Mobile terminal, control system, control method, and program

Abstract

A first portable terminal (100) comprises: a management unit (124) that manages, for a plurality of residences, a list in which residence identifiers for identifying the residences are linked with device information related to devices installed in the residences; an acquisition unit (122) that acquires, from the list, device information related to a device linked to a residence identifier (20) for one residence (10), among the plurality of residences, in which a user (1) is staying; and a control unit (120) that controls the operation of the device on the basis of the device information acquired by the acquisition unit (122).

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, in Patent Document 1, based on the positional relationship between the position information of a user's mobile terminal and the user's pre-registered home position, when the position of the mobile terminal is outside a predetermined area including the home position, a technique for performing control to stop the operation of home equipment has been invented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in order to control the equipment installed in one residence where the user stays among a plurality of residences, the user needs to manually switch the target residence, which is troublesome.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a mobile terminal, a control system, a control method, and a program that can automatically switch a residence identifier for identifying one residence where the user stays from a plurality of residences and control the equipment installed in the residence.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A mobile terminal according to one aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages a list associating a dwelling identifier for identifying a plurality of dwellings with device information regarding devices installed in the dwelling, an acquisition unit that acquires, from the list, device information regarding devices associated with the dwelling identifier of one dwelling in which the user stays among the plurality of dwellings, and a control unit that controls the operation of the device based on the device information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] A control system according to one aspect of the present invention is a control system including the mobile terminal and the server. The server includes a management unit that manages by associating a user identifier for identifying the user with a plurality of dwelling identifiers each for identifying the plurality of dwellings, an estimation unit that estimates position information indicating the position of the dwelling in which the user stays based on the information transmitted from the mobile terminal, a specifying unit that specifies a dwelling identifier for identifying the one dwelling in which the user stays among the plurality of dwelling identifiers based on the position information estimated by the estimation unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the dwelling identifier specified by the specifying unit to the mobile terminal.

[0008] A control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a management step of managing a list associating a dwelling identifier for identifying a plurality of dwellings with device information regarding devices installed in the dwelling, an acquisition step of acquiring, from the list, device information regarding devices associated with the dwelling identifier of one dwelling in which the user stays among the plurality of dwellings, and a control step of controlling the operation of the device based on the device information acquired in the acquisition step.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically switch a dwelling identifier for identifying one dwelling in which the user stays from among a plurality of dwellings and control devices installed in the dwelling.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Note that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0013] Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the configuration of the control system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control system according to the embodiment.

[0015] The control system 400 according to the embodiment is a system that automatically identifies one dwelling where a user stays from among a plurality of dwellings and controls the devices installed in the identified one dwelling. The control system 400 includes a first mobile terminal 100, a second mobile terminal 200, and a server 300.

[0016] [First Mobile Terminal] The first mobile terminal 100 is a mobile terminal used by the user. The first mobile terminal 100 functions as a user interface device in the control system 400 when a dedicated application program (hereinafter also referred to as a dedicated app) is installed. An application program for managing, for example, personal devices owned by the user is installed in the first mobile terminal 100. The application program is stored in the storage unit 150 of the first mobile terminal 100. By operating the first mobile terminal 100 while the dedicated app is running, the user can register the devices (also referred to as individual devices or personal devices) owned by the user with the server 300 and control them in cooperation with the registered individual devices and the equipment installed in advance in the dwelling where the user stays. Specifically, the first mobile terminal 100 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The first mobile terminal 100 includes an operation reception unit 110, a control unit 120, a communication unit 130, an imaging unit 140, a storage unit 150, and a display unit 160.

[0017] The operation reception unit 110 receives the user's operations. The operation reception unit 110 is realized, for example, by a touch panel, but may also be realized by a hardware key such as a push button.

[0018] The control unit 120 performs information processing related to the registration of the devices owned by the user with the server 300 and the control of the devices. The control unit 120 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The functions of the control unit 120 are realized, for example, by a microcomputer or a processor constituting the control unit 120 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 150. Specifically, the control unit 120 includes an acquisition unit 122 and a management unit 124. The functions of the acquisition unit 122 and the management unit 124 will be described later in the description of the operations.

[0019] The communication unit 130 includes a short-range wireless communication unit (not shown) for performing short-range wireless communication (wireless communication using a local communication network) with devices installed inside the residence by the first mobile terminal 100, and a wide-area wireless communication unit (not shown) for the first mobile terminal 100 to communicate with the server 300 via a wide-area communication network 5 such as the Internet. Specifically, the short-range wireless communication unit is a communication module corresponding to a communication standard such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The wide-area wireless communication unit may perform wireless communication using a mobile communication system such as 4G or 5G, for example.

[0020] The imaging unit 140 captures an image based on the control of the control unit 120. The imaging unit 140 is realized by an image sensor, a lens, and the like. For example, when the user associates the user identifier of another user with his or her own user identifier, the imaging unit 140 reads a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal owned by the other user.

[0021] The storage unit 150 is a storage device that stores the computer program executed by the control unit 120 and other information necessary for the information processing. The storage unit 150 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0022] The display unit 160 displays an image. The display unit 160 is a display including a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) panel as a display device.

[0023] [Second Mobile Terminal] Next, the second mobile terminal 200 will be described. The second mobile terminal 200 is, for example, a mobile terminal used by a resident manager such as a manager of a residence such as an apartment or a condominium, or a receptionist of an accommodation facility such as a hotel. The second mobile terminal 200 functions as a user interface device in the control system 400 by installing a dedicated application program (hereinafter also referred to as a dedicated app). An application program for managing facility information for each residence, for example, is installed in the second mobile terminal 200. The application program is stored in the storage unit 250 of the second mobile terminal 200. By operating the second mobile terminal 200 while the dedicated app is running, the resident manager can associate the residence identifier of the residence where the user stays with the user identifier of the user. Specifically, the second mobile terminal 200 is a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The second mobile terminal 200 includes an operation reception unit 210, a control unit 220, a communication unit 230, an imaging unit 240, a storage unit 250, and a display unit 260.

[0024] The second mobile terminal 200 has the same configuration as the first mobile terminal 100 except that it is operated by a resident manager instead of a user. Therefore, duplicate explanations will be omitted and different points will be described.

[0025] The imaging unit 240 captures an image based on the control of the control unit 220. The imaging unit 240 is realized by an image sensor, a lens, and the like. For example, when the residence identifier is a matrix-type two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a tag included in an image, the imaging unit 240 may capture the residence identifier to read the identification information.

[0026] [Server] Next, the server 300 will be described. The server 300 manages a plurality of residences by associating the residence identifier of each residence with device information regarding devices installed in the residence. Also, the server 300 manages a plurality of residences by associating the residence identifier of each residence with the user identifier of the user who owns the residence. Further, the server 300 manages by associating a user identifier with device information (also referred to as personal device information) regarding devices (also referred to as personal devices or individual devices) personally owned by the user. The server 300 includes a communication unit 310, an information processing unit 320, and a storage unit 330.

[0027] The communication unit 310 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the server 300 to communicate with the first mobile terminal 100 and the second mobile terminal 200 via the wide area communication network 5. The communication unit 310 includes a receiving unit 312 and a transmitting unit 314. The communication performed by the communication unit 310 is, for example, wired communication, but may also be wireless communication. The communication standard used for communication is not particularly limited either.

[0028] The information processing unit 320 includes an authentication unit 322, a management unit 324, an estimation unit 326, and a specifying unit 328. Each of these components is realized by a microcomputer or a processor included in the information processing unit 320.

[0029] The authentication unit 322 determines whether a person operating the first mobile terminal 100 and the second mobile terminal 200 is a person permitted to access the server 300. The type of authentication performed by the authentication unit 322 is not limited. When the authentication result is "authentication not permitted", the authentication unit 322 outputs a notification of "authentication not permitted" to the first mobile terminal 100 and the second mobile terminal 200 via the transmitting unit 314. On the other hand, when the authentication result is "authentication permitted", the authentication unit 322 may perform the login process after authentication.

[0030] The management department 324 manages by associating device information (so-called facility device information) associated with a dwelling identifier that identifies a dwelling with a user identifier. The dwelling identifier is a so-called dwelling ID, for example, an alphanumeric string. Also, the dwelling is not limited to a building or room where a person lives, and may be, for example, a room in an accommodation facility such as a hotel, or a villa. That is, the dwelling may be a place where a user stays. The dwelling identifier may be a unique ID for each house in the case of a detached house or a villa. Also, the dwelling identifier may be a unique ID for each room in the case of an apartment, condominium, or hotel.

[0031] Devices installed in a dwelling are, for example, facility devices such as lighting devices or air conditioning devices that are pre-installed in the dwelling. On the other hand, devices owned personally by a user (so-called personal devices or individual devices) are, for example, aroma diffusers, humidifiers, audio devices, or projectors that can be carried by the user from one dwelling to another. Note that the facility device information regarding the facility devices is associated with a dwelling-specific ID (that is, the dwelling identifier) and stored in the facility device information database 332 of the server 300. Also, the personal device information regarding the personal devices is associated with the user identifier and stored in the personal device information database 334 of the server 300.

[0032] Also, after one dwelling identifier and one user identifier are associated, the management department 324 may manage by associating other personal device information, which is personal device information associated with another user identifier, with the user identifier by associating the user identifier with another user identifier.

[0033] The estimation unit 326 estimates position information indicating the position of the dwelling where the user stays based on the information for identifying the dwelling where the user stays, which is transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100. The information for identifying the dwelling where the user stays is at least any one of (i) terminal position information indicating the position of the first mobile terminal 100 when the user possesses the first mobile terminal 100 and stays in the dwelling, (ii) identification information of a repeater that relays local communication between the first mobile terminal and a device installed in the dwelling, (iii) identification information of the device, and (iv) user information regarding the user associated with the identification information of the device. For example, the terminal position information in (i) above may be GPS (Global Positioning System) information of the first mobile terminal. Also, for example, the identification information of the repeater in (ii) above may be an identifier of an access point in a wireless LAN router, i.e., a so-called SSID (Service Set Identifier). Also, for example, the identification information of the device in (iii) above may be a MAC (Media Access Control) address or an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Also, for example, the user information regarding the user associated with the identification information of the device in (iv) above may be user information associated with the device settings information when the user registers the device, or may be region information indicating the region where the user lives, which is included in the user information.

[0034] Based on the position information indicating the position of the dwelling where the user stays, which is estimated by the estimation unit 326, the identification unit 328 identifies a dwelling identifier that identifies one dwelling where the user stays among a plurality of dwelling identifiers. The identification unit 328 transmits the identified dwelling identifier to the first mobile terminal 100 via the transmission unit 314.

[0035] The storage unit 330 is a storage device that stores a control program for the information processing unit 320 to execute information processing, various information used for the information processing, and the like. The storage unit 330 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Further, the storage unit 330 includes an equipment information database 332 in which a dwelling identifier and equipment information regarding equipment installed in the dwelling are stored in association with each other, and a personal equipment information database 334 in which a user identifier and personal equipment information regarding personal equipment personally owned by the user are stored in association with each other. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which these databases are provided in one server 300, but each of these databases may be provided in different servers. In this case, the server 300 may be a cloud server composed of a plurality of servers.

[0036] [Operation] Subsequently, the operation of the control system 400 will be described.

[0037] [Operation of Associating Dwelling Identifier and User Identifier] First, the operation in which the dwelling administrator associates the dwelling identifier and the user identifier and registers them in the server 300 will be described. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of associating the dwelling identifier and the user identifier. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the operation of associating the dwelling identifier and the user identifier. FIG. 6 is an image diagram of the association between the dwelling identifier and the user identifier.

[0038] HomeID001 and 002 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are examples of dwelling identifiers, the user account is an example of the user identifier 60, family accounts 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 6 are examples of other user identifiers, and individual devices P1 and P2 are examples of personal equipment.

[0039] Hereinafter, the dwelling administrator 2 is an administrator who manages the dwelling of user 1. User 1 owns two dwellings, dwelling A and dwelling B, as multiple dwellings 10 and 11.

[0040] First, before explaining the operation, an association image diagram shown in FIG. 6 will be explained. The server 300 is, for example, a cloud server composed of a plurality of servers (here, cloud servers 301 and 302). The cloud server 301 manages information for each residence registered by a customer administrator (so-called residence administrator 2). For example, a residence identifier (e.g., HomeID) is created for each residence in the cloud server 301, and residence information regarding each residence and information regarding devices installed in the residence (so-called facility devices) (hereinafter also referred to as facility device information) are associated and managed with each residence identifier. Further, setting values 30 and 31 such as the name of the device installed in the house and the conditions for integrated scene (cooperation of a plurality of devices) control may also be associated and managed with the residence identifier.

[0041] The residence information 80 is information regarding the residence, and is, for example, floor plan information of the residence, environmental information such as a network environment, and position information indicating the position of the residence. An example of the residence information is shown in FIG. 5. The residence information 80 is, for example, the identification information 82 (SSID_01) of the repeater 50 (router 1), the identification information 83 (SSID_02) of the repeater 51 (router 2), the identification information 84 (DeviceID01) and identification information 88 (IP address 01) of the light gateway 46, the identification information 85 (DeviceID02) and identification information 89 (IP address 02) of the light gateway 47, the residence position information 86 (residence position information 01) indicating the position of the residence 10 (residence A), or the residence position information 87 (residence position information 02) indicating the position of the residence 11 (residence B). The facility devices are, for example, the facility device 40 (facility device A1), the facility device 41 (facility device B1), the facility device 42 (facility device A2), the facility device 43 (facility device B2), the electronic lock 44, or the electronic lock 45. The facility devices A1 and B1 may be, for example, lighting devices, and the facility devices A2 and B2 may be, for example, air conditioners.

[0042] In addition, the cloud server 302 manages information for each user registered by the system administrator. For example, the cloud server 302 manages information such as a user identifier and information regarding devices (so-called personal devices or individual devices) personally owned by the user (so-called personal device information). The user identifier 60 (user account) is associated with personal device information regarding individual devices 70 (individual device P1) and 72 (individual device P2) personally owned by the user. Also, the user may invite, for example, the user's family members and associate them with the user's own user identifier. The accounts of the user's family members are other user identifiers 61 (family account 1) and 62 (family account 3), and personal device information regarding individual devices 71 (individual device P1) and 73 (individual device P2) respectively owned by each of them is associated therewith.

[0043] Subsequently, the operation will be described. Although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, first, the residence manager 2 (see FIG. 5) starts a dedicated application using the second mobile terminal 200 and performs an authentication operation. At this time, the authentication unit 322 of the server 300 determines whether or not the person operating the second mobile terminal 200 (here, the residence manager 2) is permitted to access the server 300.

[0044] After the authentication operation by the authentication unit 322, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation reception unit 210 of the second mobile terminal 200 receives an association instruction between the residence identifier 20 (for example, HomeID001 in FIG. 5) input by the residence manager 2 and the user identifier 60 (for example, the user account in FIG. 5) (S01).

[0045] The control unit 220 of the second mobile terminal 200 transmits the association instruction received by the operation reception unit 210 in step S01 to the server 300 via the communication unit 230 (S02).

[0046] When the communication unit 310 (reception unit 312) of the server 300 receives the association instruction transmitted from the second mobile terminal 200, it transmits the instruction to the information processing unit 320 (not shown in FIG. 2). For example, as shown in the blowout frame of FIG. 5, the housing manager 2 inputs the housing identifier 20 of housing A (for example, HomeID001) to the input screen displayed on the display unit 260 of the second mobile terminal 200, inputs the user identifier 60 (for example, phone number), and taps the determination button. Thereby, an association instruction between the housing identifier 20 of housing A and the user identifier is input by the user, and the operation reception unit 210 receives the association instruction input by the user.

[0047] Subsequently, the management unit 324 of the information processing unit 320 of the server 300 associates and manages the user identifier with the housing identifier according to the instruction (S03). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing identifier 20 is associated with the setting value of the device (so-called facility device), the facility device, the repeater (for example, router), and the housing information 80 (for example, SSID_01 in FIG. 5).

[0048] Subsequently, the operation reception unit 210 of the second mobile terminal 200 receives a registration instruction for the facility device information in the housing input by the housing manager 2 (S04). The control unit 220 of the second mobile terminal 200 transmits the registration instruction received in step S04 to the server 300 via the communication unit 230 (S05).

[0049] When the communication unit 310 (reception unit 312) of the server 300 receives the registration instruction transmitted from the second mobile terminal 200, it transmits the instruction to the information processing unit 320 (not shown). The management unit 324 of the information processing unit 320 associates the facility device information with the housing identifier according to the instruction and registers it in the facility device information database 332 stored in the storage unit 330 (S06).

[0050] Note that steps S04 to S06 may be performed before steps S01 to S03.

[0051] Note that after the operation of associating the dwelling identifier with the user identifier is completed, User 1 may perform the following processes using the first mobile terminal 100. Specifically, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 may update a list associating the dwelling identifier for identifying the dwelling with the devices installed in the dwelling for a plurality of dwellings.

[0052] Although not shown in FIG. 2, first, User 1 logs in to the dedicated application using the first mobile terminal 100, and when an instruction to request the facility device information associated with the dwelling identifier registered in Steps S01 to S06 is input, the operation reception unit 110 of the first mobile terminal 100 receives the instruction. The control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 transmits the instruction to the server 300 via the communication unit 130 (S07).

[0053] When the communication unit 310 (reception unit 312) of the server 300 receives the instruction, it transmits the instruction to the information processing unit 320 (not shown). Then, the management unit 324 of the information processing unit 320 of the server 300 reads out the facility device information registered in the facility device information database 332 according to the instruction, and transmits it to the first mobile terminal 100 via the communication unit 310 (transmission unit 314) (S08).

[0054] The control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 adds the dwelling identifier acquired via the communication unit 130 and the facility device information associated with the dwelling identifier to the list managed by the management unit 124 (S09). Thereby, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 updates the list.

[0055] [Operation for specifying the dwelling where the user stays and operation for controlling devices in the dwelling] Subsequently, the operation for specifying the dwelling where User 1 stays and the operation for controlling the devices installed in the dwelling will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation for specifying the dwelling where User 1 stays and the operation for controlling the devices installed in the dwelling.

[0056] The control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 causes the management unit 124 to manage a list in which, for a plurality of dwellings, a dwelling identifier of the dwelling is associated with device information (facility device information) regarding devices installed in the dwelling (S11). For example, as described above, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 transmits a signal requesting a new dwelling identifier and facility device information associated with the dwelling identifier to the server 300, and when receiving a new dwelling identifier and facility device information associated with the dwelling identifier from the server 300, adds the received information to the list. In this way, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 may appropriately update and manage the list in the management unit 124.

[0057] Subsequently, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 causes the acquisition unit 122 to acquire from the list device information regarding devices associated with the dwelling identifier of one dwelling in which the user is staying among the plurality of dwellings (S12). FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of step S12 in FIG. 3.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, in step S12, the control unit 120 acquires information for specifying the dwelling in which the user is staying among the plurality of dwellings via the acquisition unit 122 (S21), and transmits the information acquired in step S21 to the server 300 via the communication unit 130 (S22).

[0059] As described above, the information for identifying the dwelling where the user stays is at least any one of (i) terminal position information (e.g., GPS information) indicating the position of the first mobile terminal 100 when the user possesses the first mobile terminal 100 and stays in the dwelling, (ii) identification information of a repeater that relays local communication between the first mobile terminal and a device installed in the dwelling (e.g., the SSID of a wireless router), (iii) identification information of the device (e.g., MAC address or IP address), and (iv) user information regarding the user associated with the identification information of the device. Further, for example, the user information regarding the user associated with the identification information of the device in (iv) above may be user information associated with the device setting information when the user registers the device, or may be area information indicating the area where the user resides included in the user information.

[0060] Although not shown in the figure, the estimation unit 326 of the server 300 estimates position information indicating the position of the dwelling where the user stays based on the information for identifying the dwelling where the user stays transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100. Then, the identification unit 328 of the server 300 identifies a dwelling identifier that identifies one dwelling where the user stays among a plurality of dwelling identifiers based on the position information indicating the position of the dwelling where the user stays estimated by the estimation unit 326. The identification unit 328 transmits the identified dwelling identifier to the first mobile terminal 100 via the transmission unit 314.

[0061] Subsequently, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 acquires, via the acquisition unit 122, a dwelling identifier that identifies one dwelling specified by the server 300 (S23). Then, the control unit 120 causes the acquisition unit 122 to acquire, from the list, device information associated with the dwelling identifier of one dwelling where the user stays among a plurality of dwellings ( S12 ).

[0062] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 controls the operation of the device based on the device information acquired in step S12 (S13).

[0063] [Specific Example] Next, the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described in more detail with reference to the first to fourth examples. As described above, as a preset, the housing manager 2 starts a dedicated application using the second mobile terminal 200, and performs processes such as (1) creation of a housing identifier, (2) association between the housing identifier and device information (so-called equipment device information) regarding devices installed in the housing, and (3) association between the housing identifier and the user identifier.

[0064] [First Example] In the first example, the information for identifying the housing 10 (here, housing A) where the user 1 stays is the identification information (for example, the SSID of the wireless router) of the repeater installed in the housing. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the first example.

[0065] For example, when the user 1 starts the dedicated application installed on the first mobile terminal 100, the acquisition unit 122 of the first mobile terminal 100 acquires the identification information 82 (for example, SSID_01) of the repeater 50 (for example, router 1), and transmits the acquired identification information 82 of the repeater 50 to the server 300. The registration of the identification information 82 of the repeater 50 to the server 300 may be performed by the housing manager 2 as a preset, or may be performed by the user 1.

[0066] Based on the identification information 82 of the repeater 50 transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100, the identification unit 328 of the server 300 identifies the housing identifier 20 (here, HomeID001) that identifies the housing 10 (here, housing A) where the user 1 stays among the plurality of housing identifiers from the list. The list is stored in the storage unit 330 of the server 300, for example, as shown in the blowout frame in the figure.

[0067] The specifying unit 328 of the server 300 transmits the specified residence identifier 20 to the first mobile terminal 100 via the transmitting unit 314. As a result, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 automatically switches from the residence identifier 21 (here, HomeID002) of the residence 11 (here, residence B) where the user 1 stayed to the residence identifier 20 of the residence 10 where the user 1 stays.

[0068] [Second Example] In the second example, the information for specifying the residence where the user 1 stays is the identification information (Device ID) of the devices (so-called facility devices) installed in the residence. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the second example.

[0069] For example, when the user 1 activates a dedicated application installed on the first mobile terminal 100, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 performs a local device search sequence (for example, mDNS (multicast Domain Name System), etc.). The acquisition unit 122 of the first mobile terminal 100 acquires the identification information 84 (for example, DeviceID01) of the facility device (for example, the light gateway 46) detected in the local device search sequence, and transmits the acquired identification information 84 of the facility device (for example, the light gateway 46) to the server 300. The DeviceID is, for example, a MAC address.

[0070] The specifying unit 328 of the server 300 specifies, from a list, the residence identifier 20 (here, HomeID001) that identifies one residence 10 (here, residence A) where the user 1 stays among a plurality of residence identifiers based on the identification information 84 of the facility device (for example, the light gateway 46) transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100.

[0071] The specifying unit 328 of the server 300 transmits the specified residence identifier 20 to the first mobile terminal 100 via the transmitting unit 314.

[0072] In addition, in order to control the devices installed in the residence (so-called facility devices), it is necessary to pre-register device information (so-called facility device information) related to the devices in the server 300. Also in the second example, it is premised that the local device registration and cloud device registration shown in FIG. 9 are completed, and the residence identifier and the identification information of the facility device are associated and managed. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the procedures for local registration and cloud registration of devices installed in the residence. (a) of FIG. 9 shows the procedure for local device registration, and (b) of FIG. 9 shows the procedure for cloud device registration. Registration means the process of storing the identification information of the device in the storage unit 330 of the server 300. The identification information of the device is, for example, an ID unique to the device such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address.

[0073] In the control system 400, even when the devices installed in the residence and the server 300 cannot communicate with each other, the device information related to the devices can be registered in the server 300 using the first mobile terminal.

[0074] As shown in (a) of FIG. 9, first, the user 1 connects the first mobile terminal 100 and the facility device 40 to the repeater 50 (here, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router). In other words, the user 1 causes the first mobile terminal 100 and the facility device 40 to perform short-range wireless communication via the repeater 50 (see (1) and (2) in the figure). In this state, the first mobile terminal 100 acquires the identification information of the facility device 40 from the facility device 40 via the local communication network and stores it in the storage unit 150 of the first mobile terminal 100 (see (2) in the figure). This process is also referred to as local device registration. Local device registration is executed when the first mobile terminal 100 and the facility device 40 are not connected to a wide-area communication network 5 such as the Internet. By performing local device registration, the first mobile terminal 100 can control the devices in the residence without going through the server 300 (cloud server), thus improving convenience and operability.

[0075] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(b), user 1 switches the communication network used by the first mobile terminal 100 from a local communication network to a mobile communication network. As a result, the first mobile terminal 100 can communicate with the server 300 via the wide-area communication network 5. The first mobile terminal 100 reads out the identification information stored in the storage unit 150 (see (3) in the figure), and transmits a registration request including the read identification information to the server 300 (see (4) in the figure). As a result, the identification information of the facility device 40 is stored in the storage unit 330 of the server 300. That is, the facility device 40 is registered with the server 300. This process is also referred to as cloud device registration.

[0076] [Example 3] In the third example, the information for specifying the residence where user 1 stays is the terminal position information 90 (for example, GPS information) indicating the position of the first mobile terminal 100 when user 1 holds the first mobile terminal 100 and stays at the residence 10 (here, residence A). FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the third example.

[0077] For example, when user 1 activates a dedicated application installed on the first mobile terminal 100, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 performs self-position detection. The acquisition unit 122 of the first mobile terminal 100 acquires the self-position information of the detected first mobile terminal 100, in other words, the terminal position information 90 (for example, GPS information), and transmits the acquired terminal position information 90 to the server 300.

[0078] Based on the terminal location information 90 transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100, the identifying unit 328 of the server 300 identifies, from among a plurality of residence identifiers, the residence identifier 20 (here, HomeID001) of the residence 10 (here, Residence A) where user 1 is staying. More specifically, the estimating unit 326 estimates the location information indicating the location of the residence 10 (Residence A) where user 1 is staying based on the terminal location information 90 transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100, and transmits the estimated location information to the identifying unit 328. Next, based on the location information estimated by the estimating unit 326, the identifying unit 328 identifies the residence identifier 20 (HomeID001) of the one residence 10 (Residence A) where the user is staying from the list. The list is stored in the storage unit 330 of the server 300, for example, as shown in the callout frame in the figure. In the list, the user identifier 60 (here, the user account), the residence identifier 20 (HomeID001) of Residence A, and the residence location information 86 (Residence Location Information 01) are associated. The identifying unit 328 extracts the residence location information 86 with a high degree of match with the terminal location information 90, and identifies the residence identifier 20 (HomeID001) associated with the extracted residence location information 86 as the residence identifier of the residence 10 (Residence A) where user 1 is staying.

[0079] The identifying unit 328 of the server 300 transmits the identified residence identifier 20 to the first mobile terminal 100 via the transmitting unit 314.

[0080] [Example 4] In Example 4, the information for identifying the residence where user 1 is staying is the identification information 88 (for example, the IP address) of the facility equipment (for example, the light gateway 46). FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining Example 4.

[0081] For example, when User 1 launches a dedicated app installed on the first mobile terminal 100, the control unit 120 of the first mobile terminal 100 performs a local device search sequence (e.g., mDNS (multicast Domain Name System), etc.). The acquisition unit 122 of the first mobile terminal 100 acquires the identification information 88 (e.g., IP address) of the facility device (e.g., the light gateway 46) detected in the local device search sequence, and transmits the identification information 88 of the acquired facility device (e.g., the light gateway 46) to the server 300.

[0082] Based on the identification information 88 (IP address) of the facility device (e.g., the light gateway 46) transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100, the identification unit 328 of the server 300 identifies, from the list, the residence identifier 20 (here, HomeID001) that identifies one residence 10 (here, Residence A) where User 1 stays among the plurality of residence identifiers.

[0083] More specifically, based on the identification information 88 (IP address) of the facility device (e.g., the light gateway 46) transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100, the estimation unit 326 estimates the position information indicating the position of the dwelling 10 (dwelling A) where the user 1 stays, and transmits the estimated position information to the identification unit 328. For example, the estimation unit 326 may estimate the position information indicating the approximate position of the dwelling 10 (dwelling A) based on the country, region, latitude, and longitude included in the identification information 88 (IP address) of the facility device (e.g., the light gateway 46). Next, based on the position information estimated by the estimation unit 326, the identification unit 328 identifies the dwelling identifier 20 (HomeID001) that identifies one dwelling 10 (dwelling A) where the user stays from the list. The list is stored in the storage unit 330 of the server 300, as shown in the blowout frame in the figure, for example. In the list, the user identifier 60 (here, the user account), the dwelling identifier 20 (HomeID001) of dwelling A, and the dwelling position information 86 (dwelling position information 01) are linked. The identification unit 328 may extract the dwelling position information 86 based on the approximate position information of the dwelling 10 estimated by the estimation unit 326, and identify the dwelling identifier 20 (HomeID001) linked to the extracted dwelling position information 86 as the dwelling identifier of the dwelling 10 (dwelling A) where the user 1 stays.

[0084] The identification unit 328 of the server 300 transmits the identified dwelling identifier 20 to the first mobile terminal 100 via the transmission unit 314.

[0085] Note that in the fourth example, the control system 400 may register the regional information included in the IP address of the facility device in the list as the dwelling position information 86. Thereby, the control system 400 can estimate the position of the dwelling 10 by comparing the regional information of these IP addresses even when the detected IP address of the facility device is different from the registered IP address.

[0086] In the fourth example, the server 300 may also obtain the terminal location information 90 of the first mobile terminal 100 and identify the residence identifier 20 of the residence 10 based on the approximate location information of the residence 10 estimated from the IP address and the terminal location information 90, as in the second example.

[0087] In the fourth example, the specifying unit 328 of the server 300 may obtain the user information associated with the identification information 84 (DeviceID) or the identification information 88 (IP address) of the facility device (for example, the light gateway 46), and identify the residence identifier 20 of the residence 10 based on the obtained user information or the residence area information of the user 1 included in the user information.

[0088] [Example 5] In the fifth example, when the user 1 directly controls the devices installed in the residence 10 (Residence A) using the first mobile terminal 100 without going through the repeater 50, the device information regarding the controlled devices may be transmitted to the server 300. For example, when the user 1 holds the first mobile terminal 100 in front of the electronic lock 44 to unlock it, the acquisition unit 122 of the first mobile terminal 100 acquires the identification information of the electronic lock 44 and transmits the acquired identification information of the electronic lock 44 to the server 300.

[0089] The specifying unit 328 of the server 300 identifies the residence identifier 20 (Residence A) associated with the identification information of the electronic lock 44 transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100 and transmits it to the first mobile terminal 100.

[0090] Note that the above first to fifth examples may be arbitrarily combined, or may be combined with processes other than the first to fifth examples.

[0091] [Conventional Example] Finally, the conventional example will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the switching process of the residence identifier in a conventional control system.

[0092] In the conventional control system, the user 1 needs to select the residence identifier 20 of the residence (here, Residence A) where the user 1 stays on the dedicated application to switch the residence identifier.

[0093] In the conventional control system, for example, in the cloud server 301 of FIG. 6, the dwelling information 80 is not associated with the dwelling identifier 20 (for example, HomeID001). As described above, the dwelling information 80 is information related to the dwelling, and includes, for example, the floor plan information of the dwelling, environmental information such as the network environment, and position information indicating the position of the dwelling.

[0094] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the first mobile terminal 100 includes a management unit 124 that manages a list in which a dwelling identifier for identifying a plurality of dwellings is associated with device information regarding devices installed in the dwelling, and a device installed in one dwelling 10 (for example, Dwelling A) in which the user 1 stays among the plurality of dwellings. An acquisition unit 122 that acquires device information related to the device associated with the dwelling identifier 20, and a control unit 120 that controls the operation of the device based on the device information acquired by the acquisition unit 122.

[0095] Such a first mobile terminal 100 can automatically switch to a dwelling identifier 20 that identifies one dwelling 10 (for example, Dwelling A) in which the user 1 stays among the plurality of dwellings, and control the devices installed in the dwelling.

[0096] Also, for example, in the first mobile terminal 100, the acquisition unit 122 acquires information for specifying the dwelling 10 in which the user 1 stays among the plurality of dwellings, transmits the acquired information to the server 300, and the server 300 specifies the dwelling identifier 20 that identifies one dwelling 10 in which the user 1 stays.

[0097] Such a first mobile terminal 100 can switch the dwelling identifier 20 more quickly because the server 300 having a higher processing capacity than the first mobile terminal 100 specifies the dwelling identifier 20 of the dwelling 10 in which the user 1 stays.

[0098] Also, for example, in the first mobile terminal 100, the acquisition unit 122 acquires, as information for identifying the dwelling 10 where the user 1 stays, (i) terminal position information 90 indicating the position of the first mobile terminal 100 when the user 1 holds the first mobile terminal 100 and stays in the dwelling 10, (ii) identification information of the repeater 50 that relays local communication between the first mobile terminal 100 and the device, (iii) identification information of the device, and (iv) at least any one of user information related to the user 1 linked to the identification information of the device.

[0099] Such a first mobile terminal 100 can identify the dwelling identifier 20 of the dwelling 10 where the user 1 stays based on the position information of the first mobile terminal 100 when the user 1 holds the first mobile terminal 100 and stays in the dwelling 10, the identification information of the repeater 50 and the device installed in the dwelling 10 where the user 1 stays, the user information linked to the identification information of the device, and the like.

[0100] Also, for example, in the first mobile terminal 100, in the acquisition of the above (iv), the acquisition unit 122 acquires area information indicating the area where the user 1 lives, which is included in the user information.

[0101] Such a first mobile terminal 100 can identify the dwelling identifier 20 of the dwelling 10 where the user 1 stays from the area information indicating the area where the user 1 lives, which is linked to the identification information of the device.

[0102] Also, the control system 400 is a control system including any one of the above first mobile terminals 100 and the server 300. The server 300 includes a management unit 324 that manages a list associating dwelling identifiers for identifying the dwellings with device information regarding the devices installed in the dwellings, a specifying unit 328 that specifies, from the list, the dwelling identifier 20 that identifies the single dwelling 10 where the user 1 stays among a plurality of dwelling identifiers based on the information transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100, and a transmitting unit 314 that transmits the dwelling identifier 20 specified by the specifying unit 328 to the first mobile terminal 100.

[0103] Such a control system 400 can automatically switch to a residence identifier 20 that identifies the residence 10 (e.g., Residence A) where user 1 stays among a plurality of residences, and control the devices installed in the residence.

[0104] Also, for example, the control system 400 further includes an estimation unit 326 that estimates position information indicating the position of the residence 10 where user 1 stays based on the information transmitted from the first mobile terminal 100. The identification unit 328 identifies a residence identifier 20 that identifies one residence 10 where user 1 stays from the list based on the position information estimated by the estimation unit 326.

[0105] Such a control system 400 can identify the residence identifier 20 of the residence 10 based on the estimated position information of the residence 10. For example, even if the device information of the devices installed in the residence 10 is changed, the residence identifier of the residence 10 can be identified.

[0106] Also, a control method executed by a computer such as the control system 400 includes a management step (S11) of managing a list that associates a residence identifier that identifies a residence with device information regarding devices installed in the residence for a plurality of residences, an acquisition step (S12) of acquiring, from the list, device information regarding devices associated with the residence identifier of one residence where a user stays among the plurality of residences, and a control step (S13) of controlling the operation of the devices based on the device information acquired in the acquisition step.

[0107] Such a control method can automatically switch to a residence identifier 20 that identifies the residence 10 (e.g., Residence A) where user 1 stays among a plurality of residences, and control the devices installed in the residence.

[0108] Also, for example, a control method executed by a computer such as the control system 400 includes, in an acquisition step (S12), acquiring information (S21) for identifying the dwelling 10 in which User 1 stays among a plurality of dwellings, transmitting the acquired information to the server 300 (S22), and acquiring a dwelling identifier 20 for identifying one dwelling 10 in which User 1 stays as identified by the server 300 (S23).

[0109] Such a control method can switch the dwelling identifier 20 more quickly because the server 300 identifies the dwelling identifier 20 of the dwelling 10 in which User 1 stays.

[0110] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0111] Also, in the above embodiment, the control system is realized by a plurality of devices, but it may be realized by a single device. When the control system is realized by a plurality of devices, the components included in each system may be distributed among the plurality of devices in any manner.

[0112] Also, for example, the communication method between the devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. Also, a relay device (not shown) may be interposed in the communication between the devices.

[0113] Also, in the above embodiment, the processing executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of a plurality of processes may be changed, or a plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

[0114] Also, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0115] In addition, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits respectively. Also, these circuits may be general-purpose circuits or dedicated circuits respectively.

[0116] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be implemented in a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Also, it may be implemented by any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0117] For example, the present invention may be implemented as the mobile terminal according to the above-described embodiment or a control system equivalent thereto. Also, the present invention may be implemented as a control method executed by a computer such as a control system, or may be implemented as a program for causing a computer to execute such a control method. The present invention may be implemented as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0118] In addition, forms obtained by applying various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art to each embodiment, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0119] 1 User 10 Dwelling 11 Dwelling 20 Dwelling Identifier 21 Dwelling Identifier 40 Facility Equipment 41 Facility Equipment 42 Facility Equipment 43 Facility Equipment 50 Repeater 51 Repeater 60 User identifier 61 Other user identifier 62 Other user identifier 82 Identification information 83 Identification information 84 Identification information 85 Identification information 86 Dwelling location information 87 Dwelling location information 88 Identification information 89 Identification information 90 Terminal location information 100 First mobile terminal 120 Control unit 122 Acquisition unit 124 Management unit 300 Server 314 Transmission unit 324 Management unit 326 Estimation unit 328 Identification unit 400 Control system

Claims

1. A management unit that manages a list associating dwelling identifiers for a plurality of dwellings with device information regarding devices installed in the dwellings, an acquisition unit that transmits identification information obtained by communicating with a device installed in one dwelling where a user stays among the plurality of dwellings to a server that manages the correspondence between the dwelling identifiers and the device identification information in each of the plurality of dwellings, acquires from the server the dwelling identifier that identifies the one dwelling specified by the server, and acquires from the list the device information regarding the devices associated with the acquired dwelling identifier, a control unit that controls the operation of the device specified based on the device identification information included in the device information acquired by the acquisition unit, A portable terminal comprising: a portable terminal.

2. The device is a repeater, and the identification information is the SSID of the repeater The portable terminal according to claim 1.

3. The identification information is the MAC address of the device The portable terminal according to claim 1.

4. The identification information is the IP address of the device The portable terminal according to claim 1.

5. The device is an electronic lock The portable terminal according to claim 1.

6. A control system comprising the portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the server, wherein the server includes: a management unit that manages the correspondence between the dwelling identifiers and the device identification information in each of the plurality of dwellings, a specifying unit that specifies, from the correspondence, the dwelling identifier that identifies the one dwelling where the user stays among the plurality of dwelling identifiers based on the identification information transmitted from the portable terminal, a transmitting unit that transmits the dwelling identifier specified by the specifying unit to the portable terminal, A control system comprising: a control system.

7. The control system further includes an estimating unit that estimates position information indicating the position of the dwelling where the user stays based on the identification information transmitted from the portable terminal, and the specifying unit specifies the dwelling identifier that identifies the one dwelling from the list based on the position information estimated by the estimating unit. The control system according to claim 6.

8. A control method executed by a computer, the method comprising: a management step of managing a list associating dwelling identifiers for a plurality of dwellings with device information regarding devices installed in the dwellings, By transmitting the identification information obtained by communicating with the device installed in one of the plurality of dwellings where the user stays to a server that manages the correspondence relationship between the dwelling identifier and the device identification information in each of the plurality of dwellings, obtaining from the server the dwelling identifier that identifies the one dwelling specified by the server, and obtaining from the list the device information regarding the device linked to the obtained dwelling identifier, an acquisition step; A control step of controlling the operation of the device specified based on the identification information of the device included in the device information acquired in the acquisition step. A control method.

9. For causing the computer to execute the control method according to Claim 8, A program.

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