Operation device management system, operation device management apparatus, operation device management method, and program

Abstract

An operation device management server (1) is provided with: an actual control record storage unit (132) that stores control content information, operation device identification name information, and control target device identification name information in association with each other, said control content information indicating the content of control performed on devices (31, 32) to be controlled by operating devices (51, 52) in the past; a search condition acquisition unit (113) that acquires search condition information indicating a search condition for searching for at least one of control target device identification name information for the control target devices (31, 32), operation device identification name information for the operation devices (51, 52), and control content information; a search unit (114) that searches for at least one of the control target device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information on the basis of the search condition information; and a search result notification unit (115) that generates search result information including at least one of the detected identification information of the device to be controlled, the identification information of the operation device, and the control content information, and transmits the search result information to the terminal device (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operating equipment management system, an operating equipment management apparatus, an operating equipment management method, and a program. Background Art

[0002] An energy management system is proposed, which includes a GUI (Graphical User Interface) device and an equipment control device that communicates with the GUI device, the equipment control device comprising: a collection unit that collects equipment information including manufacturer information of the equipment from equipment connected to a network within a building; a display control unit that displays the equipment name of the equipment on a screen of a user interface device based on the equipment information collected from the equipment by the collection unit; and a registration processing unit that registers the selected equipment into a storage unit when a device with a device name displayed on the screen is selected as a management object (for example, refer to patent document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2016 / 038882 Summary of the invention

[0004] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0005] In addition, the energy management system described in Patent Document 1 provides a system in which when a user operates a GUI device for controlling the operation of a device, a device control device can control the operation of the device according to the operation content. In such a system, there are many cases in which an application for making the GUI device function as an operating device for operating the device is provided after the device is put on the market. In addition, sometimes, regarding the operating device for operating the device, an operating device with a new function added in consideration of the convenience of the user is put on the market later. Therefore, a user is required to easily master an application or a means of operating the device that is most suitable for operating the device he owns.

[0006] The present disclosure is completed in view of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide users with an operating device management system, an operating device management apparatus, an operating device management method and a program that enable users to appropriately grasp the operating device that is most suitable for operating the control target device they own, or the control target device that is most suitable for operating and controlling the operating device they own.

[0007] Solutions for solving problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above objectives, the operating equipment management system involved in the present disclosure has:

[0009] Terminal device;

[0010] a control actual record storage unit for storing control content information indicating the content of control respectively performed on at least one control target device by operating the operating device in the past, operating device identification information for identifying the operating device being operated, and control target device identification information for identifying the at least one control target device on which the control was performed, in correspondence with each other;

[0011] a search condition acquisition unit that acquires search condition information indicating a search condition transmitted from the terminal device, the search condition being used to search for at least one of control target device identification information of a control target device that can be controlled by an operation device operated by a user, operation device identification information of an operation device that can control the control target device by being operated by a user, and control content information indicating a content of control actually recorded in the control target device;

[0012] a retrieval unit that retrieves at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information stored in the control actual record storage unit based on the retrieval condition information; and

[0013] The search result notification unit, when detecting at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information, generates search result information including at least one of the detected control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information and sends it to the terminal device.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, the search unit searches for at least one of the control object device identification information of the control object device that can be controlled by the operation device operated by the user, the operation device identification information of the operation device that can control the control object device by being operated by the user, and the control content information indicating the control content with actual record in the control object device based on the search condition information. In addition, when at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information is detected, the search result notification unit generates the search result information including at least one of the detected control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information and sends it to the terminal device. Thus, with respect to the operation device or the control object device held by the user, the operation device or the control object device that has the actual record of combining the operation device with the control object device when the control object device was operated in the past can be presented to the user. Therefore, the user can properly grasp the operation device that is most suitable for operating the control object device held by himself, or the control object device that is most suitable for operating the operation device held by himself to control. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operation device management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the operating device management system according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a functional structure of an operation device management system according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a master information storage unit of an operation device management server according to the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a control record storage unit of an operation device management server according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the operating device management system according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the embodiment.

[0023] Fig. 8A This is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8B This is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 9A This is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the embodiment.

[0026] Fig. 9B This is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the embodiment.

[0027] Fig. 9C This is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the embodiment.

[0028] Fig. 10A This is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 10B This is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the embodiment.

[0030] Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of device control processing executed by the cloud server involved in the embodiment.

[0031] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an operation device management process executed by the operation device management server according to the embodiment.

[0032] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device involved in the modification.

[0033] Fig.14 : is a block diagram showing the functional structure of an operation device management system according to a modification.

[0034] Fig.15 1 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a control record storage unit of an operation device management server according to a modification.

[0035] Fig.16 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an operation device management process executed by an operation device management server according to a modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, an operation device management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The operation device management system includes a terminal device, a control actual record storage unit, a search condition acquisition unit, a search unit, and a search result notification unit. The control actual record storage unit stores control content information indicating the content of control respectively performed on at least one control object device by operating the operation device in the past, operation device identification information for identifying the operated operation device, and control object device identification information for identifying at least one control object device on which control is performed, in correspondence with each other. The search condition acquisition unit acquires search condition information indicating a search condition sent from the terminal device, the search condition being used to search for at least one of the control object device identification information of the control object device that can be controlled by the operation device operated by the user, the operation device identification information of the operation device that can control the control object device by being operated by the user, and the control content information indicating the content of control actually recorded in the control object device. The search unit searches for at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information stored in the control actual record storage unit based on the search condition information. When at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information is detected, the search result notification unit generates search result information including at least one of the detected control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information and sends it to the terminal device.

[0037] like Figure 1As shown, the operation device management system involved in this embodiment includes a terminal device 7 connected to any local area network of multiple local area networks NW21, NW22 and an operation device management server 1 that manages the operation devices 51, 52 connected to each local area network of the multiple local area networks NW21, NW22. The multiple control object devices 31, 32 that are controlled by the operation devices 51, 52 each have a communication function and are connected to each local area network of the multiple local area networks NW21, NW22. In addition, the local area networks NW21, NW22 are connected to the wide area network NW1 via broadband routers (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 41, 42. Cloud servers 21, 22 that control the control object devices 31, 32 according to the operation content of the operation devices 51, 52 by the user are connected to the wide area network NW1. In addition, the wide area network NW1 is connected to a product list management server 8, which manages a homepage on which the control target device identification names of the control target devices 31 and 32 and the application identification names of the operating device applications started in the operating devices 51 and 52 are posted. The local area networks NW21 and NW22 are, for example, wired LANs (Local Area Networks) or wireless LANs, and the wide area network NW1 is, for example, the Internet.

[0038] The control target devices 31 and 32 are, for example, rice cookers, ventilating fans, air conditioners, water heaters, bathroom dryers, etc., and they operate based on control information for controlling the control target devices 31 and 32, respectively, which is sent from the cloud servers 21 and 22. The operation devices 51 and 52 are, for example, smart phones, and they function as operation devices for operating the control target devices 31 and 32 when an application for functioning as an operation device is started. Alternatively, the operation devices 51 and 52 are, for example, remote control devices dedicated to the operation of the control target devices 31 and 32. When the operation devices 51 and 52 are operated by the user, the operation information indicating the operation content is generated and sent to the cloud servers 21 and 22.

[0039] The product list management server 8 manages a website that lists the control target device identification names of the control target devices 31 and 32 recommended by their manufacturers for the operation device applications started in the operation devices 51 and 52, or a website that lists the operation device identification names for identifying the operation device applications recommended by their manufacturers for the control target devices 31 and 32. For example, in an environment where the control of the operation of the control target devices 31 and 32 is performed via the cloud servers 21 and 22, the product list management server 8 manages a website that lists the operation device applications guaranteed to operate normally and recommended for use by the manufacturers of the control target devices 31 and 32 or the manufacturers of the operation device applications started in the operation devices 51 and 52, i.e., a so-called white list. As an example of the white list, a list that corresponds "the operation device identification name for identifying the operation device application started in the operation devices 51 and 52" and "the control target device identification name for identifying the control target devices 31 and 32 that can be controlled by operating the operation devices 51 and 52 when the operation device application is started in the operation devices 51 and 52" can be cited. When the product list management server 8 acquires the access request information for accessing the aforementioned website from the terminal device 7 , it generates web page information for browsing the aforementioned website in the terminal device 7 and transmits it to the terminal device 7 .

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the terminal device 7 is, for example, a personal computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a main storage unit 702, an auxiliary storage unit 703, a display unit 704, an input unit 705, a communication unit 706, and a bus 709 that connects them to each other. The main storage unit 702 has a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area of ​​the CPU 701. In addition, the main storage unit 702 has an image-specific memory (not shown) that temporarily stores image information to be displayed on the display unit 704. The auxiliary storage unit 703 is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory, and stores programs for the CPU 701 to execute various processes. The display unit 704 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc. The input unit 705 is, for example, a keyboard. The communication unit 706 is connected to the local area networks NW21, NW22, and sends the information transmitted from the CPU 701 to the operating device management server 1 via the local area networks NW21, NW22 and the wide area network NW1, or transmits the information received from the operating device management server 1 via the wide area network NW1 and the local area networks NW21, NW22 to the CPU 701.

[0041] The CPU 701 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 703 into the main storage unit 702 and executes it. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 7 , the receiving unit 711, the image forming unit 712, the display control unit 713, the search condition notification unit 714, the search result acquisition unit 715, and the web page information acquisition unit 716 function. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 2 The auxiliary storage unit 703 shown in FIG. 1 includes a search result storage unit 731 and an image storage unit 732. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 2 The image-dedicated memory of the main storage unit 702 shown has a display screen storage unit 721 for temporarily storing a screen image to be displayed on the display unit 704. The search result storage unit 731 stores the control target device identification information or the operation device identification information contained in the search result information sent from the operation device management server 1. Here, the control target device identification information is information input by the user via the input unit 705, which identifies the control target device 32 (31) having a past actual record of being controlled by operating the operation device 52 (51) of the same type as the operation device 51 (52) operated by the user. In addition, the operation device identification information is information input by the user via the input unit 705, which is used to identify the operation device 52 (51) having a past actual record of operating the control target device 32 (31) of the same type as the control target device 31 (32) that the user wants to operate. The image storage unit 732 stores various image information including image information representing a basic icon image for constructing an operation screen image.

[0042] Accepting unit 711 accepts the operation content performed by the user on input unit 705 , generates operation information according to the accepted operation content, and notifies image forming unit 712 , search condition notification unit 714 , or search result acquisition unit 715 .

[0043] The image forming unit 712 forms a search screen image for the user to search for the control target device identification information of the control target devices 31 and 32 or the operation device identification information of the operation devices 51 and 52, or a search result notification screen image for notifying the user of the search result. The image forming unit 712 forms the search result notification screen image based on the various image information stored in the image storage unit 732 and the corresponding operation device identification information and control target device identification information stored in the search result storage unit 731. The image forming unit 712 stores image information representing the formed search screen image or search result notification screen image in the display screen storage unit 721. In addition, when the image forming unit 712 is notified of web page information described later from the web page information acquisition unit 716, it forms a web page image on which a list of control target device identification names and operation device identification names are listed based on the notified web page information, and stores image information representing the formed web page image in the display screen storage unit 721. The display control unit 713 displays the above-mentioned search screen image or search result notification screen image on the display unit 704 based on the image information stored in the display screen storage unit 721.

[0044] The search condition notification unit 714 generates search condition information indicating search conditions when searching for the control target device identification information or the operating device identification information based on the information input by the user via the input unit 705 in a state where the search screen image is displayed on the display unit 704. Specifically, the search condition notification unit 714 generates search condition information including the operating device identification information of the operating devices 51 and 52 or the control target device identification information of the control target devices 31 and 32 input by the user. Then, the search condition notification unit 714 sends the generated search condition information to the operating device management server 1. In addition, the search condition notification unit 714 also notifies the search result acquisition unit 715 of the operating device identification information or the control target device identification information input by the user.

[0045] When the search result acquisition unit 715 acquires the search result information sent from the operating device management server 1, it extracts the control target device identification information or the operating device identification information contained in the acquired search result information, and stores the extracted control target device identification information or the operating device identification information in the search result storage unit 731. Here, when the search result acquisition unit 715 acquires the search result information including the control target device identification information from the operating device management server 1, it stores the control target device identification information extracted from the acquired search result information in the search result storage unit 731 in correspondence with the operating device identification information notified from the search condition notification unit 714. In addition, when the search result acquisition unit 715 acquires the search result information including the operating device identification information from the operating device management server 1, it stores the control target device identification information extracted from the acquired search result information in the search result storage unit 731 in correspondence with the operating device identification information notified from the search condition notification unit 714. Furthermore, when the search result information includes URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information of a website managed by the product list management server 8 , the search result acquisition unit 715 extracts the URL information from the search result information and notifies the web page information acquisition unit 716 .

[0046] When the web page information acquisition unit 716 is notified of the URL information from the search result acquisition unit 715, it sends the aforementioned access request information to the product list management server 8 based on the notified URL information. Thus, the web page information acquisition unit 716 acquires the web page information sent from the product list management server 8 and notifies the image forming unit 712 of the acquired web page information.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the cloud servers 21 and 22 include a CPU 201, a main storage unit 202, an auxiliary storage unit 203, a communication unit 206, and a bus 209 that connects them. The CPU 201 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main storage unit 202 has a volatile memory such as a RAM and is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The auxiliary storage unit 203 is composed of a large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the cloud servers 21 and 22. The communication unit 206 is connected to the wide area network NW1.

[0048] The CPU 201 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executes it. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2 , the device control unit 211 and the control history notification unit 212 function. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 2The auxiliary storage unit 203 shown has a control history storage unit 231. The control history storage unit 231 stores control content code information indicating the control content when the control target device 31, 32 is controlled, based on the operation information indicating the operation content sent from the operation device 51, 52 by the user operating the operation device 51, 52. Here, the control history storage unit 231 stores the control content code information in correspondence with the operation device identification code information of the corresponding operation device 51, 52 itself or the operation device application started in the operation device 51, 52 and the control target device identification code information of the control target device 31, 32. In addition, the control content code information is, for example, information expressed in the first expression format using the EPC parameter specified in the EchonetLite (registered trademark) standard. Specifically, for example, in the case of control of "power on / off setting" as the content, the control content information is set to "0x80". In addition, the operation device identification information is, for example, information expressed in the first expression format using the operation device identification code given to the operation device application started in the operation device 51, 52. Furthermore, the control target device identification information is information expressed in a first expression format using the control target device identification code assigned to the control target devices 31 and 32 .

[0049] When the device control unit 211 obtains operation content information indicating the operation content of the user on the operation device 51, 52 from the operation device 51, 52, the device control unit 211 controls the control target device 31, 32 based on the obtained operation content information. The device control unit 211 generates control information for controlling the control target device 31, 32 based on the operation content information and transmits it to the control target device 31, 32, thereby controlling the action of the control target device 31, 32. Here, the control information includes the control content code information mentioned above. Moreover, each time the device control unit 211 generates control information and transmits it to the control target device 31, 32, the control content code information included in the control information is determined, and the determined control content code information is stored in the control history storage unit 231 in correspondence with the operation device identification code information of the operation device 51, 52 which is the source of the operation content information and the control target device identification code information of the control target device 31, 32 which is the destination of the control information.

[0050] The control history notification unit 212 generates control history information including the control content code information, the operation device identification code information or the operation device identification code information and the control object device identification code information stored in the control history storage unit 231, and transmits the generated control history information to the operation device management server 1. Here, the control history notification unit 212 generates control history information and transmits it to the operation device management server 1 every time the control history storage unit 231 stores new corresponding control content code information, the operation device identification code information or the operation device identification code information and the control object device identification code information. In addition, the control history notification unit 212 may generate control history information including the control content code information, the operation device identification code information or the operation device identification code information and the control object device identification code information newly stored in the control history storage unit 231 during the period from the immediately previous control history notification period to the time point, and transmits it to the operation device management server 1, for example, every time a preset control history notification period arrives.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the operation device management server 1 includes a CPU 101, a main storage unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, a communication unit 106, and a bus 109 that connects them. The CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main storage unit 102 has a volatile memory such as a RAM and is used as a work area of ​​the CPU 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is composed of a large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the operation device management server 1. The communication unit 106 is connected to the wide area network NW1.

[0052] The CPU 101 reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the control history acquisition unit 111, the conversion unit 112, the search condition acquisition unit 113, the search unit 114, and the search result notification unit 115 function. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 2 The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main information storage unit 131 and a control actual record storage unit 132. The main information storage unit 131 stores information indicating the correspondence between the information in the first representation form and the information in the second representation form different from the first representation form. The main information storage unit 131 is, for example, Figure 4As shown, the manufacturer name information indicating the manufacturer name of the manufacturer that manufactured the control target device 31, 32 or the operating device application that is activated in the operating device 51, 52 is stored in correspondence with the manufacturer code information indicating the manufacturer code pre-assigned to each manufacturer. In addition, the main information storage unit 131 stores the control target device identification name information that identifies the control target device 31, 32 in the second expression form in correspondence with the control target device identification code information indicating the control target device identification code in the first expression form assigned to the control target device 31, 32. In addition, the main information storage unit 131 stores the control target device identification name information and the control target device identification code information in correspondence with the category code information and the category group code information indicating the category when the control target devices 31, 32 are classified based on the model. Furthermore, the main information storage unit 131 stores the operating device identification name information indicating the operating device identification name for identifying the operating device 51, 52 or the operating device application started in the operating device 51, 52 in the second representation in correspondence with the operating device identification code information indicating the operating device identification code in the first representation assigned to the operating device 51, 52 or the operating device application. Furthermore, the main information storage unit 131 stores the operating device identification name information and the operating device identification code information in correspondence with the category code information and the category group code information indicating the category when the operating device application is classified based on the model. Furthermore, the main information storage unit 131 stores the control content information indicating the control content of the control target device 31, 32 in correspondence with the control content code information assigned to the various control contents.

[0053] Back to Figure 3 The control actual record storage unit 132 stores control content information indicating the content of control performed on the control target devices 31 and 32 by the user operating the operating devices 51 and 52 in the past, operating device identification name information for identifying the operating devices 51 and 52 operated by the user, and control target device identification name information for identifying the control target devices 31 and 32 in correspondence with each other. In addition, the control actual record storage unit 132 stores, for example, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the control content information indicating the control content executed on the control target devices 31 and 32 by operating the operation devices 51 and 52 in the past is stored together with the operation device identification name information of the corresponding operation devices 51 and 52 and the control target device identification name information of the control target devices 31 and 32, and the category code information and category group code information of the operation devices 51 and 52 and the control target devices 31 and 32. Figure 5Although not shown in the figure, the control actual record storage unit 132 stores the manufacturer name information indicating the manufacturer name of the operating devices 51, 52 and the controlled devices 31, 32 in correspondence with the corresponding operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name information.

[0054] Back to Figure 3 The control history acquisition unit 111 acquires control history information including control content code information indicating control content of the control target devices 31 and 32, operation device identification code information for identifying the operation devices 51 and 52 operated by the user, and control target device identification code information for identifying the control target devices 31 and 32. The control history acquisition unit 111 extracts the control content code information, operation device identification code information, and control target device identification code information included in the acquired control history information and notifies the conversion unit 112.

[0055] The conversion unit 112 converts the control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control target device identification code information notified from the control history acquisition unit 111 into the control content information, the operation device identification name information, and the control target device identification name information, respectively, and stores them in the control actual record storage unit 132. Here, the conversion unit 112 determines the control content information, the operation device identification name information, and the control target device identification name information corresponding to the control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control target device identification code information notified from the control history acquisition unit 111 from the control content information, the operation device identification name information, and the control target device identification name information stored in the main information storage unit 131. Then, the conversion unit 112 stores the determined control content information, the operation device identification name information, and the control target device identification name information in the control actual record storage unit 132. In addition, the transformation unit 112 refers to the manufacturer name information stored in the main information storage unit 131 to determine the manufacturer name information corresponding to the manufacturer code information notified from the control history acquisition unit 111, and stores the determined manufacturer name information in correspondence with the operating device identification name information or the controlled object device identification name information in the control actual record storage unit 132.

[0056] The search condition acquisition unit 113 acquires the search condition information transmitted from the terminal device 7, the search condition information indicating the search condition for searching the control target device identification name information of the control target devices 31 and 32 that can be controlled by the operation devices 51 and 52 operated by the user. Alternatively, the search condition acquisition unit 113 acquires the search condition information indicating the search condition for searching the operation device identification name information of the operation devices 51 and 52 that can control the control target devices 31 and 32 by being operated by the user. Then, the search condition acquisition unit 113 notifies the search unit 114 of the acquired search condition information.

[0057] The search unit 114 searches for at least one of the control target device identification name information of the control target device 32 (31) having "actual records of being controlled by operating the operation device 52 (51) of the same type as the operation device 51 (52) specified by the search condition information" and the control content information indicating the content of the control at that time, based on the search condition information notified from the search condition acquisition unit 113. Alternatively, the search unit 114 searches for at least one of the operation device identification name information of the operation device 52 (51) having "actual records of being operated to control the control target device 32 (31) of the same type as the control target device 31 (32) specified by the search condition information" and the operation content information indicating the content of the control at that time. Alternatively, the search unit 114 searches for the control content information indicating the content of the control performed by the operation device 52 (51) of the same type as the control target device 31 (32) specified by the search condition information. That is, when the search condition information includes the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name information used as the search keyword, the search unit 114 uses the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name information as the search keyword to search the control content information. In addition, when the search condition information only includes the controlled device identification name information used as the search keyword, the search unit 114 uses the controlled device identification name information as the search keyword to search the operating device identification name information and the control content information. In addition, when the search condition information includes the controlled device identification name information and the control content information used as the search keyword, the search unit 114 uses the controlled device identification name information and the control content information as the search keyword to search the operating device identification name information. In addition, when the search condition information only includes the operating device identification name information used as the search keyword, the search unit 114 uses the operating device identification name information as the search keyword to search the controlled device identification name information and the control content information. Furthermore, when the search condition information includes the operation device identification name information and the control content information used as search keywords, the search unit 114 searches for the control target device identification name information using the operation device identification name information and the control content information as search keywords.

[0058] Furthermore, when the search unit 114 does not detect the control target device identification name information when searching for the control target device identification name information of the control target device 32 (31) having "actual records of being controlled by operating the same type of operation device 52 (51) as the operation device 51 (52) operated by the user" based on the above-mentioned search condition information, the search unit 114 searches for the control target device identification name information of the control target device 32 (31) to which the category code information of the control target device 32 (31) is assigned. Furthermore, when the search unit 114 does not detect the control target device identification name information when searching for the control target device identification name information of the control target device 32 (31) to which the category code information of the control target device 32 (31) is assigned, the search unit 114 searches for the control target device identification name information of the control target device 32 (31) to which the category group code information of the control target device 32 (31) is assigned. Then, when the search unit 114 detects at least one of the control object identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information through the search, it notifies the search result notification unit 115 of at least one of the detected control object identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information.

[0059] When at least one of the control target device identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information is notified from the search unit 114, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including the notified control target device identification name information or the operation device identification name information, and transmits it to the terminal device 7. In addition, when the control target device identification name information or the operation device identification name information is not detected by the search unit 114, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including URL information indicating the URL of the website managed by the product list management server 8, and transmits it to the terminal device 7. Here, the URL information indicates, for example, the URL of a homepage on which a list of control target device identification names of the control target devices 31, 32 recommended by their manufacturers for the operation devices 51, 52 is posted, or the URL of a homepage on which a list of operation device identification names for operating the control target devices 31, 32 recommended by their manufacturers for the control target devices 31, 32 is posted.

[0060] Next, regarding the operation of the operating device management system according to this embodiment, refer to Figures 6 to 10B First, Figure 6As shown, when the user performs an operation on the operating device 51, 52 to control the action of the controlled object device 31, 32, the cloud server 21, 22 obtains the operation information sent from the operating device 51, 52 (step S1). Next, the cloud server 21, 22 generates control information for controlling the controlled object device 31, 32 based on the obtained operation content information (step S2). Next, the generated control information is sent from the cloud server 21, 22 to the controlled object device 31, 32 (step S3). On the other hand, when the controlled object device 31, 32 obtains the control information, it starts to act based on the obtained control information (step S4). In addition, the cloud server 21, 22 determines the control content code information representing the content of the control of the controlled object device 31, 32 (step S5). After that, the cloud servers 21 and 22 store the generated control content information in the control history storage unit 231 in correspondence with the operating device 51 and 52 itself or the operating device application started in the operating device 51 and 52, which is the source of the operation content information, and the control object device identification code information of the control object device 31 and 32, which is the destination of the control information (step S6). Next, the cloud servers 21 and 22 generate control history information including the control content code information, the operating device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information stored in the control history storage unit 231 (step S7). Next, the generated control history information is sent from the cloud servers 21 and 22 to the operating device management server 1 (step S8).

[0061] On the other hand, when the operation device management server 1 obtains the control history information, it extracts the control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information contained in the obtained control history information (step S9). After that, the operation device management server 1 refers to the information stored in the main information storage unit 131, converts the extracted control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information into the control content information, the operation device identification name information, and the control object device identification name information, respectively, and stores them in the control actual record storage unit 132 (step S10).

[0062] In addition, it is assumed that the user performs a search preparation operation on the input unit 705 of the terminal device 7 to search for the control target device identification name information of the control target devices 31 and 32 or the operation device identification name information of the operation devices 51 and 52. In this case, the terminal device 7 forms a search screen image for the user to input the search condition and displays it on the display unit 704 (step S11).

[0063] Here, the terminal device 7 uses, for example, Figure 7The search screen image GA1 shown is displayed on the display unit 704. The search screen image GA1 includes: an area A11 for specifying the operation device identification name information "which is used as a keyword when searching for the control content of the control target device 31, 32 or the control target device identification name of the control target device 31, 32"; an area A12 for specifying the control target device identification name "which is used as a search keyword when searching for the control content of the control target device 31, 32 or the operation device identification name of the operation device 51, 52"; and a button image BU13 displayed as "Search" which is selected when performing the search. The area A11 is provided with: a display column B12 for displaying the operation device identification name which is used as a search keyword; an input column B11 for inputting the operation device name which is used as a search keyword; and a button image BU11 which is selected when automatically acquiring the operation device identification name of the operation device 51, 52 connected to the local area network NW21, NW22 to which the terminal device 7 is connected. In addition, area A12 is provided with: a display bar B14 for displaying the name of the control object device which serves as a search keyword; an input bar B13 for inputting the identification name of the control object device which serves as a search keyword; and a button image BU12 which is selected when automatically acquiring the name of the control object device 31, 32 connected to the local area networks NW21, NW22 to which the terminal device 7 is connected.

[0064] Furthermore, in area A11, check box images CHK11 and CHK12 are configured to be selected when the operation device name is not searched as a search keyword. Here, when the check box image CHK11 is selected, the operation device identification name and the control content are searched using the search keyword as the control object device identification name. Also, when the check box image CHK12 is selected, the operation device identification name is searched using the search keyword as the control object device identification name and the control content. Also, in area A12, check box images CHK13 and CHK14 are configured to be selected when the control object device name is not searched as a search keyword. Here, when the check box image CHK13 is selected, the control object device identification name and the control content are searched using the search keyword as the operation device identification name. Also, when the check box image CHK14 is selected, the control object device identification name is searched using the search keyword as the operation device identification name and the control content.

[0065] Here, when the user selects the check box image CHK12 and then the button image BU13 via the input unit 705 while the search screen image GA1 is displayed on the display unit 704, Fig. 8AThe search screen image GA2 shown is displayed on the display unit 704. The search screen image GA2 includes check box images CHK21, CHK22, CHK23, CHK24, CHK25, and CHK26, and a button image BU21 displayed as "Search" which is selected when the search is executed. Here, the check box images CHK21, CHK22, CHK23, CHK24, CHK25, and CHK26 are selected when "power on / off setting", "temperature setting", "automatic temperature setting", "operation mode setting", "cooling mode setting", and "heating mode setting" as the control contents for the control target devices 31 and 32 are respectively adopted as search keywords together with the names of the control target devices. Fig. 8A The example shown shows a case where "power on / off setting", "automatic temperature setting", and "operation mode setting" are used as search keywords.

[0066] In addition, when the user Figure 7 When the search screen image GA1 shown is displayed on the display unit 704, an operation is performed via the input unit 705 to select the check box image CHK14 and then the button image BU13. Figure 8B The search screen image GA3 shown is displayed on the display unit 704. The search screen image GA3 includes check box images CHK31, CHK32, CHK33, CHK34, CHK35, and CHK36, and a button image BU31 displayed as "Search" which is selected when the search is executed. Here, the check box images CHK31, CHK32, CHK33, CHK34, CHK35, and CHK36 are selected when "power on / off setting", "temperature setting", "automatic temperature setting", "operation mode setting", "cooling mode setting", and "heating mode setting" as the control contents for the control target devices 31 and 32 are respectively adopted together with the operating device identification name as search keywords. Figure 8B The example shown shows a case where "power on / off setting", "automatic temperature setting", and "operation mode setting" are used as search keywords.

[0067] Then, if Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the user performs the aforementioned search keyword designation operation and search start operation while the search screen image is displayed on the display unit 704 of the terminal device 7, the terminal device 7 generates the aforementioned search condition information (step S12). Here, the search keyword designation operation is an operation in which the user designates the operating device identification name, control device identification name, and control content used as the search keyword via the input unit 705 while the search screen image is displayed on the display unit 704 of the terminal device 7 as described above. In addition, the search start operation, for example, indicates that Figure 7 The search screen image GA1 shown in the figure is displayed on the display unit 704. The user does not select the check box images CHK11, CHK12, CHK13, and CHK14, or selects the check box images CHK11 and CHK13 and then selects the button image BU13 via the input unit 705. Alternatively, the search start operation is shown in FIG. Fig. 8A The search screen image GA2 shown is displayed on the display unit 704. When the user selects at least one of the check box images CHK21, CHK22, CHK23, CHK24, CHK25, and CHK26 via the input unit 705, the user selects the operation of the button image BU21, or Figure 8B In the state where the search screen image GA3 shown is displayed on the display unit 704 , the user selects at least one of the check box images CHK31 , CHK32 , CHK33 , CHK34 , CHK35 , and CHK36 via the input unit 705 and then operates to select the button image BU31 .

[0068] Assume that the terminal device 7 is, for example, Figure 7 The search screen image GA1 shown in the figure is displayed on the display unit 704, and the user selects the operating device identification name and the controlled device identification name used as the search keyword via the input unit 705, and selects the button image BU13 without selecting any of the check box images CHK11, CHK12, CHK13, and CHK14. In this case, the terminal device 7 generates search condition information including the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name information used as the search keyword. In addition, it is assumed that the terminal device 7 selects Figure 7 In the state where the search screen image GA1 is displayed on the display unit 704, the user selects the control target device identification name adopted as the search keyword via the input unit 705 and selects the check box image CHK11 and then selects the button image BU13. In this case, the terminal device 7 generates search condition information including only the control target device identification name information adopted as the search keyword. And, suppose that the terminal device 7, for example, selects Figure 7 In the state where the search screen image GA1 shown is displayed on the display unit 704, the user selects the operating device identification name used as the search keyword via the input unit 705 and selects the check box image CHK13 and then selects the button image BU13. In this case, the terminal device 7 generates search condition information including only the operating device identification name information used as the search keyword. In addition, it is assumed that the terminal device 7, for example, Fig. 8AIn the state where the search screen image GA2 shown is displayed on the display unit 704, the user selects the control content adopted as the search keyword via the input unit 705 and then selects the button image BU21. In this case, the terminal device 7 generates search condition information including the control object device identification name information and the control content information adopted as the search keyword. And, suppose that the terminal device 7, for example, Figure 8B The search screen image GA3 shown is displayed on the display unit 704, and the user selects the control content used as the search keyword via the input unit 705 and then selects the button image BU31. In this case, the terminal device 7 generates search condition information including the operation device identification name information and the control content information used as the search keyword. Figure 6 Next, the generated search condition information is transmitted from the terminal device 7 to the operating device management server 1 (step S13).

[0069] On the other hand, when the operation device management server 1 obtains the search condition information, it searches for at least one of the control object device identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information based on the obtained search condition information (step S14). Here, the operation device management server 1 searches for the control object device identification name information of the control object device 32 (31) having "actual records of being controlled by operating the operation device 52 (51) of the same type as the operation device 51 (52) operated by the user" based on the search condition information. Alternatively, the operation device management server 1 searches for the operation device identification name information of the operation device 52 (51) having "actual records of being operated to control the control object device 32 (31) of the same type as the control object device 31 (32) that the user wants to control" based on the search condition information. Furthermore, when the operation device management server 1 does not detect the control object device identification name information when searching for the control object device identification name information of the control object device 32 (31) having "actual records of being controlled by operating the operation device 52 (51) of the same type as the operation device 51 (52) operated by the user" based on the search condition information, the control object device identification name information of the control object device 32 (31) to which the category code information of the control object device 32 (31) is assigned is assigned is also searched. Furthermore, when the control object device identification name information of the control object device 32 (31) to which the category code information of the control object device 32 (31) is assigned is assigned is also searched for the control object device identification name information of the control object device 32 (31) to which the category code information of the control object device 32 (31) is assigned is also assigned is also searched for the control object device identification name information of the control object device 32 (31) to which the category group code information of the control object device 32 (31) is assigned is also assigned is also searched.

[0070] Next, when the operation device management server 1 detects at least one of the control object device identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information through the search, it generates search result information including at least one of the detected control object device identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information (step S15). Here, when the operation device management server 1 does not detect any of the control object device identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information through the search, it generates the search result information including the aforementioned URL information. Thereafter, the generated search result information is sent from the operation device management server 1 to the terminal device 7 (step S16).

[0071] On the other hand, when the terminal device 7 obtains the search result information, it extracts at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information contained in the obtained search result information, and based on the extracted control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and at least one of the control content information, it forms a search result display screen image and displays it on the display unit 704 (step S17).

[0072] Here, when the search condition information sent to the operating device management server 1 includes the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name information used as the search keywords, the terminal device 7 obtains the search result information including the control content information detected by searching the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name information as the search keywords. Then, the terminal device 7 forms, for example, Fig. 9A The search result display screen image GA4 shown in the figure is displayed on the display unit 704, and the search result display screen image GA4 includes a message M41 indicating the detected control content information. In addition, when the search condition information sent to the operation device management server 1 only includes the control object device identification name information used as the search keyword, the terminal device 7 obtains the search result information including the operation device identification name information and the control content information detected by searching the control object device identification name information as the search keyword. Then, the terminal device 7 forms, for example, Fig. 9BThe search result display screen image GA5 shown is displayed on the display unit 704, and the search result display screen image GA5 configures the message M51 indicating the operating device identification name information of the detected operating devices 51 and 52, and the messages M52 and M53 indicating the operating device identification name information and the messages M54, M55 and M56 indicating the control content information in a mutually corresponding form, wherein the control content information indicates the content of the control performed in the operating devices 51 and 52 or the operating device application. Furthermore, when the search condition information sent by the terminal device 7 to the operating device management server 1 includes the control object device identification name information and the control content information used as the search keywords, the terminal device 7 obtains the search result information including the operating device identification name information detected by searching the control object device identification name information and the control content information as the search keywords. Then, the terminal device 7 forms, for example, Fig. 9C The search result display screen image GA6 including a message M61 indicating the detected operation device identification name information is displayed on the display unit 704 .

[0073] In addition, when the search condition information sent to the operating device management server 1 includes only the operating device identification name information used as the search keyword, the terminal device 7 obtains the search result information including the control object device identification name information and the control content information detected by searching the operating device identification name information as the search keyword. Then, the terminal device 7 forms, for example, Fig. 10A The search result display screen image GA7 shown is displayed on the display unit 704, and the search result display screen image GA7 arranges messages M71, M72 indicating the detected control object device identification name information and messages M73, M74 indicating the control content information in a form corresponding to each other, wherein the control content information indicates the content of the control performed on each control object device 31, 32. Furthermore, when the search condition information sent to the operating device management server 1 includes the operating device identification name information and the control content information used as search keywords, the terminal device 7 obtains the search result information including the control object device identification name information detected by searching the operating device identification name information and the control content information as search keywords. Then, the terminal device 7 forms, for example, Fig. 10B The search result display screen image GA8 including a message M81 indicating the detected control target device identification name information is displayed on the display unit 704 .

[0074] In addition, when the acquired search result information includes the URL information of the website managed by the product list management server 8, the terminal device 7 extracts the URL information from the search result information, and acquires the web page information from the product list management server 8 based on the extracted URL information. Then, the terminal device 7 forms a web page image based on the acquired web page information, and displays it on the display unit 704. The web page image contains a list of control target device identification names recommended by the manufacturer of the operation device application, or a list of operation device identification names recommended by the manufacturer of the control target devices 31 and 32.

[0075] Next, regarding the device control processing performed by the cloud servers 21 and 22 according to the present embodiment to control the control target devices 31 and 32 based on the operation content information acquired from the operation devices 51 and 52, refer to Fig.11 to illustrate. In addition, the device control processing is started when a program for executing the device control processing is started in the cloud servers 21 and 22. First, the device control unit 211 determines whether the operation content information sent from the operating devices 51 and 52 is obtained (step S201). Here, as long as the device control unit 211 determines that the operation content information has not been obtained (step S201: "No"), it repeats the process of step S201. On the other hand, when the device control unit 211 determines that the operation content information has been obtained (step S201: "Yes"), it generates control information for controlling the control object devices 31 and 32 based on the obtained operation content information and sends it to the control object devices 31 and 32 (step S202). Next, the device control unit 211 determines the control content code information corresponding to the generated control information (step S203). Next, the device control unit 211 stores the determined control content code information, the operation device identification code information of the operation device 51, 52 itself or the operation device application started in the operation device 51, 52 or the operation device identification code information of the operation device 51, 52, and the control object device identification code information of the control object device 31, 32 as the transmission destination of the control information in the control history storage unit 231 in correspondence with each other. After that, the control history notification unit 212 generates control history information including the control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information stored in the control history storage unit 231, and sends the generated control history information to the operation device management server 1 (step S205). Then, the process of step S201 is executed again.

[0076] Next, regarding the operation device management process executed by the operation device management server 1 according to the present embodiment, refer to Fig.12To explain. In addition, the operation device management process is started when the program for executing the operation device management process is started in the operation device management server 1. First, the control history acquisition unit 111 determines whether the control history information sent from the cloud servers 21 and 22 is obtained (step S101). Here, when the control history acquisition unit 111 determines that the control history information has not been obtained (step S101: "No"), it performs the processing of step S104 described later. On the other hand, when the control history acquisition unit 111 determines that the control history information has been obtained (step S101: "Yes"), it extracts the control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information contained in the obtained control history information (step S102). Next, the conversion unit 112 refers to the information stored in the main information storage unit 131, and converts the extracted control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information into the control content information, the operation device identification name information, and the control object device identification name information, respectively, and stores them in the control actual record storage unit 132 (step S103).

[0077] Next, the search condition acquisition unit 113 determines whether the search condition information sent from the terminal device 7 is acquired (step S104). Here, when the search condition acquisition unit 113 determines that the search condition information is not acquired (step S104: "No"), the process of step S101 is performed again. On the other hand, suppose that the search condition acquisition unit 113 determines that the search condition information is acquired (step S104: "Yes"). In this case, the search unit 114 searches for at least one of the control object device identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information based on the acquired search condition information (step S105). Here, the search unit 114 performs a search using the operation device identification name information, the control object device identification name information, and the control content information contained in the search condition information as search keywords. Thereafter, the search unit 114 determines whether at least one of the operation device identification name information, the control object device identification name information, and the control content information is detected as a result of the search (step S106). Here, it is assumed that the search unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is detected (step S106: "Yes"). In this case, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including at least one of the detected controlled device identification name information, the operating device identification name information, and the control content information, and sends it to the terminal device 7 (step S107), and the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0078] On the other hand, it is assumed that the search unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is not detected (step S106: "No"). In this case, the search unit 114 refers to the category information stored in the main information storage unit 131, and determines the category information corresponding to the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name information used as the search keyword (step S108). Next, the search unit 114 retrieves the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name corresponding to the determined category information from the various information stored in the control actual record storage unit 132 (step S109). Next, the search unit 114 determines whether at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is detected as a result of the search (step S110). Here, it is assumed that the search unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is detected (step S110: "Yes"). In this case, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including at least one of the detected control target device identification name information, operation device identification name information, and control content information and sends it to the terminal device 7 (step S111), and executes the processing of step S101 again.

[0079] On the other hand, it is assumed that the search unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is not detected (step S110: "No"). In this case, the search unit 114 refers to the category group information stored in the main information storage unit 131, and determines the category group information corresponding to the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name information used as the search keyword (step S112). Thereafter, the search unit 114 searches for the operating device identification name information and the controlled device identification name corresponding to the determined category group information from the various information stored in the control actual record storage unit 132 (step S113). Next, the search unit 114 determines whether at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is detected as a result of the search (step S114). Here, it is assumed that the search unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is detected (step S114: "Yes"). In this case, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including at least one of the detected control target device identification name information, operation device identification name information, and control content information and sends it to the terminal device 7 (step S115), and executes the processing of step S101 again.

[0080] On the other hand, suppose that the search unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is not detected (step S114: No). In this case, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including URL information indicating the URL of the website managed by the product list management server 8 and sends it to the terminal device 7 (step S116). Then, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0081] As described above, according to the operation device management system according to the present embodiment, the search unit 114 searches for at least one of the control target device identification name information of the control target device 31, 32 that can be controlled by the operation device 51, 52 operated by the user, the operation device identification name information of the operation device 51, 52 that can control the control target device by being operated by the user, and the control content information indicating the control content actually recorded in the control target device based on the search condition information. In addition, when at least one of the control target device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information is detected, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including at least one of the detected control target device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information, and transmits it to the terminal device 7. As a result, with respect to the operation device 51, 52 or the control target device 31, 32 held by the user, the operation device 51, 52 or the control target device 31, 32 that has an actual record of the combination of the operation device 51, 52 and the control target device 31, 32 when the control target device 31, 32 was operated in the past can be presented to the user. Therefore, the user can appropriately grasp the operating device 51 , 52 most suitable for operating the control target device 31 , 32 possessed by the user, or the control target device 31 , 32 most suitable for controlling by operating the operating device 51 , 52 possessed by the user.

[0082] In addition, in recent years, a technology for controlling the control target devices 31 and 32 from the cloud servers 21 and 22 via the wide area network NW1 as described above has been provided. Alternatively, a technology is also provided in which an operation device application is started with a smartphone, and the control device 31 and 32 is directly operated using the smartphone, or the control target device 31 and 32 is operated via a control device connected to the local area network NW21 and NW22 to which the control target device 31 and 32 is connected. In addition, the manufacturers of a plurality of control target devices 31 and 32 or operation devices 51 and 52 provide control target devices 31 and 32 or operation devices 51 and 52 in accordance with a standardized communication standard such as EchonetLite (registered trademark), and the operation devices 51 and 52 provided by a manufacturer different from the manufacturer of the control target devices 31 and 32 are allowed to be used as the operation devices 51 and 52 for operating the control target devices 31 and 32. In addition, regarding the operation device application started in the operation device 51 and 52, new functions are sometimes added or old functions are deleted through version updates. Therefore, a means is required that allows a user to easily understand the so-called compatibility between the operating devices 51 and 52 and the control target devices 31 and 32 .

[0083] In this regard, according to the operating device management system involved in this embodiment, the operating devices 51, 52 or controlled object devices 31, 32 having "actual records of the combination of the operating devices 51, 52 and the controlled object devices 31, 32 when operations were performed on the controlled object devices 31, 32 in the past" are presented to the user, thereby having the following advantage: the user can appropriately grasp the combination of the operating devices 51, 52 having actual records in the past and the controlled object devices 31, 32 as a so-called highly compatible combination.

[0084] In addition, the control actual record storage unit 132 involved in this embodiment stores the category information indicating the category to which the control object devices 31 and 32 belong when classified based on the model of the control object devices, in correspondence with the control object device identification name information of the corresponding control object devices 31 and 32. Moreover, when the search unit 114 searches for at least one of the operation device identification name information and the control object device identification name information based on the search condition information, if both the operation device identification name information and the control object device identification name information are not detected, the search unit 114 searches for the operation device identification name information and the control object device identification name information to which the category information of at least one of the operation device identification name information and the control object device identification name information corresponding to the search object is assigned. As a result, the user saves the trouble of re-setting the operation device identification name information or the control object device identification name information used as the search keyword, so the user's operation burden is reduced accordingly.

[0085] Furthermore, when the control target device identification name information or the operating device identification name information is not detected, the search result notification unit 115 according to the present embodiment transmits the inspection result notification information including the URL information indicating the URL of the website managed by the preset product list management server 8 to the terminal device 7. Thus, the user can save the trouble of searching for the website where the related product list is posted when the control target device identification name information or the operating device identification name information is not detected.

[0086] The above describes the embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the user may be able to select category information indicating the category to which the operating device 51, 52 or the controlled object device 31, 32 belongs, or category group information indicating the category group as a search keyword. Moreover, the search unit 114 may also use at least one of all the operating devices 51, 52 and all the controlled object devices 31, 32 belonging to the selected category as a search keyword to search for at least one of the control content information, the operating device identification name information, and the controlled object device identification name information. For example, when the category to which the operating devices 51, 52 belong is selected, the search unit 114 uses all the operating devices 51, 52 belonging to the selected category as a search keyword to search for at least one of the control content information and the controlled object device name information.

[0087] In this variant, the terminal device 7 may also be configured as follows: Fig.13 The search screen image GA3001 shown is displayed on the display unit 704. Fig.13 The same structure as in the embodiment is added with Figure 7 The search screen image GA3001 has button images BU3013 and BU3014, which are selected when the pop-up menu image PM3001 for selecting the search keyword is to be displayed, arranged at the left ends of the input field B11 for inputting the name of the operating device which is the search keyword and the input field B13 for inputting the identification name of the control object device which is the search keyword. Then, when the user selects the button images BU3013 and BU3014 via the input unit 705 while the terminal device 7 is displaying the search screen image GA3001 on the display unit 704, the pop-up menu image PM3001 is displayed. Fig.13 In the example shown, category names indicating the categories to which the control object devices 31 and 32 belong, such as "household air conditioner", "ventilating fan", "commercial air conditioner", "air purifier", and "EV charger and discharger", as well as category group names indicating category groups, such as "air conditioning equipment" and "residential machinery and equipment", are pre-registered in the pop-up menu image PM3001.

[0088] According to this configuration, since it is possible to perform a search in units of the categories or category groups to which the operating devices 51 and 52 or the controlled devices 31 and 32 belong, the efficiency of the user's search operation can be improved.

[0089] In the embodiment, the following example is described: the conversion unit 112 converts the control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information into the control content information, the operation device identification name information, and the control object device identification name information, respectively, and stores them in the control actual record storage unit 132, and the search unit 114 searches for at least one of the control object device identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information based on the search condition information. However, it is not limited to this, and it can also be that the search unit searches for at least one of the control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information based on the search condition information, and the conversion unit converts at least one of the control content code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control object device identification code information detected by the search unit into the control content information, the operation device identification name information, or the control object device identification name information.

[0090] like Fig.14 As shown, the operation device management server 4001 involved in this modification has the same hardware structure as the operation device management server 1 described in the embodiment, and functions as a control history acquisition unit 4111, a conversion unit 4112, a search condition acquisition unit 4113, a search unit 4114, and a search result notification unit 115. Fig.14 In the embodiment, the same structure as in the embodiment is added with Figure 3 The operating device management server 4001 has a main information storage unit 131 and a control actual record storage unit 4132. The control actual record storage unit 4132 is, for example, Fig.15 As shown, the control content code information representing the control content performed on the control object devices 31, 32 in the past by operating the operating devices 51, 52 is stored together with the operating device identification code information of the corresponding operating devices 51, 52 and the control object device identification code information of the control object devices 31, 32 in correspondence with the category code information and the category group code information.

[0091] Return to Fig.14 The control history acquisition unit 4111 acquires the control history information sent from the cloud servers 21 and 22, extracts the control content code information, the operating device identification code information and the controlled object device identification code information contained in the acquired control history information, and stores them in correspondence with the control actual record storage unit 4132.

[0092] When acquiring the search condition information transmitted from the terminal device 7 , the search condition acquisition unit 4113 notifies the conversion unit 4112 of the acquired search condition information.

[0093] When the conversion unit 4112 obtains the search condition information from the search condition acquisition unit 4113, it refers to the information stored in the main information storage unit 131 and converts at least one of the operation device identification name information, the control target device identification name information and the control content information used as the search keyword contained in the search condition information into the operation device identification code information, the control target device identification code information and the control content code information. Then, the conversion unit 4112 notifies the search unit 4114 of the operation device identification code information, the control target device identification code information and the control content code information. In addition, when the conversion unit 4112 is notified of at least one of the operation device identification code information, the control target device identification code information and the control content code information detected by the search unit 4114 from the search unit 4114, it refers to the information stored in the main information storage unit 131 and converts at least one of the notified operation device identification code information, the control target device identification code information and the control content code information into the operation device identification name information, the control target device identification name information and the control content information. Then, the conversion unit 4112 notifies the search result notification unit 115 of the operation device identification name information, the control target device identification name information, and the control content information.

[0094] The search unit 4114 searches for the control target device identification code information of the control target device 32 (31) having "actual records of being controlled by operating the operation device 52 (51) of the same type as the operation device 51 (52) operated by the user" based on at least one of the operation device identification code information, the control target device identification code information, and the control content code information used as the search keyword notified from the conversion unit 4112. Alternatively, the search unit 4114 searches for the operation device identification code information of the operation device 52 (51) itself or the operation device application having "actual records of being operated to control the control target device 32 (31) of the same type as the control target device 31 (32) that the user wants to control". Alternatively, the search unit 4114 searches for the control content code information indicating the content of control that the "control target device 32 (31) of the same type as the control target device 31 (32) that the user wants to control" is controlled by the "operating device 52 (51) of the same type as the operation device 51 (52) operated by the user". Then, when the retrieval unit 4114 detects at least one of the control object identification code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control content code information through the retrieval, it notifies the transformation unit 4112 of at least one of the detected control object identification code information, the operation device identification code information, and the control content code information.

[0095] When the search result notification unit 115 is notified of at least one of the control object device identification name information, the operation device identification name information, and the control content information from the transformation unit 4112, it generates search result information including the notified control object device identification name information or the operation device identification name information and sends it to the terminal device 7.

[0096] Next, regarding the operation device management process executed by the operation device management server 4001 according to this modification, refer to Fig.16 In addition, Fig.16 In the operation device management process shown in the figure, the same process as in the embodiment is added with Fig.12 The same symbol. First, the control history acquisition unit 4111 determines whether the control history information sent from the cloud servers 21 and 22 is acquired (step S101). Here, when the control history acquisition unit 4111 determines that the control history information is not acquired (step S101: "No"), the processing of step S104 described later is performed. On the other hand, when the control history acquisition unit 4111 determines that the control history information is acquired (step S101: "Yes"), the control content code information, the operating device identification code information, and the controlled object device identification code information contained in the acquired control history information are extracted and stored in the control actual record storage unit 4132 (step S4101).

[0097] Next, the search condition acquisition unit 4113 determines whether the search condition information transmitted from the terminal device 7 is acquired (step S104). Here, when the search condition acquisition unit 4113 determines that the search condition information is not acquired (step S104: "No"), the process of step S101 is performed again. On the other hand, suppose that the search condition acquisition unit 4113 determines that the search condition information is acquired (step S104: "Yes"). In this case, the conversion unit 4112 refers to the information stored in the main information storage unit 131, and converts at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled object device identification name information, and the control content information used as the search keyword contained in the acquired search condition information into the operating device identification code information, the controlled object device identification code information, and the control content code information (step S4102). Next, the search unit 4114 searches for at least one of the control target device identification code information, the control target device identification code information, and the control content code information based on at least one of the operation device identification code information, the control target device identification code information, and the control content code information used as the search keyword notified from the conversion unit 4112 (step S105). After that, the search unit 4114 determines whether at least one of the operation device identification name information, the control target device identification name information, and the control content information is detected as a result of the search (step S106). Here, it is assumed that the search unit 4114 determines that at least one of the operation device identification name information, the control target device identification name information, and the control content information is detected (step S106: "Yes"). In this case, the conversion unit 4112 refers to the information stored in the main information storage unit 131 and converts the detected at least one of the operation device identification code information, the control target device identification code information, and the control content code information into the operation device identification name information, the control target device identification name information, and the control content information. Then, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including at least one of the detected control target device identification name information, operation device identification name information, and control content information and transmits it to the terminal device 7 (step S4103), and executes the processing of step S101 again.

[0098] On the other hand, it is assumed that the search unit 4114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification code information, the controlled device identification code information, and the control content code information is not detected (step S106: "No"). In this case, a series of processes from step S108 to S110 are performed. Then, it is assumed that the search unit 4114 determines in step S110 that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is detected (step S110: "Yes"). In this case, the conversion unit 4112 refers to the information stored in the main information storage unit 131 and converts at least one of the detected operating device identification code information, the controlled device identification code information, and the control content code information into the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information. Then, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including at least one of the converted control object device identification name information, the operating device identification name information, and the control content information and transmits it to the terminal device 7 (step S4104), and the process of step S101 is performed again.

[0099] On the other hand, it is assumed that the search unit 4114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information is not detected (step S110: No). In this case, a series of processes from step S112 to S114 are executed. Then, it is assumed that the search unit 4114 determines in step S114 that at least one of the operating device identification code information, the controlled device identification code information, and the control content code information is detected (step S114: Yes). In this case, the conversion unit 4112 refers to the information stored in the main information storage unit 131 and converts at least one of the detected operating device identification code information, the controlled device identification code information, and the control content code information into the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information. In this case, the search result notification unit 115 generates search result information including at least one of the detected controlled device identification name information, the operating device identification name information, and the control content information and transmits it to the terminal device 7 (step S4105), and the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0100] On the other hand, when the search unit 4114 determines that at least one of the operating device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, and the control content information has not been detected (step S114: No), the process of step S116 is executed.

[0101] According to this configuration, only the operation device identification code information, the controlled device identification code information, or the control content code information detected by the search unit 4114 is converted into the operation device identification name information, the controlled device identification name information, or the control content information. This can reduce the amount of operation device identification code information, the controlled device identification code information, or the control content code information to be converted, and thus can reduce the load of the conversion process performed by the conversion unit 4112 accordingly.

[0102] In the embodiment, the terminal device 7 may also include an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the operating device identification name information of all operating devices 51 and 52 connected to the local area network NW21 and NW22 to which the terminal device 7 is connected, or the operating device identification name information of all operating device applications activated in the operating devices 51 and 52, and the control target device identification name information of all control target devices 31 and 32. Moreover, when the identification information acquisition unit acquires the operating device identification name information or the operating device identification name information and the control target device identification name information, the search condition notification unit 714 may generate search condition information using the acquired various information as search keywords and send the information to the operating device management server 1. Alternatively, the identification information acquisition unit may acquire the operating device identification code information of the operating devices 51 and 52 connected to the local area network NW21 and NW22 to which the terminal device 7 is connected, and the control target device identification code information of the control target devices 31 and 32.

[0103] According to this configuration, the user can save the trouble of inputting the operation device identification name, application identification name, control target device identification name, etc., which serve as search keywords, thereby making the user's search work more efficient.

[0104] In addition, the various functions of the operating device management server 1, 4001, cloud servers 21, 22, and terminal device 7 involved in the present disclosure do not rely on a dedicated system and can be implemented using a common computer system. For example, the program for performing the above-mentioned actions can also be saved in a non-temporary recording medium (CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) etc.) readable by the computer system and distributed to a computer connected to the network, and the program can be installed in the computer system, thereby constituting the operating device management server 1, 4001, cloud servers 21, 22, and terminal device 7 that perform the above-mentioned processing.

[0105] In addition, the method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program can also be uploaded to a bulletin board (BBS (Bulletin Board System)) of a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. Then, the computer starts the program and executes the program in the same way as other applications under the control of the OS (Operating System). As a result, the computer functions as the operating device management server 1, 4001, cloud servers 21, 22, and terminal device 7 that execute the above-mentioned processing.

[0106] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these. The present disclosure includes a configuration in which the embodiments and modifications are appropriately combined, and a configuration in which the embodiments and modifications are appropriately changed.

[0107] Industrial Applicability

[0108] The present disclosure is suitable as an operating device management system having a function of presenting compatibility between an operating device and a control target device that is controlled by operating the operating device.

[0109] (Explanation of Reference Numerals)

[0110] 1, 4001: operation device management server; 7: terminal device; 8: product list management server; 21, 22: cloud server; 31, 32: control target device; 41, 42: BBR; 51, 52: operation device; 101, 201, 701: CPU; 102, 202, 702: main storage unit; 103, 203, 703: auxiliary storage unit; 106, 206, 706: communication unit; 109, 209, 709: bus; 111, 4111: control history acquisition unit; 112, 4 112: conversion unit; 113, 4113: search condition acquisition unit; 114, 4114: search unit; 115: search result notification unit; 131: main information storage unit; 132, 4132: control actual record storage unit; 211: device control unit; 212: control history notification unit; 231: control history storage unit; 704: display unit; 705: input unit; 711: receiving unit; 712: image forming unit; 713: display control unit; 714: search condition notification unit; 715: search result acquisition unit; 716: Web page information acquisition unit; 721: display screen storage unit; 731: search result storage unit; 732: image storage unit; A11, A12: area; B11, B13: input field; B12, B14: display field; BU11, BU12, BU13, BU21, BU31, BU3013, BU3014: button image; CHK11, CHK12, CHK13, CHK14, CHK21, CHK22, CHK23, CHK24, CHK25, CHK26, CHK31 , CHK32, CHK33, CHK34, CHK35, CHK36: check box images; GA1, GA2, GA3, GA3001: search screen images; GA4, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA8: search result display screen images; M41, M51, M52, M53, M54, M55, M56, M61, M71, M72, M73, M74, M81: messages; NW1: wide area network; NW21, NW22: local area network; PM3001: pop-up menu image

Claims

1. An operating equipment management system, comprising: Terminal device; a control actual record storage unit for storing control content information indicating the content of control respectively performed on at least one control target device by operating the operating device in the past, operating device identification information for identifying the operating device being operated, and control target device identification information for identifying the at least one control target device on which the control was performed, in correspondence with each other; a search condition acquisition unit that acquires search condition information indicating a search condition transmitted from the terminal device, the search condition being used to search for at least one of control target device identification information of a control target device that can be controlled by an operation device operated by a user, operation device identification information of an operation device that can control the control target device by being operated by a user, and control content information indicating a content of control actually recorded in the control target device; a retrieval unit that retrieves at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information stored in the control actual record storage unit based on the retrieval condition information; as well as The search result notification unit, when detecting at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information, generates search result information including at least one of the detected control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information and sends it to the terminal device.

2. The operating equipment management system according to claim 1, wherein: The search condition information includes at least one of the operating device identification information, the controlled device identification information, and the control content information adopted as a search keyword.

3. The operating equipment management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control record storage unit further stores category information indicating the category to which the control target device belongs when the control target device is classified based on the model of the control target device, in association with the control target device identification information.

4. The operating equipment management system according to claim 3, wherein: When the retrieval unit fails to detect the operating device identification information and the controlled device identification information when searching at least one of the operating device identification information and the controlled device identification information based on the retrieval condition information, it searches for the operating device identification information of the operating device and the controlled device identification information of the controlled device that belong to the same category as the category to which the operating device and at least one of the controlled device that are the retrieval objects belong.

5. The operating equipment management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the control target device identification information or the operation device identification information is detected, the search result notification unit transmits URL information indicating a preset URL to the terminal device.

6. The operating equipment management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Also available: a device control unit that, when acquiring operation content information indicating the content of the operation performed by the user on the operation device from the operation device, controls the at least one control target device based on the acquired operation content information; a control history acquisition unit that acquires control history information, the control history information including control content information representing control content of the at least one control target device in a first representation format, operation device identification information represented in the first representation format for identifying the operation device operated by the user, and control target device identification information represented in the first representation format for identifying the at least one control target device; as well as A conversion unit converts the control content information, the operating device identification information and the controlled object device identification information contained in the control history information into the control content information, the operating device identification information and the controlled object device identification information represented in a second form different from the first form and stores them in the control actual record storage unit.

7. The operating equipment management system according to claim 2, wherein: Also available: a device control unit that, when acquiring operation content information indicating the content of the operation performed by the user on the operation device from the operation device, controls the at least one control target device based on the acquired operation content information; a control history acquisition unit that acquires control history information, the control history information including control content information representing control content of the at least one control target device in a first representation format, operation device identification information represented in the first representation format for identifying the operation device operated by the user, and control target device identification information represented in the first representation format for identifying the at least one control target device; as well as a conversion unit that, when the control target device identification information or the operating device identification information is detected by the search unit, converts the detected control target device identification information or the operating device identification information into the operating device identification information or the control target device identification information represented in a second representation format different from the first representation format, The control record storage unit stores the control content information, the operating device identification information, and the controlled device identification information in the first representation format in correspondence with each other. The search unit searches for the control target device identification information or the operation device identification information expressed in the first expression form based on the search condition information including the operation device identification information expressed in the first expression form or the control target device identification information expressed in the first expression form and the control content information. The search result notification unit transmits the operating device identification information or the controlled device identification information expressed in the second representation format after being converted by the conversion unit to the terminal device.

8. The operating equipment management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The terminal device comprises: an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the operating device identification information of the operating device connected to the local area network to which the terminal device is connected and the control target device identification information of the control target device connected to the local area network; as well as The search condition notification unit generates and transmits the search condition information including at least one of the acquired operation device identification information and the control target device identification information.

9. An operating equipment management device, comprising: a control actual record storage unit for storing control content information indicating the content of control respectively performed on at least one control target device by operating the operating device in the past, operating device identification information for identifying the operating device being operated, and control target device identification information for identifying the at least one control target device on which the control was performed, in correspondence with each other; a search condition acquisition unit that acquires search condition information indicating a search condition transmitted from a terminal device, the search condition being used to search for at least one of control target device identification information of a control target device that can be controlled by an operation device operated by a user, operation device identification information of an operation device that can control the control target device by being operated by a user, and control content information indicating a content of control actually recorded in the control target device; a retrieval unit that retrieves at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information stored in the control actual record storage unit based on the retrieval condition information; as well as The search result notification unit, when detecting at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information, generates search result information including at least one of the detected control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information and sends it to the terminal device.

10. A method for operating equipment management, comprising: A step of causing control content information indicating the content of control respectively performed on at least one control target device by operating the operating device in the past, operating device identification information for identifying the operating device being operated, and control target device identification information for identifying the at least one control target device on which the control was performed to be stored in a control actual record storage unit in correspondence with each other; A step of acquiring search condition information indicating a search condition transmitted from a terminal device, the search condition being used to search for at least one of control target device identification information of a control target device that can be controlled by an operation device operated by a user, operation device identification information of an operation device that can control the control target device by being operated by a user, and control content information indicating a content of control actually recorded in the control target device; With respect to the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information stored in the control actual record storage unit, a step of retrieving at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information based on the search condition information; as well as The step of generating retrieval result information including at least one of the detected control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information and sending the retrieval result information to the terminal device when at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information is detected.

11. A program for causing a computer to function as: a control actual record storage unit for storing control content information indicating the content of control respectively performed on at least one control target device by operating the operating device in the past, operating device identification information for identifying the operating device being operated, and control target device identification information for identifying the at least one control target device on which the control was performed, in correspondence with each other; a search condition acquisition unit that acquires search condition information indicating a search condition transmitted from a terminal device, the search condition being used to search for at least one of control target device identification information of a control target device that can be controlled by an operation device operated by a user, operation device identification information of an operation device that can control the control target device by being operated by a user, and control content information indicating a content of control actually recorded in the control target device; a retrieval unit that retrieves at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information, and the control content information stored in the control actual record storage unit based on the retrieval condition information; The search result notification unit, when detecting at least one of the control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information, generates search result information including at least one of the detected control object device identification information, the operation device identification information and the control content information and sends it to the terminal device.

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