JP2002071197A - Remote control method for air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control method for an air conditioner excellent in operating properties. SOLUTION: A home page for supporting preparation of electronic mail for remote control is opened in a server apparatus 40 and is opened the public on a network 500. A user accesses the home page through a terminal apparatus 410, and inputs desired operation contents on the home page. The operation contents are sent to the server apparatus 400. The server apparatus 400 prepares an electronic mail for remote control on the basis of the transmitted operation contents, and sends it to a user address (provider 520). A user informs the transmission of the electronic mail to an information transaction apparatus 300 with a telephone through a public network 550. The information transaction apparatus 300 for controlling the air conditioner 110 accesses the provider 5290 to obtain the electronic mail. It further decodes the contents to control the air conditioner 110 on the basis of a decoded result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system capable of easily performing remote control from a portable terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It takes a certain amount of time after the start of operation of an air conditioner to make the room comfortable using the air conditioner. Therefore, even if the user turns on the power of the air conditioner immediately after returning home, an unpleasant situation continues for a while.

In order to solve such a situation, a technique for remotely controlling an air conditioner by sending an instruction using a telephone has been developed. If this technology is used to issue an instruction from a destination, the air conditioner can be activated in advance when it is time to return home. That is, it is possible to keep the room in a comfortable state when returning home.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art generally assumes that remote control instructions are sent using a public telephone, and there is room for improvement in operability. For example, a user inputs a desired instruction by operating a button of a public telephone, but the public telephone merely has basic operation keys or the like as communication means. There was no display or operation guidance to assist in this input. Therefore, the input method tends to be complicated and difficult to understand, and moreover,
It was necessary to remember the input method and the like in advance.
If you forget this input method, you will not be able to perform any remote control. It was practically impossible to send complicated instructions, and only simple remote control was possible.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a remote control system excellent in operability of an air conditioner.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, a remote control method for an air conditioning system according to claim 1 is provided.
In a remote control method for an air conditioning system in which an air conditioner is controlled based on operation command data given from outside, the operation content of the air conditioner is input at a communication terminal, and the input operation content is generated as the operation command data. Device (hereinafter referred to as “creating device”), the operation command data is created by the creating device based on the operation content transmitted from the communication terminal, and the created operation command data is The data is transmitted to the air conditioning system.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, first, the operation contents of the air conditioner are inputted by the communication terminal,
The input operation content is transmitted to the creation device. The creation device creates operation command data based on the operation content transmitted from the communication terminal. The created operation command data is transmitted to the air conditioning system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the remote control method for an air conditioning system according to the first aspect, the transmission of the operation command data to the air conditioning system is performed to a destination provided corresponding to the air conditioning system. And transmission from the creation device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the creating device transmits the operation command data to a destination provided corresponding to the air conditioning system.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the remote control method for an air conditioning system according to the second aspect, the destination information for specifying the destination is transmitted from the communication terminal to the creation device together with the operation content. The creation device transmits the operation command data to a destination specified based on the destination information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the destination information is transmitted from the communication terminal to the creating device together with the operation content. The creating device transmits the operation command data to the destination specified based on the destination information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control method for an air conditioning system according to the first aspect, the operation command data is transmitted to the air conditioning system from the creation device to the communication terminal. Thereafter, transmission is performed from the communication terminal to a destination provided corresponding to the air conditioning system.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation command data is transmitted from the creation device to the communication terminal. Thereafter, the operation command data is transmitted from the communication terminal to a destination provided for the air conditioning system.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control method for an air conditioning system according to the fourth aspect, identification information for specifying the communication terminal is transmitted from the communication terminal to the creation device together with the operation content. And the creation device includes:
Transmitting the operation command data to the communication terminal based on the identification information.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the identification information is transmitted from the communication terminal to the preparation device together with the operation content. The creating device transmits operation command data to the communication terminal based on the identification information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control method for an air conditioning system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the transmission of the operation command data is separately notified to the air conditioning system. That is, it is characterized.

According to the invention, the transmission of the operation command data is separately notified to the air conditioning system.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the remote controlling method for an air conditioning system according to the sixth aspect, the notification is performed through a telephone network.

According to the present invention, the transmission of the operation command data is notified through the telephone network.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control method for an air conditioning system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the input and transmission of the operation contents are performed by a support prepared in advance in the creation device. Data is read out to the communication terminal and is used by using the data.

According to the present invention, the support data prepared in advance in the creation device is read out to the communication terminal. Then, the operation contents are input and transmitted using the support data.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control method for an air conditioning system according to the eighth aspect, the support data includes an image displayed on the communication terminal and supporting input of operation details, in HTML, XML, or the like. , CompactH
It includes data described in TML, HDML, or WML.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the image displayed on the communication terminal and supporting the input of the operation content is displayed in HTML, XML, compactHTML, or HD.
Support data is created in advance, including data described in ML or WML.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the embodiment.

In this embodiment, according to an instruction from a terminal device 410 (ie, a user) such as a mobile phone,
The air conditioner 110 can be remotely controlled.
In particular, the main feature is that the remote control instruction is transmitted using electronic mail, and the electronic mail is created by the server device 400, thereby improving the operability of remote control. . The details will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system according to this embodiment includes an air conditioner 110 and a remote control instruction (here,
And an information processing device 300 that controls the air conditioner 110 based on electronic mail). In addition, a terminal device 41 for creating and transmitting an e-mail for remotely operating the air conditioning system.
0 and the server device 400. These are connected to each other through a network 500, a public network (telephone network) 550, a provider 520, and a connection center 560.

First, the air conditioner 110 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The air conditioner 110 generates cold air or the like by using a refrigerant supplied from an outdoor unit (not shown), and blows the generated cool air or the like to maintain a desired indoor environment.
Installed indoors (for example, on a wall). As shown in FIG. 1, an air outlet 112 for cool air or the like, a terminal unit 113 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the information processing device 300, and the like are provided on the front surface of the housing 111 of the air conditioner 110. Inside the housing 111, a heat exchanger, a blower fan and a blower fan motor 121 for operating the same (see FIG. 2), a ventilation mechanism for exhausting indoor air to the outside, an air purification mechanism for removing air dirt, and the like are housed. Have been.

As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 110 includes a blower fan motor 121 for driving a blower fan (not shown), various sensors 122 for detecting temperature, etc., a communication circuit 123, a control circuit 125, and the like. It is provided with. Further, although not shown in this figure, a ventilation mechanism such as a fan and an air purification mechanism such as a filter are also provided.

The sensor 122 is for detecting the condition of the air conditioner, and furthermore, the condition inside and outside the room. This embodiment includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of cold air or the like at the outlet 112, a room temperature sensor for detecting the indoor temperature, an outdoor temperature sensor for detecting the outdoor temperature, and a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity. . Further, a pressure sensor and the like for detecting the refrigerant pressure are also provided.

The communication circuit 123 is for transmitting and receiving various signals to and from the information processing device 300. This communication circuit 1
Reference numeral 23 denotes a configuration for inputting and outputting this signal from the terminal unit 113. That is, signals are exchanged with the information processing device 300 via the cable connected to the terminal unit 113. The communication circuit 123 includes the control circuit 12
5 operates in accordance with the instruction from 5.

The control circuit 125 controls and controls the entire air conditioning system. The control circuit 125 includes a flash memory 126, a ROM 127,
And a CPU 128. CPU128
Executes various control programs stored in the flash memory 126 or the ROM 127 to realize various functions. For example, the control circuit 125 controls the above-described units and an outdoor unit (not shown) to realize a functional operation as an air conditioner.

Further, the control circuit 125 of this embodiment
Has a function of performing temperature adjustment, dehumidification, and the like by controlling the above-described units according to a control command (operation instruction) input from the information processing device 300 through the communication circuit 123. Further, the control circuit 125 of this embodiment
In response to an instruction from the information processing device 300, the air conditioner 110
It is configured such that the entire power supply can be turned on / off. However, power is supplied to a part (for example, the communication circuit 123 and the control circuit 125) so that a signal transmitted from the information processing device 300 can be received even in the OFF state. In addition, the information processing apparatus 300 has a function of confirming the operation state of the air conditioner 110 using the above-described sensor 122 or the like in response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus 300 and reporting the confirmation result to the information processing apparatus 300.

Next, the information processing apparatus 300 will be described. The information processing device 300 controls the air conditioner 110 in accordance with a remote operation instruction transmitted through the network 500 and the like. This information processing device 30
0 via the public network 550 and the provider 520,
It is connected to the network 500 as needed. In addition, a function of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail via the provider 520 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 300 is internally provided with a display circuit 311, an input circuit 312, a communication circuit 313, a network connection circuit 314, a storage circuit 315, and a control circuit 316. I have.

The display circuit 311 provides information necessary for the user to input an operation instruction and the network 500
And a CRT (Cath) that constitutes the display screen 301 (FIG. 1).
ode Ray Tube), a circuit for processing a display signal, and the like. The display circuit 311 operates according to an instruction from the control circuit 316.

The input circuit 312 receives an input of an operation instruction from a user, and includes an input device 302 (FIG. 1) such as a keyboard and a mouse. The input device 302 is configured to output the received input content to the control circuit 316.

The communication circuit 313 is connected to another device (here,
This is for exchanging signals with the air conditioner 110). The communication circuit 313 is configured to operate according to an instruction from the control circuit 316.

The network connection circuit 314 connects the information processing device 300 to the public network 550. Provider 520 (eventually network 5
00) is made through a public network 550 connected by the network connection circuit 314. In addition, transmission of electronic mail to the terminal device 410 and the like is performed by the network connection circuit 314 and the public network
This is done through 0. In this embodiment, the Internet is mainly assumed as the network 500. Therefore, the network connection circuit 31
Reference numeral 4 corresponds to a protocol adopted in the Internet such as TCP / IP. Further, the network connection circuit 314 can detect an incoming call through the public network 550. Specifically, the network connection circuit 314 includes a terminal adapter when the public network 550 is a digital line, and includes a modem when the public network 550 is an analog line.

The storage circuit 315 stores a control program and various data. This control program is loaded into the memory 317 as needed, and
318.

The data stored in the storage circuit 315 includes a provider 520 and various information (for example, the provider 520) necessary for connecting to the network 500 connected via the provider 520.
Telephone number). Also, the electronic mail fetched from the provider 520, data necessary for decrypting the electronic mail for remote control (for example, the rules of the electronic mail), the control contents of the remote operation determined based on the electronic mail, and the like are held. It is supposed to be. Further, a format required for automatically creating an e-mail (hereinafter, referred to as a “confirmation mail”) for notifying the state of the air conditioner 110 after the remote operation, and a destination of the confirmation mail (here, The electronic mail address of the terminal device 410) is also stored in the storage circuit 315.

The storage circuit 315 includes a computer-readable recording medium. For example, a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a magnetic recording medium (for example, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape), a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a read-only storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and a RAM ( Random Acc
ess memory) or a combination thereof. Note that the storage circuit 3
These storage media constituting 15 need not necessarily be fixedly provided in the information processing device 300. The information processing apparatus 300 may be configured to be detachable (or detachable). The same applies to a mechanism for reading and writing data from and to a storage medium (for example, a drive device).

The control circuit 316 controls the information processing device 30
0 controls and controls the entirety of the memory 317 and C
And a PU 318. As described above, the program stored in the storage circuit 315 is stored in the memory 3
17 are loaded into the CPU 17 and executed by the CPU 318, thereby controlling the above-described units to realize various functions.

The functions provided by the control circuit 316 include, for example, an automatic creation and automatic transmission / reception function of electronic mail. The control circuit 316 can connect to the provider 520 (finally, the network 500) by controlling the network connection circuit 314. In this embodiment, the e-mail transmitted to the user of the information processing device 300 is received and stored in the mail server of the provider 520. Control circuit 316
Can access the provider 520 as needed and download an email addressed to this user.

Further, the control circuit 316 includes a public network 550
It has a function to monitor the status of incoming calls through. In this embodiment, when the call pattern at the time of the incoming call is a predetermined pattern (hereinafter, referred to as a “transmission notification pattern”), the provider 520 is accessed, and the newly received e-mail is received. Is configured to download. The transmission notification pattern in this embodiment is a pattern that is disconnected after three calls are made.

The control circuit 316 includes a communication circuit 313
It has a function of controlling the air conditioner 110 by transmitting a predetermined operation instruction to the air conditioner 110 through the. In particular, in this embodiment, in order to realize remote operation through the network 500, the operation instruction is created based on the received remote operation e-mail. In addition to this, after performing remote control of the air conditioner 110 based on the e-mail for remote control, the operation state of the air conditioner 110 is confirmed, and the confirmation result is reported to the terminal device 410 by e-mail. It also has a function to do.

In addition, the control circuit 316 has various additional functions (for example,
Clock function).

The information processing apparatus 300 can be actually realized by executing software for realizing the operation of the present embodiment on a computer system such as a so-called personal computer. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, it may be realized by dedicated hardware.

Next, the server device 400 will be described. The server device 400 creates and transmits an e-mail for remotely controlling the air conditioner 110 in response to an instruction from the terminal device 410. This server device 400 has a function as a WWW server. The creation of the e-mail is supported by a homepage opened on the server device 400 and published on the network 500. Also, this server device 40
0 is also connected to the public network 550 and is configured to be able to make a call to a desired telephone number. The server device 400 is opened by a manufacturer or the like that manufactures the air conditioner 110.

The hardware configuration of the server device 400 is as follows.
It is almost the same as the information processing device 300. However, the functions are different from those of the information processing device 300. That is, the contents of programs and the like held in the storage circuit of the server device 400 and executed by the CPU are different from those of the information processing device 300.

Storage circuit (storage device) of server device 400
The data stored in the URL include data describing a homepage that accepts an input of a remote operation instruction.
As shown in Fig. 5 below,
A setting column for setting the operation content and the like of the air conditioner 110 is provided (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the data of this home page is described in compactHTML. In addition to this, the storage circuit also stores a program for automatically creating a mail for remote operation based on an instruction input on the homepage, and the like.

The actual server device 400 is realized by executing a predetermined program for configuring a WWW system on a computer system. The “computer system” mentioned here also includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment).

Next, the terminal device 410 will be described. The terminal device 410 is a wireless communication terminal having an information processing function. The user operates this terminal device 410
With this, the operation content at the time of remote operation is input. The terminal device 410 is configured to be able to access the server device 400 via the public network 550 and the network 500. Network 500
Although the form of connection to is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the connection to the network 500 is established via a connection center 560 of a communication company that operates the public network 550. The electronic mail addressed to the terminal device 410 is also received and stored in a mail server provided in the connection center 560. That is, the function as a provider is provided by the connection center 560.

The hardware configuration of the terminal device 410 is basically the same as that of the information processing device 300 and the server device 4 except that it is designed with emphasis on vibration resistance, miniaturization, and the like.
It is almost the same as 00. However, in this embodiment,
Since it is necessary to access a homepage or the like and input characters such as an e-mail address, the terminal device 410
Has a display screen 411 that is small but can display a homepage or the like. The operation keys 412 include a character input key, a cursor key, and the like.
The functions are not the same as those of the information processing apparatus 300 and the like.
The terminal device 410 has a function of accessing a homepage established in the server device 400 (that is, WWW).
It suffices to have a function as a client), a function to input characters, a function to send and receive e-mail, and the like.

The actual terminal device 410 is a portable telephone, a PH
It can be realized by S (Personal Handyphone System) or the like.

The “operation command data” referred to in the claims corresponds to electronic mail for remote control in this embodiment. "Air conditioning system" refers to the air conditioner 11
0 and the information processing device 300.
The “communication terminal” corresponds to the terminal device 410. The “creating device” corresponds to the server device 400. "Destination"
E-mail address to the user. The “destination information” in this embodiment employs the user's e-mail address itself. The “identification information” corresponds to the telephone number of the terminal device 410. “Support data” is data describing a homepage established in the server device 400. However, the correspondence described here is not strict.

Next, the operation of this system will be described. First, an outline of a remote control procedure will be described with reference to FIG. The description here is based on the assumption that a homepage for supporting creation of an e-mail for remote operation has already been established in server device 400. This home page provides options and the like in accordance with the contents of the executable remote operation, and by selecting these, the desired operation contents can be set. Since the technology for realizing such a homepage is already well known, a detailed description is omitted.

The user uses the terminal device 410 to access a homepage established in the server device 400 (step S101). In this embodiment, this access is performed through the public network 550, the connection center 560, and the network 500. If the access is successful, this home page will be displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 410.

Note that the terminal device 410 sends the
The connection route to 00 (here, the Internet) is not limited at all. Which route is to be used depends on the function of the actual terminal device 410 and the like. For example, it is also conceivable that the user of the terminal device 410 performs the process via the provider 520 to which the user has originally contracted.

The user operates the display screen 41 of the terminal device 410.
The user inputs desired remote operation contents and the like on the homepage displayed in 1 and, after the input is completed, transmits the contents to the server device 40.
0 (step S102). An example of this home page is shown in FIG.

The homepage (FIG. 5) includes an air conditioner 1
There are provided setting columns for ten operation contents and the like. The user operates the operation keys 412 of the terminal device 410 to set the desired operation content, thereby performing an input. In the example of FIG.
(Indicated by reference numeral 4113 in the figure) and "stop" (indicated by reference numeral 4114 in the figure) are presented. In addition, the home page is provided with a column for inputting a desired e-mail address (indicated by reference numeral 4111 in the figure) and a column for inputting a desired telephone number (indicated by reference numeral 4112 in the drawing). I have. The user enters the home telephone number (more precisely, the information processing device 3 in the public network 550) in these fields.
00) and the user's e-mail address. After the input is completed, when the user selects “transmission” (indicated by reference numeral 4115 in the figure), the input content up to now is transmitted. Alternatively, the input can be stopped by selecting “cancel” (indicated by reference numeral 4116 in the figure). It should be noted that FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the setting contents are not limited to the example in FIG. Although not shown in this figure, the configuration is such that the execution timing of the operation content and the like can be set.

The server device 400 that has received the content transmitted from the terminal device 410 sends an e-mail for remote operation (that is, an e-mail described in accordance with a later-described rule) in accordance with the content transmitted at this time. Is created (step S103). Then, the created e-mail is transmitted to the user via the network 500 (step S104). The destination of the e-mail for remote control is the e-mail address of the user previously transmitted from the terminal device 410 (that is, the content input in the e-mail address column 4111 in FIG. 5). Therefore, although not shown in this figure, the e-mail for remote control is received and stored in the provider 520 to which the user has subscribed.

Further, the server device 400 is connected to the public network 55
A call is made to the telephone number of the user's home at 0 (that is, the telephone number of the line connected to the information processing apparatus 300), and a call is made in a transmission notification pattern (step S105). Note that the information processing apparatus 300 does not accept an incoming call (does not answer a call) during a period necessary for determining whether or not this transmission notification pattern is used.
The telephone number is the number previously transmitted together with the operation content from terminal device 410 (that is, telephone number column 411 in FIG. 5).
2) is used.

The information processing apparatus 300 always has the public network 550
It monitors the status of incoming calls (whether there is an incoming call and the calling pattern). The information processing device 300 that has detected the call in the transmission notification pattern executed in step S105 accesses the provider 520 and downloads the received e-mail (step S106). Then, the air conditioner 110 is controlled based on the e-mail (step S107).

Further, after that, the information processing apparatus 300
Check the operation state of the air conditioner 110 (step S10
8). Then, the confirmation result is notified to the terminal device 410 by electronic mail (confirmation mail) (step S
109). The confirmation of the operation state is performed by the information processing apparatus 300.
Transmits a predetermined confirmation instruction to the air conditioner 110, and in response to this, the control circuit 125 of the air conditioner 110 returns a detection result of the sensor 122 and the like. The confirmation mail is automatically created by describing the confirmation result in a format prepared in the storage circuit 315.

The user finally decides on the information processing device 300
The contents of the confirmation mail sent from the terminal device 410
, It is possible to confirm whether or not the remote operation has been executed as intended.

Next, the operation of receiving a remote control instruction will be described with reference to FIG. Before explaining the specific operation,
The following describes the rules (rules) for electronic mail for remote control. In this embodiment, the title of the e-mail for remote operation is set to "remote operation". In the content part, it is defined that the content of the control (operation instruction), the setting condition, and the execution timing are entered. Here, the contents of the control include “cooling start” and “stop”.
The setting condition is a set temperature or the like. The execution timing is, for example, a relative time (for example, “one hour later”) or an absolute time (for example, “4: 3”).
0 minutes "). Whether it is an e-mail for remote operation and the decryption of its contents
It is performed on the premise of such a convention. Less than,
A specific operation will be described with reference to FIG.

The control circuit 316 of the information processing device 300
The incoming call status in the public network 550 is monitored (step S201). If there is an incoming call, subsequently, whether or not this incoming call is accompanied by a call in the transmission notification pattern, that is, whether or not the outgoing call is for notifying the transmission of the e-mail for remote operation Is determined (step S202). If the result of the determination is that it is a transmission notification pattern (that is, if it is considered to be a transmission notification of an e-mail for remote operation), the flow proceeds to step S203. If it is not a transmission notification pattern, the process returns to step S201.

In step S203, the control circuit 31
6 accesses the provider 520 by controlling the network connection circuit 314 and downloads the newly received e-mail.

Subsequently, control circuit 316 determines whether or not the newly received e-mail is intended for remote control of air conditioner 110 (step S20).
4). This determination is made for all newly received e-mails. As described above, in this embodiment, the e-mail for remote control is:
The title is "remote control". Therefore, this determination is made based on whether or not the title of the e-mail is “remote operation”. As a result of this judgment,
If there is no e-mail for remote control, the process returns to step S201. On the other hand, if there is an e-mail for remote control, the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, the control circuit 3
16 analyzes the contents of the e-mail for the remote operation to decode the contents of the instruction. This decryption is also performed in accordance with the above-described rules for e-mail for remote operation.

Thereafter, the control circuit 316 determines a control command, an execution timing, and the like based on the result of the decoding, and stores the determined control command in the storage circuit 315 (step S206). If the execution timing is not specified in the e-mail, it is treated as being executed immediately. Thereafter, the process returns to step S201 again.

The control circuit 316 transmits the control command held in the storage circuit 315 to the air conditioner 110 when its execution timing comes. Then, the air conditioner 110 operates according to the control command. After that, the control circuit 316 confirms the state of the air conditioner 110, creates a confirmation mail to notify the confirmation result, and transmits the confirmation mail to the terminal device 410.

As described above, in this embodiment,
The display screen 411 is small and the general operation keys 412
Even from the terminal device 410 provided only with this, it is possible to easily and quickly input a remote operation instruction. Therefore, the operability is excellent.

Further, since it is not necessary for the user to memorize the rules of the e-mail for the remote operation, the situation where the remote operation cannot be executed due to the insufficiency of the contents of the e-mail is eliminated.

When the user himself / herself inputs a character string indicating the details of driving, various similar expressions are apt to be confused. For example, when instructing to start cooling,
There are various similar expressions such as "start", "operation start", "actuation" and the like. Therefore, the operability of the information processing apparatus 300 is extremely poor unless the information processing apparatus 300 supports such a similar expression to some extent. In this embodiment, since the e-mail is created by the server device 400, such similar expressions are not confused. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 300 does not need to deal with various similar expressions when decrypting an electronic mail. Therefore, it is easy to create a program for decrypting mail.

In the above-described embodiment, when a call is transmitted from the terminal device 410, the user inputs the e-mail address and the like on the home page displayed on the screen. The information may be transmitted to the server device 400. In this case, it is necessary to register an e-mail address in the terminal device 410 in advance.

In the above embodiment, the terminal device 410
, The user's e-mail address is input and transmitted to the server device 400 each time, but it is not always necessary to transmit these every time. The telephone number of the terminal device 410 and the desired e-mail address as the destination of the e-mail for remote control may be registered in the server device 400 in advance.

The registration in this case is performed by the user himself accessing the server device 400. In many portable communication terminal devices such as PHS, the telephone number of the calling side is notified to the other side. Therefore, as the terminal device 410, PH
When S or the like is used, the server device 400 can determine the destination of the e-mail address based on the telephone number. In such a configuration, the user does not need to input an e-mail address in the terminal device 410. Terminal device 410 where importance is placed on small size and light weight
In general, the number of operation keys is much smaller than that of a keyboard, and character input (particularly, input of characters other than numbers)
Is often troublesome. Therefore, such a configuration in which the input of the e-mail address can be omitted,
It has better operability and convenience for users. In the configuration in which the telephone number and the mail address of the terminal device 410 are registered in the server device 400 in association with each other, remote control can be performed only by the terminal device 410 registered in the server device 400, so that the security is excellent. Conversely, in the above-described embodiment, remote control can be performed even by a terminal device that has not been registered, so that the embodiment is excellent in convenience. For example, even when the terminal device 410 is lost, there is no possibility that remote control cannot be performed at all. In such a form, the telephone number of the terminal device 410 corresponds to the destination information described in the claims.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which one air conditioner is remotely controlled, but the object of remote control is not limited to one. A plurality of air conditioners may be remotely controlled. This is, for example, the server device 40
In addition to providing a column for inputting information for specifying an air conditioner to be remotely operated on the homepage set up at No. 0, the contents of this field can be easily included in the e-mail of the remote operation. It is possible. In this case, the information processing apparatus 300 naturally has a function of specifying an air conditioner to be remotely controlled based on the contents input to this field.

In the above-described embodiment, the e-mail for remote operation is transmitted directly from server device 400 to the e-mail address of the user. However, the route for sending this e-mail is not limited to this. For example, once the e-mail is
, And then from the terminal device 410 to the mail address of the user. However, with such a configuration, when the terminal device 410 accesses the server device 400, information for identifying the terminal device 410 (for example, the telephone number of the terminal device 410) is automatically transmitted to the server device 400. (Or based on instructions from the user). FIG. 7 shows a procedure in such a case.

In the processing procedure of FIG. 7, steps S111 to S113 are performed in place of steps S104 and S105 in FIG.
Is different from the above procedure. Here, only the differences will be described. In step S111, the server device 4
00 transmits the created e-mail to the terminal device 410. The user receiving this transmits the electronic mail for the remote control from the terminal device 410 to his / her mail address (step S112). Next, the public network 5
A call is made to the user's telephone number (that is, the information processing device 300) through 50 (a call is made), and a call is made in a transmission notification pattern (step S113).

In the above-described embodiment, the fact that the e-mail for remote operation has been transmitted is notified to information processing device 300 by making a telephone call, but this notification is not always necessary. For example, in a configuration in which the information processing apparatus 300 accesses the provider 520 every sufficiently short time and checks whether an electronic mail has arrived, such a notification may be omitted. Further, when the provider 520 notifies the information processing apparatus 300 that the e-mail has been received, such a notification is unnecessary. Even when the information processing device 300 itself plays a role as a mail server for receiving a mail, such a notification is naturally unnecessary.

In the above-described embodiment, the identity of the other party who sent the remote control e-mail (that is, whether or not the remote control is permitted) is not confirmed. It is more preferable to confirm such a point. This confirmation can be easily made by, for example, registering in advance the identification code (for example, an e-mail address) of the partner to whom the remote operation is permitted in the information processing device 300 and determining the e-mail based on the registered contents. It is. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a password or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, an e-mail for a general task is created based on the title of the e-mail and the like.
An e-mail for remote control of the air conditioner 110 or the like was identified and managed. An e-mail address for remote control alone may be prepared separately from an e-mail address for general business. In this way, the e-mail for remote control and the e-mail for general business can be more reliably distinguished, and the possibility of malfunction is reduced. Also, if the e-mail address for remote control is not disclosed to the outside, the security is excellent.

In the above-described embodiment, the destination of the confirmation mail is stored in the information processing apparatus 300 in advance. However, the destination of this confirmation mail may be described in the e-mail for remote control. This is for example
This can be easily achieved by providing a column for entering the address of the confirmation mail on the homepage (FIG. 5) established on the server device 400.

The connection form to the network 500 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The information processing device 300 may be constantly connected to the network 500 by a dedicated line. In this case, the information processing apparatus 300 always monitors the mail reception status. By doing so, there is no need to separately notify the fact that the remote control e-mail has been sent through the public network 550, so that the convenience is further improved.

In the above embodiment, the network 5
Although the Internet was assumed as 00, the network 500 may be a network other than the Internet.

The language for describing the homepage established in server device 400 is not particularly limited. WML (Wireless) developed mainly for wireless terminals
Markup Language), HTML, XML, or the like. In addition, although there is no compatibility with HTML, HD developed mainly for portable information terminals
It may be described using ML (Handheld Device Markup Language). It is preferable to select an appropriate one according to the actual terminal device 410.

In the above embodiment, the information processing device 3
00, the air conditioner 110 itself has a function of receiving a remote control instruction sent through a network. , Directly, air conditioner 110
May be transmitted.

Note that the “computer-readable recording medium” referred to in this specification is a short-term communication line such as a communication line for transmitting a program through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. During
This includes those that dynamically hold programs and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memories in computer systems serving as servers and clients in that case.

The above-mentioned program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, and may be for realizing the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. You may.

[0093]

As described above, according to the method for remotely controlling an air conditioning system of the present invention, the operability at the time of remote control is excellent. Further, the details are as follows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation command data can be created by the creating device. In the communication terminal, it is only necessary to input the operation details, and it is not necessary to create the operation command data itself. Therefore, the operability is excellent.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the transmission of the operation command data is performed by the preparation device, there is no need to re-transmit the prepared operation command data to the air conditioning system by the communication terminal. That is, only one transmission from the communication terminal at the time of remote operation is required. Therefore,
High convenience. Further, the communication terminal used for transmitting the operation details is not limited.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the transmission of the operation command data is performed by the preparation device, there is no need to re-transmit the prepared operation command data to the air conditioning system by the communication terminal. That is, only one transmission from the communication terminal at the time of remote operation is required. Therefore,
High convenience. Further, the communication terminal used for transmitting the operation details is not limited.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation command data can be created by the creating device. In the communication terminal, it is only necessary to input the operation details, and it is not necessary to create the operation command data itself. Therefore, the operability is excellent.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation command data can be created by the creating device. In the communication terminal, it is only necessary to input the operation details, and it is not necessary to create the operation command data itself. Therefore, the operability is excellent.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning system can quickly know that the operation command data for remote operation has been transmitted. It is not necessary for the air conditioning system to always check whether operation command data is being sent. Alternatively, there is no need for the environment to be able to confirm.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the notification is made via the telephone network, a special environment for receiving the notification is not required, and the notification can be made easily and reliably.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the input and transmission of the driving details are facilitated by using the support data.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the operation content can be input using a general communication terminal having a WWW client function, it is excellent in versatility and convenience.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an air conditioner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a remote control procedure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a homepage for inputting contents of a remote operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of receiving a remote operation by the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of a remote control procedure outline.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 air conditioner 300 information processing device 301 display screen 302 input device 311 display circuit 312 input circuit 313 communication circuit 314 network connection circuit 315 storage circuit 316 control circuit 400 server device 410 terminal device 411 display screen 412 operation keys 500 network 520 provider 550 public Network 560 Connection Center

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301D 311 311P 321 321E (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Iwasaki Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture 3-152 Iwatsuka-cho F-term in San Techno Co., Ltd. (reference) 3L061 BA03 BA05 5B049 AA01 CC48 DD01 GG02 GG03 GG06 5K048 AA04 BA08 BA13 DC01 DC07 EB02 EB12 FB08 HA01 HA21 5K101 KK02 KK11 LL01 NN12 MM03

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A method for remotely operating an air conditioning system in which an air conditioner is controlled based on operation command data given from the outside, wherein operation contents of the air conditioner are inputted by a communication terminal and The operation command data is transmitted to a device that creates operation command data (hereinafter, referred to as a “creation device”), and the operation command data is created by the creation device based on the operation content transmitted from the communication terminal. And transmitting operation command data to the air conditioning system. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission of the operation command data to the air conditioning system is performed by transmitting the operation command data from the creation device to a destination provided corresponding to the air conditioning system. A remote control method for the air conditioning system described in the above. 3. The destination information for specifying the destination is transmitted from the communication terminal to the creating device together with the operation content, and the creating device sends the destination information to the destination specified based on the destination information. The method according to claim 2, wherein the operation command data is transmitted. 4. The transmission of the operation command data to the air conditioning system is performed by transmitting the operation command data from the creation device to the communication terminal, and then transmitting the operation command data from the communication terminal to a destination provided corresponding to the air conditioning system. The remote control method for an air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by performing the following. 5. An identification information for identifying the communication terminal is transmitted from the communication terminal to the creation device together with the operation content, and the creation device sends the operation information to the communication terminal based on the identification information. The remote control method for an air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein command data is transmitted. 6. The transmission of the operation command data,
The remote control method for an air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method is separately notified to the air conditioning system. 7. The remote control method for an air conditioning system according to claim 6, wherein the notification is performed through a telephone network. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input and transmission of the operation content are performed by reading support data prepared in advance in the creation device into the communication terminal and using the read support data. A remote control method for an air conditioning system according to one of the above aspects. 9. The support data includes an image displayed on the communication terminal and supporting input of driving details, as an HTM.
The remote control method for an air conditioning system according to claim 8, wherein the data includes data described in L, XML, compactHTML, HDML, or WML.