Equipment operation system, operation terminal

Abstract

To improve convenience of a facility operation system.SOLUTION: A facility operation system includes: a plurality of facilities arranged in a predetermined region; and a first operation terminal having a first display unit for displaying, in association with a facility region, at least either of arrangement positions of the plurality of facilities in the facility region and a range where functions of the plurality of facilities attain, a first designated range input unit for receiving an input of a designated range for designating at lease one target facility being a target of an operation among the plurality of facilities in a range associated with the facility region, a first identification information input unit for receiving an input of identification information set with respect to each facility designated range, a first designated range storage unit for storing the facility designated range and the facility identification information in association with each other, and a first facility control unit for causing the target facility corresponding to the facility designated range associated with the input facility identification information to execute a predetermined operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a facility operation system and an operation terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] A control system is known in which a predetermined area in which multiple lighting fixtures are arranged is displayed on a touch panel, and the range of lighting fixtures to be turned on or other actions is specified by input operations such as tracing the touch panel (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-050055 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional technologies do not sufficiently consider the case where a predetermined range is designated, equipment within the designated range is operated, and then another operation is performed on equipment within the same designated range. Therefore, there is a demand for improved convenience in equipment operation systems that operate equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an equipment operation system. This equipment operation system includes: a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; and a first operation terminal having a first display unit for displaying at least one of the arrangement positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the range of the functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying at least one piece of target equipment among the plurality of pieces of equipment to be operated within the range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges; a first designated range memory unit for storing the designated ranges and the identification information in correspondence with each other; and a first equipment control unit for causing target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to perform a predetermined operation, wherein when the operation is an off operation, the first equipment control unit causes target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to perform the operation, and if other identification information operating equipment that is in a state where an on operation that is different from the operation is being performed using identification information different from the input identification information is included, the first equipment control unit causes target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment to perform the operation. (2) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an equipment operation system including: a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; and a first operation terminal including a first display unit for displaying at least one of the positions of the pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the pieces of equipment in association with the area, a first designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying at least one piece of target equipment to be operated among the plurality of pieces of equipment within the range associated with the area, a first identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges, a first designated range storage unit for storing the designated ranges and the identification information in association with each other, and a first equipment control unit for causing target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to perform a predetermined operation, wherein when causing target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to perform the operation, if other identification information operating equipment that has performed an operation opposite to the operation using identification information different from the input identification information is included, the first equipment control unit causes target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment to perform the operation. (3) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an equipment operation system including: a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; a first operation terminal having a first display unit for displaying at least one of the arrangement positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying at least one piece of target equipment to be operated among the plurality of pieces of equipment within the range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges; a first designated range storage unit for storing the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; a first equipment control unit for causing the target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to perform a predetermined operation; and a first equipment operation history storage unit for storing operation history of the plurality of pieces of equipment by the operation terminal; and a second operation terminal having a first display unit for displaying at least one of the arrangement positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area. a second operation terminal including a second display unit for displaying the specified range, a second specified range input unit for receiving input of the specified range, a second identification information input unit for receiving input of the identification information, a second specified range storage unit for storing the specified range and the identification information in association with each other, a second equipment control unit for causing target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute at least one predetermined operation, and a second equipment operation history storage unit for storing operation histories of the plurality of pieces of equipment by the operation terminal, wherein the first operation terminal further includes a first terminal synchronization unit for acquiring the operation history stored in the second operation terminal and synchronizing it with the operation history stored in the first equipment operation history storage unit, and the second operation terminal further includes a second terminal synchronization unit for acquiring the operation history stored in the first operation terminal and synchronizing it with the operation history stored in the second equipment operation history storage unit, and the first terminal synchronization unit and the second terminal synchronization unit synchronize the operation histories stored in the first operation terminal and the second operation terminal with each other. (4) According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an equipment operation system comprising: a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; a first operation terminal having a first display unit for displaying at least one of the arrangement positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying at least one piece of target equipment to be operated among the plurality of pieces of equipment within the range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges; a first designated range storage unit for storing the designated ranges and the identification information in association with each other; and a first equipment control unit for causing the target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to perform a predetermined operation. and an auxiliary operation terminal that causes target equipment corresponding to an auxiliary designated range to execute the operation, for specifying at least one target equipment of the plurality of pieces of equipment, wherein the auxiliary designated range is not changed by the auxiliary operation terminal, and when the auxiliary operation terminal causes target equipment corresponding to the auxiliary designated range to execute the operation, if the auxiliary operation terminal includes operation-completed equipment in a state in which an operation different from the operation has already been executed using an operation terminal different from the auxiliary operation terminal, the auxiliary operation terminal causes target equipment including the operation-completed equipment to execute the operation, and when the auxiliary operation terminal causes target equipment including the operation-completed equipment to execute the operation, further, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation-completed equipment that executed the operation is returned to a state before the operation was executed. (5) According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an equipment operation system including: a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; and a first operation terminal having a first display unit for displaying at least one of the arrangement positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area, a first designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying at least one piece of target equipment to be operated among the plurality of pieces of equipment within the range associated with the area, a first identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges, a first designated range storage unit for storing the designated ranges and the identification information in association with each other, and a first equipment control unit for causing a piece of target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to perform a predetermined operation, wherein the designated range and the identification information stored in the first designated range storage unit are deleted when a series of operations by the target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the stored identification information is completed. (6) According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an operation terminal including: a display unit for displaying at least one of the locations of a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying a target piece of equipment to be operated among the plurality of pieces of equipment within the range associated with the area; an identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges; a designated range storage unit for storing the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; and an equipment control unit for causing target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to execute at least one predetermined operation, wherein when the operation is an off operation, the equipment control unit causes target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to execute the operation, and when other identification information operating equipment that is performing an on operation different from the operation is included using identification information different from the input identification information, the equipment control unit causes target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment to execute the operation. (7) According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an operation terminal including: a display unit for displaying at least one of the locations of a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying a target piece of equipment to be operated among the plurality of pieces of equipment within the range associated with the area; an identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges; a designated range storage unit for storing the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; and an equipment control unit for causing target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to execute at least one predetermined operation, wherein when causing target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to execute the operation, if other identification information operating equipment that has executed an operation opposite to the operation using identification information different from the input identification information is included, the equipment control unit causes target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment to execute the operation.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an equipment operation system including: a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; a first operation terminal including a first display unit for displaying at least one of the arrangement positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying at least one piece of target equipment to be operated among the plurality of pieces of equipment within the range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges; a first designated range storage unit for storing the designated ranges and the identification information in association with each other; and a first equipment control unit for causing a predetermined operation to be performed on the target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information. According to this type of equipment operation system, by simply using identification information, equipment within the same specified range can be selected and predetermined operations can be performed, thereby improving the convenience of the equipment operation system. (2) In the equipment operation system of the above form, when the first equipment control unit causes target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to perform the operation, if other identification information operating equipment is included in which an operation different from the operation is being performed using identification information different from the input identification information, the first equipment control unit may cause target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment to perform the operation. According to this type of equipment operation system, it is possible to suppress or prevent the problem of a user of the target equipment turning off other identification information operating equipment that has had an operation performed by another user, etc. (3) The equipment operation system of the above form may further include a second operation terminal having a second display unit for displaying at least one of the locations of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of the functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area, a second designated range input unit for accepting input of the designated range, a second identification information input unit for accepting input of the identification information, a second designated range storage unit for storing the designated range and the identification information in association with each other, and a second equipment control unit for causing target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to perform at least one predetermined operation. According to this form of equipment operation system, by providing multiple operation terminals, namely a first operation terminal and a second operation terminal, it is possible to prevent malfunctions that would make it impossible to operate the equipment if a malfunction or communication problem occurs in one operation terminal. (4) In the equipment operation system of the above form, the second operation terminal may further include a second equipment operation history memory unit for storing the operation history of the plurality of equipment by the operation terminal, and the first operation terminal may further include a first equipment operation history memory unit for storing the operation history by the operation terminal, and a first terminal synchronization unit for acquiring the operation history stored in the second operation terminal and synchronizing it with the operation history stored in the first equipment operation history memory unit. According to this type of equipment operation system, the operation histories of the multiple operation terminals can be kept up to date. (5) The equipment operation system of the above embodiment may further include a first equipment control device having a first range history memory unit that stores the operation history of at least one piece of equipment among the plurality of pieces of equipment that is included in a predetermined first range, and a second equipment control device that is different from the first equipment control device and has a second range history memory unit that stores the operation history of at least one piece of equipment among the plurality of pieces of equipment that is included in a predetermined second range that is different from the first range. According to this type of equipment operation system, the risk of equipment control device failure or communication failure can be dispersed compared to when the operation history of all equipment is stored in a single equipment control device. (6) The equipment operation system of the above embodiment may further include an auxiliary operation terminal that causes target equipment corresponding to an auxiliary designated range for specifying at least one target equipment among the plurality of pieces of equipment to execute the operation. The auxiliary designated range may not be changed by the auxiliary operation terminal. When causing target equipment corresponding to the auxiliary designated range to execute the operation, if the auxiliary operation terminal includes operation-completed equipment on which an operation different from the operation has already been executed using an operation terminal other than the auxiliary operation terminal, the auxiliary operation terminal may cause target equipment including the operation-completed equipment to execute the operation. According to this aspect of the equipment operation system, it is possible to cause the equipment corresponding to the auxiliary designated range to perform an operation using an auxiliary operation terminal with a simple configuration. (7) In the equipment operation system of the above form, when the auxiliary operation terminal causes the target equipment including the operation-completed equipment to perform the operation, the operation-completed equipment that performed the operation may be returned to the state before the operation was performed after a predetermined time has elapsed. According to this form of equipment operation system, it is possible to prevent the problem of the user of the auxiliary operation terminal completing the operation of the operation-completed equipment regardless of the intention of the user who was executing the operation of the operation-completed equipment. (8) In the equipment operation system of the above form, the designated range and the identification information stored in the first designated range memory unit may be deleted when a series of operations by the target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the stored identification information is completed. According to the equipment operation system of this embodiment, the first storage device can be simplified. (9) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a terminal device including: a display unit for displaying at least one of the locations of a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a designated range input unit for accepting input of a designated range for specifying a target piece of equipment to be operated among the plurality of pieces of equipment within the range associated with the area; an identification information input unit for accepting input of identification information set for each of the designated ranges; a designated range storage unit for storing the designated ranges and the identification information in association with each other; and an equipment control unit for causing the target piece of equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the input identification information to execute at least one predetermined operation. With this type of terminal device, by simply using identification information, equipment within the same specified range can be selected and predetermined operations can be performed, thereby improving the convenience of the equipment operation system. The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than an equipment operation system or a terminal device, such as equipment, an equipment control method, an equipment operation system control method, a terminal device control method, a computer program for realizing the control method, a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a facility operation system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a first operation terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal functional configuration of the auxiliary operation terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a lighting-on process performed by the main operation terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the first display unit at the start of the illumination lighting process. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the first display unit when a designated range is set. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the first display unit when setting identification information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the first display unit when the illumination lighting process is completed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of turning off lights by the main operation terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the first display unit when a lighting turning-off process is being executed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the first display unit when the illumination turning-off process is completed. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operation history synchronization processing executed by the main operation terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a lighting turn-on process performed by the auxiliary operation terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of turning off lights by the auxiliary operation terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an equipment operation system 300 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The equipment operation system 300 includes a first operation terminal 100 and a plurality of lighting fixtures 85. In this embodiment, the equipment operation system 300 further includes a second operation terminal 200 configured similarly to the first operation terminal 100, and an auxiliary operation terminal 90 configured more simply than the first operation terminal 100. In this disclosure, when the first operation terminal 100, the second operation terminal 200, and the auxiliary operation terminal 90 are not distinguished from each other, they are also referred to as "operation terminals." The operation terminals and the plurality of lighting fixtures 85 are communicatively connected to each other via wireless or wired communication lines (not shown). The equipment operation system 300 causes the plurality of lighting fixtures 85 to perform predetermined operations through operation of the operation terminal. In this embodiment, the predetermined operations that the lighting fixtures 85 are caused to perform are turning on (illuminating) and off (extinguishing) the lighting fixtures 85. When the first operation terminal 100 and the second operation terminal 200 are not distinguished from each other, they are also referred to as "main operation terminals."

[0009] The main operation terminal is a portable information terminal (client), and includes, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS, a slate terminal, and a tablet terminal. A smart device such as a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or a portable game console can also be used as the main operation terminal. The auxiliary operation terminal 90 is capable of one-way communication and can only control the lighting equipment 85 to execute predetermined operations.

[0010] The lighting fixtures 85 are, for example, LED lights, and are arranged in a predetermined area such as a factory. The "predetermined area" refers to, for example, one factory, one building, one floor of a building, one or more rooms in a building, one or more sections within one floor or one room, etc.

[0011] In this embodiment, multiple lighting equipment 85 are connected to a first equipment control device 81 and a second equipment control device 82. The first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 control multiple lighting equipment 85 for each predetermined area within the factory. The first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 are equipped with a distribution board (not shown) that has control relays, breakers, etc., and can individually switch on and off the multiple lighting equipment 85. The first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 are also equipped with a communication device (not shown) for communicating with a main operation terminal. The area of ​​the lighting equipment 85 controlled by the first equipment control device 81 is also referred to as a "first area T1," and the area of ​​the lighting equipment 85 controlled by the second equipment control device 82 is also referred to as a "second area T2." When there is no need to distinguish between the first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82, they are also referred to as "equipment control devices." In the example of Figure 1, for ease of explanation, an example is shown in which two control devices, a first equipment control device 81 and a second equipment control device 82, are provided, but there may be only one, or any number of equipment control devices greater than or equal to three.

[0012] The first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 are configured as microcomputers equipped with a CPU as a central processing unit and memories such as ROM and RAM. The first equipment control device 81 stores the operation history of the lighting equipment 85 included in the first range T1, and the second equipment control device 82 stores the operation history of the lighting equipment 85 included in the second range T2. The first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 store the operation history of the lighting equipment 85, including the history of operations performed by the lighting equipment 85, such as turning the lighting equipment 85 on and off, in association with the operation terminal that performed the operation. In this embodiment, to simplify the first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82, the operation history of the lighting equipment 85 is stored as the history of the last operation performed and the operation terminal that performed the operation. The first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 feed back information about the operation history, such as the operation terminal that performed the control, to the main operation terminal after controlling the lighting equipment 85, such as turning it on and off. The main operation terminal can acquire, from the equipment control device, the operation results of the auxiliary operation terminal 90 that does not communicate with the main operation terminal, as will be described later.

[0013] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first operation terminal 100. In this embodiment, the user of the first operation terminal 100 is assumed to be, for example, a guest visiting from outside the factory or a maintenance worker, who is unfamiliar with the factory. The first operation terminal 100 includes a first CPU 62 as a central processing unit, a first storage device 64, a first touch panel 66, and a first communication unit 68, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 61 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0014] The first storage device 64 is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, or a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDD or ROM stores various programs for realizing the functions provided in this embodiment. The various programs read from the HDD or ROM are expanded on the RAM and executed by the first CPU 62. The readable / writable area of ​​the first storage device 64 includes a first specified range storage unit 642, a first equipment operation history storage unit 644, and a first equipment database 646.

[0015] The first specified range storage unit 642 stores the specified range and the identification information as setting information that correlates them with each other. The first equipment operation history storage unit 644 stores the operation history of the plurality of lighting equipment 85 by the operation terminal. The first equipment database 646 pre-stores various information related to the lighting equipment 85 that is necessary to realize the functions provided in this embodiment, such as the installation position of the lighting equipment 85 in the factory and the light irradiation area of ​​the lighting equipment 85.

[0016] The first touch panel 66 includes a first display unit 662, a first specified range input unit 664, and a first identification information input unit 666. The first display unit 662 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like that is capable of displaying information such as images and characters. The first display unit 662 includes a touch sensor that detects an operation by a user using, for example, a change in capacitance, a change in ultrasonic waves, a change in infrared rays, a change in pressure, a change in electrical resistance, or the like. The touch sensor may detect an operation by actually touching the first display unit 662, or may detect an operation without contact.

[0017] In this embodiment, the first display unit 662 can display the range of the function of the lighting equipment 85 along with a map of the factory in which the multiple lighting equipment 85 is installed. The "range of the function of the lighting equipment 85" refers to the range that the function realized by the operation executed by the equipment can reach. In this embodiment, it refers to the area illuminated by light from the lighting equipment 85, and the illuminated area can be displayed in association with the factory map. Instead of or in addition to the range of the function of the multiple lighting equipment 85, the first display unit 662 may display the locations of the multiple lighting equipment 85 installed in the factory.

[0018] A "map" is, for example, a plan view showing a predetermined area. The map may include display information showing positional relationships within the area. "Display information showing positional relationships" includes, for example, building components such as walls, pillars, doors, windows, stairs, elevators, and escalators, fixtures such as desks and partitions, direction marks, and text information showing location names, department names, and personal names. Examples of location names include process names in a manufacturing process, names of production lines or equipment, rooms, and work areas. Note that the predetermined area is not limited to indoors and may also be outdoors.

[0019] The first specified range input unit 664 accepts input of a specified range by the user. The "specified range" refers to a range for specifying at least one lighting facility 85 from among multiple lighting facilities 85 that is the target of operation of the main operation terminal. The specified range may be a range associated with a predetermined area, such as a factory. In this embodiment, the specified range is an arbitrary range on a map of the factory. The first specified range input unit 664 uses a touch sensor on the first display unit 662, detects user operation on the display screen of the first display unit 662, and accepts input of the specified range. The user can input the specified range by operating the screen while checking the factory map displayed on the first display unit 662.

[0020] The first identification information input unit 666 accepts input of identification information. "Identification information" refers to various pieces of information that can distinguish one designated range from other designated ranges. Identification information can be set for each designated range. In this embodiment, a single-digit number is used as the identification information.

[0021] The first CPU 62 executes a control program stored in advance in the first storage device 64, thereby functioning as a first equipment control unit 622 and a first terminal synchronization unit 624. The first terminal synchronization unit 624 synchronizes the operation history and setting information of the identification information and the specified range stored in another main operation terminal (the second operation terminal 200 in this embodiment) with the operation history and setting information stored in the first equipment operation history storage unit, thereby maintaining the latest status.

[0022] The first equipment control unit 622 turns on and off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the designated range. "Equipment corresponding to the designated range" includes equipment located within the designated range and equipment located outside the designated range but whose functions extend within the designated range. This configuration can suppress or prevent problems such as equipment not being located within the designated range set by the user, resulting in parts of the designated range not being able to fully function.

[0023] The first communication unit 68 is an interface that controls communication with the second operation terminal 200 and the equipment control devices. More specifically, the first communication unit 68 transmits control signals to the first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 and receives operation histories of the lighting equipment 85 from the first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 via communication lines such as the Internet or a local area network. In this embodiment, the first communication unit 68 also transfers data with the second operation terminal 200 for synchronization of the operation history, etc.

[0024] The second operation terminal 200 has a functional configuration similar to that of the first operation terminal 100. Specifically, the second operation terminal 200 includes a second CPU similar to the first CPU 62, a second storage device similar to the first storage device 64, a second touch panel similar to the first touch panel 66, and a second communication device similar to the first communication device 68. The second CPU includes a second equipment control device similar to the first equipment control device 622 and a second terminal synchronization device similar to the first terminal synchronization device 624. The second storage device includes a second specified range storage device similar to the first specified range storage device 642, a second equipment operation history storage device similar to the first equipment operation history storage device 644, and a second equipment database similar to the first equipment database 646. The second touch panel includes a second display device similar to the first display device 662, a second specified range input device similar to the first specified range input device 664, and a second identification information input device similar to the first identification information input device 666. The users of the second operation terminal 200 are assumed to be people who act for purposes different from those of the users of the first operation terminal 100, such as managers of the entire factory or people who work in multiple areas within the factory and are familiar with the factory.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal functional configuration of the auxiliary operation terminal 90. The auxiliary operation terminal 90 is a so-called portable general-purpose remote control that executes a predetermined operation (turning on / off the lighting equipment 85 in this embodiment) for the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to a predetermined auxiliary designated range. The "auxiliary designated range" refers to a range for designating at least one lighting equipment 85 among the multiple lighting equipment 85 to be operated by the auxiliary operation terminal 90. The auxiliary designated range is a range associated with a predetermined area, such as a map of the factory. The auxiliary designated range cannot be set or changed using the auxiliary operation terminal 90, but can be set and changed by a main operation terminal that is in communication with the auxiliary operation terminal 90. Note that the "equipment corresponding to the designated range" is the same as the "equipment corresponding to the designated range," and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the auxiliary operation terminal 90 is not limited to a portable general-purpose remote control and may be, for example, a panel type that is fixed to a wall or pillar of a factory.

[0026] The auxiliary operation terminal 90 includes an auxiliary input unit 92, an auxiliary CPU 94 as a central processing unit, an auxiliary memory 96, and an auxiliary communication unit 98. These are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via an internal bus 91. The auxiliary memory 96 is a RAM, a ROM, or the like, and includes an auxiliary specified range storage unit 962. The auxiliary specified range storage unit 962 stores an auxiliary specified range.

[0027] The auxiliary input unit 92 detects a user pressing an operation switch. The auxiliary CPU 94 executes a program stored in memory to function as an auxiliary equipment control unit 942. When the auxiliary equipment control unit 942 detects a user operation of the auxiliary input unit 92, it generates a control signal for turning on or off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary specified range.

[0028] The auxiliary communication unit 98 is an interface that executes communication control for transmitting control signals to the first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82. Communication with the first equipment control device 81 and the second equipment control device 82 may be wired communication or wireless communication. Wireless communication may be realized, for example, by infrared communication, a wireless connection through a wireless local network (LAN) conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, or wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark). Note that in this embodiment, the auxiliary operation terminal 90 can communicate with the first operation terminal 100 via the auxiliary communication unit 98 or an input / output interface (not shown). This allows the first operation terminal 100 to set an auxiliary specified range for the auxiliary operation terminal 90.

[0029] In this embodiment, the user of the auxiliary operation terminal 90 is assumed to be a person who mainly acts within a predetermined range of the factory, such as a manager or worker of a specific manufacturing area in the factory. For example, it is assumed that a worker who mainly works within an auxiliary designated range operates the auxiliary operation terminal 90 at the start of work to turn on the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range, and turns off the lighting equipment 85 at the end of work.

[0030] 4 is a flow diagram showing the illumination turning-on process by the main operation terminal. This flow starts, for example, when the user of the main operation terminal starts an application program that controls the operation of the lighting equipment 85 and the main operation terminal accepts an operation by the user to start the illumination turning-on process. In the following explanation, an example will be described in which the first operation terminal 100 is used as the main operation terminal.

[0031] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of first display unit 662 at the start of the illumination lighting process. As shown in Fig. 5, the display screen of first display unit 662 is divided into display areas AR1 and AR2.

[0032] A floor plan MP showing a map of the factory is displayed in the display area AR1. Areas A1 to A14 corresponding to processes and work areas within the factory are displayed in the floor plan MP. In this embodiment, the locations of lighting equipment 85 are not displayed in the display area AR1. The user can zoom in or out of the floor plan MP, change the area within the factory to be displayed, and so on, by operating the display area AR1 of the first display unit 662. The display area AR1 of the first display unit 662 is included in the first specified range input unit 664.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the display area AR1 displays the illuminated areas LA1 to LA4 of the lighting equipment 85 that were already on when the lighting-on process started in association with the factory floor plan MP. The on / off state of the lighting equipment 85 in the factory can be generated, for example, using information at the start of the lighting-on process from the operation history stored in the first equipment operation history storage unit 644. This allows the user to easily check the on / off state of the lighting equipment 85 on the floor plan MP. Note that it does not matter whether or not there is a display indicating which operation terminal turned on the illuminated areas LA1 to LA4.

[0034] An input screen for identification information is displayed in the display area AR2. An execute button BT4 and numeric buttons BT5 are arranged in the display area AR2. The numeric buttons BT5 are used to input an identification number. The execute button BT4 is used to execute a turn-on or turn-off process for the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the specified range corresponding to the input identification number. In this embodiment, the execute button BT4 also serves the function of determining the input identification number. The numeric buttons BT5 and execute button BT4 displayed in the display area AR2 are included in the first identification information input unit 666.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 4 , in step S100, the user inputs a designated range by operating the first designated range input unit 664. In this embodiment, the user can set the designated range by tracing the display area AR1 of the first display unit 662 with a finger or the like. In this embodiment, the first equipment control unit 622 determines that the illumination lighting process is to be performed by accepting the operation to input the designated range before inputting the identification number. This configuration makes it possible to omit the illumination lighting button and its operation for starting the illumination lighting process, thereby simplifying the display content of the first display unit 662 and the control by the first equipment control unit 622.

[0036] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of first display unit 662 when setting a designated range. As shown in Fig. 6, the user starts the illumination turn-on process by first operating terminal 100 by operating display area AR1 of first display unit 662 with finger HD2, for example, to set a designated range.

[0037] The example of FIG. 6 illustrates an example of setting a designated area PA1, showing a trajectory DW1 traced by the user's finger HD2 to surround the designated area PA1. The trajectory DW1 does not have to be closed. Furthermore, the trajectory DW1 is not limited to a circle and may have any shape, such as a straight line or a rectangle. If the trajectory DW1 is straight, the designated area may be a rectangular area with the trajectory DW1 as its diagonal. The first designated area input unit 664 repeatedly acquires the coordinates of the trajectory DW1 in the floor plan MP at regular intervals and inputs multiple coordinates on the trajectory DW1 to input the designated area PA1. The first display unit 662 may display or not display the designated area PA1 and the trajectory DW1. Furthermore, the first display unit 662 may set the display color of the designated area PA1 and the trajectory DW1 to a color different from the display colors of the illumination areas LA1 to LA4, etc., or may periodically change the display color and display it as if it were flashing.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 4 , in step S110, the user inputs identification information by operating the first identification information input unit 666. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the first display unit 662 when setting identification information. FIG. 7 displays an illumination area PA2 of the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the designated area PA1 shown in FIG. 6. The illumination area PA2 is the illumination area when the lighting equipment 85 necessary to provide sufficient illumination for the entire designated area PA1 is turned on. The illumination area PA2 can be generated using the installation positions of the lighting equipment 85 stored in the first equipment database 646 and the illumination areas of the respective lighting equipment 85. More specifically, the illumination area PA2 can be set by deriving the lighting equipment 85 necessary to cover the designated area PA1 with the illumination area. In this embodiment, the "lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the designated area PA1" refers to the lighting equipment 85 necessary to illuminate the illumination area PA2. The first display unit 662 may set the display color of the irradiation area PA2 to a color different from the display colors of the other irradiation areas LA1 to LA4, or may periodically change the display color to flash. As shown in Fig. 7, a part of the irradiation area PA2 overlaps with the irradiation area LA4.

[0039] In the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7 , the illumination area PA2 is larger than the designated area PA1. In this embodiment, instead of turning on the lighting equipment 85 located within the designated area PA1, the illumination area is set to turn on the lighting equipment 85 necessary to include the designated area PA1. This allows the user to set the designated area PA1 as the area to be brightened by the lighting equipment 85. This reduces or prevents a problem in which sufficient illuminance is not obtained within the designated area PA1 because no lighting equipment 85 is located within the designated area PA1. In the following explanation, an example will be described in which the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the illumination area PA2 is the lighting equipment 85 included in the first area T1 shown in FIG. 1 .

[0040] After checking the illumination area PA2, the user operates the numeric button BT5 with his / her finger HD3 to input any single-digit identification number ("6" in the example of FIG. 7) as shown in the display area AR2 of FIG. 7. The input identification number is displayed on the identification number display section NB.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 4 , in step S120, the user who inputs the identification number operates the execute button BT4, as indicated by the finger HD4 in FIG. 7, to confirm the identification number and store the setting of the correspondence between the identification number and the designated range PA1 in the first designated range storage unit 642. The correspondence between the identification number and the irradiation area PA2 may also be set and stored. Note that this operation of the execute button BT4 also serves as the operation of the execute button BT4 in step S130. The first equipment control unit 622, upon receiving input via the execute button BT4, generates a control signal for turning on the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the irradiation area PA2 and transmits it to the first equipment control device 81. In another embodiment, for example, upon receiving operation of the number button BT5 (input of “6” in the example of FIG. 7 ) in step S110, the process may proceed to step S140, where the light-off equipment 85 corresponding to the irradiation area PA2 is turned on. In this case, step S130 may be omitted, and the execute button BT4 may also be omitted.

[0042] In step S140, the first equipment control device 81 that has received the control signal turns on the lighting equipment 85 that corresponds to the illumination area PA2. In step S150, the first equipment control device 81 feeds back to the main operation terminal information for identifying the lighting equipment 85 that has been turned on as a result of the control, as well as information on the operation history that the lighting process was performed by the first operation terminal 100, in association with, for example, date and time, and then completes the process.

[0043] 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the first display unit 662 when the illumination lighting process is completed. As shown in FIG. 8, the illumination area PA2 is in a lit state as a result of the above-described control. The illumination area PA2 has an illumination area PA22 that overlaps with the illumination area LA4 and an illumination area PA21 that does not overlap with the illumination area LA4. Note that the lighting equipment 85 that is turned on in the illumination area PA22 is the same before and after the illumination lighting process is executed.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing the illumination-off process performed by the main operation terminal. This flow starts, for example, when the first operation terminal 100 accepts a user's operation to start the illumination-off process. In step S200, the user inputs identification information by operating the first identification information input unit 666. In this embodiment, the first equipment control unit 622 determines that the illumination-off process is being performed by accepting an operation to input an identification number before inputting a designated area. This configuration eliminates the need for a illumination-off button and its operation to start the illumination-off process, thereby simplifying the display content of the first display unit 662 and the control by the first equipment control unit 622. In step S210, the first equipment control unit 622 accepts the input of identification information and reads out the designated area PA1, more specifically, the illumination area PA2, corresponding to the input identification information and displays it on the first display unit 662. In step S220, the user operates the execute button BT4.

[0045] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the first display unit 662 when the illumination turning-off process is being executed. For example, the user starts the illumination turning-off process by the first operating terminal 100 by operating the number button BT5 in the display area AR2 with the finger HD6. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the identification number "6" corresponding to the above-mentioned specified range PA1 is entered to turn off the illumination equipment 85 corresponding to the illumination area PA2 shown in FIG. 8.

[0046] When the user inputs an identification number, the first equipment control unit 622 reads out the designated area corresponding to the input identification number from the first designated area storage unit 642 and displays it on the first display unit 662. In the example of FIG. 10, the first equipment control unit 622 reads out the designated area PA1 corresponding to the identification number "6," more specifically, the illumination area PA2, and displays it on the first display unit 662. The first display unit 662 may set the display color of the illumination area PA2 to a color different from the display colors of the other illumination areas LA1 to LA4, or may periodically change the display color to flash. In another embodiment, for example, upon receiving operation of the number button BT5 in step S200 (input of "6" in the example of FIG. 10), the process may proceed to step S210, skip step S220, and proceed to step S230, where the light-off device 85 corresponding to the designated area PA1 is turned off. In this case, step S220 can be omitted, and the execute button BT4 can be omitted.

[0047] Returning to FIG. 9 , in step S230, the first equipment control unit 622 checks whether the target equipment corresponding to a specified range includes equipment operating with other identification information. The term “equipment operating with other identification information” refers to equipment included in the target equipment corresponding to a specified range associated with a certain identification information, which has already performed an operation different from the specified operation using a different identification information from the specified identification information. In this embodiment, the first equipment control unit 622 checks whether the target equipment corresponding to the specified range PA1 to be turned off includes lighting equipment 85 that is turned on using identification information different from the input identification number “6.” If no equipment operating with other identification information is included (S230: NO), the process proceeds to step S232, where the first equipment control unit 622 turns off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the specified range. If equipment operating with other identification information is included (S230: YES), the process proceeds to step S234, where the first equipment control unit 622 turns off all lighting equipment 85 except for the equipment operating with other identification information. In step S240, the first equipment control device 81 feeds back to the main operation terminal information for identifying the lighting equipment 85 that was turned off as a result of the control, as well as information regarding the operation history that the turning-off process was performed by the first operation terminal 100, in association with the date and time, etc.

[0048] In step S250, the first equipment control unit 622 deletes the designated area PA1 and the identification information that were the target of the light-off process from the first designated area storage unit 642, and then completes the process. In this way, when the target equipment corresponding to the designated area PA1 associated with the identification information has completed a series of operations, the first equipment control unit 622 deletes the setting information for the designated area PA1 and the identification information. The "series of operations" refers to the operations from start to completion that the target equipment is to execute. In this embodiment, this refers to the operations from turning on to turning off the lighting equipment 85. The "series of operations" also includes, for example, operations between turning on and off the lighting equipment 85, such as adjusting the illuminance of the lighting equipment 85 that has been turned on.

[0049] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the first display unit 662 upon completion of the illumination-off process for the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the specified range. After inputting the identification number, the user operates the execute button BT4 with the finger HD7 to instruct the illumination area PA2 to be turned off. As shown in FIG. 11, the illumination area PA2 has an illumination area PA22 that overlaps with the illumination area LA4 of another identification information operating equipment, and an illumination area PA21 that does not overlap with the illumination area LA4. Therefore, when executing the illumination-off process for the target equipment corresponding to the illumination area PA2, the first equipment control unit 622 turns off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the illumination area PA21, excluding the illumination area PA22 that overlaps with the illumination area LA4. As a result, the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the illumination area PA22 that overlaps with the illumination area LA4 remains on, as shown in FIG. 11. Note that the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the illumination area PA22 can be turned off by the terminal device that controlled the illumination area PA22 to be turned on, using the identification number used when the illumination area PA22 was turned on.

[0050] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing the operation history synchronization process executed by the main operation terminal. The operation history synchronization process is performed to keep the operation history stored in each main operation terminal, as well as the setting information for the identification information and the specified range, up to date and consistent. This flow can be repeatedly executed at predetermined unit times, such as every 60 seconds. Note that this flow can also be started when the main operation terminal receives a command to execute the history synchronization process through a user operation.

[0051] In step S300, the first terminal synchronization unit 624 checks whether at least one of updating the operation history and changing the setting information has been performed. An example of a case where the setting information has been changed is when one of the main operation terminals sets a correspondence relationship between new identification information and a specified range. An example of a case where the operation history has been updated is the following two cases. (1) When information regarding operation history is fed back from the equipment control device to the main operation terminal. (2) When one of the main operation terminals executes the lighting on / off process.

[0052] If neither the operation history update nor the setting change has been performed (S300: NO), the process ends. If at least one of the operation history update and the setting change has been performed (S300: YES), the process proceeds to step S310, where the main operation terminals are synchronized. Specifically, the first terminal synchronization unit 624 and the second terminal synchronization unit merge and share each other's operation history and designated range settings so that the mutual operation history of the first equipment operation history storage unit 644 and the second equipment operation history storage unit, and the mutual setting information of the first designated range storage unit 642 and the second designated range storage unit, are kept up to date. This allows the latest operation history to be maintained even if one of the main operation terminals is unable to receive feedback from the equipment control device due to a communication failure or the like.

[0053] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing the lighting-on process performed by the auxiliary operation terminal 90. This process begins, for example, when a user operates the auxiliary input unit 92 for lighting equipment 85 that is off. In step S400, the auxiliary equipment control unit 942 detects input from the auxiliary input unit 92 by the user. In step S410, the auxiliary equipment control unit 942 reads the auxiliary designated range stored in the auxiliary designated range storage unit 962 and transmits a control signal to the equipment control device to turn on the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range. Note that reading of the auxiliary designated range may be omitted, and the auxiliary equipment control unit 942 that detected the input may transmit a predetermined control signal. The equipment control device, upon receiving the control signal from the auxiliary operation terminal 90, turns on the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range. In step S420, the equipment control device, upon receiving the control signal, feeds back to the main operation terminal information identifying the lighting equipment 85 that was turned on as a result of the control, as well as information regarding the operation history that the lighting process was performed by the auxiliary operation terminal 90, in association with the date and time, etc.

[0054] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram showing the lighting-off process performed by the auxiliary operation terminal 90. This flow starts, for example, when a user operates the auxiliary input unit 92 for lighting equipment 85 that is turned on. In step S500, the auxiliary equipment control unit 942 detects an input from the auxiliary input unit 92 by the user. In step S510, the auxiliary equipment control unit 942 reads the auxiliary designated range stored in the auxiliary designated range storage unit 962 and transmits a control signal to the equipment control device to turn off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range. Note that reading of the auxiliary designated range may be omitted, and the auxiliary equipment control unit 942 that detected the input may transmit a predetermined control signal. The equipment control device that receives the control signal from the auxiliary operation terminal 90 turns off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range. When turning off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range, the equipment control device turns off all lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range, regardless of whether the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range includes any lighting equipment that has completed operation. "Equipment that has completed operation" refers to equipment included in the target equipment corresponding to the auxiliary specified range, for which an operation different from the one operation has already been performed using an operation terminal different from the auxiliary operation terminal 90, when an operation is to be performed on the target equipment corresponding to the auxiliary specified range. In step S520, the equipment control device that has acquired the control signal feeds back to the main operation terminal information for identifying the lighting equipment 85 that has been turned off as a result of the control, as well as information on the operation history that the turning-off process was performed by the auxiliary operation terminal 90, in association with the date and time, etc.

[0055] In step S530, the main operation terminal that received the feedback, more specifically, the first equipment control unit 622 and the second equipment control unit, refer to the operation history to determine whether the target equipment corresponding to the auxiliary designated range that the auxiliary operation terminal 90 turned off includes the operation-completed equipment. That is, the main operation terminal determines whether the lighting equipment 85 that the auxiliary equipment control unit 942 turned off in step S510 included lighting equipment 85 that had already been turned on by an operation terminal other than the auxiliary operation terminal 90. Note that the "operation terminal other than the auxiliary operation terminal 90" includes the first operation terminal 100 and the second operation terminal 200. In addition, if the equipment operation system 300 includes multiple auxiliary operation terminals 90, it may also include other auxiliary operation terminals 90 other than the auxiliary operation terminal 90 that performs the light-off operation according to this flow. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the operation terminal other than the auxiliary operation terminal 90 that completed the operation of the operation-completed equipment is the first operation terminal 100. Steps S532 and S534 are executed by the first operation terminal 100 that has confirmed in step S530 that the operation terminal that has completed the operation of the operation-completed equipment is the first operation terminal 100.

[0056] If no operation-completed equipment is included (S530: NO), the process ends. If operation-completed equipment is included (S530: YES), the process proceeds to step S532, where the first equipment control unit 622 refers to the timing result of a timer (not shown) and waits until a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, from the time the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary specified range was turned off or from the time the first operating terminal 100 received feedback on the operation history in step S520.

[0057] In step S534, the first equipment control unit 622 generates a control signal to turn on the lighting equipment 85 that corresponds to the operation-completed equipment among the lighting equipment 85 that was turned off, and transmits the control signal to the equipment control device. The equipment control device turns on the target lighting equipment 85. Note that the reason for waiting for the lapse of a predetermined time in step S532 before proceeding to step S534 is that in step S534, the lighting equipment 85 is turned on regardless of the intention of the user operating the auxiliary operation terminal 90. Specifically, if a lighting equipment 85 turns on immediately after being turned off by the auxiliary operation terminal 90, or if the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the operation-completed equipment is not turned off by the auxiliary operation terminal 90, the user of the auxiliary operation terminal 90 may determine that the auxiliary operation terminal 90 is malfunctioning. In step S536, the equipment control device that received the control signal feeds back to the main operation terminal information for identifying the lighting equipment 85 that was turned on as a result of the control, as well as information regarding the operation history that the lighting processing was performed by the first operation terminal 100, and ends the processing.

[0058] As described above, according to the equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment, the first operating terminal 100 includes a first display unit 662 for displaying the illumination area PA2 of the lighting equipment 85 in the factory in association with a factory map, a first designated area input unit 664 for accepting input of a designated area PA1 for specifying the lighting equipment 85 to be operated within the range associated with the factory map, a first identification information input unit 666 for accepting input of identification information to be set for the designated area PA1, a first designated area storage unit 642 for storing the designated area PA1 and the identification information in association with each other, and a first equipment control unit 622 for turning on or off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the designated area PA1 associated with the input identification information. By storing the designated area of ​​the lighting equipment 85 to be operated in association with the identification information, it is possible to select the lighting equipment 85 in the same designated area and turn it on or off using the simple method of using the identification information. This improves the convenience of the equipment operation system 300.

[0059] According to the equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment, when turning off the target equipment corresponding to the designated range PA1 associated with the identification information, if the target equipment includes other identification information operating equipment that is already turned on, the first equipment control unit 622 turns off the target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent a user of the target equipment from turning off other identification information operating equipment that is turned on by another user or using other identification information.

[0060] The equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment further includes a second operation terminal 200 configured similarly to the first operation terminal 100. By including multiple main operation terminals, even if one main operation terminal breaks down or has a communication problem, the other main operation terminals can be used to operate the lighting equipment 85 and keep track of its operation history.

[0061] According to the equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment, the second operation terminal 200 further includes a second equipment operation history storage unit for storing the operation history of the lighting equipment 85 performed by the operation terminal. The first operation terminal 100 further includes a first equipment operation history storage unit 644 for storing the operation history of the lighting equipment 85 performed by the operation terminal, and a first terminal synchronization unit 624 for acquiring the operation history of the lighting equipment 85 stored in the second operation terminal 200 and synchronizing it with the operation history stored in the first equipment operation history storage unit 644. When the equipment operation system 300 includes multiple main operation terminals, the operation histories can be kept up to date by synchronizing each other's operation histories. Furthermore, even if one of the main operation terminals is unable to receive feedback from the equipment control device due to a communication failure or the like, the main operation terminals can complement each other's latest operation histories.

[0062] The equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment further includes a first equipment control device 81 having a first range history storage unit that stores operation histories of lighting equipment 85 included in a first range T1 among the multiple lighting equipment 85, and a second equipment control device 82 having a second range history storage unit that stores operation histories of lighting equipment 85 included in a second range T2. Therefore, compared to when the operation histories of all lighting equipment 85 are stored in a single equipment control device, it is possible to disperse the risk of equipment control device failure or communication failure.

[0063] The equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment further includes an auxiliary operation terminal 90 that turns on and off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range. The auxiliary designated range is not set or changed by the auxiliary operation terminal 90. When turning off the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the auxiliary designated range, if the auxiliary operation terminal 90 includes equipment that has already been turned on using an operation terminal other than the auxiliary operation terminal 90, the auxiliary operation terminal 90 turns off the lighting equipment 85 including the equipment that has already been turned on. According to the equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment, a series of operations within the auxiliary designated range can be performed using an auxiliary operation terminal 90 with a simple configuration in which the operation target is fixed to the auxiliary designated range. The auxiliary operation terminal 90 can prioritize the execution of operations even if the operation target includes equipment that has already been turned on, thereby providing an operation terminal that is suitable for users who mainly operate within the auxiliary designated range and managers of the auxiliary designated range.

[0064] According to the equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment, when the auxiliary operation terminal 90 turns off the lighting equipment 85 including the operation-completed equipment, the turned-off operation-completed equipment is returned to a lit state after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the auxiliary operation terminal 90 is set so that the operation-completed equipment cannot be turned off, the user of the auxiliary operation terminal 90 may be concerned about a malfunction such as a breakdown of the auxiliary operation terminal 90. By turning off the lighting once using the auxiliary operation terminal 90, this concern can be avoided, and a malfunction in which the operation-completed equipment is turned off by the user of the auxiliary operation terminal 90 regardless of the intention of the user who turned on the operation-completed equipment can be prevented.

[0065] According to the equipment operation system 300 of this embodiment, the setting information of the designated range PA1 and the identification information stored in the first designated range storage unit 642 is set to be deleted when a series of operations by the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the designated range PA1 associated with the identification information is completed. By resetting the setting information each time a series of operations is completed, the first storage device 64 can be simplified. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a first operation terminal 100 with settings suitable for a user who can change the designated range as needed. Furthermore, it is possible to clearly distinguish the functions of the main operation terminal, which changes the designated range as needed, and the auxiliary operation terminal 90, which can repeatedly operate an auxiliary designated range once it has been set.

[0066] B. Other Embodiments: (B1) In the above first embodiment, an example was shown in which the equipment operation system 300 was provided with the first operation terminal 100 and the second operation terminal 200 as main operation terminals. In contrast, the equipment operation system 300 may be provided with either one of the main operation terminals, such as by not providing the second operation terminal 200 and only providing the first operation terminal 100. Furthermore, the equipment operation system 300 may be provided with only the main operation terminal and not the auxiliary operation terminal 90.

[0067] (B2) In the first embodiment, the lighting equipment 85 is the target of operation by the operation terminal. However, the target is not limited to the lighting equipment 85. Instead of or in addition to the lighting equipment 85, air conditioning equipment such as a fan, air conditioner, humidifier, and dehumidifier may be operated. In this case, the "range of the air conditioning equipment's function" refers to the range that the blown air can reach, the space that the cooling or heating effect can reach, etc. Furthermore, the target of operation is not limited to the lighting equipment 85 or air conditioning equipment. For example, the target of operation may be a pump, a valve, equipment that operates the supply and discharge of fluids, security, crime prevention, and monitoring equipment that can open and close doors, allow or deny entry to rooms, operate key locks, and operate surveillance cameras, transportation equipment such as elevators and conveyors, communication equipment, electrical equipment that can control the supply of power, and various other equipment that can be turned on and off. In this case, the range of the function is, for example, a space where a fluid is supplied or discharged, a room or space where security is ensured by a key lock or the like, a transport area, a communication area, a power supply area, and the like.

[0068] (B3) In the first embodiment, the identification information input in the first identification information input unit 666 is a single-digit identification number. However, the identification information is not limited to an identification number, and various information capable of identifying oneself and others may be used, such as character information combining a string of alphanumeric characters, authentication information for the main operation terminal, an operation pattern on the first display unit 662 as a touch panel, a user's name, employee ID card, facial recognition, or fingerprint recognition. Furthermore, an RF tag used for RFID (radio frequency identifier), as well as an NFC tag or IC chip used for near field communication (NFC), may also be used. An RF tag may also be called an electronic tag, IC tag, wireless tag, or RFID tag.

[0069] (B4) In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the first specified range input unit 664 and the first identification information input unit 666 were both input units that used the touch sensor of the first touch panel 66. However, the first specified range input unit 664 and the first identification information input unit 666 may be configured as input units other than touch sensors, or the first specified range input unit 664 and the first identification information input unit 666 may be configured as different input units. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an example was shown in which identification information was input using the touch sensor of the first display unit 662, but the method of inputting identification information is not limited to this. For example, if the identification information is obtained by face authentication or fingerprint authentication, a camera or sensor for authenticating the face or fingerprint functions as the first identification information input unit. Furthermore, if an RF tag or the like is used, the first identification information input unit can employ an RF reader capable of acquiring information attached to the RF tag. RF readers include various devices capable of detecting RF tags, such as RF reader / writers and RF scanners.

[0070] (B5) In the first embodiment, the first terminal synchronization unit 624 merges and synchronizes the operation history, the identification information, the setting information of the specified range, etc. stored in other main operation terminals, but only the operation history may be synchronized.

[0071] (B6) In the above first embodiment, an example was given in which the users of the first operation terminal 100 were people unfamiliar with the factory, the users of the second operation terminal 200 were people familiar with the factory, and the users of the auxiliary operation terminal 90 were people who mainly act within a predetermined range of the factory, but the users of the operation terminals are not limited to these and may be any person.

[0072] (B7) In the first embodiment described above, the setting information of the designated range PA1 and the identification information stored in the first designated range storage unit 642 is deleted when a series of operations by the lighting equipment 85 corresponding to the designated range PA1 associated with the identification information is completed. In contrast, the setting information may not be deleted even after the series of operations, but may be retained until it is deleted at the user's request, for example. This type of equipment operation system can improve convenience when the same operation or multiple operations are performed multiple times for the same designated range.

[0073] (B8) In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the predetermined operation to be performed by the lighting equipment 85 is to turn on (light on) and off (light off) the lighting equipment 85. However, instead of an operation that uniquely determines the state of the equipment, such as on / off, an operation that is relative to the current environment, such as increasing or decreasing the illuminance of the lighting equipment 85 or increasing or decreasing the temperature of the air conditioning equipment, may be performed.

[0074] (B9) In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the first display unit 662 displayed a floor plan MP representing a map of the factory in order to display the positions of the multiple lighting equipment 85 in association with a predetermined area. However, instead of the floor plan MP, the first display unit 662 may display text information such as the name of a process or the name of equipment.

[0075] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 61...internal bus, 62...first CPU, 64...first storage device, 66...first touch panel, 68...first communication unit, 81...first equipment control device, 82...second equipment control device, 85...lighting equipment, 90...auxiliary operation terminal, 91...internal bus, 92...auxiliary input unit, 94...auxiliary CPU, 96...auxiliary memory, 98...auxiliary communication unit, 100...first operation terminal, 200...second operation terminal, 300...equipment operation system, 622...first equipment control unit, 624...first terminal synchronization unit, 642...first specified range storage unit, 644...first equipment operation history Memory unit, 646...first equipment database, 662...first display unit, 664...first specified range input unit, 666...first identification information input unit, 942...auxiliary equipment control unit, 962...auxiliary specified range memory unit, A1 to A14...area, T1...first range, T2...second range, AR1, AR2...display area, BT4...execute button, BT5...numeric button, DW1...trajectory, HD1 to HD7...finger, LA1 to LA4...irradiation area, MP...floor view, NB...identification number display unit, PA1...specified range, PA2, PA21, PA22...irradiation area

Claims

1. An equipment operation system, A plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; A first operation terminal, a first display unit for displaying at least one of the layout positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit that accepts input of a designated range for specifying at least one target facility to be operated among the plurality of facilities within a range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit that receives input of identification information set for each of the specified ranges; a first designated range storage unit that stores the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; a first operation terminal having a first equipment control unit that causes target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute a predetermined operation; The first equipment control unit When the operation is an OFF operation, in the case where the operation is executed by target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information, if other identification information operating equipment in a state in which an ON operation, which is an operation different from the operation, is executed using identification information different from the input identification information, the operation is executed by target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment. Equipment operation system.

2. An equipment operation system, A plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; A first operation terminal, a first display unit for displaying at least one of the layout positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit that accepts input of a designated range for specifying at least one target facility to be operated among the plurality of facilities within a range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit that receives input of identification information set for each of the specified ranges; a first designated range storage unit that stores the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; a first operation terminal having a first equipment control unit that causes target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute a predetermined operation; The first equipment control unit When the operation is to be performed on target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information, if other identification information operating equipment in a state in which an operation opposite to the operation is being performed using identification information different from the input identification information is included, the operation is performed on target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment. Equipment operation system.

3. An equipment operation system according to claim 2, The operation is either an operation of increasing or decreasing illuminance or temperature. Equipment operation system.

4. An equipment operation system, A plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; A first operation terminal, a first display unit for displaying at least one of the layout positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit that accepts input of a designated range for specifying at least one target facility to be operated among the plurality of facilities within a range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit that receives input of identification information set for each of the specified ranges; a first designated range storage unit that stores the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; a first equipment control unit that causes a target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute a predetermined operation; a first equipment operation history storage unit for storing operation histories of the plurality of equipments by an operation terminal; a first operation terminal having A second operation terminal, a second display unit for displaying at least one of the layout positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a second designated range input unit that accepts input of the designated range; a second identification information input unit that accepts input of the identification information; a second designated range storage unit that stores the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; a second equipment control unit that causes a target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute at least one predetermined operation; a second equipment operation history storage unit for storing operation histories of the plurality of equipment by an operation terminal; The second operation terminal includes: Equipped with The first operation terminal further a first terminal synchronization unit that acquires the operation history stored in the second operation terminal and synchronizes it with the operation history stored in the first equipment operation history storage unit; The second operation terminal further a second terminal synchronization unit that acquires the operation history stored in the first operation terminal and synchronizes it with the operation history stored in the second equipment operation history storage unit; the first terminal synchronization unit and the second terminal synchronization unit synchronize operation histories stored in the first operating terminal and the second operating terminal with each other; Equipment operation system.

5. An equipment operation system, A plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; A first operation terminal, a first display unit for displaying at least one of the layout positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit that accepts input of a designated range for specifying at least one target facility to be operated among the plurality of facilities within a range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit that receives input of identification information set for each of the specified ranges; a first designated range storage unit that stores the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; a first operation terminal having a first equipment control unit that causes a target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute a predetermined operation; an auxiliary operation terminal for causing a target facility corresponding to an auxiliary designation range for designating at least one target facility among the plurality of facilities to execute the operation; Equipped with the auxiliary designated range is not changed by the auxiliary operation terminal, When the auxiliary operation terminal causes the target equipment corresponding to the auxiliary designated range to execute the operation, if the target equipment includes an operation-completed equipment in which an operation different from the operation has already been executed using an operation terminal different from the auxiliary operation terminal, the auxiliary operation terminal causes the target equipment including the operation-completed equipment to execute the operation, When the auxiliary operation terminal causes the target equipment including the operation completion equipment to execute the operation, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation completion equipment that executed the operation is returned to a state before the execution of the operation. Equipment operation system.

6. An equipment operation system, A plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area; A first operation terminal, a first display unit for displaying at least one of the layout positions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in the area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a first designated range input unit that accepts input of a designated range for specifying at least one target facility to be operated among the plurality of facilities within a range associated with the area; a first identification information input unit that receives input of identification information set for each of the specified ranges; a first designated range storage unit that stores the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; a first operation terminal having a first equipment control unit that causes target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute a predetermined operation; The designated range and the identification information stored in the first designated range storage unit are deleted when a series of operations by the target equipment corresponding to the designated range associated with the stored identification information is completed. Equipment operation system.

7. An equipment operation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a first equipment control device having a first range history storage unit configured to store an operation history of at least one equipment included in a predetermined first range among the plurality of equipment; a second equipment control device different from the first equipment control device, the second equipment control device having a second range history storage unit that stores an operation history of at least one equipment among the plurality of equipment that is included in a predetermined second range different from the first range, Equipment operation system.

8. An equipment operation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and claim 6, an auxiliary operation terminal for causing a target facility corresponding to an auxiliary designation range to specify at least one target facility among the plurality of facilities to execute the operation; the auxiliary designated range is not changed by the auxiliary operation terminal, When the auxiliary operation terminal causes the target equipment corresponding to the auxiliary designated range to execute the operation, if the range includes operation-completed equipment on which an operation different from the operation has already been executed using an operation terminal different from the auxiliary operation terminal, the auxiliary operation terminal causes the target equipment including the operation-completed equipment to execute the operation. Equipment operation system.

9. An operation terminal, a display unit for displaying at least one of the locations of a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a designated range input unit that receives input of a designated range for specifying a target facility to be operated among the plurality of facilities within a range associated with the area; an identification information input unit that receives input of identification information set for each of the specified ranges; a designated range storage unit that stores the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; an equipment control unit that causes target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute at least one predetermined operation, The equipment control unit When the operation is an OFF operation, in the case where the operation is executed by target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information, if other identification information operating equipment in a state in which an ON operation, which is an operation different from the operation, is executed using identification information different from the input identification information, the operation is executed by target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment. Operation terminal.

10. An operation terminal, a display unit for displaying at least one of the locations of a plurality of pieces of equipment arranged in a predetermined area and the ranges of functions of the plurality of pieces of equipment in association with the area; a designated range input unit that receives input of a designated range for specifying a target facility to be operated among the plurality of facilities within a range associated with the area; an identification information input unit that receives input of identification information set for each of the specified ranges; a designated range storage unit that stores the designated range and the identification information in association with each other; an equipment control unit that causes target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information to execute at least one predetermined operation, The equipment control unit When the operation is to be performed on target equipment corresponding to the specified range associated with the input identification information, if other identification information operating equipment in a state in which an operation opposite to the operation is being performed using identification information different from the input identification information is included, the operation is performed on target equipment excluding the other identification information operating equipment. Operation terminal.

11. An operation terminal according to claim 10, The operation is either an operation of increasing or decreasing illuminance or temperature. Operation terminal.

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