Communication system, communication method, and program

Abstract

The present disclosure addresses the problem of facilitating an accurate correspondence relation between instrument identification information and position information. A plurality of instruments (2) cooperate with a GW (1) to construct a mesh network (NW1), and each of the GW (1) and the plurality of instruments (2) uses the mesh network (NW1) to perform first communication (101). A terminal device (3) performs setting pertaining to the mesh network (NW1), and an instruction device (4) performs instruction on the plurality of instruments (2). At this time, the terminal device (3) notifies at least the GW (1) of network information by using second communication (102), and the instruction device (4) individually instructs each of the plurality of instruments (2) to register each of the plurality of instruments (2) in the GW (1) by using third communication (103).

Description

Communication System, Communication Method, and Program ,

[0005]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system, a communication method, and a program, and more particularly, to a communication system, a communication method, and a program that perform communication using a mesh network.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for easily performing settings related to a mesh network formed by a plurality of lighting devices and a gateway in a lighting system. In this technique, when adding a new lighting device to the mesh network, an information setting device wirelessly notifies the new lighting device of information such as in-mesh identification information and network identification information, and the gateway of information such as lighting device management data and network management data, respectively. The in-mesh identification information is information for identifying a lighting device within the mesh network. The network identification information is information for identifying the mesh network. The lighting device management data is data related to the correspondence between the installation position of the lighting device and the device identification information of the lighting device. The network management data is data related to the correspondence between the device identification information for identifying the lighting device and the gateway identification information for identifying the gateway.

[0003] In the technique of Patent Document 1, information such as in-mesh identification information (corresponding to the "appliance identification information" in the present disclosure) may be transmitted from the information setting device to a new lighting device (corresponding to the "appliance" in the present disclosure) via the mesh network. Also, data such as lighting device management data (corresponding to the "location information" in the present disclosure) may also be transmitted from the information setting device to the gateway via the mesh network.

[0004] In a mesh network, generally, since communication is delayed due to passing through a large number of nodes, and the length of the transmission path between nodes is not constant, resulting in variations in transmission time, when sequentially adding a plurality of new lighting devices to the mesh network, it may be difficult to accurately perform the association between information such as in-mesh identification information and data such as lighting device management data for each of the plurality of new lighting devices.

[0005] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024 - 26792

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a communication system, communication method, and program that can facilitate the accurate matching of fixture identification information (mesh identification information) that identifies fixtures (lighting devices) with location information (data such as lighting device management data) that indicates the location of each of multiple fixtures.

[0007] A communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a gateway, a plurality of devices, a terminal device, and an instruction device. The plurality of devices cooperate with the gateway to construct a mesh network. The terminal device performs settings related to the mesh network. The instruction device gives instructions to the plurality of devices. Each of the gateway and the plurality of devices includes a first communication unit. The first communication unit performs first communication using the mesh network. The gateway further includes a second communication unit. The second communication unit performs second communication different from the first communication. Each of the plurality of devices and the instruction device further includes a third communication unit. The third communication unit performs third communication different from both the first and second communications. In the communication system, the terminal device notifies at least the gateway of network information related to the mesh network via the second communication, and the instruction device individually gives each of the plurality of devices via the third communication a registration instruction to register the device with the gateway as a node in the mesh network.

[0008] A communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method performed by a communication system comprising a gateway, a plurality of devices that cooperate with the gateway to construct a mesh network, a terminal device that configures the mesh network, and an instruction device that gives instructions to the plurality of devices. Each of the gateway and the plurality of devices includes a first communication unit that performs first communication using the mesh network. The gateway further includes a second communication unit that performs second communication different from the first communication. Each of the plurality of devices and the instruction device further includes a third communication unit that performs third communication different from both the first and second communications. The communication method includes a notification step and an instruction step. In the notification step, the terminal device notifies at least the gateway of network information relating to the mesh network via the second communication. In the instruction step, the instruction device individually gives each of the plurality of devices a registration instruction via the third communication to each of the plurality of devices, causing the device to be registered with the gateway as a node of the mesh network.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of this disclosure is a program that causes one or more processors of the communication system to execute the communication method.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a gateway (GW) included in the same communication system. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the equipment included in the same communication system. Figure 4 is a block diagram of a terminal device included in the same communication system. Figure 5 is a block diagram of an indicator device included in the same communication system. Figure 6 is a sequence diagram of communication performed in the same communication system. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the equipment included in the same system. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the terminal device included in the same system. Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the gateway included in the same system. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the terminal device included in the same system. Figure 11 is a block diagram of a communication system according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 12 is a sequence diagram of communication performed in the same communication system. Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the equipment included in the same communication system. Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the terminal device included in the same communication system. Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the gateway included in the same communication system.

[0011] (1) Overview First, an overview of this disclosure will be described using Figures 1 and 11, and Figures 2 to 5. This disclosure includes two embodiments relating to a communication system 10. Of the two embodiments, the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment is configured as shown in Figure 1, and the communication system 10 according to the second embodiment is configured as shown in Figure 11. In addition, common to both the first and second embodiments, the gateway 1 is configured as shown in Figure 2, the device 2 as shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 3 as shown in Figure 4, and the instruction device 4 as shown in Figure 5.

[0012] In both the first and second embodiments, the communication system 10 comprises a gateway 1, a plurality of devices 2, a terminal device 3, and an instruction device 4, as shown in Figures 1 and 11. The gateway 1 is referred to as "GW1" in the drawings as appropriate.

[0013] (1-1) Multiple devices 2 work together with gateway 1 to build a mesh network NW1.

[0014] In this context, collaboration means that each of the gateway 1 and the multiple devices 2 operate as a node in the mesh network NW1.

[0015] Furthermore, a mesh network NW1 refers to a network whose network topology (the configuration of connections between nodes) is mesh-type. A mesh network NW1 is constructed by connecting three or more nodes (seven in Figures 1 and 11) in a mesh-type manner via the first communication 101 (described later).

[0016] (1-2) Terminal device Terminal device 3 configures settings related to the mesh network NW1 and acquires network information related to the configured settings. The settings here are the settings of various network parameters of the mesh network NW1 (e.g., frequency channel, encryption key, number of nodes, node location, etc.), and the network information includes the configured values ​​of the various network parameters (frequency channel, encryption key, number of nodes, node location, etc.).

[0017] (1-3) Instruction device The instruction device 4 gives instructions to multiple devices 2. The instructions here are, for example, registration instructions. A registration instruction is an instruction to register a device 2 as a node of the mesh network NW1 with gateway 1. In response to the registration instruction, the device 2 is registered with gateway 1 as a node of the mesh network NW1 (more specifically, device identification information that identifies the device 2 is stored in gateway 1 in association with network identification information that identifies the mesh network NW1), and the device 2 joins the mesh network NW1.

[0018] Alternatively, the instruction may be a deregistration instruction. A deregistration instruction is an instruction to cause the gateway to deregister device 2. When device 2 is deregistered (more specifically, the device identification information stored in the gateway 1 in association with the network identification information is deleted), device 2 leaves the mesh network NW1.

[0019] Registration instructions and deregistration instructions are issued individually to each of the multiple devices 2 via the third communication 103.

[0020] The instructions may also be for individual control other than registration and unregistration, that is, instructions for controlling each of the multiple devices 2. Individual control is, for example, turning the power on / off. If device 2 is a lighting fixture, the instructions may also be for dimming, color adjustment, etc.

[0021] (1-4) Various communications performed in the communication system (1-4-1) Each of the first communication unit, the first communication gateway 1, and the plurality of devices 2 is equipped with a first communication unit 101P, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The first communication unit 101P performs first communication 101 using the mesh network NW1.

[0022] In the first and second embodiments, the first communication 101 is communication via a wireless medium (wireless communication), but it may also be communication via a wired medium (wired communication). The wireless medium is basically radio waves, but it may also be electromagnetic waves other than radio waves (infrared rays, visible light, etc.). The radio waves are, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark: hereinafter the same) Mesh radio waves, but it may also be Bluetooth radio waves other than Bluetooth Mesh (e.g., BLE), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) radio waves. The wired medium is, for example, a paired wire, a coaxial cable, etc.

[0023] (1-4-2) The second communication unit and the second communication gateway 1 further include a second communication unit 102P, as shown in Figure 2. The second communication unit 102P performs a second communication 102 that is different from the first communication 101.

[0024] In the context of communication, "different" means, for example, that the transmission medium used to implement the communication is different. Different communication media could be, for example, wired / wireless, and in the case of wireless, radio waves / infrared / visible light, etc.

[0025] Alternatively, "different" in the context of communication may refer to a difference in the network topology (i.e., the configuration of connections between nodes) of the network used for communication. Different network topologies may include, for example, mesh, star, or bus.

[0026] Alternatively, "different" in relation to communication may mean different communication protocols. Different communication protocols may be, for example, communication protocols compatible with LAN / WAN (Wide Area Network) / Internet, or wireless communication protocols compatible with Bluetooth / Wi-Fi®.

[0027] (1-4-3) Each of the third communication unit and the third communication device 2 and indicator device 4 further comprises a third communication unit 103P, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. The third communication unit 103P performs a third communication 103 that is different from both the first communication 101 and the second communication 102.

[0028] In the first and second embodiments, the third communication is a communication using infrared light as the transmission medium (infrared communication). However, the transmission medium for realizing the third communication may be, for example, visible light. The transmission medium for realizing the third communication is preferably an electromagnetic wave with stronger directionality than radio waves, in order to facilitate communication with only one of the multiple devices 2.

[0029] (1-5) In the communication system 10 for notifying network information from terminal devices to GW and for instructing devices to register information from instruction devices, terminal devices 3 notify at least gateway 1 of network information relating to mesh network NW1 via second communication 102. In addition, for each of the multiple devices 2, instruction devices 4 individually issue registration instructions to each of the multiple devices 2 via third communication 103 to register the device 2 as a node of mesh network NW1 with gateway 1.

[0030] Device identification information refers to information that identifies device 2. Here, device identification information is a unique identifier that device 2 has pre-established, such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address.

[0031] (1-6) Advantages In this way, in the communication system 10, the terminal device 3 notifies the gateway 1 of network information relating to the mesh network NW1 by a second communication, which is different from the first communication that is performed using the mesh network NW1. In addition, for each of the multiple devices 2, the instruction device 4 individually issues a registration instruction to each of the multiple devices 2 by a third communication, which is different from both the first and second communications, to register the device identification information with the gateway 1 as a node of the mesh network NW1.

[0032] With this configuration, control for confirming the location of the device 2 via the mesh network NW1 is unnecessary. Therefore, the association between device identification information that identifies the device 2 and location information indicating the location of the device 2 can be accurately performed for each of the multiple devices 2 without being affected by delays and transmission time variations that occur when at least one of the network information and registration instructions is transmitted via the mesh network NW1.

[0033] (1-7) Comparison with Patent Document Technology In the technology of Patent Document 1, when adding a new lighting device to a mesh network, it is necessary to perform control to confirm the location of the lighting device (for example, causing the lighting device to be confirmed to perform a predetermined operation such as blinking) and associate the mesh identification information with the location of the lighting device. However, due to communication delays and variations in transmission time that occur in mesh networks, it is not easy to confirm the location by control (blinking, etc.). For example, if the control for confirming the location of the first new lighting device and the control for confirming the location of the second new lighting device are performed at short time intervals, the control of the second new lighting device may start before the control of the first new lighting device starts. Similarly, when adding a lighting device to a gateway, the data for the second new lighting device may reach the gateway before the data for the first new lighting device reaches the gateway. As a result, information such as mesh identification information for the first new lighting device (corresponding to the fixture identification information in this disclosure) and data such as lighting device management data for the second new lighting device may be incorrectly associated, or information such as mesh identification information for the second new lighting device and data such as lighting device management data for the first new lighting device (corresponding to the location information in this disclosure) may be incorrectly associated. In contrast, the communication system 10 of this disclosure, having the above configuration, makes it possible to accurately associate fixture identification information with location information for each of the multiple fixtures 2.

[0034] (2) Details (2-1) Second communication and second network The second communication 102 is conducted using the second network NW2, which has a different network topology from the first network NW1, which is a mesh network NW1.

[0035] For the second network NW2 used in the second communication 102, a network topology with low latency and short transmission time (e.g., star type, bus type, etc.) is preferable compared to a mesh type.

[0036] With this configuration, the network topology of the second network NW2 used for the second communication 102 is different from the network topology (mesh type) of the mesh network NW1 used for the first communication 101 (for example, a network topology in which the transmission path is uniquely determined), thereby improving the efficiency of the setup.

[0037] The network topology of the second network NW2 is preferably a network topology in which the transmission path between nodes is uniquely determined, and which has low latency and short transmission time.

[0038] With this configuration, the network NW2 that implements the second communication 102 can be configured to have a network topology such as a star or bus, where the transmission path between nodes is uniquely determined, thereby improving the efficiency of the setup.

[0039] (2-2) Transmission medium for the first communication and the transmission medium for the third communication The third communication 103 is realized by a transmission medium different from the transmission medium that realizes the first communication 101.

[0040] For example, if the transmission medium in the mesh network NW1 is radio waves, the transmission medium for the third communication 103 may be electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, or a wired medium.

[0041] With this configuration, by making the communication medium for realizing the third communication 103 different from the transmission medium for realizing the first communication 101 in the mesh network NW1, it is possible to avoid the transmission of network information, device identification information, and instructions such as registration instructions via the mesh network NW1, and consequently avoid the effects of variations in transmission time. As a result, it becomes easier to accurately associate device identification information with location information for each of the multiple devices 2.

[0042] In the first and second embodiments, the transmission medium for realizing the first communication is radio waves, and the transmission medium for realizing the third communication 103 is infrared radiation. However, the transmission medium for realizing the third communication 103 may be an electromagnetic wave other than infrared radiation that has stronger directionality than radio waves, such as visible light.

[0043] According to this configuration, by using an electromagnetic wave with stronger directivity than the radio wave that is the transmission medium of the first communication 101 performed using the mesh network NW1 as the transmission medium of the third communication 103, the instruction device 4 can be facilitated to selectively perform the third communication 103 with one of the plurality of appliances 2. For example, it is possible to facilitate selectively performing a registration instruction to one of the plurality of appliances 2 by the third communication 103.

[0044] (2-2-1) Specific example of the third communication In the communication system 10, at least one of the plurality of appliances 2 is a lighting appliance, and the third communication 103 is infrared communication.

[0045] According to this configuration, by using infrared rays as the communication medium of the third communication 103 for performing a registration instruction to the lighting appliance 2, even when the lighting appliance 2 is emitting visible light, the registration instruction can be accurately performed.

[0046] (2-3) Fourth communication unit, fourth communication, and each of the third network gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 further includes a fourth communication unit 104P as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The fourth communication unit 104P performs a fourth communication 104 that is different from any of the first communication 101 to the third communication 103.

[0047] The fourth communication 104 is a communication that is selectively used between the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 instead of the second communication 102 (for example, Bluetooth), and a communication with a wider communication range than the second communication 102 is preferable. The fourth communication 104 is, for example, Wi-Fi communication. However, the fourth communication 104 may be a wireless communication other than Wi-Fi and having a wider communication range than the second communication 102 (for example, wireless communication using a mobile phone network, etc.).

[0048] In the first and second embodiments, the fourth communication unit 104P performs the fourth communication 104 using the third network NW3 (see FIGS. 1 and 11). The third network NW3 is, for example, a wireless LAN. However, the third network NW3 may be any network that can be connected to each of the terminal device 3 and the gateway 1 by the fourth communication 104, such as a WAN or the Internet.

[0049] Note that when the third network NW3 is a wide - area network such as the Internet, etc., the fourth communication 104 by the fourth communication unit 104P may be communication for connecting each of the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 to the wide - area network. In this case, even if the communication range of the fourth communication 104 is narrower than the communication range of the second communication 102, by connecting each of the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 to the wide - area network, it is possible to extend the communication - possible distance between the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3. Thereby, for example, even when the gateway 1 is installed inside a building and the terminal device 3 exists at a location away from the building, the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 can communicate with each other. Therefore, the communication range of the fourth communication 104 does not necessarily have to be wider than that of the second communication 102.

[0050] Also, even when the third network NW3 is a narrow - area network such as a wireless LAN, etc., by connecting each of the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 to the narrow - area network, it is possible to extend the communication - possible distance between the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3. Thereby, for example, even when the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 are in different rooms within the same building, the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 can communicate with each other. Therefore, the third network NW3 does not necessarily have to be a wide - area network.

[0051] Thus, it can be said that the fourth communication 104 by the fourth communication unit 104P is communication for extending the communication - possible distance between the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 by connecting each of the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 to a third network NW3 that is different from both the first network NW1 and the second network NW2.

[0052] (2-4) Details of the terminal device Terminal device 3 is, for example, a mobile communication terminal (smartphone, tablet, etc.).

[0053] (2-4-1) The processing terminal device 3 further comprises a processing unit 33. The processing unit 33 creates individual setting information for each of the multiple devices 2 by associating each of the multiple device identification information that constitutes a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information corresponding to each of the multiple devices 2, with one of the multiple location information corresponding to the multiple devices 2.

[0054] In general, an "information group" refers to a collection of multiple pieces of information, but in this embodiment, an information group may also include a single piece of information. For example, a device identification information group is basically a collection of device identification information corresponding to each of multiple devices 2, but it may also be device identification information corresponding to one device 2. Furthermore, associating each of the multiple pieces of device identification information constituting the device identification information group with one of the multiple pieces of location information may be done sequentially or all at once.

[0055] The multiple location information corresponding to the multiple devices 2 are the multiple node locations corresponding to the multiple nodes that constitute the mesh network NW1 as shown in Figures 1 and 11. The multiple location information (i.e., the multiple node locations) is pre-set by the terminal device 3 as setting values ​​for the network parameters of the mesh network NW1 and stored in the memory of the terminal device 3.

[0056] However, multiple location information may be stored in the memory of an external device, provided that the processor of terminal device 3 can access it.

[0057] With this configuration, the processing unit 33 can create individual setting information for each of the multiple devices 2, including the device identification information and the location information, by associating each of the multiple device identification information with one of the multiple location information.

[0058] (2-4-2) The display terminal device 3 further comprises a display unit 31, as shown in Figure 4. The display unit 31 displays a list LS1 (see Figure 10). The list LS1 contains a plurality of device images 2I corresponding to a plurality of device identification information that constitute a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information registered in the gateway 1 in response to registration instructions made individually for each of the plurality of devices 2.

[0059] With this configuration, the display unit 31 displays a list LS1 in which multiple device images 2I corresponding to multiple device identification information registered in the gateway 1 are arranged, thereby making it easier to visually confirm whether the registration of each of the multiple devices 2 has been completed.

[0060] (2-5) Gateway Details Gateway 1 further comprises a conversion unit W11, as shown in Figure 2. The conversion unit 11 performs protocol conversion between networks.

[0061] As shown in Figures 1 and 11, the gateway 1 in the first and second embodiments is interposed between the first network NW1 (mesh network), the second network NW2 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth), and the third network NW3.

[0062] Gateway 1 is a node common to the first network NW1 to the third network NW3. Gateway 1 connects, for example, the first network NW1 which communicates using the first protocol, the second network NW2 which communicates using the second protocol, and the third network NW3 which communicates using the third protocol, enabling them to communicate with each other.

[0063] However, in the configurations shown in Figures 1 and 11, the third network NW3 is not essential. Specifically, if the terminal device 3 is within the communication range of the gateway 1 via the second communication 102 by the second network NW2 (for example, if the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 are in the same room), the fourth communication 104 via the third network NW3 can be replaced by the second communication 102 via the second network NW2, and therefore the third network NW3 is not necessary. In other words, even if the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 are outside the communication range of the second communication 102 by the second network NW2 (for example, if the gateway 1 is installed inside a building and the terminal device 3 is located away from that building), the presence of the third network NW3 allows the gateway 1 and the terminal device 3 to communicate via the third network NW3.

[0064] (2-6) Details of the fixtures Each of the multiple fixtures 2 is a lighting fixture in the first and second embodiments. The lighting fixture may be, for example, a lighting fixture specified by law (such as an emergency light or exit sign) or a general-purpose lighting fixture (such as a ceiling light or floor light).

[0065] Alternatively, each of the multiple fixtures 2 may be a fixture other than lighting (such as an air conditioner or AV equipment). Alternatively, one or more of the multiple fixtures 2 may be lighting fixtures, and the rest may be fixtures other than lighting.

[0066] (2-7) Details of the Indicator Device In the first and second embodiments, the indicator device 4 is a handheld remote controller (handheld remote control), which is held by the user and operated towards each of the multiple devices 2. However, the indicator device 4 may be a fixed type.

[0067] The instruction device 4 has various buttons for various operations. Various operations include, for example, a registration operation to give a registration instruction to the instruction device 4, and the various buttons include, for example, a "Register" button for the registration operation. Alternatively, various operations may include a deregistration operation to give a deregistration instruction to the instruction device 4, and the various buttons may include a "Deregister" button for the deregistration operation.

[0068] Furthermore, when the instruction device 4 issues a registration instruction to each of the multiple devices 2, it may notify the devices 2 of setting information regarding the settings of the devices 2. The setting information notified from the instruction device 4 to the devices 2 may be, for example, information regarding area settings, but it may also be one or more types of information from the individual setting information and batch control information described in "(15-11) Modifications concerning notification of information from terminal devices and instructions from the instruction device".

[0069] (3) First Embodiment Next, the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the following, matters that have already been explained in the overview will be omitted or simplified.

[0070] As shown in Figure 6, the communication system 10 of the first embodiment is configured to initially build a mesh network with default settings upon initial startup. After the initial setup, the communication system 10 is configured to reconstruct the mesh network by registering device identification information for each of the multiple devices 2, and then restarting the multiple devices 2 after the registration is complete. Default settings, in this context, refer to using default frequency channels and encryption keys as network parameters, for example.

[0071] Note that "Default" is indicated as "DFLT" in the drawings as appropriate. Also, "Equipment Identification Information" is indicated as "Equipment ID" in the drawings as appropriate.

[0072] In more detail, terminal device 3 creates network information regarding the settings of mesh network NW1 and notifies gateway 1 of the network information via second communication 102.

[0073] For example, a user performs a configuration operation to set various network parameters of the mesh network NW1 via an input device (such as a touch panel) of terminal device 3, and terminal device 3 creates configuration information regarding the various network parameters in response to the configuration operation.

[0074] During the initial startup, Gateway 1 and the multiple devices 2 perform the initial construction of the mesh network NW1 based on the default configuration information for each of the multiple devices 2.

[0075] After the initial setup, the instruction device 4, via the third communication 103, instructs each of the multiple devices 2 to register device identification information with the gateway 1.

[0076] Each of the multiple devices 2, in response to a registration instruction, notifies the gateway 1 of its device identification information via the first communication 101 and requests registration of the device identification information. The gateway 1 registers the device identification information for each of the multiple devices 2 in response to the registration request. After registering the device identification information, the gateway 1 includes network information in the ACK (Acknowledgment) to the device 2 in response to the notification of device identification information from the device 2 and transmits it to the device 2 via the first communication 101, while simultaneously notifying the terminal device 3 of the device identification information via the fourth communication 104. After receiving notification of the device identification information group, which is a collection of device identification information corresponding to each of the multiple devices 2, the terminal device 3 further creates individual configuration information including the device identification information for each of the multiple devices 2.

[0077] The notification of the device identification information group may be either a sequential notification of the multiple device identification information that make up the device identification information group, or a single notification. This distinction between sequential and single notifications also applies to the notification of individual setting information groups and other information groups, which will be described later. The device identification information groups notified from multiple devices 2 are stored in the memory of gateway 1.

[0078] Furthermore, if the device 2 to be registered is a lighting fixture, it is preferable that the individual setting information also includes the setting values ​​of the lighting parameters. Lighting parameters include, for example, brightness and color tone. Lighting parameters may also include whether or not there is a dimming function, whether or not there is a color adjustment function, etc.

[0079] Then, terminal device 3 further notifies gateway 1 via fourth communication 104 of the individual configuration information group, which is a collection of individual configuration information created for each of the multiple devices 2, and requests the reconstruction of the mesh network NW1. Note that if the individual configuration information group is stored in gateway 1, it is not necessary to notify gateway 1 of the individual configuration information group when making a reconstruction request. Gateway 1 notifies each of the multiple devices 2 of the multiple individual configuration information that constitutes the individual configuration information group via first communication 101. After that, gateway 1 reconstructs the mesh network NW1 by restarting the multiple devices 2 in response to the reconstruction request.

[0080] Furthermore, after the construction of the mesh network NW1, if any of the multiple devices 2 receive a deregistration instruction from the instruction device 4 via the third communication 103, it notifies the gateway 1 of its device identification information via the first communication 101, makes a deregistration request to deregister the device 2, and then deletes the network information. In response to the deregistration request from the device 2, the gateway 1 deletes the device identification information notified by the device 2 from the device identification information group.

[0081] (3-1) Example of Operation The devices 2, terminal device 3, and gateway 1 that constitute the communication system 10 of this embodiment operate according to the flowcharts in Figures 7, 8, and 9, respectively.

[0082] The flowcharts in Figures 7 to 9 begin, for example, when the communication system 10 is powered on, and end when the association between device identification information and location information and the construction of the mesh network NW1 are completed. After the process is completed, the communication system 10 becomes capable of controlling multiple devices 2 via the mesh network NW1.

[0083] (3-1-1) Example of device operation Device 2 determines whether it is registered or not (step S211). If device 2 determines in step S211 that it is registered (Yes), the process proceeds to step S218.

[0084] If it is determined in step S211 that the device is not registered (No), the device 2 connects to another device 2 or gateway 1 with default settings (step S212).

[0085] Next, device 2 receives a registration instruction from the instruction device 4 (step S213).

[0086] Next, device 2 notifies gateway 1 of a registration request and device identification information (step S214).

[0087] Next, device 2 determines whether or not there was an ACK from gateway 1 (step S215). If device 2 determines in step S215 that there was no ACK from gateway 1 (No), the process returns to step S214.

[0088] If it is determined in step S215 that there was an ACK from gateway 1 (Yes), then device 2 determines whether or not there was a rebuild request (step S216). If device 2 determines in step S216 that there is no rebuild request (No), the process returns to step S216.

[0089] If it is determined in step S216 that a rebuild request has been made (Yes), device 2 restarts and connects to another device 2 or gateway 1 with individual settings (step S217). After that, the process is terminated.

[0090] In step S218, device 2 connects to another device 2 or gateway 1 via individual configuration. The process is then terminated.

[0091] (3-1-2) Example of terminal device operation: First, terminal device 3 acquires network information (step S311).

[0092] Next, terminal device 3 notifies gateway 1 of network information (step S312).

[0093] Next, the terminal device 3 determines whether all the devices 2 have been configured (step S313). If the terminal device 3 determines in step S313 that all the devices 2 have been configured (Yes), the process is terminated.

[0094] If step S313 determines that there is a device 2 that has not yet been configured (No), the terminal device 3 receives notification of device identification information from gateway 1 (step S314).

[0095] Next, the terminal device 3 adds the device image 2I corresponding to the notified device identification information to the list LS1 (see Figure 10) (step S315).

[0096] Next, the terminal device 3 associates the device identification information with the location information in response to the placement operation of the device image 2I added to list LS1 to any region image 2A in map MP1 (step S316). After that, the process returns to step S313. Note that the placement operation may also be an operation to place the device image 2I at any location on map MP1, rather than on region image 2A.

[0097] (3-1-3) Example of GW operation First, gateway 1 determines whether or not it has received network information notification from terminal device 3 (step S111). If gateway 1 determines in step S111 that it has not received network information notification from terminal device 3 (No), the process returns to step S111.

[0098] If step S111 determines that network information has been notified from terminal device 3 (Yes), gateway 1 stores the network information (step S112).

[0099] Next, gateway 1 connects to device 2 (step S113).

[0100] Next, gateway 1 determines whether all devices 2 have been configured (step S114). If gateway 1 determines in step S114 that all devices 2 have been configured (Yes), the process proceeds to step S119.

[0101] If step S114 determines that there is a device 2 that has not yet been configured (No), gateway 1 receives a registration request and notification of device identification information from device 2 (step S115).

[0102] Next, gateway 1 registers the device identification information (step S116).

[0103] Next, gateway 1 responds to device 2 with an ACK containing device identification information (step S117).

[0104] Next, gateway 1 notifies terminal device 3 of the device identification information (step S118). After that, the process returns to step S114.

[0105] In step S119, gateway 1 requests reconstruction for all devices 2. After that, the process is terminated.

[0106] (3-2) Advantages of the First Embodiment According to this embodiment, when the gateway 1 and the multiple devices 2 are first started up, the gateway 1 and the multiple devices 2 initially establish a mesh network NW1 with default settings, enabling the transmission of information (device identification information, network information, etc.) between the gateway 1 and each of the multiple devices 2 via the mesh network NW1.

[0107] Furthermore, after the initial construction of the mesh network NW1, the terminal device 3 registers device identification information for each of the multiple devices 2, and after the registration is complete, the multiple devices 2 are restarted to construct the mesh network NW1.

[0108] (4) Second Embodiment Next, the second embodiment will be described using Figures 11, 2 to 5, and 12 to 15. In the following, matters that have already been explained in the overview and matters that are common to the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified in their explanation.

[0109] Unlike the communication system 10 of the first embodiment (see Figures 1 and 6), the communication system 10 of the second embodiment does not perform the initial construction of the mesh network with the gateway 1 and multiple devices 2 using default settings during the initial startup.

[0110] Instead, in the communication system 10 of the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the instruction device 4 further includes a second communication unit 102P. Then, as shown in Figure 12, the terminal device 3 notifies the gateway 1 (GW) 1 and the instruction device 4 of network information via the second communication 102, the instruction device 4 notifies the multiple devices 2 of network information via the third communication 103, and the gateway 1 and the multiple devices 2 are configured to construct a mesh network NW1 based on the network information.

[0111] After the mesh network NW1 is established, the communication system 10 is configured to register the device identification information of each of the multiple devices 2 with the gateway 1, and then notify the terminal device 3 of the device identification information group from the gateway 1.

[0112] In more detail, terminal device 3 creates network information regarding the settings of mesh network NW1 and notifies gateway 1 and instruction device 4 of the network information via fourth communication 104.

[0113] The instruction device 4 notifies each of the multiple devices 2 of network information via the third communication 103 and instructs the gateway 1 to register the device identification information.

[0114] Gateway 1 and multiple devices 2 construct a mesh network NW1 based on network information and a set of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information corresponding to each of the multiple devices 2.

[0115] Each of the multiple devices 2, after being configured in response to the registration instruction, requests the gateway 1 to register device identification information via the first communication 101. The gateway 1 registers the device identification information for each of the multiple devices 2 in response to the registration request, and also notifies the terminal device 3 of the group of device identification information via the fourth communication 104.

[0116] The notification of the device identification information group from gateway 1 to terminal device 3 may be done voluntarily, or it may be done in response to an inquiry from terminal device 3 to gateway 1 via the fourth communication 104.

[0117] (4-1) Example of Operation The devices 2, terminal device 3, and gateway 1 that constitute the communication system 10 of this embodiment operate according to the flowcharts in Figures 13, 14, and 15, respectively.

[0118] (4-1-1) Example of device operation First, device 2 determines whether it is registered or not (step S221). If device 2 determines in step S221 that it is registered (Yes), the process proceeds to step S226.

[0119] If it is determined in step S221 that the device is not already registered (No), the device 2 receives a registration instruction from the instruction device 4 along with network information (step S222).

[0120] Next, device 2 is connected to another device 2 or gateway 1 (step S223).

[0121] Next, device 2 notifies gateway 1 of the registration request and device identification information (step S224).

[0122] Next, device 2 determines whether or not there was an ACK from gateway 1 (step S225). If device 2 determines in step S225 that there was no ACK from gateway 1 (No), the process returns to step S224.

[0123] If device 2 determines in step S225 that there was an ACK from gateway 1 (Yes), the process is terminated.

[0124] In step S226, device 2 connects to another device 2 or gateway 1 via individual configuration. The process is then terminated.

[0125] (4-1-2) Example of terminal device operation: First, terminal device 3 acquires network information (step S321).

[0126] Next, terminal device 3 notifies gateway 1 of network information (step S322).

[0127] Next, terminal device 3 notifies instruction device 4 of network information (step S323).

[0128] Next, the terminal device 3 determines whether all the devices 2 have been configured (step S324). If the terminal device 3 determines in step S324 that all the devices 2 have been configured (Yes), the process is terminated.

[0129] If step S324 determines that there is a device 2 that has not yet been configured (No), the terminal device 3 receives notification of device identification information from gateway 1 (step S325).

[0130] Next, the terminal device 3 adds the device image 2I corresponding to the notified device identification information to the list LS1 (step S326).

[0131] Next, the terminal device 3 associates the device identification information with the location information in response to the placement operation of the device image 2I added to list LS1 to any of the region images 2A in map MP1 (step S327). After that, the process returns to step S324.

[0132] (4-1-3) Example of GW operation First, gateway 1 determines whether or not it has received network information notification from terminal device 3 (step S121). If gateway 1 determines in step S121 that it has not received network information notification from terminal device 3 (No), the process returns to step S121.

[0133] If step S121 determines that network information has been notified from terminal device 3 (Yes), gateway 1 stores the network information (step S122).

[0134] Next, gateway 1 connects to device 2 (step S123).

[0135] Next, gateway 1 determines whether all devices 2 are configured (step S124). If gateway 1 determines in step S124 that all devices 2 are configured (Yes), the process is terminated.

[0136] If step S124 determines that there is a device 2 that has not yet been configured (No), gateway 1 receives notification of device identification information from device 2 (step S125).

[0137] Next, gateway 1 registers the device identification information (step S126).

[0138] Next, gateway 1 responds to device 2 with ACK (step S127).

[0139] Next, gateway 1 notifies terminal device 3 of the device identification information (step S128). After that, the process returns to step S124.

[0140] (4-2) Advantages of the second embodiment According to this embodiment, the terminal device 3 notifies the gateway 1 and each of the multiple devices 2 of network information relating to the mesh network NW1 via the second communication 102, so that the gateway 1 and the multiple devices 2 can construct the mesh network NW1 based on the network information.

[0141] Furthermore, after the mesh network NW1 is established, the gateway 1 can register device identification information for each of the multiple devices 2 and notify the terminal device 3 of the set of device identification information.

[0142] (5) Registration by registration operation and mapping by placement operation The registration by registration and mapping by placement operation in the first and second embodiments are carried out in detail as follows.

[0143] As shown in Figure 5, the instruction device 4 further includes a first reception unit 41. The first reception unit 41 sequentially receives registration operations. A registration operation is an operation to individually issue a registration instruction via the third communication 103 to each of the multiple devices 2. A registration operation is, for example, pressing the "Register" button on the instruction device 4.

[0144] Note that the "Register" button and other buttons on the instruction device 4 are not necessarily hardware buttons; for example, they may be images of buttons displayed on the touch panel display of the instruction device 4.

[0145] As shown in Figure 4, the terminal device 3 further comprises a display unit 31, a second reception unit 32, and a processing unit 33.

[0146] The display unit 31 displays screen SC1, which includes list LS1 and map MP1. List LS1 contains multiple device images 2I corresponding to multiple device identification information that make up a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information registered in the gateway 1 in response to registration instructions given individually for each of the multiple devices 2.

[0147] The fixture image 2I is an image of fixture 2. Preferably, fixture image 2I is an image that visually represents the type of fixture 2 (e.g., lighting fixture, air conditioner, etc.). Fixture image 2I may be, for example, an icon indicating the type of fixture 2, or a thumbnail of a photograph of fixture 2. Alternatively, fixture image 2I may be a text image (font) indicating the name of the fixture, such as "lighting".

[0148] Map MP1 is an image of the space in which multiple devices 2 are arranged. In this embodiment, Map MP1 is an image showing the layout of multiple region images 2A in which each of the multiple device images 2I may be placed. Map MP1 includes, for example, an image of the space and multiple region images 2A, and the multiple region images 2A are arranged in multiple positions within the image of the space that correspond to the multiple devices 2.

[0149] Area image 2A is an image of the area where the device 2 may be placed, and is, for example, an image of a shape such as a rectangle. Alternatively, area image 2A may be an icon or thumbnail of the object where the device 2 will be placed (such as a table), or it may be a text image (font) indicating the name of the area, such as "living room".

[0150] The second reception unit 32 accepts placement operations. A placement operation is an operation on screen SC1 to place each of the multiple device images 2I in list LS1 into one of the multiple region images 2A in map MP1.

[0151] List LS1 contains, for example, the device images 2I of registered devices 2 that are not yet placed on map MP1, as shown in Figure 10. When a device image 2I in list LS1 is selected and placed in association with any region image 2A of map MP1 through a placement operation, that device image 2I is removed from list LS1.

[0152] In Figure 10, the device images 2I that have been removed from list LS1, specifically the device image 2I containing the numerical value "L01" and the device image 2I containing the numerical value "L02," are represented by dashed lines.

[0153] The placement operation may be, for example, a drag-and-drop operation from list LS1 to map MP1.

[0154] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, a "Confirm" button BT1 and a "Redo" button BT2 are displayed on the screen SC1 of the terminal device 3. The previous placement operation is confirmed by pressing the Confirm button BT1 (confirmation instruction). However, even without pressing the "Confirm" button BT1, the placement operation may be confirmed after a certain period of time has elapsed since the previous placement operation. The previous placement operation is canceled by pressing the "Redo" button BT2 (cancel instruction). After canceling the previous placement operation, it becomes possible to redo the placement operation.

[0155] The processing unit 33 creates individual setting information each time a placement operation is received by the second reception unit 32. The individual setting information includes an equipment identifier and position information corresponding to the equipment image 2I and area image 2A that have been associated with each other by the placement operation.

[0156] In this configuration, the instruction device 4 accepts individual registration operations for each of the multiple devices 2, and the terminal device 3 displays a screen SC1 that includes a list LS1 in which multiple device images 2I corresponding to the multiple devices 2 are arranged, and a map MP1 in which multiple area images 2A are laid out. The terminal device 3 then accepts placement operations to place each of the multiple device images 2I into one of the multiple area images 2A, thereby creating individual setting information for each of the multiple devices 2, including a device identifier and location information.

[0157] (6) The device 4 that registers multiple device identification information to the GW in the order in which registration requests are received, and the device that instructs the arrangement of multiple device images into a list in the order according to the sequence information, sequentially issues registration instructions for the device identification information via the third communication 103 to the multiple devices 2, in response to the first reception unit 41 sequentially receiving registration operations for each of the multiple devices 2.

[0158] For example, the instruction device 4 is a handy remote controller (handy remote control), and when a user points the handy remote control at one of the multiple devices 2 and performs a registration operation, a registration instruction is sent from the handy remote control to the device 2 via the third communication 103.

[0159] The user essentially moves within a space where multiple devices 2 are located, and sequentially issues registration instructions via the third communication 103 to each of the devices 2 at the location where the electromagnetic waves, such as infrared rays, that enable the third communication reach the device 2 to be registered.

[0160] However, depending on the arrangement of the multiple devices 2, the user may perform registration operations for the multiple devices 2 sequentially without moving, by changing the orientation of the handheld remote control (the direction of transmission of electromagnetic waves that realize the third communication 103).

[0161] Gateway 1 registers multiple device identification information sets that constitute a group of device identification information in the order in which registration requests are received via first communication 101 from multiple devices 2 corresponding to the multiple device identification information sets.

[0162] Terminal device 3 obtains sequence information from gateway 1 via fourth communication 104. Sequence information is information relating to the registration order of multiple device identification information. In this embodiment, sequence information is a numerical sequence, which will be described later. However, sequence information may also be, for example, information in which multiple device identification information is arranged in the order of registration.

[0163] The display unit 31 arranges multiple device images 2I in a list LS1 in an order according to the sequence information.

[0164] In this configuration, the instruction device 4 sequentially issues registration instructions to multiple devices 2 via the third communication 103, and the gateway 1 registers multiple device identification information corresponding to the multiple devices 2 in the order in which it receives registration instructions from the devices 2. The terminal device 3 obtains sequence information from the gateway 1 and arranges multiple device images 2I in the list LS1 on the screen SC1 in the order according to the sequence information. In this way, it is possible to visually recognize the registration order of multiple devices 2 that have been successfully registered.

[0165] (7) Example of sequence information: Numerical sequence The sequence information described above is a numerical sequence that the instruction device 4 assigns to each of the multiple devices 2 when it sequentially notifies the multiple devices 2 of a registration instruction. A numerical sequence here is an arrangement of monotonically changing numbers. The display unit 31 adds numerical values ​​to each of the multiple device images 2I (for example, by drawing an image of a font that shows the numbers in association with the device image 2I), and displays the device images 2I containing the numerical values ​​in the list LS1 in the order according to the numerical sequence.

[0166] The device image 2I containing numerical values ​​is an image that includes an image of the device 2 itself and an image of a font representing the numerical value associated with the device 2. In the device image 2I containing numerical values, the font image representing the numerical value does not necessarily have to be inside the outline of the image of the device 2 itself. Part of the font image representing the numerical value may extend beyond the outline of the image of the device 2 itself, or it may be entirely outside the outline of the image of the device 2 itself.

[0167] More specifically, for example, the instruction device 4 generates a numerical value that changes monotonically each time a registration instruction is sequentially given to multiple devices 2, as sequence information.

[0168] The numerical values ​​referred to here are not limited to values ​​expressed solely by digits (for example, sequence numbers such as "0", "1", "2", etc.), but may also be values ​​expressed by combining one or more elements from among digits, letters, and symbols. For example, numerical values ​​may be combinations of letters and digits such as "L01", "L02", "L03", etc., or combinations of digits and symbols such as "11:15:10", "11:16:01", "11:18:36", etc.

[0169] Furthermore, while a monotonic change in a numerical value is basically a monotonically increasing one, it can also be a monotonically decreasing one. A monotonically increasing numerical value is, for example, a sequence number that is incremented each time a registration instruction is given. A sequence number is generated, for example, by setting the initial value of the number to "0" and incrementing the value of the number each time a registration instruction is given.

[0170] Alternatively, the monotonically increasing numerical value may be, for example, time information. The time information is generated, for example, each time a registration instruction is given, based on the value of the built-in clock of the processor in the instruction device 4.

[0171] Then, when the instruction device 4 issues a registration instruction via the third communication 103 to each of the multiple devices 2, it notifies them of a numerical value along with the device identification information.

[0172] Each of the multiple devices 2 notifies the gateway 1 of a numerical value along with device identification information when it makes a registration request to the gateway 1 via the first communication 101. The gateway 1 registers the multiple device identification information corresponding to the multiple devices 2 in an order that follows a sequence of numerical values, which is sequence information and is an array of numerical values ​​notified along with each of the multiple device identification information.

[0173] Terminal device 3 acquires each of the multiple device identification pieces along with a numerical value from gateway 1 via fourth communication 104. Display unit 31 arranges multiple device images 2I, each containing the numerical value notified along with each of the multiple device identification pieces, in list LS1 in order according to the numerical sequence.

[0174] In this embodiment, the display unit 31, for example as shown in Figure 10, arranges a plurality (five) of device images 2I, each containing the numerical values ​​"L01", "L02", "L03", "L04", and "L06", in an order according to the numerical sequence (sequence number sequence "L01, L02, L03, L04, L06").

[0175] With this configuration, the display unit 31 arranges a plurality of device images 2I in an order that follows a monotonically changing numerical sequence, and adds a numerical value to each of the plurality of device images 2I that functions as image identification information to identify the device image 2I. By arranging the plurality of device images 2I, including the numerical value, in the list LS1 on the screen SC1 in an order that follows the numerical sequence, the correspondence between the device images 2I and the area images 2A can be further simplified.

[0176] (8) If a numerical value is missing in the numerical sequence, the notification image display unit 31 further displays notification image IF1 on the screen SC1. The notification image referred to here is an image used to notify about the missing numerical value in the numerical sequence.

[0177] In this embodiment, the numerical sequence is a sequence number sequence "L01, L02, L03, L04, L06" as shown in Figure 10, and there is a missing number "L05". Therefore, the display unit 31 displays an image of text such as "Missing number" as the notification image IF1, corresponding to the position of the missing number "L05".

[0178] In addition to "There is a missing number," or instead of "There is a missing number," the display unit 31 may display an image of text indicating the possibility of registration failure, such as "Registration of device 2 corresponding to the missing number may have failed." Furthermore, the display unit 31 may also display an image of text indicating a corrective action, such as "Please issue a registration instruction to the device corresponding to the missing number again using the control device."

[0179] With this configuration, if a numerical value is missing in the numerical sequence, the display unit 31 further displays the notification image IF1 on the screen SC1, thereby facilitating the recognition of the numerical value being missing, and consequently, the recognition of the possibility that the registration of the device 2 corresponding to the missing numerical value has failed.

[0180] (9) The device 4 that gives instructions for operation to one device and for changing the display mode of an image on the screen gives instructions via the third communication 103 to one of the multiple devices 2 to perform a predetermined operation, while notifying the terminal device 3 of device identification information that identifies the one device 2 via the fourth communication 104.

[0181] The specified operation is, in principle, the original operation of fixture 2. The original operation is, for example, if fixture 2 is a lighting fixture, to turn on.

[0182] However, the specified action may be different from the original action. If fixture 2 is a lighting fixture and the original action is to turn on, the specified action may be, for example, blinking, but it may also be to turn off.

[0183] Alternatively, the predetermined operation may be an operation that changes the lighting state of the indicator on the device 2. The operation that changes the lighting state may be, for example, an operation that changes from an off state to an on state, an operation that changes from an off state or an on state to a blinking state, an operation that changes at least one of the brightness and color, or an operation that changes the blinking speed.

[0184] Furthermore, as will be described later, operation instructions are given to, for example, one device 2 after a registration instruction has been given to that same device 2 (the device currently subject to registration).

[0185] Alternatively, if the first reception unit 41 receives an operation directed at one of the devices 2 at any time (such as pressing an operation button while the infrared emitter is pointed at one of the devices 2), the instruction device 4 may issue an operation instruction to the one of the devices 2 via the third communication 103.

[0186] Device 2 performs a predetermined operation in response to an operation instruction. For example, if device 2 is a lighting fixture that is currently subject to registration, the lighting fixture that is subject to registration will light up in response to an operation instruction that follows the registration instruction.

[0187] The display unit 31 selectively changes the display mode of one of the multiple device images 2I displayed on the screen SC1, specifically the device image 2I corresponding to one device 2. Changing the display mode of the device image 2I may, for example, change the display mode of the numerical portion of the device image 2I, change the display mode of the non-numerical portion, or change the entire image including the numerical value.

[0188] For example, in the example shown in Figure 10, the device 2 that is the target of the operation instruction is the last device 2 (the fifth from the left) in the sequence of five device images 2I in list LS1, and the display pattern of the numerical value "L06" attached to the device image 2I corresponding to this last device 2 has changed.

[0189] With this configuration, by causing one device 2 to perform a predetermined operation, and by changing the display mode of at least a part of the device image 2I corresponding to the device 2 (for example, the numerical value "L06" included in the device image 2I: see Figure 10), it is possible to facilitate the user's judgment as to whether or not their understanding of the correspondence between the device 2 placed in the real space and the device image 2I displayed on the screen SC1 is correct.

[0190] (10) Example of one device and predetermined operation: One device 2 is the device that is currently to be registered among multiple devices 2. The device that is currently to be registered is the device 2 that Gateway 1 is about to register or has just registered.

[0191] In this case, the predetermined action is, for example, an action indicating that one device 2 is being registered or has completed registration. The action indicating that one device 2 is being registered or has completed registration is, for example, an action different from the original operation of one device 2.

[0192] If one of the devices 2 is a lighting fixture, the predetermined action is, for example, an action that visually indicates that the lighting fixture is being registered or that registration has been completed, such as flashing.

[0193] Alternatively, the predetermined action may be a change in the illumination state of an indicator on one of the devices 2 (such as lighting up, turning off, flashing, changing color, or changing the flashing speed).

[0194] Furthermore, if one of the devices 2 is an emergency light or an exit sign, the prescribed operation must be one that takes into account the law. For example, in the case of an emergency light, it may be in a flashing state during registration and change from flashing to continuous lighting upon completion of registration. Alternatively, in the case of either an emergency light or an exit sign, the prescribed operation may be performed only in a mode other than the normal mode in which normal operation is performed (for example, a registration mode).

[0195] With this configuration, the instruction device 4 issues an operation instruction to the device 2 that the user recognizes as being registered, that is, the device 2 that is the target of the most recent registration instruction. The device 2 that receives the operation instruction then performs an action that visually indicates that it is being registered or that registration has been completed. This allows the user to easily determine whether the device 2 that the user recognizes as being registered matches the device 2 that the communication system 10 has actually registered or completed.

[0196] (11) Adding a new device to an existing network When adding a new device 2 to an existing mesh network NW1, the instruction device 4 notifies the new device 2 of device identification information that identifies the new device 2 via the third communication 103 and issues a registration instruction.

[0197] The new device 2 connects to the nearest node of the mesh network NW1 via the first communication 101. The nearest node, in this context, refers to one of the three or more nodes that make up the mesh network NW1, i.e., the node among the multiple devices 2 (registered devices) and gateway 1 shown in Figures 1 and 11 that satisfies the connection conditions.

[0198] The connection conditions are the conditions under which a registered device or gateway 1 becomes the connection partner for the new device 2. For example, the connection conditions may be "being within the communication range of the first communication 101 conducted by the new device 2, and being the node with the strongest received signal strength in the first communication 101."

[0199] Furthermore, if there are no nodes that meet the connection conditions, the new device 2 may notify that there are no nearby connection partners (by lighting an indicator, displaying a message on the screen, outputting an audio message from the speaker, etc.). This avoids sending registration instructions to devices 2 that do not have any nearby connection targets, and ultimately ensures accurate registration of device 2.

[0200] Then, the new device 2 notifies the gateway 1 of its device identification information via the first communication 101 and requests registration.

[0201] In response to a registration request, Gateway 1 appends the device identification information of the new device 2 to the end of the sequence of multiple device identification information that constitute the device identification information group, and also notifies Terminal Device 3. Display Unit 31 adds a new device image corresponding to the device identification information of the new device 2 to the end of the sequence of multiple device images 2I displayed in List LS1.

[0202] In this configuration, when a new device 2 is added to the already constructed mesh network NW1, the instruction device 4 notifies the new device 2 of its device identification information, and the gateway 1 registers the new device 2's device identification information at the end of the sequence of registered device identification information. The terminal device 3 adds the device image 2I of the new device 2 to the end of the sequence of device images 2I in the list LS1 displayed on screen SC1. This makes it easier to accurately associate the device identification information that identifies the device 2 with the location information that indicates the location of the device 2 for the new device 2.

[0203] (12) Communication Method Functions similar to those of the communication system 10 may be embodied in a communication method, a computer program, or a non-temporary recording medium on which a program is recorded. The communication method is the communication method performed by the communication system 10 described above. The communication method includes a notification step (steps S312, S322) and an instruction step (steps S213, S222). In the notification step, the terminal device 3 notifies at least the gateway 1 of network information relating to the mesh network NW1 by second communication 102. In the instruction step, the instruction device 4 individually gives a registration instruction to each of the multiple devices 2 by third communication 103, causing the gateway 1 to register device identification information that identifies the device 2 as a node of the mesh network NW1.

[0204] (13) The program is a program that causes the computer system (one or more processors of the communication system 10) to execute the above communication method.

[0205] (14) The computer system communication system 10 includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and memory as hardware. The functionality of the communication system 10 is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunication line, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system consists of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits such as ICs and LSIs referred to here are named differently depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) that are programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or logic devices that allow for the reconstruction of junction relationships or circuit compartments within the LSI, can also be used as processors. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated onto a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated onto a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller also consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits or large-scale integrated circuits.

[0206] Furthermore, it is not essential for the communication system 10 to have multiple functions integrated into a single enclosure; the components of the communication system 10 may be distributed across multiple enclosures. Moreover, at least some of the functions of the communication system 10 may be implemented by the cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

[0207] (15) Modified Examples (15-1) Modified Example of Correspondence In the modified example of correspondence, the correspondence between the instrument identification information and the position information was performed for each of the multiple instruments 2 based on the user's placement operation. However, in this modified example, the processing unit 33 of the terminal device 3 may perform this automatically by associating the instrument identification information notified in the same order from the multiple instruments 2 with the multiple area images 2A stored sequentially in memory.

[0208] (15-2) Modification of the method for generating numerical sequences The instruction device 4 has an increment button for incrementing the sequence number, and the sequence number may be incremented each time the increment button is pressed. Alternatively, the instruction device 4 may have a numeric keypad or the like for specifying an arbitrary sequence number instead of, or in addition to, the increment button.

[0209] This allows any sequence number to be assigned to each of multiple devices 2. For example, by assigning the same sequence number to two or more devices 2 and grouping them together, group control can be enabled. Furthermore, by controlling two or more grouped devices 2 both collectively and individually, scene control can be enabled to realize a desired scene.

[0210] (15-3) First Modification of the Instruction Device The instruction device 4 may have, in addition to the registration button, a “cancel” button for canceling the registration operation that was performed immediately before (cancel operation). If a cancel operation is performed on the device 2 that was the target of the registration operation immediately before, the instruction device 4 sends a cancel instruction to the device 2, and the device 2 sends a cancel request to the gateway 1 via the first communication 101, which includes the previously notified device identification information. In response to the cancel request, the gateway 1 cancels the registration of the device 2 by deleting the device identification information that was registered immediately before. The device 2 deletes the individual setting information it has stored.

[0211] The indicator device 4 may, after canceling the registration of device 2, re-register the same device 2, or register a different device 2.

[0212] The cancellation instruction may be issued from gateway 1 to device 2, or from instruction device 4 to gateway 1. The processing executed by the communication system 10 may be changed depending on whether the cancellation instruction is issued from instruction device 4 to gateway 1 or from gateway 1 to device 2.

[0213] For example, if the cancellation instruction is an instruction from gateway 1 to device 2, gateway 1 sends a delete command to device 2, waits for a reply from device 2, and then deletes the individual configuration information within gateway 1. On the other hand, if the cancellation instruction is an instruction from instruction device 4 to gateway 1, instruction device 4 sends a cancellation instruction for the registration of device 2 to gateway 1, waits for a reply from gateway 1, and then deletes the individual configuration information within device 2.

[0214] (15-4) Second Modification of the Indicator Device The indicator device 4 is not limited to a handheld remote control, but may be implemented as, for example, a mobile communication terminal. A mobile communication terminal is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet device.

[0215] (15-5) Modification of the terminal device The terminal device 3 may, by fourth communication 104, designate one or more devices 2 from among the plurality of devices 2 that the gateway 1 can accept registration requests from. In this case, the gateway 1 will accept registration requests only from the one or more devices 2 designated by the terminal device 3.

[0216] (15-6) Modified Example Regarding Gateways The communication system 10 described in the second embodiment may include a plurality of gateways, including gateway 1 shown in Figure 11. In this case, terminal device 3 specifies one of the plurality of gateways (for example, with the address of one gateway as the destination) and notifies network information, etc.

[0217] (15-7) Modifications relating to the instruction device and terminal device The instruction device 4 and the terminal device 3 may be implemented, for example, by a single mobile communication terminal (smartphone, etc.).

[0218] (15-8) Modifications relating to fixtures and GWs The fixture 2 and gateway 1 may be integrated. For example, one of the multiple fixtures 2 may be a lighting fixture with a built-in gateway.

[0219] (15-9) Modifications concerning notification The terminal device 3 may have a speaker and output notification sounds such as "There is a missing number" from the speaker. Alternatively, the terminal device 3 may have a vibrator and notify the occurrence of a missing number by the vibration of the vibrator.

[0220] (15-10) Modifications concerning the reception of numerical values ​​In the first and second embodiments, a registration instruction via the third communication 103 from the instruction device 4 is received by two or more of the multiple devices 2, and it is possible that the same numerical value (same sequence number, same time information, etc.) is notified to the gateway 1 from two or more devices 2. In this modification, when a device 2 receives a signal including a registration instruction via the third communication 103 such as infrared communication from the instruction device 4, it measures the received signal strength of the signal, associates the measured value of the received strength with a numerical value such as a sequence number, and notifies the gateway 1. If the gateway 1 receives notifications of the same numerical value from two or more devices 2, it may compare the received signal strengths associated with each numerical value and determine the device 2 corresponding to the one with the larger received signal strength to be registered.

[0221] (15-11) Modifications relating to the notification of information from the terminal device and instructions from the instruction device When the terminal device 3 makes a reconstruction request, in addition to the individual setting information, it may further notify the gateway 1 in the fourth communication 104 of batch control information (area control information, scene control information, etc.) for batch control of multiple devices 2 (e.g., area control, scene control, etc.).

[0222] The instructions given by the instruction device 4 may also be instructions for the simultaneous control of multiple devices 2. Simultaneous control is, for example, area control or scene control. The instructions are instructions for area control or instructions for scene control.

[0223] Instructions for individual control other than registration, and instructions for batch control, may be given, for example, via a mesh network, or without a mesh network (for example, by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth).

[0224] (15-12) In the modified embodiment relating to the reconstruction of the mesh network, the reconstruction of the mesh network NW1 was achieved by restarting the device 2, which reflected the network information in the network parameters of the mesh network NW1. However, in this modified embodiment, the reconstruction of the mesh network NW1 may be achieved by reflecting the network information in the network parameters without restarting the device 2.

[0225] (15-13) Modifications regarding notification of device identification information registered by GW to terminal device When the gateway 1 registers multiple new devices 2 sequentially, it may notify the terminal device 3 of the device identification information of the new device 2 each time a new device 2 is registered, or it may notify the terminal device 3 of the multiple device identification information at once after the registration of multiple device identification information corresponding to multiple new devices 2 has been completed.

[0226] (15-14) Modification of arrangement of multiple device images into a list The arrangement of multiple device images 2I into a list LS1 is performed in the terminal device 3 in the embodiment, but in this modification, it may be performed in the gateway 1. That is, the gateway 1 may transmit multiple device identification information to the terminal device 3 by a fourth communication in an order according to a numerical sequence, which is an array of numerical values ​​notified in the first communication 101 along with each of the multiple device identification information from each of the multiple devices 2. The terminal device 3 receives each of the multiple device identification information from the gateway 1 by a fourth communication 104, and the display unit 31 arranges the multiple device images 2I, including numerical values, into list LS1 in the order in which the terminal device 3 received them.

[0227] (15-15) Modifications relating to terminal device and instruction device The terminal device 3 may also have the functions of the instruction device 4. In addition to the operations described in the embodiment, the terminal device 3 of this modification may give various instructions to the device 2 via the third communication 103 through the third communication unit 103P.

[0228] (16) Summary The communication system (10) according to the first embodiment comprises a gateway (1), a plurality of devices (2), a terminal device (3), and an instruction device (4). The plurality of devices (2) cooperate with the gateway (1) to construct a mesh network (NW1). The terminal device (3) performs settings related to the mesh network (NW1). The instruction device (4) gives instructions to the plurality of devices (2). Each of the gateway (1) and the plurality of devices (2) comprises a first communication unit (101P). The first communication unit (101P) performs first communication (101) using the mesh network (NW1). The gateway (1) further comprises a second communication unit (102P). The second communication unit (102P) performs second communication (102) which is different from the first communication (101). Each of the multiple devices (2) and the instruction device (4) further comprises a third communication unit (103P). The third communication unit (103P) performs a third communication (103) which is different from both the first communication (101) and the second communication (102). In the communication system (10), the terminal device (3) notifies at least the gateway (1) of network information relating to the mesh network (NW1) via the second communication (102). Furthermore, for each of the multiple devices (2), the instruction device (4) individually issues a registration instruction via the third communication (103) to each of the multiple devices (2) to register the device (2) with the gateway (1) as a node of the mesh network (NW1).

[0229] According to this embodiment, the effects of delays and transmission time variations that occur when at least one of network information and registration instructions is transmitted via a mesh network (NW1) can be avoided. As a result, it is possible to make it easier to accurately associate device identification information that identifies a device (2) with location information that indicates the location of the device (2) for each of the multiple devices (2).

[0230] In the communication system (10) according to the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the second communication (102) is performed using a second network (NW2) which has a different network topology from the first network (NW1), which is a mesh network (NW1).

[0231] According to this embodiment, the network topology of the second network (NW2) used for the second communication (102) is different from the network topology (mesh type) of the mesh network (NW1) used for the first communication (101) (for example, a network topology in which the transmission path is uniquely determined), thereby improving the efficiency of the configuration.

[0232] In the third embodiment of the communication system (10), in the second embodiment, the network topology of the second network (NW2) is a network topology in which the transmission path between nodes is uniquely determined.

[0233] According to this embodiment, by making the network (NW2) that realizes the second communication (102) a network having a network topology such as a star type or bus type in which the transmission path between nodes is uniquely determined, it is possible to avoid the effects of variations in transmission time that occur in a mesh type where the transmission path between nodes is not uniquely determined.

[0234] In the communication system (10) according to the fourth embodiment, in the second or third embodiment, the third communication (103) is realized by a transmission medium different from the transmission medium that realizes the first communication (101).

[0235] According to this embodiment, by making the communication medium for realizing the third communication (103) different from the transmission medium for realizing the first communication (101) in the mesh network (NW1), it is possible to avoid the transmission of network information, device identification information, and instructions such as registration instructions via the mesh network (NW1), and consequently avoid the effects of variations in transmission time. As a result, it is possible to make it easier to accurately associate device identification information with location information for each of the multiple devices (2).

[0236] In the fifth aspect of the communication system (10), in the fourth aspect, the transmission medium for realizing the first communication is radio waves, and the transmission medium for realizing the third communication (103) is electromagnetic waves, which have stronger directivity than radio waves.

[0237] According to this embodiment, by using electromagnetic waves, which have stronger directivity than radio waves, which are the transmission medium for the first communication (101) in the mesh network (NW1), as the transmission medium for the third communication (103), it is possible to facilitate the instruction device (4) selectively performing the third communication (103) with one of the multiple devices (2). For example, it is possible to selectively give a registration instruction to one of the multiple devices (2) via the third communication (103).

[0238] In the communication system (10) according to the sixth embodiment, in any of the first to fifth embodiments, the terminal device (3) creates network information relating to the configuration of the mesh network (NW1) and notifies the gateway (1) of the network information via the second communication (102). Upon initial startup, the gateway (1) and the multiple devices (2) perform the initial construction of the mesh network (NW1) based on the network information and the default configuration information for each of the multiple devices (2).

[0239] According to this embodiment, upon initial startup, the gateway (1) and the multiple devices (2) initially establish a mesh network (NW1) with default settings, enabling the transmission of information (device identification information, network information, etc.) between the gateway (1) and each of the multiple devices (2) via the mesh network (NW1).

[0240] In the communication system (10) according to the seventh embodiment, in the sixth embodiment, each of the gateway (1) and terminal device (3) further comprises a fourth communication unit (104P) that performs a fourth communication (104) which is different from any of the first communication (101), second communication (102), and third communication (103). After initial setup, the instruction device (4) gives each of the plurality of devices (2) a registration instruction to the gateway (1) via the third communication (103). Each of the plurality of devices (2) requests registration of the device (2) by notifying the gateway (1) of device identification information that identifies the device (2) via the first communication (101) in response to the registration instruction. The gateway (1) registers each of the plurality of devices (2) in response to the registration request and also notifies the terminal device (3) of the device identification information via the fourth communication (104). After receiving notification of a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information corresponding to each of the multiple devices (2), the terminal device (3) further creates individual configuration information, including device identification information, for each of the multiple devices (2). Then, the terminal device (3) requests the gateway (1) to rebuild the mesh network (NW1) via the fourth communication (104). The gateway (1) notifies each of the multiple devices (2) of the network information via the first communication (101), and then rebuilds the mesh network (NW1) in response to the rebuild request.

[0241] According to this embodiment, after the initial construction of the mesh network (NW1), the terminal device (3) registers device identification information for each of the multiple devices (2), and after the completion of registration, etc., restarts the multiple devices (2) to construct the mesh network (NW1).

[0242] In the communication system (10) according to the eighth embodiment, in any of the first to fifth embodiments, the instruction device (4) further comprises a second communication unit (102P). The terminal device (3) creates network information relating to the configuration of the mesh network (NW1) and notifies the gateway (1) and the instruction device (4) of the network information via the second communication (102). The instruction device (4) notifies each of the multiple devices (2) of the network information via the third communication (103) and instructs the devices (2) to register with the gateway (1). The gateway (1) and the multiple devices (2) construct the mesh network (NW1) based on the network information.

[0243] In this embodiment, the terminal device (3) notifies the gateway (1) and the instruction device (4) of network information relating to the mesh network (NW1) via a second communication (102), and the instruction device (4) notifies each of the multiple devices (2) of the network information via a third communication (103), thereby enabling the gateway (1) and the multiple devices (2) to construct the mesh network (NW1) based on the network information.

[0244] In the communication system (10) according to the ninth embodiment, in the eighth embodiment, each of the gateway (1) and the terminal device (3) further comprises a fourth communication unit (104P) that performs a fourth communication (104) which is different from any of the first communication (101), second communication (102), and third communication (103). Each of the plurality of devices (2), in response to a registration instruction, after being constructed, notifies the gateway (1) of device identification information that identifies the device (2) by first communication (101) and requests the registration of the device (2). The gateway (1) registers each of the plurality of devices (2) in response to the registration request and also notifies the terminal device (3) by fourth communication (104) of a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information corresponding to each of the plurality of devices (2).

[0245] According to this embodiment, after the construction of the mesh network (NW1), the gateway (1) can register device identification information for each of the multiple devices (2) and notify the terminal device (3) of the set of device identification information.

[0246] In the communication system (10) according to the tenth embodiment, in any of the first to ninth embodiments, the terminal device (3) further comprises a processing unit (33). The processing unit (33) creates individual setting information for each of the multiple devices (2) by associating each of the multiple device identification information that constitutes a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information that identifies each of the multiple devices (2), with one of the multiple location information corresponding to the multiple devices (2).

[0247] According to this embodiment, by associating each of the multiple device identification pieces with one of the multiple location pieces, individual setting information including device identification piece and location piece can be created for each of the multiple devices (2).

[0248] In the communication system (10) according to the eleventh embodiment, in any of the first to tenth embodiments, the terminal device (3) further comprises a display unit (31). The display unit (31) displays a screen including a list (LS1). The list (LS1) is arranged with a plurality of device images (2I) corresponding to a plurality of device identification information that constitute a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information that identifies the devices (2) registered in the gateway (1) in response to registration instructions made individually for each of the plurality of devices (2).

[0249] According to this embodiment, by displaying a screen that includes a list (LS1) in which multiple device images (20) corresponding to multiple device identification information registered in the gateway (1) are arranged, it is possible to visually confirm whether the registration was successful or not for each of the multiple devices (2).

[0250] In the communication system (10) according to the twelfth embodiment, in any of the first to eleventh embodiments, the instruction device (4) further comprises a first receiving unit (41). The first receiving unit (41) sequentially receives registration operations for individually issuing registration instructions via third communication (103) to each of the plurality of devices (2). The terminal device (3) further comprises a display unit (31), a second receiving unit (32), and a processing unit (33). The display unit (31) displays a screen (SC1) including a list (LS1) and a map (MP1). The list (LS1) is arranged with a plurality of device images (2I) corresponding to a plurality of device identification information that constitutes a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information that identifies the devices (2) registered in the gateway (1) in response to registration instructions made individually to each of the plurality of devices (2). The map (MP1) is an image of a space in which multiple devices (2) are arranged, and is an image showing the layout of multiple area images (2A) in which each of the multiple device images (2I) may be placed. The second reception unit (32) receives a placement operation on the screen (SC1) to place each of the multiple device images (2I) in the list (LS1) into one of the multiple area images (2A) in the map (MP1), or into any position in the map (MP1). The processing unit (33) creates individual setting information each time a placement operation is received. The individual setting information includes device identifiers and position information corresponding to the device images (2I) and area images (2A) that have been associated with each other by the placement operation.

[0251] In this embodiment, the instruction device (4) accepts individual registration operations for each of the multiple devices (2), and the terminal device (3) displays a screen (SC1) which includes a list (LS1) in which multiple device images (2I) corresponding to the multiple devices (2) are arranged, and a map (MP1) in which multiple area images (2A) are laid out, and accepts placement operations to place each of the multiple device images (2I) into one of the multiple area images (2A), thereby creating individual setting information including a device identifier and location information for each of the multiple devices (2).

[0252] In the communication system (10) according to the 13th embodiment, in the 12th embodiment, each of the gateway (1) and the terminal device (3) further comprises a fourth communication unit (104P) that performs a fourth communication (104) which is different from any of the first communication (101), second communication (102), and third communication (103). The instruction device (4) sequentially issues registration instructions via the third communication (103) to the plurality of devices (2) in response to the first reception unit (41) sequentially receiving registration operations for each of the plurality of devices (2). The gateway (1) registers the plurality of device identification information constituting the device identification information group in the order in which it receives registration requests for device identification information via the first communication (101) from the plurality of devices (2) corresponding to the plurality of device identification information. The terminal device (3) obtains sequence information regarding the registration order of the plurality of device identification information from the gateway (1) via the fourth communication (104). The display unit (31) arranges multiple device images (2I) in a list (LS1) in an order according to sequential information.

[0253] In this embodiment, the instruction device (4) sequentially issues registration instructions to multiple devices (2) via third communication (103), the gateway (1) registers multiple device identification information corresponding to the multiple devices (2) in the order in which it receives registration instructions from the devices (2), and the terminal device (3) obtains sequence information from the gateway (1) and arranges multiple device images (2I) in a list (LS1) on the screen (SC1) in the order according to the sequence information, thereby facilitating the visual recognition of the registration order of multiple devices (2) that have been successfully registered.

[0254] In the communication system (10) according to the 14th embodiment, in the 13th embodiment, the instruction device (4) generates a numerical value that changes monotonically each time a registration instruction is made sequentially to a plurality of devices (2) as sequence information. The instruction device (4) then notifies each of the plurality of devices (2) of the numerical value when it makes a registration instruction via the third communication (103). Each of the plurality of devices (2) notifies the gateway (1) of the numerical value along with the device identification information when it makes a registration request via the first communication (101). The gateway (1) registers the plurality of device identification information corresponding to the plurality of devices (2) in an order according to the sequence information, which is a numerical sequence that is an array of numerical values ​​notified along with each of the plurality of device identification information. The terminal device (3) obtains each of the plurality of device identification information along with the numerical value from the gateway (1) via the fourth communication (104). The display unit (31) adds a numerical value, which has been notified along with each of the multiple pieces of equipment identification information, to each of the multiple pieces of equipment images (2I), and arranges the equipment images (2I) containing the numerical values ​​in a list (LS1) in the order that follows the numerical sequence.

[0255] According to this embodiment, the display unit (31) arranges a plurality of instrument images (2I) in an order that follows a monotonically changing numerical sequence, and adds a numerical value to each of the plurality of instrument images (2I) that functions as image identification information to identify the instrument image (2I), and places the instrument images (2I) containing the numerical value in a list (LS1) on the screen (SC1), thereby further facilitating the correspondence between the instrument images (2I) and the region images (2A).

[0256] In the communication system (10) according to the 15th embodiment, in the 13th embodiment, the instruction device (4) generates a monotonically changing numerical value as sequence information each time a registration instruction is made sequentially to a plurality of devices (2). The instruction device (4) then notifies each of the plurality of devices (2) of the numerical value when it makes a registration instruction via the third communication (103). Each of the plurality of devices (2) notifies the gateway (1) of the numerical value along with the device identification information when it makes a registration request via the first communication (101). The gateway (1) transmits the plurality of device identification information to the terminal device (3) in the order according to the numerical sequence, which is an array of numerical values ​​notified along with each of the plurality of device identification information. The terminal device (3) receives each of the plurality of device identification information from the gateway (1) via the fourth communication (104). The display unit (31) adds a numerical value, which has been notified along with each of the multiple pieces of equipment identification information, to each of the multiple pieces of equipment images, and arranges the equipment images (2I) containing the numerical values ​​in a list (LS1) in the order in which the terminal device (3) received the multiple pieces of equipment identification information.

[0257] In this embodiment, the display unit (31) adds numerical values ​​that function as device identification information and sequence information to each of the multiple device images, and arranges the device images (2I) containing the numerical values ​​in a list (LS1) in the order in which the terminal device (3) receives the multiple device identification information, thereby further facilitating the correspondence between the device images (2I) and the region images (2A). Furthermore, in this list (LS1), the multiple device images (2I) are arranged in the order of reception, and if the numerical values ​​in the sequence of numerical values ​​(numerical sequence) corresponding to the multiple device images (2I) do not change monotonically, there is a possibility that delays or variations in transmission time are occurring in the transmission via the mesh network (NW1). The display of the list (LS1) allows the user to recognize such a possibility.

[0258] In the communication system (10) according to the 16th embodiment, in the 15th embodiment, the display unit (31) further displays a notification image (IF1) on the screen (SC1) for notification of missing values ​​in the numerical sequence.

[0259] According to this embodiment, when a numerical value is missing in the numerical sequence, the display unit (31) further displays a notification image (IF1) on the screen (SC1), thereby facilitating the recognition of the occurrence of a numerical value omission, and consequently, the recognition of the possibility that the registration of the device (2) corresponding to the missing numerical value has failed.

[0260] In the communication system (10) according to the 17th embodiment, in the 11th embodiment, each of the gateway (1) and the terminal device (3) further comprises a fourth communication unit (104P) that performs a fourth communication (104) which is different from any of the first communication (101), second communication (102), and third communication (103). The instruction device (4) gives an operation instruction to one of the plurality of devices (2) to perform a predetermined operation via the third communication (103), while notifying the terminal device (3) of device identification information that identifies the one device (2) via the fourth communication (104). The one device (2) performs a predetermined operation in response to the operation instruction. The display unit (31) selectively changes the display mode of the device image (2I) corresponding to one device (2) from among the plurality of device images (2I) displayed on the screen (SC1).

[0261] According to this embodiment, by causing one device (2) to perform a predetermined operation while changing the display mode of the device image (2I) corresponding to the device (2), it is possible to facilitate the user's judgment as to whether or not their understanding of the correspondence between the device (2) placed in the real space and the device image (2I) displayed on the screen (SC1) is correct.

[0262] In the communication system (10) according to the 18th embodiment, in any of the 12th to 17th embodiments, each of the gateway (1) and the terminal device (3) further comprises a fourth communication unit (104P) that performs a fourth communication (104) which is different from the first communication (101), the second communication (102), and the third communication (103). The instruction device (4) gives an operation instruction to one of the plurality of devices (2) to perform a predetermined operation via the third communication (103), while notifying the terminal device (3) of device identification information that identifies the one device (2) via the fourth communication (104). The one device (2) performs a predetermined operation in response to the operation instruction, and the display unit (31) selectively changes the display mode of the device image (2I) corresponding to the one device (2) from among the plurality of device images (2I) displayed on the screen (SC1).

[0263] According to this embodiment, by causing one device (2) to perform a predetermined operation while changing the display mode of the device image (2I) corresponding to the device (2), it is possible to facilitate the user's judgment as to whether or not their understanding of the correspondence between the device (2) placed in the real space and the device image (2I) displayed on the screen (SC1) is correct.

[0264] In the communication system (10) according to the 19th embodiment, in the 18th embodiment, one device (2) is the device (2) that is currently being registered. The predetermined operation is an operation that visually indicates that one device (2) is being registered or that registration has been completed.

[0265] In this embodiment, the instruction device (4) issues an operation instruction to the device (2) that the user recognizes as being registered, that is, the device (2) that is the target of the most recent registration instruction, and the device (2) that receives the operation instruction performs an action that visually indicates that it is being registered or that registration has been completed. This makes it easy for the user to determine whether the device (2) that the user recognizes as being registered matches the device (2) that has actually been registered or whose registration has been completed by the communication system (10).

[0266] In the communication system (10) according to the 20th embodiment, when a new device (2) is added to a mesh network (NW1) constructed in any of the 12th to 19th embodiments, the instruction device (4) issues a registration instruction to the new device (2) via a third communication (103). The new device (2) connects to the nearest node of the mesh network (NW1) via a first communication (101). The new device (2) then requests registration by notifying the gateway (1) of its device identification information via the first communication (101). In response to the registration request, the gateway (1) appends the device identification information of the new device (2) to the end of the sequence of multiple device identification information constituting the device identification information group, and also notifies the terminal device (3). The display unit (31) adds a new device image (2I) corresponding to the device identification information of the new device (2) to the end of the sequence of multiple device images (2I) displayed in the list (LS1).

[0267] In this embodiment, when a new device (2) is added to an existing mesh network (NW1), the instruction device (4) notifies the new device (2) of its device identification information, and the gateway (1) registers the new device (2)'s device identification information at the end of the sequence of registered device identification information. The terminal device (3) adds the device image (2I) of the new device (2) to the end of the sequence of device images (2I) in the list (LS1) displayed on the screen (SC1). This makes it easier to accurately associate the device identification information that identifies the device (2) with the location information that indicates the location of the device (2) for the new device (2).

[0268] In the communication system (10) according to the 21st embodiment, in any of the first to 20th embodiments, at least one of the plurality of devices (2) is a lighting device, and the third communication is infrared communication.

[0269] According to this embodiment, by using infrared light as the communication medium for the third communication (103) for issuing a registration instruction to the lighting fixture (2), the registration instruction can be accurately issued even when the lighting fixture (2) is emitting visible light.

[0270] In the communication system (10) according to the 22nd embodiment, in any of the first to 21st embodiments, the instruction device (4) notifies setting information regarding the settings of the devices (2) when it issues a registration instruction to each of the multiple devices (2).

[0271] According to this embodiment, setting information is notified to multiple devices (2) along with the registration instruction, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0272] In the communication system (10) according to the 23rd embodiment, in any of the first to 22 embodiments, when each of the multiple devices (2) receives a deregistration instruction from the instruction device (4) via the third communication (103) to deregister the device (2), it notifies the gateway of device identification information that identifies the device (2) via the first communication (101), makes a deregistration request to deregister the device (2), and then deletes the network information. In response to the deregistration request from the device (2), the gateway (1) deletes the device identification information notified by the device (2) from the device identification information group, which is a collection of device identification information that identifies the device (2) registered with the gateway (1) in accordance with the registration instructions made individually to each of the multiple devices (2).

[0273] According to this embodiment, the registration of a registered device (2) can be easily deregistered by the instruction device (4).

[0274] In the communication system (10) according to the 24th embodiment, in the 7th embodiment, if the terminal device (3) is located within the communication range of the second communication (102) with respect to the gateway (1), the gateway (1) and the terminal device (3) can perform the second communication (102) instead of the fourth communication (104).

[0275] According to this embodiment, the use of the third network (NW3) for performing the fourth communication (104) becomes unnecessary.

[0276] In the communication system (10) according to the 25th embodiment, in the 9th embodiment, if the terminal device (3) is located within the communication range of the second communication (102) with respect to the gateway (1), the gateway (1) and the terminal device (3) can perform the second communication (102) instead of the fourth communication (104).

[0277] According to this embodiment, the use of the third network (NW3) for performing the fourth communication (104) becomes unnecessary.

[0278] The 26th embodiment of the communication method is a communication method performed by a communication system (10) comprising a gateway (1), a plurality of devices (2) that cooperate with the gateway (1) to construct a mesh network (NW1), a terminal device (3) that configures settings related to the mesh network (NW1), and an instruction device (4) that gives instructions to the plurality of devices (2). Each of the gateway (1) and the plurality of devices (2) includes a first communication unit (101P) that performs a first communication (101) using the mesh network (NW1). The gateway (1) further includes a second communication unit (102P) that performs a second communication (102) different from the first communication (101). Each of the plurality of devices (2) and the instruction device (4) further includes a third communication unit (103P) that performs a third communication (103) different from both the first communication (101) and the second communication (102). The communication method includes a notification step and an instruction step. In the notification step, the terminal device (3) notifies at least the gateway (1) of network information regarding the mesh network (NW1) via the second communication (102). In the instruction step, the instruction device (4) individually issues a registration instruction to each of the multiple devices (2) via the third communication (103) to register the device (2) with the gateway (1) as a node in the mesh network (NW1).

[0279] According to this embodiment, the effects of delays and transmission time variations that occur when at least one of network information and registration instructions is transmitted via a mesh network (NW1) can be avoided. As a result, it is possible to make it easier to accurately associate device identification information that identifies a device (2) with location information that indicates the location of the device (2) for each of the multiple devices (2).

[0280] The program relating to the 27th aspect is a program that causes one or more processors of the communication system (10) to execute the communication method of the 26th aspect.

[0281] According to this embodiment, the effects of delays and transmission time variations that occur when at least one of network information and registration instructions is transmitted via a mesh network (NW1) can be avoided. As a result, it is possible to make it easier to accurately associate device identification information that identifies a device (2) with location information that indicates the location of the device (2) for each of the multiple devices (2).

[0282] 10 Communication System 1 Gateway (GW) 11 Conversion Unit 2 Device 3 Terminal Device 31 Display Unit 32 Second Reception Unit 33 Processing Unit 4 Instruction Device 41 First Reception Unit 101P First Communication Unit 102P Second Communication Unit 103P Third Communication Unit 104P Fourth Communication Unit NW1 Mesh Network (First Network) NW2 Second Network NW3 Third Network 101 First Communication 102 Second Communication 103 Third Communication 104 Fourth Communication SC1 Screen LS1 List MP1 Map 2I Device Image 2A Area Image IF1 Notification Image (First Notification Image)

Claims

1. A communication system comprising: a gateway; a plurality of devices that cooperate with the gateway to build a mesh network; a terminal device for configuring the mesh network; and an instruction device for giving instructions to the plurality of devices, wherein each of the gateway and the plurality of devices is provided with a first communication unit for performing first communication using the mesh network; the gateway further provides a second communication unit for performing second communication different from the first communication; each of the plurality of devices and the instruction device further provides a third communication unit for performing third communication different from both the first and second communications; the terminal device notifies at least the gateway of network information relating to the mesh network via the second communication; and the instruction device individually gives each of the plurality of devices a registration instruction via the third communication for registering the device with the gateway as a node in the mesh network.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication is performed using a second network having a different network topology from the first network, which is a mesh network.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the network topology of the second network is a network topology in which the transmission path between nodes is uniquely determined.

4. The communication system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the third communication is realized by a transmission medium different from the transmission medium that realizes the first communication.

5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the transmission medium for realizing the first communication is radio waves, and the transmission medium for realizing the third communication is an electromagnetic wave with stronger directivity than the radio waves.

6. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the terminal device creates network information relating to the configuration of the mesh network, notifies the gateway of the network information via the second communication, and upon initial startup, the gateway and the plurality of devices perform the initial construction of the mesh network based on the network information and default configuration information relating to each of the plurality of devices.

7. Each of the gateway and the terminal device further comprises a fourth communication unit that performs a fourth communication different from any of the first, second, and third communications, wherein after the initial setup, the instruction device individually instructs each of the plurality of devices to register the device to the gateway via the third communication, each of the plurality of devices requests registration of the device by notifying the gateway of device identification information that identifies the device via the first communication in response to the registration instruction, the gateway registers each of the plurality of devices in response to the registration request and notifies the terminal device of the device identification information via the fourth communication, the terminal device, after receiving notification of a group of device identification information which is a collection of device identification information corresponding to each of the plurality of devices, further creates individual setting information including the device identification information for each of the plurality of devices, requests the gateway to rebuild the mesh network via the fourth communication, and the gateway rebuilds the mesh network in response to the rebuild request after notifying each of the plurality of devices of the network information via the first communication.

8. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the instruction device further comprises the second communication unit, the terminal device creates network information relating to the configuration of the mesh network and notifies the gateway and the instruction device of the network information via the second communication, the instruction device notifies each of the plurality of devices of the network information via the third communication and gives the devices the registration instruction to the gateway, and the gateway and the plurality of devices construct the mesh network based on the network information.

9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein each of the gateway and the terminal device further comprises a fourth communication unit that performs a fourth communication different from any of the first, second, and third communications, and each of the plurality of devices, in response to the registration instruction, after construction, notifies the gateway of device identification information that identifies the device by the first communication and requests the registration of the device, and the gateway registers each of the plurality of devices in response to the registration request and notifies the terminal device of a group of device identification information, which is a collection of device identification information corresponding to each of the plurality of devices, by the fourth communication.

10. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the terminal device further comprises a processing unit that creates individual setting information for each of the plurality of devices, including the device identification information and the location information, by associating each of the plurality of device identification information constituting a group of device identification information which is a collection of device identification information that identifies each of the plurality of devices with one of the plurality of location information corresponding to the plurality of devices.

11. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a display unit that displays a screen including a list of multiple device images corresponding to a plurality of device identification information, which constitutes a group of device identification information that identifies a device registered in the gateway in response to the registration instruction made individually for each of the plurality of devices.

12. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: a first receiving unit that sequentially receives registration operations for individually performing the registration instruction via the third communication for each of the plurality of devices, the instruction device further comprising: a display unit that displays a screen including: a list in which a plurality of device images corresponding to a plurality of device identification information constituting a group of device identification information which is a set of device identification information that identifies a device registered to the gateway in response to the registration instruction performed individually for each of the plurality of devices; and a map which is an image of the space in which the plurality of devices are arranged, and shows the layout of a plurality of area images in which each of the plurality of device images may be arranged; a second receiving unit that receives an arrangement operation on the screen to arrange each of the plurality of device images in the list to one of the plurality of area images in the map, or to any position in the map; and a processing unit that, each time an arrangement operation is received, creates individual setting information including a device identifier and location information corresponding to the device image and area image associated with each other by the arrangement operation.

13. The communication system according to claim 12, wherein each of the gateway and the terminal device further comprises a fourth communication unit that performs a fourth communication different from any of the first, second, and third communications, the instruction device sequentially issues the registration instruction via the third communication to the plurality of devices in response to the first reception unit sequentially receiving the registration operation for each of the plurality of devices, the gateway registers the plurality of device identification information constituting the device identification information group in the order in which it receives registration requests for the device identification information via the first communication from the plurality of devices corresponding to the plurality of device identification information, the terminal device obtains sequence information relating to the registration order of the plurality of device identification information from the gateway via the fourth communication, and the display unit arranges the plurality of device images in the list in the order according to the sequence information.

14. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the instruction device generates a monotonically changing numerical value as sequence information each time the registration instruction is made sequentially to the plurality of devices, notifies each of the plurality of devices of the numerical value when the registration instruction is made by the third communication, each of the plurality of devices notifies the gateway of the numerical value along with the device identification information when it makes the registration request by the first communication, the gateway registers the plurality of device identification information corresponding to the plurality of devices in an order according to the sequence information, which is a numerical sequence that is an array of numerical values ​​notified together with each of the plurality of device identification information, the terminal device obtains each of the plurality of device identification information together with the numerical value from the gateway by the fourth communication, and the display unit adds the numerical value notified together with each of the plurality of device identification information to each of the plurality of device images, and arranges the device images including the numerical value in the list in an order according to the numerical sequence.

15. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the instruction device generates a monotonically changing numerical value as sequence information each time the registration instruction is made sequentially to the plurality of devices, notifies each of the plurality of devices of the numerical value when the registration instruction is made by the third communication, each of the plurality of devices notifies the gateway of the numerical value along with the device identification information when it makes the registration request by the first communication, the gateway transmits the plurality of device identification information to the terminal device in an order according to a numerical sequence which is an array of the numerical values ​​notified along with each of the plurality of device identification information, the terminal device receives each of the plurality of device identification information from the gateway by the fourth communication, the display unit adds the numerical value notified along with each of the plurality of device identification information to each of the plurality of device images, and arranges the device images including the numerical values ​​in the list in the order in which the terminal device received the plurality of device identification information.

16. The communication system according to claim 15, wherein the display unit further displays a notification image on the screen for providing notification regarding the missing values ​​when a missing value occurs in the numerical sequence.

17. The communication system according to claim 11, wherein each of the gateway and the terminal device further comprises a fourth communication unit that performs a fourth communication different from the first communication, the second communication and the third communication, the instruction device provides an operation instruction via the third communication to one of the plurality of devices to perform a predetermined operation, while notifying the terminal device of device identification information that identifies the one device via the fourth communication, the one device performs the predetermined operation in accordance with the operation instruction, and the display unit selectively changes the display mode of the device image corresponding to the one device from among the plurality of device images displayed on the screen.

18. The communication system according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein each of the gateway and the terminal device further comprises a fourth communication unit that performs a fourth communication different from any of the first, second, and third communications, the instruction device provides an operation instruction via the third communication to one of the plurality of devices to perform a predetermined operation, while notifying the terminal device of device identification information that identifies the one device via the fourth communication, the one device performs the predetermined operation in accordance with the operation instruction, and the display unit selectively changes the display mode of the device image corresponding to the one device among the plurality of device images displayed on the screen.

19. The communication system according to claim 18, wherein the one device is the device to be registered at the present time among the plurality of devices, and the predetermined operation is an operation that visually indicates that the one device is being registered or that registration has been completed.

20. When adding a new device to the constructed mesh network, the instruction device issues the registration instruction to the new device via the third communication; the new device connects to the nearest node of the mesh network via the first communication; the gateway requests registration by notifying the gateway of the device identification information of the new device via the first communication; the gateway, in response to the registration request, appends the device identification information of the new device to the end of the sequence of the plurality of device identification information constituting the device identification information group and notifies the terminal device; and the display unit adds a new device image corresponding to the device identification information of the new device to the end of the sequence of the plurality of device images displayed in the list. The communication system according to any one of claims 12 to 19.

21. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is a lighting device, and the third communication is infrared communication.

22. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the instruction device notifies setting information regarding the settings of each of the plurality of devices when it issues the registration instruction to each of the plurality of devices.

23. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein each of the plurality of devices, upon receiving a deregistration instruction from the instruction device via the third communication to deregister the device, notifies the gateway of device identification information that identifies the device via the first communication to make a deregistration request to deregister the device, and then deletes the network information, and the gateway, in response to the deregistration request from the device, deletes the device identification information notified by the device from the device identification information group, which is a collection of device identification information that identifies devices registered to the gateway in accordance with the registration instructions made individually to each of the plurality of devices.

24. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein if the terminal device is located within the communication range of the gateway for the second communication, the gateway and the terminal device can perform the second communication instead of the fourth communication.

25. The communication system according to claim 9, wherein if the terminal device is located within the communication range of the gateway for the second communication, the gateway and the terminal device can perform the second communication instead of the fourth communication.

26. A communication method performed by a communication system comprising: a gateway; a plurality of devices that cooperate with the gateway to construct a mesh network; a terminal device for configuring the mesh network; and an instruction device for giving instructions to the plurality of devices, wherein each of the gateway and the plurality of devices comprises a first communication unit for performing a first communication using the mesh network; the gateway further comprises a second communication unit for performing a second communication different from the first communication; each of the plurality of devices and the instruction device further comprises a third communication unit for performing a third communication different from both the first and second communications; the communication method includes: a notification step in which the terminal device notifies at least the gateway of network information relating to the mesh network via the second communication; and an instruction step in which the instruction device individually gives each of the plurality of devices via the third communication a registration instruction for each of the plurality of devices to register the device with the gateway as a node of the mesh network.

27. A program for causing one or more processors of the communication system to execute the communication method described in claim 26.

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