JP7720526B2 - Intercom device and control method - Google Patents

Description

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

In recent years, technologies have been proposed for remotely controlling home appliances installed outside the home using home gateways such as HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controllers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a management device that controls the operation of home appliances by sending control requests sent from an operation terminal located outside the home network system (outside the home) to the home appliances.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-176235

The present invention provides a control system that can improve safety when controlling equipment installed within a facility from outside the facility.

A control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first communication unit that transmits control signals via wired communication to controlled devices installed within a facility; a second communication unit that receives a first control command for controlling the controlled devices from outside the facility via a computer installed outside the facility; and a control unit that, after receiving the first control command, performs periodic communication with the computer using the second communication unit, and, if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit to transmit a predetermined control signal to the controlled devices.

A control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a receiving step of receiving a first control command via a computer installed outside the facility to control a controlled device installed within the facility from outside the facility; a communicating step of performing periodic communication with the computer after the first control command is received; and a transmitting step of transmitting a predetermined control signal to the controlled device when the periodic communication is interrupted.

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

The control system of the present invention can improve safety when controlling equipment installed within a facility from outside the facility.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system according to a comparative example. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system according to the second embodiment.

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

Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
[Schematic configuration]
First, the schematic configuration of the control system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the configuration of a control system according to a comparative example. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system according to the comparative example. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system according to the first embodiment.

First, a comparative control system 10c shown in Figure 1 will be described. The comparative control system 10c is a system for controlling air conditioning equipment 60 from outside a facility 90. The facility 90 is a residence such as a detached house or an apartment building, but may also be a facility other than a residence.

The control system 10c includes a mobile terminal 20, a server 30, a control device 40, and air conditioning equipment 60. The mobile terminal 20 is located outside the facility 90, the server 30 is installed outside the facility 90, and the control device 40 and air conditioning equipment 60 are installed inside the facility 90. Note that, throughout this specification, controlling a controlled device (e.g., air conditioning equipment 60) from inside the facility 90 is referred to as in-home control, and controlling a controlled device from outside the facility 90 is referred to as out-of-home control.

In the control system 10c, when a user wishes to operate the air conditioning equipment 60 from within the facility 90, the user operates the user interface provided by the control device 40. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1(a), a control command is sent from the control device 40 to the air conditioning equipment 60. Upon receiving the control command, the air conditioning equipment 60 begins operation. In this specification, a control command that instructs such in-home control is also referred to as an in-home control command or a second control command.

In the control system 10c, when a user wishes to operate an air conditioning device 60 from outside the facility 90, the user performs a predetermined operation on the mobile terminal 20. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1(b), a control command is sent from the mobile terminal 20 to the control device 40 via the server 30. In this case, the control device 40 sends a control command to the air conditioning device 60 that includes information indicating that the control is for outside home control. Upon receiving the control command, the air conditioning device 60 sets the outside home control flag to ON based on the information indicating that the control is for outside home control included in the received control command, and begins operation. In this specification, a control command that instructs such outside home control is also referred to as an outside home control command or a first control command.

Then, as shown in (c) of Figure 1, the air conditioning equipment 60 performs a predetermined process for outdoor control. For example, the air conditioning equipment 60 starts periodic communication with the server 30 via the control device 40. Specifically, the air conditioning equipment 60 periodically sends a confirmation command and determines whether a response to the sent confirmation command is received from the server 30.

Each time the air conditioning equipment 60 receives a response from the server 30, it extends the operation end time of the air conditioning equipment 60 by a certain amount of time. On the other hand, if the air conditioning equipment 60 does not receive a response from the server 30, it does not extend the operation end time and stops operation at the operation end time. This prevents the air conditioning equipment 60 from continuing to operate when communication with the server 30 is lost (which would make it impossible to stop the air conditioning equipment 60 by operating the mobile terminal 20), improving safety in outdoor control.

In control system 10c, communication between air conditioning equipment 60 and control device 40 complies with ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). This allows the control device 40 to include information in the control command it sends to air conditioning equipment 60 indicating whether the control command is an outside-home control command. This information allows the air conditioning equipment 60 to determine whether the received control command is an outside-home control command or an inside-home control command. In other words, the air conditioning equipment 60 can determine whether specified processing (periodic communication with server 30) is necessary during outside-home control.

On the other hand, a system such as that shown in Figure 2 may be adopted depending on the specifications of the controlled device (in this case, air conditioning equipment 60) or the user's requests. The control system 10 according to embodiment 1 shown in Figure 2 is also a system for controlling air conditioning equipment 60 from outside a facility 90. The facility 90 is a residence such as a detached house or an apartment building, but may also be a facility other than a residence.

The control system 10 includes a mobile terminal 20, a server 30, a control device 40, and air conditioning equipment 60, as well as a JEM-A conversion adapter 50. The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 is installed within the facility 90 and is located between the control device 40 and the air conditioning equipment 60. The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 converts control commands compliant with ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) received from the control device 40 into control signals compliant with JEM-A (specifically, JEM-A1427) and transmits them to the air conditioning equipment 60. JEM-A is a wired communication standard established by JEMA (Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association).

With JEM-A, only two types of signals are transmitted: a control signal for turning the controlled device (in this case, air conditioning device 60) on or off, and a monitor signal for monitoring the status of the controlled device; no signal indicating whether or not the controlled device is being controlled from outside the home is transmitted. Therefore, the air conditioning device 60 cannot distinguish whether the control signal received from the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 is based on an outside-home control command or a control command instructing in-home control. As a result, there is room for improvement in how the specified processing during the above-mentioned outside-home control is implemented.

In control system 10, the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 determines whether the control command received from the control device 40 is an outside-home control command. Because the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 has the function of determining whether the control command is an outside-home control command, control system 10 can also perform the same predetermined processing during outside-home control as control system 10c. Note that a system configuration including a JEM-A conversion adapter 50, such as control system 10, has the advantage of being able to control an air conditioning device 60 outside the home even if the air conditioning device 60 is JEM-A compatible but cannot communicate with the control device 40.

[Specific configuration]
The specific configuration of each device included in the control system 10 will be described in detail below, continuing to refer to Figure 2. As described above, the control system 10 includes the mobile terminal 20, the server 30, the control device 40, the JEM-A conversion adapter 50, and the air conditioning equipment 60.

The mobile terminal 20 is a portable information terminal that functions as a user interface in the control system 10, and is specifically a smartphone or tablet terminal. A user operates the mobile terminal 20, for example, when wishing to control the air conditioning equipment 60 from outside the facility 90. An application program for outside control is pre-installed on the mobile terminal 20. The mobile terminal 20 communicates with the server 30 using a mobile communication network and a wide area communication network including the Internet.

Server 30 is a cloud server used when a user remotely controls air conditioning equipment 60 from outside facility 90. Server 30 is an example of a computer installed outside facility 90. Server 30 is operated and managed, for example, by the manufacturer and distributor of control device 40.

The control device 40 is, for example, an EMS (Energy Management System) controller with energy management functionality. The control device 40 is installed within the facility 90 and manages the power consumption of equipment (such as air conditioning equipment 60) installed within the facility 90 (or within the premises of the facility 90). The control device 40 also controls the equipment and acquires the status of the equipment. The control device 40 is not limited to an EMS controller, and may be another controller without energy management functionality or a gateway device.

The control device 40 communicates with the server 30 using a wide-area communication network such as the Internet, and communicates with the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 using a local communication network within the facility 90.

The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 receives control commands from the control device 40 via communication based on ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), and transmits control signals via wired communication based on JEM-A. In other words, the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 converts control commands based on ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) into control signals based on JEM-A. The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 comprises a first communication unit 51, a second communication unit 52, a control unit 53, and a memory unit 54. The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 houses these components within its own housing.

The first communication unit 51 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 to communicate with the air conditioning equipment 60. The first communication unit 51 is, for example, a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication using a local communication network. Communication between the first communication unit 51 and the air conditioning equipment 60 conforms to, for example, JEM-A, but may also conform to other communication standards (communication protocols).

The second communication unit 52 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 to communicate with the control device 40. The second communication unit 52 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication using a local communication network within the facility 90. Communication between the second communication unit 52 and the control device 40 complies with, for example, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), but may also comply with other communication standards (communication protocols).

The control unit 53 processes information related to the operation of the control device 40. The control unit 53 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or dedicated circuit.

The memory unit 54 is a storage device that stores the control program executed by the control unit 53. The memory unit 54 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

Air conditioning equipment 60 is an example of a controlled device in control system 10 and is installed within facility 90. Air conditioning equipment 60 is, for example, a general household air conditioning equipment that has a heat exchanger (not shown) or the like, allowing it to adjust the temperature of the air blown out from air conditioning equipment 60. In other words, air conditioning equipment 60 has temperature adjustment functions (air blowing function and heating/cooling function). Air conditioning equipment 60 is not limited to general household air conditioning equipment, and may also be industrial air conditioning equipment. Air conditioning equipment 60 has a JEMA standard HA (Home Automation) terminal-A (also called an HA terminal, JEM-A terminal, etc.), which is wired to a JEM-A conversion adapter 50.

Note that controlled devices are not limited to air conditioning equipment 60. Other controlled devices include lighting equipment, electric locks, and electric shutters.

[Example of operation]
Next, a description will be given of an example of the operation of the control system 10. FIG.

First, the second communication unit 52 of the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 receives a control command from the control device 40 (S11). In this case, the control command is either an outside-home control command for controlling the air conditioning equipment 60 from outside the facility 90, or an inside-home control command for controlling the air conditioning equipment 60 from inside the facility 90.

As shown in (a) of Figure 2 above, an outside-home control command is sent by user operation of the mobile terminal 20, and is received by the second communication unit 52 via the mobile terminal 20, the server 30 (computer) installed outside the facility 90, and the control device 40. As shown in (b) of Figure 2 above, an inside-home control command is sent from the control device 40 by user operation of a user interface provided on the control device 40, and is received by the second communication unit 52.

The control command sent from the control device 40 to the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 is in a format that complies with ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). The control device 40 includes (adds) information in the control command indicating whether the control command is an outside-home control command.

Next, the control unit 53 determines whether the control command received in step S11 is a remote control command (S12). Specifically, the control unit 53 determines whether the control command includes information (such as a flag) indicating whether it is a remote control command.

When the control unit 53 determines in step S11 that the control command received is an in-home control command (in other words, not an outside-home control command) (No in S12), it causes the first communication unit 51 to send a first control signal to the air conditioning equipment 60 to operate (turn on) the air conditioning equipment 60 based on the received in-home control command (S13). As a result, the air conditioning equipment 60 that was stopped starts operating.

When the control unit 53 determines in step S11 that the control command received is an outside-home control command (Yes in S12), it causes the first communication unit 51 to send a first control signal to the air conditioning equipment 60 to operate (turn on) the air conditioning equipment 60 based on the received outside-home control command (S14). As a result, the air conditioning equipment 60 that was stopped starts operating.

The control unit 53 uses the second communication unit 52 to send a confirmation command to the server 30 to confirm whether communication with the server 30 is being maintained (S15), and determines whether a response to the sent confirmation command is received from the server 30 (S16).

When the control unit 53 determines that a response has been received from the server 30 (Yes in S16), it extends the operation end time of the air conditioning equipment 60 for a certain period of time (S17), and after the specified period has elapsed, it sends a confirmation command (S15) and makes the determination (S16) again. In other words, the confirmation command is sent periodically while a response is received from the server 30, and the air conditioning equipment 60 remains in operation during this time.

On the other hand, if the control unit 53 determines that no response has been received from the server 30 (No in S16), it does not extend the operation end time, and instead causes the first communication unit 51 to send a second control signal (an example of a predetermined control signal) to the air conditioning equipment 60 to stop operation when the operation end time arrives (S18). As a result, the air conditioning equipment 60 that is currently operating stops.

In this way, after receiving the outside-home control command, the control unit 53 uses the second communication unit 52 to perform periodic communication with the server 30, and if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 51 to send a second control signal to stop the operation of the air conditioning equipment 60. This allows the control system 10 to prevent the air conditioning equipment 60 from continuing to operate when communication with the server 30 is interrupted (which would make it impossible to stop the air conditioning equipment 60 by operating the mobile terminal 20), thereby improving the safety of outside-home control.

[Modification]
The control system 10 may further include an intercom device. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system according to a modified example.

The control system 10a according to the modified example includes a mobile terminal 20, a server 30, a control device 40, a JEM-A conversion adapter 50, an air conditioning device 60, and an intercom device 70.

Intercom device 70 is the master device in the intercom system, and together with the slave device (specifically, a door phone installed at the entrance), it constitutes the intercom system. If facility 90 is an apartment building, intercom device 70 is installed in a private area. Intercom device 70 communicates with server 30 using a wide-area communication network such as the Internet, and with control device 40 using a local communication network within facility 90.

Such a control system 10a operates in the same way as control system 10. As a result, control system 10a can prevent air conditioning equipment 60 from continuing to operate when communication with server 30 is interrupted (which would result in air conditioning equipment 60 being unable to be stopped by operating mobile terminal 20), thereby improving safety in outdoor control.

(Embodiment 2)
[composition]
The following describes the configuration of the control system according to the second embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control system 10b includes a mobile terminal 20, a server 30, an intercom device 70, and an electric lock 80. The mobile terminal 20 and the server 30 have the same configuration as in embodiment 1, so their description will be omitted.

The intercom device 70 includes a first communication unit 71, a second communication unit 72, a control unit 73, and a memory unit 74.

The first communication unit 71 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the intercom device 70 to communicate with the electric lock 80. The first communication unit 71 is, for example, a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication using a local communication network. Communication between the first communication unit 71 and the electric lock 80 complies with, for example, JEM-A, but may also comply with other communication standards (communication protocols).

The second communication unit 72 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the intercom device 70 to communicate with the server 30. The second communication unit 72 is a communication circuit that communicates using a wide area communication network such as the Internet, for example.

The control unit 73 processes information related to the operation of the intercom device 70. The control unit 73 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or dedicated circuit.

The memory unit 74 is a storage device that stores the control program executed by the control unit 73. The memory unit 74 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

The electric lock 80 is a security device that controls the locking and unlocking of doors (or windows, etc.) owned by the facility 90. The electric lock 80 is equipped with an RFID reader that acquires key information from a card key, for example. The electric lock 80 may also be equipped with a biometric sensor that acquires biometric information, such as a fingerprint, as key information.

The intercom device 70 and the electric lock 80 each have a JEMA standard HA terminal, and the JEMA standard HA terminals are connected to each other by wire.

[Example of operation]
A user of the control system 10b can not only directly lock or unlock the electric lock 80 using a card key or biometric information, but can also lock or unlock the electric lock 80 from outside the facility 90 by operating the mobile terminal 20. Here, if after locking or unlocking the electric lock 80 from outside the facility 90, it becomes impossible to lock the electric lock from the mobile terminal 20 due to a communication error or the like, the electric lock 80 will remain unlocked, which poses a security problem.

Here, we will explain an example of the operation of control system 10b, which can improve safety (crime prevention). Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of control system 10b.

First, the second communication unit 72 of the intercom device 70 receives an outside-home control command from the server 30 (S21). In this case, the outside-home control command is a control command for unlocking the electric lock 80 from outside the facility 90. The outside-home control command is transmitted based on a user's operation on the mobile terminal 20, and is received by the second communication unit 72 from the mobile terminal 20 via the server 30 (computer) installed outside the facility 90.

Next, the control unit 73 causes the first communication unit 71 to send a first control signal to the electric lock 80 to unlock the electric lock 80 based on the received outside control command (S22). As a result, the locked electric lock 80 is unlocked.

Then, the control unit 73 uses the second communication unit 52 to send a confirmation command to the server 30 to confirm whether communication with the server 30 is being maintained (S23), and determines whether a response to the sent confirmation command is received from the server 30 (S24).

When the control unit 73 determines that a response has been received from the server 30 (Yes in S24), it sends a confirmation command (S23) and makes another determination (S24) after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In other words, the electric lock 80 remains unlocked as long as a response is received from the server 30.

On the other hand, if the control unit 73 determines that no response has been received from the server 30 (No in S24), it causes the first communication unit 71 to send a second control signal (an example of a predetermined control signal) to the electric lock 80 to lock the electric lock 80 (S25). As a result, the electric lock 80 is locked.

In this way, after receiving the remote control command, the control unit 73 uses the second communication unit 72 to perform periodic communication with the server 30, and if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 71 to send a second control signal to the electric lock 80 as a predetermined control signal for unlocking the electric lock 80. This allows the control system 10b to prevent the electric lock 80 from remaining unlocked when communication with the server 30 is interrupted, improving safety in remote control.

(Effects, etc.)
As described above, the control system 10 includes a first communication unit 51 that transmits a control signal via wired communication to a controlled device installed within the facility 90, a second communication unit 52 that receives a first control command for controlling the controlled device from outside the facility 90 via a server 30 installed outside the facility 90, and a control unit 53 that, after receiving the first control command, performs periodic communication with the server 30 using the second communication unit 52 and, if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 51 to transmit a predetermined control signal to the controlled device. The server 30 is an example of a computer. In other words, the first control command is a remote control command.

Such a control system 10 can improve safety when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during remote control by transmitting a predetermined control signal that puts the controlled device into a safe operating state.

Furthermore, for example, after receiving a first control command, the control unit 53 causes the first communication unit 51 to send a first control signal to the controlled device to start operation of the controlled device based on the received first control command, performs periodic communication after the first control signal is sent, and, if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 51 to send a second control signal as a predetermined control signal to stop operation of the controlled device.

Such a control system 10 can improve safety by shutting down the controlled device when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during remote control.

Also, for example, the controlled device is air conditioning device 60.

Such a control system 10 can improve safety by shutting down the air conditioning equipment 60 when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during outdoor control.

For example, in control system 10b, the controlled device is electric lock 80. After receiving a first control command, control unit 73 causes first communication unit 71 to send a first control signal to electric lock 80 to unlock electric lock 80 based on the received first control command, performs periodic communication after the first control signal is sent, and, if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes first communication unit 71 to send a second control signal as a predetermined control signal to lock electric lock 80.

Such a control system 10b can improve safety by shutting down the electric lock 80 when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during off-site control.

Also, for example, the first communication unit 51 transmits a control signal via wired communication based on a first communication standard, and the second communication unit 52 receives a first control command via communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

Such a control system 10 can convert a first control command based on the second communication standard into a control signal based on the first communication standard.

Also, for example, the first communication standard is JEM-A, and the second communication standard is ECHONET Lite (registered trademark).

Such a control system 10 can convert a first control command based on ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) into a control signal based on JEM-A.

Furthermore, for example, the second communication unit 52 receives control commands via the server 30 and an EMS controller (control device 40) installed within the facility 90. The control unit 53 determines whether the control command received by the second communication unit 52 is a first control command or a second control command for controlling the controlled device from within the facility 90, and if it determines that the control command is a first control command, it uses the second communication unit 52 to perform regular communication with a computer via the EMS controller. In other words, the second control command is an in-home control command.

Such a control system 10 can determine whether a control command is an outside-home control command or an inside-home control command.

The control method executed by a computer such as the control system 10 includes a receiving step S11 in which a first control command for controlling a controlled device installed within the facility 90 from outside the facility 90 is received via a server 30 installed outside the facility 90, a communicating step S15 in which regular communication is performed with the server 30 after the first control command is received, and a transmitting step S18 in which a predetermined control signal is transmitted to the controlled device when the regular communication is interrupted.

This control method improves safety when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during remote control by sending a specific control signal that puts the controlled device into a safe operating state.

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

For example, in the above embodiment, the first communication unit, second communication unit, and control unit were provided by the JEM-A conversion adapter or intercom device, but these components (substantially the same elements) may also be provided by other devices included in the control system.

In addition, while in the above embodiment the control system is realized by multiple devices, it may also be realized as a single device. For example, the control system may be realized as a single device equivalent to the JEM-A conversion adapter, or as a single device equivalent to the intercom device of embodiment 2. When the control system is realized by multiple devices, the components of the control system may be distributed among the multiple devices in any manner.

For example, the communication method between devices in the above embodiments is not particularly limited. Furthermore, communication between devices may involve a relay device (such as a broadband router) (not shown).

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Furthermore, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be performed in parallel. Furthermore, the above embodiments 1 and 2 may be combined in any manner.

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

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

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

For example, the present invention may be realized as a control method executed by a computer such as a control system, as a program for causing a computer to execute such a control method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

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

10, 10a, 10b Control system 30 Server (computer)
40 Control device (EMS controller)
51, 71 First communication unit 52, 72 Second communication unit 53, 73 Control unit 60 Air conditioning equipment 80 Electric lock 90 Facility

Claims (3)

a first communication unit that transmits a control signal to a controlled device installed in the facility by wired communication;
a second communication unit that receives a first control command for controlling the controlled device from outside the facility via a computer installed outside the facility;
and a control unit that, after the first control command is received, performs periodic communication with the computer using the second communication unit, and, if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit to transmit a predetermined control signal to the controlled device. A control method executed by an intercom device, comprising:
a receiving step of receiving, via a computer installed outside the facility, a first control command for controlling a controlled device installed inside the facility from outside the facility;
a communication step of periodically communicating with the computer after the first control command is received;
a transmitting step of transmitting a predetermined control signal to the controlled device when the periodic communication is interrupted. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 2 .