JP2000333272A - Unit device control system, unit device and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce memory capacity and device manufacture cost by obtaining a control program from a unit device side and controlling a unit device in a center unit device. SOLUTION: A data fetch means 26 fetches the operation interface control means data, the operation menu display specification data and the state display specification data from a unit selected by a registration unit selection means 23 and analyzes those data if needed. Function interface control means data are control program data for controlling respective units 30 and 40, and program contents differ in accordance with the functions and specifications that the respective units 30 and 40 have. A center control unit 20 obtains the function interface control means data and the operation menu/ state display function data from the respective units, displays an operation screen, and controls the respective units 30 and 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control system for controlling various unit devices such as an audio unit, a navigation unit, and an air conditioner unit mounted on an automobile or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent automobiles include a clock unit and an AM.
/ FM radio unit, audio units such as cassette tape recorder unit, compact disc (CD) player unit, mini disc (MD) player unit, car navigation unit,
Various unit devices such as an air conditioner unit and the like are mounted, and the multifunctionality of these unit devices and the accompanying complicated operation are progressing.

In order to simplify the operation of these various unit devices, each unit device is connected to a unit device serving as a center unit device, and the operation screen of each unit device is displayed on the display screen of the center unit device. A method of centrally controlling each unit device by operating a center unit device has been proposed.

[0004]

However, in the above method, since the control programs of all the unit devices connected to the center unit must be installed in the center unit, the control processing on the side of the center unit is required. However, there is a problem that the memory becomes large and the cost increases due to an increase in the memory capacity.

[0005] In addition, even if a unit device is not initially connected to the center unit device, there is a possibility that the unit device may be connected to the center unit device because the control program must be previously installed in the center unit device. If the user does not connect such a unit device, the memory is wasted and the user is put on an unnecessary economic burden.

Further, when connecting a new unit device or an upgraded unit device, it is necessary to add a control program for these unit devices to the center unit device. In some cases, the user connects the new unit device. To replace the center unit. Such a lack of compatibility between the center unit device and the unit device imposes an unnecessary economic burden on the user, and reduces the degree of freedom in selecting the unit device to be connected.

Further, since the user interface means such as the operation screen and the operation buttons are arranged on the side of the center unit apparatus separate from the unit apparatus to be controlled, the user interface means is required when the unit apparatus is developed. However, the checking of each function operation including the above becomes complicated, which causes a decrease in the reliability of the function operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a unit device control system, a unit device, and a recording medium that can solve such a problem.

[0009]

A unit device control system according to the present invention is a unit device control system for controlling a plurality of unit devices by a center unit device, wherein the center unit device controls the unit devices. The center unit device obtains the control program from the unit device and controls the unit device based on the control program.

A unit device control system according to the present invention is a unit device control system for controlling a plurality of unit devices by a center unit device, wherein the unit device itself is controlled by the center unit device. A control program storing means for storing a control program used when receiving the control program, and a control program transmitting means for transmitting the control program stored in the control program storing means. Control program capturing means for capturing the control program transmitted from the control program transmitting means, and control means for controlling the unit device based on the control program captured by the control program capturing means. It is characterized by the following.

In another aspect of the unit device control system of the present invention, the unit device sends display information for displaying an operation screen of the unit device to the center unit device, and the center unit device transmits the display information to the center unit device. An operation screen of the unit device is displayed on a display means based on the display information sent from the device.

In another aspect of the unit device control system of the present invention, the control of the hardware of the center unit performed at the time of controlling the unit based on the control program is performed by controlling the hardware of the center unit. It is performed through an interface functioning as an interface to the control means.

[0013] A unit device of the present invention is a unit device for controlling another unit device connected via communication means, and a control program for controlling the other unit device is stored in the other unit device. And control means for controlling the other unit devices based on the control program fetched by the control program fetching means.

A unit device according to the present invention is a unit device controlled by another unit device connected via communication means, and is used when the unit device itself is controlled by the other unit device. A control program storing means for storing a control program, and a control program transmitting means for transmitting the control program stored in the control program storing means to the another unit device.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is a unit device control system for controlling a plurality of unit devices by a center unit device, wherein a control program for controlling the unit devices is obtained from the unit device side. A program for causing a computer to function as means for causing the center unit to execute the control of the unit based on the control program.

[0016]

According to the present invention, a control program is obtained from a unit device side, and the center unit device controls each unit device based on the control program.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement state of each unit constituting an on-vehicle unit control system in which the present invention is implemented, in an automobile. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of each unit. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the on-vehicle unit control system according to the present embodiment, the center control unit 20 which is a center unit device is provided with two units.
The optional units 30 and 40 are connected via a communication bus 8. Here, the unit 30 is an auto air conditioner unit, and the unit 40 is a C air conditioner unit.
It is a D player unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the center control unit 20 includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, each unit, a controller 4 for controlling each function, a monitor 5, and a communication circuit 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of operation buttons 7a for instructing each function control and a plurality of unit selection buttons 7 for instructing unit selection are provided on the monitor 5.
b is provided. Then, on the display screen of the monitor 5, various information indicating a selection menu of each unit connected to the center control unit 20, an operation menu of functions of each unit, an operation state, and the like are displayed.
When the user operates the operation button 7a based on the operation menu displayed on the monitor 5, each function of the units 30 and 40 connected to the unit 20 can be controlled. . The center control unit 20 also has voice recognition and voice synthesis functions.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the units 30 and 40 has a CPU 9, a ROM 10, a RAM 11, each unit, a function controller 12 for controlling each function, and a communication circuit 13.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the functional configuration of each of the units 20, 30, and 40.

The center control unit 20 includes an inter-unit communication bus control means 21 for controlling communication with each of the units 30 and 40, and a unit connection state confirming means 22 for confirming a connection state between the unit 20 and each of the units 30 and 40. A registration unit selecting unit 23 for designating a unit to be controlled from the units 30 and 40 whose connection has been confirmed by the unit connection state confirming unit 22, and the controller 4 of FIG.
Hard control means (hard control means) 24, hard access means (interface means) 25, data taking means (control program taking means) 26, program starting means (control means) for controlling each part and each function of unit 20 27, a translation means 28, and a menu display creation means 29 for creating a display screen of the unit selection menu of FIG. 4 based on the connection confirmation result by the unit connection state confirmation means 22.

The data acquisition means 26 receives, from the unit selected by the registration unit selection means 23, function interface control means data, operation menu display specification data and status display specification data (hereinafter referred to as "operation menu & status display specification data"). )), The communication bus 8,
The data is taken in through the inter-unit communication bus control means 21 and data analysis is performed as needed.

The function interface control means data is data of a control program for controlling each of the units 30 and 40, and the contents of the program differ depending on the functions and specifications of the units 30 and 40. This control program shows an operation menu screen of each function of each unit 30 and 40 and an operation state of each unit 30 and 40 on the monitor 5 of the center control unit 20 using operation menu & state display specification data described later. A screen display process for displaying a status display screen, an operation input analysis process for detecting an operation of the operation button 7a and analyzing the input thereof, and a process for causing the units 30 and 40 to execute control designated by the operation of the operation button 7a. Control command generation / transmission processing, status display processing for displaying numerical values, characters, symbols, and the like indicating the current status of the units 30 and 40 on the status display screen in real time based on the status data transmitted from each unit 30 and 40 Is a program for causing the center control unit 20 to execute the program.

The operation menu display specification data is data indicating the display specification of the operation menu screen of each unit and each function of each unit 30 and 40, and each function of each unit 30 and 40 such as temperature adjustment and CD reproduction. The display specification is determined so that an operation menu screen most suitable for the operation of the user can be displayed. The status display specification data is data indicating the display specifications of the status display screen indicating the operation status of each unit and each function of each unit 30, 40, such as the current room temperature, the name of the CD being played, the title of the song, and the playing time. The display specifications have been determined so that a state display screen most suitable for the display can be created.

The program activating means 27 activates a control program constituting the function interface control means fetched by the data fetching means 26, and executes the above-mentioned display processing, operation input analysis processing, control command generation / transmission processing, state Each process such as a display process is executed.

When the function interface control means transmitted from each of the units 30 and 40 is described (programmed) in an intermediate language, the translation means 28 translates the function interface control means into the programming language of the CPU 1 of the unit 20 ( (Interpreter processing means). In describing the function interface control means, the programming language of the CPU 1 can be used in consideration of the high speed of execution speed and the memory cost. In this case, a method in which this is described in an intermediate language and which can operate irrespective of the type of CPU mounted on the unit 20 can further improve compatibility and can be easily handled by the user. Become. Therefore, if the function interface control means is described in an intermediate language such as JAVA, the compatibility can be maintained if the translation means 28 can be translated into the programming language of the CPU 1 of the unit 20.

The hard access means 25 is provided for the unit 20
When accessing the hardware such as the monitor 5 and the operation button 7a of the unit 20 when the units 30 and 40 are controlled (when the function interface control means task of FIG. 5 is activated) by the CPU, the mediation with the hardware control means 24 is performed. And consists of a subroutine that standardizes arguments for specifying specific control, for example. That is, the unit 20 executed when the function interface control means task shown in FIG.
Is not directly performed using the hard control means 24 for controlling each hardware unit of the unit 20 but is performed via the hard access means 25.

Therefore, the hard access means 25
It functions as a standard interface for the hardware control means 24. Even if the hardware specifications of the unit 20 are changed in the future, the hardware access means 25 allows each unit 3
It can be used as it is without replacing 0, 40 or the like.

The inter-unit communication bus control means 21, unit connection state confirmation means 22, registered unit selection means 23, hard access means 25, data fetch means 26, program start means 27, translation means 28,
The menu display creating means 29 includes the CPU 1, the ROM 2, and the R
It is constituted by a microcomputer system comprising the AM 3 and the ROM 2 stores programs for realizing the functions of these units.

The optional units 30 and 40 include inter-unit communication bus control means 31 and 41 for controlling communication with the center control unit 20, and connection confirmation response means 32 and 42 for responding to a connection confirmation from the center control unit 20. , And analyzes various commands such as control commands sent from the center control unit 20, and executes the hard control means 34 and 44.
Command analysis means 33, 4 for performing control corresponding to
2. The function controller 12 shown in FIG. 2 and the hardware control means 34 and 44 for controlling each part of the units 30 and 40, the respective functions, and the function interface control means data, operation menu and status display specification for the center control unit 20. Data transmission means (control program transmission means) 35, 45 for transmitting data;
Function interface control means data storage means (control program storage means) 36, 46 storing function interface control means data, operation menu & state display specification data storage means 37 storing operation menu display specification data and state display specification data. , 4
7, state detecting means 38 for detecting the operation state and various states of each unit and each function of the unit by a sensor or the like (not shown), and transmitting status data indicating the state to the unit 20;
48.

The inter-unit communication bus control means 31, 41, connection confirmation response means 32, 42, command analysis means 33, 43, data transmission means 35, 45,
The function interface control means data storage means 36, 46, operation menu & state display specification data storage means 37, 47, and state detection means 38, 48 are constituted by a microcomputer system comprising a CPU 9, a ROM 10, and a RAM 11. In addition, a program for realizing the function of each of these means is stored.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a screen display on the monitor 5 of the unit 20 when the unit 30 (automatic air conditioner unit) is selected as a unit to be controlled. As shown in the figure, an operation menu screen for setting temperature, switching between inside air and outside air, etc. is displayed on the monitor 5, and by operating the operation buttons 7a arranged below each menu display, Control such as changing the set temperature of the unit 30 can be performed. Also, a status display screen indicating that the current outside temperature is 15 ° C. and the room temperature is 23 ° C. is displayed. Further, a unit selection menu screen indicating the type of the unit whose connection has been confirmed by the unit connection state confirmation means 22 of the unit 20 is displayed. By pressing the unit selection button 7b corresponding to the displayed unit name, control is performed. The target unit can be specified.

The operation menu display specification data for displaying the operation menu screen shown in FIG. 4 includes, for example, the following data.

LOC (10,50) SIZ (5) CHR
(Outside air), LOC (10, 30) SIZ (5) CHR
(Shy), LOC (30, 55) SIZ (5) CHR
(20 ° C)

This indicates that the character "outside air" of size 5 is displayed at the display coordinate position of (10, 50). Actually, characters and the like are encoded. The status display specification data for displaying the status display screen includes, for example, the following data.

LOC (40,10) SIZ (10) CH
R (external temperature :)

This indicates that "external temperature:" is displayed at the display coordinate position of (40, 10).

Next, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the details of the procedure of the control processing executed by each of the units 20, 30, and 40 will be described.

FIG. 5 shows the center control unit 2
9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a control process executed on the 0 side.

First, in step S1, the power is turned on (ACC
When (ON) is detected, in step S2, the connection state of the units is checked by the unit connection state confirmation means 22, and the unit selection menu screen is created by the menu display creation means 29.

Next, in step S3, in order to control the unit selected before the ACC (power supply) is turned off, the data interface 26 activates the function interface control module task previously captured. The task referred to here is a group of continuous processing, and each task operates independently and in parallel.

Next, in step S4, it is checked whether or not the user has requested to switch the unit to be controlled (such as key input by operating the unit selection button 7b). If there has been a switching request, the flow advances to step S6. If there is no switching request, the process returns to step S4. (Step S5).

In step S6, the data acquisition means 26
Issues a request to transmit the operation menu & status display specification data and the function interface control means data to the unit instructed to switch, and receives the operation menu & status display specification data and the function interface control means data from the corresponding unit in step S7. I do. Then, in step S8, the control target is switched from the unit selected so far to the newly selected unit, and the task of the function interface control means received in step S7 from the newly selected unit is activated.

The function interface control means task of step S9 creates an operation menu screen and a status display screen of the function of the selected unit based on the operation menu and status display specification data received from the selected unit. It analyzes the input of the operation button 7a, generates a control command corresponding to the button operation, and transmits it to the corresponding unit. In addition, it analyzes received data such as status data, and displays a status indicating the operating state of the unit on the monitor 5 based on the received status data.

The communication control task in step S10 is executed by the inter-unit communication bus control means 21 and controls transmission and reception of various data and commands between the units 30 and 40.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the control processing executed on the units 30 and 40 side.

First, in step S11, power is turned on (AC
When (CON) is detected, in step S12, the connection confirmation response units 32 and 42 respond to the connection state confirmation from the center control unit 20.

Next, in step S13, after receiving the command transmitted from the unit 20, the process proceeds to step S14.
Then, a process corresponding to the received command is executed. That is, when the function interface control means data and the function operation menu & status display specification data request command are received, the data transmission means 35 and 45 are stored in the storage means 3.
The function interface control means data and the function operation menu & state display specification data are read out from 6, 46, 37, 47 and transmitted to the center control unit 20, and the unit state analysis task of step S15 is started to activate the state. Detecting means 38,
48, the operating state and various states of each part and each function of the units 30 and 40 are detected, and the detected information is transmitted as real-time status data via the inter-unit communication bus control means 31 and 41 (step S).
16). When a control command is received from the center control unit 20, the command analyzing means 33, 4
3 causes the hard control means 34 and 44 to control each part and each function of the units 30 and 40 designated by the control command. That is, the hard control means 3
According to 4, 44, in the case of the unit 30, the set temperature is changed, the air volume is adjusted, the cooling / heating is switched, and the like, and in the case of the unit 40, the CD playback start, stop, music selection, and the like are performed. You.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a control program (function interface control means data) for controlling the units 30 and 40 connected to the system and an operation screen of each unit are displayed. The display information (operation menu & status display specification data) is mounted on each unit 30, 40 side, and the center control unit 20 obtains the function interface control means data, operation menu & status display specification data from each of these units. Display the operation screen,
Since the units 30 and 40 are configured to be controlled, the ROM capacity of the center control unit 20 and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced. Since the display information does not need to be held by the units in the system, the memory capacity and the cost of the entire system can be reduced.

Even when a new unit or an upgraded unit is connected, a new control program or display information is added to the ROM 2 of the center control unit 20, or the center control unit 20 is replaced. Since there is no need to carry out the operation, unnecessary economic burden is not imposed on the user. Also, if the function interface control means data and the operation menu & status display specification data are mounted, any unit can be provided to the center control unit 20. Since the same control as described above can be performed by connecting, the degree of freedom of the unit selection by the user is increased.

Further, the center control unit 2
0, a hard access means 25 serving as a standard interface for hardware control (a subroutine of common arguments, etc.) is prepared, so that the center control unit 20 is connected even if the specification or the like is changed due to a version upgrade or the like. There is no need to change each unit 30, 40 to a new one. Therefore, the old and new units 20,
Even if 30 and 40 are mixed, a system can be configured, and compatibility between units can be maintained.

Further, since the part of the user interface processing (operation menu & state display specification data) and the part of the actual function control processing (function interface control means data) are mounted on the units 30 and 40, the center control unit is provided. Independently of 20, the designers of the units 30 and 40 can make a series of designs from the user interface to the functional operation, and the reliability of the functional operation including the user interface can be improved.

Programs for realizing the above-described functions of the unit device control system of the present embodiment are stored in the ROMs 2 and 10. In addition, the above programs are supplied to the unit device control system of the present embodiment from outside. And
The above functions can be realized by operating the supplied program.

In this case, means for supplying the program, for example, a recording medium storing the program,
The present invention is constituted. In addition, as a recording medium for storing the above program, in addition to the ROM, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,
CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card,
A RAM or the like can be used.

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized not only by the computer executing the supplied program, but also by the OS (Operating System) or other application software running on the computer. Such a program is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with.

It should be noted that each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is interpreted in a limited manner. It must not be. That is, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the unit 30 as the auto air conditioner unit and the unit 40 as the CD player unit were connected to the center control unit 20.
The units connected to the center control unit 20 are not limited to these, and various on-vehicle electronic device units can be connected. FIG. 7 shows an example of the connection. In this example, the center control unit 20
8 optional units 30, 40, 50 ~
55 are connected via the communication bus 8. The option unit 50 is an amplifier and a speaker, and is a unit for controlling the volume and sound quality. The option unit 51 is a car navigation device, and is a unit that performs navigation for driving. Optional unit 52
Is an Internet access device, which is a unit for accessing Internet information and sending and receiving mail. The option unit 40 is an audio device such as the above-described CD player, radio, and DVD, and is a unit that reproduces an audio source. In the case of a device such as a DVD, an image signal is output. Option unit 53
Is a traffic information collection device, which is a unit that collects traffic information such as VICS. The optional unit 54 is a safe driving support device, and is a unit that supports danger avoidance by recognizing an obstacle in a nose view, a side view, or the like. The option unit 55 is a vehicle maintenance information collecting device that collects maintenance information such as oil, battery, cooling water, tire pressure, etc. from various sensors 56. The option unit 30 is the above-described automatic air conditioner device, and is a unit that controls air conditioning in the vehicle. The optional units 51, 52, and 53 can be collectively configured as one unit.
The audio signal is output only by the selected unit.

As described above, even when a large number of optional units are connected to the center control unit 20, the above-mentioned function interface control means data and operation menu & operation state specification data are transmitted from each unit to the center control unit 20. In this case, the operation menu and the status of the unit to be controlled are displayed on the monitor 5 of the center control unit 20 and the operation buttons 7a are operated to control the units 30, 40, 50 to 55. Can be performed.

Further, the unit device control system of the present invention is not limited to the on-vehicle unit control system of the above-described embodiment, but is also configured so that various unit devices are centrally controlled by the center unit device in various facilities such as factories and hospitals. Can be widely applied to control systems.

The center unit device does not need to be a dedicated machine like the center control unit 20 of the above-described embodiment. For example, various on-vehicle units such as a car navigation unit having a display screen have the same function. You may do it.

Further, if an operation menu is displayed on a touch panel display screen, the operation buttons 7a,
7b becomes unnecessary and the operability is further improved.

The control program does not execute various processing such as screen display processing as in the case of the function interface control means of the above-described embodiment, but simply executes the control object according to the operation on the center unit side. It may be a program that executes only a process for instructing execution of control corresponding to a unit device to be operated, or a program in which display information such as operation menu & status display specification data is combined with function interface control means data. It may be something.

The display information for displaying the operation screen may be information only indicating the function of the unit device or the function to be controlled by the unit device. In this case, for example, the menu display What is necessary is just to make the creation means 29 create an operation screen based on this information. The display information may be screen data of the operation screen itself. Further, the display program may be integrated.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, the center unit device is configured to obtain the control program from the unit device side and to control the unit device based on the control program. The memory capacity can be reduced and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced as compared with a method in which the control programs of all the possible unit devices are previously installed in the center unit device.

When a new unit device or an upgraded device is connected to the center unit device, a control program for controlling those unit devices is newly stored in the memory of the center unit device. It is not necessary to replace the center unit device, so that unnecessary economic burden is not imposed on the user.

Further, if the unit device side is configured to transmit, to the center unit device, display information for displaying the operation screen of the unit device on the display means of the center unit device together with the control program of the unit device. Thus, the designer of the unit device can design a function including a user interface unit such as an operation screen, and the reliability and operability of a functional operation including the user interface unit can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement state of units constituting a vehicle-mounted unit control system in an automobile.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of each unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of each unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of screen display on a monitor of a center control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a control process executed on the center control unit side.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a control process executed on the option unit side.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which various on-vehicle electronic device units are connected to a center control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,9 CPU 2,10 ROM 3,11 RAM 4 controller 5 monitor 6,13 communication circuit 7a operation button 7b selection button 8 communication bus 12 function controller 20 center control unit 30,40,50-55 option unit 56 various sensors 21 , 31, 41 Inter-unit communication bus control means 22 Unit connection state checking means 23 Registered unit selection means 24, 34, 44 Hard control means 25 Hard access means 26 Data import means 27 Program start means 28 Translation means 29 Menu display creation means 32, 42 Connection confirmation response means 33, 43 Command analysis means 35, 45 Data transmission means 36, 46 Function interface control means Data storage means 37, 47 Operation menu & status table Specification data storage means 38 and 48 state detecting means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A unit device control system for controlling a plurality of unit devices by a center unit device, wherein a control program for controlling the unit devices by the center unit device is provided on the unit device side, A unit device control system, wherein the center unit device obtains the control program from the unit device and controls the unit device based on the control program. 2. A unit device control system for controlling a plurality of unit devices by a center unit device, wherein the unit device executes a control program used when the unit device itself is controlled by the center unit device. A control program storing means for storing the control program stored in the control program storing means; and a control program transmitting means for transmitting the control program stored in the control program storing means, wherein the center unit is transmitted from the control program transmitting means of the unit. A unit device control system, comprising: a control program loading means for loading the control program; and a control means for controlling the unit device based on the control program loaded by the control program loading means. . 3. The unit device sends display information for displaying an operation screen of the unit device to the center unit device, and the center unit device sends the display information to the center unit based on the display information sent from the unit device. 3. The unit device control system according to claim 1, wherein an operation screen of the device is displayed on a display unit. 4. The control of the hardware of the center unit, which is performed when controlling the unit based on the control program, is performed via interface means functioning as an interface to the hardware control means of the center unit. The unit device control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. A unit device for controlling another unit device connected via communication means, the control program taking in a control program for controlling the another unit device from the other unit device. A unit device comprising: loading means; and control means for controlling the other unit device based on the control program loaded by the control program loading means. 6. A unit device controlled by another unit device connected via communication means, wherein the unit device itself stores a control program used when receiving control by the other unit device. A unit device comprising: a control program storage unit; and a control program sending unit that sends the control program stored in the control program storage unit to the another unit device. 7. A unit device control system for controlling a plurality of unit devices by a center unit device, wherein a control program for controlling the unit device is obtained from the unit device side, and the control program is stored in the center unit device. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as means for executing control of the unit device based on the program is recorded.