Interlocking control method, program, device, and system

Abstract

To make functions of two or more apparatuses usefully interlock with each other.SOLUTION: A method executed by a control part of an interlock control device includes the steps of: selecting two or more apparatuses from a plurality of apparatuses; and instructing interlock control related to functions of the apparatuses to the selected apparatuses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an interlocking control method, a program, an apparatus, and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a method of controlling a plurality of devices, it is known to control the devices according to the situation of the person using the devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses controlling devices such as an air conditioner according to scenes such as waking up and going to bed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional method only controls the devices according to the situation of the person using the devices, and cannot usefully control each function of the plurality of devices. The purpose of the present disclosure is to usefully interlock the functions of two or more devices.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a method executed by a control unit of an interlocking control device, comprising the steps of selecting two or more devices from a plurality of devices, and instructing interlocking control related to the functions of the selected devices. and

[0006] According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to interlock so as to improve the effects of the functions of two or more devices.

[0007] Moreover, a second aspect of the present disclosure is the method described in the first aspect, wherein the interlock control is control for improving the effect of the function by the interlocking of the selected device.

[0008] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, by interlocking two or more devices, the effect of the function of the device can be improved.

[0009] Moreover, a third aspect of the present disclosure is the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein it further includes a step of selecting a plurality of functions, the instruction is to instruct the interlock control related to the plurality of functions of the device.

[0010] According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, by interlocking two or more devices, the effect of the plurality of functions of the device can be improved.

[0011] Moreover, a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the method described in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein it further includes a step of referring to a storage unit in which the operation content of each device is stored for each interlock control related to one or more functions.

[0012] According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the operation content of each device determined in advance can be instructed.

[0013] Moreover, a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the method described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, wherein it further includes a step of referring to a storage unit in which the functions of each device are stored, the interlock control is interlock control related to the functions of the selected device.

[0014] According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the devices can be interlocked according to the functions of the devices.

[0015] Moreover, a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the method according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein it further includes a step of selectively displaying functions of the selected device.

[0016] According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a user can select functions corresponding to the device selected by the user.

[0017] Moreover, a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein it further includes a step of displaying a screen for selecting a plurality of functions from the functions of the selected device.

[0018] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a user can select a plurality of functions corresponding to the device selected by the user.

[0019] Moreover, an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein it further includes a step of displaying a screen including an area for selecting two or more devices from the plurality of devices and an area for selecting a plurality of functions.

[0020] According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a user can easily select two or more devices and a plurality of functions corresponding to the two or more devices.

[0021] Moreover, a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the plurality of devices are registered for each group, it further includes a step of selecting the group, and the two or more devices are selected from a plurality of devices registered in the selected group.

[0022] According to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a user can interlock devices within a group registered in advance.

[0023] The program according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure causes the interlocking control device to perform a procedure of selecting two or more devices from a plurality of devices, and a procedure of instructing interlocking control related to the functions of the selected devices.

[0024] The interlocking control device according to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is an interlocking control device including a control unit, wherein the control unit selects two or more devices from a plurality of devices, and instructs interlocking control related to the functions of the selected devices.

[0025] The system according to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a system including an interlocking control device and a server, wherein the control unit of the interlocking control device selects two or more devices from a plurality of devices, and instructs interlocking control related to the functions of the selected devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] <Explanation of Terms> · In this specification, "interlocking control" refers to control that improves the effect of the functions of devices by interlocking two or more devices (for example, operating two or more devices simultaneously). Note that it is also called "support operation". · In this specification, a "device" refers to any device having various functions. For example, the device may be an air conditioner (for example, a room air conditioner, an air purifier, a ventilator, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, a circulator, a small space air conditioner such as a dressing room), a water heater, etc., but is not limited thereto. · In this specification, a "function" refers to a process performed by a device. For example, the function may be a temperature adjustment function, a humidity adjustment function, an air purification function, a ventilation function, a water filling function, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0029] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1 (note that the air conditioning system 1 is an example of a system) includes an interlocking control device 10, devices 20, and a server 30. Hereinafter, each will be described.

[0030] <<Interlocking Control Device>> The interlocking control device 10 is a device for interlocking control of two or more devices 20. For example, the interlocking control device 10 can be a smartphone installed with application software for operating the device, a remote control of the device 20, a centralized control device (a device capable of controlling a plurality of devices 20), etc. The interlocking control device 10 can transmit and receive data to and from the device 20 and the server 30 via an arbitrary network.

[0031] Specifically, the interlocking control device 10 selects two or more devices 20 from a plurality of devices 20. Further, the interlocking control device 10 instructs the selected devices 20 to perform interlocking control related to one or more functions of the devices 20. Note that one or more functions related to the interlocking control are functions possessed by any of the devices selected by the user.

[0032] <<Device>> The device 20 is an arbitrary device having various functions. For example, the device can be an air conditioner (e.g., a room air conditioner, an air purifier, a ventilator, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, a circulator, a small space air conditioner such as a dressing room), a water heater, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0033] The devices 20 are registered for each group (in the example of FIG. 1, group A and group B). For example, a user (a user of the device 20) can use the interlocking control device 10 to register a plurality of devices 20 belonging to each group. For example, the groups are each room (e.g., a living room, a children's room, etc.) in the user's home. The devices 20 within a group can be interlocked.

[0034] <<Server>> The server 30 is composed of one or more computers. The server 30 can be provided with a storage unit in which functions possessed by each device 20 are stored.

[0035] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the interlocking control device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The same applies to the server 30. The interlocking control device 10 includes a control unit 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103. The control unit 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 form a so-called computer.

[0036] Further, the interlocking control device 10 may include an auxiliary storage device 104, a display device 105, an operation device 106, an I / F (Interface) device 107, and a drive device 108. Each hardware of the interlocking control device 10 is interconnected via a bus B.

[0037] The control unit (e.g., CPU) 101 is an arithmetic device that executes various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 104. By the control unit 101 executing the programs, each process described in this specification is performed.

[0038] The ROM 102 is a non-volatile memory. The ROM 102 functions as a main memory device that stores various programs, data, etc. necessary for the control unit 101 to execute various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 104. Specifically, the ROM 102 functions as a main memory device that stores boot programs such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface).

[0039] The RAM 103 is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The RAM 103 functions as a main memory device that provides a work area in which various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 104 are expanded when executed by the control unit 101.

[0040] The auxiliary storage device 104 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various programs and information used when the various programs are executed.

[0041] The display device 105 is a display device that displays the internal state etc. of the interlocking control device 10.

[0042] The operation device 106 is an input device through which an operator of the interlocking control device 10 inputs various instructions to the interlocking control device 10.

[0043] The I / F device 107 is a communication device that connects to a network and communicates with other devices.

[0044] The drive device 108 is a device for setting the storage medium 109. The storage medium 109 here includes media that optically, electrically, or magnetically record information, such as CD-ROMs, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, etc. Further, the storage medium 109 may include semiconductor memories that electrically record information, such as ROMs, flash memories, etc.

[0045] Note that the various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 104 are installed, for example, when the distributed storage medium 109 is set in the drive device 108 and the various programs recorded on the storage medium 109 are read by the drive device 108. Alternatively, the various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 104 may be installed by being downloaded from a network via the I / F device 107.

[0046] <Processing method> FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the processing executed by the air conditioning system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] In step 1 (S1), the interlocking control device 10 inquires the server 30 about the functions of each device 20. Specifically, the interlocking control device 10 refers to the storage unit of the server 30 in which the functions of each device are stored. In FIG. 3, an example in which the server 30 includes a storage unit in which the functions of each device are stored will be described, but the interlocking control device 10 may include a storage unit in which the functions of each device are stored. Note that S1 may be executed after step 2, after step 3, or after step 5.

[0048] [Function] Here, the function will be described. The "function" is a process performed by the device 20. For example, the function may be, but is not limited to, a temperature adjustment function, a humidity adjustment function, an air purification function, a ventilation function, a hot water supply function, etc.

[0049] In step 2 (S2), the interlocking control device 10 displays a screen for selecting a group.

[0050] [Group] Here, the group will be described. The devices 20 are registered for each group. For example, a user (a user of the device 20) can register a plurality of devices 20 belonging to each group using the interlocking control device 10. For example, the group may be each room (e.g., living room, children's room, etc.) in the user's home, and for the group called the living room, devices 20 such as a room air conditioner and an air purifier can be registered.

[0051] In step 3 (S3), the interlocking control device 10 accepts the selection of the group input by the user on the screen of S2.

[0052] In step 4 (S4), the interlocking control device 10 displays a screen including an area for selecting two or more devices from the plurality of devices registered in the group selected in S3 and an area for selecting a plurality of functions.

[0053] In a certain embodiment of the present disclosure, the interlocking control device 10 can display a screen for selecting a group, and then display a plurality of devices registered in the group selected by the user (after that, accept the selection of two or more devices from the user). Further, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, the interlocking control device 10 can display a plurality of devices registered in each of all groups and accept the selection of two or more devices registered in the same group from the user.

[0054] In step 5 (S5), the interlocking control device 10 accepts the selection of two or more devices input by the user on the screen of S4.

[0055] In step 6 (S6), the interlocking control device 10 accepts the selection of one or more functions input by the user on the screen of S4. In the area for selecting a plurality of functions, the functions possessed by any one of the devices selected by the user are displayed so as to be selectable.

[0056] In step 7 (S7), the interlocking control device 10 refers to the operation content of each device. Specifically, the interlocking control device 10 refers to the storage unit of the interlocking control device 10 in which the operation content of each device is stored for each interlocking control related to one or more functions. In FIG. 3, an example in which the interlocking control device 10 includes a storage unit in which the operation content of each device is stored for each interlocking control related to one or more functions is described, but the server 30 may include a storage unit in which the operation content of each device is stored for each interlocking control related to one or more functions.

[0057] In step 8 (S8), the interlocking control device 10 instructs interlocking control for the two or more devices in S5. Specifically, the interlocking control device 10 instructs the operation content of each device referred to in S7 for the two or more devices in S5. The instruction of the operation content to each device may be transmitted from the interlocking control device 10 to the device 20 via the server 30, or may be directly transmitted from the interlocking control device 10 to the device 20. After that, each device operates according to the instruction.

[0058] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the interlocking control device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] In step 11 (S11), the control unit 101 of the interlocking control device 10 refers to a storage unit in which the functions of each device are stored.

[0060] In step 12 (S12), the control unit 101 of the interlocking control device 10 displays a screen for selecting a group.

[0061] In step 13 (S13), the control unit 101 of the interlocking control device 10 accepts the selection of the group input by the user on the screen of S12.

[0062] In step 14 (S14), the control unit 101 of the interlocking control device 10 displays a screen including an area for selecting two or more devices from among a plurality of devices registered in the group selected in S13 and an area for selecting a plurality of functions.

[0063] In step 15 (S15), the control unit 101 of the interlocking control device 10 accepts the selection of two or more devices input by the user on the screen of S14.

[0064] In step 16 (S16), the control unit 101 of the interlocking control device 10 accepts the selection of one or more functions input by the user on the screen of S14 based on the functions of each device referred to in S11. Note that in the area for selecting a plurality of functions, the functions of any one of the devices selected by the user are displayed so as to be selectable.

[0065] In step 17 (S17), the control unit 101 of the interlocking control device 10 refers to a storage unit in which the operation details of each device are stored for each interlocking control related to one or more functions.

[0066] In step 18 (S18), the interlock control device 10 instructs the two or more devices in S15 to perform interlock control. Specifically, the control unit 101 of the interlock control device 10 instructs the two or more devices in S15 regarding the operation details of each device referred to in S17. Note that the instruction of the operation details to each device may be transmitted from the interlock control device 10 to the device 20 via the server 30, or may be directly transmitted from the interlock control device 10 to the device 20. Thereafter, each device operates according to the instruction.

[0067] FIG. 5 is an example of a storage unit in which the operation details of each device are stored for each interlock control related to one or more functions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the interlock control device 10 includes a storage unit in which the operation details of each device are stored for each interlock control related to one or more functions.

[0068] In the storage unit in which the operation details of each device are stored for each interlock control related to one or more functions, for each interlock control related to one or more functions (in the example of FIG. 5, one or more of the "ventilation function", "temperature adjustment function (room temperature)", and "humidity adjustment function (humidification)" of the "support operation type"), the operation details of each device (in the example of FIG. 5, the operation details of the "room air conditioner" and the operation details of the "air purifier") are stored.

[0069] For example, when the ventilation function (an example of one function) is selected as the support operation, the room air conditioner is operated as "Turn on the operation. Set the ventilation to 'automatic'. Do not change other settings.", and the air purifier is operated as "Turn on the operation in 'automatic' mode. (For models without 'automatic' mode, the air volume is automatic).". When the ventilation function and the room temperature adjustment function (an example of multiple functions) are selected as the support operation, the room air conditioner is operated as "Turn on the operation. Set the ventilation to 'automatic'. Do not change other settings.", and the air purifier is operated as "Turn on the operation in the circulator course. Do not change other settings.".

[0070] In this way, when multiple devices operate in conjunction, for example, in the support operation of ventilation, by the operations of the room air conditioner and the air purifier, it becomes possible to reduce the stagnation of air throughout the room while ventilating and ventilate the entire room. Also, for example, in the support operation of room temperature, by the operations of the room air conditioner and the air purifier, it is possible to reach the target set temperature earlier than when the room air conditioner operates alone. Note that, similar to the support operation of room temperature, it is also possible to reach the target humidity setting earlier in the support operation of ventilation.

[0071] FIG. 6 is an example of a storage unit that stores the functions of each device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the server 30 includes a storage unit that stores the functions of each device.

[0072] In the storage unit that stores the functions of each device, for each device (in the example of FIG. 6, "room air conditioner", "air purifier"), information on the functions of the device (in the example of FIG. 6, the "room air conditioner" has the functions of "temperature adjustment" and "ventilation", and the "air purifier" has the functions of "humidity adjustment" and "air purification") is stored.

[0073] In FIG. 6, temperature adjustment and ventilation are exemplified as the functions of the room air conditioner, but the room air conditioner may have humidity adjustment functions and air purification functions. Also, functions may be stored according to the model of the device (that is, even for the same device, different functions may be stored depending on the model). For example, corresponding to the functions of each model of the room air conditioner, it may be stored that the first room air conditioner has temperature adjustment and ventilation functions, and the second room air conditioner has temperature adjustment and humidity adjustment functions. Also, the functions of ventilation devices, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, circulators, etc. may also be stored.

[0074] <Screen> FIG. 7 is an example of the transition of the screen displayed on the interlocking control device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] In step 101 (S101), a screen for indicating the start of setting the operating state of the devices registered in the living room and the interlocking control (also referred to as "support operation") of two or more devices is displayed. When the user indicates the start of the setting (for example, "support operation setting" is selected on the screen of S101 in FIG. 7), the process proceeds to step 102.

[0076] In step 102 (S102), a screen including an area for selecting two or more devices from a plurality of devices and an area for selecting a plurality of functions is displayed. When the user selects two or more devices from the plurality of devices (for example, devices are selected on the screen of S102 in FIG. 7), the functions of at least one of the selected two or more devices are displayed so as to be selectable, and when the user selects at least one function from the plurality of functions (for example, ON or OFF of the function is selected on the screen of S102 in FIG. 7) and saves the setting, the process proceeds to step 103. The plurality of devices selected on the screen of S102 can be selected from the devices registered in the living room.

[0077] In step 103 (S103), a screen for indicating the start of the interlocking control (support operation) of two or more devices is displayed. When the user indicates the start (for example, "start support operation" is selected on the screen of S103 in FIG. 7), the process proceeds to step 104.

[0078] In step 104 (S104), a screen for confirming with the user the start of the interlocking control (support operation) of two or more devices is displayed. When the user confirms (for example, "OK" is tapped on the screen of S104 in FIG. 7), the interlocking control is started (that is, the setting of the interlocking control (support operation) becomes effective). Note that the data of the previous operation content stored in device 20 is overwritten.

[0079] Thus, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, by linking two or more devices (e.g., room air conditioner, air purifier, etc.) selected from a plurality of devices registered for each room such as a living room and a children's room, one or more functions (e.g., temperature adjustment function, humidity adjustment function, air purification function, ventilation function, hot water supply function) can improve the effect (e.g., eliminating unevenness).

[0080] For example, by linking a plurality of devices, indoor temperature adjustment, humidity adjustment, ventilation, air purification, etc. can be carried out evenly rather than a single device performing the function. In the case of heating by a room air conditioner, since the warm air stays above the room, unevenness can be eliminated by circulating the indoor air with an air purifier. In the case of cooling by a room air conditioner, the whole room can be cooled by circulating the indoor air with an air purifier.

[0081] As described above, although the embodiments have been explained, it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

Explanation of Signs

[0082] 1 Air conditioning system 10 Interlocking control device 20 Device 30 Server 101 Control unit 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Auxiliary storage device 105 Display device 106 Operating device 107 I / F device 108 Drive device 109 Storage medium

Claims

1. A method executed by a control unit of an interlocking control device, comprising: receiving a selection of two or more devices input by a user; receiving a selection of a plurality of functions input by the user; for each of the received devices, instructing an operation of each device predetermined for each combination of the plurality of functions; and a method including the above.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operation of each device is control for improving the effect of the function by the interlocking of the selected devices.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the instruction is to instruct interlocking control related to the plurality of functions of the device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising referring to a storage unit storing the operation content of each device predetermined for each combination of one or more functions.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising referring to a storage unit storing the functions of each device, wherein the operation of each device is interlocking control related to the functions of the selected device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising displaying the functions of the selected device in a selectable manner.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising displaying a screen for selecting the plurality of functions from the functions of the selected device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising displaying a screen including an area for selecting the two or more devices from a plurality of devices and an area for selecting the plurality of functions.

9. A plurality of devices are registered for each group, the method further comprising a step of selecting the group, wherein the two or more devices are selected from a plurality of devices registered in the selected group.

10. In an interlocking control device, a procedure for receiving a selection of two or more devices input by a user, a procedure for receiving a selection of a plurality of functions input by the user, a procedure for instructing an operation of each device predetermined for each combination of the plurality of functions for each of the received devices and a program for causing the above to be executed.

11. An interlocking control device including a control unit, wherein the control unit is Receiving a selection of two or more devices input by the user, Receiving a selection of a plurality of functions input by the user, An interlocking control device that instructs, for each of the received devices, the operation of each device predetermined for each combination of the plurality of functions.

12. A system including an interlocking control device and a server, The control unit of the interlocking control device, Receiving a selection of two or more devices input by the user, Receiving a selection of a plurality of functions input by the user, A system that instructs, for each of the received devices, the operation of each device predetermined for each combination of the plurality of functions.

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