Layout information management device, layout information management system, layout information generation method, and program

Abstract

To provide a layout information management device, a layout information management system, a layout information generation method, and a program that can reduce a burden imposed on a user in registering layout information.SOLUTION: A layout information management device 1 includes: an apparatus configuration acquisition unit 111 that acquires apparatus configuration information that associates apparatus type information indicating types of electric apparatuses 4 installed in a residence H with room identification information identifying rooms in which the electric apparatuses 4 are installed, respectively, in the residence H; an apparatus information acquisition unit 114 that acquires apparatus information including the apparatus type information specific to the respective electrical apparatuses 4 from the respective electrical apparatuses 4; and a determination unit 115 that determines, on the basis of the apparatus configuration information and the apparatus type information included in the apparatus information, a layout of the respective electrical apparatuses 4 corresponding to the apparatus information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a layout information management device, a layout information management system, a layout information generation method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A network device has been proposed for registering the installation positions of devices connected to a home network in a building in a management server (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This network device causes a display terminal to display a floor plan image in which rooms in a building are arranged as floor plans, and icon images corresponding to devices connected to the home network that are displayed superimposed on the floor plan image. Then, when the user performs an operation of moving the icon image on the display terminal to a portion corresponding to the room in which the device corresponding to the icon image in the floor plan image is installed, the installation position of the device corresponding to the icon image in the building is registered in the management server from the position of the moved icon image on the floor plan image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the network device described in Patent Document 1, since the user needs to actually grasp the positions of each of the devices installed in the building and then perform an operation of moving the icon image onto the floor plan image based on the grasped positions, it takes a certain amount of time until the registration of the devices installed in the building is completed. For this reason, there has been a demand to reduce the user's burden by shortening the time required to register the arrangement of the devices installed in the building.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a layout information management device, a layout information management system, a layout information generation method, and a program capable of reducing the burden on a user when registering layout information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a layout information management device according to the present disclosure includes: a device configuration acquisition unit that acquires device configuration information associating device type information indicating the type of a device installed in a building with room identification information identifying a room in the building where the device is installed; a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information including the device type information unique to the device from the device; a determination unit that determines a layout of the device corresponding to the device information based on the device configuration information and the device type information included in the device information.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the device configuration acquisition unit acquires device configuration information associating device type information indicating the type of a device installed in a building with room identification information identifying a room in the building where the device is installed. Further, the device information acquisition unit acquires device information including the device type information unique to the device from the device. Then, the determination unit determines a layout of the device corresponding to the device information based on the device configuration information and the device type information included in the device information. As a result, the user can determine the layout of the device without actually checking the room in the building where the device is installed, so that the trouble of actually visiting the building to check the layout of the device is saved, and the burden on the user is reduced accordingly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a layout information management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The layout information management system according to the present embodiment is realized as one function of an energy management system that monitors and controls the operations of each device arranged in a dwelling, for example, via a network. The layout information management system manages layout information indicating the layout of each device in the dwelling, which is required in such an energy management system. The layout information management system according to the present embodiment includes a device configuration acquisition unit that acquires device configuration information associating device type information indicating the type of a device installed in a building with room identification information identifying the room in which the device is installed in the building, a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information including the device type information specific to the device from the device, and a determination unit that determines the layout of the device corresponding to the device information based on the device configuration information and the device type information included in the device information.

[0010] The layout information management system according to this embodiment is provided in a dwelling H in which electrical devices 4 (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4I, 4J) are arranged in rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. This layout information management system includes a layout information management device 1 and a terminal device 2. The electrical devices 4 arranged in the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 each include a communication module (not shown) and are capable of communicating with the layout information management device 1 via a local network NW2. Also, the layout information management device 1 can communicate with the terminal device 2 via the local network NW2. The local network NW2 is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). A broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 81 connected to a wide area network NW1 is connected to the local network NW2. The wide area network NW1 is, for example, the Internet. Further, a cloud server 3 and a terminal device 5 are connected to the wide area network NW1. And the layout information management device 1 is capable of communicating with the cloud server 3 via the local network NW2, the BBR 81, and the wide area network NW1. Also, the terminal device 5 is capable of communicating with the cloud server 3 via the wide area network NW1.

[0011] The electrical devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E are, for example, an air conditioner, a television, a rice cooker, a microwave oven, and a refrigerator installed in the room R1 which is, for example, a living room. Also, the electrical devices 4F, 4G, 4J are, for example, air conditioners installed in the room R2 which is, for example, a reception room, the room R3 which is, for example, a children's room, and the room R5 which is, for example, a bedroom. The electrical device 4H is, for example, a television installed in the room R2, and the electrical device 4I is, for example, a water heater installed in the room R4 which is, for example, a bathroom. The electrical devices 4 (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4I, 4J) each have a function of communicating with the layout information management device 1 via the local network NW2. When the electrical device 4 is connected to the local network NW2, it transmits connection request information including MAC address information indicating the MAC (Media Access Control) address assigned to itself to the layout information management device 1. Also, when an installation location notification operation for notifying the layout information management device 1 of the installation location of the electrical device 4 by the user is performed, the electrical device 4 acquires the MAC address information assigned to itself and transmits it to the layout information management device 1.

[0012] The cloud server 3 includes a device configuration storage unit (not shown) for managing device configuration information that associates device type information indicating the types of electrical devices 4 installed in each room within the dwelling H with room identification information for identifying each room for at least one dwelling H. Then, when the cloud server 3 acquires the device configuration information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it registers the acquired device configuration information in the device configuration storage unit in association with the dwelling identification information for identifying the corresponding dwelling H. Also, when the cloud server 3 acquires device configuration request information for requesting the transmission of device configuration information in the dwelling H where the layout information management device 1 is installed from the layout information management device 1, it specifies the device configuration information corresponding to the acquired device configuration request information from among the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit. Then, the cloud server 3 transmits the specified device configuration information to the layout information management device 1 which is the transmission source of the device configuration request information.

[0013] The terminal device 5 is, for example, a personal computer and is owned by, for example, a construction contractor who installs the electrical device 4 in the residence H. When the construction contractor performs an operation of inputting the aforementioned device configuration information into the terminal device 5 in advance before installing the electrical device 4 in the residence H, the terminal device 5 receives the input device configuration information and transmits the received device configuration information to the cloud server 3.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the layout information management device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, an operation button 105, a communication unit 106, a timing unit 107, and a bus 109 that interconnects the respective units. The main memory unit 102 is a volatile memory and is used as a working area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic disk or a semiconductor flash memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the layout information management device 1. The operation button 105 is a button switch that is pressed when the layout information management device 1 is powered on. The communication unit 106 includes, for example, a wireless module and communicates with the electrical device 4 and the BBR 81 via the local network NW2. The timing unit 107 includes, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock).

[0015] The CPU 101 functions as a device configuration acquisition unit 111, a preparation completion notification unit 112, a connection request acquisition unit 113, a device information acquisition unit 114, a determination unit 115, a detection status notification unit 116, a layout information notification unit 117, a room identification information acquisition unit 118, and a device identification information acquisition unit 119 as shown in FIG. 3 by reading out and executing the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 to the main storage unit 102. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 2 has a device configuration storage unit 131, a device information storage unit 132, and a layout information storage unit 133. The device configuration storage unit 131 stores device configuration information indicating the configuration of the electrical device 4 installed in each of the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 in the dwelling H. The device configuration storage unit 131 stores, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, device type information indicating the type of the electrical device 4 installed in each of the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 in the dwelling H, in association with room identification information (for example, ID101, ID102, ID103, ID104, ID105) for identifying each of the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, R5.

[0016] Returning to FIG. 3, the device information storage unit 132 stores the device information acquired from the electrical device 4 installed in the dwelling H. Here, the device information includes device type information, manufacturer information, device name information, and link information unique to each electrical device 4, and MAC address information indicating the MAC address assigned to each electrical device 4. The device type information indicates the type of the electrical device 4 such as "air conditioner" and "television". The MAC address information is individual information necessary for identifying each electrical device 4 on the local network NW2. The manufacturer information indicates the manufacturer that manufactured the electrical device 4. The link information indicates the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the homepage where the instruction manual of the electrical device 4 is posted.

[0017] The layout information storage unit 133 stores, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the device type information, MAC address information, manufacturer information, device name information, and link information included in the device information of each electrical device 4, in association with the room identification information of the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 where the electrical device 4 is arranged.

[0018] Returning to FIG. 3, the device configuration acquisition unit 111 transmits device configuration request information that requests the cloud server 3 to transmit the aforementioned device configuration information corresponding to the dwelling H where the layout information management device 1 is installed, thereby acquiring the device configuration information from the cloud server 3. Here, for example, when the user operates the operation button 105 to turn on the power to the layout information management device 1, the device configuration acquisition unit 111 transmits the device configuration request information to the cloud server 3. When the device configuration acquisition unit 111 acquires the device configuration information, it associates the device type information and the room identification information included in the acquired device configuration information with each other and stores them in the device configuration storage unit 131.

[0019] When the preparation completion notification unit 112 associates the device type information and the room identification information included in the device configuration information acquired by the device configuration acquisition unit 111 with each other and stores them in the device configuration storage unit 131, it transmits preparation completion notification information notifying that the preparation for acquiring the device information of the electric device 4 has been completed to the terminal device 2. After the preparation completion notification unit 112 transmits the preparation completion notification information, when the connection request acquisition unit 113 acquires the connection request information transmitted from the electric device 4, it extracts the MAC address information included in the acquired connection request information and notifies the device information acquisition unit 114.

[0020] Based on the MAC address information notified from the connection request acquisition unit 113, the device information acquisition unit 114 transmits device information request information that requests the electric device 4 that is the transmission source of the connection request information to transmit the aforementioned device information, thereby acquiring the device information from the electric device 4. Here, for example, the device information acquisition unit 114 broadcasts the device information request information to all the electric devices 4 connected to the local network NW2 by UDP (User Datagram Protocol). The device information acquisition unit 114 stores the acquired device information in the device information storage unit 132. Here, when the device type information is not included in the device information acquired from the electric device 4, the device information acquisition unit 114 may generate the device type information based on the MAC address information included in the acquired device information and then store it in the device information storage unit 132.

[0021] The determination unit 115 determines the layout of each electrical device 4 corresponding to each device information based on the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 and the device type information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit 132. Specifically, the determination unit 115 collates the device type information included in the device information with the device type information included in the device configuration information. Here, assume that the determination unit 115 determines that there is only one device type information that matches one of the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 among the device type information stored in the device information storage unit 132. That is, assume that the determination unit 115 determines that there is only one candidate for the electrical device 4 corresponding to one of the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 based on the device type information stored in the device information storage unit 132. In this case, the determination unit 115 refers to the device configuration information to specify the room identification information corresponding to the device type information. Then, the determination unit 115 determines the layout of the one electrical device 4 in the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 identified by the specified room identification information. Here, the determination unit 115 stores the specified room identification information, the corresponding device type information, and the MAC address information, manufacturer information, device name information, and link information associated with the device type information in the layout information storage unit 133. In addition, the determination unit 115 notifies the detection status notification unit 116 of the specified room identification information, the corresponding device type information, and the MAC address information, manufacturer information, and device name information associated with the device type information.

[0022] Furthermore, assume that the determination unit 115 determines that there are multiple pieces of device type information in the device information storage unit 132 that match the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131. That is, assume that the determination unit 115 determines that there are multiple candidates for the electrical device 4 corresponding to one of the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 based on the device type information stored in the device information storage unit 132. In this case, the determination unit 115 generates multiple candidate notification information for notifying that there are multiple candidates for the electrical device 4 corresponding to one of the device identification information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131. Then, the determination unit 115 notifies the detection status notification unit 116 of the identified room identification information, the corresponding device type information, the MAC address information, manufacturer information, and device name information associated with the device type information, together with the generated multiple candidate notification information. After that, when the room identification information acquisition unit 118 acquires the room identification information and the device identification information acquisition unit 119 acquires the MAC address information, the determination unit 115 determines the layout of the electrical device 4 to which the acquired MAC address information is assigned in the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 identified by the acquired room identification information. Here, the determination unit 115 associates the acquired room identification information, the acquired MAC address information, the device type information, manufacturer information, device name information, and link information associated with the MAC address information with each other and stores them in the layout information storage unit 133. Also, the determination unit 115 notifies the detection status notification unit 116 of the acquired room identification information, the acquired MAC address information, the device type information, manufacturer information, and device name information associated with the MAC address information. Further, the determination unit 115 determines whether or not a preset reference time has elapsed after the preparation completion notification unit 112 transmits the preparation completion notification information to the terminal device 2 based on the time information measured by the timing unit 107. Then, when the determination unit 115 determines that the aforementioned reference time has elapsed, it determines whether or not the connection of all the electrical devices 4 indicated by the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 is completed.

[0023] When the detection status notification unit 116 is notified of the room identification information, device type information, MAC address information, manufacturer information, and device name information from the determination unit 115, it transmits the connection device information including these information to the terminal device 2. Further, when the detection status notification unit 116 is notified of the multiple candidate notification information, room identification information, device type information, MAC address information, manufacturer information, and device name information from the determination unit 115, it transmits the multiple candidate notification information to the terminal device 2 together with the above-mentioned connection device information. Furthermore, when it is determined by the determination unit 115 that there are still devices of the device type indicated by the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 that have not been connected yet, the detection status notification unit 116 transmits unconnected notification information notifying that there are unconnected electrical devices 4 to the terminal device 2.

[0024] After the detection status notification unit 116 transmits the multiple candidate notification information to the terminal device 2, when the room identification information acquisition unit 118 acquires the room identification information from the terminal device 2, it notifies the determination unit 115 of the room identification information of the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 indicated by the acquired room identification information. After the detection status notification unit 116 transmits the multiple candidate notification information to the terminal device 2, when the device identification information acquisition unit 119 acquires the MAC address information from the electrical device 4, it notifies the determination unit 115 of the acquired MAC address information.

[0025] When it is determined by the determination unit 115 that the connection of all the electrical devices 4 indicated by the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 is completed, the layout information notification unit 117 transmits the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit 133 to the terminal device 2.

[0026] The terminal device 2 is a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, it has a CPU 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary storage unit 203, a display unit 204, an input unit 205, a communication unit 206, and a bus 209 that interconnects the respective units. The main memory unit 202 is a volatile memory and is used as a working area for the CPU 201. The auxiliary storage unit 203 is a non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the terminal device 2. The display unit 204 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information input from the CPU 201 or an operation screen image on the display screen. The input unit 205 has, for example, a transparent touch pad arranged over the display screen of the display unit 204, and outputs information corresponding to the operation content to the CPU 201 when the user touches and operates the touch pad. The communication unit 206 has a wireless module and performs wireless communication with the layout information management device 1.

[0027] By reading out the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 to the main memory unit 202 and executing them, the CPU 201 functions as an acquisition unit 211, a display control unit 212, a reception unit 213, a location notification unit 214, and a floor plan registration unit 215, as shown in FIG. 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary storage unit 203 shown in FIG. 2 has a floor plan information storage unit 231, a mark image storage unit 232, a message storage unit 233, and a layout information storage unit 234. The floor plan information storage unit 231 stores floor plan information indicating the arrangement of rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 within the dwelling H. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(A), for example, the floor plan information storage unit 231 stores floor number information indicating the floor on which the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are located and room name information indicating the names of the respective rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 in association with room identification information.

[0028] As shown in, for example, FIG. 6(B), the mark image storage unit 232 stores mark image information indicating mark images GAM1, GAM2, GAM3, GAM4, GAM5, GAM6 used to represent the types of the respective electrical devices 4, in association with the device type information. Returning to FIG. 3, when the message storage unit 233 acquires the above-described preparation completion notification information from the layout information management device 1, the first message information to be displayed on the display unit 204; when the message storage unit 233 acquires only the above-described connected device information from the layout information management device 1, the second message information to be displayed on the display unit 204; and when the message storage unit 233 acquires the connected device information and a plurality of candidate notification information from the layout information management device 1, the third message information to be displayed on the display unit 204. Here, the second message information notifies that the connection to the local network NW2 of the electrical device 4 corresponding to the connected device information has been completed, and the third message information notifies that there are a plurality of candidates for the electrical device 4 corresponding to the connected device information. The layout information storage unit 234 stores the layout information of each electrical device 4 acquired from the layout information management device 1.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 3, when the acquisition unit 211 acquires the preparation completion notification information, the connected device information, or the plurality of candidate notification information from the layout information management device 1, the acquisition unit 211 notifies the acquired preparation completion notification information, connected device information, or plurality of candidate notification information to the display control unit 212. Further, when the acquisition unit 211 acquires the layout information from the layout information management device 1, the acquisition unit 211 causes the acquired layout information to be stored in the layout information storage unit 234.

[0030] When the display control unit 212 is notified of the preparation completion notification information from the acquisition unit 211, it causes the display unit 204 to display the message information corresponding to the preparation completion notification information stored in the message storage unit 233. Also, when the display control unit 212 is notified of the connection device information from the acquisition unit 211, it specifies the room name information corresponding to the room identification information included in the connection device information from among the room name information stored in the floor plan information storage unit 231. Then, the display control unit 212 acquires the second message information described above from the message storage unit 233 together with the specified room name information, the device type information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information included in the connection device information, and causes the display unit 204 to display it. Further, when the display control unit 212 is notified of the multiple candidate notification information together with the connection device information from the acquisition unit 211, it acquires the third message information described above from the message storage unit 233 together with the specified room name information, the device type information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information included in the connection device information, and causes the display unit 204 to display it.

[0031] Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 211 acquires the layout information from the layout information management device 1 and stores it in the layout information storage unit 234, the display control unit 212 acquires the floor plan information from the floor plan information storage unit 231, and based on the acquired floor plan information, generates an operation screen image including a floor plan image showing, for example, the dwelling H and the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 within the dwelling H. Also, the display control unit 212 acquires the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit 234, and based on the acquired layout information, specifies the mark images to be displayed at the positions corresponding to the respective rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 in the floor plan image from the mark image storage unit 232. Then, the display control unit 212 synthesizes the specified mark images at the positions corresponding to the respective rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 in the floor plan image included in the generated operation screen image, and causes the display unit 204 to display it.

[0032] When the input unit 205 is operated by the user, the reception unit 213 receives input information corresponding to the operation content. Here, when the user performs an operation via the input unit 205 to specify the room where the electrical equipment 4 to be operated is installed in the layout information management device 1, the reception unit 213 receives the operation for specifying the installation location. Then, the reception unit 213 notifies the location notification unit 214 of the operation information corresponding to the received operation. Also, when the user performs an operation on the input unit 205 to register the floor plan information in the terminal device 2, the reception unit 213 receives the operation for registering the floor plan information. Then, the reception unit 213 notifies the floor plan registration unit 215 of the operation information corresponding to the received operation.

[0033] Based on the operation information notified from the reception unit 213, the floor plan registration unit 215 generates floor plan information and stores it in the floor plan information storage unit 231. Based on the operation information notified from the reception unit 213, the location notification unit 214 generates room identification information including the room identification information for identifying the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 designated by the user, and transmits it to the layout information management device 1.

[0034] Next, the operation of the layout information management system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. Here, it is assumed that the user has previously registered the floor plan information of the dwelling H in the terminal device 2. First, assume that a construction contractor who installs the electrical equipment 4 in the dwelling H performs an operation on the terminal device 5 to register the configuration of the electrical equipment 4 installed in each room R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 of the dwelling H in the cloud server 3. In this case, the terminal device 5 receives the device configuration information input by the construction contractor performing the operation of registering the configuration of the electrical equipment 4 (step S1). Next, the received device configuration information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 3 (step S2). On the other hand, when the cloud server 3 acquires the device configuration information, it stores the acquired device configuration information in the device configuration storage unit in association with the dwelling identification information for identifying the corresponding dwelling H (step S3).

[0035] Next, when the layout information management device 1 is powered on, device configuration request information for requesting the transmission of the device configuration information of the dwelling H in which the layout information management device 1 is installed to the cloud server 3 is transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the cloud server 3 (step S4). Here, the device configuration request information includes dwelling identification information for identifying the dwelling H in which the layout information management device 1 is installed. Here, it is assumed that a program for causing the display unit 204 to display the layout of each electric device 4 in each room R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 in the dwelling H is started in the terminal device 2. Then, the terminal device 2 causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image GA11 including a floor plan image GAH showing the floor plan of the dwelling H, as shown in, for example, FIG. 8(A). Returning to FIG. 7, when the cloud server 3 acquires the above-described device configuration request information, it specifies the device configuration information corresponding to the dwelling identification information included in the acquired device configuration request information (step S5). Thereafter, the specified device configuration information is transmitted from the cloud server 3 to the layout information management device 1 (step S6). On the other hand, when the layout information management device 1 acquires the device configuration information, it stores the acquired device configuration information in the device configuration storage unit 131.

[0036] Next, preparation completion notification information for notifying that the preparation for acquiring the device information of the electric device 4 with respect to the terminal device 2 has been completed is transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S7). On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the preparation completion notification information, it causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image including a message for prompting the connection of the electric device 4 to the local network NW2 (step S8). Here, the terminal device 2 causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image GA12 including a message image M11 indicating that it is attempting to detect the electric device 4 connected to the local network NW2 and a message image M12 for prompting the connection of the electric device 4 to the local network NW2, as shown in, for example, FIG. 8(B).

[0037] Returning to FIG. 7, assume that the user has performed an operation on the electric device 4 to connect the electric device 4 to the local network NW2. In this case, connection request information requesting a connection to the layout information management device 1 is transmitted from the electric device 4 to the layout information management device 1 (step S9). Subsequently, when the layout information management device 1 acquires the connection request information, device information request information requesting the transmission of the above-described device information to the electric device 4 is transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the electric device 4 (step S10). On the other hand, when the electric device 4 acquires the device information request information, the electric device 4 generates device information including the device type information, MAC address information, manufacturer information, device name information, and link information of the own device (step S11). Thereafter, the generated device information is transmitted from the electric device 4 to the layout information management device 1 (step S12). Here, when the layout information management device 1 acquires the device information, the acquired device information is stored in the device information storage unit 132.

[0038] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the layout information management device 1 collates the device type information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit 132 with the device type information included in the device configuration information (step S13). Here, assume that the layout information management device 1 determines that there is only one candidate for the electric device 4 corresponding to one of the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 among the device type information stored in the device information storage unit 132 (step S14). In this case, the layout information management device 1 refers to the device configuration information and specifies the room identification information corresponding to this device type information. Then, the connection device information including the specified room identification information, the corresponding device type information, the MAC address information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information associated with the device type information is transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S15). On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the connection device information, it specifies the room name information corresponding to the room identification information included in the connection device information from among the room name information stored in the room layout information storage unit 231. Then, the terminal device 2 acquires the second message information described above from the message storage unit 233 together with the specified room name information, the device type information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information included in the connection device information, and causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image including these (step S16). Further, the layout information management device 1 generates layout information including the specified room identification information, the corresponding device type information, the MAC address information, the manufacturer information, the device name information, and the link information associated with the device type information (step S17). The layout information management device 1 stores the generated layout information in the layout information storage unit 133.

[0039] Also, assume that the layout information management device 1 determines that there are multiple candidates for the electrical device 4 corresponding to one of the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 among the device type information stored in the device information storage unit 132 (step S18). In this case, the layout information management device 1 generates multiple candidate notification information for notifying that there are multiple candidates for the electrical device 4 corresponding to one of the device identification information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 (step S19). Subsequently, the generated multiple candidate notification information and the aforementioned connection device information are transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S20). On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the connection device information, it specifies the room name information corresponding to the room identification information included in the connection device information from among the room name information stored in the floor plan information storage unit 231. Then, the terminal device 2 acquires the aforementioned third message information from the message storage unit 233 together with the specified room name information, the device type information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information included in the connection device information, and causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image including these (step S21). Here, the terminal device 2 causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image GA2 including a table image M2 composed of room name information, device type information, manufacturer information, and device name information, and second message information and third message information, as shown in, for example, FIG. 10.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 9, assume that the user then performs an installation location notification operation on the terminal device 2 and the electrical device 4 to notify the layout information management device 1 of the installation location of any one of the plurality of candidate electrical devices 4. Specifically, assume that the user enters rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 where one of the plurality of candidates of the electrical device 4 is installed, and performs an operation of inputting the room information of the entered rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 to the input unit 205 of the terminal device 2, and also performs an operation to notify the layout information management device 1 that the electrical device 4 is the electrical device 4 for which the installation location is to be notified. In this case, the terminal device 2 receives the input room information (step S22), and the room identification information for identifying the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 indicated by the received room information is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the layout information management device 1 (step S23). Further, when the installation location notification operation is performed, the electrical device 4 acquires its own MAC address information (step S24). Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the acquired MAC address information is transmitted from the electrical device 4 to the layout information management device 1 (step S25).

[0041] On the other hand, when the layout information management device 1 acquires the room identification information and the MAC address information, it generates layout information including the room identification information of the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 indicated by the room identification information, the MAC address information, the device type information, the manufacturer information, the device name information, and the link information associated with the MAC address information (step S26). Here, the layout information management device 1 stores the generated layout information in the layout information storage unit 133.

[0042] After that, assume that the layout information management device 1 determines that a preset reference time has elapsed after the preparation completion notification information has been transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the terminal device 2 based on the time information measured by the timer unit 107 (step S27). And assume that the layout information management device 1 determines that the connection of all the electrical devices 4 indicated by the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 has been completed (step S28). In this case, the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit 133 of the layout information management device 1 is transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S29). On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the layout information, it causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image including the floor plan image of the dwelling H and the mark images corresponding to each of the electrical devices 4 installed in the dwelling H based on the acquired layout information (step S30). Here, the terminal device 2 causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image GA3 in which mark images GAM1, GAM2, GAM3, GAM4, GAM5, GAM6 of the electrical devices 4 are synthesized in regions A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 corresponding to each room R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 in the floor plan image GAH of the dwelling H as shown in, for example, FIG. 12.

[0043] Also, when the layout information management device 1 determines that a reference time has elapsed after the preparation completion notification information has been transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S27), assume that it is determined that there is still an electrical device 4 whose connection has not been completed among the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 (step S31). In this case, unconnected notification information including the device type information of the unconnected electrical device 4 is transmitted from the layout information management device 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S32). On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the unconnected notification information, it causes the display unit 204 to display an operation screen image including message information notifying that there is an unconnected electrical device 4 including the device type information included in the acquired unconnected notification information (step S33).

[0044] Next, the layout information generation process executed by the layout information management device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. This layout information update process is started when the power is turned on for the layout information management device 1. First, the device configuration acquisition unit 111 transmits the above-described device configuration request information to the cloud server 3 (step S101), and acquires device configuration information from the cloud server 3 (step S102). Here, when the device configuration acquisition unit 111 acquires the device configuration information, it associates the device type information and the room identification information included in the acquired device configuration information with each other and stores them in the device configuration storage unit 131.

[0045] Next, the preparation completion notification unit 112 transmits the above-described preparation completion notification information to the terminal device 2 (step S103). Subsequently, the connection request acquisition unit 113 determines whether or not connection request information transmitted from the electrical device 4 has been acquired after the preparation completion notification unit 112 transmits the preparation completion notification information (step S104). If the connection request acquisition unit 113 determines that the connection request information cannot be acquired (step S104: No), the process of step S114 described later is executed. On the other hand, if the connection request acquisition unit 113 determines that the connection request information has been acquired (step S104: Yes), it extracts the MAC address information included in the acquired connection request information and notifies the device information acquisition unit 114.

[0046] Subsequently, the device information acquisition unit 114 transmits the above-described device information request information to the electrical device 4 that is the transmission source of the connection request information based on the MAC address information notified from the connection request acquisition unit 113 (step S105), and acquires device information from the electrical device 4 (step S106). Here, the device information acquisition unit 114 stores the acquired device information in the device information storage unit 132.

[0047] After that, the determination unit 115 collates the device type information included in the device information stored in the device information storage unit 132 with the device type information included in the device configuration information (step S107). Next, the determination unit 115 determines whether there are multiple candidates for the electric device 4 corresponding to one of the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 among the device type information stored in the device information storage unit 132 (step S108). Here, assume that the determination unit 115 determines that there is only one candidate for the electric device 4 corresponding to one of the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 among the device type information stored in the device information storage unit 132 (step S108: No). In this case, the determination unit 115 refers to the device configuration information and specifies the room identification information corresponding to the device type information. Then, the determination unit 115 notifies the detection status notification unit 116 of the specified room identification information, the corresponding device type information, the MAC address information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information associated with the device type information.

[0048] Next, the detection status notification unit 116 transmits the connection device information including the room identification information, the device type information, the MAC address information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information notified from the determination unit 115 to the terminal device 2 (step S109). Subsequently, the process of step S115 described later is executed.

[0049] On the other hand, assume that the determination unit 115 determines that there are multiple candidates for the electric device 4 corresponding to one of the device type information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 among the device type information stored in the device information storage unit 132 (step S108: Yes). In this case, the determination unit 115 generates multiple candidate notification information notifying that there are multiple candidates for the electric device 4 corresponding to one of the device identification information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 (step S110). Then, the determination unit 115 notifies the detection status notification unit 116 of the generated multiple candidate notification information, the specified room identification information, the corresponding device type information, the MAC address information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information associated with the device type information.

[0050] Thereafter, the detection status notification unit 116 transmits both the connection device information including the room identification information, device type information, MAC address information, manufacturer information, and device name information notified from the determination unit 115 and the plurality of candidate notification information notified from the determination unit 115 to the terminal device 2 (step S111). Next, after the room identification information acquisition unit 118 and the device identification information acquisition unit 119 transmit the plurality of candidate notification information to the terminal device 2, they determine whether they have acquired the room identification information and the MAC address information from each of the terminal device 2 and the electric device 4 within a preset waiting time (step S112). Here, it is assumed that at least one of the room identification information acquisition unit 118 and the device identification information acquisition unit 119 determines that the room identification information or the MAC address information has not been acquired within the aforementioned waiting time (step S112: No). In this case, the detection status notification unit 116 generates error information and transmits it to the terminal device 2 (step S113).

[0051] On the other hand, it is assumed that the room identification information acquisition unit 118 and the device identification information acquisition unit 119 determine that the room identification information and the MAC address information have been acquired within the aforementioned waiting time (step S112: Yes). In this case, the room identification information acquisition unit 118 notifies the determination unit 115 of the room identification information of the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 indicated by the acquired room identification information. Also, the device identification information acquisition unit 119 notifies the determination unit 115 of the acquired MAC address information. Then, the determination unit 115 notifies the detection status notification unit 116 of the room identification information notified from the room identification information acquisition unit 118, the device type information and the MAC address information notified from the device identification information acquisition unit 119, and the corresponding manufacturer information and device name information. Subsequently, the detection status notification unit 116 transmits the connection device information including the room identification information, device type information, MAC address information, manufacturer information, and device name information notified from the determination unit 115 to the terminal device 2 (step S114).

[0052] After that, the determination unit 115 generates layout information including the identified room identification information, the corresponding device type information, and the MAC address information, manufacturer information, device name information, and link information associated with the device type information, and stores it in the layout information storage unit 133 (step S115). Next, the determination unit 115 determines whether or not a preset reference time has elapsed after the preparation completion notification unit 112 has transmitted the preparation completion notification information to the terminal device 2 based on the time information measured by the timing unit 107 (step S116). Here, if the determination unit 115 determines that the reference time has not yet elapsed after the preparation completion notification unit 112 has transmitted the preparation completion notification information to the terminal device 2 (step S116: No), the process of step S104 is executed again.

[0053] On the other hand, if the determination unit 115 determines that the preset reference time has elapsed (step S116: Yes), it determines whether or not the connection of all the electrical devices 4 indicated by the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 has been completed (step S117). Here, if the determination unit 115 determines that there is still an unconnected electrical device 4 among the electrical devices 4 indicated by the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 (step S117: No), the detection status notification unit 116 transmits unconnected notification information including the device type information of the unconnected electrical device 4 to the terminal device 2 (step S118). Subsequently, the process of step S104 is executed again.

[0054] On the other hand, assume that the determination unit 115 determines that the connection of all the electrical devices 4 indicated by the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 has been completed (step S117: Yes). In this case, the layout information notification unit 117 transmits the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit 133 to the terminal device 2 (step S119). After that, the layout information generation process ends.

[0055] As described above, according to the layout information management device 1 according to the present embodiment, the device configuration acquisition unit 111 acquires device configuration information including device type information of the electrical devices 4 installed in the dwelling H and room identification information for identifying the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 where the electrical devices 4 are installed. Further, the device information acquisition unit 114 acquires device information including the device type information of each of the electrical devices 4 from the electrical devices 4. Then, the determination unit 115 determines the layout of each of the electrical devices 4 corresponding to the device information based on the device configuration information and the device type information included in the device information. As a result, the layout of the electrical devices 4 can be specified without the user actually checking the rooms where the electrical devices 4 are installed in the dwelling H, so the trouble of actually visiting the dwelling H to check the layout of each of the electrical devices 4 is saved, and accordingly, the burden on the user is reduced.

[0056] Also, in the layout information management device 1 according to the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of pieces of the same device type information in the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131, the determination unit 115 determines the layout of each of the plurality of electrical devices 4 corresponding to the same device type information based on the room identification information acquired by the room identification information acquisition unit 118 and the MAC address information acquired by the device identification information acquisition unit 119. As a result, even when a plurality of electrical devices 4 of the same type are installed in the dwelling H, the layout can be correctly determined.

[0057] Furthermore, in the layout information management device 1 according to the present embodiment, the device information acquisition unit 114 acquires device information from the electrical devices 4 within a preset reference time after the power is turned on to the layout information management device 1. Then, when the layout of each of the electrical devices 4 indicated by the device configuration information is determined based on the device information acquired from the electrical devices 4 within the above-mentioned reference time by the determination unit 115, the layout information notification unit 117 transmits the layout information to the terminal device 2. As a result, after the power is turned on to the layout information management device 1, the layout information is not left untransmitted to the terminal device 2 even after the above-mentioned reference time has elapsed, so the user can quickly determine the suitability of the layout information.

[0058] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the terminal device 2 may have all the functions of the layout information management device 1. In this case, the terminal device 2 may directly communicate with each electrical device 4 via the local network NW2.

[0059] The layout information management device 2001 according to this modification example is a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like, and has the same hardware configuration as the terminal device 2 described in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 14. Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the layout information management device 2001 will be described using the same reference numerals as those of the terminal device 2 described in the embodiment. In FIG. 14, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3. The CPU 201 of the layout information management device 2001 functions as a device configuration acquisition unit 2111, a preparation completion notification unit 2112, a connection request acquisition unit 113, a device information acquisition unit 114, a determination unit 115, a detection status notification unit 2116, a room identification information acquisition unit 2118, a device identification information acquisition unit 119, a display control unit 2212, a reception unit 213, and a floor plan registration unit 215 by reading out and executing the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202. The auxiliary storage unit 203 includes a device configuration storage unit 131, a device information storage unit 132, a layout information storage unit 133, a floor plan information storage unit 231, a mark image storage unit 232, and a message storage unit 233.

[0060] When, for example, the user performs an operation to acquire device configuration information via the input unit 205 of the layout information management device 2001, the device configuration acquisition unit 2111 transmits device configuration request information to the cloud server 3. When the device configuration acquisition unit 2111 acquires the device configuration information, it associates the device type information and the room identification information included in the acquired device configuration information with each other and stores them in the device configuration storage unit 131. The preparation completion notification unit 2112 notifies the display control unit 2212 of preparation completion notification information indicating that the preparation for acquiring the device information of the electrical device 4 has been completed. Here, after the preparation completion notification unit 112 notifies the display control unit 2212 of the preparation completion notification information, the determination unit 115 determines whether or not the aforementioned reference time has elapsed.

[0061] When the detection status notification unit 2116 is notified of the room identification information, the device type information, the MAC address information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information from the determination unit 115, it notifies the display control unit 2212 of these pieces of information. Further, when the detection status notification unit 2116 is notified of the multiple candidate notification information, the room identification information, the device type information, the MAC address information, the manufacturer information, and the device name information from the determination unit 115, it notifies the display control unit 2212 of these pieces of information. Furthermore, when the detection status notification unit 2116 determines that there is still a device type information shown by the device configuration information stored in the device configuration storage unit 131 by the determination unit 115 for which the connection has not been completed, it notifies the display control unit 2212 of unconnected notification information notifying that there is an unconnected electrical device 4.

[0062] When the reception unit 213 receives an operation for designating the room in which the electrical device 4 to be operated is installed, it notifies the room identification information acquisition unit 2118 of the operation information corresponding to the received operation. Then, based on the operation information notified from the reception unit 213, the room identification information acquisition unit 2118 generates room identification information for identifying the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 designated by the user and notifies the determination unit 115.

[0063] Returning to FIG. 3, when the acquisition unit 211 acquires the preparation completion notification information, connection device information, or multiple candidate notification information from the layout information management device 1, the acquisition unit 211 notifies the acquired preparation completion notification information, connection device information, or multiple candidate notification information to the display control unit 212. Further, when the acquisition unit 211 acquires the layout information from the layout information management device 1, the acquisition unit 211 causes the acquired layout information to be stored in the layout information storage unit 234.

[0064] When the display control unit 2212 is notified of the preparation completion notification information from the preparation completion notification unit 2112, the display control unit 2212 causes the display unit 204 to display the message information corresponding to the preparation completion notification information stored in the message storage unit 233. Further, when the display control unit 2212 is notified of the room identification information, device type information, manufacturer information, and device name information from the detection status notification unit 2116, the display control unit 2212 specifies the room name information corresponding to the notified room identification information from among the room name information stored in the floor plan information storage unit 231. Then, the display control unit 212 acquires the second message information described above from the message storage unit 233 together with the specified room name information, device type information, manufacturer information, and device name information, and causes the display unit 204 to display the information. Further, when the display control unit 212 is notified of the multiple candidate notification information from the detection status notification unit 2116, the display control unit 212 acquires the third message information described above from the message storage unit 233 together with the specified room name information, device type information, manufacturer information, and device name information notified from the detection status notification unit 2116, and causes the display unit 204 to display the information.

[0065] According to this configuration, since all the functions of the layout information management device 1 and the terminal device 2 described in the embodiment can be realized by a single layout information management device 2001, the configuration of the local network NW2 can be simplified.

[0066] In the embodiment, the layout information management device 1 may have the functions of the acquisition unit 211, display control unit 212, reception unit 213, location notification unit 214, and floor plan registration unit 215 of the terminal device 2. Alternatively, the terminal device 2 may have some of the functions of the layout information management device 1.

[0067] In addition, various functions of the layout information management devices 1 and 2001 and the terminal device 2 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware is described as a program and stored in the auxiliary storage units 103 and 203. Further, various functions of the layout information management device 1 and the terminal device 2 according to the present disclosure can be realized using a computer system, without relying on a dedicated system. For example, a program for executing the above operations is stored in a non-transitory recording medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), etc.) readable by a computer system and distributed to a computer connected to a network, and the layout information management devices 1, 2001 and the terminal device 2 that execute the above-described processing may be configured by installing the program in the computer system.

[0068] Also, the method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a server on a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. Then, the computer starts this program and executes it in the same manner as other applications under the control of the OS (Operating System). Thereby, the computer functions as the layout information management device 1 and the terminal device 2 that execute the above-described processing.

Industrial Applicability

[0069] The present disclosure is suitable for generating layout information of a plurality of electrical devices for constructing an energy management system in a building such as a residence or a building.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 1. Layout information management device, 2. Terminal device, 3. Cloud server, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4I, 4J Electrical equipment, 101, 201 CPU, 102, 202 Main memory unit, 103, 203 Auxiliary memory unit, 105 Operation button, 106, 206 Communication unit, 107 Timing unit, 109, 209 Bus, 111, 2111 Device configuration acquisition unit, 112, 2112 Preparation completion notification unit, 113 Connection request acquisition unit, 114 Device information acquisition unit, 115 Decision unit, 116, 2116 Detection status notification unit, 117 Layout information notification unit, 118, 2118 Room identification information acquisition unit, 119 Device identification information acquisition unit, 131 Device configuration memory unit, 132 Device information memory unit, 133 Layout information memory unit, 204 Display unit, 204a Display screen, 205 Input unit, 211 Acquisition unit, 212, 2212 Display control unit, 213 Reception unit, 214 Location notification unit, 215 Floor plan registration unit, 231 Floor plan information memory unit, 232 Mark image memory unit, 233 Message memory unit, 234 Layout information memory unit, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A10 Areas, GA2, GA3, GA11, GA12 Operation screen images, GAM1, GAM2, GAM3, GAM4, GAM5, GAM6 Mark images, GAH Floor plan image, H Dwelling, M2 Table image, M11, M12 Message images, NW1 Wide area network, NW2 Local area network

Claims

1. A device configuration acquisition unit that acquires device configuration information associating device type information indicating the type of a device installed in a building with room identification information identifying a room in the building where the device is installed; A device information acquisition unit that acquires device information including the device type information unique to the device from the device; A determination unit that determines the layout of the device corresponding to the device information based on the device configuration information and the device type information included in the device information, A layout information management device.

2. A room identification information acquisition unit that acquires room identification information identifying a room in which one of a plurality of the devices is installed; A device identification information acquisition unit that acquires device identification information transmitted from the one device when a preset operation is performed on the one device, When there are a plurality of the same device type information in the device configuration information, the determination unit determines the layout of each of the plurality of devices corresponding to the same device type information based on the room identification information and the device identification information. The layout information management device according to Claim 1.

3. Further comprising a layout information notification unit that transmits layout information indicating the layout of the device determined by the determination unit to a terminal device; After power-on, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information from the device within a preset reference time; When the layout of the device indicated by the device configuration information is determined based on the device information acquired from the device within the reference time by the determination unit, the layout information notification unit transmits the layout information to the terminal device. The layout information management device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. A display unit; Further comprising a display control unit that causes the display unit to display layout information indicating the layout of the device determined by the determination unit; After power-on, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information from the device within a preset reference time; When the layout of the device indicated by the device configuration information is determined based on the device information acquired from the device within the reference time by the determination unit, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the layout information. The layout information management device according to Claim 1 or 2.

5. A terminal device; A device configuration acquisition unit that acquires device configuration information associating device type information indicating the type of a device installed in a building with room identification information identifying the room in the building where the device is installed; A device information acquisition unit that acquires device information including the device type information unique to the device from the device; A determination unit that determines the layout of each of the devices corresponding to the device information based on the device configuration information and the device type information included in the device information; A layout information notification unit that transmits layout information indicating the layout of the devices determined by the determination unit to the terminal device; A layout information management system. **Claim 6**: A step in which a layout information management system acquires device configuration information associating device type information indicating the type of a device installed in a building with room identification information identifying the room in the building where the device is installed; A step in which the layout information management system acquires device information including the device type information unique to the device from the device; A step in which the layout information management system determines the layout of each of the devices corresponding to the device information based on the device configuration information and the device type information included in the device information; A layout information generation method. **Claim 7** A program for causing a computer to function as a device configuration acquisition unit that acquires device configuration information associating device type information indicating the type of a device installed in a building with room identification information identifying the room in the building where the device is installed; a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information including the device type information unique to each of the devices from the device; a determination unit that determines the layout of each of the devices corresponding to the device information based on the device configuration information and the device type information included in the device information; ​

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