JP7462471B2 - Control device, control information transmission method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a control device , a control information transmission method, and a program.

A residential environment control device has been proposed that includes a calendar timer and a control unit that controls the window shutters so that the window shutters are in a preset open or closed state when the calendar timer indicates a preset time period, and that controls the window shutters to achieve energy savings and comfort according to the season (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6512515

However, the residential environment control device described in Patent Document 1 controls the open/close state of the window shutters based only on energy saving in the air conditioner and the comfort of the residential space. For this reason, for example, when a user wants to open the window shutters to take the laundry outside after using the washing machine, if the window shutters are kept closed at that time, the user may be forced to take the trouble of manually opening the window shutters themselves. Or, for example, when a user wants to check the situation outside for crime prevention purposes during the time when children are going home from school, the user may be forced to take the trouble of manually opening the window shutters themselves if the window shutters are kept closed at that time.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide a control device , a control information transmission method, and a program that can reduce the effort required for users to open and close window coverings.

In order to achieve the above object, the control device according to the present invention comprises:
a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information ;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
a weather information acquisition unit that acquires the weather information including the weather forecast information from a weather server every time a window shielding material drive determination time arrives for determining whether or not to drive the window shielding material that has been set in advance ,
when the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control determination unit determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and a length of a daytime period from a current time to a sunset time;
the device control unit identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the control determination unit determines to transmit the first control information to the drive device when a length of the daytime time period is equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time period and weather conditions during the entire daytime time period indicated by the weather forecast information are fine;
The control determination unit determines each time the window covering material drive determination time arrives whether the daytime period includes a rainy period when the weather conditions are rain or a snowfall period when the weather conditions are snow, and if the daytime period includes the rainy period or the snowfall period, determines to send the first control information to the drive device .

According to the present disclosure, the control determination unit determines whether or not to send control information to the drive device based on the operating status of the electrical equipment and weather information. Then, when the control determination unit determines that the control information should be sent to the drive device, the device control unit identifies the control information to be sent to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device. As a result, when it becomes necessary to drive the window shielding material in accordance with the operating status of the electrical equipment and weather conditions, the control information is transmitted to the drive device, and the drive device drives the window shielding material. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to drive the window shielding material, the effort required by the user to manually open and close the window shielding material can be reduced.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a terminal device and a control device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device and a control device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in an operating state storage unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a meteorological information storage unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a terminal device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a power information acquisition process executed by a control device according to a first embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of a flow of a control information transmission process executed by a control device according to the first embodiment. Schematic configuration diagram of a control system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a terminal device, an entrance/exit management server, and a device management server according to a second embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device, an entrance/exit management server, and a device management server according to a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an entrance/exit information storage unit according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an admission control storage unit according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of a control system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a terminal device according to a second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of a control system according to a second embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of a notification information transmission process executed by a control device according to a second embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of a flow of a control information transmission process executed by a control device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device and a control device according to a modified example. A flowchart showing an example of a flow of a control information transmission process executed by a control device according to a modified example. A flowchart showing an example of a flow of a control information transmission process executed by a control device according to a modified example. A flowchart showing an example of a flow of a control information transmission process executed by a control device according to a modified example. A flowchart showing an example of a flow of a control information transmission process executed by a control device according to a modified example.

(Embodiment 1)
A control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a control system including the control device will be described below with reference to the drawings. The control device according to the embodiment transmits preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window shielding material to the drive device based on the operating state of an electrical device and weather information. The control device includes a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device, and a device control unit that, when the control determination unit determines that the control information should be transmitted to the drive device, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 100 according to the present embodiment is used for a building H that has a drying rack (not shown) for drying laundry outdoors, a washing machine 4 installed indoors, a window (not shown) that opens and closes when going from indoors to outdoors, and a shutter 52 that covers the window. In FIG. 1, the dashed arrows indicate the flow of information, and the thick arrows indicate the flow of power. In the building H, a distribution board 3 is installed that distributes power supplied from a system power supply 8 to power lines installed in the building H. This control system includes a power measurement device 2 that measures the power supplied from the distribution board 3 to the washing machine 4, a drive device 51 that drives the shutter 52, a control device 1 that controls the drive device 51, and a terminal device 7 carried by the user. The control device 1 is connected to IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as a power measuring device 2 and a drive device 51 via a local network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) constructed in the building H, and is a device that performs energy management or controls the IoT devices in the building H, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System). Here, the local network may be a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The control device 1 is also connected to a weather server 9 via a wide area network NW such as the Internet.

The shutter 52 is a window shielding material that is attached to windows in a building and is used for purposes such as storm shutters, privacy screens, heat insulation materials, and sunshade materials. The shutter 52 is an electric shutter, an electric blind, an electric shade, etc. The shutter 52 also includes shutters installed for crime prevention purposes. The shutter 52 is installed outside the building H, inside the building H, or both outside and inside the building H. The drive device 51 includes a motor (not shown) that drives the shutter 52, a motor control unit (not shown) that controls the motor, and a communication interface (not shown) connected to the control device 1 via a local network. The motor control unit drives the motor to open and close the shutter 52 based on control information obtained from the control device 1 via the local network.

The weather server 9 has a storage (not shown), a control unit (not shown) that controls the entire weather server 9, and a communication interface (not shown) connected to the wide area network NW. The storage stores weather information including future weather forecast information. When the weather server 9 receives weather information request information from the control device 1 requesting the weather server 9 to transmit weather information to the control device 1, the weather server 9 extracts future or current date and time information for which weather information is requested and location information indicating the area in which the building H is located, which are included in the weather information request information. The weather server 9 then transmits to the control device 1 weather information indicating the weather conditions at the date and time indicated by the extracted date and time information for the area indicated by the extracted location information. Note that the weather server 9 may be a combination of physically different servers for each piece of information to be distributed.

The distribution board 3 has branch line connections (not shown) connected to each branch line for supplying power to electrical equipment, including the washing machine 4, arranged in the building H, and a main line connection (not shown) connected to a main line for receiving power from the system power supply 8. There are as many branch line connections as there are branch paths for supplying power to the electrical equipment. The power measurement device 2 measures at least the power supplied to the washing machine 4. The power measurement device 2 transmits power information indicating the measured power to the control device 1.

The terminal device 7 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet, and as shown in FIG. 2, has a CPU 701, a main memory unit 702, an auxiliary memory unit 703, a wide area communication unit 706 connected to a wide area network NW, a display unit 704, an input unit 705, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 707, and a bus 709 connecting these to each other. The main memory unit 702 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is a volatile memory used as a working area for the CPU 701. The auxiliary memory unit 703 is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory, and stores programs for realizing various functions of the terminal device 7. Examples of the programs include applications for displaying an operation screen image on the display unit 704 for the user to input position information. The display unit 704 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information indicating, for example, the judgment result by the control device 1. The input unit 705 is, for example, a touch panel, and is operated by the user of the terminal device 7. The wide area communication unit 706 has functions such as a modem and a gateway, and outputs various information received from the control device 1 via the network NW to the CPU 701 via the bus 709. When the GPS receiving unit 707 receives a GPS signal from a positioning satellite, it extracts GPS information contained in the received GPS signal and outputs it to the CPU 701.

The CPU 701 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 703 into the main memory unit 702 and executes it, thereby functioning as a reception unit 711, a location information registration unit 712, a location information transmission unit 713, a display control unit 714, a positioning unit 715, and a postal code identification unit 716, as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, the main memory unit 702 shown in FIG. 2 has a location memory unit 721 that temporarily stores the location information of building H, as shown in FIG. 3.

The reception unit 711 receives information input by the user via the input unit 705, and notifies the location information registration unit 712 of the received information. The positioning unit 715 measures the current location of the terminal device 7 from the GPS information input from the GPS receiving unit 707, and notifies the location information registration unit 712 of information indicating the current location obtained by positioning. The postal code identification unit 716 identifies the postal code of the current location of the terminal device 7 measured by the positioning unit 715, and notifies the display control unit 714.

The location information registration unit 712 generates location information indicating the area where the building H is located based on the information notified by the reception unit 711, and stores the generated location information in the location storage unit 721. Here, the location information is, for example, information indicating the latitude and longitude of the area where the building H is located. Furthermore, when the information received by the reception unit 711 is postal code information, the location information registration unit 712 acquires location information corresponding to the received postal code from the postal code management server by, for example, transmitting location request information including the received postal code information to a postal code management server (not shown) that manages the postal codes. The location information registration unit 712 then registers the acquired location information in the location storage unit 721. Furthermore, when the location information registration unit 712 is notified of information indicating the current location of the terminal device 7 from the positioning unit 715, it stores the notified information in the location storage unit 721 as location information.

The location information transmission unit 713 transmits the location information stored in the location memory unit 721 to the control device 1. The display control unit 714 generates an operation screen image including the information input by the user and displays it on the display unit 704. The postal code identification unit 716 obtains information on the postal code corresponding to the current location of the terminal device 7 from the postal code management server (not shown), for example, by transmitting postal code request information including information indicating the current location of the terminal device to a postal code management server (not shown) that manages postal codes.

Returning to FIG. 2, the control device 1 has a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a wide area communication unit 106 connected to the wide area network NW, a local communication unit 107 connected to the local network, a clock unit 108, and a bus 109 connecting these to each other. The main memory unit 102 is a volatile memory used as a working area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory unit 103 is a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic disk or a semiconductor flash memory, and stores programs for realizing various functions of the control device 1. The local communication unit 107 communicates with the power measurement device 2 via the local network. The clock unit 108 functions as an RTC (Real Time Clock) that clocks the current date and time. The clock unit 108 has, for example, a crystal oscillator (not shown) that generates a clock signal, a frequency division circuit (not shown) that divides the clock signal, and a power storage element that supplies power to drive the crystal oscillator. The clock unit 108 continues to operate and keep time using power supplied from the power storage element even if, for example, a power outage occurs in the building and the power supply to the control device 1 is cut off. The clock unit 108 may also have a function to correct the current date and time by acquiring date and time information conforming to the Network Time Protocol (NTP) transmitted from a time server (not shown) connected to the wide area network NW, or by receiving a standard radio wave to notify the current time.

The CPU 101 reads out the programs stored in the auxiliary memory unit 103 into the main memory unit 102 and executes them, thereby functioning as a power acquisition unit 111, a weather information acquisition unit 112, an operating state determination unit 113, a control determination unit 114, a device control unit 115, and a position information acquisition unit 117, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary memory unit 103 shown in FIG. 2 also has an operating state memory unit 131, a weather information memory unit 132, a control information memory unit 133, a position memory unit 134, and a power memory unit 135, as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the operation status storage unit 131 stores power information indicating the power consumption of the washing machine 4 and operation status information indicating the operation status of the washing machine 4 in association with date and time information. The operation status information is flag information that is set to "F1" when the washing machine 4 is operating and is set to "F0" when the washing machine 4 is stopped. Here, the date and time information is information indicating the date and time when the power acquisition unit 111 acquired the power information from the power measurement device 2. The operation status storage unit 131 stores a history of power information and operation status information at the power information acquisition time that arrives at a preset cycle during a period from a time point a preset period in the past to the present time. The example shown in FIG. 4 shows a case where the power information acquisition time arrives at a one-minute cycle.

As shown in FIG. 5, the weather information storage unit 132 stores weather forecast information indicating forecasts of weather conditions at the present time and future times, sunrise time information indicating the time of sunrise, and sunset time information indicating the time of sunset, in association with a combination of date information and time information. Returning to FIG. 3, the control information storage unit 133 stores control information for controlling the drive unit 51. Here, the control information storage unit 133 stores first control information for controlling the drive unit 51 to open the shutter 52, and second control information for prohibiting the drive unit 51 from operating based on the control information for a third reference time set in advance. The position storage unit 134 stores position information indicating the location of the building H obtained from the terminal device 7. The power storage unit 135 stores power information indicating the power consumption of the washing machine 4 obtained from the power measurement device 2.

When the power acquisition unit 111 determines that a preset time for acquiring power information has arrived based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108, it acquires the power information transmitted from the power measurement device 2 by transmitting power information request information to the power measurement device 2, which requests the power measurement device 2 to transmit power information. The power acquisition unit 111 then stores the acquired power information in the power storage unit 135.

When the operation state determination unit 113 arrives at an operation state determination time for determining the operation state of the washing machine 4, which is preset based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108, the operation state determination unit 113 determines the operation state of the washing machine 4 based on the power information stored in the power storage unit 135. Here, the length of the arrival cycle of the operation state determination time is set to be longer than the arrival cycle of the power information acquisition time described above. If the power indicated by the power information notified from the power acquisition unit 111 is less than the preset reference power value, the operation state determination unit 113 determines that the washing machine 4 is stopped. On the other hand, if the power indicated by the power information notified from the power acquisition unit 111 is equal to or greater than the reference power value, the operation state determination unit 113 determines that the washing machine 4 is operating. When the operation state determination unit 113 determines that the washing machine 4 is stopped, the operation state determination unit 113 stores the acquired power information and the operation state information indicating the above-mentioned flag information "F0" in the operation state storage unit 131 in association with the date and time information indicating the above-mentioned operation state determination time. On the other hand, when the operation status determination unit 113 determines that the washing machine 4 is operating, it stores the acquired power information and the operation status information indicating the above-mentioned flag information "F1" in the operation status storage unit 131 in association with the date and time information indicating the above-mentioned operation status determination time.

When the operation state determination time for determining the operation state of the washing machine 4, which is preset based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108, arrives, the weather information acquisition unit 112 acquires weather information including weather performance information indicating the current weather conditions and weather forecast information indicating future weather forecast information from the weather server 9 when the operation state of the washing machine 4 transitions from the operation state to the stop state. Here, the weather information acquisition unit 112 acquires weather information from the weather server 9 by transmitting to the weather server 9 weather information request information requesting the weather server 9 to transmit weather information. The weather information request information includes date and time information indicating a preset current or future time period for which weather information is requested, and location information indicating the area in which the building H is located. The weather information includes weather performance information indicating the current weather conditions, weather forecast information indicating future weather conditions, sunrise time information indicating the sunrise time on the day the weather information was transmitted, and sunset time information indicating the sunset time on the day the weather information was transmitted. The weather information acquisition unit 112 stores the acquired weather information in the weather information storage unit 132.

Based on the operating state of the washing machine 4 and the weather information, the control determination unit 114 determines whether or not to transmit control information for controlling the drive unit 51 to the drive unit 51. Specifically, when the control determination unit 114 determines that the washing machine 4 has transitioned from an operating state to a stopped state by referring to the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131, it determines whether or not to transmit control information to the drive unit 51 based on the future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and the length of the daytime period from the current time to sunset. Here, the control determination unit 114 determines that the above-mentioned first control information is to be transmitted to the drive unit 51 if the length of the daytime period including the current time is equal to or longer than a preset first reference time and the weather conditions in the entire daytime period indicated by the weather forecast information are "fine". Here, the first reference time is set to, for example, three hours. In addition, the control determination unit 114 determines whether or not the daytime period from the current time to sunset includes a rainy time period in which the weather conditions are rain or a snowfall time period in which the weather conditions are snow each time a preset shutter drive determination time arrives. Here, the shutter drive determination time is a window shielding material drive determination time for determining whether or not to transmit first control information for opening the shutter 52 to the drive device 51, and the arrival cycle is set to, for example, 30 minutes. Then, when the control determination unit 114 determines that the daytime period includes a rainy period or a snowfall period, it determines that the first control information is to be transmitted to the drive device 51. Furthermore, when the current time is later than the time that is a preset second reference time before the sunset time of that day, the control determination unit 114 determines that the aforementioned first control information is to be transmitted to the drive device 51. Here, the second reference time is set to, for example, one hour.

When the control determination unit 114 determines that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device 51, the device control unit 115 specifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device 51. Here, when the control determination unit 114 determines that the first control information is to be transmitted to the drive device 51, the device control unit 115 specifies the first control information from among the control information stored in the control information storage unit 133. In addition, when the device control unit 115 transmits the above-mentioned first control information, and the drive device 51 drives the shutter 52 based on the first control information, and then receives completion notification information from the drive device 51, it specifies second control information for prohibiting the drive device 51 from operating based on the control information for a third reference time set in advance. This "second control information" is for performing so-called control to prevent users from being locked out of the room. Here, the third reference time is set to, for example, 20 minutes. In addition, the device control unit 115 transmits the specified control information to the drive device 51.

Next, the operation of the control system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8. First, as shown in FIG. 6, when a user performs an operation to input location information indicating the location where the building H is located via the input unit 705 of the terminal device 7, the terminal device 7 accepts the input information and generates location information based on the accepted information (step S11). Here, the terminal device 7 displays an operation screen image GA1, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, on the display unit 704. Then, while the terminal device 7 is displaying the operation screen image GA1 on the display unit 704, the user touches a portion of the input unit 705 corresponding to the postal code input field B1 in the operation screen image GA1 to input a postal code, and then touches a portion of the input unit 705 corresponding to the "Set" button image BU2. In this case, the terminal device 7 accepts the postal code information input by the user, acquires location information corresponding to the accepted postal code, and stores the acquired location information in the position memory unit 721. Furthermore, when the user touches a portion of the input unit 705 corresponding to the button image BU1 in the operation screen image GA1, the terminal device 7 measures the current location of the terminal device 7 based on the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 707. The terminal device 7 then acquires postal code information corresponding to the current location of the terminal device 7 and displays the acquired information in the postal code input field B1. In this state, when the user touches a portion of the input unit 705 corresponding to the "Set" button image BU2, the terminal device 7 stores the information indicating the current location of the terminal device 7 obtained by positioning in the position memory unit 721 as position information.

Returning to FIG. 6, next, the location information stored in the location memory unit 721 is transmitted from the terminal device 7 to the control device 1 (step S12). At this time, when the control device 1 receives the location information, it stores the received location information in the location memory unit 134.

When the preset power information acquisition time arrives, power information request information is sent from the control device 1 to the power measurement device 2, requesting the power measurement device 2 to transmit power information indicating the power consumption of the washing machine 4 (step S13). On the other hand, when the power measurement device 2 receives the power information request information, it generates power information indicating the power consumption of the washing machine 4 corresponding to the received power information request information (step S14). Next, the generated power information is sent from the power measurement device 2 to the control device 1 (step S15). Here, when the control device 1 receives the power information, it stores the received power information in the power storage unit 135.

After that, when the preset operation status determination time arrives, the control device 1 determines the operation status of the washing machine 4 based on the power information stored in the power storage unit 135 (step S16). At this time, the control device 1 generates operation information indicating the determination result of the operation status of the washing machine 4 and stores it in the operation status storage unit 131. Next, the control device 1 refers to the operation information stored in the operation status storage unit 131 and determines that the washing machine 4 has transitioned from the "operating" state to the "stopped" state (step S17). In this case, the above-mentioned weather information request information is sent from the control device 1 to the weather server 9 (step S18). This weather information request information includes the location information stored in the location storage unit 721.

On the other hand, when the weather server 9 receives the weather information request information, it extracts the date and time information and location information for which the weather information is requested, which are included in the received weather information request information, and generates weather information based on the extracted date and time information and location information (step S19). Next, the generated weather information is transmitted from the weather server 9 to the control device 1 (step S20). Here, when the control device 1 receives the weather information, it stores the received weather information in the weather information storage unit 132. Then, it is assumed that the control device 1 determines that the length of the daytime time period dTs, including the current time when the weather conditions are "sunny", is equal to or longer than the first reference time dTsth set in advance (step S21). In this case, the control device 1 determines that the first control information for controlling the drive device 51 to open the above-mentioned shutter 52 is to be transmitted to the drive device 51, and identifies the first control information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 133 (step S22).

Next, the identified first control information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the drive device 51 (step S23). Meanwhile, upon receiving the first control information, the drive device 51 drives the shutter 52 based on the received first control information to open the shutter 52 (step S24). Next, when the shutter 52 is in the open state, the drive device 51 transmits completion notification information notifying the control device 1 that driving of the shutter 52 has been completed (step S25).

On the other hand, when the control device 1 receives the completion notification information, as shown in FIG. 8, it identifies second control information for prohibiting the drive device 51 from closing the shutter 52 based on the control information for the aforementioned third reference time (step S26). The identified second control information is then transmitted from the control device 1 to the drive device 51 (step S27). On the other hand, when the drive device 51 receives the second control information, it executes control to prohibit the shutter 52 from closing based on the received second control information (step S28).

Next, when the preset shutter drive determination time arrives, the control device 1 calculates the remaining time dTf from the current time to the sunset time of that day (step S29). Next, the control device 1 determines that the remaining time dTf is equal to or greater than the second reference time dTfth described above (step S30). That is, the control device 1 determines that the current time is equal to or greater than the second reference time before the sunset time of that day. In this case, the above-mentioned weather information request information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the weather server 9 (step S31). On the other hand, when the weather information request information is received, the weather server 9 extracts the date and time information and location information that are included in the received weather information request information and that are the subject of the weather information request, and generates weather information based on the extracted date and time information and location information (step S32). After that, the generated weather information is transmitted from the weather server 9 to the control device 1 (step S33). Here, when the control device 1 receives the weather information, it stores the received weather information in the weather information storage unit 132.

Next, assume that the control device 1 determines that the weather conditions during the daytime period from the current time until sunset include a rainy period (step S34). In this case, the control device 1 determines to transmit to the drive device 51 the first control information for controlling the drive device 51 to open the shutter 52, and identifies the first control information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 133 (step S35).

Then, the specified first control information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the drive device 51 (step S36). On the other hand, when the drive device 51 receives the first control information, it drives the shutter 52 based on the received first control information to open the shutter 52 (step S37). After that, when the shutter 52 is in the open state, the drive device 51 transmits completion notification information notifying the control device 1 that the drive of the shutter 52 has been completed (step S38). On the other hand, when the control device 1 receives the completion notification information, it specifies second control information for prohibiting the drive device 51 from closing the shutter 52 based on the control information for the third reference time (step S39). Then, the specified second control information is transmitted from the control device 1 to the drive device 51 (step S40). On the other hand, when the drive device 51 receives the second control information, it executes control to prohibit the shutter 52 from closing based on the received second control information (step S41).

Next, the power information acquisition process executed by the control device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. This power information acquisition process is started, for example, when the control device 1 is powered on. First, the power acquisition unit 111 determines whether the above-mentioned power information acquisition time has arrived based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108 (step S101). The power acquisition unit 111 repeatedly executes the process of step S101 unless the power information acquisition time has arrived (step S101: No). On the other hand, when the power acquisition unit 111 determines that the power information acquisition time has arrived (step S101: Yes), it transmits power information request information to the power measurement device 2 requesting the transmission of power information to the power measurement device 2 (step S102). Next, the power acquisition unit 111 acquires the power information transmitted from the power measurement device 2 in response to the power information request information, and stores the acquired power information in the power storage unit 135 (step S103). Next, the process of step S101 is executed again.

Next, the control information transmission process executed by the control device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. This control information transmission process is started, for example, when the control device 1 is powered on. This control information transmission process is executed in parallel with the power information acquisition process described above. First, the operation state determination unit 113 determines whether the operation state determination time described above has arrived based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108 (step S201). The operation state determination unit 113 repeatedly executes the process of step S201 unless the operation state determination time has arrived (step S201: No). On the other hand, it is assumed that the operation state determination unit 113 has determined that the operation state determination time has arrived (step S201: Yes). In this case, the operation state determination unit 113 determines the operation state of the washing machine 4 based on the power information stored in the power storage unit 135, and stores the operation state information indicating the determination result in the operation state storage unit 131 together with the power information in association with the date and time information indicating the operation state determination time (step S202).

Next, the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines whether the operation state of the washing machine 4 has transitioned from the operation state to the stop state (step S203). If the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the operation state of the washing machine 4 is maintained in the operation state or the stop state (step S203: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the operation state of the washing machine 4 has transitioned from the operation state to the stop state (step S203: Yes), the weather information acquisition unit 112 acquires weather information from the weather server 9 by transmitting the above-mentioned weather information request information to the weather server 9 (step S204). Next, the control determination unit 114 determines whether the length dTs of the daytime time period including the current time when the weather conditions continue to be "sunny" is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned first reference time dTsth (step S205). Here, if the control determination unit 114 determines that the current time is a time period after sunset that is not a daytime time period, that the current weather conditions are not "fine," or that the length dTs of the daytime time period including the current time during which the weather conditions are "fine" and continue is less than the first reference time dTsth (step S205: No), the process of step S201 is executed again.

On the other hand, suppose that the control determination unit 114 determines that the length dTs of the daytime period including the current time during which the weather conditions remain "sunny" is equal to or longer than the first reference time dTsth described above (step S205: Yes). In this case, the device control unit 115 identifies first control information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 133 that controls the drive device 51 to open the shutter 52, and transmits the identified first control information to the drive device 51 (step S206). At this time, upon receiving the first control information, the drive device 51 drives the shutter 52 based on the received first control information to open the shutter 52.

Then, the device control unit 115 judges whether or not the above-mentioned completion notification information has been received from the driving device 51 (step S207). Here, if the device control unit 115 judges that the completion notification information has not been received during the preset waiting time (step S207: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the device control unit 115 judges that the completion notification information has been received from the driving device 51 (step S207: Yes). In this case, the device control unit 115 specifies second control information for prohibiting the driving device 51 from closing the shutter 52 based on the control information during the above-mentioned third reference time, and transmits the specified second control information to the driving device 51 (step S208). At this time, when the driving device 51 receives the second control information, it executes control to prohibit the shutter 52 from closing based on the received second control information.

Next, the control determination unit 114 determines whether the above-mentioned shutter drive determination time has arrived based on the date and time measured by the timer unit 108 (step S209). The control determination unit 114 repeatedly executes the process of step S209 unless the shutter drive determination time has arrived (step S209: No). On the other hand, it is assumed that the control determination unit 114 has determined that the shutter drive determination time has arrived (step S209: Yes). In this case, the control determination unit 114 calculates the remaining time dTf from the current time to sunset based on the sunset information stored in the weather information storage unit 132 and the current time (step S210). Next, the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines whether the remaining time dTf is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned second reference time (step S211). Here, if the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the remaining time dTf is less than the second reference time (step S211: No), the process of step S214 described below is executed.

On the other hand, if the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the remaining time dTf is equal to or longer than the second reference time (step S211: Yes), it acquires weather information from the weather server 9 by transmitting weather information request information to the weather server 9 (step S212). Thereafter, the control determination unit 114 determines whether or not a rainy time period or a snowfall time period is included in the daytime period between the current time and the sunset time (step S213). If the control determination unit 114 determines that a rainy time period or a snowfall time period is not included in the daytime period between the current time and the sunset time (step S213: No), the process of step S209 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the control determination unit 114 determines that a rainy time period or a snowfall time period is included in the daytime period between the current time and the sunset time (step S213: Yes). In this case, the device control unit 115 identifies the first control information that controls the drive device 51 to open the shutter 52 from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 133, and transmits the identified first control information to the drive device 51 (step S214).

Then, the device control unit 115 judges whether or not the above-mentioned completion notification information has been received from the driving device 51 (step S215). Here, if the device control unit 115 judges that the completion notification information has not been received during the preset waiting time (step S215: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the device control unit 115 judges that the completion notification information has been received from the driving device 51 (step S215: Yes). In this case, the device control unit 115 identifies second control information for prohibiting the driving device 51 from closing the shutter 52 based on the control information during the above-mentioned third reference time, and transmits the identified second control information to the driving device 51 (step S216). Next, the process of step S201 is executed again.

As described above, according to the control device 1 of this embodiment, the control determination unit 114 determines whether or not to transmit the first control information and the second control information to the drive device 51 based on the operating status of the washing machine 4 and the weather information. Then, when the control determination unit 114 determines that the first control information and the second control information are to be transmitted to the drive device 51, the device control unit 115 identifies the first control information and the second control information to be transmitted to the drive device 51. Then, the device control unit transmits the identified first control information and the second control information to the drive device 51. As a result, when it becomes necessary to drive the shutter 52 according to the operating status of the washing machine 4 and the weather conditions, the first control information and the second control information are transmitted to the drive device 51, and the drive device 51 drives the shutter 52 to open the shutter 52. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to drive the shutter 52 to open the shutter 52, the effort of the user to manually open the shutter 52 can be reduced.

In addition, when the washing machine 4 transitions from an operating state to a stopped state, the control determination unit 114 according to this embodiment determines whether or not to send control information to the drive device 51 based on the future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and the length of the daylight period from the present time until sunset. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether or not to open/close the shutter 52 based on the length of the daylight period from when the washing machine 4 stops until sunset, thereby suppressing unnecessary opening/closing of the shutter 52.

Furthermore, the control determination unit 114 according to this embodiment determines to transmit the first control information to the drive device 51 when the length of the daylight time period is equal to or longer than a preset reference time period and the weather conditions during the entire daylight time period indicated by the weather forecast information are fine. Furthermore, each time the shutter drive determination time arrives, the control determination unit 114 determines whether the daylight time period includes a rainy time period in which the weather conditions are rain or a snowfall time period in which the weather conditions are snow, and determines to transmit the first control information to the drive device if the daylight time period includes a rainy time period or a snowfall time period. This allows the shutter 52 to be appropriately opened at a time when the user needs to open the shutter 52 according to the weather conditions, thereby improving user convenience.

In addition, the control determination unit 114 according to this embodiment determines that the first control information should be sent to the drive device 51 when the current time is a preset second reference time before the sunset time. As a result, for example, when the sunset time approaches while laundry is hung out to dry outside, the shutter 52 can be driven to notify the user, thereby preventing the user from leaving the laundry outside.

By the way, the driving device 51 drives the shutter 52 based on the control information transmitted from the control device 1 for the purpose of, for example, saving energy of an air conditioner (not shown) installed indoors, in addition to the first control information transmitted from the control device 1 by the control device 1 executing the control information transmission process described later. Therefore, if the driving device 51 is not prohibited from closing the shutter 52 after driving the shutter 52 to an open state based on the first control information, for example, there is a risk that after the user goes outside, the driving device 51 will receive control information for closing the other shutter 52 transmitted from the control device 1 and close the shutter 52, locking the user out of the house. In contrast, in the control device 1 according to this embodiment, after the driving device 51 drives the shutter 52 based on the first control information, the device control unit 115 transmits the second control information to the driving device 51 for prohibiting the operation based on the other control information during the third reference time described above. As a result, after the drive device 51 drives the shutter 52 to the open state based on the first control information, the shutter 52 is maintained in the open state for the third reference time, preventing users from being locked out of the building. In addition, since users can be prevented from being locked out of the building without using a human presence sensor that detects users who are outdoors, there is also the advantage that the number of devices that need to be installed in the building H can be reduced.

The operation status determination unit 113 according to this embodiment determines whether the washing machine 4 is in an operating state or in a stopped state based on the power consumption of the washing machine 4. This allows the operation status of the washing machine 4 to be determined even if the washing machine 4 does not have a function for transmitting information notifying the operation status of the washing machine itself, thereby expanding the scope of application of the control device 1.

(Embodiment 2)
The control system according to the present embodiment includes an entrance/exit detection device that detects a user who has entered the facility and then exited the facility, and a drive device that is installed in at least one building located between the facility and the residence of the user and drives a window shielding material. The control system also includes an entrance/exit information generation unit that generates entrance/exit information indicating the entrance/exit status of each of a plurality of users set in advance based on the detection result by the entrance/exit detection device, and an exit determination unit that determines an exit time zone in which a user who has entered the facility among the plurality of users will exit the facility based on the entrance/exit information. The control system also includes a device control unit that identifies control information to be transmitted to the drive device based on the exit time zone, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control system according to this embodiment includes an entrance/exit detection device 2022 that detects the entrance/exit of users of a facility such as a school or business, and a drive device 2051 that drives a shutter 52 that covers a window (not shown) provided in a part of each of a plurality of buildings H located between the facility and the residence of the facility user. Here, the locations of the plurality of buildings H span a plurality of areas A1, ..., A[i]. This control system also includes an entrance/exit management server 2021 that manages the entrance/exit status of users of the facility, a device management server 2001 that manages the drive devices 2051 installed in each of the plurality of buildings H, and a terminal device 2007 owned by the owner of the building H. The entrance/exit detection device 2022, the drive device 2051, the entrance/exit management server 2021, the device management server 2001, and the terminal device 2007 are capable of communicating with each other via a wide area network NW such as the Internet.

The entry/exit detection device 2022 detects each user's entry into or exit from the facility by communicating with a tag carried by the user of the facility. When the entry/exit detection device 2022 detects a user's entry into the facility, it transmits detection information notifying the entry/exit management server 2021. In addition, when the entry/exit detection device 2022 detects a user's exit from the facility, it transmits detection information notifying the entry/exit management server 2021.

As in the first embodiment, the shutter 52 is a window shielding material that is attached to the window of the building H and is used for purposes such as shutters, privacy screens, heat insulation materials, and sun shading materials, and is an electric shutter, electric blind, electric shade, etc. The drive device 2051 includes a motor (not shown) that drives the shutter 52, a motor control unit (not shown) that controls the motor, and a communication unit (not shown) that is connected to the device management server 2001 via the wide area network NW. The motor control unit drives the motor to open and close the shutter 52 based on control information obtained from the device management server 2001 via the wide area network NW.

As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal device 2007 has a CPU 701, a main memory unit 702, an auxiliary memory unit 703, a wide area communication unit 706 connected to the wide area network NW, a display unit 704, an input unit 705, and a bus 709 connecting these to each other. Note that in FIG. 12, the same components as those in the terminal device 7 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2.

The CPU 701 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 703 into the main memory unit 702 and executes it, thereby functioning as a reception unit 2711, a permission control information setting unit 2712, a permission control information transmission unit 2713, and a display control unit 2714, as shown in FIG. 13. In addition, the main memory unit 702 shown in FIG. 12 has a permission control storage unit 2721 that temporarily stores permission control information, as shown in FIG. 13.

The reception unit 2711 receives information specifying the control permitted for the driving device 2051 input by the user via the input unit 705, and notifies the received information to the permission control information setting unit 2712. The permission control information setting unit 2712 generates permission control information based on the information notified from the reception unit 2711, and stores the generated permission control information in the permission control storage unit 2721. Here, the permission control information is information indicating the content of the control permitted for the driving device 2051, and includes building identification information identifying the building H in which the driving device 2051 is installed, device identification information identifying the driving device 2051 installed there, and control availability flag information indicating whether the driving device 2051 can be controlled. In addition, when the control availability flag information indicates control availability, the permission control information includes first control identification information and second control identification information that identify the control content of the two types of driving devices 2051. The permission control information transmission unit 2713 transmits the permission control information stored in the permission control storage unit 2721 to the device management server 2001. The display control unit 2714 generates an operation screen image including permission control information corresponding to the information entered by the user and displays it on the display unit 704.

Returning to FIG. 12, the entrance/exit management server 2021 has a CPU 2201, a main memory unit 2202, an auxiliary memory unit 2203, a wide area communication unit 2206 connected to the wide area network NW, a clock unit 2208, and a bus 2209 connecting these to each other. The main memory unit 2202 is a volatile memory used as a working area for the CPU 2201. The auxiliary memory unit 2203 is a non-volatile memory, and stores programs for realizing various functions of the entrance/exit management server 2021. The wide area communication unit 2206 communicates with the entrance/exit detection device 2022 and the device management server 2001 via the wide area network NW. The clock unit 2208 functions as an RTC (Real Time Clock) that clocks the current date and time, similar to the clock unit 108 described in the first embodiment.

The CPU 2201 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 2203 into the main memory unit 2202 and executes it, thereby functioning as a detection information acquisition unit 2211, an entry/exit information generation unit 2212, an exit discrimination unit 2214, a notification information generation unit 2215, and a notification information transmission unit 2216, as shown in FIG. 13. In addition, the auxiliary memory unit 2103 shown in FIG. 12 has an entry/exit information storage unit 2231, as shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 14, for example, the entry/exit information storage unit 2231 stores entry/exit information including entry flag information indicating whether a user of the facility has entered the facility, entry time information indicating the time at which the user entered the facility, exit flag information indicating whether the user has left the facility, and exit time information indicating the time at which the user left the facility. The entry/exit information storage unit 2231 stores these various pieces of information in association with tag identification information identifying a tag carried by the user and area identification information identifying an area in which a building H located between the user's residence and the facility exists. Here, the entry flag information is set to "F1" when the user has entered the facility, and is set to "F10" when the user has not yet entered the facility. This entry flag information is initialized to "F10" each time a preset initialization time arrives. The exit flag information is set to "F2" when the user has left the facility. This exit flag information is initialized each time a preset initialization time arrives. Here, the initialization time is set to, for example, 0:00. In addition, the exit flag information corresponding to the first user to leave the facility among users assigned with the same area identification information is set to "F3," and the exit flag information corresponding to the last user to leave the facility among users assigned with the same area identification information is set to "F4."

Returning to FIG. 13, the detection information acquisition unit 2211 acquires the detection information transmitted from the entrance/exit detection device 2022. Then, upon acquiring the detection information, the detection information acquisition unit 2211 notifies the entrance/exit information generation unit 2212 of the acquisition.

Based on the detection results by the entrance/exit detection device 2022, the entrance/exit information generating unit 2212 generates entrance/exit information indicating the entrance/exit status of each user of a plurality of pre-set facilities. Specifically, the entrance/exit information generating unit and the entrance/exit information generating unit 2212 generate entrance time information or exit time information according to the date and time measured by the clocking unit 2208 and the content of the information notified by the detection information. When the detection information is information notifying that the entrance of a user to a facility has been detected, the entrance/exit information generating unit 2212 generates time information indicating the time when the detection information was received as entrance time information. Then, the entrance/exit information generating unit 2212 updates the entrance flag information stored in the entrance/exit information storage unit 2231 to "F1" and stores the generated entrance time information in the entrance/exit information storage unit 2231. On the other hand, when the detection information is information notifying that a user has been detected leaving the facility, the entry/exit information generating unit 2212 generates time information indicating the time when the detection information was received as exit time information. The entry/exit information generating unit 2212 then updates the exit flag information stored in the entry/exit information storage unit 2231 to "F2" and stores the generated exit time information in the entry/exit information storage unit 2231. Here, the entry/exit information generating unit 2212 sets the exit flag information corresponding to the first user to leave the facility among users in the same area to "F3," and sets the exit flag information corresponding to the last user to leave the facility among users in the same area to "F4."

The exit determination unit 2214 determines an exit time period when a user who has entered the facility among a plurality of users will exit the facility based on the entry/exit information. The exit determination unit 2214 refers to the exit flag information stored in the entry/exit information storage unit 2231, and when the exit flag information is updated to "F3", it notifies the notification information generation unit 2215 of an exit time period start notification notifying that the exit time period has started. On the other hand, the exit determination unit 2214 refers to the exit flag information stored in the entry/exit information storage unit 2231, and when the exit flag information is updated to "F4", it notifies the notification information generation unit 2215 of an exit time period end notification notifying that the exit time period has ended. On the other hand, the exit determination unit 2214 refers to the exit flag information stored in the entry/exit information storage unit 2231, and when the exit flag information is updated to "F4", it notifies the notification information generation unit 2215 of an exit time period end notification notifying that the exit time period has ended.

When an exit time zone start notification is input from the exit determination unit 2214, the notification information generation unit 2215 generates exit time zone start notification information. On the other hand, when an exit time zone end notification is input from the exit determination unit 2214, the notification information generation unit 2215 generates exit time zone end notification information. The notification information transmission unit 2216 transmits the exit time zone start notification information or the exit time zone end notification information generated by the notification information generation unit 2215 to the device management server 2001.

As shown in FIG. 12, the device management server 2001 has a CPU 2101, a main memory unit 2102, an auxiliary memory unit 2103, a wide area communication unit 2106 connected to the wide area network NW, and a bus 2109 connecting these to each other. The CPU 2101, the main memory unit 2102, the auxiliary memory unit 2103, and the wide area communication unit 2106 are similar to the CPU 2201, the main memory unit 2202, the auxiliary memory unit 2203, and the wide area communication unit 2206 of the entrance/exit management server 2021.

The CPU 2101 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 2103 into the main memory unit 2102 and executes it, thereby functioning as a notification information acquisition unit 2111, a device control unit 2115, and a permission control acquisition unit 2117, as shown in FIG. 13. The auxiliary memory unit 2103 shown in FIG. 12 also has a control information storage unit 2133 and a permission control storage unit 2132, as shown in FIG. 13.

15, the permission control storage unit 2132 stores building identification information identifying each of the multiple buildings H located between the facility and the residences where the facility users live, device identification information identifying the driving devices 2051 installed in each building H, and controllability flag information indicating whether the driving devices 2051 can be controlled, in association with area identification information identifying the area in which the buildings H are located. In addition, for the driving devices 2051 whose controllability flag information is set to controllable, the permission control storage unit 2132 stores first control identification information identifying the control content of the driving devices 2051 and second control identification information identifying the control content different from the control content corresponding to the first control identification information, in association with the aforementioned device identification information. The control information storage unit 2133 stores control information for controlling the driving devices 2051.

When the notification information acquisition unit 2111 acquires the exit time period start notification information or the exit time period end notification information sent from the entry/exit management server 2021, it notifies the device control unit 2115 accordingly.

When the notification information acquisition unit 2111 acquires the exit time period start notification information or the exit time period end notification information, the device control unit 2115 identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device 2051. Here, when the notification information acquisition unit 2111 acquires the exit time period start notification information, the device control unit 2115 refers to the first control identification information stored in the permission control storage unit 2132, and identifies the control information corresponding to the first control identification information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 2133. Also, when the notification information acquisition unit 2111 acquires the exit time period end notification information, the device control unit 2115 refers to the second control identification information stored in the permission control storage unit 2132, and identifies the control information corresponding to the second control identification information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 2133. Also, the device control unit 2115 transmits the identified control information to the drive device 2051.

The permission control acquisition unit 2117 acquires permission control information transmitted from the terminal device 2007, and stores the building identification information, equipment identification information, control availability flag information, first control identification information, and second control identification information contained in the acquired permission control information in the permission control memory unit 2132.

Next, the operation of the control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16 to FIG. 18. First, as shown in FIG. 16, when a user performs an operation to input the control contents of the driving device 2051 to be permitted via the input unit 705 of the terminal device 2007, the terminal device 2007 accepts information indicating the input control contents, and generates permitted control information based on the accepted information (step S51). Here, the terminal device 2007 displays an operation screen image GA2, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, on the display unit 704. Then, while the terminal device 2007 is displaying the operation screen image GA2 on the display unit 704, the user can touch a portion corresponding to the control possibility selection field B21 in the operation screen image GA2 on the input unit 705 to set whether or not the driving device 2051 can be controlled. Then, when the user sets the driving device 2051 to be controllable, the user can touch a portion corresponding to the first control contents setting field B22 and the second control setting field B23 in the operation screen image GA2 to set two types of control contents for the driving device 2051. After the user sets whether or not to control the drive device 2051 and the two types of control content, the user touches a portion of the input unit 705 that corresponds to the "Settings" button image BU24 in the operation screen image GA2. The terminal device 2007 generates permission control information based on the set information and stores it in the permission control storage unit 2721.

Returning to FIG. 16, next, the permission control information stored in the permission control storage unit 2721 is transmitted from the terminal device 2007 to the device management server 2001 (step S52). At this time, when the device management server 2001 receives the permission control information, it stores the received permission control information in the permission control storage unit 2132.

When the entry/exit detection device 2022 detects a facility user entering or exiting the facility (step S53), it generates detection information (step S54). The generated detection information is then transmitted from the entry/exit detection device 2022 to the entry/exit management server 2021 (step S55). On the other hand, when the entry/exit management server 2021 receives detection information from the entry/exit detection device 2022, it generates entry/exit information including the entry flag information, entry time information, exit flag information, and exit time information based on the received detection information (step S56).

After that, when the entry/exit management server 2021 determines that the exit flag information set to "F3" has occurred (step S57), it generates the aforementioned exit time zone start notification information (step S58). Next, the generated exit time zone start notification information is sent from the entry/exit management server 2021 to the device management server 2001 (step S59). On the other hand, when the device management server 2001 receives the exit time zone start notification information, it refers to the first control identification information stored in the permission control storage unit 2132, and identifies the control information corresponding to the first control identification information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 133 (step S60).

Then, the identified control information is transmitted from the device management server 2001 to the driving device 2051 (step S61). On the other hand, upon receiving the control information, the driving device 2051 drives the shutter 52 based on the received control information (step S62). Next, when the driving device 2051 completes driving the shutter 52, completion notification information notifying that driving of the shutter 52 has been completed is transmitted from the driving device 2051 to the device management server 2001 (step S63).

After that, when the entry/exit detection device 2022 detects a facility user entering or exiting the facility (step S64), it generates detection information as shown in FIG. 18 (step S65). Next, the generated detection information is transmitted from the entry/exit detection device 2022 to the entry/exit management server 2021 (step S66). On the other hand, when the entry/exit management server 2021 receives the detection information from the entry/exit detection device 2022, it generates entry/exit information including the entry flag information, entry time information, exit flag information, and exit time information based on the received detection information (step S67).

Next, when the entry/exit management server 2021 determines that the exit flag information set to "F4" has occurred (step S68), it generates the aforementioned exit time period end notification information (step S69). The generated exit time period end notification information is then transmitted from the entry/exit management server 2021 to the device management server 2001 (step S70). On the other hand, when the device management server 2001 receives the exit time period end notification information, it refers to the second control identification information stored in the permission control storage unit 2132, and identifies the control information corresponding to the second control identification information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 133 (step S71).

Next, the identified control information is transmitted from the device management server 2001 to the driving device 2051 (step S72). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, the driving device 2051 drives the shutter 52 based on the received control information (step S73). Next, when the driving device 2051 completes driving the shutter 52, completion notification information notifying that driving of the shutter 52 has been completed is transmitted from the driving device 2051 to the device management server 2001 (step S74).

Next, the notification information transmission process executed by the entrance/exit management server 2021 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19. This notification information transmission process is started, for example, when the entrance/exit management server 2021 is powered on. First, the detection information acquisition unit 2211 judges whether or not it has acquired detection information transmitted from the entrance/exit detection device 2022 (step S301). The detection information acquisition unit 2211 repeatedly executes the process of step S301 unless it acquires detection information (step S301: No). On the other hand, when the detection information acquisition unit 2211 judges that it has acquired detection information (step S301: Yes), it generates entrance/exit information indicating the entrance/exit status of each facility user based on the detection information acquired from the entrance/exit detection device 2022, and stores the generated entrance/exit information in the entrance/exit information storage unit 2231 (step S302). Next, the exit discrimination unit 2214 judges whether or not exit flag information set to "F3" has occurred (step S303). Here, it is assumed that the exit determination unit 2214 determines that the exit flag information set to "F3" has occurred (step S303: Yes). In this case, the notification information generation unit 2215 generates exit time period start notification information, and the notification information transmission unit 2216 transmits the exit time period start notification information to the device management server 2001 (step S304). Next, the process of step S301 is executed again.

If the exit discrimination unit 2214 determines that the exit flag information set to "F3" has not occurred (step S303: No), it determines whether the exit flag information set to "F4" has occurred (step S305). Assume that the exit discrimination unit 2214 determines that the exit flag information set to "F4" has occurred (step S305: Yes). In this case, the notification information generation unit 2215 generates exit time period end notification information, and the notification information transmission unit 2216 transmits the exit time period end notification information to the device management server 2001 (step S306). Then, the process of step S301 is executed again. On the other hand, if the exit discrimination unit 2214 determines that the exit flag information set to "F4" has not occurred (step S305: No), the process of step S301 is executed again.

Next, the control information transmission process executed by the device management server 2001 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 20. This control information transmission process is started, for example, when the device management server 2001 is powered on. First, the notification information acquisition unit 2111 determines whether or not it has acquired exit time zone start notification information (step S401). Here, when the notification information acquisition unit 2111 determines that it has acquired exit time zone start notification information (step S401: Yes), the device control unit 2115 refers to the first control identification information stored in the permission control storage unit 2132, and identifies control information corresponding to the first control identification information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 2133 (step S402). Next, the device control unit 2115 transmits the identified control information to the drive device 2051 (step S403). At this time, when the drive device 2051 receives the control information, it drives the shutter 52 based on the received control information. Next, the device control unit 2115 receives the above-mentioned completion notification information from the driving device 2051 (step S404). After that, the process of step S401 is executed again.

In addition, in step S401, when the notification information acquisition unit 2111 determines that the exit time period start notification information has not been acquired (step S401: No), it determines whether or not the exit time period end notification information has been acquired (step S405). Here, when the notification information acquisition unit 2111 determines that the exit time period end notification information has not been acquired (step S405: No), the process of step S401 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the notification information acquisition unit 2111 determines that the exit time period end notification information has been acquired (step S405: Yes). In this case, the device control unit 2115 refers to the second control identification information stored in the permission control storage unit 2132, and identifies the control information corresponding to the second control identification information from the control information stored in the control information storage unit 2133 (step S406). Next, the device control unit 2115 waits for a preset waiting time (step S407). This waiting time is set to, for example, 30 minutes. Next, the device control unit 2115 transmits the identified control information to the driving device 2051 (step S408). At this time, upon receiving the control information, the driving device 2051 drives the shutter 52 based on the received control information. Then, the processing from step S404 onwards is executed.

As described above, according to the control system of this embodiment, the entrance/exit information generating unit 2212 generates entrance/exit information indicating the entrance/exit status of each facility user based on the detection result by the entrance/exit detection device 2022, and the exit discrimination unit 2214 discriminates the start and end of the exit time period when the user who entered the facility leaves the facility based on the exit flag information included in the entrance/exit information. Then, the device control unit 2115 identifies control information to be sent to the drive device based on the exit time period and transmits the identified control information to the drive device 2051. As a result, when it becomes necessary to drive the shutter 52 during the exit time period when the facility user leaves the facility, the control information is transmitted to the drive device 2051, and the drive device 2051 drives the shutter 52. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to drive the shutter 52, the user's effort to manually drive the shutter 52 can be reduced.

In addition, the exit determination unit 2214 of the entrance/exit management server 2021 according to this embodiment determines the exit time zone of the users corresponding to each of the multiple zones based on the zone identification information included in the entrance/exit information. Then, the device control unit 2115 of the device management server 2001 identifies control information based on the exit time zone corresponding to each of the multiple zones, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device 2051. This allows the users of the facility to be managed separately by zone, so that the shutters 52 of the building H in each zone can be appropriately driven according to the return home situation of the users corresponding to that zone.

Furthermore, the entrance/exit management server 2021 according to this embodiment includes a notification information generating unit 2215 that generates exit time zone start notification information that notifies the device management server 2001 of the start time of the exit time zone determined by the exit determination unit 2214, or exit time zone end notification information that notifies the device management server 2001 of the end time of the exit time zone. When the device control unit 2115 of the device management server 2001 is notified of the exit time zone start notification information or the exit time zone end notification information, it identifies control information corresponding to the exit time zone start notification information or the exit time zone end notification information, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device 2051. This eliminates the need for the device management server 2001 to manage the exit time zone, thereby reducing the processing load on the device management server 2001.

Furthermore, when the device control unit 2115 according to this embodiment is notified of the exit time period end notification information, it identifies second control information different from the first control information identified when the exit time period start notification information was notified, and transmits the identified second control information to the drive device 2051. This makes it possible to differentiate the operation of the shutter 52 at the start of the user's exit time period from the operation of the shutter 52 at the end of the exit time period, which has the advantage of making it easier to grasp the start and end of the exit time period based on the operation of the shutter 52. And, for example, if the shutter 52 is not driven based on the second control information at the end of the normal exit time period, residents around building H will be able to surmise that something unusual has happened to the facility.

Furthermore, the device management server 2001 according to this embodiment includes an authorization control storage unit 2132 that stores control identification information that identifies control information indicating the control content permitted for the driving device 2051 that drives the shutters 52 installed in each of the multiple buildings H, in association with building identification information that identifies the building H. As a result, for example, by appropriately setting the control identification information stored in the authorization control storage unit 2132, the control content permitted for the driving device 2051 can be changed, thereby improving the convenience for the administrator.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the electrical device may have a function of transmitting operation status information indicating the operation status of the device to the control device. For example, information conforming to the ECHONETLite (registered trademark) standard can be used as the operation status information. In this case, for example, as in the control device 3001 shown in FIG. 21, the control device may have an operation status acquisition unit 3111 that acquires operation status information from the washing machine 3004. Here, the operation status acquisition unit 3111 acquires operation status information from the washing machine 3004 by transmitting operation status request information to the washing machine 3004 requesting the washing machine 3004 to transmit operation status information, and stores the acquired operation status information in the operation status storage unit 131.

Here, the control information transmission process executed by the control device 3001 according to this modification will be described with reference to FIG. 22. In FIG. 22, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 10. In addition, the operation status information includes flag information indicating whether the washing machine 3004 is a so-called washing and drying machine with a washing and drying function. This modification differs from the first embodiment in that the power information acquisition process described in the first embodiment is not executed. First, the operation status acquisition unit 3111 determines whether the above-mentioned operation status acquisition time has arrived based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108 (step S3201). The operation status acquisition unit 3111 repeatedly executes the process of step S3201 unless the operation status acquisition time has arrived (step S3201: No). On the other hand, it is assumed that the operation status acquisition unit 3111 determines that the operation status acquisition time has arrived (step S3201: Yes). In this case, the operation status acquisition unit 3111 acquires operation status information from the washing machine 3004 by transmitting operation status information request information to the washing machine 3004, and stores the acquired operation status information in the operation status storage unit 131 in association with date and time information indicating the operation status determination time (step S3202). Next, the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines whether the washing machine 3004 is a washer-dryer based on flag information indicating whether the washing machine 3004 is a washer-dryer, which is included in the operation status information (step S3203). Here, if the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the washing machine 3004 is a washer-dryer (step S3203: Yes), the process of step S3201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the washing machine 3004 is not a washer-dryer (step S3203: No), the process from step S203 onwards is executed.

With this configuration, the power measuring device 2 is not necessary, and the control system can be simplified accordingly. In addition, when the washing machine 3004 has a washing and drying function and there is no need to hang laundry outside, the shutter 52 can be kept closed, preventing the shutter 52 from being opened and closed unnecessarily.

In addition, in the above-mentioned modified example, if the washing machine 3004 has a function of transmitting operating status information indicating the open/closed state of the lid or door provided thereon to the control device 3001, the shutter 52 may be driven according to the open/closed state of the lid or door. In this case, the control device 3001 executes a control information transmission process as shown in FIG. 23. In FIG. 23, the same processes as those in the first embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example are given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 10 and FIG. 22. First, the operating status acquisition unit 3111 determines whether the above-mentioned operating status acquisition time has arrived based on the date and time measured by the clock unit 108 (step S3201). The operating status acquisition unit 3111 repeatedly executes the process of step S3201 unless the operating status acquisition time has arrived (step S3201: No). On the other hand, it is assumed that the operating status acquisition unit 3111 determines that the operating status acquisition time has arrived (step S3201: Yes). In this case, the operation status acquisition unit 3111 acquires operation status information from the washing machine 3004 by transmitting operation status information request information to the washing machine 3004, and stores the acquired operation status information in the operation status storage unit 131 in association with date and time information indicating the operation status determination time (step S3202). Next, the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines whether the operation status of the washing machine 3004 at the time of acquiring the operation status at least two times in the past is a stopped state (step S4201). When the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the operation status of the washing machine 3004 at the time of acquiring the operation status at least two times in the past is a stopped state (step S4201: Yes), the process of step S4202 described later is executed. On the other hand, when the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the operation status of the washing machine 3004 at the time of acquiring the operation status at least two times in the past is not a stopped state (step S4201: No), it determines whether the operation status of the washing machine 3004 has transitioned from an operation state to a stopped state (step S203). When the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the operation state of the washing machine 3004 is maintained in the operation state (step S203: No), the process of step S3201 is executed again. On the other hand, when the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the operation state of the washing machine 3004 has transitioned from the operation state to the stop state (step S203: Yes), the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines whether the lid or door of the washing machine 3004 has transitioned from the closed state to the open state (step S4202). When the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the lid or door of the washing machine 3004 is maintained in the closed state (step S4202: No), the process of step S3201 is executed again. On the other hand, when the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the lid or door of the washing machine 3004 has transitioned from the closed state to the open state (step S4202: Yes), the process of step S204 and subsequent steps is executed.

This configuration allows the shutter 52 to be opened at a more appropriate time.

In addition, in the modified example described with reference to FIG. 23, when the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the lid or door of the washing machine 3004 is maintained in a closed state, it may determine whether or not the closed state tolerance period during which the door or lid is permitted to be closed has elapsed. In this case, the control device 3001 executes a control information transmission process as shown in FIG. 24. In FIG. 24, the same processes as those in the first embodiment and the modified example described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 10 and FIG. 23. First, a series of processes is executed from step S3201 to S4202. Then, when the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines in step S4202 that the lid or door of the washing machine 3004 is maintained in a closed state (step S4202: No), it determines whether or not the closed state tolerance period during which the door or lid is permitted to be closed has elapsed (step S5201). Here, when the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the closed state tolerance period has not yet elapsed (step S5201: No), the process of step S3201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that the closed state tolerance period has elapsed (step S5201: Yes), the processing from step S204 onwards is executed.

With this configuration, if the user forgets to remove the laundry after the washing machine 3004 is stopped, the user can be notified of this.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned modified example, when the washing machine 3004 has a function of transmitting operation status information including remaining time notification information indicating that a time point has passed before the stop time to the control device 3001 when the time point has passed by a preset period, the shutter 52 may be driven according to the open/close state of the lid or door. In this case, the control device 3001 executes a control information transmission process as shown in FIG. 25. In FIG. 25, the same processes as those in the first embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 10 and FIG. 22. First, after the operation status acquisition unit 3111 executes the processes of steps S3201 and S3202, the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines whether a time point before the stop time has passed by a preset period depending on whether the operation status information includes remaining time notification information (step S6201). If the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that a time point before the stop time by a preset period has not passed yet (step S6201: No), the process of step S3201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the weather information acquisition unit 112 determines that a time point equal to a preset period before the stop time has passed (step S6201: Yes), the process proceeds to step S204 and subsequent steps.

This configuration allows the shutter 52 to be opened at a more appropriate time.

In the first embodiment, the control determination unit 114 refers to the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 131 and determines that the washing machine 4 has transitioned from the operation state to the stop state, and determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive unit 51 based on the future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and the length of the daytime period from the current time to the sunset time. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the control determination unit 114 may determine whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive unit 51 based on the future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and the length of the laundry drying time previously set by the user. In addition, the control device 1 may be equipped with a laundry drying time correction unit (not shown) that corrects the length of the laundry drying time set by the user based on the current season, temperature, humidity, etc. when the user sets the above-mentioned laundry drying time. In this case, the control determination unit 114 may determine that the above-mentioned first control information is to be transmitted to the drive unit 51 when the length of the laundry drying time including the current time is equal to or longer than the first reference time previously set and the weather conditions throughout the laundry drying time indicated by the weather forecast information are "sunny". Furthermore, each time a preset shutter drive determination time arrives, the control determination unit 114 may determine whether or not a rainy time period in which the weather conditions are rain or a snowfall time period in which the weather conditions are snow is included in the time period from the current time to the remaining laundry drying time. Then, when the control determination unit 114 determines that a rainy time period or a snowfall time period is included in the remaining laundry drying time, it may determine to transmit the first control information to the drive device 51.

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device 1 prevents users from being locked out of the outdoors by transmitting to the drive device 51 second control information for prohibiting the drive device 51 from operating based on the control information for a third reference time after the drive device 51 opens the shutter 52. However, this is not limited to the above. For example, when the control device 1 receives control information for the drive device 51 to close the shutter 52 after the drive device 51 opens the shutter 52, the control device 1 may transmit to the drive device 51 control information for temporarily stopping the drive device 51 at the timing when the drive device 51 closes the shutter 52 to a preset opening degree.

With this configuration, the shutter 52 closes to a preset opening degree, so the user can notice that the shutter 52 is closing, and because there is enough time for the shutter 52 to close, it becomes easier for the user to return indoors before the shutter 52 closes.

In addition, if a human presence sensor (not shown) that detects people inside the building H is installed, the control device may be configured to periodically continue to transmit to the drive device 51 the second control information for performing the above-mentioned so-called lock-out prevention control while the human presence sensor detects that a user is outside. Alternatively, if the control device receives control information for the drive device 51 to close the shutter 52 while the human presence sensor detects a user, the control device may transmit to the drive device 51 control information for closing the shutter 52 to half the opening. In this case, even if the drive device 51 receives control information for closing the shutter 52 while the user is working outdoors, the shutter 52 will be opened to half the opening, preventing the user from being locked out of the building.

Furthermore, if a thermal image sensor that detects, for example, a user inside building H is installed, the control device may estimate the direction in which the user will move based on thermal image information acquired from this sensor, and if it estimates that the user has gone outdoors, it may transmit second control information to the drive device 51. Also, if the control device estimates that the user has returned indoors based on the thermal image information, it may transmit control information to close the shutter 52 to the drive device 51.

In addition, if a load sensor is installed on a clothes drying rack installed outdoors or on the balcony of building H, the control device may periodically transmit second control information to the drive device 51 for performing the above-mentioned so-called lock-out prevention control while the load sensor detects a change in the load applied to the clothes drying rack or the balcony.

In the control information transmission process described in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to perform the process of transmitting the second control information for performing the so-called lockout prevention control in step S216 of FIG. 10.

In the first embodiment, when the device control unit 115 prohibits the drive unit 51 from closing the shutter 52 based on the control information for the aforementioned third reference time, the device control unit 115 may stop transmitting any control information to the drive unit 51 for the third reference time.

In the second embodiment, the device management server 2001 may be provided with a shutter number tallying unit (not shown) that refers to the information stored in the permission control memory unit 2132 and tallies, by zone, the number of shutters 52 installed in the buildings H present in each zone that are permitted to be controlled by the device management server 2001.

In each embodiment, at least some of the functions of the control device 1 may be implemented by a cloud server (not shown) connected to the wide area network NW. In this case, the cloud server may communicate with IoT devices such as the power measuring device 2 and the drive device 51 installed in the building H via a router and a line termination device.

The various functions of the control device 1, terminal device 7, 2007, entrance/exit management server 2021, and device management server 2001 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware may be written as a program, and the program may be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), and the program may be read and installed on a computer to configure a computer capable of realizing each of the above-mentioned functions. In addition, when each function is realized by sharing the work between an OS (Operating System) and an application, or by cooperation between an OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the recording medium.

Furthermore, each program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed via a communication network. For example, the program can be posted on a bulletin board (BBS, Bulletin Board System) on the communication network and distributed via the network. These programs can then be started and run under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

This disclosure is suitable as a control system for controlling the opening and closing of electric shutters.

1,3001 Control device, 2 Power measuring device, 3 Distribution board, 4,3004 Washing machine, 7,2007 Terminal device, 8 System power supply, 9 Weather server, 51,2051 Drive device, 52 Shutter, 100 Control system, 101,701,2101,2201 CPU, 102,702,2102,2202 Main memory unit, 103,703,2103,2203 Auxiliary memory unit, 104,350,705 Communication interface, 106,706,2206 Wide area communication unit, 107 Local communication unit, 108,2208 Timer unit, 109,709,2209 Bus, 111 Power acquisition unit, 112 Weather information acquisition unit, 113 Operation state determination unit, 114 Control determination unit, 115,2115 Device control unit, 117 Position information acquisition unit, 131 Operation state storage unit, 132 Weather information storage unit, 133, 2133 Control information storage unit, 134 Position storage unit, 135 Power storage unit, 704 Display unit, 705 Input unit, 707 GPS receiving unit, 711, 2711 Reception unit, 712 Position information registration unit, 713 Position information transmission unit, 714, 2714 Display control unit, 715 Positioning unit, 716 Postal code identification unit, 721 Position storage unit, 2001 Device management server, 2021 Entry/exit management server, 2022 Entry/exit detection device, 2111 Notification information acquisition unit, 2117 Permission control acquisition unit, 2132, 2721 Permission control storage unit, 2211 Detection information acquisition unit, 2212 Entry/exit information generation unit, 2214 Exit discrimination unit, 2215 Notification information generation unit, 2216 Notification information transmission unit, 2231 Entry/exit information storage unit, 2712 Permission control information setting unit, 2713 Permission control transmission unit, 3111 Operation status acquisition unit, GA1, GA2 Operation screen image, H Building, NW Wide area network

Claims (13)

a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information ;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
a weather information acquisition unit that acquires the weather information including the weather forecast information from a weather server every time a window shielding material drive determination time arrives for determining whether or not to drive the window shielding material that has been set in advance ,
when the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control determination unit determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and a length of a daytime period from a current time to a sunset time;
the device control unit identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the control determination unit determines to transmit the first control information to the drive device when a length of the daytime time period is equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time period and weather conditions during the entire daytime time period indicated by the weather forecast information are fine;
the control determination unit determines whether or not the daytime period includes a rainy time period in which the weather condition is rain or a snowfall time period in which the weather condition is snow each time the window shielding material drive determination time arrives, and determines to transmit the first control information to the drive device when the daytime period includes the rainy time period or the snowfall time period.
Control device. a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
when the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control determination unit determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and a length of a daytime period from a current time to a sunset time;
the device control unit identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the control determination unit determines that the first control information is to be transmitted to the drive device when the current time reaches a time that is a preset second reference time before the sunset time.
Control device. a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
When the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control determination unit determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and a length of a daytime period from a current time to a sunset time,
the device control unit identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the device control unit transmits the first control information, and after the drive device drives the window covering material based on the first control information, identifies second control information for prohibiting the drive device from operating based on the control information for a preset third reference time, and transmits the identified second control information to the drive device.
Control device. a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the control determination unit, when the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, determines that first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material should be transmitted to the drive device if the length of a daytime period from the transition from the operating state to the stopped state to sunset is equal to or longer than a preset reference time and the weather conditions during the entire daytime period indicated by the weather forecast information are fine, identifies the first control information, and transmits the identified first control information to the drive device.
Control device. Further, an operation state determination unit is provided for determining whether the washing machine is in an operation state or a stop state based on power consumption of the washing machine .
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A step in which the control device determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information ;
When the control device determines that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, the control device specifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device;
The control device transmits the specified control information to the drive device;
When the control device transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control device determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and the length of a daytime period from the current time to sunset;
The control device identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
a step of determining, by the control device, to transmit the first control information to the drive device when a length of the daytime period is equal to or longer than a preset reference time and the weather conditions during the entire daytime period indicated by the weather forecast information are fine;
The control device acquires the weather information including the weather forecast information from a weather server every time a window shielding material drive determination time arrives for determining whether or not to drive the window shielding material that is set in advance;
the control device determines whether or not the daytime period includes a rainy time period in which the weather condition is rain or a snowfall time period in which the weather condition is snow each time the window shielding material drive determination time arrives, and if the daytime period includes the rainy time period or the snowfall time period, determines to transmit the first control information to the drive device.
A method for transmitting control information. A step in which the control device determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
When the control device determines that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, the control device specifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device;
The control device transmits the specified control information to the drive device;
When the control device transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control device determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and the length of a daytime period from the current time to sunset;
The control device identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
and determining, by the control device, that the first control information is to be transmitted to the drive device when the current time reaches a time that is a preset second reference time before the sunset time.
A method for transmitting control information. A step in which the control device determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
When the control device determines that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, the control device specifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device;
The control device transmits the specified control information to the drive device;
When the control device transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control device determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and the length of a daytime period from the current time to sunset;
The control device identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the control device transmits the first control information, and the drive device drives the window covering material based on the first control information, and then specifies second control information for prohibiting the drive device from operating based on the control information for a preset third reference time, and transmits the specified second control information to the drive device.
A method for transmitting control information. A step in which the control device determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
When the control device determines that the control information is to be transmitted to the drive device, the control device identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device.
and when the control device transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, if the length of a daytime period from the transition from the operating state to the stopped state to sunset is equal to or longer than a preset reference time and the weather conditions during the entire daytime period indicated by the weather forecast information are fine, the control device determines to transmit first control information to the drive device for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material, identifies the first control information, and transmits the identified first control information to the drive device.
A method for transmitting control information. Computer,
a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information ;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
a program for causing the program to function as a weather information acquisition unit that acquires the weather information including the weather forecast information from a weather server every time a window shielding material drive determination time arrives for determining whether or not to drive the window shielding material that has been set in advance ,
when the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control determination unit determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and a length of a daytime period from a current time to a sunset time;
the device control unit identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the control determination unit determines to transmit the first control information to the drive device when a length of the daytime time period is equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time period and weather conditions during the entire daytime time period indicated by the weather forecast information are fine;
the control determination unit determines whether or not the daytime period includes a rainy time period in which the weather condition is rain or a snowfall time period in which the weather condition is snow each time the window shielding material drive determination time arrives, and determines to transmit the first control information to the drive device when the daytime period includes the rainy time period or the snowfall time period.
program . Computer,
a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
A program for causing the device to function as a
when the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control determination unit determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and a length of a daytime period from a current time to a sunset time;
the device control unit identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the control determination unit determines that the first control information is to be transmitted to the drive device when the current time reaches a time that is a preset second reference time before the sunset time.
Program. Computer,
a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
A program for causing the device to function as a
when the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, the control determination unit determines whether or not to transmit the control information to the drive device based on future weather conditions indicated by the weather forecast information and a length of a daytime period from a current time to a sunset time;
the device control unit identifies first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material, and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
the device control unit transmits the first control information, and after the drive device drives the window covering material based on the first control information, identifies second control information for prohibiting the drive device from operating based on the control information for a preset third reference time, and transmits the identified second control information to the drive device.
Program. Computer,
a control determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit preset control information for controlling a drive device that drives a window covering material to the drive device based on an operating state of the washing machine and meteorological information including future weather forecast information;
a device control unit that, when it is determined by the control determination unit that the control information is to be transmitted, identifies the control information to be transmitted to the drive device and transmits the identified control information to the drive device;
A program for causing the device to function as a
the control determination unit, when the washing machine transitions from an operating state in which the washing machine is operating to a stopped state, determines that first control information for controlling the drive device to open the window covering material should be transmitted to the drive device if the length of a daytime period from the transition from the operating state to the stopped state to sunset is equal to or longer than a preset reference time and the weather conditions during the entire daytime period indicated by the weather forecast information are fine, identifies the first control information, and transmits the identified first control information to the drive device.
Program.

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