Control device

Abstract

To provide techniques for facilitating setting control applications for controlling apparatuses.SOLUTION: A display unit 116 displays information on each of multiple apparatuses. A manipulation unit 118 receives an instruction from a user about at least one piece of the information on each of the multiple apparatuses displayed on the display unit 116. A management unit 112 manages a control application for each of the multiple apparatuses according to the instruction received by the manipulation unit 118. A control unit 120 performs operation control for each of the multiple apparatuses by executing the control application managed by the management unit 112.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control technique, and more particularly to a control device for controlling equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] A Home Energy Management System (HEMS) connects home appliances to a communication network and uses a controller to manage them in an integrated manner. For example, a HEMS monitors the amount of power consumed so that users can use electricity efficiently. This controller provides a management screen that makes it easy to grasp the relationships between information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-35009 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The controller controls the home appliances via a communication network by running an application for controlling the home appliances (hereinafter referred to as a "control application"). It is required to make it easy to set up such a control application.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and has a purpose to provide a technique that makes it easy to configure a control application for controlling a device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a control device that controls each of a plurality of devices, and includes a display unit that displays information on a control application for each of the plurality of devices, a management unit that manages the control application displayed on the display unit, a control unit that executes operation control for each of the plurality of devices by executing the control application managed by the management unit, and a detection unit that detects the connection of a new device. The display unit displays information on candidate control applications including the new device detected by the detection unit, and when the management unit receives an instruction to select at least one from the information on the candidate control applications, the management unit downloads the selected control application from a server, and the control unit executes the control application downloaded by the management unit.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc. are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily configure a control application for controlling a device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the control device in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3(a)-(b) are diagrams showing the data structure of a database stored in the storage unit of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another screen displayed on the display unit in FIG. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing yet another screen displayed on the display unit in FIG. [Figure 7]2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure performed by the control device of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a control procedure by the control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a control procedure by the control system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Example 1 Before specifically describing the embodiment of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a control device that controls the operation of each of a plurality of devices installed in a facility such as a house. The devices are, for example, air conditioning devices such as an air conditioner, a heat exchange fan, a range hood, and an air purifier, but may also include lighting devices, home appliances, and the like. These devices have a communication function corresponding to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, and are connected to the control device. The control device executes an application for controlling the devices (hereinafter, also referred to as a "control application"), and controls the devices according to the processing result of the control application. Here, the control device executes a control application corresponding to one device or a combination of two or more devices. The control device is connected to a network such as the Internet, and is connected to a server via the network. The server stores various control applications, and the control device downloads a control application corresponding to the connected device or combination of devices from the server.

[0011] When a new device is installed in a facility, it is desirable to control the new device in cooperation with existing devices. This corresponds to facilitating the setting of a control application that can be coordinated. The control device according to this embodiment forms a control group with two or more devices installed in a space that is significantly affected by environmental changes due to air conditioning, for example, in the same room, and downloads a control application corresponding to each device in the control group from a server and then executes it. In addition, the control device provides a user interface that allows easy operation in order to form a control group.

[0012] The examples described below each show a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, as well as the steps (processes) and the order of the steps shown in the following examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following examples, those components that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a control system 1000. The control system 1000 is provided in a first facility 10a, a second facility 10b, and a third facility 10c, which are collectively referred to as a facility 10. The first facility 10a is provided with a first device 20a to a third device 20c, which are collectively referred to as a device 20, a first router 30a, a first intra-facility network 40a, a first control device 100a, and a terminal device 200, and the first control device 100a includes a detection unit 110, a management unit 112, a storage unit 114, a display unit 116, an operation unit 118, and a control unit 120. The second facility 10b is provided with a second router 30b, a second intra-facility network 40b, and a second control device 100b, and the third facility 10c is provided with a third router 30c, a third intra-facility network 40c, and a third control device 100c. The first router 30a to the third router 30c are connected to a network 50, to which a server 300 is also connected.

[0014] The number of facilities 10 in which the control system 1000 is provided is not limited to "3", and the number of devices 20 is not limited to "3". The first router 30a to the third router 30c are collectively referred to as routers 30, and the first intra-facility network 40a to the third intra-facility network 40c are collectively referred to as intra-facility network 40. The first control device 100a to the third control device 100c are collectively referred to as control devices 100, and the second control device 100b and the third control device 100c are configured similarly to the first control device 100a. In addition, for clarity of explanation, the devices 20 in the second facility 10b and the third facility 10c are omitted. In the following, the processing will be explained based on the first facility 10a, but the same processing may be performed for the second facility 10b and the third facility 10c.

[0015] The devices 20 are air conditioning devices such as air conditioners, heat exchange fans, range hoods, and air purifiers. Each device 20 has a communication function and is connected to a first intra-facility network 40a. The first intra-facility network 40a is, for example, a wireless LAN or a wired LAN, and the first control device 100a is also connected to the first control device 100a. The first control device 100a connects a plurality of devices 20 to be controlled and controls each of the plurality of devices 20. As described above, the first control device 100a executes a control application to control each of the plurality of devices 20. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the control device 100. In the control device 100, a display unit 116 and an operation unit 118 are arranged on a front surface 104 of a box-shaped housing 102. The display unit 116 is a monitor capable of displaying information, and the operation unit 118 is a button capable of receiving a user's operation. When the display unit 116 is a touch panel, the display unit 116 and the operation unit 118 may be integrated. The housing 102 is attached, for example, to a wall of the facility 10. Returning to FIG.

[0016] When a new device 20, for example, the third device 20c, is connected to the first intra-facility network 40a, the new device 20 notifies the first intra-facility network 40a of information about the device 20 (hereinafter, referred to as "device information"). The device information includes, for example, the name and model number of the device 20.

[0017] The detection unit 110 of the first control device 100a detects the connection of a new device 20 by receiving the device information. The detection unit 110 outputs the device information to the management unit 112. The management unit 112 stores the device information in the storage unit 114. FIG. 3(a)-(b) shows the data structure of the database stored in the storage unit 114. FIG. 3(a) shows the database at the stage where the device information from the third device 20c is stored. For example, information on five devices 20 installed in the first facility 10a is shown. The device information of the third device 20c corresponds to the information shown in "No. 4". The name of the device 20 included in the device information is shown in "Device", and the product number of the device 20 included in the device information is shown in "Product number". The "Control Group" is input by the operation described later, and is left blank for the third device 20c whose device information has only been detected. Here, the control group is a group formed by two or more devices installed in a space that is greatly affected by changes in the environment due to air conditioning, as described above. For example, one control group is formed for one room. Figure 3(b) will be described later, returning to Figure 1.

[0018] The management unit 112 displays the database stored in the storage unit 114 on the display unit 116. FIG. 4 shows a screen displayed on the display unit 116. The first display area 150 is arranged on the upper part of the display unit 116, and the second display area 160 is arranged on the lower part of the display unit 116. The second display area 160 displays information similar to the database shown in FIG. 3(a). That is, the second display area 160 displays information about each of the multiple devices 20. To be more specific, as information about each of the multiple devices 20, the name of the device 20 indicating each of the multiple devices 20 is displayed. Instead of or together with the name, an image indicating each of the multiple devices 20 may be displayed in the second display area 160. In addition, in the second display area 160, information about a new device 20 detected by the detection unit 110 is displayed as information indicated by "No. 4". In the information indicated by "No. 4", the "installation location" is left blank.

[0019] The first display area 150 displays a first area 152a to a fifth area 152e, collectively referred to as area 152, and an all area 154. The areas 152 and all areas 154 correspond to a plurality of control groups, respectively. For example, the first area 152a is an area corresponding to the control group of "Western-style room." This control group should include devices 20 installed in the "Western-style room." For example, the first area 152a includes a first icon 156a indicating "Air conditioner" at "No. 1" in the second display area 160, and a third icon 156c indicating "Air purifier" at "No. 3" in the second display area 160.

[0020] The second section 152b is an area corresponding to the control group of "LDK". This control group should include the appliances 20 installed in the "LDK". For example, the second section 152b includes a fifth icon 156e indicating "range hood" of "No. 5" in the second display area 160. The third section 152c is an area corresponding to the control group of "toilet", the fourth section 152d is an area corresponding to the control group of "dressing room", and the fifth section 152e is an area corresponding to the control group of "bathroom". The third section 152c to the fifth section 152e do not include an icon 156.

[0021] The all section 154 is an area corresponding to a control group of the entire first facility 10a that is not included in rooms such as a Western-style room, a living / dining / kitchen room, etc. This control group should include devices 20 that are not installed in any rooms. For example, the all section 154 includes a second icon 156b indicating the "heat exchange fan" of "No. 2" in the second display area 160. That is, in each section 152 or all sections 154 displayed in the first display area 150, an icon 156 of the device 20 included in the control group corresponding to the section 152 or all sections 154 is displayed. Instead of the icon 156 of the device 20, the name of the device 20 may be displayed.

[0022] 1 accepts a user instruction for at least one of the pieces of information relating to each of the multiple devices 20 displayed in the first display area 150 or the second display area 160 of the display unit 116. As described above, the operation unit 118 may be a button or a touch panel. Here, the process will be described assuming that the operation unit 118 is a touch panel.

[0023] In order to include "No. 4" "Air Purifier", which is not included in the control group in FIG. 4, i.e., the third device 20c, in the "Living Room / King Room" control group, the user touches the name of the third device 20c displayed in the second display area 160, i.e., "No. 4" "Air Purifier". By this touch, the management unit 112 recognizes the selection of "No. 4" "Air Purifier" by the user. Following this, the management unit 112 displays a fourth icon 156d in the portion of "No. 4" "Air Purifier" displayed in the second display area 160. The fourth icon 156d is an icon corresponding to "No. 4" "Air Purifier".

[0024] The operation unit 118 accepts an operation of dragging and dropping the fourth icon 156d displayed in the second display area 160 into the second section 152b displayed in the first display area 150. The management unit 112 recognizes that the second section 152b is an area corresponding to the control group of "LDK", and therefore includes the "air purifier" of "No. 4" corresponding to the fourth icon 156d in the control group of "LDK". In other words, the operation unit 118 accepts an instruction to include a new device 20 in the control group. This can be said to be an instruction from the user regarding the images or names indicating each of the multiple devices 20, and an instruction to form a control group from one or more devices 20.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3(b), management unit 112 adds "LDK" to the "control group" for "Air Purifier" of "No. 4". Following this, management unit 112 displays the screen shown in FIG. 5 on display unit 116. FIG. 5 shows another screen displayed on display unit 116. In the information shown for "No. 4", the "Installation Location" is shown as "LDK". Return to FIG. 1.

[0026] The management unit 112 manages a control application for each of the multiple devices 20 in response to an instruction received by the operation unit 118, that is, an instruction to include each device 20 in one of the control groups. For example, the management unit 112 downloads a control application corresponding to each device 20 included in the control group from the server 300. For example, the management unit 112 downloads a control application for an air conditioner included in the control group of "Western-style room" from the server 300 and manages the control application. The control application for the air conditioner can control, for example, the operation (cooling, heating, fan), temperature, air volume, etc. of the air conditioner. In addition, the management unit 112 downloads a control application for an air purifier included in the control group of "Western-style room" from the server 300 and manages the control application. The control application for the air purifier can control, for example, the air volume of the air purifier. The air volume indicates the air volume per unit time, for example, per hour.

[0027] The management unit 112 downloads a control application for a range hood included in the control group of "LDK" from the server 300 and manages the control application. The control application for the range hood can control, for example, the air volume of the range hood. Furthermore, when the "air purifier" of "No. 4" is added to the control group of "LDK", the management unit 112 downloads a control application for the air purifier from the server 300. That is, the management unit 112 downloads a control application corresponding to a new device 20 included in the control group from the server 300. Here, the control group of "LDK" includes a range hood and an air purifier. When a control application capable of collectively controlling the air volume of the range hood and the air volume of the air purifier is stored in the server 300, the management unit 112 may download the control application.

[0028] The control unit 120 executes a control application managed by the management unit 112, that is, a control application downloaded by the management unit 112, thereby performing operation control for each of the multiple devices 20. For example, the control unit 120 determines a temperature set value by executing a control application for an air conditioner included in the control group of "Western-style room". The control unit 120 transmits the temperature set value to the device 20, which is an air conditioner, via the first intra-facility network 40a. The device 20, which is an air conditioner, performs temperature adjustment so as to be close to the received temperature set value. The control unit 120 also determines an air volume set value by executing a control application for an air purifier included in the control group of "Western-style room". The control unit 120 transmits the air volume set value to the device 20, which is an air purifier, via the first intra-facility network 40a. The device 20, which is an air purifier, performs air volume adjustment so as to be close to the received air volume set value.

[0029] The management unit 112 determines the air volume setting by executing a control application for the range hood included in the control group "LDK". The control unit 120 transmits the temperature setting to the device 20, which is a range hood, via the first intra-facility network 40a. The device 20, which is a range hood, adjusts the air volume so that the air volume approaches the received air volume setting.

[0030] When the control application for the "air purifier" of "No. 4" newly added to the control group of "LDK" controls only the air purifier, the control unit 120 executes the above-mentioned process for the air purifier to cause the third device 20c, which is the new air purifier, to adjust the air volume. On the other hand, when the control application for the "air purifier" of "No. 4" controls the air purifier and the range hood included in the control group of "LDK", the management unit 112 executes the control application to determine the air volume setting value for the air purifier and the air volume setting value for the range hood. For example, a value that is half the desired air volume is determined as the air volume setting value for the air purifier and the air volume setting value for the range hood. The control unit 120 transmits the air volume setting value to the third device 20c, which is the new air purifier, via the first intra-facility network 40a, and transmits the temperature setting value to the device 20, which is the range hood. The air purifier and the range hood execute the same process as before.

[0031] So far, an example of the process for adding "No. 4" "Air Purifier" to the "Living Room / Dining Room" control group has been described. However, when "No. 4" "Air Purifier" is included in the "Western-style Room" control group, "No. 4" "Air Purifier" may be moved to the "Living Room / Dining Room" control group. FIG. 6 shows yet another screen displayed on the display unit 116. The screen is shown in the same manner as in FIG. 4. In the initial state, the fourth icon 156d is placed in the first section 152a of the first display area 150. Therefore, the management unit 112 includes "No. 4" "Air Purifier" in the "Western-style Room" control group.

[0032] In order to include the "air purifier" of "No. 4" included in the control group of "Western-style room" in the control group of "LDK", the user touches the fourth icon 156d arranged in the first section 152a. By this touch, the management unit 112 recognizes the selection of the "air purifier" of "No. 4" by the user. Following this, the operation unit 118 accepts an operation of dragging and dropping the fourth icon 156d arranged in the first section 152a to the second section 152b. Since the management unit 112 recognizes that the second section 152b is an area corresponding to the control group of "LDK", the "air purifier" of "No. 4" corresponding to the fourth icon 156d is included in the control group of "LDK". In other words, the operation unit 118 accepts an operation of dragging and dropping the icon 156 of the device 20 included in any section 152 displayed in the first display area 150 to another section 152.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3(b), management unit 112 adds "LDK" to the "control group" for "Air Purifier" of "No. 4". Following this, management unit 112 displays the screen shown in FIG. 5 on display unit 116. FIG. 5 shows another screen displayed on display unit 116. In the information shown for "No. 4", the "Installation Location" is shown as "LDK". Return to FIG. 1.

[0034] The display unit 116 and the operation unit 118 in the first control device 100a may be included in the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal device, or the like. The terminal device 200 may be connected to the first control device 100a via the first intra-facility network 40a, or may be directly connected to the first control device 100a by a short-range wireless communication system such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0035] The subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the function of the subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure. The computer includes a processor that operates according to a program as a main hardware configuration. The type of the processor does not matter as long as it can realize the function by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into one device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive. The program may be stored in the recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

[0036] The operation of the control system 1000 with the above configuration will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control device 100. When the detection unit 110 receives device information from the new device 20 (Y in S10), the management unit 112 registers the new device 20 (S12). When the operation unit 118 receives an instruction to select a control group for the new device 20 (Y in S14), the management unit 112 registers a control group for the new device 20 (S16). The management unit 112 downloads a control application (S18). When the detection unit 110 does not receive device information from the new device 20 (N in S10) or when the operation unit 118 does not receive an instruction to select a control group for the new device 20 (N in S14), the process is terminated.

[0037] According to this embodiment, when an instruction to form a control group from one or more devices 20 is received, a control application corresponding to one or more devices 20 included in the control group is downloaded and then executed, so that the setting of the control application can be easily performed. Also, when an instruction to include a new device 20 in the control group is received, a control application corresponding to the new device 20 included in the control group is downloaded, so that the setting of the control application can be easily performed. Also, when an operation of dragging and dropping the icon 156 of the device 20 displayed in the second display area 160 to any of the sections 152 displayed in the first display area 150 is received, the device 20 is included in the control group, so that the setting of the control application can be easily performed. Also, when an operation of dragging and dropping the icon 156 of the device 20 included in any of the sections 152 displayed in the first display area 150 to another section 152 is received, the device 20 is included in the control group corresponding to the other section 152, so that the setting of the control application can be easily performed.

[0038] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows: A control device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (100) that controls each of a plurality of devices (20), and includes a display unit (116) that displays information relating to each of the plurality of devices (20), an operation unit (118) that receives a user instruction for at least one of the information relating to each of the plurality of devices (20) displayed on the display unit (116), a management unit (112) that manages a control application for each of the plurality of devices (20) in response to the instruction received by the operation unit (118), and a control unit (120) that executes the control application managed by the management unit (112) to perform operational control for each of the plurality of devices (20). The display unit (116) displays an image or name indicating each of the multiple devices (20) as information relating to each of the multiple devices (20), the operation unit (118) accepts a user instruction for the image or name indicating each of the multiple devices (20) and for forming a control group from one or more devices (20), the management unit (112) downloads a control application corresponding to the one or more devices (20) included in the control group from the server (300), and the control unit (120) executes the control application downloaded by the management unit (112).

[0039] The system may further include a detection unit (110) that detects the connection of a new device (20). The display unit (116) may display information about the new device (20) detected by the detection unit (110), the operation unit (118) may receive an instruction to include the new device (20) in the control group, and the management unit (112) may download, from the server (300), a control application corresponding to the new device (20) included in the control group.

[0040] The display unit (116) may include a first display area (150) that displays sections corresponding to each of the multiple control groups, and a second display area (160) that displays an image or name of each of the multiple devices (20). In each section displayed in the first display area (150), an image or name of the device (20) included in the control group corresponding to the section is displayed, and the operation unit (118) accepts an operation of dragging and dropping the image or name of the device (20) displayed in the second display area (160) into any of the sections displayed in the first display area (150).

[0041] The operation unit (118) accepts an operation of dragging and dropping an image or name of a device (20) included in one of the sections displayed in the first display area (150) to another section.

[0042] Example 2 Next, a second embodiment will be described. As with the first embodiment, the second embodiment relates to a control device that controls the operation of each of a plurality of devices. In the first embodiment, when a new device is installed in a facility, the control device includes the new device in one of the control groups by a drag-and-drop operation of the user, and automatically downloads a control application corresponding to each device included in the control group from the server. On the other hand, when a new device is included in one of the control groups, the control device according to the second embodiment allows the user to select either a control application corresponding only to the new device or a control application that links the existing devices in the control group with the new device. The control device downloads the control application selected by the user from the server. The control system 1000 according to the second embodiment is of the same type as that shown in FIG. 1. Here, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0043] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that a new device 20, for example, a third device 20c, is connected to the first facility network 40a in FIG. 1. The detection unit 110 of the first control device 100a detects the connection of the new device 20 by receiving device information from the third device 20c. The management unit 112 stores the received device information in the database of the storage unit 114 and displays a screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 116. As the operation unit 118 accepts a user's operation on the screen displayed on the display unit 116, the management unit 112 includes the "air purifier" of "No. 4" corresponding to the fourth icon 156d in the control group of "LDK" as in the first embodiment. In response to this, the management unit 112 updates the database stored in the storage unit 114.

[0044] The management unit 112 transmits the device information of each device 20 included in the control group including the new device 20 to the server 300 via the first intra-facility network 40a, the first router 30a, and the network 50. The device information of each device 20 included in the control group including the new device 20 is, for example, the device information of the air purifier and the range hood included in the control group of "Living Room / Kitchen" which includes the "Air Purifier" "No. 4".

[0045] When the server 300 receives the device information from the first control device 100a, the server 300 identifies a control application corresponding to the device 20 included in the device information. In this case, a control application corresponding to only one device 20 may be identified, or a control application corresponding to a combination of two or more devices 20 may be identified. In addition, two or more control applications may be identified for the same device 20 or combination. For example, the two or more control applications provide different functions to the same device 20. The server 300 includes information on the one or more identified control applications in control application candidate information, and transmits the control application candidate information to the first control device 100a via the network 50, the first router 30a, and the first facility network 40a.

[0046] When the management unit 112 of the first control device 100a receives the control application candidate information from the server 300, the management unit 112 displays the contents of the control application candidate information on the display unit 116. In response to this, the display unit 116 displays information on the control application for each of the multiple devices 20, in particular, information on the candidate control applications including the new device 20 detected by the detection unit 110. FIG. 8 shows a screen displayed on the display unit 116. As in FIG. 5, a first display area 150 is arranged in the upper part of the display unit 116, and a second display area 160 is arranged in the lower part of the display unit 116. The first display area 150 is the same as that in FIG. 5, and the first section 152a corresponding to the control group of the "Western-style room" includes the first icon 156a and the third icon 156c. The second section 152b corresponding to the control group of the "Living / Dining / King" includes the fourth icon 156d and the fifth icon 156e, and the entire section 154 corresponding to the control group of the entire first facility 10a includes the second icon 156b. That is, the first display area 150 displays a combination of at least one of the multiple devices 20 and the new device 20.

[0047] Here, attention is focused on the control group "LDK" including the fourth icon 156d corresponding to the new device 20. When the operation unit 118 receives an instruction from the user to select the second section 152b, the management unit 112 recognizes the selection of the control group "LDK". The management unit 112 displays in the second display area 160 information on candidates for control applications that can be executed in the device 20 included in the control group "LDK" from the control application candidate information.

[0048] The second display area 160 displays information on a plurality of candidate control applications. For example, "No.1" is information on a control application for an air purifier. Also, "No.2" is information on a control application for a combination of an air purifier and a range hood, and "No.3" is information on a control application for a combination of an air purifier and a range hood. For example, the control application "No.2" executes linked control of the air purifier and the range hood when the range hood is started, and the control application "No.3" executes linked control of the air purifier and the range hood when the range hood is stopped. In this way, the second display area 160 displays candidate control applications that can be executed in the combination displayed in the first display area 150.

[0049] The user touches at least one of the information on the multiple control application candidates displayed in the second display area 160, causing the operation unit 118 to receive an instruction to select at least one of the information on the control application candidates. When the operation unit 118 receives the instruction, the management unit 112 downloads the selected control application from the server 300. The control unit 120 executes the control application downloaded by the management unit 112, as before, to perform operational control of each of the multiple devices 20.

[0050] The operation of the control system 1000 configured as above will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a control procedure by the control system 1000. The device 20 is connected to the in-facility network 40 (S100). The device 20 transmits device information to the control device 100 (S102). The control device 100 transmits the device information to the server 300 (S104). The server 300 transmits control application candidate information to the control device 100 (S106). A control application is selected in the control device 100 (S108). The control device 100 transmits a control application request signal to the server 300 to request download of the control application (S110). The server 300 transmits the control application to the control device 100 (S112). The control device 100 installs the control application (S114).

[0051] According to this embodiment, information on candidate control applications including the new device 20 is displayed, and when an instruction to select at least one from the information on the candidate control applications is received, the selected control application is downloaded and then executed, making it easy to set the control application. Furthermore, the first display area 150 displays a combination of at least one of the multiple devices 20 and the new device 20, and the second display area 160 displays information on candidate control applications that can be executed in the combination displayed in the first display area 150, improving user operability.

[0052] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A control device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (100) that controls each of a plurality of devices (20), and includes a display unit (116) that displays information on a control application for each of the plurality of devices (20), a management unit (112) that manages the control application displayed on the display unit (116), a control unit (120) that executes operation control for each of the plurality of devices (20) by executing the control application managed by the management unit (112), and a detection unit (110) that detects a connection of a new device (20). The display unit (116) displays information on candidate control applications including the new device (20) detected by the detection unit (110), and when the management unit (112) receives an instruction to select at least one of the information on the candidate control applications, the management unit (112) downloads the selected control application from a server (300), and the control unit (120) executes the control application downloaded by the management unit (112).

[0053] The display unit (116) may include a first display area (150) and a second display area (160). The first display area (150) may display a combination of at least one of the multiple devices (20) and a new device (20), and the second display area (160) may display information on candidates for control applications that can be executed in the combination displayed in the first display area (150).

[0054] Example 3 Next, a third embodiment will be described. As with the second embodiment, the third embodiment relates to a control device that controls the operation of each of a plurality of devices. The control device executes a control application corresponding to each device included in a control group, thereby controlling the operation of each device. In such a situation, when a new control application executable on the device is uploaded to a server, it is desired that the new control application can be easily executed on the control device. A control system 1000 according to the third embodiment is of the same type as that shown in FIG. 1. Here, the differences from the previous embodiments will be mainly described.

[0055] When a new control application is uploaded to the server 300, the server 300 registers the new control application. The server 300 transmits information about the new control application (hereinafter referred to as "control application information") to each control device 100. The control application information includes the name of the new control application, information about the device 20 capable of executing the new control application, and a description of the new control application.

[0056] The management unit 112 of the first control device 100a receives control application information from the server 300 via the network 50, the first router 30a, and the first facility network 40a. The management unit 112 determines whether or not there is a device 20 capable of executing a new control application among the multiple devices 20 controlled by the management unit 112, based on information on the device 20 capable of executing a new control application included in the control application information. If there is no device 20 capable of executing a new control application, the management unit 112 discards the control application information. If there is, the management unit 112 acquires the control application information. This corresponds to detecting information on a candidate for a new control application for at least one of the multiple devices 20 from the server 300. The management unit 112 causes the display unit 116 to display the information on the candidate for the new control application.

[0057] The display unit 116 displays information on control applications for each of the multiple devices 20, particularly information on candidates for new control applications. FIG. 10 shows a screen displayed on the display unit 116. As in FIG. 8, a first display area 150 is arranged in the upper part of the display unit 116, and a second display area 160 is arranged in the lower part of the display unit 116. The first display area 150 is the same as FIG. 8, and the information on control applications "No. 1" to "No. 3" in the second display area 160 is the same as FIG. 8. "No. 4" is information on a candidate for a new control application, and is information on a control application for a combination of an air purifier and a range hood. In this way, the display unit 116 displays information on candidates for new control applications detected by the management unit 112, particularly information on candidates for new control applications that can be executed in the combination displayed in the first display area 150.

[0058] When the user touches the information on the candidate control application "No. 4" displayed in the second display area 160, the operation unit 118 receives an instruction to introduce the new candidate control application. When the operation unit 118 receives the instruction, the management unit 112 downloads the new control application from the server 300. The control unit 120, as before, executes the new control application downloaded by the management unit 112, thereby performing operation control for the combination of the air purifier and the range hood.

[0059] The operation of the control system 1000 configured as above will be described. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a control procedure by the control system 1000. The server 300 registers a new application (S200). The server 300 transmits control application information to the control device 100 (S202). A new control application is selected in the control device 100 (S204). The control device 100 transmits selection information for requesting download of the new control application to the server 300 (S206). The server 300 transmits the new control application to the control device 100 (S208). The control device 100 installs the new control application (S210).

[0060] According to this embodiment, information on new control application candidates is displayed, and when an instruction to introduce the new control application candidate is received, the new control application is downloaded and then executed, making it easy to set the control application. Also, the first display area 150 displays a combination of two or more devices 20, and the second display area 160 displays information on new control application candidates that can be executed in the combination displayed in the first display area 150, improving user operability.

[0061] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A control device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (100) that controls each of a plurality of devices (20), and includes a display unit (116) that displays information on a control application for each of the plurality of devices (20), a management unit (112) that manages the control application displayed on the display unit (116), and a control unit (120) that executes operation control for each of the plurality of devices (20) by executing the control application managed by the management unit (112). The management unit (112) detects information on a new control application candidate for at least one of the plurality of devices (20) from a server (300), the display unit (116) displays the information on the new control application candidate detected by the management unit (112), and when the management unit (112) receives an instruction to introduce the new control application candidate, it downloads the new control application from the server (300), and the control unit (120) executes the new control application downloaded by the management unit (112).

[0062] The display unit (116) may include a first display area (150) and a second display area (160). The first display area (150) may display a combination of two or more of the multiple devices (20), and the second display area (160) may display information on candidates for new control applications that are executable in the combination displayed in the first display area (150).

[0063] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10 facility, 20 equipment, 30 router, 40 in-facility network, 50 network, 100 control device, 102 housing, 104 front, 110 detection unit, 112 management unit, 114 memory unit, 116 display unit, 118 operation unit, 120 control unit, 200 terminal device, 300 server, 1000 control system.

Claims

[Claim 1] A control device that controls each of a plurality of devices, a display unit that displays information about a control application for each of the plurality of devices; a management unit that manages the control application displayed on the display unit; a control unit that executes the control application managed by the management unit to perform operation control for each of the plurality of devices; a detection unit that detects a connection of a new device, the display unit displays information about candidates for a control application including the new device detected by the detection unit; and When the management unit receives an instruction to select at least one control application from the information of the control application candidates, the management unit downloads the selected control application from a server; The control unit executes the control application downloaded by the management unit, The display unit includes a first display area and a second display area. the first display area displays a combination of at least one of the plurality of devices and the new device; The second display area is a control device that displays information on candidates for the control applications that can be executed in the combination displayed in the first display area.

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