JP2020129468A - Server and switch system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a server capable of appropriately executing interlocking control, group control, etc. of equipment such as luminaires.SOLUTION: A server 2 includes a communication unit 21 that receives an instruction signal, a storage unit 22 that stores setting information of groups of a first type and a second type of a plurality of switches 31 that correspond to a plurality of luminaires or ventilation fans respectively and constitute a wall switch unit, a control target determination unit 24 by which when the instruction signal is an individual control command signal for specifying a switch included in the groups of the first type, the switch is specified as an instruction target switch, and when the instruction signal is a group control instruction signal for specifying a group of the groups of the second type, all switches contained in the group are specified as instruction target switches, and all switches contained in the group of the first type to which each instruction target switch belongs are determined as control target switches, and a control signal generation unit 25 for generating a control signal for controlling the control target switches.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a server and a switch system using the same.

The system of Patent Document 1 has a detection device, a control device, and a management device (center server). The control device realizes a remote control function of operating the lighting device from a distance. For example, when a terminal device or the like used by the user remotely controls the lighting device, the control device receives a control signal from the center server or the terminal device via the network. When the user operates the lighting switch, the lighting device is controlled to be turned on and off via wireless communication, and the detection result indicating that the lighting device is turned on or off is transmitted to the control device via wireless communication. .. When the control device receives the control signal from the center server or the terminal device, the control device controls the lighting device via wireless communication. The detection device is a lighting switch or a sensor, and detects whether or not the lighting device is operated. The control device acquires the detection result from the detection device via communication. A lighting device and a switch that receives an operation for the lighting device have a wireless communication function such as a wireless LAN.

The IoT (Internet of Things) based lighting control device of Patent Document 2 includes a control management server that communicates with a control terminal device of a user via the Internet to control a lighting device or a lighting device group. In this lighting control device, the control management server can control the lighting devices individually or in groups.

JP, 2017-021754, A JP, 2017-204458, A

However, the system having the above configuration does not consider multiple types of grouping between the lighting switches (that is, between the lighting devices), and various lighting devices can be set and controlled in various ways flexibly according to the usage mode of the user. Can not do it. Especially with regard to devices such as residential lighting equipment, there are devices that are preferably linked from the viewpoint of the structure of the house, the flow line of the user (that is, the resident), the lifestyle, the usage status of the house, etc. From the point of view, some devices are desired to be flexibly linked. Furthermore, since general users do not always know the characteristics of devices such as the arrangement of devices such as lighting fixtures in homes, switch specifications, and operation specifications, device control that supplements this lack of knowledge. May be desirable. Therefore, a switch system capable of appropriately setting and executing interlocking control of devices such as lighting equipment and group control is desired.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switch system capable of appropriately setting and executing interlocking control of devices such as lighting equipment, group control, and the like according to the property of the device, and a server realizing the same. And

A server according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that receives a command signal, setting information of a first type group of a plurality of switches that configures a wall switch corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures or ventilation fans, and If the command signal is an individual control command signal designating each switch included in the first type group, the storage unit that stores the setting information of the second type group of the plurality of switches is selected. If specified as the first command target switch and the command signal is a group control command signal designating each group of the second type group, all switches included in the group are subject to the second command target. A control target determining unit that determines all switches included in the first type group to which each of the first or second command target switches belongs as a control target switch, and for controlling the control target switch And a control signal generation unit that generates the control signal and transmits the control signal from the communication unit to the control target switch.

A second aspect of the present invention is a switch system including the server of the first aspect and a plurality of wall switch units. Each of the plurality of wall switch units includes at least one switch that generates an individual control command signal in response to a user operation, a communication circuit that transmits the individual control command signal to the server, or a control circuit that receives the control signal from the server, and a switch. The switching circuit that opens and closes the power supply line to the lighting fixture or the ventilation fan corresponding to the above, and the control circuit that controls the opening and closing of the switching circuit based on the individual control command signal or the control signal. The switch system may also include a user terminal that sends an individual control command signal or a group control command signal to the server.

According to the server and the switch system having the above configuration, not only the command target switch directly involved in the individual control command signal or the group control command signal but also the switch in which the designated target switch is involved in the first type group is included in the control target switch. Be done. That is, in addition to the switch directly specified by the individual control command signal or the group control command signal caused by the user's intention, a switch that is preferably potentially controlled to be interlocked is complementarily included in the control target. Devices such as corresponding lighting fixtures are controlled. Therefore, it is possible to realize a switch system and a server used for the switch system that can appropriately set and execute interlocking control of devices such as lighting equipment and group control according to the properties of the devices.

Further, when the command signal is received from the user terminal, the control target determining unit or the control signal generating unit transmits the control confirmation signal indicating the control target switch from the communication unit to the user terminal before transmitting the control signal. May be configured as follows. As a result, even a user who does not accurately understand the configuration of each group can execute device control without misunderstanding.

The server also includes a group setting unit that sets the first type group or the second type group according to the setting signal from the user terminal received by the communication unit. As a result, both types of groups can be flexibly set or changed.

Here, the group setting unit is a setting confirmation signal indicating all the switches included in the first type group to which each of all the switches included in the first or second type group specified by the setting signal belongs. May be configured to be transmitted from the communication unit to the user terminal before setting the first or second type group. As a result, even a user who does not accurately understand the arrangement of devices, operation specifications, etc. can appropriately set the first or second type group.

The control signal generation unit is configured to change the control timing of the plurality of switches when the plurality of switches are determined as the control target switches and the control signal is a signal for turning on the control target switches. May be done. As a result, the peak of the inrush current supplied to the plurality of devices via the plurality of controlled switches is reduced, and the load on the power supply facility is reduced.

In addition, the control signal generation unit determines the timing of the control signal for the switches other than the command target switch among the control target switches when the plurality of switches are determined as the control target switches for the control signal transmission to the command target switch. It may be configured to delay the timing. As a result, the user can sensuously identify the device corresponding to the command target switch and the other device among the devices corresponding to the control target switch, and the learning and storage of the group setting content by the user can be promoted. To be done.

In each of the above aspects, for example, some or all of the plurality of switches are lighting switches, and the control signal is a signal for turning on or off the lighting fixture. As a result, a server for a lighting switch system and a lighting switch system that achieve the above effects are realized.

It is a block diagram of a switch system by an embodiment. It is an external view of the switch unit in the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining control of a switch system by an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining control of a switch system by an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server in the switch system according to the embodiment.

<Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a switch system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The switch system 1 includes a server 2, switch units (wall switch units) 3-1 to 3-m, devices 4-1 to 4-n, a wireless LAN router 5, and a user terminal 6, and constitutes an IoT switch system. The server 2 is arranged at a remote location of the house H, and the switch units 3-1 to 3-m, the devices 4-1 to 4-n, and the wireless LAN router 5 are arranged inside the house H or close to the house H. .. The user terminal 6 may exist inside the house H (that is, inside the house) or outside the house H (that is, outside the house such as a place where the user is out). Actually, it is assumed that a large number of houses H and user terminals 6 exist for one server 2, but in the present embodiment, one set of houses H and user terminals 6 will be described for the sake of explanation.

As will be described later in detail, in the present embodiment, all or most of the switch units 3-1 to 3-m are lighting switches, and all or most of the devices 4-1 to 4-n are lighting fixtures. .. Therefore, the switch system 1 constitutes a lighting switch system as a whole. In the present disclosure, the switch units 3-1 to 3-m are collectively referred to or a representative of any one of them is referred to as a switch unit 3, and unless otherwise specified, each switch unit 3 is substantially the same. It shall have a functional block. Further, the devices 4-1 to 4-n are collectively referred to or one of them is referred to as the device 4.

The switch unit 3 includes a switch 31a, a switch 31b, a sensor 32, a communication circuit 33, a control circuit 34, and a switching circuit 35. In addition, the switches 31a and 31b and other switches (switches 31A to 31J described later) are collectively referred to or one of them is referred to as a switch 31.

The switch 31 is a physical switch such as a push-down unit for receiving a user operation. The switch 31 generates a command signal (individual control command signal described later) which is an on/off signal in response to a user operation (push operation). The sensor 32 is a human sensor including, for example, an infrared pyroelectric infrared sensor element, a CCD image pickup element, and the like, and outputs a presence/absence signal according to the presence/absence of a human body in the detection area. For example, the devices 4-1 and 4-2 are turned on (lit) according to the presence signal from the sensor 32, and the devices 4-1 and 4-2 are turned off (extinguished) after a predetermined delay time has elapsed according to the absence signal. Is set to be done.

The communication circuit 33 transmits the command signal generated by the switch 31 and the presence/absence signal output by the sensor 32 to the wireless LAN router 5. The communication circuit 33 also receives a control signal from the wireless LAN router 5. The switching circuit 35 is a relay circuit that switches a connection state between the power supply line L and the power supply line La and a connection state between the power supply line L and the power supply line Lb. The power supply lines La and Lb are connected to the devices 4-1 and 4-2, respectively.

The control circuit 34 uses the command signal (on/off command signal) output from the switch 31, the presence/absence signal output from the sensor 32, or the control signal (on/off control signal) received by the communication circuit 33. Based on this, the switching circuit 35 is controlled. When the ON command signal from the switch 31a, the ON control signal for the switch 31a, or the presence signal is input, the control circuit 34 causes the switching circuit 35 to close between the power supply line L and the power supply line La, and the device 4-1. Turn on the power supply to. As a result, the device 4-1 is turned on (lit). Similarly, when the ON command signal from the switch 31b, the ON control signal for the switch 31b, or the presence signal is input, the control circuit 34 causes the switching circuit 35 to close between the power supply line L and the power supply line Lb, and the device Turn on the power supply to 4-2. As a result, the device 4-2 is turned on (lit). When the OFF command signal from the switch 31a, the OFF control signal for the switch 31a, or the absence signal is input, the control circuit 34 (with a delay as necessary) causes the switching circuit 35 to switch between the power supply line L and the power supply line La. The space is opened and the power supply to the device 4-1 is cut off. As a result, the device 4-1 is turned off (turned off). Similarly, when the OFF command signal from the switch 31b, the OFF control signal for the switch 31b, or the absence signal is input, the control circuit 34 supplies the power supply line L to the switching circuit 35 (with a delay as necessary). The electric wire Lb is opened to cut off the power supply to the device 4-2. As a result, the device 4-2 is turned off (turned off).

The switch unit 3 is, for example, a wall switch as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the switch unit 3 includes a switch plate 300, operation portions 301 and 302 corresponding to the switch 31, and a sensor portion 305 corresponding to the sensor 32. Indicators 303 and 304 (for example, LEDs) are provided on the operation units 301 and 302 as necessary. The indicators 303 and 304 are turned off (or turned on in red) when the devices 4-1 and 4-2 corresponding to the operation units 301 and 302 are turned on, and the devices are turned off. In some cases, it is configured to light up (for example, in green). The sensor unit 305 is provided with a human sensor cover 306 and an indicator 307 (for example, an LED) for confirming communication connection. The indicator 307 is configured to turn on when the wireless communication connection (Wi-Fi connection) with the wireless LAN router 5 is established, and turn off in other cases, for example. In the present embodiment, the indicator 307 is provided in the sensor unit 305, but it may be provided in another place.

The device 4 is, for example, a lighting fixture, and includes a lighting device 41 and a light source 42. The lighting device 41 is a general lighting ballast, which converts an input AC voltage from the AC power supply AC into a predetermined output current and supplies the output current to the light source 42. For example, when the light source 42 is an LED, the lighting device 41 is an electronic ballast including a rectifier circuit and a DC/DC converter. When the light source 42 is a discharge lamp, the lighting device 41 is an electronic ballast including a rectifier circuit and a DC/AC converter or a magnetic ballast including a copper-iron coil. Further, the lighting device 41 and the light source may be integrated to form a bulb-type lighting fixture. Although the above description of the device 4 as the luminaire also applies to the other devices 4, the devices 4-1 to 4-n may be the same or different from each other. Note that one switch unit may include one switch or three or more switches 31, and the number n of connected devices 4 is not always twice the number m of installed switch units 3. Further, the device 4 is not limited to a lighting fixture, and may be a ventilation fan, an electric blind, an electric shutter, or the like. In any case, the device 4 may be any device whose operation state is controlled only by turning on/off the power supply, and it is not necessary to introduce a special device 4 for the switch system 1.

The wireless LAN router 5 is configured to be wirelessly connectable to the switch unit 3 (communication circuit 33) and the user terminal 6 (communication unit 61), and can communicate with the server 2 (communication unit 21) via the communication network N such as the Internet. Is composed of. The wireless LAN router 5, the switch unit 3, and the user terminal 6 are connected by Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication. That is, the wireless LAN router 5 is a Wi-Fi router capable of Wi-Fi communication with the Wi-FiSoC of the communication circuit 33. The wireless LAN router 5 and the server 2 may be connected by 3G, 4G, LTE or the like, and a modem may be connected between the wireless LAN router 5 and the communication network N as necessary. As described above, by using the Wi-Fi standard that is generally popular, that is, by using the Wi-Fi router that can be popular in general households as the wireless LAN router 5, the versatility of the switch system 1 is improved. Secured.

The server 2 is, for example, a cloud server, and includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a processing unit 23, a control target determination unit 24, a control signal generation unit 25, and a group setting unit 26. It is assumed that these units are connected to each other in a manner capable of exchanging signals and data with each other. The communication unit 21 may be a general communication device and can communicate with the wireless LAN router 5 and the user terminal 6 via the communication network N. Each of the processing unit 23, the control target determination unit 24, the control signal generation unit 25, and the group setting unit 26 can form a CPU.

The storage unit 22 stores in advance the correspondence between the addresses included in each reception signal and transmission signal and each switch 31 (and each device 4 as necessary). Further, the storage unit 22 stores the detection area information indicating the detection area corresponding to each of the sensors 32. Further, the storage unit 22 stores the setting information of the first type group of the switch 31 (hereinafter referred to as “hard group”) and the setting information of the second type group of the switch 31 (hereinafter referred to as “soft group”). Two types of setting information are stored. Details of the hard group and the soft group will be described later.

The storage unit 22 also functions as a database and can store a large amount of data as big data. The big data may include all the records (that is, logs) of the command signal, the presence/absence signal, the setting signal described later, and other various signals received by the communication unit 21. Further, the big data may include all logs of control signals transmitted from the communication unit 21, notification signals described below, and other various signals.

The processing unit 23 can execute general cloud server processing functions such as centralized control of each unit in the server 2, timing, and communication control of the communication unit 21. In other words, the processing unit 23 can execute various functions other than the functions of the control target determining unit 24, the control signal generating unit 25, and the group setting unit 26. The processing unit 23 can also perform statistical processing such as processing of the number of big data accumulated in the storage unit 22.

The control target determining unit 24 specifies the command target switch specified by the command signal based on the command signal received from the switch unit 3 (switch 31) or the user terminal 6 by the communication unit 21, and determines that command target switch. Based on this, the switch to be controlled is determined. Details of this command signal, specification of the command target switch, and determination of the control target switch will be described later.

The control signal generation unit 25 generates a control signal for controlling the control target switch determined by the control target determination unit 24. This control signal includes at least the address (or ID) of the control target switch and the control content (on/off). Further, when the presence/absence signal is received by the communication unit 21, the control signal generation unit 25 generates and transmits the ON control signal/delayed OFF control signal for the corresponding switch 31. The control signal generation unit 25 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit these control signals. That is, under the control of the control signal generation unit 25, the control signal is transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the switch 31 to be controlled via the communication network N and the wireless LAN router 5.

Here, the definitions of the hard group and the soft group will be described with reference to FIG. The specific example of FIG. 3 is merely an example for explanation. In FIG. 3, elements 31A to 31G indicated by circles correspond to the associated switch 31 (switches 31A to 31G). It is assumed that the lighting fixtures 4A to 4G as the device 4 are turned on/off by the on/off control of the switches 31A to 31G. From the user's point of view, the lighting fixtures 4A to 4G will be controlled, but the switches 2 IA to 3 IG will be controlled from the server 2, so in the following description, the control of the switches 3 IA to 3 IG will be described. The description regarding the lighting fixtures 4A to 4G corresponding to is omitted. The hard groups H1 and H2 are shown by solid line blocks, and the soft groups S1 to S3 are shown by broken line blocks. The hard group H1 includes switches 31A and 31B, and the hard group H2 includes switches 31E and 31F. Soft group S1 includes switches 31A and 31C, soft group S2 includes switches 31C and 31D, and soft group S3 includes switches 31B and 31E. The switch 31G does not belong to any group.

In the hard group, when one or more of the switches 31 included in the hard group are selected and are commanded, the switch 31 that is the command target and the remaining switches 31 that are included in the hard group are selected. (That is, all the switches 31 in the hardware group are control targets.) In other words, when one switch is controlled in a certain hard group, all the switches in the hard group are interlocked and controlled. For example, it corresponds to a device 4 (for example, a lighting fixture near the first floor and a lighting fixture near the second floor of a staircase between the first floor and the second floor) that is preferably interlocked from the structural viewpoint of the house H. The switch 31 to operate can be set as a hard group.

In a soft group, when a certain soft group is selected and becomes a command target, all the switches 31 in the soft group become control targets. However, unlike the hardware group, when the switches 31 included in the soft group are individually commanded, only the switch 31 that is the command target is the control target, and the other switches 31 in the soft group are controlled. Control is not linked. For example, the switch 31 corresponding to the device 4 that is desired to be flexibly linked from the viewpoint of the flow line of the user (that is, the resident), the lifestyle, the usage status of the house, etc. may be set as a soft group. Further, in consideration of the case where the user may want to turn off all the devices 4 in the house H (especially, turn off all the lighting fixtures) when the user goes out, all the devices 4 (all switches 3) of the house H are selected. A soft group that turns off may be set.

(1) Case of Individual Control Hereinafter, a case where the command signal received by the server 2 is an individual control command signal, that is, a case where each of the switches 31A to 31G is individually selected and designated by the individual control command signal will be described. To do. The individual control command signal is generated and transmitted by operating the switch unit 3 (switch 31) or the user terminal 6. Below, from the left column, the command target switch, the control target switch, and the applied hardware group (HG) are shown (the soft group is not involved in the individual control). Note that only the symbols are shown for the switches and groups.
Command target switch Control target switch Applicable HG
31A 31A, 31B H1
31B 31A, 31B H1
31C 31C
31D 31D
31E 31E, 31F H2
31F 31E, 31F H2
31G 31G
In this way, only one of the switches 31 included in the hard group is not the control target, and all the switches 31 included in the hard group are always the control targets. Note that a plurality of switches 31 may be selected and designated at the same time.

(2) Case of Group Control Hereinafter, a case where the command signal received by the server 2 is a group control command signal, that is, a case where each of the soft groups S1 to S3 is selected and designated by the group control command signal will be described. .. The group control command signal is generated and transmitted by operating the user terminal 6 (the switch unit 3 does not generate the group control command signal). Below, from the left column, the specified soft group (SG), command target switch, control target switch, and applicable hardware group are shown. Note that only the symbols are shown for the switches and groups.
Designated SG Command target switch Control target switch Applicable HG
S1 31A, 31C 31A, 31C, 31B H1
S2 31C, 31D 31C, 31D None S3 31B, 31E 31B, 31E, 31A, 31F H1, H2
In this way, all the switches 31 included in the hardware group to which the command target switch belongs are control targets. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 3, a soft group may be provided that collectively designates all the switches 31A to 31G as command targets. Note that a plurality of soft groups may be selected and designated at the same time.

The control target determining unit 24 or the control signal generating unit 25 may transmit a control confirmation signal indicating a control target switch to the command signal from the user terminal 6 from the communication unit 21 to the user terminal 6. In this case, the user terminal 6 which has received the control confirmation signal asks whether or not the control of the control target switch (or the control target device 4) can be executed (for example, "Do you execute control?", "Yes". , "No") etc. are displayed on the touch panel. On the other hand, the user terminal 6 transmits to the server 2 a control confirmation response signal indicating a control execution permission/inhibition response input by the user. The control target determination unit 24 or the control signal generation unit 25 receives the control confirmation response signal and determines the control target switch. For example, when the switch 31A is the command target in the individual control command signal, the control confirmation signal indicates that the switches 31A and 31B are the control targets. Further, when the soft group S1 is the command target in the group control command signal, the control confirmation signal indicates that the switches 31A, 31B and 31C are the control targets. As a result, even for a complicatedly set hard group or soft group, the user can correctly grasp the control target switch and execute appropriate control.

The group setting unit 26 performs the setting process of the hard group and the soft group based on the setting signal received from the user terminal 6 by the communication unit 21. Further, the group setting unit 26 groups any of the switches 31 (devices 4) based on the presence of other existing hard groups, particularly when the control of the group setting instructed by the setting signal is executed. A setting confirmation signal indicating whether or not it is a control target may be transmitted to the user terminal 6. In this case, the user terminal 6 that has received the setting confirmation signal touches a button (for example, "Do you want to confirm the setting?", "Yes", "No") that asks whether or not the resulting group setting can be set. To display. On the other hand, the user terminal 6 transmits to the server 2 a setting confirmation response signal indicating a response of setting permission input from the user. The group setting unit 26 receives the setting confirmation response signal and confirms the group setting.

For example, in the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the switches 31B and 31G (lighting fixtures 4B and 4G) are set as a new hard group. In this case, the user may have forgotten the presence of the switch 31A (lighting fixture 4A) or the presence of the hard group H1. On the contrary, the user mistakenly thinks that a switch (lighting equipment) unrelated to the hardware group H1 to which the switch 31B belongs, such as another switch 31E (lighting equipment 4E), should work with the switch 31B (lighting equipment 4B). It is possible that Therefore, as a result of the hard group setting, the switches 31A, 31B and 31G (lighting fixtures 4A, 4B and 4G) are hard group set, that is, interlocked control is performed as the expanded hard group H1. Indicated by That is, the group setting unit 26 generates a setting confirmation signal indicating all the switches 31 included in the hard group to which each of the switches 31 included in the hard group designated by the setting signal belongs.

Further, in the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the switches 31B and 31G (lighting fixtures 4B and 4G) are set as a new soft group. Also in this case, the user may have forgotten the presence of the switch 31A (lighting fixture 4A) or the presence of the hard group H1. On the contrary, the user mistakenly thinks that a switch (lighting equipment) unrelated to the hardware group H1 to which the switch 31B belongs, such as another switch 31E (lighting equipment 4E), should work with the switch 31B (lighting equipment 4B). It is possible that Therefore, when the group control of the new soft group is executed, not only the switches 31B and 31G (lighting fixtures 4B and 4G) but also the switch 31A (lighting fixture 4A) are interlocked and controlled, and the setting confirmation signal indicates. That is, the group setting unit 26 generates a setting confirmation signal indicating all the switches 31 included in the hard group to which each of the switches 31 included in the soft group designated by the setting signal belongs.

The setting of each group can be arbitrarily set by the user from the user terminal 6, but the hard group can be set for grouping the devices 4 which are inevitably desired to work together. For example, in the stairs between the first floor and the second floor in the house, the lighting equipment on the first floor and the lighting equipment on the second floor (further, the lighting equipment in the landing connected to the stairs, the lighting equipment in the corridor, etc.) as a hard group. Can be grouped. Further, in consideration of the situation at the time of returning home, the lighting equipment at the entrance and the lighting equipment in the corridor leading to the entrance may be grouped as a hard group. Further, since the hard group is often a group in which interlocking control is generally desired, it is set by a contractor or the like when the switch system 1 is introduced and set as a default setting for the user (resident of the house H). Good.

On the other hand, the soft group may be set to group the devices 4 which are desired to be collectively controlled depending on the situation. For example, in consideration of the flow line at the time of returning home, the lighting fixtures arranged from the entrance to the living room may be grouped as a soft group (the user may transmit a group control command signal from the entrance by using the user terminal 6). is assumed). In addition, the lighting fixtures in the dining kitchen and the lighting fixtures in the living room may be grouped as a soft group in consideration of the situation of the family (the user can transmit a group control command signal from the dining kitchen or the living room by using the user terminal 6). is assumed). Alternatively, in consideration of the situation of the toilet at night, the lighting fixtures arranged from the bedroom to the toilet may be grouped as a soft group (assuming that the user transmits the group control command signal from the bedroom using the user terminal 6). Be done). Alternatively, in order to pretend to be at home for the purpose of crime prevention, any lighting equipment on the first floor and any lighting equipment on the second floor can be grouped as a soft group (when the user uses the user terminal 6 from a remote location such as an outside place). It is assumed that the group control command signal is transmitted).

The soft group can also be used to control the setting or control of a large number of switches 31. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the hard group H1 includes switches 31A and 31B, the hard group H2 includes switches 31C to 31E, the hard group H3 includes switches 31F to 31H, and the hard group H4 includes switches 31I and 31J. Including. It should be noted that each hard group may or may not correspond to a single switch unit 3. For example, the switches 31C, 31D, and 31E are switches arranged at separate places (for example, switches corresponding to the lighting equipment on the first floor of the stairs, the lighting equipment on the second floor of the stairs, and the lighting equipment of the corridor on the second floor). There may be three switches included in one switch unit 3. Here, it is assumed that the user wants to interlock the switches 31A to 31H. In this case, if the user sets the switches 31A, 31C, and 31F as the soft group S1 and controls the soft group S1, the switches 31A to 31H are interlocked and controlled due to the hard groups H1 to H3. By using such a soft group setting, it is not necessary to select the eight switches 31A to 31H one by one in the group setting situation, and a quick and simple setting can be performed. Also, in the control situation, it is not necessary to select the hard groups H1 to H3 one by one, or it is not necessary to collectively control all the switches 31A to 31J and then return the control of the hard group H4 to the original state. It becomes possible to control.

Moreover, the control signal generation unit 25 may provide a time difference between the transmission timings of the control signals to the plurality of control target switches when there are a plurality of control target switches. That is, the control signal generation unit 25 transmits the control signal at each timing set for the control signal. In particular, when the control is on-control, it is possible to prevent the inrush currents to the plurality of devices 4 from being generated at the same time, that is, it is possible to reduce the peak of the inrush current in the entire house H, which is advantageous in maintenance of the power supply equipment. desirable. The time difference can be set as a default setting in the server 2.

In addition, the control signal generation unit 25 has a relatively short time difference (for example, 0..0) in which the transmission timing of the remaining control signal is later than the transmission timing of the control signal to the command target switch among the control signals to the control target switch. (1 to 1 second) may be provided. Accordingly, when the user (user terminal 6) is present in the house, the user visually recognizes the device 4 (lighting device) that directly gives the command and the device 4 (lighting device) that is controlled in conjunction with the device 4 (lighting device). Can be determined. The effect of this visual discrimination is obtained not only when the lighting fixture as the device 4 is turned on but also when it is turned off. Alternatively, when the user (user terminal 6) is present outside the house, the control signals for the control target switches have a relatively long time difference (for example, several seconds) in a predetermined order (for example, an order along the flow line of life). It may be controlled by (~ several minutes). Thereby, when the control is turning on or off the device 4 (lighting device), it looks as if a resident is present inside the house from outside the house, and a high crime prevention effect can be realized. The above relatively short time difference can be set as a default setting in the server 2. Further, the above-mentioned relatively long time difference can be set by the group setting unit 26 according to a user operation on the user terminal 6.

The user terminal 6 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. The user terminal 6 includes a communication unit 61, a CPU 62, a memory 63, and an input/output interface (I/F) 64. The communication unit 61 may be a general communication means capable of communicating with the server 2 (communication network N and communication unit 21) and the wireless LAN router 5. The CPU 62 and the memory 63 are a processor and a memory that configure a general computer. It is assumed that the memory 63 has already installed the necessary application programs, and the CPU 62 is capable of executing the programs. The input/output I/F 64 is a display screen including a touch panel (hereinafter, also referred to as “touch panel 64”).

The user terminal 6 can transmit a command signal, a setting signal, a control confirmation response signal, a setting confirmation response signal, and the like in a predetermined application (hereinafter, referred to as “app”). A signal, a monitoring notification signal, or the like can be received. The signals transmitted and received between the user terminal 6 near the house H and the server 2 are transferred via the wireless LAN router 5 and the communication network N. The above-mentioned signals transmitted and received between the user terminal 6 and the server 2 which are remote from the house H are communicated via the communication network N.

The command signal includes the individual control command signal and the group control command signal as described above.
When the user issues an individual control command, for example, an icon with characters such as “living room”, “dining room”, and “bedroom” is displayed on the touch panel 64, and in response to the user's touch operation on this icon. The individual control command signal is generated and transmitted. Further, each icon is provided with an indicator showing the current control state. This indicator may be displayed in a manner similar to the indicators 303 and 304 described with respect to the switch unit 3. That is, the indicator of the corresponding icon is displayed in red (or black, gray or white) when the current status is on (lighted), and green when the current status is off (lighted off). Can be done. When the user issues a group control command, for example, an icon having characters such as “entire”, “group 1”, and “group 2” is displayed on the touch panel 64, and the user's touch operation on this icon is displayed. A group control command signal is generated and transmitted according to

The command signal may be transmitted according to a manual operation of the user terminal 6 by the user as described above, or may be transmitted according to a schedule (timer setting) preset by the user on the user terminal 6. May be Alternatively, this schedule may be stored in the storage unit 22 of the server 2, and the execution of the schedule may be executed by the server 2 alone regardless of the operation of the user terminal 6.

The current status notification signal is a signal for the server 2 to notify the user (user terminal 6) of the current control status of the device 4. The status notification signal is transmitted from the server 2 to the user terminal 6 at the time of starting the application, at regular intervals when the application is active, and when the application is active, the control state of the device 4 changes. Time, or when an inquiry signal is received from the user. When the user terminal 6 receives the current status notification signal, the CPU 62 causes the touch panel 64 to display the current control status (on/off status) of the devices 4-1 to 4-n indicated by the current status notification signal in the application. it can. For example, the current control status may be displayed on the icon of the indicator. Alternatively, on the touch panel 64, a map indicating the inside of the house H (that is, a floor plan) may be superimposed with a display indicating the current lighting/unlit state, or the name of the room in the home and the current status corresponding thereto. The on/off state of may be displayed in a list by text or the like. By the display based on the current status notification signal, the user who is present at a remote location of the house H can determine which command signal should be transmitted or whether the command signal should be transmitted according to the current control state of the device. You can make a proper judgment.

The monitoring notification signal is a signal for the server 2 to notify the user (user terminal 6) of the current detection state of the sensor 32. The monitoring notification signal is transmitted from the server 2 to the user terminal 6 at the time of starting the application, at regular time intervals when the application is active, and when the detection status of the sensor 32 changes when the application is active. Time, or when an inquiry signal is received from the user. When the user terminal 6 receives the monitoring notification signal, the CPU 62 can cause the app to display the detection area and the detection state indicated by the monitoring notification signal on the touch panel 64. For example, on the touch panel 64, a map indicating the interior of the house H (that is, a floor plan) may be superimposed with a display indicating the current detection state, or the name of the room in the home and the current state corresponding thereto may be displayed. The detection states may be displayed in a list by text or the like. By the display based on the monitoring notification signal, the user who is present at a remote location of the house H can determine what kind of command signal should be transmitted, or whether the command signal should be transmitted, depending on the current presence/absence situation. You can make a proper judgment.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the switch control operation in the server 2.
In step S100, the communication unit 21 receives a command signal (individual control command signal or group control command signal) from the switch unit 3 or the user terminal 6. The individual control command signal can be transmitted from both the switch unit 3 and the user terminal 6. In addition, the group control command signal can be transmitted from the user terminal 6.

In step S110, the control target determining unit 24 determines whether the command signal is a group control command signal. When the command signal is not the group control command signal, that is, when the command signal is the individual control command signal (step S110, No), the process proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, when the command signal is the group control command signal (step S110, Yes), the process proceeds to step S114.

In step S112, the control target determining unit 24 identifies the switch designated in the individual control command signal as the command target switch. In addition, in step S114, the control target determining unit 24 specifies a switch included in the soft group designated by the group control command signal as a command target switch. In step S116, the control target determining unit 24 determines, for each of the command target switches specified in step S112 or S114, all the switches included in the hard group to which the designated target switch belongs as control target switches.

In step S120, the control target determination unit 24 or the control signal generation unit 25 transmits a control confirmation signal indicating the control target switch determined in step S116 from the communication unit 21 to the user terminal 6. In step S122, if the control confirmation response signal from the user terminal 6 indicates permission to execute the control (step S122, Yes), the process proceeds to step S130. If the control confirmation response signal from the user terminal 6 indicates cancellation of the control execution in step S122 (step S122, No), the process returns to step S100. Note that steps S120 and S122 are optional steps and may not be provided.

In step S130, the control signal generation unit 25 generates a control signal for controlling the control target switch determined in step S116. The control signal includes the address of the control target switch and the content of control. The control signal generation unit 25 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit the generated control signal to the network N and transmits the generated control signal to the control target switch 31.

As described above, the server 2 of the present invention includes a communication unit 21 that receives a command signal and a hard group of a plurality of switches 31 that form a wall switch unit (switch unit 3) corresponding to a plurality of devices 4, respectively. The storage unit 22 that stores the setting information and the setting information of the soft group of the plurality of switches 31, and if the command signal is the individual control command signal that specifies each switch 31 included in the hard group, the switch 31 is the command target. If the command signal is a group control command signal that specifies each group of the soft groups, all the switches 31 included in the group are specified as command target switches, and each of the command target switches is specified. A control target determining unit 24 that determines all the switches 31 included in the hardware group to which the switch belongs as a control target switch, and a control signal for controlling the control target switch is generated and the control signal is transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the control target switch. And a control signal generator 25 for

Moreover, the switch system 1 of the present invention includes a server 2 and a plurality of wall switch units (switch units 3). Each of the plurality of switch units 3 includes at least one switch 31 that generates an individual control command signal in response to a user operation, and a communication circuit that transmits the individual control command signal to the server 2 or receives the control signal from the server 2. 33, a switching circuit 35 that opens and closes a power supply line to the device 4 corresponding to the switch 3, and a control circuit 34 that controls opening and closing of the switching circuit 35 based on an individual control command signal or a control signal. The switch system 1 may also include a user terminal 6 that transmits an individual control command signal or a group control command signal to the server 2.

According to the server 2 or the switch system 1 having the above configuration, not only the command target switch directly involved in the individual control command signal or the group control command signal but also the switch 31 in which the designated target switch is involved in the hard group is included in the control target switches. .. That is, in addition to the switch 31 specified by the individual control command signal or the group control command signal caused by the user's intention, the switch 31 that is preferably potentially controlled to be interlocked is complementarily included in the control target. The device 4 corresponding to is controlled. Therefore, the switch system 1 and the server 2 used for the switch system 1 that can appropriately set and execute the interlocking control of the device 4, the group control, and the like according to the property of the device 4 are realized.

In addition, when the command signal is received from the user terminal 6, the control target determining unit 24 or the control signal generating unit 25 sends a control confirmation signal indicating the control target switch from the communication unit 21 to the user before transmitting the control signal. It may be transmitted to the terminal 6. As a result, even a user who does not accurately understand the configuration of each group can execute device control without misunderstanding.

In addition, the server 2 further includes a group setting unit 26 that sets a hard group or a soft type group according to a setting signal from the user terminal 6 received by the communication unit 21. Thereby, the hard group and the soft group can be flexibly set or changed.

Here, the group setting unit 26 sends a setting confirmation signal indicating all the switches 31 included in the hard group to which each of the switches 31 included in the hard group or the soft group designated by the setting signal belongs to the hard group or You may make it transmit to the user terminal 6 from the communication part 21 before setting of a soft group. As a result, even a user who does not accurately understand the arrangement and operation specifications of the device 4 can properly set the hard group or the soft group.

Further, the control signal generation unit 25 changes the control timing of the plurality of switches 31 when the plurality of switches 31 are determined as the control target switches and the control signal is a signal for turning on the control target switches. May be. As a result, the peak of the inrush current supplied to the plurality of devices 4 via the plurality of controlled switches is reduced, and the load on the power supply facility is reduced.

In addition, when the plurality of switches 31 are determined as the control target switches, the control signal generation unit 25 determines the timing of the control signal for the switches other than the command target switch among the control target switches by the control signal timing for the command target switch. It may be delayed from the transmission timing. As a result, the user can sensuously identify the device 4 corresponding to the command target switch and the other devices 4 among the devices 4 corresponding to the control target switch, and the user can learn the group setting contents and Memory is promoted.

<Modification>
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be modified into various modes as described below, for example.

(1) Modification Regarding User Terminal 6 In the above embodiment, the case where the user terminal 6 is a smartphone or a tablet terminal has been described. However, a predetermined wireless signal (Wi-Fi signal) is recognized according to the recognition result of the user's voice. ) May be an API device such as a voice command device. When the user terminal 6 is an API device, the input/output I/F 64 is an audio device such as a microphone and a speaker.

(2) Modification Regarding Communication Standard In the above-described embodiment, the communication circuit 33 of the switch unit 3 and the wireless LAN router 5 perform Wi-Fi communication, but any similar wireless communication function can be realized. For example, other communication standards existing or developed in the future may be adopted. In addition, a SIM card may be mounted or inserted in the switch unit 3 (communication circuit 33) so that the communication circuit 33 of the switch unit 3 and the communication unit 21 of the server 2 can directly communicate with each other. In this case, the SIM card can be installed by the contractor when the switch unit 3 is installed. Alternatively, a slot for inserting a SIM card may be provided at any part of the switch unit 3 so that the SIM card can be inserted by a user (resident).

(3) Modifications Regarding Sensor 32 In the above embodiment, the sensor 32 is configured to be a human sensor, but the sensor 32 may be a temperature sensor, a sound sensor, a vibration sensor, or the like. For example, the presence or absence of the human body may be determined by the heat detected by the temperature sensor, or the movement of the human body may be detected by the sound sensor or the vibration sensor.

1 switch system 2 server 3, 3-1 to 3-m switch unit (wall switch part)
4, 4-1 to 4-n equipment (lighting equipment, ventilation fan)
5 wireless LAN router 6 user terminal 21 communication unit 22 storage unit 23 processing unit 24 control target determination unit 25 control signal generation unit 26 group setting units 31, 31a, 31b, 31A to 31J switch 32 sensor 33 communication circuit 34 control circuit 35 switching circuit

Claims (9)

A server,
A communication unit that receives a command signal,
A storage unit that stores setting information of a first type group of a plurality of switches and a setting type information of a second type group of the plurality of switches that form a wall switch unit corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures or ventilation fans, respectively. When,
When the command signal is an individual control command signal designating each switch included in the first type group, the switch is specified as a first command target switch, and the command signal is the second type. If the group control command signal specifies each of the groups, all the switches included in the group are specified as the second command target switches, and each of the first or second command target switches is specified. A control target determining unit that determines all switches included in the first type group to which the control belongs as control target switches;
A control signal generation unit that generates a control signal for controlling the control target switch and transmits the control signal from the communication unit to the control target switch. When the command signal from the user terminal is received, the control target determining unit or the control signal generating unit outputs a control confirmation signal indicating the control target switch from the communication unit before transmitting the control signal. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server is configured to transmit to the user terminal. 3. The group setting unit according to claim 1, further comprising a group setting unit that sets the first type group or the second type group in accordance with a setting signal from the user terminal received by the communication unit. server. The group setting unit is a setting confirmation signal indicating all the switches included in the first type group to which all the switches included in the first or second type group designated by the setting signal belong. Is configured to be transmitted from the communication unit to the user terminal before the group of the first or second type is set. The control signal generation unit, when a plurality of switches are determined as the control target switch, when the control signal is a signal for turning on the control target switch, the control timing of the plurality of switches. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server is configured to be different. The control signal generation unit, when a plurality of switches are determined as the control target switch, the timing of the control signal for switches other than the command target switch among the control target switches, the control signal timing for the command target switch The server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is configured to be delayed from the timing of transmission of the control signal. The server according to claim 1, wherein some or all of the plurality of switches are lighting switches, and the control signal is a signal for turning on or off the lighting fixture. A switch system including the server according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a plurality of wall switch units,
Each of the plurality of wall switch units,
At least one switch that generates the individual control command signal in response to a user operation;
A communication circuit that transmits the individual control command signal to the server, or receives the control signal from the server,
A switching circuit that opens and closes a power supply line to a lighting fixture or a ventilation fan corresponding to the switch,
A switch system comprising: a control circuit that controls opening and closing of the switching circuit based on the individual control command signal or the control signal. The switch system according to claim 8, further comprising a user terminal that transmits the individual control command signal or the group control command signal to the server.

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