and the input unit. The integrated terminal 3 accepts operations by users of the first device 5A and the second device 5B, and controls the first device 5A and the second device 5B according to the contents of the accepted operations.

[0043] The integrated terminal 3 displays the names of the first device 5A and the second device 5B when accepting operations by the user of the first device 5A and the second device 5B. The names of the first device 5A and the second device 5B displayed on the integrated terminal 3 are the names of the first device 5A and the second device 5B registered in the device management table of the device management server 1. The user selects the name of the device to be operated from the displayed names of the first device 5A and the second device 5B.

[0044] The first repeater 4A is installed in a predetermined room (space) among a plurality of rooms (spaces) included in the residence 9 (indoor environment). The first repeater 4A is a network connection device used for connecting the first device 5A to a network. The first repeater 4A is installed in an outlet provided on a wall of the first room 91 in the residence 9 or in a wiring device (hook ceiling) provided on the ceiling of the first room 91. The network connection device is, for example, a power line carrier communication device for connecting the first LAN 7 and the second LAN 8A.

[0045] The second LAN 8A is composed of a first repeater 4A and a first device 5A. By inserting the power plug or LAN cable of the first device 5A into the first repeater 4A, the first repeater 4A and the first device 5A are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The first repeater 4A connects the router 2 and the first device 5A to each other so that they can communicate with each other, and also connects the integrated terminal 3 and the first device 5A to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The second LAN 8A is not limited to a wired LAN, and may be a wireless LAN.

[0046] The second repeater 4B is installed in a predetermined room (space) among a plurality of rooms (spaces) included in the residence 9 (indoor environment). The second repeater 4B is a network connection device used for connecting the second device 5B to a network. The second repeater 4B is installed in an outlet provided on the wall of the second room 92 in the residence 9 or in a wiring device (hook ceiling) provided on the ceiling of the second room 92. The network connection device is, for example, a power line carrier communication device for connecting the first LAN 7 and the second LAN 8B.

[0047] The second LAN 8B is composed of a second repeater 4B and a second device 5B. By inserting the power plug or LAN cable of the second device 5B into the second repeater 4B, the second repeater 4B and the second device 5B are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The second repeater 4B connects the router 2 and the second device 5B to each other so that they can communicate with each other, and also connects the integrated terminal 3 and the second device 5B to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The second LAN 8B is not limited to a wired LAN, and may be a wireless LAN.

[0048] The first repeater 4A and the second repeater 4B are examples of a position identification device.

[0049] In the present embodiment 1, not only the first device 5A but also a plurality of devices installed in the first room 91 may be connected to the first repeater 4A. Similarly, in the present embodiment 1, not only the second device 5B but also a plurality of devices installed in the second room 92 may be connected to the second repeater 4B. Also, repeaters may be installed in rooms other than the first room 91 and the second room 92 in the residence 9.

[0050] The first device 5A and the second device 5B may be, for example, residential equipment such as a lighting device, a device for opening and closing a shutter, or a hot water supply device installed in the residence 9, or may be, for example, a home appliance such as a television, a refrigerator, a washing machine, or a microwave oven installed in the residence 9. The first device 5A is installed in a first room 91. The second device 5B is installed in a second room 92 different from the first room 91. The first device 5A is connected to the device management server 1 via the first repeater 4A so as to be able to communicate with each other. The second device 5B is connected to the device management server 1 via the second repeater 4B so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the device management server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] The device management server 1 shown in FIG.

[0053] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 11 realizes a repeater registration processing unit 101, an equipment searching unit 102, a space name specifying unit 103, an equipment name creating unit 104, and an equipment name registration processing unit 105.

[0054] The memory 12 is a storage device capable of storing various information, such as a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, etc. The memory 12 realizes a repeater management table storage unit 121 and a device management table storage unit 122.

[0055] The communication unit 13 transmits various information to the integrated terminal 3, the first repeater 4A, the second repeater 4B, the first device 5A and the second device 5B, and receives various information from the integrated terminal 3, the first repeater 4A, the second repeater 4B, the first device 5A and the second device 5B.

[0056] The repeater registration processing unit 101 registers in a repeater management table (first table) at least one repeater identification information for identifying at least one repeater and the name of the room (space) in the residence 9 in which the repeater is installed, in association with each other.

[0057] Here, the integrated terminal 3 transmits a repeater registration request to the device management server 1 to register at least one repeater identification information and the name of the room in the repeater management table in association with each other. The repeater identification information includes, for example, the MAC address of the repeater. The communication unit 13 of the device management server 1 receives the repeater registration request transmitted by the integrated terminal 3. When the communication unit 13 receives the repeater registration request, the repeater registration processing unit 101 broadcasts a repeater search command to search for at least one repeater connected to the first LAN 7. When the repeater receives the repeater search command, the repeater transmits response information to the device management server 1. At this time, the response information includes repeater identification information for identifying the repeater. The repeater identification information is the MAC address of the repeater that is the transmission source. The communication unit 13 transmits at least one repeater identification information included in the at least one received response information to the integrated terminal 3.

[0058] The integrated terminal 3 displays the at least one repeater identification information received and accepts input of location information for the at least one repeater identification information. The location information includes the name of the room (space) in which the repeater is installed. The integrated terminal 3 transmits the at least one repeater identification information and the location information to the device management server 1. The communication unit 13 of the device management server 1 receives the at least one repeater identification information and the location information transmitted by the integrated terminal 3. The repeater registration processing unit 101 registers in the repeater management table the at least one repeater identification information for identifying the at least one repeater and the name of the room (space) in the residence 9 in which the at least one repeater is installed in association with each other.

[0059] The repeater management table storage unit 121 stores a repeater management table (first table) in which repeater identification information (first identification information) for identifying a repeater is associated in advance with the name of the room (space) in which the repeater is installed.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the repeater management table stored in repeater management table storage unit 121 in the first embodiment.

[0061] The repeater management table associates at least one repeater identification information with the name of the room in which at least one repeater is installed. The repeater management table shown in FIG. 3, for example, associates the MAC address of the first repeater 4A with the living room, and associates the MAC address of the second repeater 4B with the kitchen. The MAC address of the first repeater 4A is the repeater identification information for identifying the first repeater 4A, and the MAC address of the second repeater 4B is the repeater identification information for identifying the second repeater 4B. The living room is the name of the room in which the first repeater 4A is installed, and the kitchen is the name of the room in which the second repeater 4B is installed.

[0062] The device search unit 102 broadcasts a device search command for searching for devices connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. When the device receives the device search command, it transmits response information to the device management server 1. At this time, the response information transmitted by the device includes device identification information for identifying the device. The device identification information is the IP address of the transmission source device. The response information transmitted by the device is transmitted to the device management server 1 via the repeater. Therefore, the repeater receives the response information transmitted by the device and transmits the received response information to the device management server 1. At this time, the repeater includes repeater identification information for identifying the repeater in the received response information. Then, the repeater transmits the response information including the repeater identification information to the device management server 1. The repeater identification information is the MAC address of the repeater that relayed the response information.

[0063] The communication unit 13 acquires from the device repeater identification information (first identification information) for identifying a repeater (location determination device) installed in a predetermined room (space) among a plurality of rooms (spaces) included in the indoor environment, and device identification information (second identification information) for identifying a device installed in the indoor environment. That is, the communication unit 13 receives response information including the repeater identification information and the device identification information.

[0064] The space name determination unit 103 refers to a repeater management table (first table) in which repeater identification information (first identification information) for identifying a repeater (location determination device) is pre-associated with the name of the room (space) in which the repeater (location determination device) is installed, and determines the name of the room (space) associated with the acquired repeater identification information (first identification information).

[0065] Repeaters (a first repeater 4A and a second repeater 4B) are installed in each of two or more rooms (spaces) among a plurality of rooms (spaces). The space name specification unit 103 specifies the name of the room (space) associated with repeater identification information (first identification information) for identifying the repeater installed in the room (space) in which the device is installed, among the two or more repeaters installed in each of the two or more rooms (spaces).

[0066] The device name creation unit 104 creates a name for the device using the name of the room (space) identified by the space name identification unit 103. The device name creation unit 104 creates the name of the room (space) identified by the space name identification unit 103 as the name of the device.

[0067] The device name registration processing unit 105 associates the device identification information (second identification information) acquired by the communication unit 13 with the device name created by the device name creation unit 104 and registers them in the device management table (second table).

[0068] The device management table storage unit 122 stores a device management table (second table) in which device identification information (second identification information) for identifying a device is associated with the name of the device.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a device management table stored in device management table storage unit 122 in the first embodiment.

[0070] The device management table associates at least one device identification information with at least one device name. The device management table shown in Fig. 4, for example, associates the IP address of the first device 5A with the living room, and associates the IP address of the second device 5B with the kitchen. The IP address of the first device 5A is device identification information for identifying the first device 5A, and the IP address of the second device 5B is device identification information for identifying the second device 5B. The living room is the name of the first device 5A, and the kitchen is the name of the second device 5B.

[0071] In this embodiment 1, the name of the room in which the first repeater 4A is installed is created as the name of the first device 5A, and the name of the room in which the second repeater 4B is installed is created as the name of the second device 5B.

[0072] Next, a repeater registration process performed by the device management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0073] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a repeater registration process by the device management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] First, in step S1, the integrated terminal 3 displays a repeater registration start screen to start registering at least one repeater identification information for identifying at least one repeater and the name of the room in which the repeater is installed in the repeater management table.

[0075] Next, in step S2, the integrated terminal 3 accepts an input for starting registration of at least one relay connected to the first LAN 7.

[0076] Next, in step S3, the integrated terminal 3 sends a repeater registration request to the equipment management server 1 to register in the repeater management table at least one repeater identification information and the name of the room in which the at least one repeater is installed in association with each other.

[0077] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a relay registration start screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3 in the first embodiment.

[0078] The integrated terminal 3 displays a repeater registration start screen 201 shown in Fig. 6. The repeater registration start screen 201 includes a registration start button 2011 for starting the registration of at least one repeater connected to the first LAN 7, and a registration end button 2012 for ending the registration of at least one repeater connected to the first LAN 7. On the repeater registration start screen 201, a user using the residence 9 touches the registration start button 2011 when starting the registration of at least one repeater connected to the first LAN 7. When the registration start button 2011 is touched, a repeater registration request is transmitted to the device management server 1.

[0079] On the other hand, on the repeater registration start screen 201, if the user using the residence 9 does not want to start registration of at least one repeater connected to the first LAN 7, the user touches the registration end button 2012. When the registration end button 2012 is touched, the integrated terminal 3 displays the screen immediately before the repeater registration start screen 201, for example, a menu screen.

[0080] Returning to FIG. 5, next, the communication unit 13 of the device management server 1 receives the repeater registration request transmitted by the integrated terminal 3 in step S4.

[0081] Next, in step S5, the repeater registration processing unit 101 broadcasts a repeater search command to search for at least one repeater connected to the first LAN 7. The communication unit 13 designates the broadcast address of the first LAN 7 and transmits the repeater search command to all repeaters connected to the first LAN 7. When the repeater receives the repeater search command, it transmits response information including repeater identification information for identifying the repeater to the device management server 1. The repeater identification information is, for example, the MAC address of the repeater. Note that the repeater identification information may be the IP address or serial number of the repeater, and may be any information that can uniquely identify the repeater.

[0082] Next, in step S 6 , the communication unit 13 receives response information from at least one relay connected to the first LAN 7 .

[0083] Next, in step S7, relay registration processing unit 101 acquires at least one piece of relay identification information from at least one piece of response information received by communication unit 13.

[0084] Next, in step S8, the repeater registration processing unit 101 transmits the acquired at least one repeater identification information to the integrated terminal 3 via the communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 transmits the at least one repeater identification information acquired by the repeater registration processing unit 101 to the integrated terminal 3.

[0085] Next, in step S9, the integrated terminal 3 receives at least one piece of repeater identification information transmitted by the device management server 1.

[0086] Next, in step S10, the integrated terminal 3 displays the received at least one piece of repeater identification information and displays a repeater registration screen for receiving input of location information for the at least one piece of repeater identification information.

[0087] Next, in step S11, the integrated terminal 3 accepts input of location information for at least one piece of repeater identification information.

[0088] Next, in step S12, the integrated terminal 3 transmits to the device management server 1 at least one of the repeater identification information and the position information input by the user.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a repeater registration screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3 in the first embodiment.

[0090] The integrated terminal 3 displays a repeater registration screen 202 shown in Fig. 7. The repeater registration screen 202 includes an identification information presentation field 2021 for presenting at least one repeater identification information, and a location information input field 2022 for inputting location information corresponding to the at least one repeater identification information. On the repeater registration screen 202, a user using the residence 9 inputs location information corresponding to the at least one repeater identification information into the location information input field 2022. The repeater identification information is, for example, a MAC address of the repeater, and the location information is, for example, the name of the room in which the repeater is installed.

[0091] Here, the first repeater 4A and the second repeater 4B are connected to the first LAN 7, and the MAC address of the first repeater 4A and the MAC address of the second repeater 4B are displayed in the identification information display field 2021. In addition, as the location information for the MAC address of the first repeater 4A, the name of the room in which the first repeater 4A is installed, "living room," is input in the location information input field 2022. In addition, as the location information for the MAC address of the second repeater 4B, the name of the room in which the second repeater 4B is installed, "kitchen," is input in the location information input field 2022.

[0092] Furthermore, the repeater registration screen 202 includes a send button 2023 for sending at least one repeater identification information and each of the input location information. When the send button 2023 is touched, at least one repeater identification information and the location information are sent to the device management server 1.

[0093] Returning to FIG. 5, next, in step S13, the communication unit 13 of the device management server 1 receives at least one of the repeater identification information and the position information transmitted by the integrated terminal 3.

[0094] Next, in step S14, repeater registration processing unit 101 associates at least one repeater identification information with the location information (room name) and registers them in the repeater management table.

[0095] Next, a device name registration process performed by the device management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0096] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a device name registration process performed by the device management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] First, in step S21, the integrated terminal 3 displays a device registration start screen for starting registration of at least one device identification information for identifying at least one device and the name of the device in the device management table.

[0098] Next, in step S22, the integrated terminal 3 receives an input for starting registration of at least one device connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B.

[0099] Next, in step S23, the integrated terminal 3 transmits to the device management server 1 a device registration request for registering at least one piece of device identification information and a device name in association with each other in the device management table.

[0100] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a device registration start screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3 in the first embodiment.

[0101] The integrated terminal 3 displays a device registration start screen 203 shown in Fig. 9. The device registration start screen 203 includes a registration start button 2031 for starting the registration of at least one device connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B, and a registration end button 2032 for ending the registration of at least one device connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. On the device registration start screen 203, a user using the residence 9 touches the registration start button 2031 when starting the registration of at least one device connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. When the registration start button 2031 is touched, a device registration request is transmitted to the device management server 1.

[0102] On the other hand, if the user using the residence 9 does not want to start registration of at least one repeater connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B on the device registration start screen 203, the user touches the registration end button 2032. When the registration end button 2032 is touched, the integrated terminal 3 displays the screen immediately before the device registration start screen 203, for example, a menu screen.

[0103] Returning to FIG. 8, next, the communication unit 13 of the device management server 1 receives the device registration request transmitted by the integrated terminal 3 in step S24.

[0104] Next, in step S25, the device searching unit 102 broadcasts a device searching command for searching for at least one device connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. The communication unit 13 specifies the broadcast addresses of the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B and transmits the device searching command to all devices connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. When the device receives the device searching command, it transmits response information including device identification information for identifying the device to the device management server 1. The device identification information is, for example, the IP address of the device.

[0105] Next, in step S26, the communication unit 13 receives response information from at least one device connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. The response information transmitted from the device reaches the device management server 1 via the repeater. Therefore, the destination of the response information received by the device management server 1 includes the MAC address of the repeater (repeater identification information).

[0106] Next, in step S27, the device search unit 102 determines whether or not one of the at least one device identification information included in the at least one response information received by the communication unit 13 is registered in the device management table.

[0107] If it is determined that one of the at least one device identification information is registered in the device management table (YES in step S27), the process proceeds to step S32.

[0108] On the other hand, if it is determined that one of the at least one device identification information is not registered in the device management table (NO in step S27), in step S28, the space name identification unit 103 acquires repeater identification information from the response information corresponding to the one of the at least one device identification information.

[0109] Next, in step S29, the space name specification unit 103 refers to the repeater management table and specifies the name of the room associated with the acquired repeater identification information.

[0110] Next, in step S30, the device name creation section 104 creates the name of the room identified by the space name identification section 103 as the name of the device.

[0111] Next, in step S31, the device name registration processing unit 105 associates one piece of device identification information acquired by the communication unit 13 with the device name created by the device name creation unit 104 and registers them in the device management table.

[0112] Next, in step S32, the device searching unit 102 determines whether or not all of the device identification information among the at least one piece of device identification information included in the at least one piece of response information received by the communication unit 13 has been registered.

[0113] If it is determined that all of the device identification information has not been registered (NO in step S32), the process returns to step S27, and the device searching unit 102 determines whether another one of the at least one device identification information is registered in the device management table.

[0114] On the other hand, if it is determined that all device identification information has been registered (YES in step S32), in step S33, the communication unit 13 transmits a device registration completion notification to the integrated terminal 3 to notify that device registration has been completed.

[0115] Next, in step S34, the integrated terminal 3 receives the device registration completion notification sent by the device management server 1.

[0116] Next, in step S35, the integrated terminal 3 displays a registration completion notification screen for notifying the user that registration of at least one piece of device identification information and a device name has been completed.

[0117] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a registration completion notification screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3 in the first embodiment.

[0118] The integrated terminal 3 displays a registration completion notification screen 204 shown in Fig. 10. The registration completion notification screen 204 includes a device name presentation field 2041 for presenting at least one piece of device identification information and a name of a device corresponding to the at least one piece of device identification information. The device identification information is, for example, an IP address of the device, and the device name is the name of a room in which the device is installed.

[0119] Here, the first device 5A and the second device 5B are connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LAN 8A, 8B, and the IP address of the first device 5A and the IP address of the second device 5B are displayed in the device name display field 2041. In addition, as the device name for the IP address of the first device 5A, the name of the room in which the first repeater 4A is installed, "Living Room", is displayed in the device name display field 2041. In addition, as the device name for the IP address of the second device 5B, the name of the room in which the second repeater 4B is installed, "Kitchen", is displayed in the device name display field 2041.

[0120] In the first embodiment, the device name creation unit 104 creates the name of the room (space) in which the relay device is installed as the device name, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this. The device name creation unit 104 may display the name of the room (space) identified by the space name identification unit 103, acquire the device type accepted on a device type input screen for accepting an input of the device type by the user, and create a device name based on the acquired device type and the name of the room (space).

[0121] In this way, the name of the device is created using the name of the room in which the repeater is installed in a predetermined room, so that a user can easily create a device name that is identifiable, and the complicated task of creating device names can be simplified.

[0122] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a device type input screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3 in the modification of the first embodiment.

[0123] After the space name specification unit 103 specifies the name of the room, the device name creation unit 104 transmits the device identification information and the name of the room specified by the space name specification unit 103 to the integrated terminal 3. Upon receiving the device identification information and the name of the room, the integrated terminal 3 displays a device type input screen shown in FIG.

[0124] The device type input screen 205 includes at least one piece of device identification information and a room name corresponding to the at least one piece of device identification information. The device type input screen 205 also includes type input fields 2051 and 2052 for receiving input of a device type by a user. On the device type input screen 205, a user using the residence 9 inputs a device type corresponding to at least one piece of device identification information in the type input fields 2051 and 2052.

[0125] Here, the first device 5A and the second device 5B are connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LAN 8A, 8B, and the IP address of the first device 5A and the IP address of the second device 5B are displayed on the device type input screen 205. In addition, as the room name for the IP address of the first device 5A, the living room, which is the name of the room where the first repeater 4A is installed, is displayed on the device type input screen 205. In addition, as the room name for the IP address of the second device 5B, the kitchen, which is the name of the room where the second repeater 4B is installed, is displayed on the device type input screen 205.

[0126] Moreover, as the device type for the IP address of the first device 5A, a lighting device, which is the type of the first device 5A, is input in a type input field 2051. Moreover, as the device type for the IP address of the second device 5B, a lighting device, which is the type of the second device 5B, is input in a type input field 2052.

[0127] The device type input screen 205 also includes a send button 2053 for sending a device type corresponding to at least one piece of device identification information. When the send button 2053 is touched, at least one piece of device identification information and the device type are sent to the device management server 1. The device management server 1 receives the at least one piece of device identification information and the device type sent by the integrated terminal 3.

[0128] The device name creation unit 104 creates a device name based on the device type and room name received by the communication unit 13. For example, when the name of the room is a living room and the type of device is a lighting device, the device name creation unit 104 creates a device name of "lighting device in living room" which is a combination of the room name and the device type.

[0129] In the first embodiment, the device management server 1 performs the repeater registration process and the device name registration process, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this, and the integrated terminal 3, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, or a home server installed in the residence 9 and connected to the first LAN 7 may perform the repeater registration process and the device name registration process. In this case, the integrated terminal 3, the mobile terminal, or the home server may include a repeater registration processing unit 101, a device searching unit 102, a space name identification unit 103, a device name creation unit 104, a device name registration processing unit 105, a repeater management table storage unit 121, and a device management table storage unit 122.

[0130] In the first embodiment, the device management server 1 broadcasts a device search command after receiving a device registration request from the integrated terminal 3, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this, and the device management server 1 may broadcast a device search command periodically. For example, the device management server 1 may broadcast a device search command once a day or once a week. This allows the name of a newly installed device to be automatically registered.

[0131] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the name of the room in which the repeater is installed is registered as the name of the device. In this case, if multiple devices are installed in one room, the names of the multiple devices will all be the same, making it difficult to identify the multiple devices. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the type of the device is further acquired, and the name of the device is created by combining the name of the specified space and the acquired type of the device.

[0132] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] 12 includes a device management server 1A, a router 2, an integrated terminal 3A, a first repeater 4A, a second repeater 4B, a first device 5A, a second device 5B, a third device 5C, and a fourth device 5D. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0134] The third device 5C and the fourth device 5D may be, for example, a lighting device, a device for opening and closing a shutter, or a hot water supply device installed in the residence 9, or may be, for example, a home appliance such as a television, a refrigerator, a washing machine, or a microwave oven installed in the residence 9. The first device 5A and the third device 5C are installed in a first room 91. The second device 5B and the fourth device 5D are installed in a second room 92 different from the first room 91. The third device 5C is connected to the device management server 1A via the first repeater 4A so as to be able to communicate with each other. The fourth device 5D is connected to the device management server 1A via the second repeater 4B so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0135] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management server 1A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0136] The device management server 1A shown in FIG. 13 includes a processor 11A, a memory 12A, and a communication unit 13A.

[0137] Processor 11A is, for example, a CPU. Processor 11A realizes repeater registration processing unit 101, device searching unit 102, space name specification unit 103, device name creation unit 104A, and device name registration processing unit 105A.

[0138] The memory 12A is a storage device capable of storing various types of information, such as a RAM, an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, etc. The memory 12A realizes a repeater management table storage unit 121 and a device management table storage unit 122A.

[0139] The communication unit 13A acquires repeater identification information, device identification information, and device type from the device. That is, the communication unit 13A receives response information including the repeater identification information, device identification information, and device type. The device type is, for example, a device object defined in the ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) standard. The device stores the device type in advance. When the device receives the device search command, it transmits response information including the device identification information and the device type to the device management server 1A.

[0140] The device name creation unit 104A creates a device name by combining the name of the room (space) identified by the space name identification unit 103 and the type of device acquired by the communication unit 13A. For example, if the name of the room is a living room and the type of device is a television, the device name creation unit 104A may create a device name that combines the room name and the device type, such as "living room television." The device name creation unit 104A may also create a device name that inserts a particle between the room name and the device type, such as "living room television."

[0141] The device name registration processing unit 105A registers in the device management table (second table) the device identification information (second identification information) acquired by the communication unit 13A, the repeater identification information (first identification information) acquired by the communication unit 13A, and the name of the device created by the device name creation unit 104A in association with each other.

[0142] The device management table storage unit 122A stores a device management table (second table) in which device identification information (second identification information) for identifying a device, repeater identification information (first identification information) for identifying a repeater, and the name of the device are associated with each other.

[0143] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a device management table stored in device management table storage unit 122A in the second embodiment.

[0144] The device management table associates at least one device identification information, at least one repeater identification information, and at least one device name. The device management table shown in Fig. 14 associates, for example, the IP address of the first device 5A, the MAC address of the first repeater 4A, and the lighting device in the living room, and also associates the IP address of the third device 5C, the MAC address of the first repeater 4A, and the TV in the living room. In addition, the device management table associates, for example, the IP address of the second device 5B, the MAC address of the second repeater 4B, and the lighting device in the kitchen, and also associates the IP address of the fourth device 5D, the MAC address of the second repeater 4B, and the refrigerator in the kitchen.

[0145] The IP address of the first device 5A is device identification information for identifying the first device 5A, and the IP address of the second device 5B is device identification information for identifying the second device 5B. The IP address of the third device 5C is device identification information for identifying the third device 5C, and the IP address of the fourth device 5D is device identification information for identifying the fourth device 5D. The lighting device in the living room is the name of the first device 5A, the lighting device in the kitchen is the name of the second device 5B, the TV in the living room is the name of the third device 5C, and the refrigerator in the kitchen is the name of the fourth device 5D.

[0146] In the second embodiment, the name of the device is created by combining the name of the room in which the repeater is installed and the type of the device.

[0147] In the device management table in the second embodiment, device identification information, repeater identification information, and device name are associated with each other. When a device registered in the device management table is moved to another room, the device management server 1A acquires repeater identification information different from the repeater identification information registered in the device management table. Therefore, when the acquired repeater identification information is different from the repeater identification information associated with the device identification information, the device management server 1A identifies the name of the room from the new repeater identification information, and creates the name of the device by combining the identified room name and the type of device. Then, the device management server 1A associates the device identification information, the new repeater identification information, and the name of the new device and registers them in the device management table. As a result, even if the device is moved to another room, a new device name using the name of the other room can be created.

[0148] In addition, in the first embodiment, the device management table storage unit 122 may also store a device management table in which device identification information for identifying a device, repeater identification information for identifying a repeater, and the name of the device are associated with each other.

[0149] Next, a device name registration process performed by the device management system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0150] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a device name registration process performed by the device management system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0151] The processing in steps S41 to S44 is the same as the processing in steps S21 to S24 shown in FIG. 8, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0152] Next, in step S45, the device searching unit 102 broadcasts a device searching command for searching for at least one device connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. The communication unit 13A designates the broadcast addresses of the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B and transmits the device searching command to all devices connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. When the device receives the device searching command, it transmits response information including device identification information for identifying the device and the type of the device to the device management server 1A.

[0153] Next, in step S46, the communication unit 13A receives response information from at least one device connected to the first LAN 7 and the second LANs 8A and 8B. The response information transmitted from the device reaches the device management server 1A via the repeater. Therefore, the destination of the response information received by the device management server 1A includes the MAC address of the repeater (repeater identification information).

[0154] Next, in step S47, the device search unit 102 determines whether or not one of the at least one device identification information included in the at least one response information received by the communication unit 13A is registered in the device management table.

[0155] Here, if it is determined that one of the at least one device identification information is not registered in the device management table (NO in step S47), in step S48, the space name identification unit 103 acquires the repeater identification information and the device type from the response information corresponding to the one of the at least one device identification information.

[0156] Next, in step S49, the space name specification unit 103 refers to the repeater management table and specifies the name of the room associated with the acquired repeater identification information.

[0157] Next, in step S50, the device name creation section 104A creates a device name by combining the name of the room identified by the space name identification section 103 and the acquired device type.

[0158] Next, in step S51, the device name registration processing unit 105A registers in the device management table one device identification information acquired by the communication unit 13, one repeater identification information acquired together with the one device identification information, and the name of the device created by the device name creation unit 104A in correspondence with each other.

[0159] On the other hand, if it is determined that one of the at least one device identification information is registered in the device management table (YES in step S47), in step S52, the device search unit 102 acquires repeater identification information from the response information corresponding to the one registered device identification information.

[0160] Next, in step S53, device searching section 102 determines whether or not the acquired repeater identification information is registered in the device management table in association with one piece of device identification information.

[0161] If it is determined that the acquired repeater identification information is registered in the device management table in association with the device identification information of one (YES in step S53), the process proceeds to step S54.

[0162] On the other hand, if it is determined that the acquired repeater identification information is not registered in the device management table in association with the device identification information of one (NO in step S53), the process proceeds to step S48.

[0163] The processing in steps S54 to S57 is the same as the processing in steps S32 to S35 shown in FIG. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0164] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a registration completion notification screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3A in the second embodiment.

[0165] The integrated terminal 3A displays a registration completion notification screen 206 shown in Fig. 16. The registration completion notification screen 206 includes a device name presentation field 2061 for presenting at least one piece of device identification information and a name of a device corresponding to the at least one piece of device identification information. The device identification information is, for example, an IP address of the device, and the name of the device is a combination of the name of the room in which the device is installed and the type of the device.

[0166] Here, a first device 5A, a second device 5B, a third device 5C and a fourth device 5D are connected to a first LAN 7 and a second LAN 8A, 8B, and the IP address of the first device 5A, the IP address of the third device 5C, the IP address of the second device 5B and the IP address of the fourth device 5D are displayed in the device name presentation field 2061.

[0167] In addition, as the device name for the IP address of the first device 5A, a combination of the living room, which is the name of the room in which the first repeater 4A is installed, and the lighting device, which is the type of the first device 5A, is displayed in the device name presentation field 2061. In addition, as the device name for the IP address of the third device 5C, a combination of the living room, which is the name of the room in which the first repeater 4A is installed, and the television, which is the type of the third device 5C, is displayed in the device name presentation field 2061. In addition, as the device name for the IP address of the second device 5B, a combination of the kitchen, which is the name of the room in which the second repeater 4B is installed, and the lighting device, which is the type of the second device 5B, is displayed in the device name presentation field 2061. In addition, as the device name for the IP address of the fourth device 5D, a combination of the kitchen, which is the name of the room in which the second repeater 4B is installed, and the refrigerator, which is the type of the fourth device 5D, is displayed in the device name presentation field 2061.

[0168] In this way, the name of the device is created by combining the identified room name and the acquired device type, so that the user can easily identify the device from the combination of the room name and device type.

[0169] (Embodiment 3) In the first embodiment, the name of the room (space) in which a repeater used for connecting a device to a network is installed is registered as the name of the device. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the name of the room (space) in which a position reference device (signal transmission device) that transmits a wireless signal is installed is registered as the name of the device.

[0170] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device management system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The device management system shown in Fig. 17 includes a device management server 1B, a router 2, an integrated terminal 3B, a first device 5A, a second device 5B, a first position reference device 10A, and a second position reference device 10B. Note that in the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0171] The first position reference device 10A is installed in a predetermined room (space) among a plurality of rooms (spaces) included in the residence 9 (indoor environment). The first position reference device 10A is installed, for example, on the ceiling of a first room 91 in the residence 9. The first position reference device 10A is an example of a signal transmission device that transmits a wireless signal. The first position reference device 10A is, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) beacon. The wireless signal includes position reference device identification information (first identification information) for identifying the first position reference device 10A. The position reference device identification information is, for example, a universally unique identifier (UUID).

[0172] The second position reference device 10B is installed in a predetermined room (space) among a plurality of rooms (spaces) included in the residence 9 (indoor environment). The second position reference device 10B is installed, for example, on the ceiling of a second room 92 in the residence 9. The second position reference device 10B is an example of a signal transmission device that transmits a wireless signal. The second position reference device 10B is, for example, a BLE beacon. The wireless signal includes position reference device identification information (first identification information) for identifying the second position reference device 10B.

[0173] The first position reference device 10A and the second position reference device 10B periodically transmit a wireless signal. The first position reference device 10A and the second position reference device 10B transmit a wireless signal, for example, every second.

[0174] The first position reference device 10A and the second position reference device 10B are an example of a position specifying device.

[0175] The first device 5A is communicatively connected to the device management server 1B via the first LAN 7. The second device 5B is communicatively connected to the device management server 1B via the first LAN 7. The first LAN 7 is composed of the router 2, the integrated terminal 3B, the first device 5A, and the second device 5B.

[0176] The first device 5A receives the wireless signal transmitted by the first position reference device 10A, and transmits the position reference device identification information (first identification information) contained in the received wireless signal to the device management server 1B.

[0177] The second device 5B receives the wireless signal transmitted by the second position reference device 10B, and transmits the position reference device identification information (first identification information) contained in the received wireless signal to the device management server 1B.

[0178] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management server 1B according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0179] The device management server 1B shown in FIG. 18 includes a processor 11B, a memory 12B, and a communication unit 13B.

[0180] The processor 11B is, for example, a CPU. An equipment searching unit 102, a space name specifying unit 103, an equipment name creating unit 104, an equipment name registration processing unit 105, and a position reference device registration processing unit 106 are realized by the processor 11B.

[0181] The memory 12B is a storage device capable of storing various information, such as a RAM, a HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, etc. The memory 12B realizes a device management table storage unit 122 and a position reference device management table storage unit 123.

[0182] The communication unit 13B transmits various information to the integrated terminal 3B, the first device 5A, and the second device 5B, and receives various information from the integrated terminal 3B, the first device 5A, and the second device 5B.

[0183] The position reference device registration processing unit 106 registers in a position reference device management table (first table) at least one position reference device identification information for identifying at least one position reference device and the name of a room (space) in the residence 9 in which the at least one position reference device is installed, in association with each other.

[0184] Here, the integrated terminal 3B receives a wireless signal transmitted from at least one position reference device installed in each room in the residence 9. At this time, the wireless signal includes position reference device identification information for identifying the position reference device. The position reference device identification information is, for example, the UUID of the position reference device.

[0185] The integrated terminal 3B displays at least one piece of position reference device identification information included in at least one received wireless signal, and accepts input of position information for at least one piece of position reference device identification information. The position information includes the name of the room (space) in which the position reference device is installed. The integrated terminal 3B transmits at least one piece of position reference device identification information and position information to the device management server 1B. The communication unit 13B of the device management server 1B receives at least one piece of position reference device identification information and position information transmitted by the integrated terminal 3B. The position reference device registration processing unit 106 registers at least one piece of position reference device identification information for identifying at least one piece of position reference device in the position reference device management table in association with the name of the room (space) in the residence 9 in which the position reference device is installed.

[0186] The position reference device management table storage unit 123 stores a position reference device management table (first table) in which position reference device identification information (first identification information) for identifying the position reference device is associated in advance with the name of the room (space) in which the position reference device is installed.

[0187] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the position standard device management table stored in the position standard device management table storage unit 123 in the third embodiment.

[0188] The position reference device management table associates at least one piece of position reference device identification information with the name of a room in which the position reference device is installed. The position reference device management table shown in FIG. 19 associates, for example, the UUID of the first position reference device 10A with the living room, and associates the UUID of the second position reference device 10B with the kitchen. The UUID of the first position reference device 10A is the position reference device identification information for identifying the first position reference device 10A, and the UUID of the second position reference device 10B is the position reference device identification information for identifying the second position reference device 10B. The living room is the name of the room in which the first position reference device 10A is installed, and the kitchen is the name of the room in which the second position reference device 10B is installed.

[0189] The device searching unit 102 broadcasts a device search command for searching for devices connected to the first LAN 7. When the device receives the device search command, it receives a wireless signal transmitted by the position reference device and acquires position reference device identification information from the received wireless signal. Then, the device transmits response information to the device management server 1B. At this time, the response information includes position reference device identification information for identifying the position reference device and device identification information for identifying the device. The position reference device identification information is the UUID of the position reference device that transmitted the wireless signal. The device identification information is the IP address of the device that is the transmission source. The communication unit 13B acquires from the device the position reference device identification information (first identification information) for identifying the position reference device (location specification device) installed in a predetermined room (space) among a plurality of rooms (spaces) included in the indoor environment and device identification information (second identification information) for identifying the device installed in the indoor environment. That is, the communication unit 13B receives response information including the position reference device identification information and the device identification information.

[0190] The space name determination unit 103B refers to a position reference device management table (first table) in which position reference device identification information (first identification information) for identifying a position reference device (position determination device) is previously associated with the name of the room (space) in which the position reference device (position determination device) is installed, and determines the name of the room (space) associated with the acquired position reference device identification information (first identification information).

[0191] A position reference device (a first position reference device 10A and a second position reference device 10B) is installed in each of two or more rooms (spaces) among a plurality of rooms (spaces). The space name specification unit 103B specifies the name of the room (space) associated with the position reference device identification information (first identification information) for identifying the position reference device installed in the room (space) in which the device is installed, among the two or more position reference devices installed in each of the two or more rooms (spaces).

[0192] In this embodiment 3, the name of the room in which the first position reference device 10A is installed is created as the name of the first device 5A, and the name of the room in which the second position reference device 10B is installed is created as the name of the second device 5B.

[0193] Next, a position reference device registration process performed by the device management system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0194] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a position reference device registration process performed by the device management system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0195] First, in step S71, the integrated terminal 3B displays a position reference device registration start screen to start registering at least one position reference device identification information for identifying at least one position reference device and the name of the room in which the position reference device is installed in the position reference device management table.

[0196] Next, in step S72, the integrated terminal 3B accepts an input for starting registration of at least one position reference device installed in at least one room in the residence 9.

[0197] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a position reference device registration start screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3B in the third embodiment.

[0198] The integrated terminal 3B displays a position reference device registration start screen 207 shown in Fig. 21. The position reference device registration start screen 207 includes a registration start button 2071 for starting the registration of at least one position reference device installed in at least one room in the residence 9, and a registration end button 2072 for ending the registration of at least one position reference device installed in at least one room in the residence 9. On the position reference device registration start screen 207, when starting the registration of at least one position reference device installed in at least one room in the residence 9, a user using the residence 9 touches the registration start button 2071. By touching the registration start button 2071, reception of at least one wireless signal transmitted from at least one position reference device installed in each room in the residence 9 is started.

[0199] On the other hand, on the position reference device registration start screen 207, if the user using the residence 9 does not want to start registration of at least one position reference device installed in at least one room in the residence 9, the user touches the registration end button 2072. When the registration end button 2072 is touched, the integrated terminal 3B displays the screen immediately before the position reference device registration start screen 207, for example, a menu screen.

[0200] Returning to FIG. 20, next, in step S73, the integrated terminal 3B receives at least one wireless signal transmitted from at least one position reference device installed in each room in the residence 9. The position reference device periodically transmits a wireless signal including position reference device identification information for identifying the position reference device. The position reference device identification information is, for example, the UUID of the position reference device. Note that the position reference device identification information may be the MAC address, IP address, or serial number of the position reference device, and may be any information capable of uniquely identifying the position reference device.

[0201] Next, in step S74, the integrated terminal 3B acquires at least one piece of position reference device identification information from the at least one received wireless signal.

[0202] Next, in step S75, the integrated terminal 3B displays at least one piece of acquired position reference device identification information, and also displays a position reference device registration screen for receiving input of position information for at least one piece of position reference device identification information.

[0203] Next, in step S76, the integrated terminal 3B accepts input of position information for at least one piece of position reference device identification information.

[0204] Next, in step S77, the integrated terminal 3B transmits at least one piece of position reference device identification information and the position information input by the user to the device management server 1B.

[0205] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a position reference device registration screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3B in the third embodiment.

[0206] The integrated terminal 3B displays a position reference device registration screen 208 shown in Fig. 22. The position reference device registration screen 208 includes an identification information presentation field 2081 for presenting at least one piece of position reference device identification information, and a position information input field 2082 for inputting position information corresponding to at least one piece of position reference device identification information. On the position reference device registration screen 208, a user using the residence 9 inputs position information corresponding to at least one piece of position reference device identification information in the position information input field 2082. The position reference device identification information is, for example, the UUID of the position reference device, and the position information is, for example, the name of the room in which the position reference device is installed.

[0207] Here, the first position reference device 10A and the second position reference device 10B are installed in the residence 9, and the UUID of the first position reference device 10A and the UUID of the second position reference device 10B are displayed in the identification information presentation field 2081. In addition, as position information corresponding to the UUID of the first position reference device 10A, the name of the room in which the first position reference device 10A is installed, "living room," is input in the position information input field 2082. In addition, as position information corresponding to the UUID of the second position reference device 10B, the name of the room in which the second position reference device 10B is installed, "kitchen," is input in the position information input field 2082.

[0208] The position reference device registration screen 208 also includes a send button 2083 for sending at least one piece of position reference device identification information and each piece of input position information. When the send button 2083 is touched, at least one piece of position reference device identification information and the position information are sent to the device management server 1B.

[0209] Returning to FIG. 20, next, in step S78, the communication unit 13B of the device management server 1B receives at least one piece of position reference device identification information and position information transmitted by the integrated terminal 3B.

[0210] Next, in step S79, the position reference device registration processing unit 106 associates at least one piece of position reference device identification information with the position information (room name) and registers them in the position reference device management table.

[0211] In the third embodiment, the integrated terminal 3B receives a wireless signal in a state where a plurality of position reference devices are installed in each room, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this. If the integrated terminal 3B and the position reference device are far apart, the integrated terminal 3B may not be able to receive a wireless signal transmitted from the position reference device. Therefore, the integrated terminal 3B may receive a wireless signal in a state where a plurality of position reference devices installed in each room of the residence 9 are placed near the integrated terminal 3B. Then, after the registration process of the plurality of position reference devices is performed, the plurality of position reference devices may be installed in each room.

[0212] Next, a device name registration process performed by the device management system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0213] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a device name registration process performed by the device management system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0214] The processing in steps S91 to S94 is the same as the processing in steps S21 to S24 shown in FIG. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0215] Next, in step S95, the device search unit 102 broadcasts a device search command for searching for at least one device connected to the first LAN 7. The communication unit 13B designates the broadcast address of the first LAN 7 and transmits the device search command to all devices connected to the first LAN 7. When the device receives the device search command, it receives a wireless signal transmitted by the position reference device and acquires the position reference device identification information from the received wireless signal. When a plurality of wireless signals are received, the device acquires the position reference device identification information from the wireless signal with the strongest received radio wave intensity. Then, the device transmits response information including the position reference device identification information for identifying the position reference device and device identification information for identifying the device to the device management server 1B. The position reference device identification information is the UUID of the position reference device included in the wireless signal with the strongest received radio wave intensity.

[0216] Next, in step S96, the communication unit 13B receives response information from at least one device connected to the first LAN 7.

[0217] Next, in step S97, the device search unit 102 determines whether or not one of the at least one device identification information included in the at least one response information received by the communication unit 13B is registered in the device management table.

[0218] If it is determined that one of the at least one device identification information is registered in the device management table (YES in step S97), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0219] On the other hand, if it is determined that one of the at least one device identification information is not registered in the device management table (NO in step S97), in step S98, the space name determination unit 103B acquires the position reference device identification information from the response information corresponding to the one of the at least one device identification information.

[0220] Next, in step S99, the space name specification unit 103B refers to the position reference device management table and specifies the name of the room associated with the acquired position reference device identification information.

[0221] The processing from step S100 to step S105 is the same as the processing from step S30 to step S35 shown in FIG. 8, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0222] In this way, the equipment receives a radio signal emitted by a position reference device installed in the same space as the equipment and transmits the position reference device identification information contained in the received radio signal to the equipment management server 1B, so that the name of the room in which the position reference device is installed can be used to create the name of the equipment.

[0223] In this third embodiment as well, the device name creation unit 104 may display the name of the room (space) identified by the space name identification unit 103B, acquire the device type accepted on a device type input screen for accepting input of the device type by the user, and create a device name based on the acquired device type and the name of the room (space).

[0224] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the type of the device may be further acquired, and the name of the device may be created by combining the name of the identified space with the acquired type of the device.

[0225] (Embodiment 4) When a family lives in the residence 9, the names of the rooms may change over time. For example, even if the original name of the room was a Western-style room, over time the room may come to be called the XX room (XX being the name of one of the family members). In this case, it is preferable to change the name of the device from "Western-style room" to "XX room."

[0226] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, audio information in an indoor environment is acquired, and the name of the space included in the audio information is extracted. If the extracted name of the space does not exist in the names of the spaces associated with the repeater management table, the name of the extracted space is presented to the user, and the name of the space associated with the repeater management table is changed by the user.

[0227] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0228] 24 includes a device management server 1C, a router 2, an integrated terminal 3C, a first repeater 4A, a second repeater 4B, a first device 5A, a second device 5B, a first microphone 21A, and a second microphone 21B. Note that in the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0229] A microphone is installed in each room in the residence 9.

[0230] The first microphone 21A is installed in the first room 91 and collects audio information in the first room 91. The first microphone 21A is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the first room 91. The first microphone 21A is communicatively connected to the device management server 1C via the first repeater 4A. The first microphone 21A transmits the collected audio information to the device management server 1C.

[0231] The second microphone 21B is installed in the second room 92 and collects audio information in the second room 92. The second microphone 21B is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the second room 92. The second microphone 21B is communicatively connected to the device management server 1C via the second repeater 4B. The second microphone 21B transmits the collected audio information to the device management server 1C.

[0232] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a device management server 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0233] The device management server 1C shown in FIG. 25 includes a processor 11C, a memory 12, and a communication unit 13C.

[0234] The processor 11C is, for example, a CPU. The processor 11C realizes a repeater registration processing unit 101, an equipment searching unit 102, a space name identifying unit 103, an equipment name creating unit 104, an equipment name registration processing unit 105, a space name extracting unit 107, and a space name changing processing unit 108.

[0235] The communication unit 13C acquires audio information collected within the residence 9. The communication unit 13C acquires audio information from at least one microphone. The communication unit 13C receives audio information transmitted by the first microphone 21A and the second microphone 21B. The first microphone 21A and the second microphone 21B transmit audio information for a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) at predetermined time intervals (e.g., one minute).

[0236] The space name extraction unit 107 extracts the name of a room (space) included in the voice information acquired by the communication unit 13C. The space name extraction unit 107 converts the voice information into text data and extracts words indicating the names of rooms included in the text data. The space name extraction unit 107 extracts not only words indicating the names of rooms registered as room names in the repeater management table, but also words indicating various room names. For example, the space name extraction unit 107 extracts not only general room names such as a living room, kitchen, toilet, entrance, and bathroom, but also words indicating the name of a specific person's room, such as XX's room (XX is the name of one of the family members).

[0237] The space name change processing unit 108 judges whether the name of the room (space) extracted by the space name extraction unit 107 exists among the names of the room (space) associated with the repeater management table (first table). If the name of the room (space) extracted by the space name extraction unit 107 does not exist among the names of the room (space) associated with the repeater management table (first table), the space name change processing unit 108 presents the name of the extracted room (space) to the user and outputs a room name change screen (change input screen) for accepting a change by the user of the name of the room (space) associated with the repeater management table (first table). In other words, if the name of the room (space) extracted by the space name extraction unit 107 does not exist among the names of the rooms (spaces) associated with the repeater management table (first table), the space name change processing unit 108 presents the extracted room (space) name to the user and transmits a room name change request to the integrated terminal 3C to accept the user's change to the name of the room (space) associated with the repeater management table (first table).

[0238] When the integrated terminal 3C receives the room name change request, it presents the extracted room (space) name to the user and displays a room name change screen for accepting the user's change to the room (space) name associated with the repeater management table. On the room name change screen, the integrated terminal 3C accepts the user's selection of the room (space) name to be changed to the extracted room (space) name among the room (space) names associated with the repeater management table. The integrated terminal 3C transmits change result information to the device management server 1C. The change result information includes information indicating the room name to be changed selected by the user.

[0239] When the change result information is received, the space name change processing unit 108 determines whether the name of the room has been changed. If the name of the room has been changed, the space name change processing unit 108 registers the repeater identification information in which the room name has been changed and the changed room name in the repeater management table in association with each other.

[0240] Next, a description will be given of a room name change process by the device management system in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the repeater registration process and device name registration process by the device management system in the fourth embodiment are the same as the repeater registration process and device name registration process in the first to third embodiments.

[0241] FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a room name changing process performed by the device management system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0242] First, in step S111, communication unit 13C acquires voice information transmitted by the microphone.

[0243] Next, in step S112, the space name extraction unit 107 extracts the name of the room contained in the voice information acquired by the communication unit 13C.

[0244] Next, in step S113, the space name change processing unit 108 determines whether or not the room name extracted by the space name extraction unit 107 exists among the room names associated with the repeater management table.

[0245] If it is determined that the extracted room name exists among the room names associated with the repeater management table (YES in step S113), the room name changing process ends.

[0246] On the other hand, if it is determined that the extracted room name does not exist among the room names associated with the repeater management table (NO in step S113), in step S114, the space name change processing unit 108 presents the extracted room name to the user and transmits a room name change request to the integrated terminal 3C to accept the user's change to the room name associated with the repeater management table.

[0247] Next, in step S115, the integrated terminal 3C receives the room name change request transmitted by the equipment management server 1C.

[0248] Next, in step S116, the integrated terminal 3C presents the extracted room name to the user and displays a room name change screen for accepting a change by the user to the room name associated with the repeater identification information.

[0249] Next, in step S117, the integrated terminal 3C accepts a user's selection of a room name to be changed from among at least one room name associated with the repeater identification information.

[0250] Next, in step S118, the integrated terminal 3C transmits change result information including the name of the room selected by the user to the equipment management server 1C.

[0251] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a room name change screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3C in the fourth embodiment.

[0252] The integrated terminal 3C displays a room name change screen 209 shown in Fig. 27. The room name change screen 209 includes a room name presentation field 2091 for presenting a new room name, an identification information presentation field 2092 for presenting at least one repeater identification information, and a location information selection field 2093 for selecting the name of the room to be changed. On the room name change screen 209, the user using the residence 9 selects the location information to be changed to a new room name from among the location information corresponding to at least one repeater identification information.

[0253] Here, "XX's room" is displayed in the room name display field 2091 as the name of the newly extracted room. In addition, the first repeater 4A and the second repeater 4B are connected to the first LAN 7, and the MAC address of the first repeater 4A and the MAC address of the second repeater 4B are displayed in the identification information display field 2092. In addition, as the location information for the MAC address of the first repeater 4A, the living room, which is the name of the room in which the first repeater 4A is installed, is displayed selectably in the location information selection field 2093. In addition, as the location information for the MAC address of the second repeater 4B, the Western-style room, which is the name of the room in which the second repeater 4B is installed, is displayed selectably in the location information selection field 2093.

[0254] When the user wishes to change the name of the room associated with the MAC address of the second relay 4B, the user selects "Western-style Room", which is the name of the room associated with the MAC address of the second relay 4B.

[0255] The room name change screen 209 also includes a send button 2094 for sending change result information including the selected name of the room to be changed. When the send button 2094 is touched, the change result information including the selected name of the room to be changed is sent to the device management server 1C. If the user does not want to change the name of the room, he or she may touch the send button 2094 without selecting a room name. In this case, the integrated terminal 3C sends change result information indicating that the room name will not be changed to the device management server 1C.

[0256] Returning to FIG. 26, next, in step S119, the communication unit 13C of the equipment management server 1C receives the change result information transmitted by the integrated terminal 3C.

[0257] Next, in step S120, the space name change processing unit 108 determines whether the name of the room has been changed. If it is determined that the name of the room has not been changed (NO in step S120), the room name change processing ends.

[0258] On the other hand, if it is determined that the room name has been changed (YES in step S120), in step S121, the space name change processing unit 108 associates the repeater identification information with the changed location information (room name) and registers them in the repeater management table.

[0259] In this way, the room names registered in the repeater management table may change over time. Therefore, when a room name not registered in the repeater management table is spoken in the residence 9, the room name registered in the repeater management table is changed to the room name not registered in the repeater management table extracted from the voice information, so that a device name that matches the current room name can be created.

[0260] In this fourth embodiment, the name of the room associated with the repeater identification information in the repeater management table is changed, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the name of the device associated with the device identification information in the device management table may also be changed.

[0261] (Embodiment 5) In the fourth embodiment, the name of the space included in the voice information is extracted, and if the extracted name of the space does not exist among the names of the spaces associated with the repeater management table, the user's change of the name of the space to be changed from at least one of the names of the spaces associated with the repeater management table is accepted. In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, the number of times each of the names of the multiple spaces is spoken is counted based on the names of the extracted spaces. Then, if the name of the extracted space is not included among the names of the spaces associated with the repeater management table, a name of the space that has been spoken less than a threshold number of times is identified from among the names of the multiple spaces. Then, a change input screen is output to receive an input by the user as to whether or not to change the name of the identified space to the name of the extracted space.

[0262] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0263] 28 includes a device management server 1D, a router 2, an integrated terminal 3D, a first repeater 4A, a second repeater 4B, a first device 5A, a second device 5B, a first microphone 21A, a second microphone 21B, a first human presence sensor 22A, and a second human presence sensor 22B. Note that in this embodiment 5, the same components as those in the embodiments 1 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0264] Each room in the residence 9 is provided with a human presence sensor that detects people.

[0265] The first human presence sensor 22A is installed in the first room 91 and detects a person in the first room 91. The first human presence sensor 22A is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the first room 91. The first human presence sensor 22A is communicatively connected to the device management server 1D via the first repeater 4A. When the first human presence sensor 22A detects a person, it transmits sensing data indicating that a person has been detected to the device management server 1D.

[0266] The second human presence sensor 22B is installed in the second room 92 and detects a person in the second room 92. The second human presence sensor 22B is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the second room 92. The second human presence sensor 22B is communicatively connected to the device management server 1D via the second repeater 4B. When the second human presence sensor 22B detects a person, it transmits sensing data indicating that a person has been detected to the device management server 1D.

[0267] FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device management server 1D according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0268] The device management server 1D shown in FIG. 29 includes a processor 11D, a memory 12D, and a communication unit 13D.

[0269] Processor 11D is, for example, a CPU. Processor 11D realizes repeater registration processing unit 101, device searching unit 102, space name identification unit 103, device name creation unit 104, device name registration processing unit 105, space name extraction unit 107, space name change processing unit 108D, utterance count count unit 109, human detection count count unit 110, and threshold setting unit 111.

[0270] The memory 12D is a storage device capable of storing various information, such as a RAM, a HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, etc. The memory 12D realizes a repeater management table storage unit 121, a device management table storage unit 122, an utterance count storage unit 124, and a human detection count storage unit 125.

[0271] Based on the names of the rooms (spaces) extracted by the space name extraction unit 107, the utterance number counting unit 109 counts the number of times the name of each of the multiple rooms (spaces) is uttered.

[0272] The utterance count storage unit 124 stores the number of times the name of each of the multiple rooms (spaces) is uttered, which is counted by the utterance count counting unit 109. The utterance count storage unit 124 stores the names of the multiple rooms (spaces) and the number of times each room (space) name is uttered in association with each other.

[0273] The communication unit 13D acquires sensing data from human presence sensors that detect people and are installed in each of the multiple spaces.

[0274] The human detection counting unit 110 counts the number of times a person is detected in each of a plurality of rooms (spaces) based on the sensing data acquired by the communication unit 13D. The sensing data includes not only information indicating that a person has been detected, but also identification information for identifying the human sensor. The device management server 1D stores a table in which the identification information of the human sensor is previously associated with the name of the room in which the human sensor is installed. Therefore, the human detection counting unit 110 can determine in which room a person has been detected based on the received sensing data.

[0275] The human detection count storage unit 125 stores the number of times a person was detected in each of the multiple rooms (spaces) counted by the human detection counting unit 110. The human detection count storage unit 125 stores the names of the multiple rooms (spaces) and the number of times a person was detected in each room (space) in association with each other.

[0276] The threshold setting unit 111 calculates the frequency with which a person is present in each of a plurality of rooms (spaces) based on the acquired sensing data. The threshold setting unit 111 sets a lower threshold for a room (space) with a higher calculated frequency.

[0277] The space name change processing unit 108D judges whether the name of the room (space) extracted by the space name extraction unit 107 is included in the name of the room (space) associated with the repeater management table (first table). When the name of the room (space) extracted by the space name extraction unit 107 is not included in the name of the room (space) associated with the repeater management table (first table), the space name change processing unit 108D identifies the name of the room (space) that has been spoken less than a threshold value among the names of the multiple rooms (spaces). The space name change processing unit 108D outputs a room name change screen (change input screen) for receiving an input by the user as to whether or not to change the name of the identified room (space) to the name of the extracted room (space). That is, the space name change processing unit 108D transmits a room name change request to the integrated terminal 3D for receiving an input by the user as to whether or not to change the name of the identified room (space) to the name of the extracted room (space).

[0278] The name of a room where no one has spoken is likely to have been changed. Therefore, the device management server 1D prompts the user to change the name of a room where the number of times spoken is less than the threshold to the name of an unregistered room included in the voice information. In addition, the name of a room where people are frequently present is also called by people less frequently. Therefore, by setting the threshold lower for a room where people are detected more frequently, it is possible to prevent the name of a room where users are frequently present from being changed.

[0279] Next, a description will be given of a room name change process by the device management system in the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the repeater registration process and device name registration process by the device management system in the fifth embodiment are the same as the repeater registration process and device name registration process in the first to third embodiments.

[0280] FIG. 30 is a first flowchart for explaining the room name change processing by the device management system in the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 31 is a second flowchart for explaining the room name change processing by the device management system in the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0281] First, in step S131, the communication unit 13D acquires sensing data from the human presence sensors installed in each of the multiple spaces.

[0282] Next, in step S132, the human detection counting unit 110 counts the number of times a person is detected in each of the multiple rooms based on the sensing data acquired by the communication unit 13D. The human detection counting unit 110 adds the counted number of times a person is detected in each room to the number of times a person is detected in each room stored in the human detection count storage unit 125.

[0283] Next, in step S133, the threshold setting unit 111 calculates the frequency with which a person is present in each of the plurality of rooms, based on the number of times that a person is detected in each of the plurality of rooms.

[0284] Next, in step S134, the threshold setting unit 111 sets a threshold for each of the multiple rooms based on the calculated frequency of people in each of the multiple rooms. The threshold is used for comparison with the number of utterances. At this time, the threshold setting unit 111 sets a lower threshold for a room that is more frequently occupied by people.

[0285] The processing in steps S135 to S137 is the same as the processing in steps S111 to S113 shown in FIG. 26, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0286] If it is determined that the extracted room name exists among the room names associated with the repeater management table (YES in step S137), in step S138, utterance count counter 109 counts the number of times each of the multiple room names has been uttered, based on the room names extracted by space name extraction unit 107. Utterance count counter 109 adds the counted number of times each room has been uttered to the number of times each room has been uttered stored in utterance count memory unit 124. After the process of step S138 is performed, the room name change process ends.

[0287] On the other hand, if it is determined that the extracted room name does not exist among the room names associated with the repeater management table (NO in step S137), in step S139, the space name change processing unit 108D identifies, among the multiple room names, the room name that has been spoken less than the threshold value.

[0288] Next, in step S140, the space name change processing unit 108D transmits a room name change request to the integrated terminal 3D to receive a user's input as to whether or not to change the name of the identified room to the name of the extracted room.

[0289] Next, in step S141, the integrated terminal 3D receives the room name change request transmitted by the equipment management server 1D.

[0290] Next, in step S142, the integrated terminal 3D displays a room name change screen for receiving an input from the user as to whether or not to change the name of a room for which the number of utterances is less than the threshold to the name of the extracted room.

[0291] Next, in step S143, the integrated terminal 3D accepts an input from the user as to whether or not to change the name of a room for which the number of utterances is less than the threshold to the name of the extracted room.

[0292] Next, in step S144, the integrated terminal 3D transmits change result information indicating whether or not to change the names of rooms for which the number of utterances is less than the threshold to the names of the extracted rooms, to the device management server 1D.

[0293] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a room name change screen displayed on the integrated terminal 3D in the fifth embodiment.

[0294] The integrated terminal 3D displays a room name change screen 210 shown in Fig. 32. The room name change screen 210 includes a room name presentation field 2101 for presenting a new room name, and a location information presentation field 2102 for presenting repeater identification information corresponding to a room for which the number of utterances is less than a threshold, and the name (location information) of the room for which the number of utterances is less than the threshold. On the room name change screen 210, the user using the residence 9 inputs whether or not to change the name of the room for which the number of utterances is less than the threshold to a new room name.

[0295] Here, "XX's room" is displayed as the newly extracted room name in the room name presentation field 2101. Also, the MAC address of the second repeater 4B installed in the room where the number of utterances is less than the threshold, and the Western-style room, which is the name of the room where the number of utterances is less than the threshold, are displayed in the location information presentation field 2102.

[0296] The room name change screen 210 also includes a change permission button 2103 for permitting the name of a room with a number of utterances less than the threshold to be changed to the name of an extracted room, and a change rejection button 2104 for rejecting the change of a room with a number of utterances less than the threshold to the name of an extracted room. When the change permission button 2103 is touched, change result information indicating that the name of a room with a number of utterances less than the threshold will be changed to the name of an extracted room is transmitted to the device management server 1D. On the other hand, when the change rejection button 2104 is touched, change result information indicating that the name of a room with a number of utterances less than the threshold will not be changed to the name of an extracted room is transmitted to the device management server 1D.

[0297] If there are multiple room names with fewer utterances than the threshold, the space name change processing unit 108D may identify the room name with the least number of utterances. If there are multiple room names with fewer utterances than the threshold, the space name change processing unit 108D may present the multiple room names with fewer utterances than the threshold to the user and accept the selection of the room name to be changed. If there are multiple room names with fewer utterances than the threshold, the room name change processing may end.

[0298] Returning to FIG. 31, next, in step S145, the communication section 13D of the equipment management server 1D receives the change result information transmitted by the integrated terminal 3D.

[0299] Next, in step S146, the space name change processing unit 108D determines whether or not a change to the name of the room has been instructed. If it is determined that a change to the name of the room has not been instructed (NO in step S146), the room name change processing ends.

[0300] On the other hand, if it is determined that a change in the room name has been instructed (YES in step S146), in step S147, the space name change processing unit 108D associates the repeater identification information with the changed location information (room name) and registers them in the repeater management table.

[0301] In this way, among the multiple room names registered in the repeater management table, the room names that have been spoken less than the threshold are likely to be names of rooms that have not been called by users. Therefore, among the multiple room names registered in the repeater management table, the room names that have been spoken less than the threshold are changed to room names that are not registered in the repeater management table and are extracted from the voice information, so that a device name that matches the current room name can be created.

[0302] In this fifth embodiment, the name of the room associated with the repeater identification information in the repeater management table is changed, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the name of the device associated with the device identification information in the device management table may also be changed.

[0303] In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or 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 processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. In addition, the program may be executed by another independent computer system by recording the program on a recording medium and transferring the program, or by transferring the program via a network.

[0304] A part or all of the functions of the device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure are typically realized as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually integrated into one chip, or may be integrated into one chip that includes some or all of the functions. The integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI, may be used.

[0305] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0306] Furthermore, all the numbers used above are merely examples for the purpose of specifically explaining the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the numbers exemplified.

[0307] In addition, the order in which each step is performed shown in the above flowchart is merely an example for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and an order other than the above may be used as long as the same effect is obtained. In addition, some of the steps may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps. [Industrial Applicability]

[0308] The technology disclosed herein is useful as a technology for creating names for devices installed in indoor environments, since it can easily create names for devices that are identifiable by users and simplifies the complicated task of creating device names.

Claims

1. The computer acquiring, from the device, first identification information for identifying a location determination device installed in a predetermined space among a plurality of spaces included in an indoor environment, and second identification information for identifying the device installed in the indoor environment; referring to a first table in which first identification information for identifying the position specifying device is associated with a name of a space in which the position specifying device is installed, and specifying a name of the space associated with the acquired first identification information; creating a name for the device using the specified name of the space; registering the acquired second identification information and the created name of the device in a second table in association with each other; Information processing methods.

2. the location identification device is a network connection device used for connecting the device to a network, The device is communicatively connected to the computer via the network connection device.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1.

3. the network connection device is installed in each of two or more spaces among the plurality of spaces; In the step of identifying the name of the space, a name of the space is identified that is associated with the first identification information for identifying a network connection device installed in the space in which the device is installed, among two or more network connection devices installed in each of the two or more spaces; 3. The information processing method according to claim 2.

4. the location identification device is a signal transmission device that transmits a wireless signal including the first identification information, The device receives the wireless signal transmitted by the signal transmission device, and transmits the first identification information included in the received wireless signal to the computer.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1.

5. The signal transmission device is installed in each of two or more spaces among the plurality of spaces, In the step of identifying the name of the space, a name of the space is identified that is associated with the first identification information for identifying the signal transmission device installed in the space in which the device is installed, among the two or more signal transmission devices installed in each of the two or more spaces.

5. The information processing method according to claim 4.

6. In creating the name of the device, the name of the specified space is created as the name of the device. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. In creating the name of the device, the name of the specified space is displayed, and the type of the device accepted on a type input screen for accepting input of the type of the device is acquired, and a name of the device is created based on the acquired type of the device and the name of the space. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. In acquiring the first identification information and the second identification information, a type of the device is further acquired; In creating a name of the device, the name of the device is created by combining the specified name of the space and the acquired type of the device. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. Furthermore, acquiring audio information in the indoor environment; Furthermore, the name of the space included in the voice information is extracted, and when the extracted name of the space does not exist among the names of the spaces associated with the first table, presenting the extracted name of the space to a user and outputting a change input screen for accepting a change by the user of the name of the space associated with the first table. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Furthermore, counting the number of times the name of each of the plurality of spaces is spoken based on the extracted names of the spaces; When the extracted name of the space is not included in the names of the spaces associated with the first table in the output of the change input screen, a name of the space that has been uttered less than a threshold number of times among the names of the plurality of spaces is identified, and the change input screen is output for receiving an input by the user as to whether or not to change the identified name of the space to the extracted name of the space.

10. The information processing method according to claim 9.

11. Furthermore, sensing data is acquired from sensors that detect people installed in each of the plurality of spaces; Furthermore, a frequency at which the person is present in each of the plurality of spaces is calculated based on the acquired sensing data, Furthermore, the threshold value is set lower for a space having a higher calculated frequency. The information processing method according to claim 10.

12. On the computer, acquiring, from the device, first identification information for identifying a location determination device installed in a predetermined space among a plurality of spaces included in an indoor environment, and second identification information for identifying the device installed in the indoor environment; referring to a first table in which first identification information for identifying the position specifying device is associated with a name of a space in which the position specifying device is installed, and specifying a name of the space associated with the acquired first identification information; creating a name for the device using the specified name of the space; registering the acquired second identification information and the created name of the device in a second table in association with each other; An information processing program that executes processing.

13. an acquisition unit that acquires, from the device, first identification information for identifying a position identification device installed in a predetermined space among a plurality of spaces included in an indoor environment and second identification information for identifying the device installed in the indoor environment; an identification unit that refers to a first table in which first identification information for identifying the position specifying device and a name of a space in which the position specifying device is installed are associated in advance, and identifies a name of the space associated with the acquired first identification information; a creation unit that creates a name of the device using the specified name of the space; a registration processing unit that associates the acquired second identification information with the created name of the device and registers them in a second table; An information processing device comprising:

Images