Patent ID: 7956766
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A control server which controls an output of a first apparatus and an output of a second apparatus which is different from the first apparatus, the control server comprising: a communication section for receiving, from the first apparatus when an output of the first apparatus changes, a first notification signal which indicates an output state of the first apparatus, and for receiving, from the second apparatus when an output of the second apparatus changes, a second notification signal which indicates an output state of the second apparatus; a control rule storage section for storing a first control rule which describes a numerical value that indicates a first predetermined distance which is a basis to determine whether or not the output state of the second apparatus is to be changed in response to the first notification signal, and for storing a second control rule which describes a numerical value that indicates a second predetermined distance which is a basis to determine whether or not the output state of the first apparatus is to be changed in response to the second notification signal; a determination section for acquiring, when the first notification signal is received, an inter-apparatus distance from the first apparatus to the second apparatus and determining whether the inter-apparatus distance is equal to or smaller than the first predetermined distance indicated by the numerical value described in the first control rule or is larger than the first predetermined distance, and for acquiring, when the second notification signal is received, an inter-apparatus distance from the second apparatus to the first apparatus and determining whether the inter-apparatus distance is equal to or smaller than the second predetermined distance indicated by the numerical value described in the second control rule or is larger than the second predetermined distance; and an apparatus operation section for not changing the output state of the second apparatus when the inter-apparatus distance from the first apparatus to the second apparatus is determined to be larger than the first predetermined distance and changing the output state of the second apparatus when the inter-apparatus distance is determined to be equal to or smaller than the first predetermined distance, and for not changing the output state of the first apparatus when the inter-apparatus distance from the second apparatus to the first apparatus is determined to be larger than the second predetermined distance and changing the output state of the first apparatus when the inter-apparatus distance is determined to be equal to or smaller than the second predetermined distance.