JP7450181B2 - Controller, display method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a controller, a method for displaying an icon for executing an application used to control devices communicatively connected to the controller, and a program.

Various techniques regarding device control have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a remote control system for a vehicle that can ensure optimal responsiveness while suppressing power consumption on the side of a portable device. In addition, another technology is a technology that uses HEMS (Home Energy Management System), which manages the amount of energy such as electricity or gas used in a home, to control home appliances installed in the home. It has been known. In order to control devices in such a HEMS system or the like, it is common to execute an application on a controller that is communicatively connected to the device, and to control the device using the application.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-265641

In order to receive an application execution instruction from the user, the controller displays an icon that, when selected, causes the corresponding application to be executed. However, with conventional displays, icons may not be displayed appropriately.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a controller and the like that can display icons more appropriately.

A controller according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication unit that is communicatively connected to one or more devices, and a controller that controls at least one of the one or more devices that are communicatively connected to the communication unit by executing an application. and a display unit that displays an icon for executing the application when the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit include essential equipment necessary for executing the application. .

Further, a display method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying an icon for executing an application used for controlling at least one of one or more communicatively connected devices, the display method comprising: The method further includes a displaying step of displaying the icon when the equipment includes an essential equipment necessary for executing the application.

Further, a program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the display method described above.

A controller or the like according to one aspect of the present disclosure can display icons more appropriately.

FIG. 1 is an overview diagram for explaining an example of installing a controller according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an overview diagram for explaining the controller according to the embodiment. FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an operation program used when the device according to the embodiment operates. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a first screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a second screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence table according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the arrangement of various devices in a house according to Modification 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a first screen displayed when the controller according to Modification 1 of the embodiment is installed at the entrance. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a first screen displayed when the controller according to Modification 1 of the embodiment is installed in the LDK. FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a first screen displayed when the controller according to Modification 1 of the embodiment is installed in the first bedroom. FIG. 8D is a diagram showing the first screen displayed when the controller according to Modification 1 of the embodiment is installed in the second bedroom. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller according to the second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating communication between controllers according to modification 3 of the embodiment. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating communication between a controller and a mobile terminal according to modification 3 of the embodiment.

(Knowledge that formed the basis of disclosure)
BACKGROUND ART Recently, it has become possible to control home appliances installed in a house using a controller (so-called HEMS controller, etc.) that is communicatively connected to devices in a HEMS system or the like. When controlling home appliances installed in a house using a controller, a user executes an application for controlling each device on the controller. When an application is executed, signals are exchanged with devices connected for communication on the application. Specifically, control of the device using the controller is realized by transmitting and receiving a control signal for controlling the device and an operation signal as a result of controlling the device.

In order to run an application on the controller, it is necessary to receive application execution instructions from the user. For example, an image for accepting an execution instruction from a user is displayed on a user interface such as a touch panel, and the execution instruction is accepted by the user performing an operation on the displayed image. For example, an image containing icons corresponding to each application for controlling the device is displayed.

When the user selects an arbitrary icon on the image, the corresponding application is executed. That is, in this example, selecting an icon corresponds to an operation for accepting an execution instruction. Note that an icon is image information that allows the contents of a corresponding application to be visually identified using at least one of a figure, a symbol, and a character.

Here, the devices that are communicatively connected to the controller vary depending on the user, and the applications required to control the devices also vary. In other words, an application preinstalled on the controller may be necessary for one user and unnecessary for another.

Furthermore, since the devices that can be controlled using the controller are diversifying, it is difficult for the user to know which devices need to be communicatively connected in order to execute each application. In this case, the user can only know the necessary equipment after starting the application once and checking for errors caused by the absence of the equipment necessary for executing the application among the devices connected for communication.

In this way, simply displaying an image containing all the icons of the installed application on the user interface even though the necessary devices are not connected for communication may confuse the user. Yes, it is not appropriate.

Therefore, the controller and the like in the present disclosure selectively display/hide applications based on the devices connected for communication. Thereby, the icon of the application to which the necessary device is communicatively connected can be displayed without confusing the user.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all inclusive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and do not limit the present disclosure. Further, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims will be described as arbitrary constituent elements.

Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Further, in each figure, substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[controller]
A controller according to an embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is an overview diagram for explaining an example of installing a controller according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 20 is attached and fixed to the wall of a room that constitutes a house 200. The user approaches the wall surface to which the controller 20 is fixed and operates the controller 20. That is, the controller 20 in this embodiment is a stationary device that is used while being fixed to a structure within the house 200 such as a wall surface. The form of the controller 20 is not limited to this, and may be implemented as a portable device that includes a battery and a wireless communication device and can be carried by a user without physical connection.

FIG. 2 is an overview diagram for explaining the controller according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the controller 20 viewed from the same direction as FIG. The controller 20 is an apparatus having a structure in which a display section 24 is attached to a substantially plate-shaped casing in which a circuit forming one or more processing sections is built-in. The display section 24 is attached to the main surface facing the indoor space, which is the opposite side of the main surface facing the wall surface, of the outer surface of the housing.

Thereby, most of the area of the plate-shaped housing that is in contact with the indoor space can be used as the display section 24. Note that the shape of the controller 20 is not limited to this, and may be any shape such as a cube or a cylinder. Among these, a plate shape with few parts protruding from the wall surface is a shape more suitable for the shape of the controller 20 from the viewpoint of utilization of indoor space. Note that a hole passing through the inside and outside of the casing is provided on the main surface facing the wall surface. The controller 20 obtains the power necessary for the operation of the controller 20 by distributing the power line wired inside the wall and introducing it into the casing through the hole.

The controller 20 is a device fixed to a wall as described above. For example, when the house 200 is constructed, the controller 20 may be fixed by being installed together with an operation panel of a lighting device that is fixed to a wall surface. The main surface facing the wall is provided with a hole that penetrates the inside and outside of the casing, and the controller 20 has a power supply wire routed inside the wall distributed through the hole and directly introduced into the casing. This makes it easy to perform electrical work to obtain the power necessary for the operation of the controller 20. Thereby, the wiring for supplying power to the controller 20 is not exposed to the indoor space, so that the controller 20 can be installed with excellent aesthetic appearance.

[Communication system configuration]
Below, while explaining the above-mentioned controller 20 in detail, devices including the controller 20 and connected for communication will also be explained. FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. Further, FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an operation program used when the device according to the embodiment operates.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 20 and a plurality of devices 30 (hereinafter also referred to as one or more devices 30 or simply devices 30) including devices 30a to 30x. Communication connection is made by wireless or wire. Note that there is no particular limit to the number of devices included in the device 30. Furthermore, the communication connections between the controller 20 and each of the one or more devices 30 may be a mixture of wireless connections and wired connections.

The one or more devices 30 are home appliances such as lighting devices, air conditioning devices, or electric shutters, or sensor devices such as temperature/humidity sensors or air quality sensors, and the devices connected to the controller 20 by the user are All included. Here, when focusing on the device 30a among the one or more devices 30, as shown in FIG. 3B, the device 30a has an operation program used when the device 30a operates. The operation program causes the device 30a to perform a predetermined operation by being executed using a processor and a memory (both not shown). The operating program is repeatedly improved in functions and the like by the manufacturer of the device 30a and provided as an updated version. By introducing the updated version of the operating program into the device 30a, the device 30a becomes able to use improved functions and the like.

The installation status of such an updated version of the operating program is managed as version information. For example, when the version of the operation program determined by the version information is version 1.0 as shown in the figure, the operation program that the device 30a has is an operation program that is installed in the initial lot of the device 30a, and is updated. Indicates that the version operating program has never been installed.

Each time an updated version of the operating program is introduced, the version number of the operating program that the device 30a has increases. Therefore, if the version of the updated version of the operating program is larger than the numerical value of the version of the operating program that the device 30a has, it may be considered that it is necessary to install the updated version of the operating program.

As described above, in a situation where a plurality of devices 30 are connected to the controller 20, it is necessary to identify essential devices that are necessary for execution of each application to be executed on the controller 20. Identification of essential equipment will be described later.

A single device may be a required device, and multiple devices may be a required device. In the former case, for example, when the device 30a is specified as an essential device for a certain application, only the device 30a needs to be communicatively connected to the controller 20. In addition, in the latter case, for example, when the device 30b and the device 30c are specified as essential devices for a certain application, there are two ways: both of these devices are necessary devices, and only one device is required. . In other words, there are cases where all of the plurality of essential devices are required, and cases where it is sufficient to have only one essential device arbitrarily selected by the user from among the plurality of essential devices. In this way, the configuration of the specified essential equipment is determined depending on whether or not it is minimally necessary for executing the application, and there are no particular limitations on the configuration contents.

Returning to FIG. 3A, the functional configuration of the controller 20 in this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the controller 20 in this embodiment includes a communication section 21, a control section 22, a determination section 23, a display section 24, and a storage section 26.

The communication unit 21 is a communication module that is communicatively connected to one or more devices 30 . The communication unit 21 transmits control signals from the controller 20 and receives operation signals from one or more devices 30. A control signal transmitted by the communication unit 21 is generated by a control unit 22, which will be described later. Further, the operation signal received by the communication unit 21 is used by each processing unit of the controller 20.

The control unit 22 is a processing unit that generates a control signal to control at least one of the one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 by executing an application on an operating program. The control unit 22 is realized by executing an operating program using a processor and memory. Further, the control unit 22 is also a processing unit that controls the operation of the controller 20.

Specifically, when the control unit 22 receives a user's activation operation of the controller 20, the control unit 22 executes an operation program and displays an image on the display unit 24, which will be described later. The image displayed on the display section 24 is generated by the control section 22. Further, the control unit 22 receives an operation on the controller 20 by the user, generates an image, a sound, etc. according to the operation, and displays the generated image and sound to the user using the display unit 24 or a speaker (not shown). Present audio etc. The control unit 22 controls the above-mentioned superficial operations of the controller 20 that can be recognized by the user, and internal operations of the controller 20 that are internal processes such as generation of control signals.

The determination unit 23 determines whether or not an essential device is included in one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 by referring to a correspondence table 50 (see FIG. 5 described later) that associates applications with essential devices. This is a processing unit that determines the The determination unit 23 is realized by executing an operation program using a processor and a memory. The control unit 22 and the determination unit 23 may be realized by executing different operation programs in parallel using a common processor and a common memory. The determination operation by the determination unit 23 using the correspondence table 50 will be described later.

The display unit 24 is a display device that displays images using a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel. The display unit 24 displays the image generated by the control unit 22 described above. Here, images generated by the control unit 22 and displayed by the display unit 24 will be described using FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a first screen according to the embodiment. Further, FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a second screen according to the embodiment. Note that the term "screen" refers to a state in which an image is displayed on the display section 24, and "an image is displayed on the display section 24" is also expressed as "a screen is displayed on the display section 24."

In FIG. 4A, a first screen 24i that can be displayed on the display unit 24 is displayed. As shown in the figure, the first screen 24i is a screen on which icons for executing applications are displayed. In the figure, an icon 24a for running the "Settings" application, an icon 24b for running the "Tutorial" application, an icon 24c for running the "Door Phone" application, and an "Electricity Visualization" icon An icon 24d for executing the application is displayed. When the user selects and touches an arbitrary icon from these icons, an application corresponding to the icon is executed.

In FIG. 4B, a second screen 24ii that can be displayed on the display unit 24 is displayed. The second screen 24ii is, for example, a home screen displayed when the controller 20 is started. Note that the second screen 24ii is not limited to such a home screen, but may be any screen as long as it is different from the first screen 24i and can be transitioned to the first screen 24i.

The display section 24 of the controller 20 constitutes a touch panel module in which a touch panel is superimposed on the above-mentioned display panel, and can be operated by directly touching the screen of the display section 24 that can be seen through the touch panel. The first screen 24i and the second screen 24ii can be changed in both directions by, for example, performing a swipe operation (an operation of sliding a finger on the touch panel) on the touch panel.

Note that the image displayed on the display section 24 is generated by the control section 22 as described above. When one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 include an essential device for the application, the control unit 22 generates an image displaying an icon for executing the application, and displays the image on the display unit 24. to be displayed. In other words, the display unit 24, in addition to some of the processing functions of the control unit 22, performs application processing when one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 include essential equipment necessary for executing the application. This is an example of a display unit that displays icons for executing the following.

The storage unit 26 is a storage device in which information used in the controller 20 is stored. The storage unit 26 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. In addition to the above information, the storage unit 26 stores an operating program for the controller 20 and applications installed in the controller 20. Further, the above correspondence table 50 is also stored in the storage unit 26.

[Compatible table]
Here, the configuration of the correspondence table 50 will be explained using FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence table according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the correspondence table 50 used in this embodiment is information that associates applications with essential devices. Specifically, an application name corresponding to each application that can be used by the controller 20 is associated with an essential device name corresponding to an essential device in each application. For example, it can be seen that the essential equipment for the application of "power visualization" is both a power meter and a power generation system.

Furthermore, it can be seen that, for example, the essential equipment for the application of "air quality visualization" may be either a temperature/humidity sensor or an air quality sensor. Further, the "weather" application requires only access to a weather forecast service from the controller 20 via a wide area communication network such as the Internet, and is an application that can be completed only with the controller 20, so there is no required equipment.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the "Settings" and "Tutorial" applications are also applications whose operations are completed on the controller 20, so there is no required equipment. However, unlike the "Settings" and "Tutorial" applications, the "Weather" application requires access to the weather forecast service via a wide area communication network, so a "wide area communication network" is set as a required device. may be done. In other words, the essential equipment is not limited to equipment that exists within the premises of the residence 200. For example, when an application uses a server device connected via a wide area communication network as a processing resource, such as in an application that requires voice recognition, such a "server device" is required as an essential device. May be set.

Further, in the correspondence table 50, requirements required for the version of the operating program for each essential device determined by the version information of each essential device are associated. Thereby, the icon of the application can be displayed on the display unit 24 only when the device is an essential device necessary for executing the application and the version of the essential device satisfies the requirements.

For example, it is set as a requirement that both a power meter and a power generation system, which are essential devices compatible with the "power visualization" application, be version 1.0 or higher. Since version 1.0 is the version of the operating program installed in the initial lot of equipment as described above, it can be considered as substantially equivalent to having no version requirements.

On the other hand, it is set as a requirement that the optical disc recorder, which is an essential device compatible with the "optical disc recorder" application, be version 3.0 or higher. For example, when an operating program on the device side needs to be updated in order to implement a new function on an application, version requirements for the updated operating program are set as described above.

Note that the temperature/humidity sensor and air quality sensor, which are essential devices compatible with the "air quality visualization" application, do not use an operation program because they only operate in a simple manner (sending measured values to the controller 20). It is realized using a dedicated circuit, etc., and no version requirements are set. Furthermore, it is set as a requirement that the robot vacuum cleaner, which is an essential device compatible with the "robot vacuum cleaner" application, be of a version other than version 2.0. In a specific version of an operating program, a defect may be confirmed in the control by the application, and in such a case, a requirement is set to exclude the specific version.

In addition, in the correspondence table 50, each application is associated with an application initial state indicating whether each application is installed in the controller 20 in the initial state. In addition, in the correspondence table 50, each application is associated with an installation state indicating whether or not each application has been installed in the controller 20 at the time the correspondence table 50 is generated. Therefore, the correspondence table 50 is updated and regenerated every predetermined period, and the contents of the installation state at the time of generation are changed.

Additionally, in order to keep the list of applications included in the compatibility table 50 up to date, a master version of the compatibility table 50 is stored on a cloud server managed by the manufacturer of the controller 20, and the controller 20 periodically updates the master version. It may be copied and stored in the storage unit 26.

By doing so, it is possible to keep the correspondence table 50 up-to-date in almost all shipped controllers 20 by simply applying the update information of the correspondence table 50 to the master version.

[motion]
Next, the operation of the controller 20 in the embodiment will be explained using FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller according to the embodiment.

In the present disclosure, an icon is displayed on the display unit 24 of the controller 20 when the determination unit 23 determines that the essential device corresponding to the application associated with the icon is communicatively connected. This determination by the determination unit 23 is performed depending on whether or not the user has performed an operation related to a triggering operation while the controller 20 is operating. Specifically, the determination unit 23 makes a determination using the communication connection of a new device to the communication unit 21 as a trigger.

When a user connects a new device, the user first operates the controller 20 and the new device in connection mode. When the controller 20 operating in the connection mode and the new device are in a state where they can be communicably connected to each other, for example, they are connected to each other by a communication cable, or they are within a range where they can communicate with each other wirelessly. Then, the controller 20 and the new device are connected for communication. The control unit 22 determines whether or not such a new device and the controller 20 (more specifically, the communication unit 21) have been communicatively connected (step S101).

If it is determined that a new device has been communicatively connected (Yes in S101), the process advances to step S103, and determination by the determining unit 23 is started. On the other hand, in addition to the above-described trigger, the determination unit 23 makes a determination using the screen transition from the second screen 24ii to the first screen 24i on the display unit 24 as a trigger.

In order to make the screen transition from the second screen 24ii to the first screen 24i, the user performs a swipe operation on the touch panel as described above. Therefore, when the control unit 22 determines that a new device is not connected for communication (No in S101), the control unit 22 accepts such a swipe operation and switches from the second screen 24ii to the first screen 24i. It is determined whether the screen transition to has been performed (step S102).

When it is determined that the screen transition from the second screen 24ii to the first screen 24i has been performed (Yes in S102), the process advances to step S103, and determination by the determination unit 23 is started. On the other hand, if it is determined that the screen transition from the second screen 24ii to the first screen 24i has not been performed (No in S102), the controller 20 ends the operation for determination by the determination unit 23.

An example using two types of triggers has been described above, but as is clear from the figure, these triggers are processed independently and exclusively. Therefore, one of the triggers may not be determined. In other words, either step S101 or step S102 may not be performed.

Also, these triggers do not have to be exclusive. Specifically, in the case of Yes in step S101, the process may proceed to step S102, and in the case of No in step S101, the operation for determination by the determination unit 23 may be ended. Further, there may be other triggers, and the above two types of triggers and other triggers may be combined.

Note that the trigger described above may not be provided, and the determination unit 23 may simply perform the determination every time a predetermined period elapses. In other words, the lapse of a predetermined period may be used as a trigger. The predetermined period may be in seconds such as 1 second, 15 seconds or 30 seconds, or may be in minutes such as 1 minute, 15 minutes or 30 minutes, or 1 hour, 6 hours or 12 hours. It may be in units of time, or it may be in units of days, such as 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days, or it may be longer than this.

Moreover, instead of the passage of a predetermined period of time, the determination by the determination unit 23 may be performed every time a predetermined time arrives. For example, if 3 o'clock is set as the predetermined time, the determination unit 23 performs the determination every 24 hours starting from 3 o'clock. Note that the predetermined time may be arbitrarily set by the user. Further, a plurality of predetermined times may be set, for example, 3 o'clock and 15 o'clock. As described above, if a trigger based on a user's operation is not used, steps S101 and S102 may not be performed, and the process starts from step S103 in the figure.

The determination by the determination unit 23 will be explained. First, one application is selected from the applications stored in the storage unit 26 of the controller 20 (that is, the applications installed in the controller 20) (step S103). Such selection of one application may be performed by directly referring to the applications stored in the storage unit 26, or may be performed by referring to the installation status section of the correspondence table 50. Furthermore, while selecting one application, the correspondence table 50 stored in the storage unit 26 is referred to, and essential equipment necessary for executing the selected one application is specified (step S104).

The determination unit 23 determines whether the essential device for one application identified in this manner is included in one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 (step S105). If the essential devices are connected for communication (Yes in step S105), the control unit 22 generates an image in which the icon of one application is displayed on the first screen 24i of the display unit 24. The generated image is included in the image and an icon of one application is displayed when the first screen 24i is displayed on the display unit 24 (display step S106).

On the other hand, if the essential device is not communicatively connected (No in step S105), display step S106 is omitted and the process advances to step S107.

In order to perform the above processing for each application stored in the storage unit 26, it is determined whether all stored applications have been selected (step S107). If there is an unselected application (No in step S107), the process returns to step S103 and one new application is selected again. On the other hand, if all applications are selected (Yes in step S107), the process ends.

In this way, a controller is realized in which only icons of applications to which essential devices are communicatively connected are displayed. According to this, all of the displayed icons indicate that essential devices are connected for communication, so no matter which icon the user selects, the corresponding application will be launched and control the essential devices connected for communication. can. In other words, even if an application has been installed, if one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit do not include an essential device, an icon for executing the application will not be displayed.

In other words, all the icons displayed on the controller 20 are applications in which essential devices are communicatively connected, and no errors or the like occur due to the absence of essential devices. Therefore, the controller 20 that can display icons more appropriately is realized.

[Effects etc.]
As described above, the controller 20 in this embodiment includes the communication unit 21 that is communicatively connected to one or more devices 30, and the one or more devices 30 that are communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 by executing an application. If the control unit 22 that controls at least one and the one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 include essential devices necessary for executing the application, display an icon for executing the application. A display section 24 is provided.

In such a controller 20, an icon for executing an application is displayed only for an application that can be executed when an essential device is communicatively connected. In other words, all the icons displayed on the controller 20 are applications in which essential devices are communicatively connected, and no errors or the like occur due to the absence of essential devices. Therefore, the controller 20 that can display icons more appropriately is realized.

For example, the controller 20 further refers to the correspondence table 50 that associates applications and essential devices to determine whether or not the essential device is included in one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21. The display unit 24 includes a determination unit 23 that determines, when the determination unit 23 determines that one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 include an essential device necessary for executing the application. An icon for running the application may also be displayed.

According to this, by referring to the correspondence table 50, it is possible to specify the essential equipment necessary for executing the application for each application. In other words, the determining unit 23 can identify essential devices simply by referring to the correspondence table 50. Information that associates applications with essential devices is unified as a correspondence table 50, and access to such information by the determination unit 23 is simplified. Therefore, the controller 20 that can appropriately display icons can be more easily realized.

Further, for example, the display unit 24 can display a first screen 24i on which icons are displayed and a second screen 24ii different from the first screen 24i, and the determination unit 23 The screen transition from the screen 24ii to the first screen 24i may be used as a trigger to determine whether one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 include an essential device.

According to this, the display mode of the icon is updated when the screen transition from the second screen 24ii to the first screen 24i is performed. The screen transition from the second screen 24ii to the first screen 24i is an operation normally performed when using the controller 20, and it can be determined whether or not essential equipment is included without any discomfort.

Further, for example, the determination unit 23 uses the fact that a new device is communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 as a trigger to determine whether or not an essential device is included in one or more devices 30 that are communicatively connected to the communication unit 21. You may judge.

According to this, when a new device is communicatively connected to the communication unit 21, the display mode of the icon is updated. The communication connection of a new device to the communication unit 21 is an operation that is normally performed when using the controller 20, and it can be determined whether or not an essential device is included without any discomfort.

Further, for example, the essential device may be one of a plurality of devices, at least one of which is used to execute the application.

According to this, when multiple devices are associated with one application and one of these devices is required to run the application, one of the multiple devices is designated as an essential device. , it is possible to determine whether there is a communication connection. In this case, the user may selectively select one of the plurality of devices. Therefore, in this embodiment, the degree of freedom in selecting devices that can be essential devices is provided, and the controller 20 that can appropriately display icons can be realized in a more flexible manner.

Further, for example, the communication unit 21 acquires version information of an operating program used when one or more devices 30 communicatively connected operate, and the display unit 24 acquires version information of an operating program used when one or more devices 30 communicatively connected An icon may be displayed when the device 30 includes an essential device whose version of the operating program determined by the version information satisfies the requirements.

According to this, an icon for executing an application is displayed based on whether or not a device that is an essential device and whose operating program version satisfies the requirements is connected for communication. Therefore, the controller 20 is realized which can display icons more appropriately by taking into consideration the version requirements of the operating program.

Further, for example, the display unit 24 does not need to display an icon when one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 do not include an essential device.

According to this, for an application that cannot be executed because an essential device is not connected for communication, an icon for executing the application is hidden. In other words, all the icons displayed on the controller 20 are applications in which essential devices are communicatively connected, and no errors or the like occur due to the absence of essential devices. Therefore, the controller 20 that can display icons more appropriately is realized.

Further, the display method according to the present embodiment is a method for displaying an icon for executing an application used to control at least one of one or more devices 30 that are communicatively connected. 30 includes a display step S106 of displaying an icon when an essential device necessary for executing the application is included.

In such a display method, an icon for executing an application is displayed only for an application that can be executed when an essential device is connected for communication. In other words, all the icons displayed on the controller 20 are applications in which essential devices are communicatively connected, and no errors or the like occur due to the absence of essential devices. Therefore, icons can be displayed more appropriately.

Further, the program in this embodiment is a program for causing a computer to execute the display method described above.

Such a program has the same effect as the display method described above.

[Modification 1]
Modification 1 of the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 8D. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the arrangement of various devices in a house according to Modification 1 of the embodiment. Further, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a first screen displayed when the controller according to Modification 1 of the embodiment is installed at the entrance. Further, FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a first screen displayed when the controller according to Modification 1 of the embodiment is installed in the LDK. Moreover, FIG. 8C is a diagram showing the first screen displayed when the controller according to Modification 1 of the embodiment is installed in the first bedroom. Further, FIG. 8D is a diagram showing the first screen displayed when the controller according to Modification 1 of the embodiment is installed in the second bedroom. In FIG. 7, each of the one or more devices 30 installed in the house 200 is shown by a more specific device name.

In the controller 20 in this modification, various devices installed in the house 200 belong to one of the areas defined by the room or the like in which they are installed. Here, the controller 20 also belongs to an area defined by the room or the like in which it is installed.

The equipment controlled using the controller 20 is usually equipment used in the same room where the controller 20 is installed. Therefore, when the first screen 24i is displayed, the application icon to be displayed is determined based on the devices belonging to the same area as the controller 20, thereby reducing the possibility of erroneously operating devices in other rooms. and appropriate.

In this modification, as shown in FIG. 7, the house 200 has an area defined by four rooms: an entrance, a living-dining-kitchen (LDK), a first bedroom, and a second bedroom. Furthermore, devices that are likely to be controlled from any area within the house 200 are defined as the entire building and belong to all four areas.

Therefore, three devices belong to the entrance area: a door phone, a power meter, and a power generation system. Furthermore, six devices belong to the LDK area: an air conditioner, a temperature/humidity sensor, an air quality sensor, an optical disk recorder, a power meter, and a power generation system. Furthermore, four devices belong to the first bedroom area: an air conditioner, a robot vacuum cleaner, a power meter, and a power generation system. Furthermore, four devices belong to the second bedroom area: an air conditioner, an air purifier, a power meter, and a power generation system.

Further, here, the description will be made assuming that all the applications on the correspondence table 50 shown in FIG. 5 have been installed in the controller 20. Specifically, the storage unit 26 of the controller 20 stores information such as "power visualization," "air quality visualization," "door phone," "optical disc recorder," "weather," "pollen removal," and "robot vacuum cleaner." ” applications are stored. Furthermore, although not shown on the correspondence table 50, "Settings" and "Tutorial" applications are also stored in the same way.

Such a controller 20 is installed at the entrance, and the area to which the controller 20 belongs is set at the entrance. As shown in FIG. 8A, the first screen 24i of the controller 20 installed at the entrance has icons for five applications: "Settings", "Tutorial", "Power Visualization", "Doorphone", and "Weather". Is displayed. The "Settings", "Tutorial", and "Weather" applications do not have essential equipment as shown in FIG. 5, so icons are displayed unconditionally. On the other hand, the "power visualization" application is displayed because the essential equipment, the power meter and the power generation system, belong to the same area. Additionally, the "door phone" application is displayed because the door phone, which is an essential device, belongs to the same area.

Similarly, such a controller 20 is installed in the LDK, and the area to which the controller 20 belongs is set in the LDK. As shown in FIG. 8B, the first screen 24i of the controller 20 installed in the LDK displays "Settings", "Tutorial", "Power Visualization", "Air Quality Visualization", "Optical Disc Recorder", "Weather ” six application icons are displayed.

Similarly, such a controller 20 is installed in the first bedroom, and the area to which the controller 20 belongs is set as the first bedroom. As shown in FIG. 8C, the first screen 24i of the controller 20 installed in the first bedroom has five settings: "Settings," "Tutorial," "Power Visualization," "Robot Vacuum Cleaner," and "Weather." The application icon is displayed.

Similarly, such a controller 20 is installed in the second bedroom, and the area to which the controller 20 belongs is set as the second bedroom. As shown in FIG. 8C, the first screen 24i of the controller 20 installed in the second bedroom displays five applications: "Settings", "Tutorial", "Power Visualization", "Pollen Removal", and "Weather". icon is displayed.

As described above, by simply changing the area to which the controller 20 in which the same application is installed belongs, the display unit 24 displays the icon of the application corresponding to the device belonging to the area. In other words, when an essential device is included among the devices belonging to the same area as the controller 20 among the one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication section 21, the control section 22 applies an application corresponding to the essential device. Generate an image to display the icon. The generated image is displayed on the display section 24.

As explained above, in the controller 20 according to the present modification, the display section 24 shows that among the one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication section 21, there are essential devices among the devices belonging to the same area as the controller 20. Display an icon if it is included.

Such a controller 20 determines whether an essential device is included in the devices existing in the area to which the controller 20 belongs, among the devices communicatively connected to the controller 20, to execute an application for controlling the device. It is possible to display an icon for Therefore, the controller 20 that can display icons more appropriately is realized.

[Modification 2]
Modification 2 of the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to a second modification of the embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same points will be omitted or simplified. The communication system 10a in this modification differs from the communication system 10 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A in that an acquisition unit 25 and a cloud server 40 are present.

In this modification, an available application is specified based on one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21, the application is acquired from the cloud server 40 and stored in the storage unit 26, and the display unit 24 display the icon of the application.

The acquisition unit 25 is a processing unit that acquires an application whose essential equipment is a device included in one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 . The acquisition unit 25 is realized by executing an operating program using a processor and a memory. Note that the acquisition unit 25, the control unit 22, and the determination unit 23 may be implemented by executing different operation programs in parallel using a common processor and a common memory.

The acquisition unit 25 acquires an application on the cloud server 40 by accessing the cloud server 40 communicatively connected via the communication unit 21 . Specifically, the acquisition unit 25 is an essential device for one application among the one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21, and the one application is not stored in the storage unit 26. In this case, a request signal for causing the cloud server 40 to transmit the application is generated. The generated request signal is transmitted to the cloud server 40 communicatively connected via the communication unit 21 and the wide area communication network. Note that when acquiring an application, an image for acquiring user permission may be displayed on the display unit 24.

The cloud server 40 is a data server that transmits applications in response to requests from the controller 20 via a wide area communication network. Specifically, the cloud server 40 is a device that receives a request signal generated by the acquisition unit 25 and transmits an application to the controller 20 based on the request signal. The cloud server 40 includes a server storage section 41 and a server communication section 42.

The server storage unit 41 is a storage device in which information used by the cloud server 40 is stored. The server storage unit 41 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The server storage unit 41 stores, for example, an operation program for operating the cloud server 40, an application, a master version correspondence table 50, and the like.

The server communication unit 42 is a communication module that is communicatively connected to a wide area communication network. The server communication unit 42 can be communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 of the controller 20 via a wide area communication network. The server communication unit 42 thus receives the request signal from the controller 20 via the wide area communication network, and transmits the application stored in the server storage unit 41 to the controller.

The operation of the controller in this modification will be described in more detail below. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller according to the second modification of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the operation of the controller 20 is similar to that in the above embodiment. Therefore, here, steps different from those in the above embodiment will be explained based on comparison.

First, in the above embodiment, one application stored in the storage unit 26 of the controller 20 is selected in step S103, but in this modification, one application is selected from the applications on the correspondence table 50 (step S103a). . In the above embodiment, the display and non-display are determined from among the installed applications, but in this modification, the display is determined based on the devices connected for communication from among all the available applications. Select the application to display. Therefore, since it is necessary for the determination unit 23 to perform determination on all available applications, a process of referring to the applications on the correspondence table 50 is performed.

Next, in the above embodiment, the icon of one application is displayed in step S106, but in this modification, if the essential equipment of one application is connected for communication (Yes in step S105), the icon of the application is displayed. Determine whether it has been introduced. Specifically, it is determined whether the selected application is stored in the storage unit 26 (step S106a). If it is determined that the one application is stored in the storage unit 26 (Yes in step S106a), the icon of the one application is displayed (step S106c), as in the embodiment. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first application is not stored in the storage unit 26 (No in step S106a), the acquisition unit 25 generates a request signal and acquires the first application from the cloud server 40 (step S106a). S106b).

In order to perform the above processing for each application on the correspondence table 50, it is determined whether all the applications on the correspondence table 50 have been selected (step S107a). If there is an unselected application (No in step S107a), the process returns to step S103a and one new application is selected again. On the other hand, if all applications are selected (Yes in step S107a), the process ends.

As described above, the controller 20 in this modification further includes an acquisition unit 25 that acquires an application whose essential equipment is a device included in one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21, and a display unit. 24 displays an icon for executing the application acquired by the acquisition unit 25.

Such a controller 20 can acquire and display an application for controlling an essential device that is communicatively connected, if it exists among the applications that have not been installed in the controller 20. In other words, the application is installed and the icon is displayed based on the device currently connected for communication, without the user having to directly search for the application. Therefore, the controller 20 that can display icons more appropriately is realized.

[Modification 3]
Modification 3 of the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating communication between controllers according to modification 3 of the embodiment. Further, FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating communication between a controller and a mobile terminal according to modification 3 of the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11A, when there are multiple controllers, if one of them has completed the operation for appropriately displaying the icon described in the above embodiment, the resulting information on the displayed icon may be shared. In other words, the communication unit 21 receives information about icons displayed on the controller 20a other than the controller 20 from the other controller 20a. Note that the configuration of the other controller 20a is the same as that of the controller 20, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In order to generate information on the icons displayed on the other controllers 20a, the control unit 22 generates and displays an image based on the determination result of the determination unit 23, and also displays the The list of applications displayed in section 24 is extracted. The extracted list of applications displayed on the display section 24 is the information on the above-mentioned icons. The information on the icon generated in this manner is transmitted from the communication section 21 of the other controller 20a to the communication section 21 of the controller 20 that is communicatively connected.

Upon receiving the icon information, the controller 20 generates an image including the icon to be displayed by the control unit 22 based on the icon information, and displays the generated image on the display unit 24.

Note that the above icon information is just an example, and an image generated in the control unit of another controller 20a may be transmitted to the controller 20 as is. If information about an icon whose display/non-display is determined based on one or more devices 30 communicatively connected to the communication unit 21 is included, the type of information transmitted and received between the other controller 20a and the controller 20 is limited. There isn't.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11B, a mobile terminal 20b having the same function as the controller 20 may be used instead of the other controller 20a described using FIG. 11A. In other words, the mobile terminal 20b can be used to generate icon information in place of the other controller 20a by an operation program having the functions of the controller 20 that is executed on the mobile terminal 20b. Further, as is clear from this, the contents of the present disclosure can be implemented on the mobile terminal 20b by realizing it as a program.

As described above, in the controller 20 according to the present modification, the communication unit 21 receives information on the icon displayed on the other controller 20a other than the controller 20 from the other controller 20a, and the display unit 24 Icons are displayed based on information received from other controllers 20a.

In such a controller 20, when there are a plurality of controllers communicatively connected to the same one or more devices 30, the display from another controller 20a that has already undergone processing for displaying an icon for executing an application. It is possible to display the icon on the controller 20 by acquiring information about the icon displayed. It is possible to avoid performing redundant processing for determining whether or not an icon is displayed, and processing resources can be saved. Furthermore, since the time required for processing can be reduced, the user can execute the application more immediately. Therefore, the controller 20 that can display icons more appropriately is realized.

Further, for example, the other controller 20a may be a mobile terminal 20b.

According to this, the controller can be realized using a mobile terminal. Using the function of the controller installed in the mobile terminal, information on the icon to be displayed is acquired from the mobile terminal communicatively connected to the same one or more devices 30 as described above, and the icons on the controller 20 are displayed. I can do it. It is possible to avoid performing redundant processing for determining whether or not an icon is displayed, and processing resources can be saved. Furthermore, since the time required for processing can be shortened, the user can execute the application more immediately. Therefore, the controller 20 that can display icons more appropriately is realized.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the embodiments described above, the processing executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Further, the order of the plurality of processes may be changed, or the plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

Further, the controller in the present disclosure may be realized by a plurality of devices each having some of the plurality of components, or may be realized by a single device having all of the plurality of components. Moreover, some of the functions of a component may be realized as functions of another component, and each function may be distributed to each component in any manner. Any form having a configuration that is equipped with all the functions that can substantially realize the controller of the present disclosure is included in the present disclosure.

Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

Moreover, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may constitute one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits. Further, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

Further, general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Further, the present invention may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiments, the explanation has focused on the operation when displaying an icon, but the application may be deleted if the essential equipment necessary for executing the application is not connected for communication. . By this deletion operation, the icon for executing the application may be hidden. In this case, since the storage area occupied by the application remaining installed can be released, the storage unit can be realized with a smaller capacity.

Further, the present disclosure may be implemented as a display method executed by a controller. The present disclosure may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a display method, or may be realized as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

Other embodiments may be obtained by making various modifications to the embodiments that those skilled in the art may think of, or may be realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Forms are also included in this disclosure.

20, 20a controller 20b mobile terminal 21 communication unit 22 control unit 23 determination unit 24 display unit 24i first screen 24ii second screen 25 acquisition unit 30 one or more devices 50 correspondence table

Claims (11)

A controller,
a communication unit that is communicatively connected to one or more devices;
a control unit that controls at least one of the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit by executing an application;
When the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit include an essential device necessary for executing the application, and which belongs to the same area as the controller, which is defined in units of rooms. a display unit that displays an icon for executing the application ;
The communication unit obtains version information of an operating program used when the one or more communicatively connected devices operate,
The display unit displays the icon when the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit include the essential device whose version of the operating program that is determined by the version information satisfies a requirement.
controller. The device further includes a determining unit that determines whether or not the essential device is included in the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit by referring to a correspondence table that associates the application and the essential device. ,
The display unit is configured to display information for executing the application when the determination unit determines that the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit include essential equipment necessary for execution of the application. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the icon is displayed. The display unit is capable of displaying a first screen on which the icon is displayed and a second screen different from the first screen,
The determination unit is configured to display the essential equipment in the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit, triggered by a screen transition from the second screen to the first screen in the display unit. The controller according to claim 2 , wherein the controller determines whether the controller includes: The determination unit determines whether or not the essential device is included in the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit, triggered by a new device being communicatively connected to the communication unit. The controller according to item 2 or 3. Further, an acquisition unit that acquires the application whose essential equipment is a device included in the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit,
The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display unit displays the icon for executing the application acquired by the acquisition unit. The communication unit receives information on the icon displayed on a controller other than the controller from the other controller,
The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display unit displays the icon based on the information received from the other controller. The controller according to claim 6, wherein the other controller is a mobile terminal. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the essential device is one of a plurality of devices at least one of which is used to execute the application. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the display unit does not display the icon when the essential device is not included in the one or more devices communicatively connected to the communication unit. A method for displaying an icon for executing an application executed in a controller and used for controlling at least one of one or more devices communicatively connected to the controller, the method comprising:
If the one or more communicatively connected devices include an essential device necessary for executing the application and which belongs to the same area as the controller, which is defined in units of rooms, the icon a display step for displaying the
In the displaying step, version information of an operating program used when the one or more devices communicatively connected to the controller operates, and the version information is displayed on the one or more devices communicatively connected to the controller. displaying the icon if the version of the operating program determined by includes the essential equipment that satisfies the requirements;
Display method. A program for causing a computer to execute the display method according to claim 10 .

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