JP2016220119A - Remote control system repeating device and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control system capable of normally controlling a single home appliance using plural control units.SOLUTION: When a transmitting and receiving unit 221 receives a control signal from a first control unit 101, a timer unit 206 starts to count the time for specific period, and a control information check section 209 checks control detail. Receiving the control signal again before the timer unit 206 completes the time measurement, the transmitting and receiving unit 207 relays the control signal from the first control unit 101. Relay of a control signal from a second control unit 102 is selected depending on the result of the control information check by the control information check section 209.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay device and a control method of a remote operation system that controls home appliances that are home appliances from a plurality of control devices.

  Conventionally, when there are a plurality of control devices that control a single home appliance, and different control signals are continuously sent from the plurality of control devices, the home appliances are successively turned on according to control signals from the plurality of control devices. In order to prevent a state in which the operation is shifted to a different operation, the control signal from the other control device is not accepted while one control device is controlling the home appliance. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP2015-015620A

  However, when there are multiple control devices that transmit control signals from a remote location and different control signals are sent continuously from the multiple control devices, one control device can perform other controls while controlling home appliances. If the control from the device is not accepted, the control signal related to the service provided by each control device that performs remote operation may not be accepted, and the service provided by the control device cannot be sufficiently received. The problem arises.

  Therefore, in the present invention, there are a plurality of control devices that transmit control signals from a remote location, and even when different control signals are sent continuously from a plurality of control devices, one home appliance is controlled in order. The service provided by each control device can be surely received on the home appliance side.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the relay device of the remote control system of the present invention sends a control signal transmitted from the first control device or the second control device for performing a remote control to home appliances. A remote control system relay device that transmits the control signal from the first control device or the second control device, and the control signal received by the receiver to the home appliance A transmission unit for transmitting to the control unit, a control content confirmation unit for confirming the control content of the control signal, a time counting unit for starting timing of a predetermined time when receiving the control signal from the first control device, a control unit, And when the time measured by the time measuring unit is within a predetermined period when the receiving unit receives a control signal from the first control device, the first control unit Before the control signal from the control device The transmission unit is controlled to transmit toward the home appliance, and during or after transmission of the control signal from the first control device to the home appliance, the reception unit receives a control signal from the second control device. Controlling the transmission unit so as not to transmit or transmit a control signal from the second control device to the home appliance according to the control content confirmed by the control content confirmation unit when received. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, a relay device and a control method for a remote control system that can control a single household electrical appliance with a plurality of control devices in order and can provide services provided by a plurality of control devices that are impaired by conventional exclusive control. Can be realized.

Schematic diagram of a remote control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Configuration diagram of a remote control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows the processing flow in the case of operating household appliances from the control apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the processing flow in the case of operating household appliances from the control apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the processing flow of the server in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the processing flow in the case of operating household appliances from the control apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Configuration diagram of a remote control system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention The figure which shows the processing flow in the case of operating household appliances from the control apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the processing flow of the adapter in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the processing flow of the adapter in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the processing flow of the adapter in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  1st invention is the relay apparatus of the remote control system which transmits the control signal transmitted from the 1st control apparatus or 2nd control apparatus for performing remote operation with respect to household appliances, Comprising: A receiving unit that receives a control signal from the first control device or the second control device, a transmitting unit that transmits the control signal received by the receiving unit to the home appliance, and confirms the control content of the control signal A control content confirmation unit, a time counting unit that starts measuring a predetermined time when a control signal is received from the first control device, and a control unit. When the control signal is received from the control device, and the time counted by the time counting unit is within a predetermined period, the control signal from the first control device is transmitted to the home appliance. Controlling the transmitting unit to Depending on the control content confirmed by the control content confirmation unit when the reception unit receives a control signal from the second control device during or after transmission of a control signal from one control device to the home appliance The remote control system relay device is characterized in that the transmission unit is controlled so as not to transmit or transmit a control signal from the second control device to the home appliance.

  Thereby, one home appliance can be controlled in order by a plurality of control devices, and services provided by the plurality of control devices can be simultaneously provided.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the control unit, the control content confirmation unit, a control signal from the second control device is currently being controlled or to a controlled device that has transmitted a previous control signal. When it is determined that the control signal is an instruction to execute a predetermined operation, the transmission unit prohibits transmission of the control signal from the second control device to the home appliance. This is a relay device for a remote control system.

  This enables orderly control from the control device without affecting services other than control related to the function of the controlled device provided from the control device.

  In a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, when the control unit determines that the control content confirmation result of the control content confirmation unit is control for acquiring information related to the state of the controlled device, the transmission A relay device of a remote control system, wherein the unit transmits a control signal from the second control device to the home appliance.

  Accordingly, even when the first control device is controlling the controlled device, the second control device can grasp the state of the controlled device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, in the control unit, the control content confirmation result of the control content confirmation unit is control for acquiring information related to a communication path between the control device and the controlled device. When the determination is made, the transmission unit transmits a control signal from the second control device to the home appliance, and the relay device of the remote operation system.

  Thereby, even when the first control device is controlling the controlled device, the controlled device grasps the state of the communication path between the control device and the controlled device, and even when the communication path is interrupted. It is possible to operate safely.

  A fifth aspect of the invention is a relay device for a remote control system that transmits a control signal transmitted from a first control device or a second control device for performing a remote operation to a household electrical appliance. A receiving unit that receives a control signal from the first control device or the second control device, a transmitting unit that transmits the control signal received by the receiving unit to the home appliance, and confirms the control content of the control signal A control content confirmation unit, a control frequency confirmation unit for confirming the frequency at which the reception unit receives a control signal, a time counting unit for starting a predetermined time when receiving a control signal from the first control device, A control unit, and when the receiving unit receives a control signal from the first control device, the time counting unit is within a predetermined period of time , The control signal from the first control device When the receiving unit receives a control signal from the second control device, the control content confirmation unit receives the control signal from the second control device. Whether the control signal from the second control device is transmitted from the transmission unit according to the frequency at which the reception unit receives the control signal, which is confirmed by the control frequency confirmation unit. It is characterized by determining whether or not.

  This makes it possible to determine whether or not to transmit the control signal to the controlled apparatus based on the frequency at which the control signal is received and the content of the control signal under the optimum conditions. For this reason, it becomes possible to control one household appliance with order with a some control apparatus.

  6th invention is the relay apparatus of the remote control system of 5th invention, The said control part is the said control frequency confirmation part when the said receiving part receives a control signal from the said 2nd control apparatus. If it is determined that the frequency at which the receiving unit receives the control signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, the transmitting unit is controlled to transmit the control signal from the second control device. It is characterized by.

  As a result, a single home appliance is controlled in order by a plurality of control devices, and a rejection signal is transmitted for a service with a low frequency of control, and a control signal is transmitted for a service with a high frequency to provide a service. It becomes possible to do.

  7th invention is a relay apparatus of the remote control system of 5th or 6th invention, The said control part is said control frequency when the said receiving part receives a control signal from the said 2nd control apparatus. When it is determined by the confirmation unit that the frequency at which the reception unit receives the control signal from the first control device is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, the control signal from the second control device The relay device for a remote control system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the transmission unit is controlled so as to prohibit transmission of the remote operation system.

  Accordingly, when the control signal is frequently received from the first control device, the control signal from the second control device can be prevented from being transmitted to the home appliance. For this reason, it is possible to preferentially receive frequently received services.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, the control unit confirms the content of the control signal from the second control device when the receiving unit receives the control signal from the second control device. If the content instructs the home appliance to execute the function of the home appliance, the transmitter is controlled to prohibit transmission of a control signal from the second control device. The relay device for a remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the relay device is a relay device.

  Thus, if the control signal from the second control device is a signal that causes the home appliance to execute some function, the control signal from the first control device is prohibited from being transmitted and the service by the control signal from the first control device is prohibited. It is possible to give priority.

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the control unit confirms the content of the control signal from the second control device when the receiving unit receives the control signal from the second control device. If the content is content that instructs the home appliance to transmit information related to the state of the home appliance, the control frequency confirmation unit confirms the frequency at which the reception unit receives the control signal. The relay device for a remote control system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the relay device is controlled.

  Accordingly, if the control signal from the second control signal is a content instructing the home appliance to transmit information on the state of the home appliance, the subsequent processing is performed without interfering with the service by the first control signal. Can be executed continuously.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is a control method of a remote control system for transmitting a control signal transmitted from a first control device or a second control device for performing a remote operation to a household electrical appliance. Receiving the control signal from the control device or the second control device at the receiving unit, transmitting the control signal received at the receiving unit toward the home appliance by the transmitting unit, and the first control When the control signal from the device is received, the time measuring unit counts the predetermined time, and the transmitter unit receives the control signal from the first control device until the time measuring unit finishes measuring the predetermined time. And a step of prohibiting transmission or transmission of a control signal from the second control device according to the control content.

  Thus, the control signal from the first control device can be transmitted to the home appliance every predetermined time, and the control signal from the second control device can be prohibited from being transmitted or transmitted according to the control content. Is possible. For this reason, it becomes possible to control one household appliance with order with a some control apparatus.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a control method for a remote control system that transmits a control signal transmitted from a first control device or a second control device for performing a remote control to a household electrical appliance. Receiving the control signal from the control device or the second control device at the receiving unit, transmitting the control signal received at the receiving unit toward the home appliance by the transmitting unit, and the first control When the control signal is received from the device, the control unit counts the control signal from the first control device until the time measuring unit counts the predetermined time, and until the time measuring unit completes the time measurement for the predetermined time. This is a control method of a remote control system that counts transmissions and executes a step of prohibiting transmission of a control signal from the second control device if the counted number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

  Accordingly, if the control signal from the first control device is frequently transmitted to the home appliance, the control signal can be transmitted with priority. For this reason, it becomes possible to control one household appliance with order with a some control apparatus.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the control unit has the first time until the time measuring unit completes a predetermined time.
The control signal transmission from the second control device is counted, and if the counted number is less than a predetermined number, the step of permitting the transmission of the control signal from the second control device is executed. Remote control system control method.

  Accordingly, if the control signal from the first control device is not frequently transmitted to the home appliance, the control signal from the second control device can be transmitted with priority. For this reason, it becomes possible to control one household appliance with order with a some control apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a remote control system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control system of the present invention includes a first control device 101, a second control device 102, a server 103, a broadband router 104, a relay device 105, a home appliance 106, and a third control device 1001. , A fourth control device 1002. The home appliance 106 incorporates an adapter 107 for communicating with the relay device 105. Note that the adapter 107 may be externally attached to the home appliance 106.

  The first control device 101 and the second control device 102 are communication terminals such as smartphones and mobile phone devices, and the third control device 1001 and the fourth control device 1002 are homes such as personal computers. It is a terminal.

  In the following description, the first control device 101 will be described as an example of the control device.

  In FIG. 1, an application necessary for remote operation is installed in the first control apparatus 101. Various forms of communication from the first control apparatus 101 to the server 103 can be considered.

  For example, when communication is performed from the first control apparatus 101 to the server 103 via a base station or the like, a mobile communication system compliant with standards such as 3G (Third Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution) (registered trademark). Can be considered.

  On the other hand, in near field communication such as in a home or office, the first control device 101 is connected via a router or the like using a network conforming to a wireless LAN (Local Aero Network) standard such as public WiFi (Wireless Fidelity). Can communicate with the server 103.

  In FIG. 1, the server 103 decodes the control signal sent from the first control device 101 and identifies the communication line to which the home appliance 106 is connected. This communication line includes a broadband router 104 that communicates with the server 103 via an external line typified by an Internet line (ADSL, optical cable, etc.), and a broadband router 104 via a premises line typified by a home LAN. It is determined by the relay device 105 to be connected.

In FIG. 1, when the broadband router 104 is managed with a fixed network address (such as a fixed IP address), the control signal sent from the first control device 101 is relayed from the server 103 through the broadband router 104. 105 can be transmitted. The third control device 1001 and the fourth control device 1002 are WiF.
It communicates with the home appliance 106 through the broadband router 104 and the relay device 105 through a wireless connection such as i (Wireless Fidelity) or a wired connection such as LAN (Local Aero Network).

  When the broadband router 104 is managed by a variable network address (such as DHCP), the relay device 105 acquires a control signal transmitted from the first control device 101 via the broadband router 104 and the server 103. Here, it is assumed that the server 103 is managed by a fixed network address.

  In FIG. 1, the relay device 105 decodes the control signal sent from the first control device 101 and specifies the home electric appliance 106 to be controlled. The relay device 105 transmits a control signal to the home appliance 106 through the adapter 107. Communication between the relay device 105 and the adapter 107 is performed by wireless connection such as specific low power wireless or WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), or wired connection such as LAN (Local Aero Network).

  In the following description, the first control device 101 and the second control device 102 via the server 103 will be described by way of example, but the third control device 1001 and the fourth control device 1002 will be described. There is a case where the home appliance 106 is controlled via the server 103 or a case where the home appliance 106 is controlled without going through the server 103. In either case, the communication from each control device to the home appliance 106 is the same. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  FIG. 2 shows the first control device 101, the second control device 102, the third control device 1001, the fourth control device 1002, the relay device 105, and the adapter 107 that constitute the remote operation system according to the first embodiment. FIG. Block diagrams of the server 103 and the broadband router 104 are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first control device 101, the second control device 102, the third control device 1001, and the fourth control device 1002 have blocks described below.

  A display unit 201 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, displays a selection of a control signal to the household electrical appliance, an operation result of the household electrical appliance, the operation unit 202 composed of, for example, a touch panel or a plurality of keys, and a server that accepts a user operation The transmission / reception unit 203 that communicates with the relay device 105 via the network 103 or the broadband router 104, and the content to be displayed on the display unit 201 according to the input from the operation unit 202 or the signal from the transmission / reception unit 203 For example, a control unit 204 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each block such as determining data to be transmitted to the relay device 105 to the transmission / reception unit 203 according to an input from the unit 202 is provided. doing.

  The relay apparatus 105 has each block described below.

An ID storage unit 205 that stores an identification number (hereinafter referred to as ID) of a control device that accesses the home appliance, and a time during which the ID control device stored in the ID storage unit 205 can preferentially access the home appliance (for example, 2 Minute)), a control unit 208 that controls each circuit,
A control content confirmation unit 209 for confirming the control content of the control signal received from the first control device 101, 102, 1001, 1002, and a transmission / reception unit 221 that communicates with the control device and the adapter 107. Yes.

The control unit 208 also manages various types of information such as the ID stored in the ID storage unit 205 based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 206 and the data transmitted / received between each control device and the adapter 107 by the transmission / reception unit 221. .

  The adapter 107 includes a transmission / reception unit 212 that communicates with the relay device 105, a home appliance connection unit 214 that performs signal conversion in accordance with the home appliance interface, data that the transmission / reception unit 212 exchanges with the relay device 105, and a home appliance connection unit. Reference numeral 214 denotes a control unit 213 that manages data exchanged with home appliances and controls each circuit.

  In the communication between the transmission / reception unit 221 and the transmission / reception unit 203, the broadband router 104, the server 103, and the like are interposed in the middle of the communication path, but detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, an operation when the home appliance 106 is operated from the first control device 101 and the second control device 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 204 of the first control device 101 controls the transmission / reception unit 203 to transmit a control signal to the relay device 105 (step S <b> 301).

  When determining that the transmission / reception unit 221 has received the control signal (step S302), the control unit 208 of the relay device 105 starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) by the time measuring unit 206 (step S303). The ID that identifies one control device 101 is stored in the ID storage unit 205 (step S304).

  Subsequently, the control unit 208 controls the transmission / reception unit 221 to transmit a control signal to the adapter 107 (step S305).

  When control unit 213 of adapter 107 determines that transmission / reception unit 212 has received the control signal transmitted in step S305 (step S306), the control signal is converted into a signal receivable by home appliance 106 and converted. The signal is transmitted to home appliance 106 by controlling home appliance connecting section 214 (step S307). Thereby, the home appliance 106 performs control according to the received signal.

  Next, the control unit 204 transmits a control signal to the relay device 105 by controlling the transmission / reception unit 203 (step S310). In step S310, it is assumed that the time measurement for the predetermined time started by the time measurement unit 206 in step S303 has already been completed.

  When determining that the transmission / reception unit 221 has received the control signal (step S311), the control unit 208 of the relay device 105 starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) by the time measuring unit 206 (step S312). An ID for identifying the control device 102 is stored in the ID storage unit 205 (step S313). Then, the transmission / reception unit 221 is controlled so as to transmit a control signal to the adapter 107 (step S314).

  When the control unit 213 of the adapter 107 determines that the transmission / reception unit 212 has received the control signal transmitted in step S314 (step S315), the control unit 213 converts the control signal into a signal that can be received by the home appliance 106 and connects to the home appliance. The signal is transmitted to household electrical appliance 106 by controlling unit 214 (step S316). Then, home appliance 106 performs control according to the received signal.

  As described above, the operation illustrated in FIG. 3 is an operation performed when the second control device 102 transmits a control signal to the relay device 105 after the control unit 208 of the relay device 105 finishes counting the predetermined time.

  Note that the predetermined time that the time measuring unit 206 measures may vary depending on the type of the home appliance 106 to be operated, and the predetermined time is about 2 minutes, but this predetermined time is limited to 2 minutes. It is not a thing.

  Next, the operation in the case where the second control device 102 transmits a control signal to the relay device 105 before the completion of the predetermined time measurement by the control unit 208 started in step S303 will be described with reference to FIG. To do.

  In FIG. 4, steps S301 to S307 are the same as those in FIG.

  In step S <b> 10, the control unit 204 of the second control device 102 controls the transmission / reception unit 203 to transmit a control signal to the relay device 105. When the control unit 208 of the relay device 105 determines that the transmission / reception unit 221 has transmitted a control signal (step S411), the control content confirmation unit 209 confirms the control content of the received control signal (step S420).

  As an example of the confirmation of the control content in step S420, for example, the control content confirmation unit 209 receives the ID of the first control device 101 stored in the ID storage unit 205 and the second control received by the transmission / reception unit 221. The ID of the device 102 is compared.

  Here, since the ID of the first control device 101 stored in the ID storage unit 205 is different from the ID of the second control device 102 received by the transmission / reception unit 221, the timing is started in step S303. The control unit 208 determines that a control signal is transmitted from a different control device within a predetermined time.

  The control unit 208 indicates that the control device (here, the second control device 102) that has transmitted the control signal in step S410 refuses to receive the control signal by controlling the transmission / reception unit 221. Send a signal.

  When the control unit 204 of the second control device 102 determines that the transmission / reception unit 203 has received the rejection notification signal (step S413), the home appliance to be operated is another control device (for example, the first control device 101). ) Causes the display unit 201 to display a message indicating that the operation is preferentially performed.

  As described above, in the control illustrated in FIG. 4, when the relay device 105 receives a control signal from a different control device within a predetermined time after the relay device 105 receives the control signal, the relay device 105 performs control for rejecting reception of the control signal. Do.

  The control shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as follows.

  For example, the control content confirmation unit 209 controls the home appliances received from the first control device 101 immediately before (for example, timer reservation for cooling start in the case of an air conditioner) and the control content received in step S411. The control unit 208 may determine whether or not they match with each other. More specifically, if the two received control signals are the control details of the timer reservation of the air conditioner, it is determined that they match, and one control signal is the control details of the timer reservation of the air conditioner, and one control signal is the If it is the control content for changing the cooling temperature, it is determined that there is a mismatch.

Or the control content confirmation part 209 is accompanied by some operation | movement (for example, temperature setting, timer reservation, power-on / off, etc.) instruct | indicated from the 1st control apparatus 101 that household appliances will perform some operation immediately before On the other hand, the control content received in step S411 is an instruction to transmit information indicating the current state of the home appliance (for example, the information is the current temperature setting information, the current In other words, the control unit 208 may determine that the control content is inconsistent in the case where the control content is inconsistent.

  In other words, control signals that allow home appliances to perform some operations or change settings, and home appliances do not need to perform any operations, and transmit information such as home appliance settings and operating states The control unit 208 determines that there is a discrepancy when two control signals, i.e., control signals having contents to be instructed to be received, are received.

  As described above, the control unit 208 of the relay device 105 determines that the control device that has transmitted the control signal is the second control device 102 instead of the first control device 101 that can preferentially operate the home appliance, or When it is determined from the control content of the received control signal that the relay operation is not performed, the transmission / reception unit 221 is controlled so as not to receive the control signal and to transmit the rejection notification signal to the second control apparatus 102.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing performed by the relay device 105 according to the first embodiment, and specifically shows how the processing shown in FIG. 4 is performed on the relay device 105 side.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the control unit 208 of the relay device 105 determines that the transmission / reception unit 221 has received a control signal to the home appliance (step S501), whether or not the time measuring unit 206 has completed time counting for a predetermined time. (Step S502).

  In step S502, if the time measuring unit 206 has already finished measuring the predetermined time, the control unit 208 starts time measurement by the time measuring unit 206 (step S503), and specifies an ID for identifying the control device that has transmitted the control signal. The information is stored in the ID storage unit 205 (step S504), and the control signal is transmitted to the adapter 107 by controlling the transmission / reception unit 221 (step S505).

  On the other hand, in step S502, when the control unit 208 determines that the time measuring unit 206 has not completed the predetermined time measurement, the ID that identifies the control device that has transmitted the control signal is already stored in the ID storage unit. It is determined whether or not the ID matches (step S506).

  If the ID match is confirmed in step S506, the control unit 208 controls the transmission / reception unit 221 to transmit a control signal to the adapter 107 (step S505).

If no match is confirmed in step S506, the control unit 208 controls the control content confirmation unit 209 to confirm the control content of the received control signal (step S508).
If the control unit 208 determines that the control content matches the condition, the control unit 208 controls the transmission / reception unit 221 to transmit a control signal to the adapter 107 (step S505). On the other hand, if the control content does not match the condition, the transmission / reception unit 221 is controlled to transmit a rejection notification signal to the control device that is the transmission source of the control signal (step S507).

Incidentally, as to whether or not the control content matches the condition, as described in the operation of FIG. 4 earlier, for example, when different types of control signals are received, they do not match, and when the same type of control signals are received, they match. The control unit 208 determines.

  Specifically, for example, there are two types of control signals, and one of the control signals is transmitted to the home appliance 106 from the relay device 105 if the control content is any operation to the home appliance 106, for example, an air conditioner. This instruction is for instructing operations such as cooling and heating on / off, timer reservation, and temperature change.

  The other control signal is a control content that does not require any operation of the home appliance 106, for example, the current setting state of the air conditioner (for example, whether it is temperature, cooling or heating, or a reservation when a timer reservation has already been made) This is a control content instructing to transmit information related to the operation start time and the like.

  The control content confirmation unit 209 is configured to confirm the control content of the received control signal. However, the control unit 208 may perform the processing performed by the control content confirmation unit 209.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the contents of a plurality of control signals are confirmed by the relay device 105, and it is determined whether or not to relay according to a predetermined condition. A remote control system that can be controlled in an orderly manner can be realized.

  Note that the time of the predetermined time by the time measuring unit 206 may be changed according to the ID that identifies the first control device 101 that is the transmission source of the control signal. Further, the value of the predetermined time may be changed in accordance with the type of home appliance that is the transmission destination of the control signal.

  Although not shown in this embodiment, the broadband storage 104, the server 103, the adapter 107, and the home appliance 106 are provided with the ID storage unit 205, the time measuring unit 206, and the control content confirmation unit 209, as shown in FIGS. 5 can also be realized in place of the relay device 105.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the case where the control content confirmed by the control content confirmation unit 209 is information regarding the state of the home appliance 106, confirmation of a communication path, or the like. In FIG. 6, steps S301 to S411 are the same as those in FIG.

  When the control content confirmed by the control content confirmation unit 209 is acquisition of information indicating the state of the home appliance 106 or confirmation of a communication path, the control unit 108 of the relay device 105 performs some operation on the home appliance 106. Therefore, even if the control signal is relayed to the home appliance 106, there is no orderly control.

  Therefore, the control unit 108 controls the transmission / reception unit 221 to transmit a control signal (step S305), and the transmission / reception unit 212 of the adapter 107 receives the control signal (step S306). The unit 214 transmits to the home appliance 106 (step S307).

  In addition, even if the operation | movement after step S410 is the operation | movement after starting time-measurement in step S303 and time-measurement completion, or while the time-measurement of the predetermined time is continuing, You may make it the form to perform.

As described above, in the operation shown in FIG. 6, a timer reservation has already been made for the control content that does not require any operation of the home appliance 106, for example, the current setting state of the air conditioner (for example, temperature, cooling or heating) If it is a control content for instructing to transmit information related to the reservation operation start time in the case of being performed, or a control content such as confirmation of a communication path, the timing of the predetermined time is finished or is finished. Even if not, the control signal is transmitted to the home appliance 106.

  If the control content requires some operation on the home appliance 106, different control instructions from a plurality of different control devices are sent to the home appliance 106, and the user cannot receive an orderly remote control service. However, even if a control signal instructing to transmit information such as the setting state and operation state of the home appliance is transmitted to the home appliance 106, the operation of the home appliance 106 may be affected. Therefore, the user can receive an orderly remote control service.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, the contents of control from each control device are confirmed, and further the frequency of control is confirmed, and the home appliance to be relayed is selected.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the remote control system according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the configuration diagram of the remote control system in the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and the relay device 105 shown in FIG.

  The relay apparatus 105 further includes a control frequency confirmation unit 210 that confirms the communication frequency of the control signal confirmed by the control content confirmation unit 209 in the configuration shown in FIG.

  The control frequency confirmation unit 210 determines the control frequency by counting how many times the control signal is received or transmitted during a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes).

  Next, a case where the home appliance 106 is operated from the first control device 101 and the second control device 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Here, the control from the first control apparatus 101 to the home electric appliance 106 is the same as in FIG.

  When the control unit 208 of the relay apparatus 105 determines that the transmission / reception unit 221 has received the control signal (step S411), the control content confirmation unit 209 confirms the control content of the control signal (step S420), and then the control frequency confirmation unit. 210 confirms the communication frequency of the control signal (step S421), and according to the confirmation result, the control unit 208 determines whether or not to transmit the control signal to the home appliance 106 via the transmission / reception unit 221 and the adapter 107. Is determined (step S305).

  More specifically, a description will be given using the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing performed by the relay device 105 according to the second embodiment.

  Since the same processing as in FIG. 5 is performed until confirmation of the control content of the control signal in the relay device 105 (step S508) and condition determination (step S509), description thereof will be omitted.

  For example, when the confirmation result of the control content in step S508 matches the content controlled by the first control apparatus 101 to the home electric appliance 106, it is determined to match in step S509.

That is, when the control unit 208 determines that the home appliance 106 is continuously performing related control, it is a match determination. Otherwise, for example, the first control device 101 is the home appliance. When the control signal is transmitted to the home appliance 106 when the second control device 102 transmits a control signal having different contents to the home appliance 106.

  Subsequently, the relay device 105 confirms the control frequency (step S901).

  The control frequency is, for example, the frequency at which the control device transmits a control signal to the home appliance 106 within a predetermined time. For example, the control signal for adjusting the temperature of the air conditioner is received within the predetermined time. If it has been transmitted a predetermined number of times (for example, two times or more), the control unit 208 determines that the control frequency is high and transmits a control signal (step S505), but otherwise determines that the control frequency is low, A rejection notification signal is transmitted by controlling the transmission / reception unit 221 (step S507).

  If the control frequency is low, it is not possible to use the control signal from a different control device that has newly arrived, even though the user wants to use the service anew. S505).

  On the other hand, when the control frequency is high, if the control signal is relayed, the service that is frequently used by the user (or the service that the user continuously uses) cannot be used. A signal is transmitted (step S507).

  It is also possible to perform control as shown in FIG.

  In step S901 and step S902 in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the number of times the control signal is received within a predetermined time is greater than or equal to the predetermined number. However, in step 901 and step S1001 in FIG. If it is determined that the control signal has been received within a predetermined period (for example, 30 minutes), the process proceeds to step S505 and the transmission / reception unit 221 transmits the control signal. If not, the process proceeds to step S507. The transmission / reception unit 221 transmits a rejection notification signal.

  In the process of FIG. 10, when the control signal is received at a frequency within a predetermined time, the control signal is frequently received. Therefore, the control signal is transmitted and the control signal is received. Is received at a frequency exceeding the predetermined time, the control signal reception frequency is low, and therefore a rejection notification signal is transmitted.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processing performed by the relay device 105 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the configuration diagram of the remote control system in the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and the relay device 105 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, when the transmission / reception unit 221 of the relay device 105 receives a control signal to the home appliance 106 (step S501), the control unit 208 controls the time measuring unit 206 to start measuring a predetermined time (step S501). S1101), it is determined whether or not the measurement of the predetermined time has ended (step S502).

  In step S502, if the control unit 208 determines that the measurement of the predetermined time has been completed, the control unit 208 proceeds to step S503 to start the measurement of the predetermined time, and if not, the process proceeds to step S506.

In step S504, the control unit 208 identifies the control device that is the transmission source of the control signal.
Is stored in the ID storage unit 205, and the transmission / reception unit 221 is controlled to transmit a control signal to the adapter 107 in step S505.

  In step S506, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the ID that identifies the control device that is the transmission source of the control signal matches the ID that is already stored.

  If a match is confirmed in step S506, the control unit 208 transmits a control signal to the adapter 107 by controlling the transmission / reception unit 221 (step S505).

  At the same time, the control unit 208 controls the control content confirmation unit 209 to confirm the content of the control signal (step S1108).

  The control unit 208 checks whether or not the result of checking the control content matches the condition. If the result matches, the control unit 208 does not reset the timekeeping (step S1102). On the other hand, if the conditions do not match, the timekeeping unit resets the timekeeping and starts timekeeping again by the timekeeping unit (step S1101).

  Further, if the match is not confirmed in step S506, the control unit 208 confirms the control content of the control signal received by the control content confirmation unit 209 (step S508).

  When determining that the control content matches the condition, the control unit 208 controls the transmission / reception unit 221 to transmit a control signal to the adapter 107 (step S505). On the other hand, when the control content does not match the condition, the rejection notification signal is transmitted to the control device that is the transmission source of the control signal by controlling the transmission / reception unit 221 (step S507).

Note that the confirmation of the control contents in step S1108 and step S508 is, for example, that the control part 208 determines that the control content confirmation unit 209 does not match when receiving different types of control signals, and matches when the same type of control signals are received. It is to do.

  Specifically, for example, there are two types of control signals, and one of the control signals is transmitted to the home appliance 106 from the relay device 105 if the control content is any operation to the home appliance 106, for example, an air conditioner. This instruction is for instructing operations such as cooling and heating on / off, timer reservation, and temperature change.

  The other control signal is a control content that does not require any operation of the home appliance 106, for example, the current setting state of the air conditioner (for example, whether it is temperature, cooling or heating, or a reservation when a timer reservation has already been made) This is a control content instructing to transmit information related to the operation start time and the like.

  The confirmation of the control content in step S1108 and step S508 may be configured to confirm whether a control signal is received from the same control device, for example, the first control device 101.

  Alternatively, when the control content confirmation unit 209 receives a different type of control signal, the control unit 208 determines that they do not match and receives the same type of control signal, and the control unit 208 further determines that the control content confirmation unit 209 receives the same type of control signal. It may be configured to determine whether or not a control signal has been received from the control device 101, and to determine that the control unit 208 matches or does not match the conditions in step S1109 and step S509 by a combination thereof.

  The control content confirmation unit 209 is configured to confirm the control content of the received control signal. However, the control unit 208 may perform the processing performed by the control content confirmation unit 209.

  Further, the control unit 208 may have a function of the time measuring unit 206 that measures a predetermined time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even in the new control from the control device that is controlling the home appliance, the control content is confirmed by the relay device, and the operation for extending the period in which the control signal is excluded depending on the condition By selecting, it is possible to realize a remote operation system that controls home appliances with a plurality of control devices in an orderly manner.

  Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to home appliances, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to systems for remotely operating electronic devices connected to a network such as business use and office use.

  As described above, in the relay device and the control method of the remote operation system according to the present invention, one home appliance can be remotely operated in order by a plurality of control devices.

101 First Control Device 102 Second Control Device 103 Server 104 Broadband Router 105 Relay Device 106 Home Appliance 107 Adapter 1001 Third Control Device 1002 Fourth Control Device

Claims (12)

A relay device of a remote operation system that transmits a control signal transmitted from a first control device or a second control device for performing a remote operation to a home appliance,
A receiving unit for receiving a control signal from the first control device or the second control device;
A transmission unit that transmits the control signal received by the reception unit to the home appliance;
A control content confirmation unit for confirming the control content of the control signal;
A time counting unit that starts measuring a predetermined time when receiving a control signal from the first control device, and a control unit,
When the time measured by the time counting unit is within a predetermined period when the receiving unit receives a control signal from the first control device, the control unit, when the time is within a predetermined period, Controlling the transmitter to transmit a control signal from the home appliance to the home appliance,
The control content confirmed by the control content confirmation unit when the reception unit receives a control signal from the second control device during or after transmission of the control signal from the first control device to the home appliance. In response, the remote control system relay device, wherein the transmission unit is controlled not to transmit or transmit a control signal from the second control device to the home appliance.   The control unit instructs the control content confirmation unit to execute a predetermined operation for the controlled device that is currently in control or that has transmitted the previous control signal by the control signal from the second control device. The relay of the remote control system according to claim 1, wherein when determining that the signal is a control signal, the transmission unit prohibits transmission of a control signal from the second control device to the home appliance. apparatus.   When the control unit determines that the control content confirmation result of the control content confirmation unit is control for acquiring information on the state of the controlled device, the transmission unit transmits a control signal from the second control device. The relay device of the remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the relay device is transmitted to the home appliance.   When the control unit determines that the control content confirmation result of the control content confirmation unit is control for acquiring information on a communication path between the control device and the controlled device, the transmission unit transmits the second control device. The relay device of the remote control system according to claim 1, wherein a control signal from the home appliance is transmitted to the home appliance. A relay device of a remote operation system that transmits a control signal transmitted from a first control device or a second control device for performing a remote operation to a home appliance,
A receiving unit for receiving a control signal from the first control device or the second control device;
A transmission unit that transmits the control signal received by the reception unit to the home appliance;
A control content confirmation unit for confirming the control content of the control signal;
A control frequency confirmation unit for confirming the frequency at which the reception unit receives the control signal;
A time counting unit that starts measuring a predetermined time when receiving a control signal from the first control device, and a control unit,
When the time measured by the time counting unit is within a predetermined period when the receiving unit receives a control signal from the first control device, the control unit, when the time is within a predetermined period, Controlling the transmitter to transmit a control signal from the home appliance to the home appliance,
When the receiving unit receives a control signal from the second control device, the control content confirmation unit confirms the content of the control signal from the second control device, and the control frequency confirmation unit confirms, A relay device for a remote control system, wherein whether or not to transmit a control signal from the second control device from the transmission unit is determined according to a frequency at which the reception unit receives a control signal. The control unit confirms the control frequency confirmation unit when the reception unit receives a control signal from the second control device, and the frequency at which the reception unit receives the control signal is within a predetermined time. 6. The relay device for a remote control system according to claim 5, wherein when the number of times is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times, the transmission unit is controlled to transmit a control signal from the second control device.   The control unit is the frequency at which the reception unit receives a control signal from the first control device, which is confirmed by the control frequency confirmation unit when the reception unit receives a control signal from the second control device. The control unit controls the transmission unit to prohibit transmission of a control signal from the second control device when it is determined that the number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. Or the relay apparatus of the remote control system of 6.   When the receiving unit receives a control signal from the second control device, the control unit confirms the content of the control signal from the second control device when the receiving unit receives the control signal from the second control device. If it is the content which instruct | indicates to perform the function of household appliances with respect to household appliances, the said transmission part is controlled to prohibit transmission of the control signal from a said 2nd control apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The relay device of the remote control system according to any one of claims 5 to 7.   When the receiving unit receives a control signal from the second control device, the control unit confirms the content of the control signal from the second control device when the receiving unit receives the control signal from the second control device. The control frequency confirmation unit controls the reception unit to confirm the frequency of reception of the control signal if the content is an instruction to transmit information on the state of the home appliance to the home appliance. The relay device for a remote control system according to any one of claims 5 to 8. A control method of a remote operation system for transmitting a control signal transmitted from a first control device or a second control device for performing a remote operation to a home appliance,
Receiving a control signal from the first control device or the second control device at a receiving unit;
Transmitting the control signal received by the receiving unit to the home appliance at the transmitting unit;
Receiving a control signal from the first control device, measuring a predetermined time in a timer unit; and
The transmitter transmits a control signal from the first control device and the control signal from the second control device is transmitted according to the control contents until the time measuring unit completes the time measurement for a predetermined time. A step of prohibiting transmission, and a method for controlling a remote control system. A control method of a remote operation system for transmitting a control signal transmitted from a first control device or a second control device for performing a remote operation to a home appliance,
Receiving a control signal from the first control device or the second control device at a receiving unit;
Transmitting the control signal received by the receiving unit to the home appliance at the transmitting unit;
Receiving a control signal from the first control device, measuring a predetermined time in a timer unit; and
The control unit counts the transmission of the control signal from the first control device until the time measuring unit completes the time measurement for the predetermined time. If the counted number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the second control device A step of prohibiting transmission of a control signal from the remote control system.   The control unit counts the transmission of the control signal from the first control device until the time measuring unit completes the predetermined time, and if the counted number is less than the predetermined number, the second control device The method for controlling a remote operation system according to claim 11, wherein the step of permitting transmission of a control signal from the remote control system is executed.

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