JP7649951B2 - Control system and display method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control system and a display method.

Various technologies have been proposed for controlling devices installed in facilities such as homes. Patent Document 1 discloses a control system that can facilitate the operation of home appliances.

JP 2016-181180 A

However, in order to control equipment using a control system, various settings such as initial settings may be required.

The present invention provides a control system and a display method that can improve the convenience when a user performs various settings such as initial settings.

A control system according to one aspect of the present invention is a control system for controlling equipment installed in a facility, and includes a control unit that displays a first display screen and a second display screen different from the first display screen, the first display screen being a screen that displays a list of a plurality of first setting items required for initial setup of the control system in a manner that allows visual confirmation of whether or not setup work has been performed for each of the plurality of first setting items, the second display screen being a screen that displays a list of a plurality of second setting items that can be set from a plurality of setting screens for setting the control system, and each of the plurality of setting screens being a screen that is displayed after one or more screen transitions have been made from a predetermined top screen.

A display method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method executed by a control system for controlling equipment installed in a facility, and includes a display step of displaying a first display screen and a second display screen different from the first display screen, the first display screen being a screen that displays a list of a plurality of first setting items required for the initial setting of the control system in a manner that allows visual confirmation as to whether or not setting work has been performed for each of the plurality of first setting items, the second display screen being a screen that displays a list of a plurality of second setting items that can be set from a plurality of setting screens for setting the control system, and each of the plurality of setting screens being a screen that is displayed after one or more screen transitions have been made from a predetermined top screen.

A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the display method.

The control system and display method of the present invention can improve the convenience for users when configuring various settings such as initial settings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a facility to which the control system according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the easy registration screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the setting list screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device name setting screen.

The following describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim are described as optional components.

Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[composition]
First, the configuration of a control system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 10 includes a control terminal 20, a plurality of devices 30, an information terminal 40, and a server device 50. The control terminal 20, the plurality of devices 30, and the information terminal 40 are located, for example, in the same facility 70. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the interior of the facility 70. Specifically, the facility 70 is a detached house or a private area of an apartment building. Note that it is sufficient for the control system 10 to include at least one device 30. Also, FIG. 1 shows the main devices included in the control system 10, and some devices, such as a wireless router, are not shown.

Each device included in the control system 10 will be described in detail below. The control terminal 20 is an EMS (Energy Management System) controller with an energy management function, and manages the power consumption of the device 30. The control terminal 20 also controls the device 30 and displays the operating status of the device 30. Control of the device 30 includes, for example, starting the operation of the device 30, stopping the operation of the device 30, and changing the operating status of the device 30. The control of the device 30 is performed by transmitting a control signal from the control terminal 20 (second communication unit 26) to the device 30.

The control terminal 20 is not limited to an EMS controller, but may be another controller without an energy management function, or a gateway device. The control terminal 20 includes an operation reception unit 21, a display unit 22, a control unit 23, a memory unit 24, a first communication unit 25, and a second communication unit 26.

The operation acceptance unit 21 accepts user operations. For example, the operation acceptance unit 21 accepts a tap operation by the user when a simple registration screen or a setting list screen described below is displayed. The operation acceptance unit 21 is realized, for example, by a touch panel, but may also be realized by hardware keys, etc.

The display unit 22 displays an image. The display unit 22 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel.

The control unit 23 performs information processing related to the control of the device 30. The control unit 23 also performs information processing (e.g., display processing of a setting screen) related to the settings of the control terminal 20 (control system 10) described below. The control unit 23 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The functions of the control unit 23 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the control unit 23 executing a computer program stored in the memory unit 24.

The memory unit 24 is a storage device that stores the computer programs executed by the control unit 23, and information necessary for displaying display screens such as the easy registration screen and the setting list screen described below (information that the control unit 23 reads and uses to display the display screens). The memory unit 24 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

The first communication unit 25 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the control terminal 20 to communicate with the server device 50, the information terminal 40, and the like via the wide area communication network 80. The first communication unit 25 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard of the communication performed by the first communication unit 25.

The second communication unit 26 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the control terminal 20 to communicate with the device 30 via a local communication network. The second communication unit 26 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard for the communication performed by the second communication unit 26.

The device 30 is a device controlled by the control terminal 20, or in other words, a device that is the target of control by the control terminal 20. The device 30 is installed within the premises of the facility 70. The device 30 has, for example, a communication circuit (communication module) for communicating with the control terminal 20 (second communication unit 26). Specifically, the device 30 is a lighting device, a lighting switch (wiring device), an air conditioner, an electric shutter, an air purifier, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an opening/closing sensor, a delivery box, a power storage system, a heat pump water heater, or a range hood.

The information terminal 40 is an information terminal for processing information related to the control terminal 20 (control system 10). Specifically, the information terminal 40 is a stationary information terminal such as a personal computer, but may also be a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal.

The information terminal 40 includes an operation reception unit 41, a display unit 42, a control unit 43, a memory unit 44, a first communication unit 45, and a second communication unit 46.

The operation acceptance unit 41 accepts user operations. For example, the operation acceptance unit 41 accepts a user's tap operation when a simple registration screen or a setting list screen described below is displayed. When the information terminal 40 is a personal computer or the like, the operation acceptance unit 41 is realized by a keyboard and a mouse or the like. When the information terminal 40 is a smartphone or a tablet terminal or the like, the operation acceptance unit 41 is realized by a touch panel, for example.

The display unit 42 displays an image. The display unit 42 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

The control unit 43 processes information related to the settings of the control terminal 20 (control system 10) (e.g., displays a setting screen). The control unit 43 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The functions of the control unit 43 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the control unit 43 executing a computer program stored in the memory unit 44.

The memory unit 44 is a storage device that stores the computer program executed by the control unit 43, and information necessary for displaying display screens such as the easy registration screen and the setting list screen described below (information that the control unit 43 reads and uses to display the display screens). The memory unit 44 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

The first communication unit 45 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the information terminal 40 to communicate with the control terminal 20, the server device 50, and the like via the wide area communication network 80. The first communication unit 45 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard of the communication performed by the first communication unit 45.

The second communication unit 46 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the information terminal 40 to communicate with the control terminal 20 via a local communication network. The second communication unit 46 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard for the communication performed by the second communication unit 46.

The server device 50 is a cloud server that manages multiple control terminals including the control terminal 20. The server device 50 is used, for example, by a business that provides the control terminal 20. The server device 50 is used, for example, when remotely controlling the equipment 30 from outside the facility 70 using the information terminal 40.

[Easy registration screen]
After the control terminal 20 and the multiple devices 30 are installed in the facility 70, the user performs various settings such as initial settings. The initial settings are, for example, settings required to control the multiple devices 30 through the control terminal 20. The user here may be a general user or a specialized user such as an installer of the control system 10. When the initial settings are completed, the control unit 23 stores setting information indicating the setting contents in the storage unit 24. As a result, the control system 10 becomes capable of controlling the devices 30 based on an operation on the operation reception unit 21 by the user.

Here, we will explain the easy registration screen for performing initial settings. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the easy registration screen. The easy registration screen is an example of the first display screen.

The easy registration screen is a screen that displays a list of multiple first setting items 22a required for the initial setup of the control system 10. In the example of FIG. 3, the multiple first setting items 22a are seven items: "Router connection," "Device registration," "Measurement circuit name," "Device name/operation," "Radio wave arrival confirmation," "Display order," and "Registration result confirmation." The multiple first setting items 22a are displayed, for example, lined up vertically on the left side of the display unit 22.

When one of the multiple first setting items 22a is selected by the user (e.g., by tapping), the control unit 23 displays an explanation of the setting work for the selected first setting item in the area to the right of the multiple first setting items 22a. In the example of FIG. 3, an explanation for when "router connection" is selected from the multiple first setting items is displayed in area 2 to the right of the multiple first setting items 22a.

In the area to the right of the multiple first setting items 22a, icons for transitioning to a setting screen related to the selected first setting item are displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, three icons are displayed: "Wireless LAN connection," "IP address," and "Wireless settings." When the user selects (tap) one of these icons, the control unit 23 displays on the display unit 22 a setting screen corresponding to the selected icon.

In this way, the easy registration screen allows users to easily access the settings screen required for initial setup.

Here, the control unit 23 displays a list of the multiple first setting items 22a on the simple registration screen in a manner that allows the user to visually check whether the setting work for each of the multiple first setting items 22a has been performed. Specifically, the control unit 23 gives a check mark to the first setting items for which the setting work has been performed among the multiple first setting items 22a, and does not give a check mark to the first setting items for which the setting work has not been performed among the multiple first setting items 22a. In the example of FIG. 3, check marks are given to five items, "router connection," "device registration," "measurement circuit name," "device name/operation," and "display order," but check marks are not given to two items, "radio wave arrival confirmation" and "registration result confirmation." This allows the user to easily understand whether the setting work for each of the multiple first setting items 22a has been performed.

[Settings list screen]
Next, the setting list screen will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the easy registration screen is a display screen corresponding to one of the tabs 22b provided on the setting top screen (an example of a predetermined top screen), and is displayed when the "easy registration" tab is selected (tapped) by the user. The "easy registration" tab is an example of the first tab.

The settings top screen also has four other tabs: "Device Registration/Settings," "Function Settings," "Main Unit Settings/Other," and "Settings List." After selecting (e.g., tapping) a tab such as "Device Registration/Settings," "Function Settings," or "Main Unit Settings/Other," the user can access one of the multiple settings screens as a result of one or more screen transitions (multiple operations). In other words, each of the multiple settings screens is a screen that is displayed after one or more screen transitions have been made from the settings top screen.

In this way, the multiple setting screens have a hierarchical structure with respect to screen transitions, and the need to transition through multiple screens before a certain setting screen is displayed can be irritating to the user. In addition, the user may find it difficult to understand how to display the desired setting screen.

Therefore, the control system 10 is provided with a settings list screen. The settings list screen is a screen provided to reduce such annoyance and difficulty in understanding. When the "settings list" tab is selected by the user (e.g., by tapping), the control unit 23 displays the settings list screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the settings list screen. The settings list screen is an example of a second display screen. The "settings list" tab is an example of a second tab. The second display screen is a screen different from the first display screen.

The setting list screen is a screen that displays a list of multiple second setting items that can be set from multiple setting screens for configuring the control terminal 20 (control system 10). In the example of FIG. 4, multiple second setting items are displayed in a list separated into categories such as "Wireless device settings," "Network device settings," "Smart meter settings," "Device settings," "Solar power settings," and "For businesses." Specifically, the "Wireless device settings" category includes five second setting items: "Wireless device registration," "Device registration via repeater," "Radio wave coverage check," "Wireless device list/delete," and "Frequency channel settings."

When one of the multiple second setting items is selected by the user (e.g., tapped) while the setting list screen is displayed, the control unit 23 displays a setting screen corresponding to the selected second setting item from among the multiple setting screens, instead of the setting list screen. For example, when the second setting item "Device Name" is selected (e.g., tapped), a device name setting screen such as that shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device name setting screen.

In other words, when a user wants to display the settings screen on the display unit 22, the user can choose between two methods: displaying the settings screen by performing one or more operations from the settings top screen, or displaying the settings screen with a one-touch operation (in other words, only one operation) from the settings list screen.

The settings list screen allows the user to access the desired settings screen with a single touch. This means that the user is less likely to feel annoyed or confused. In addition, the number of screen transitions is reduced compared to normal, which reduces the amount of information processing required for screen transitions.

When the setting list screen is displayed, the control unit 23 displays each of the multiple second setting items in a manner that allows a distinction between configurable and non-configurable items. For example, the control unit 23 displays configurable items in blue or black text, and non-configurable items in gray text. In the example of FIG. 4, two second setting items, "Register device via repeater" and "Select smart meter", are displayed as non-configurable items. Non-configurable items cannot be selected by the user, and even if a tap is performed, no screen transition occurs and the display of the setting list screen is maintained.

Note that an item that cannot be set here means that it cannot be set for reasons such as the device 30 that is the premise for setting it not being registered. The storage unit 24 stores in advance criteria information indicating criteria for determining whether each of the multiple second setting items is in a configurable state, and the control unit 23 can determine whether each of the multiple second setting items is a configurable item or an unconfigurable item based on the criteria information.

In this way, if the multiple second setting items are displayed on the settings list screen in a manner that makes it easy to distinguish between configurable and non-configurable items, it becomes easier for the user to find the desired setting item.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, various settings such as initial settings are performed based on user operations on the control terminal 20, and the easy registration screen and the setting list screen are displayed on the display unit 22 of the control terminal 20. However, various settings may be performed based on user operations on the information terminal 40 in addition to or instead of user operations on the control terminal 20. Various settings based on user operations on the information terminal 40 are realized, for example, by the control unit 43 executing a dedicated application program pre-installed in the storage unit 44. Various settings based on user operations on the information terminal 40 may also be realized by the control unit 43 executing a browser.

When the name of the device 30 is set based on the user's operation on the information terminal 40, the control unit 43 displays an easy registration screen and a settings list screen on the display unit 42. The easy registration screen and the settings list screen at this time may be the same as the screens displayed on the display unit 22 of the control terminal 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4), or may be different from the screens displayed on the display unit 22 of the control terminal 20, with some changes made in consideration of operability, etc.

When various settings are made based on an operation on the operation reception unit 41 of the information terminal 40, setting information indicating the setting contents is transmitted from the information terminal 40 to the control terminal 20 and stored in the memory unit 24 of the control terminal 20. At this time, the setting information may be transmitted from the second communication unit 46 of the information terminal 40 to the second communication unit 26 of the control terminal 20 through a local communication network, or may be transmitted from the first communication unit 45 of the information terminal 40 to the first communication unit 25 of the control terminal 20 through a wide area communication network 80. When the setting information is transmitted to the control terminal 20 through the wide area communication network 80, the setting information is relayed by the server device 50.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the control system 10 is a control system for controlling the equipment 30 installed in the facility 70. The control system 10 includes a control unit 23 (or a control unit 43) that displays a first display screen and a second display screen different from the first display screen. The first display screen is a screen that displays a list of a plurality of first setting items 22a required for the initial setting of the control system 10 in a manner that allows a user to visually confirm whether or not the setting work for each of the plurality of first setting items 22a has been performed. The second display screen is a screen that displays a list of a plurality of second setting items that can be set from a plurality of setting screens for setting the control system 10. Each of the plurality of setting screens is a screen that is displayed after one or more screen transitions are performed from a predetermined top screen. The first display screen corresponds to the easy registration screen of the above embodiment, the second display screen corresponds to the setting list screen of the above embodiment, and the predetermined top screen corresponds to the setting top screen of the above embodiment.

Such a control system 10 can improve the convenience for users when configuring various settings such as initial settings.

For example, when one of the multiple first setting items 22a is selected by the user while the first display screen is being displayed, the control unit 23 displays an explanation of the setting work for the selected first setting item within the first display screen.

Such a control system 10 can assist the user in performing initial configuration.

For example, when one of the multiple second setting items is selected by the user while the second display screen is being displayed, the control unit 23 displays a setting screen corresponding to the selected second setting item from among the multiple setting screens instead of the second display screen.

Such a control system 10 can assist the user in quickly accessing the settings screen.

For example, when the second display screen is displayed, the control unit 23 displays each of the multiple second setting items in a manner that allows a distinction between configurable items and non-configurable items.

Such a control system 10 can assist the user in quickly finding the desired setting item.

For example, a predetermined top screen is provided with multiple tabs 22b. When a first tab of the multiple tabs 22b is selected by the user, the control unit 23 displays a first display screen, and when a second tab of the multiple tabs 22b is selected by the user, the control unit 23 displays a second display screen.

Such a control system 10 can switch between the first display screen and the second display screen by the user selecting a tab.

The display method executed by the control system 10 for controlling the equipment 30 installed in the facility 70 includes a display step of displaying a first display screen and a second display screen different from the first display screen. The first display screen is a screen that displays a list of a plurality of first setting items 22a required for the initial setting of the control system 10 in a manner that allows visual confirmation of whether or not the setting work for each of the plurality of first setting items 22a has been performed. The second display screen is a screen that displays a list of a plurality of second setting items that can be set from a plurality of setting screens for setting the control system 10. Each of the plurality of setting screens is a screen that is displayed after one or more screen transitions have been made from a specified top screen.

This type of display method can improve convenience when users make various settings such as initial settings.

Other Embodiments
Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, the display screen and the operations on the display screen disclosed in the above embodiment are merely examples, and other display screens having similar functions and other operations performed for similar purposes may be employed in the control system.

In the above embodiment, the control system is realized by multiple devices, but it may be realized as a single device. For example, the control system may be realized as a single device equivalent to a control terminal or an information terminal. When the control system is realized by multiple devices, the components of the control system may be distributed in any manner among the multiple devices.

For example, the method of communication between the devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. In addition, a relay device (e.g., a wireless router, etc.) (not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, and multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

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

Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

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

For example, the present invention may be realized as a control terminal or an information terminal. The present invention may be realized as a display method executed by a computer such as a control system. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a display method. Such a program includes a dedicated application program installed in an information terminal. The present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

10 Control system 22a Plural first setting items 22b Plural tabs 23, 43 Control unit 30 Equipment 70 Facility

Claims (7)

A control system for controlling equipment installed in a facility, comprising:
a control unit that displays a first display screen and a second display screen different from the first display screen,
the first display screen is a screen that displays a list of a plurality of first setting items required for an initial setting of the control system in a manner that allows a user to visually confirm whether or not a setting operation for each of the plurality of first setting items has been performed;
the second display screen is a screen for displaying a list of a plurality of second setting items that can be set from a plurality of setting screens for performing settings related to the control system,
Each of the plurality of setting screens is a screen that is displayed after one or more screen transitions have been performed from a predetermined top screen. The control system according to claim 1, wherein when one of the plurality of first setting items is selected by a user while the first display screen is displayed, the control unit displays an explanation of the setting work for the selected first setting item within the first display screen. The control system according to claim 1, wherein when one of the plurality of second setting items is selected by a user while the second display screen is being displayed, the control unit displays a setting screen corresponding to the selected second setting item among the plurality of setting screens instead of the second display screen. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the second display screen is displayed, the control unit displays each of the plurality of second setting items in a manner that allows settable items to be distinguished from unsettable items. The predetermined top screen is provided with a plurality of tabs,
The control unit is
When a first tab of the plurality of tabs is selected by a user, displaying the first display screen;
The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a display unit configured to display, when a second tab of the plurality of tabs is selected by a user, the second display screen. A control method executed by a control system for controlling equipment installed in a facility, comprising:
A display step of displaying a first display screen and a second display screen different from the first display screen,
the first display screen is a screen that displays a list of a plurality of first setting items required for an initial setting of the control system in a manner that allows a user to visually confirm whether or not a setting operation for each of the plurality of first setting items has been performed;
the second display screen is a screen for displaying a list of a plurality of second setting items that can be set from a plurality of setting screens for performing settings related to the control system,
Each of the plurality of setting screens is a screen that is displayed after one or more screen transitions have been made from a predetermined top screen. A program for causing a computer to execute the display method according to claim 6.

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