control device

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-35009 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that makes it easy to set up a control application for controlling a device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for controlling each of a plurality of devices, and includes a display unit that displays information about each of the plurality of devices, an operation unit that receives a user's instruction for at least one of the information about each of the plurality of devices displayed on the display unit, a management unit that manages a control application for each of the plurality of devices in accordance with the instruction received by the operation unit, and a control unit that executes operation control for each of the plurality of devices by executing the control application managed by the management unit. The display unit displays an image or name representing each of the plurality of devices as information about each of the plurality of devices, and the operation unit receives a user's instruction for the image or name representing each of the plurality of devices, and 2 From more than one device become The control group is formed by receiving an instruction to form a control group. multiple Equipment Two or more of the following devices are targeted: The control application is downloaded from the server, and the control unit executes the control application downloaded by the management unit. For multiple devices in a control group Execute.

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

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

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

[0010] Example 1 Before describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be described. The present embodiment relates to a control device that controls the operation of each of a plurality of devices installed in a facility such as a home. The devices are, for example, air conditioning devices such as air conditioners, heat exchange fans, range hoods, and air purifiers, but may also include lighting devices, home appliances, and the like. These devices have communication functions compatible with a wireless local area network (LAN) or the like and are connected to the control device. The control device executes an application for controlling the devices (hereinafter also referred to as a "control application") and controls the devices according to the processing results of the control application. Here, the control device executes a control application corresponding to one device or a combination of two or more devices. The control device is connected to a network such as the Internet and is connected to a server via the network. The server stores various control applications, and the control device downloads a control application corresponding to the connected device or combination of devices from the server.

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

[0012] The examples described below each illustrate a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps (processes), and step order shown in the following examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following examples, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified.

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

[0014] The number of facilities 10 equipped with the control system 1000 is not limited to "3", and the number of devices 20 is also not limited to "3". The first router 30a to the third router 30c are collectively referred to as routers 30, and the first intra-facility networks 40a to the third intra-facility networks 40c are collectively referred to as intra-facility networks 40. The first control devices 100a to the third control devices 100c are collectively referred to as control devices 100, and the second control devices 100b and the third control devices 100c are configured similarly to the first control device 100a. For clarity of explanation, the devices 20 in the second facility 10b and the third facility 10c are omitted. The following description is based on the first facility 10a, but similar processing may also be performed for the second facility 10b and the third facility 10c.

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

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

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

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

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

[0020] The second section 152b is an area corresponding to the control group "Living Room / Kitchen Kitchen." This control group should include the appliances 20 installed in the "Living Room / Kitchen Kitchen." For example, the second section 152b includes a fifth icon 156e representing the "Range Hood" with "No. 5" in the second display area 160. The third section 152c is an area corresponding to the control group "Toilet," the fourth section 152d is an area corresponding to the control group "Dressing Room," and the fifth section 152e is an area corresponding to the control group "Bathroom." The third section 152c to the fifth section 152e do not include any icons 156.

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

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

[0023] To include "No. 4" "Air Purifier," i.e., the third device 20c, which is not included in the control group in FIG. 4, in the "LDK" control group, the user touches the name of the third device 20c, i.e., "No. 4" "Air Purifier," displayed in the second display area 160. This touch causes the management unit 112 to recognize the user's selection of "No. 4" "Air Purifier." Following this, the management unit 112 displays a fourth icon 156d in the portion of "No. 4" "Air Purifier" displayed in the second display area 160. The fourth icon 156d is an icon corresponding to "No. 4" "Air Purifier."

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

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

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

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

[0028] The control unit 120 executes a control application managed by the management unit 112, i.e., a control application downloaded by the management unit 112, thereby performing operational control for each of the multiple devices 20. For example, the control unit 120 determines a temperature setpoint by executing a control application for an air conditioner included in the control group for "Western-style rooms." The control unit 120 transmits the temperature setpoint to the device 20, which is an air conditioner, via the first intra-facility network 40a. The device 20, which is an air conditioner, adjusts the temperature so that it approaches the received temperature setpoint. The control unit 120 also determines an airflow setpoint by executing a control application for an air purifier included in the control group for "Western-style rooms." The control unit 120 transmits the airflow setpoint to the device 20, which is an air purifier, via the first intra-facility network 40a. The device 20, which is an air purifier, adjusts the airflow so that it approaches the received airflow setpoint.

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

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

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

[0032] To include the "Air Purifier" labeled "No. 4" in the "Western-style Room" control group in the "Living Room / Kitchen Kitchen" control group, the user touches the fourth icon 156d located in the first section 152a. This touch causes the management unit 112 to recognize the user's selection of the "Air Purifier" labeled "No. 4." Following this, the operation unit 118 accepts an operation to drag and drop the fourth icon 156d located in the first section 152a into the second section 152b. Because the management unit 112 recognizes that the second section 152b is the area corresponding to the "Living Room / Kitchen Kitchen" control group, the "Air Purifier" labeled "No. 4" corresponding to the fourth icon 156d is included in the "Living Room / Kitchen Kitchen" control group. In other words, the operation unit 118 accepts an operation to drag and drop the icon 156 of the device 20 included in one of the sections 152 displayed in the first display area 150 into another section 152.

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

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

[0035] The subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

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

[0037] According to this embodiment, when an instruction to form a control group from one or more devices 20 is received, a control application corresponding to one or more devices 20 included in the control group is downloaded and then executed, thereby facilitating the configuration of the control application. Furthermore, when an instruction to include a new device 20 in a control group is received, a control application corresponding to the new device 20 included in the control group is downloaded, thereby facilitating the configuration of the control application. Furthermore, when an operation of dragging and dropping the icon 156 of a device 20 displayed in the second display area 160 onto one of the sections 152 displayed in the first display area 150 is received, the device 20 is included in the control group, thereby facilitating the configuration of the control application. Furthermore, when an operation of dragging and dropping the icon 156 of a device 20 included in one of the sections 152 displayed in the first display area 150 onto another section 152 is received, the device 20 is included in the control group corresponding to the other section 152, thereby facilitating the configuration of the control application.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0060] According to this embodiment, information about new control application candidates is displayed, and when an instruction to install a new control application candidate is received, the new control application is downloaded and then executed, thereby facilitating the setting of the control application. Furthermore, the first display area 150 displays a combination of two or more devices 20, and the second display area 160 displays information about new control application candidates that can be executed in the combination displayed in the first display area 150, thereby improving user operability.

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

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

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

[0064] 10 Facility, 20 Equipment, 30 Router, 40 In-facility network, 50 Network, 100 Control device, 102 Housing, 104 Front, 110 Detection unit, 112 Management unit, 114 Memory unit, 116 Display unit, 118 Operation unit, 120 Control unit, 200 Terminal device, 300 Server, 1000 Control system.

Claims

1. A control device that controls each of a plurality of devices, a display unit that displays information about each of the plurality of devices; an operation unit that receives a user's instruction regarding at least one of the pieces of information related to each of the plurality of devices that are displayed on the display unit; a management unit that manages a control application for each of the plurality of devices in response to the instruction received by the operation unit; a control unit that executes the control application managed by the management unit to perform operation control for each of the plurality of devices; the display unit displays an image or a name indicating each of the plurality of devices as information about each of the plurality of devices; the operation unit receives a user instruction for forming a control group consisting of two or more of the devices, the instruction being an instruction for an image or a name indicating each of the plurality of devices; the management unit downloads, from a server, the control application targeted at two or more of the plurality of devices included in the control group; The control unit is a control device that executes the control application downloaded by the management unit on the plurality of devices included in the control group.

2. a detection unit that detects the connection of a new device; the display unit displays information about the new device detected by the detection unit, the operation unit receives an instruction to include the new device in the control group to form a new control group; The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the management unit downloads the control application targeted at two or more of the plurality of devices included in the new control group from the server.

3. The display unit a first display area that displays sections corresponding to each of the plurality of control groups; a second display area for displaying an image or a name representing each of the plurality of devices; In each section displayed in the first display area, an image or a name of the device included in the control group corresponding to the section is displayed; The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation unit accepts an operation of dragging and dropping an image or name of the device displayed in the second display area into any of the sections displayed in the first display area.

4. A control device as described in Claim 3, wherein the operation unit accepts an operation of dragging and dropping an image or name of the device included in any of the compartments displayed in the first display area to another of the compartments.

Images