JPH0540891A - Load controller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To obtain a home load control device with higher usability. [Configuration] Each load device 4 is pictograph-displayed on the screen of the visual controller 6, and when an abnormality of the security sensor is detected, this is also pictograph-displayed. Information relating to the pictograph and the like is stored in a graphic ROM or the like, read out as appropriate, and used for display. The pictograph display makes it possible to obtain a load control device with significantly improved usability.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a load control device having a structure in which a plurality of room controllers are connected to a visual controller via a home bus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A load control device is a system for centrally controlling a plurality of electric devices. This system has, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of room controllers and a visual controller are connected via a home bus.

The room controller is, for example, an electric device (light, air conditioner, etc.) arranged in each part of the house.
Terminals that have the function of monitoring and controlling the operating status of, and the function of taking in information from security sensors, etc. that are placed in each part of the house to detect fires, gas leaks, intrusion (of suspicious persons), and other emergencies Is. The room controller usually has a plurality of terminals for connecting such devices.

The visual controller is a terminal having a function of fetching information (driving information) indicating the driving status of electric equipment from the room controller and displaying the driving status of each equipment. Further, the visual controller also performs a display according to the output of the security sensor, if necessary. A user of the system operates a switch or the like according to this display, and issues a command related to device control or the like.

Further, in order for the visual controller to take in driving information and security information, the visual controller and the room controller must be connected. In the load control device, this connection is made by a bus generally called a home bus or a home bus line.

As an example of a conventional load control device, Nati
Some are described in onal Technical Report Vol.32 No.6 (Dec 1986). In this system, the display of the operating state of the device is as follows: ON or closed, green on white, OF
It is displayed as a display that distinguishes the F or open state by color, such as black on an ivory background.

[0007]

However, in such a display, the user of the system must judge the operating state of the device by the display color of the visual controller screen. Such a display allows a user who is accustomed to using the system to smoothly use the system. However, those who are not accustomed to use or who have not used it for a while cannot understand or are not easy to understand which color (combination) represents which operating state.

Further, in this system, when the screen of the visual controller is switched to the security screen according to the output of the security sensor, the control of each device cannot be resumed unless the abnormal output of the security sensor is canceled. That is, once the security screen is displayed, it is not possible to switch to the screen (control screen) for displaying the control state until the abnormality of the security sensor is released. Also, when the security screen is displayed, the control status of each device is not displayed on the screen of the visual controller, and it is virtually impossible for the user to give a command related to the control of each device from a switch or the like. ..

[0009] When the security screen is displayed, some abnormality has occurred, and therefore the system user must take measures to deal with this. However, in the conventional system, the security screen only indicates that there is an abnormality, and does not indicate in which room the abnormality has occurred. This causes prolongation of the time from the detection of an abnormality to the countermeasure.

Further, the device to be controlled may be operated by a timer at a predetermined time or a predetermined time. In the system described above, a timer is usually used to turn on / off or open / close the device in accordance with the daily rhythm of the system user on weekdays. When setting the timer, for example, the on / off state of the timer, the operation start time and the operation end time of the device by the timer are displayed on the screen of the visual controller. However, the holiday rhythm of system users is usually different from that of weekdays. As a result, the system user is forced to redo the timer setting when he or she approaches a holiday or a weekday.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, the screen of the visual controller is provided by a large CRT which collectively displays the operating states of all the devices. However, when a large CRT is used, the device becomes large and the installation space of the load control device including the visual controller becomes large.

In order to solve these problems and to improve the visibility and diversify the display, a color LCD is provided.
Color LCD using (liquid crystal device) as display means
It is also possible to display the device status and the like by.

However, particularly in recent years, the number of electric devices and the like used in one room tends to increase. Since the number of electric devices that can be connected to one room controller is limited, a situation arises in which a plurality of room controllers must be installed in one room and different room names must be given to each room controller. Therefore, for devices connected to different room controllers, even if they exist in the same room, it is not possible to control devices connected to different room controllers unless a different room name is specified.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. More specifically, A) to make it possible to display a screen on which the operating status of the device can be understood relatively easily. B) From security image to control image even when an abnormality is detected by the security sensor. The user can control the equipment connected to the room controller and can obtain the security information when the control image is switched to the control image. C) The security image is displayed. If any of the rooms has an abnormality, it is possible to easily know in which room the abnormality has occurred. D) It is possible to temporarily hold the timer operation while holding the timer setting, and this hold state. To let the user know, E) Even if devices connected to different room controllers exist in the same room Is it to be able to treat as belonging to the same group, it is an object in the case that.

[0015]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention is connected to a plurality of load devices which are electric devices or security sensors, monitors the operating condition of the load devices, and detects the load devices. By connecting a predetermined number of room controllers that output signals that notify operating conditions, a visual controller that displays images according to the signals output from the room controller, and the room controller and the visual controller, the signals from the room controller can be visualized. A home bus supplied to the controller, the visual controller stores an operation unit having a predetermined number of keys, a first memory that stores a control program, a pictograph, a background color, and predetermined types of character information. The second memory and key operation and room control in the operation unit According to at least one of signals outputted from the over La, and in accordance with the control program,
Control means for selectively reading and outputting the information stored in the second memory; and image synthesizing means for generating image information by synthesizing the information output from the control means,
Display means for displaying an image on the screen based on the generated image information.

Claims 2 to 5 are claims relating to the peripheral hardware configuration of the visual controller, and claim 2 has a third memory for storing the information read by the control means. 3 has a fourth memory for temporarily storing the generated image information, and in claim 4, a third memory receives a signal output from the room controller via the home bus and supplies it to the control means as data. And a second interface that supplies predetermined data to the control means in response to a key operation on the operation unit.

Claims 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 19, and 20 are claims relating to the display function of the present invention.

First, claim 6 is a claim relating to display of a function menu, wherein the operation section instructs the control means to display the function menu, and means for setting a cursor position on the screen of the display means. And a control means for reading information including characters indicating a plurality of functions of the visual controller from the second memory and outputting the information to the image synthesizing means in response to a function menu display command from the operation unit, A function of starting execution of a routine operation corresponding to the cursor position in the program, and a function in which the image synthesizing means synthesizes the information output from the control means to enumerate the functions of the visual controller by characters. It is characterized in that image information relating to the menu display is generated.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a claim relating to room-by-room display, wherein the control means, for any of the room controllers, at least characters indicating the name of the corresponding room, a pictograph of connected load equipment, And information relating to the character indicating the operating state of the load device is read out from the second memory and output to the image synthesizing means, and the image synthesizing means synthesizes the information output from the control means, thereby making room controller units. It is characterized in that image information relating to the room-based display showing the operating state of the load device is generated.

[0020] Claim 11 is a claim relating to display by device, wherein the operation unit has means for instructing display of the display image for each device, and the control unit displays the display image for each device from the operation unit. In response to the command of the device group, a pictograph representing the load device, and a room name indicating the installation location of the load device, related information is read from the second memory and output to the image synthesizing unit. The image synthesizing unit synthesizes the information output from the control unit to generate image information on a device-specific display image indicating a load device and its installation location for each device group.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention relates to display of a setting menu, wherein the operating unit instructs either the means for instructing the control means to display the setting menu or the setting menu displayed on the screen of the display means. Selecting means, and the control means reads information including characters indicating a plurality of setting functions of the visual controller from the second memory in response to a setting menu display instruction from the operation unit, and the image synthesizing means. And a means for starting the operation of the routine corresponding to the selected setting menu in the control program, and the image synthesizing means synthesizes the information output from the control means to produce a visual image. It is characterized in that image information relating to a setting menu in which the setting functions of the controller are listed by characters is generated.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a claim relating to timer setting, comprising a timer for setting the operating time by the control means, and controlling the operating time of the load device associated by the control means, and the operating section, The control means has means for instructing the control means to display the timer setting image, means for selectively designating the pictograph displayed on the screen of the display means, and means for inputting the operating conditions of the timer. In response to a command to display a timer setting image from the operation unit, a unit that reads out information representing a pictograph indicating any load device from the second memory and outputs the information to the image synthesizing unit, and the input operating condition to the timer. And a means for setting, wherein the image synthesizing means generates image information related to the timer setting image by synthesizing the information output from the control means.

Claim 19 is a claim relating to room name setting, in which the operation section instructs the control means to display the room name setting image and the image displayed on the screen of the display means. And a means for instructing the sequential feeding of the selectively specified partial images, and the control means responds to a command to display the room name setting image from the operation unit, and any of the room controllers Means for reading out the character indicating the name of the room corresponding to, and information related to the pictograph indicating the load device connected to the room controller from the second memory, and outputting the information to the image synthesizing means; Means for replacing the image of the designated portion with the image relating to the information by reading out the information from the second memory in response to the instruction of the forward feeding and outputting the information to the image synthesizing means,
The image synthesizing means generates image information relating to a room name setting image of a room corresponding to one of the room controllers by synthesizing the information output from the control means.

Further, claim 20 is a claim relating to a security display, and when the control means outputs the security sensor of the load devices indicating an abnormal state, the room corresponding to the security sensor is provided. Of the name of the security sensor, the pictograph of the security sensor, and information related to the character of the name of the security sensor are read from the second memory and output to the image synthesizing unit, and the image synthesizing unit is output from the control unit. The image information relating to the security image representing the abnormal output of the security sensor is generated by synthesizing the information.

[0025] Claims 8 to 10 are claims subordinate to claim 7. First, the eighth aspect is characterized in that the control means reads out information relating to a different background color according to the operating state of the corresponding load device from the second memory and outputs the information to the image synthesizing means. Next, according to claim 9, the control means executes reading of information from the second memory and output of information to the image synthesizing means, at least when the change of the operating state of the load device is notified from the room controller. It is characterized in that the image synthesizing means executes the generation of the image information every time the information is fetched from the control means. Further, claim 10
The operation unit has a unit for instructing paging, and the control unit responds to the paging command from the operation unit when the room-specific display image is displayed on the screen of the display unit.
Information including information indicating a pictograph indicating a load device that is connected to the same room controller as the display and is not included in the room-by-room display image that is displayed is used as information to be output to the image combining unit. It is characterized in that the read-out and image synthesizing means synthesizes the information outputted from the control means to generate image information relating to the room-by-room display image of another page corresponding to the same room controller.

[0026] Claims 14 to 18 are claims subordinate to claim 13. First, in the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the operation unit instructs the display of the timer time setting display image, a unit for partially selecting and designating an image on the screen of the display unit, and a sequential feeding of the selectively designated partial image. And a control unit that reads out information representing characters indicating a timer operating condition from the second memory circuit in accordance with a command for displaying the timer time setting display image from the operation unit, and synthesizes the image. Means for outputting to the means, means for inputting a new operating condition to the timer so as to change the constituent elements of the operating condition of the timer corresponding to the partial image selected and designated by the operation unit to the contents related to the image after the progressive feeding, , And the image synthesizing means generates image information related to the timer time setting display image by synthesizing the information output from the control means.

Next, a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the timer has a plurality of setting areas for storing operating conditions for a plurality of load devices.

Further, in the sixteenth aspect, the operation section has means for instructing to suspend the operation of the timer, and the control means has
It is characterized in that the operation of the timer or its corresponding setting area is temporarily suspended in response to a suspension command from the operation unit.

According to a seventeenth aspect, in the fifteenth aspect, the information read from the second memory by the control means and output to the image synthesizing means includes a pictograph showing the setting status of the timer, and the pictograph is Different from the case where the temporary hold is set for all of the plurality of setting areas, the temporary hold is set for some of the setting areas, and the temporary hold is not set for any of them, the image synthesizing unit is different from the control unit. It is characterized in that image information including a pictograph showing the setting status of the timer is generated by synthesizing the output information.

According to an eighteenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect, the control means reads the information about the background color from the second memory so that the background color is different for each pictograph showing the setting status of the timer, and the image synthesizing means. It is characterized by outputting to.

Claims 21 to 25 are claims subordinate to claim 20, and in claim 21, the information relating to the display indicating the abnormal situation detected by the security sensor is character information or pictograph. It is characterized by A twenty-second aspect is characterized in that a pictograph showing an abnormal situation detected by the security sensor is different for each content of the abnormal situation. A twenty-third aspect is characterized in that the control means blinks a pictograph indicating an abnormal situation detected by the security sensor by operating information output to the image synthesizing means. According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, when the outputs of a plurality of security sensors of the load devices simultaneously become outputs indicating an abnormal situation, the control means reads the information from the second memory and outputs the information to the image synthesizing means. The output is cyclically performed for each security sensor at a predetermined cycle, and the image synthesizing unit synthesizes the information output from the control unit to obtain image information about the security sensor image representing an abnormal output of the security sensor, Characterized by alternating generation. And, the claim 25, the operation unit comprises means for instructing the transition from the display of the security image to the display of the control image,
The control means relates to a pictograph of the load device to which the security sensor is connected, a character indicating the operating state of the connected load device, and a display indicating an abnormal situation, in response to the shift command from the operation unit. The information is read from the second memory and output to the image synthesizing means, and the image synthesizing means
It is characterized in that the information output from the control means is combined to generate image information for displaying the operating status and security abnormality of the load device in units of room controllers.

[0032]

According to the present invention, when the signal is supplied from the room controller to the visual controller via the home bus, or when the user operates the key of the operation section, the control means responds to the first memory. The information stored in the second memory is selectively read out and output according to the control program stored in. Stored in the second memory are a predetermined type of pictograph, background color, and character information. The information output from the control means is combined by the image combining means and is displayed as image information. Therefore, a pictograph or the like is displayed, and the user can easily understand the operation status of the device.

Further, examples of image display modes in the visual controller include room-specific display images, device-specific display images, room name setting images, timer setting images, setting menu images, device menu images, security images, and the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to transfer these to each other according to the operation of the user. Claims 6, 7, 11, 12,
13, 19 and 20, respectively, relate to such displays.

First, in claim 6, a function menu display is realized. When the user instructs the control means to display the function menu from the operation unit, the control means reads out predetermined information from the second memory and outputs it to the image synthesizing means in response to the instruction. The read information is information including characters indicating a plurality of functions of the visual controller. When such information is output to the image synthesizing unit, image information relating to the function menu display in which the functions of the visual controller are listed by characters is generated and the display is executed. When the user sets the cursor position on the screen of the display means by the operation unit based on this display, the control means executes a routine according to the cursor position. This makes it possible to easily call up a setting menu image, a room-specific display image, a device-specific display image, etc., which will be described later, and ensures the operability of the system.

Next, in claim 7, room-by-room display is realized. That is, the control means reads out the information necessary for the room-specific display from the second memory and outputs it to the image synthesizing means. The room-by-room display is a display showing the operating state of the load device in units of room controllers. The information necessary to display by room is the information related to the characters indicating the name of the corresponding room, the pictograph of the connected load device, and the characters indicating the operating status of the load device for any of the room controllers. is there. When such information is output to the image synthesizing means, the image synthesizing means synthesizes this information and generates image information related to room display. The user can know the situation in each room by looking at this screen. Since the pictograph is used, understanding the displayed contents is quick and easy.

According to the eleventh aspect, the display by device is realized. First, when the user gives an instruction to display a device-specific display image from the operation unit, the control means reads out the information necessary for the device-specific display from the second memory and outputs it to the image synthesizing means in response to the instruction. The device-specific display is a display showing load devices and their installation locations in device group units. In the case of the present invention, the information necessary for this is information relating to the characters representing the device group on the display, the pictograph representing the load device, and the room name indicating the installation location of the load device. When such information is supplied to the image synthesizing means, image information relating to the device-specific display image is generated, and device-specific display is realized. In this way, it is possible to display each device group,
Furthermore, this display is a display with good visibility including a pictograph.

In the twelfth aspect, the setting menu display is realized. The setting menu display is a display listing a plurality of setting functions of the visual controller. When the user commands the control means to display the setting menu from the operation unit, the control means reads the information including the characters indicating the plurality of setting functions of the visual controller from the second memory and sends the information to the image synthesizing means in response to the command. Output. The image synthesizing unit synthesizes this information to generate image information related to the setting menu. As a result, the setting menu is displayed on the screen of the display means.
When the user gives an instruction to select one of the setting menus by the operation unit based on this display, the control means executes the corresponding routine. Thus, the user
It is possible to realize an operation such as display related to an arbitrary setting menu.
Further, the setting menu includes room name setting and timer setting, and when these are selected by the user, the display may be changed to the room name setting image display or the timer setting image display described later.

In the thirteenth aspect, the display of the timer setting image is realized. The timer according to the present invention is a member for which the operating time is set by the control means and which controls the operating time of the load device associated by the control means. When the user instructs the control means to display the timer setting image from the operation unit, the control means reads the information representing the pictograph indicating any of the load devices from the second memory and instructs the image synthesizing means in response to the instruction. Output. When the image information is synthesized based on this information and the image is displayed, when the user selects and specifies the pictograph displayed on the screen of the display means and inputs the operating condition of the timer, the control means sets this operating condition. Set to timer. With such an operation, the user can easily and quickly set the timer. Needless to say, such an advantage is realized by the pictograph display described above.

In the nineteenth aspect, the display of the room name setting image is realized. When the user instructs the control means to display the room name setting image from the operation unit, the control means responds to the instruction to display the room name setting image from the operation unit and outputs the information necessary for displaying the room name setting image. It is read from the second memory and output to the image synthesizing means. The information that is read is a character that indicates the name of the room corresponding to one of the room controllers,
And information relating to a pictograph showing a load device connected to the room controller. The image synthesizing unit generates image information relating to the room name setting image of the room corresponding to any of the room controllers by synthesizing this information. When the user partially selects and designates the image displayed on the screen of the display means while the display based on such image information is being performed, and if it is instructed to sequentially feed this image, the control is performed. In response to this, the means reads information from the second memory and replaces the image of the designated portion with the read image. In this way, the setting of the room name is simplified, and the operation without error can be realized by using the pictograph or the like. Moreover, the process is rapid.

In the twentieth aspect, the security display is realized. Unlike other images, the security image is an image that is forcibly displayed when the security sensor detects a situation such as fire, gas leak, or intrusion. The transition operation to the security image is as follows. First, when the output of the security sensor is an output indicating an abnormal situation, the control means indicates, for the security sensor, characters indicating the name of the corresponding room, the pictograph of the security sensor, and the name of the security sensor. Information about the character is read from the second memory and output to the image synthesizing unit. The image synthesizing unit synthesizes the information output from the control unit to generate image information related to the security image representing the abnormal output of the security sensor. As a result of the pictograph display in this operation, the user can know the abnormal situation more accurately, and the situation can be dealt with more quickly and accurately. Further, since the room name is displayed, the user can easily know in which room the abnormality has occurred.

The above configuration is the basic configuration of the present invention and the display function realized by applying this basic configuration. Next, the operation of other claims will be described.

First, in claim 2, the information read by the control means is stored in the third memory. As a result, the information to be image-synthesized is stored in the memory, the processing is facilitated, and when a plurality of room controllers are present in the same room, they can be collectively displayed on the same screen. In the third aspect, the generated image information is stored in the fourth memory. Thereby, the display operation is preferably realized. Further, in claim 4, a signal is received by the visual controller via the first interface. As a result, the signal format on the home bus and the signal format on the visual controller may be different. Further, in claim 5, the data corresponding to the key operation of the operation unit is supplied to the control means via the second interface. Therefore, again, the data related to the key operation and the data format in the visual controller may be different.

According to the eighth aspect, the room-by-room display of different background colors is realized according to the operating state of the corresponding load device. Thereby, the visibility is further enhanced.

Next, in claim 9, when the change in the operating state of the load equipment is notified, the room-by-room display is updated accordingly. In this way, by repeating the image synthesis or the like according to the change in the operating state of the load device, the situation of each room can be observed in real time. Further, in claim 10, paging is performed when the number of devices is too large to display on a single screen. That is, when the user issues a paging command from the operation unit, the load device that is connected to the same room controller as the room controller to be displayed and is not included in the room-specific display image being displayed is displayed in response to this. Information including information indicating the pictograph is read from the second memory by the control means, and the display of the next page is executed. As a result, suitable room-based display is realized even when the number of devices is large.

In the fourteenth aspect, the display of the timer time setting display image for displaying the time set in the timer is realized. First, when the user commands the display of the timer time setting display image from the operation unit, the control means reads the information representing the character indicating the operating condition of the timer from the second memory and outputs it to the image synthesizing means in response to the command. To do. The image synthesizing unit generates image information related to the timer time setting display image by synthesizing the information output from the control unit.
At this time, when the user operates the operation unit to partially select and specify the image on the screen of the display unit and then commands the sequential feeding of the selected and specified partial images, the control unit is selected and specified by the operation unit. A new operation condition is input to the timer so that the constituent elements of the operation condition of the timer corresponding to the partial image are changed to the contents related to the image after the sequential feeding. As a result, the operation mode of the timer can be set.

Next, in claim 15, the timer has a plurality of setting areas, and the operating conditions of the load devices are stored in the respective areas. In this case, the timer is managed for each area, and the effect according to claim 14 becomes remarkable.

Further, according to the sixteenth aspect, it becomes possible to hold the timer operation temporarily while holding the timer setting, and to notify the user of this hold state. That is, when the user issues an instruction to suspend the operation of the timer from the operation unit, the control means temporarily suspends the operation of the timer or its corresponding setting area in response to this instruction.

In the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to easily set the operation mode of the timer to off, once, or continuously. In addition, the setting status of the timer is represented by a pictograph, and the temporary hold is set for all of the plurality of setting areas, the temporary hold is set for some, and the temporary hold is set for both. If not, a different pictograph is used in. By doing so, the visibility is greatly improved.

In the eighteenth aspect, a different background color is set for each pictograph showing the setting status of the timer. By doing so, the visibility is further improved. Such processing is preferably realized by the method of the present invention that selectively reads out information related to the pictograph and synthesizes the image.

In the twenty-first aspect, the abnormal situation detected by the security sensor is displayed by character information or pictograph. As a result, the security abnormality can be easily visually recognized.

In the twenty-second aspect, a different pictograph is used for each content of the abnormal situation. This significantly improves the visibility.

In the twenty-third aspect, the control means causes
The pictograph indicating an abnormal situation flashes. This calls attention to the user and further improves the visibility.

In the twenty-fourth aspect, when the outputs of the plurality of security sensors simultaneously become outputs indicating an abnormal situation, the security images are displayed alternately. That is, even when a plurality of security abnormalities occur simultaneously, the control unit cyclically reads out the information from the second memory and outputs the information to the image synthesizing unit in a predetermined cycle for each security sensor. The user can know this without omission.

In the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means reads out the information necessary for displaying the control image (display image for each room) from the second memory and outputs it to the image synthesizing means in response to a command from the operation section. That is, the pictograph of the load device to which the security sensor is connected, the characters indicating the operating state of the connected load device, and the information related to the display indicating the abnormal situation are the targets of the image synthesis, and each room controller is a unit. Image information that displays the operating status and security abnormality of the load device is generated. As a result, security display by room display becomes possible and usability is improved.

[0055]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a load control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the system of this embodiment has a configuration in which the room controllers 1a and 1b are connected to a visual controller 6 via a home bus 5. In this figure, the number of room controllers is two, but needless to say, the present invention is not limited to two.

The room controller 1a is provided with a room controller number setting device 2a and a place name setting device 3a. Similarly, the room controller 1b is provided with a room controller number setting device 2b and a place name setting device 3b. The room controller number setting devices 2a and 2b are respectively the room controller 1a or 1
It is a member such as a switch for giving a room controller number to b. Also, the place name setting devices 3a and 3b are
It is a member for inputting the installation location of the room controller 1a or 1b, respectively.

Further, load devices 4a and 4b are connected to the room controller 1a, and load devices 4c and 4d are connected to the room controller 1b. This connection is made using a terminal (not shown). Load device 4a
Is a light, the negative device 4c is, for example, an air conditioner, the load device 4b is an intrusion detection security sensor, and the load device 4d is an emergency switch (security sensor 1
Species). The room controllers 1a and 1b detect the operating states of the load devices 4a and 4b or 4c and 4d, respectively.

The visual controller 6 has a CPU 7. The CPU 7 controls the overall operation of the visual controller 6, and also controls the room controller 1a,
It is a member that manages communication with 1b and controls image display. A part of the configuration of the visual controller 6 is omitted in FIG. 1, and its detailed configuration is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 7 is connected to the home bus 5 via the communication IC 8 and the I / O 9. The communication IC 8 is a member that takes in signals (transmission signals) transmitted from the room controllers 1a and 1b via the home bus 5 and converts the signals into reception data.
Is a member that performs waveform conversion of the transmission signal before the communication IC 8 takes in the transmission signal.

The CPU 7 is also connected to the operation unit 11 via the I / O 10. The I / O 10 is the operation unit 11
The operation unit 11 is a member for supplying the CPU 7 with data having a content corresponding to the operation content, and the operation unit 11 is a member for inputting a command by the user necessary for the operation of the system such as the control content.

Further, the CPU 7 has a timer 12, a program ROM 13, a graphic ROM 14, and a RAM 1.
5 and the image synthesis IC 16 are connected.

The timer 12 is a timer that can set ON / OFF time points for eight load devices, for example.

The program ROM 13 stores a program (control program) necessary for the operation of the system.

The graphic ROM 14 stores a pictograph showing each device, characters showing the operating state of each device, and information about the background color. Also, this graphic R
The OM 14 stores a room name, a character corresponding to the room name, a pictograph for security display, and a character corresponding to the pictograph for security display, as necessary. The pictograph for security display is a pictogram that indicates that an abnormality has been detected by the load device 4b or 4d that is a security sensor.

The RAM 15 stores the setting contents such as the ON / OFF time of the load device by the timer 12 and other various data used in the system.

The image synthesizing IC 16 synthesizes the pictograph, the characters and the background color and displays them on the screen of the LCD unit 18. The image synthesis IC 16 has a graphic R
The AM 17 is connected, and the image compositing IC 16 causes the graphic RAM 17 to temporarily store the composed image. Further, for example, when the output of the security sensor is an output indicating an abnormality, the image compositing IC 16 includes a pictograph for security display, a room name, and characters corresponding to the pictograph for security display in the compositing target. ..

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the operation unit 11. As shown in this figure, the operation unit 11 includes a function menu key 19, arrow keys 20 and 21, an operation key 22,
Switching key 23, monitor key 24, electric lock key 2
5, menu key 26, selection key 27, cancel key 2
A memory key 29 and an initialization key 30 are provided.

The function menu key 19 is a key for displaying a screen for control / display functions. Arrow key 2
0 and 21 are keys for the user to move the cursor on the screen of the LCD unit 18.

The operation key 22 is used as a key for instructing to end the function menu and turn off the screen when the function menu image is displayed, is used for selecting a room name, etc., and is also used for the timer 12. It is also used as a key for inputting instructions related to setting suspension. The operation mode of the visual controller 6 relating to the holding operation includes a cut mode, a one-time mode, and a continuous mode.

The switch key 23 is a key operated when setting a room name or the like. The monitor key 24 is a key for displaying a monitor image on the screen of the LCD unit 18. The electric lock key 25 is a key for issuing an electric lock command. The menu key 26 is a key for returning to the setting menu. The selection key 27 is a key for selecting timer setting, room name setting, etc. from the setting menu. The cancel key 28 is a key for canceling the operation of the operation key 22 or the like. The memory key 29 is R
This is a key for storing data in the AM 15. The initialization key 30 is a key for resetting the system to the initial state.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

Room controller 1 in this embodiment
Transmission between a and 1b and the visual controller 6 is performed via the home bus 5. That is, the driving information is transmitted to the visual controller 6 from the plurality of room controllers 1a and 1b. The driving information is the load device 4a.
It is information indicating the driving situation such as. Room controller 1
The signals (transmission signals) transmitted from a and 1b are I / O 9
The waveform is converted by the input signal and then input to the communication IC 8. The communication IC 8 converts the signal speed from the transmission linear speed to the signal speed in the visual controller 6,
Convert the transmitted signal into received data. This received data is
It is supplied to the CPU 7, and the CPU 7 is the program ROM 1
The received data is written in the RAM 15 according to the control program stored in 3.

The operation relating to various settings is performed by the operation unit 1.
This can be done by operating the 1 key. As described above, the operation unit 11 includes various keys, and
/ O10 supplies a signal corresponding to a key operation to the CPU 7. The CPU 7 executes a predetermined operation according to the control program in response to this signal. The operation of the CPU 7 is to write data in the RAM 15 according to the signal, R
Information relating to pictographs, characters, etc. in the graphic ROM 14 is extracted while referring to the contents of the AM 15, and information extracted from the graphic ROM 14 is supplied to the image combining IC 16 to generate a combined image. Under the control of the CPU 7, the image synthesizing IC 16 synthesizes the images and sequentially stores them in the graphic RAM 17, and supplies them to the LCD unit 18 for screen display.

The basic operation of this embodiment, that is, the transmission of information, the input from the operation unit 11, and the combination / display of images are as described above. The characteristic operation of this embodiment will be described below based on such operation. In addition,
The following description focuses on the relationship between the operation of the operation unit 11 by the user of the system and the change in the screen. Unless otherwise specified, the CPU 7 or the like executes the combination of the above basic operations. It is assumed that

FIG. 4 shows an example of the display image for each room. In the display example shown in this figure, a room name display composed of the characters "Western style room", a time display composed of the characters "16:02", a load device display by a pictograph, and a pictograph "Off" at the bottom of the graph,
A device status display such as "closed" and a window monitoring set status display indicating whether the window is open or closed are shown on the screen. Indications regarding security sensors are not included.
The black frame in the figure is a cursor, and the background of the pictograph and device status display is filled with a predetermined color. For example, background colors are displayed such that closed or on is pink, open or off is blue, failure is red, and operation is green.

The contents of such a room-by-room display image change according to changes in the operating state of the load device 4a (ON / OFF, open / close, etc.). This is realized by successively and repeatedly performing signal transmission via the home bus 5 and image generation operation corresponding thereto. That is, the CPU
7 sequentially fetches the received data, rewrites the contents of the RAM 15, and repeats the image synthesis, whereby the room-by-room display is performed in real time.

In order to change the name of a room and the pictograph corresponding to each load device from the room-based display, the system user can operate various keys of the operation unit 11. Good.

That is, when the function menu key 19 is turned on while the room-by-room display is being performed, I as described above is displayed.
Signal output by / O10, data storage in RAM15,
The program R refers to the RAM 15, reads information from the graphic ROM 14, synthesizes an image, displays a synthesized image, and the like.
It is executed according to the control program stored in the OM 13. In this case, the information to be combined is characters such as “room-specific control”, “pattern control”, “apparatus-specific control”, and “setting menu”, and background color information. Therefore, the image displayed on the screen of the LCD unit 18 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in, “room control”, “pattern control”,
An image including the display of characters such as "device-specific control" and "setting menu", that is, a function menu image.

Among the characters included in this image, "room-specific control", "pattern control", "device-specific control", and "setting menu" correspond to system operations and the like. For example, when setting a room name or pictograph or setting a timer, the user specifies a "setting menu" with a cursor. Further, in order to perform room-by-room display, the system user designates "room-by-room control" with a cursor. Alternatively, when it is desired to display by device group, the system user designates "control by device" with a cursor.

First, the operation for setting the room name will be described. In this case, the system user moves the cursor and sets the cursor in the “setting menu”. The cursor is moved by operating the arrow keys 20 and 21. When the arrow keys 20 and 21 are operated by the user and then the operation key 22 is pressed,
The system shifts to control / display operation according to the cursor position.

In this case, the setting menu image shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. This image includes the display of the characters "timer setting". As the operation key 22 is operated, this display changes in order to "pattern setting", "time setting", "mark setting", "room name setting", and cyclically returns to "timer setting". "Timer setting" is an item for setting the target device of timer control and the operating time,
"Pattern setting" is an item for setting the target device for pattern control, "Time setting" is an item for correcting the time,
“Mark setting” is an item for changing the mark on the device display, and “room name setting” is an item for changing the room name to be displayed. When the user presses the switch key 23 while the "room name setting" is displayed, the CPU 7 causes the I / O
In response to a signal corresponding to the operation of the switching key 23 supplied from 10, the data corresponding to the signal is written in the RAM 15 according to the control program. CPU7
Causes the image composition 16 to perform image composition by the operation described above. The combined image is graphic RAM1.
7, the combined image is displayed on the screen of the LCD unit 18. As a result, the operation proceeds to display the room name setting image for any room.

An example of the display in this case is shown in FIG. This image includes a character representing a room name, a character representing a load device, and a pictograph representing the load device.

While the room name setting image is being used, the operation keys can be operated to sequentially display the room name setting images for the next room and the next room, and different room names. it can. This operation is realized by a combination of basic operations as in the transition to the display of the room name setting image.

The user who wants to set the room name may operate the switching key 23 while the room for which the room name is to be set is displayed. The I / O 10 outputs a signal to the CPU 7 according to the operation of the switching key 23, and switches the image to the room name setting image as shown in FIG. The room name setting image after switching includes the character display of the name of the room before the change and the character display of the candidate of the name to be changed. When the user operates the operation key 22 in this state, the display of the name candidates is sequentially switched. The user may press the memory key 29 in the state where the appropriate name candidate is displayed. The I / O 10 gives a signal to the CPU 7 in response to the operation of the storage key 29. The CPU 7 stores the name displayed as the candidate in the RAM 15 as a new room name. As a result, the subsequent display is performed as room-specific display with a new room name.

The setting of the pictograph is also realized by similarly designating the cursor and operating the operation key 22. When the cursor is set to an appropriate position by operating the arrow keys 20 and 21 and the operation key 22 is operated while the function menu image is displayed, the operation corresponding to the position is executed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operating condition of the load device is displayed by the combination of the pictograph, the character display, and the background color display. Therefore, the user can turn on / off or open the load device. / It becomes possible to easily determine whether the load is closed or not, and the operability of the load device control device is improved.
This effect is realized by using the graphic ROM 14 or the like. Further, the setting can be performed by an easy operation.

Further, when a plurality of room controllers are installed in one room, different room names may be given to the room controllers and the data may be combined later. For example, first, "Western-style room 1" and "Western-style room 2" are assigned to two room controllers existing in the Western-style room, respectively. In this case, the operation according to FIGS. 7 and 8 is performed to change and set the room name to “Western style room” for the room controller in which “Western style room 1” is set to the room name, and then the “Western style room 2” is set. Change / change the room name to “Western style” for the room controller set in the room name. Then, each change setting is registered in the RAM 15 as data, and when the image compositing IC 16 composes an image using these data, the load equipment represented by the name "Western-style room" by room (group) is displayed. Display) is LCD unit 1
8 will be performed on the screen. That is, even load devices belonging to different room controllers can observe the operating status and the like on the same screen.

In this embodiment, the paging function is set to C
It is realized by PU7. That is, when the number of display frames related to load devices on the screen is insufficient for the above-described group display, a plurality of display screens are assigned to a single room name, and the page keys are turned with the arrow keys 20 and 21. Whether or not this allocation is possible is determined and determined by the CPU 7 when the group is formed, and the CPU 7 also executes the page turning display control. Furthermore, the present embodiment uses the timer 12
Therefore, it is possible to control each load device by setting the timer 12.

The user turns on / off the load device to the timer 12.
When setting the FF time, etc., operate the operation keys 22 from the state in which the setting menu image as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and use it in the state in which "timer setting" is displayed. When the person presses the switch key 23, the image is displayed as shown in FIG. 9, for example, by the above-described basic operation.

This image includes a timer display which is composed of the letters "timer 1" and which indicates which of the eight setting areas is to be set. When setting the timer, the system user first sets the arrow keys 20 and 21.
To set the cursor on the timer display. When the operation key 22 is operated in this state, the timer display shifts to a display related to another setting area (for example, "timer 2").

Next, the system user who sets the timer sets the cursor on the room name display on the right side of the timer display by using the arrow keys 20 and 21. The room name display is composed of characters representing the room name in which the load device is installed, such as "entrance". In this state, when the user operates the operation key 22, the room name display changes to a room name display indicating another room.

Further, the user uses the arrow keys 20 and 21 to move the cursor to the connected device mark display. The connected device mark display is a pictograph showing load devices connected to the room controller installed in the room indicated by the room name display above the connected device mark display. When the operation key 22 is pressed after moving the cursor to the connected device mark display representing the load device owned by the user, the load device is displayed by the timer 12 (more specifically, it is shown by the timer display. On / Off, Open / Depending on the setting area
When closing is switched and the selection key 27 is pressed, the object to be controlled is selected.

As a result, in the room name display and the registered device mark display below the timer display, displays indicating the room and load device related to the cursor designation are displayed. A registration status display showing the usage status of each setting area is also displayed below the timer display, and a window monitoring set display and a pattern display are also displayed below the connected device mark display. The pattern display is also selected as the setting of the timer 12 by pressing the selection key 27 similarly to the load device.

After that, when the memory key 28 is pressed, the input contents such as ON / OFF of the load device and open / close of the load device are stored in the RAM 1
5 is stored in the CPU 7. Furthermore, this RAM1
A new image composition is performed according to the data storage in 5,
The screen of the LCD unit 18 shifts to the timer time setting display image.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the timer time setting display image. This image is composed of, for example, a timer name display composed of the characters "timer 1", a day of the week display composed of the characters "day", etc., and characters representing the time when the corresponding setting area of the timer 12 operates. It includes a timer operating time display and an operating state display composed of characters indicating the operating state of the corresponding setting area of the timer 12.

In this state, the user sets the arrow keys 20, 21
When the cursor is set to display one of the days of the week by operating and the operation key 22 is operated, the day of the week on which the timer 12 is operated is selected and designated.

A plurality of days of the week can be selected, and the selection of the day of the week can be canceled by operating the operation key 22 again at the selected day of the week.

Further, each time the user operates the arrow keys 20 and 21 to move the cursor to the timer operation time display and operates the operation key 22, the timer 12 can change the operating time one by one. The cursor for displaying the operation time on the timer can be moved by one digit. Further, when the user operates the arrow keys 20 and 21 to set the cursor to the operation state display and operates the operation key 22, the operation mode of the timer 12 is selected and designated. The operation mode includes an off mode for holding a registered operation, a once mode for executing only once, and a continuous mode for continuously executing. When the memory key 29 is pressed after making such a selection, the contents of the selection are stored in the RAM 1 by the CPU 7.
Stored in 5.

By repeating the above operation, registration can be performed for all eight setting areas.

After this registration, the screen of the LCD unit 18 automatically shifts to the display of the function menu image as shown in FIG. 5 according to the operation of the memory key 29. By setting the cursor to "device-specific display" and operating the operation key 22, the screen shifts to the display of the device-specific display image as shown in FIG. This display shows "Illumination 16:
The device group name display including characters such as "09" is included.

Further, another display is shown including a timer display. The timer display referred to here is a clock-like display as shown in FIGS. FIG. 12A is a timer display (setting display) when all the setting areas of the timer 12 are displayed in the once mode or the continuous mode, and FIG.
Is a timer display (partial hold display) when the display in the off mode is performed in a part of the setting area of the timer 12, and FIG. 12C shows the display in the off mode in all the setting areas of the timer 12. It is a timer display (all hold display) when is performed. This allows the user to know whether or not the off mode is set, or the situation. It should be noted that it is preferable to display with different background colors for each of the setting display, the partial hold display, and the whole hold display in order to improve the visibility.

When the output of the security sensor is an output indicating an abnormality, the CPU 7 in the present embodiment.
Forcibly shifts to the security screen. In this transition, the CPU 7 stores the data related to the security display in the RAM 15 according to the output of the security sensor and according to the control program, and the CPU 7 reads the R
Reference is made to the contents of AM15. Information is read from the non-cylindrical graphic ROM 14, and the image synthesizing IC 16 synthesizes an image based on this information to execute.

Consider, for example, the case where the emergency switch 4d, which is a security sensor, detects an abnormality. In this case, the corresponding room controller 1b sends information indicating that the emergency switch 4d has detected an abnormality to the home bus 5 as a transmission signal. Transmission signal is I / O9 and communication IC
When it is input to the CPU 7 as received data via 8,
In response to this, the CPU 7 executes the data writing to the RAM 15. That is, the CPU 7 writes the received data in the RAM 15 according to the control program.

The CPU 7 causes the image compositing IC 16 to compose a security image according to the control program.
That is, the CPU 7 retrieves information from the graphic RAM 14 while referring to the data written in the RAM 15, and supplies this information to the image synthesis IC 16.
The extracted information is, for example, information related to characters called a security display and information related to characters indicating a room name. The image compositing IC 16 temporarily stores the composited image in the graphic RAM 17, and further supplies it to the LCD unit 18 to display the security image as shown in FIG. 13 on the screen of the LCD unit 18.

The security image shown in FIG. 13 is therefore a security display 100 composed of the characters "emergency", a security display 101 composed of a pictograph representing an alarm, and an emergency switch composed of the characters "western-style room". A room name display 102 indicating the name of the room in which 4d is provided is included.

From this state, the user can call the room-specific display image and display it on the screen of the LCD unit 18. The user operates the function menu key 19, the arrow keys 20 and 21, and the operation key 22. First, when the function menu key 19 is operated while the security image is displayed, the display on the screen of the LCD unit 18 shifts to the function menu image display as shown in FIG. Next, by operating the arrow keys 20 and 21, the cursor is set to "room control", and the operation key 2
If 2 is pressed, the above-described operation causes the display of the room-specific display screen as shown in FIG.

The room-by-room display screen in this case includes a security abnormality display 103, unlike the normal room-by-room display screen. The security abnormality display 103 is a pictograph showing an abnormality. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a pictograph different for each content of abnormality such as fire, gas leak, emergency alarm, window opening, etc. is also used. However, character display may be used as long as the user can clearly understand the occurrence of the abnormality. Further, if the security display is made to blink, the visibility is further improved.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the security display can be switched to the room-by-room display, the room name can be displayed on the security display, and the security abnormality display can be displayed on the room-by-room display. ,
In particular, it is possible to improve operability when an abnormality occurs. If the function menu key 19 is pressed when the security abnormality display 103 is displayed, the original security screen can be returned.

Further, when a plurality of security sensors (for example, 1b and 1d) installed in different rooms simultaneously detect an abnormality, the CPU 7 causes the image combining IC 16 to combine the security images of any one of the sensors, and It is stored in the RAM 17 and displayed on the screen of the LCD unit 18. Further, after a few seconds, the CPU 7 causes the other security sensors that have detected an abnormality to display the same. After that, the CPU 7 repeats the alternating display every several seconds until the number of the security sensors detecting the abnormality becomes one due to the cancellation of the abnormal state.

When an abnormality is detected by a plurality of security sensors at the same time, the user can select the function menu key 19, the arrow keys 20, 21, and the operation key 22.
It is also possible to move to the room-specific display screen by operating as described above. In addition, when security sensors at three or more locations, not limited to two locations, simultaneously detect an abnormality, the CP
U7 carries out the alternating display for all the security sensors related to the detection.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when an abnormality is simultaneously detected by a plurality of security sensors,
All abnormalities can be displayed on the screen, improving usability.

In the above embodiment, the LCD unit 18 is used for the display, but an external monitor (TV
A receiver or the like) may be used.

[0114]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the operating status of the load device is displayed using a combination of pictograph, characters, and background color, the user can easily determine whether the load device is ON / OFF or open / closed. Is improved. further,
By generating image information in response to a user's key operation, it is possible to display a device menu display or the like, and by generating image information in response to a signal from the room controller, security display or the like can be performed. .. Furthermore, it is also possible to transfer these to each other according to the operation of the user.

According to the second aspect, since the information read by the control means is stored in the third memory,
The image combining process can be smoothly and appropriately executed. Further, when a plurality of room controllers are connected to one room, the information about the load device connected to a certain room controller is stored in the third memory and the load connected to the other room controller is stored. It is possible to additionally store the information about the device in the third memory, and it is possible to collectively display the operating states and the like of the load devices connected to different room controllers but existing in the same room.

According to the third aspect, since the generated image information is stored in the fourth memory, the display operation can be preferably realized.

According to the fourth aspect, since the visual controller receives the signal via the first interface, the signal format on the home bus and the signal format on the visual controller may be different.

According to the fifth aspect, since the control means fetches the data corresponding to the key operation of the operation section via the second interface, the data related to the key operation and the data format in the visual controller are different. May be.

According to the sixth aspect, the function menu is displayed in response to a command from the operation unit and the corresponding operation is executed according to the cursor setting. Therefore, the user can set the setting menu image, the room-specific display image, and the device. It is possible to easily call up a separate display image, etc., improving the operability of the system.

According to the seventh aspect, since the room name, the load device, and the operating state of the load device are displayed by characters and pictographs, the user can quickly and easily understand the situation in each room.

According to the eighth aspect, since the room-by-room display is performed with different background colors according to the operating state of the corresponding load device, the visibility is further enhanced.

According to the ninth aspect, when the change in the operating state of the load device is notified, the room-by-room display is updated accordingly, so that the change in the operating state of the load device is performed in real time. The condition of each room can be observed and usability is improved.

According to the tenth aspect, paging is performed when the number of devices is large and cannot be displayed on a single screen. Therefore, even when the number of devices is large, suitable room display can be realized. ..

According to the eleventh aspect, the equipment group, the load equipment, and the room name, which is the installation location thereof, are displayed by characters and pictographs in response to a command from the operation unit. Good display by device is realized. In addition, this display can be performed for each device group, which further improves usability.

According to the twelfth aspect, a plurality of setting functions of the visual controller are displayed in characters in response to a command from the operation unit, so that the user can appropriately select one of the setting functions based on this display. It is possible to realize an operation related to an arbitrary setting menu, for example, room name setting or timer setting. For example, display of a room name setting image or display of a timer setting image can be performed.

According to the thirteenth aspect, a pictograph showing one of the load devices is displayed on the screen in response to a command from the operation unit, and the user selects the load device based on this display to set the operating condition of the timer. Since the setting can be performed, the user can easily and quickly set the timer by displaying the pictograph.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the operating conditions of the timer are displayed in characters in response to a command from the operation unit, and the user can appropriately change the operating conditions by performing sequential forwarding based on this display. Therefore, the operation mode of the timer can be easily set.

According to the fifteenth aspect, since the operating conditions of the load device are stored in a plurality of timer setting areas, the timer is managed for each area.
The effect of is remarkable.

According to the sixteenth aspect, it becomes possible to temporarily hold the timer operation while holding the timer setting, and to notify the user of this holding state. In addition, the setting of the timer can be suspended when the weekday comes to a holiday or the holiday comes to a weekday, and the trouble of resetting the timer can be omitted.

According to the seventeenth aspect, since the setting status of the timer is displayed by the pictograph, it is possible to easily set the operation mode of the timer to off, once, or continuously. In addition, when temporary hold is set for all of the plurality of setting areas, when temporary hold is set for some, and when no temporary hold is set for any of them, different pictographs are used, Further, the visibility and usability are greatly improved.

According to the eighteenth aspect, since the background color is different for each pictograph showing the setting status of the timer, the visibility is further improved.

According to the nineteenth aspect, the room name corresponding to the room controller and the load device connected to the room controller are displayed by characters and pictographs in response to a command from the operation unit, and the user displays this on this display. Since the room name can be set on the basis of this, it becomes possible to set the room name surely and quickly and easily by using the pictograph or the like.

According to the twentieth aspect, when the output of the security sensor is an output indicating an abnormal situation, the room name and the security sensor are displayed by characters and pictographs. When a situation occurs, the user can know the abnormal situation more precisely, and the situation can be dealt with more quickly and accurately.
Further, since the room name is displayed, the user can easily know in which room the abnormality has occurred.

According to the twenty-first aspect, since the abnormal situation is displayed by characters or pictographs, the security abnormality can be easily visually recognized.

According to the twenty-second aspect, since different pictographs are used for each content of the abnormal situation, the visibility is remarkably improved.

According to the twenty-third aspect, since the pictograph showing the abnormal situation is made to blink, the user's attention is called and the visibility is further improved.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect, since the security images are alternately displayed when the outputs of the plurality of security sensors simultaneously indicate the abnormal situation, the user can detect the plurality of abnormal situations. You can know without omission.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect, the security display can be switched to the display of the control image in response to a command from the operation unit. Therefore, when an abnormality is detected by the security sensor, the user can operate the load device. It becomes possible to control. That is, the operability when an abnormality occurs is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a load device control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a visual controller in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial view showing a configuration of an operation unit in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display image for each room.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a function menu image.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting menu image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a room name setting image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a room name setting image.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a timer setting image.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a timer time setting display image.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display image for each device.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an example of a pictograph of a timer included in a device-specific display image, and FIG. 12B is a diagram showing an example of a timer pictograph included in a device-specific display image. Yes, (c) is a diagram showing an example of a pictograph of a timer included in the display image for each device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a security image.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display image for each room when the security sensor outputs an error.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a type of abnormality related to the output in the display image for each room when the security sensor outputs the abnormality.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b Room controller 2a, 2b Room controller number setting device 3a, 3b Place name setting device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Load device 5 Home bus 6 Visual controller 7 CPU 8 Communication IC 9,10 I / O 11 Operation unit 12 Timer 13 Program ROM 14 Graphic ROM 15 RAM 16 Image synthesis IC 17 Graphic RAM 18 LCD unit 19 Function menu key 20, 21 Arrow key 22 Operation key 23 Switching key 24 Monitor key 25 Electric lock key 26 Menu key 27 Select key 28 Cancel key 29 Memory key 30 Initialization key 100, 101 Security display 102 Room name display 103 Security error display

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI technical indication location H04Q 9/00 361 7170-5K (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 2-339307 (32) Priority Hihei 2 (1990) November 30 (33) Priority claiming country Japan (JP) (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 2-339308 (32) Priority Day Hei 2 (1990) November 30 (33) ) Priority claim country Japan (JP)

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A predetermined number of room controllers that are connected to a plurality of load devices, which are electric devices or security sensors, monitor the operating conditions of the load devices, and output a signal notifying the operating conditions of the load devices, and a room controller. A visual controller that displays an image according to the signal output from the room controller, and a home bus that connects the room controller to the visual controller and supplies the signal from the room controller to the visual controller. An operation unit having a key, a first memory that stores a control program, a second memory that stores a predetermined type of pictograph, background color, and character information, and a key operation in the operation unit and an output from the room controller Respond to at least one of the signals And,
Control means for selectively reading and outputting the information stored in the second memory according to the control program; and image synthesizing means for generating image information by synthesizing the information output from the control means. A load control device comprising: a display unit that displays an image on the screen based on image information. 2. The load control device according to claim 1, further comprising a third memory for storing the information read by the control means. 3. The load control device according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth memory that temporarily stores the generated image information. 4. The load control device according to claim 1, further comprising a first interface that receives a signal output from the room controller via the home bus and supplies the signal as data to the control means. apparatus. 5. The load control device according to claim 1, further comprising a second interface that supplies predetermined data to the control means in response to a key operation on the operation unit. 6. The load control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has a unit for instructing the control unit to display a function menu and a unit for setting a cursor position on the screen of the display unit. A means for reading information including characters indicating a plurality of functions of the visual controller from the second memory and outputting the information to the image synthesizing means in response to a function menu display command from the operation unit; and a cursor position in the control program. And an image relating to a function menu display in which the function of the visual controller is listed by characters by synthesizing the information output from the control unit by the image synthesizing unit. A load control device characterized by generating information. 7. The load control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means is any one of the room controllers,
At least the information indicating the character indicating the name of the corresponding room, the pictograph of the connected load device, and the information indicating the operating state of the load device is read from the second memory and output to the image synthesizing unit. A load control device characterized in that the synthesizing unit synthesizes the information output from the control unit to generate image information related to room-by-room display, which represents an operating state of the load device in units of room controllers. 8. The load control device according to claim 7, wherein the control means reads out information relating to a different background color from the second memory to the image synthesizing means, depending on the operating state of the corresponding load device. Characteristic load control device. 9. The load control device according to claim 7, wherein the control means reads out the information from the second memory and sends the image to the image synthesizing means when at least the change in the operating state of the load equipment is notified from the room controller. Whenever the image composition means fetches information from the control means,
A load control device characterized by executing generation of image information. 10. The load control device according to claim 7, wherein the operation unit has means for instructing paging, and the control means displays a room-specific display image on the screen of the display means. Information including a pictograph indicating a load device that is connected to the same room controller as the room controller related to display and is not included in the room-specific display image being displayed in response to a paging command from the operation unit Is read as information to be output to the image synthesizing unit, and the image synthesizing unit synthesizes the information output from the control unit to generate image information related to the room-by-room display image corresponding to the same room controller. A load control device comprising: 11. The load control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has means for instructing display of the device-specific display image, and the control unit is for instructing display of the device-specific display image from the operation unit. In accordance with the characters representing the device group, the pictograph representing the load device, and the room name indicating the installation location of the load device,
It has a means for reading out the information related to the above from the second memory and outputting it to the image synthesizing means, and the image synthesizing means synthesizes the information output from the control means to thereby determine the load devices and their installation locations in device group units A load control device, characterized in that it generates image information relating to the device-specific display image shown. 12. The load control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit selects and instructs one of a means for instructing the control means to display a setting menu and a setting menu displayed on the screen of the display means. The control means reads out information including characters indicating a plurality of setting functions of the visual controller from the second memory and outputs the information to the image synthesizing means in response to a setting menu display command from the operation unit. Means and means for starting the operation of a routine corresponding to the setting menu selected from the control program, and the image synthesizing means has the visual controller by synthesizing the information output from the control means. A load control device, which generates image information relating to a setting menu in which setting functions are listed by characters. 13. The load control device according to claim 1, further comprising a timer for setting an operation time by the control means, and controlling the operation time of the load device associated by the control means, wherein the operation unit sets the timer. The control means includes means for instructing the control means to display an image, means for selectively designating a pictograph displayed on the screen of the display means, and means for inputting operating conditions of the timer. In response to an instruction to display a timer setting image from the device, a device for reading out information representing a pictograph showing any load device from the second memory and outputting the information to the image synthesizing device, and the input operating condition are set in the timer. And a means for synthesizing the information output from the control means to generate image information related to the timer setting image. 14. The load control device according to claim 13, wherein the operation unit instructs the display of the timer time setting display image, a unit for partially selecting and designating an image on the screen of the display unit, and a selection. And a means for instructing the sequential feeding of the specified partial image, wherein the control means, in response to the instruction to display the timer time setting display image from the operation unit, displays the information indicating the character indicating the operating condition of the timer. The means for outputting from the memory circuit of No. 2 to the image synthesizing means, and the timer for changing the constituent elements of the operating condition of the timer corresponding to the partial image selected and designated by the operation unit to the contents related to the image after the sequential feeding And a unit for inputting various operating conditions, the image synthesizing unit generates image information related to the timer time setting display image by synthesizing the information output from the control unit. Load control device. 15. The load control device according to claim 13, wherein the timer has a plurality of setting areas for storing operating conditions for a plurality of load devices. 16. The load control device according to claim 13 or 15, wherein the operation section has means for instructing to suspend the operation of the timer, and the control means responds to the suspension instruction from the operation section. Alternatively, the load control device is characterized by temporarily suspending the operation of the corresponding setting area. 17. The load control device according to claim 15, wherein the information read out from the second memory by the control means and output to the image synthesizing means includes a pictograph indicating a setting state of the timer, and the pictograph concerned. If the graph is set to temporarily hold all of the setting areas, some of them are set to temporary hold, and none of them are set to temporary hold, the image synthesizing means controls A load control device characterized by generating image information including a pictograph representing a setting state of a timer by synthesizing information output from the means. 18. The load control device according to claim 17, wherein the control means reads the information about the background color from the second memory so that the background color is different for each pictograph showing the setting status of the timer. A load control device which outputs to a synthesizing means. 19. The load control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit partially selects and specifies a unit for instructing the control unit to display the room name setting image and an image displayed on the screen of the display unit. And a means for instructing the sequential feeding of the selected and specified partial images, and the control means responds to any of the room controllers in response to the instruction to display the room name setting image from the operation unit. A means for reading out characters relating to the name of the room and information related to the pictograph indicating the load device connected to the room controller from the second memory and outputting the information to the image synthesizing means, and a command for partial designation and sequential feeding of images In response to the information, the information is read from the second memory and is output to the image synthesizing unit to replace the image of the designated portion with the image related to the information. However, the load control device is characterized in that the image information relating to the room name setting image of the room corresponding to any of the room controllers is generated by synthesizing the information output from the control means. 20. The load control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means indicates the name of the corresponding room for the security sensor when the output of the security sensor of the load devices is an output indicating an abnormal state. The character, the pictograph of the security sensor, and the information related to the character indicating the name of the security sensor are read from the second memory and output to the image synthesizing unit, and the image synthesizing unit synthesizes the information output from the control unit. By doing so, the load control device is characterized in that image information relating to a security image representing an abnormal output of the security sensor is generated. 21. The load control device according to claim 20, wherein the information related to the display indicating the abnormal situation detected by the security sensor is character information or a pictograph. 22. The load control device according to claim 20, wherein a pictograph showing an abnormal situation detected by the security sensor is different for each content of the abnormal situation. 23. The load control device according to claim 20, wherein the control means blinks a pictograph indicating an abnormal situation detected by the security sensor by operating information output to the image synthesizing means. Load control device. 24. The load control device according to claim 20, wherein when the outputs of the plurality of security sensors of the load devices simultaneously become outputs indicating an abnormal situation, the control means controls the information from the second memory. The readout and the output of the information to the image synthesizing unit are cyclically performed in a predetermined cycle for each security sensor, and the image synthesizing unit synthesizes the information output from the control unit, thereby generating an abnormal output of the security sensor. A load control device characterized in that image information related to a security sensor image that is represented is generated alternately. 25. The load control device according to claim 20, wherein the operation unit includes means for instructing a transition from the display of the security image to the display of the control image, and the control unit is an instruction for the transition from the operation unit. In accordance with the above, the pictograph of the load device to which the security sensor is connected, the character indicating the operating state of the connected load device, and the information related to the display indicating the abnormal situation are read out from the second memory to the image combining means. Output, the image synthesizing means synthesizes the information output from the control means,
A load control device for generating image information for displaying an operating state of a load device and a security abnormality for each room controller.