Home system, control device, faucet system, diagnosis result identification device, terminal device, diagnosis result identification method, and diagnosis result identification program

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a home system including: a residential device; a terminal device; a control device that controls the residential device and is capable of near field wireless communication with the terminal device; and a diagnosis result identification device that is capable of communication with the terminal device, that acquires a device diagnosis result from the terminal device based on near field wireless communication with the control device, and that acquires the device diagnosis result from the terminal device and identifies the device diagnosis result acquired from the terminal device using temporarily valid simple identification information associated with the acquired device diagnosis result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to home systems, control devices, faucet systems, diagnostic result recognition devices, terminal devices, diagnostic result recognition methods, and diagnostic result recognition procedures. This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2024-030796, filed on February 29, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] The number of residential devices capable of connecting to the internet is increasing. Smart home systems have been proposed that utilize internet-connected residential devices to provide users with comfortable and convenient functions.

[0003] For residential devices connected to the internet, external communication devices can obtain information such as usage records of the residential devices via the internet. A method for connecting internet-connected residential devices to call center staff terminals has been proposed (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0004] Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-218810 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] When a user makes a consultation with the call center regarding a residential device via telephone or other means, even if the call center staff's terminal is able to obtain the information needed for support from the residential device, the user themselves cannot determine the residential device or the information obtained from it, and there is a situation where communication with the call center staff takes time.

[0008] In view of the above, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a home system, control device, faucet system, diagnostic result recognition device, terminal device, diagnostic result recognition method, and diagnostic result recognition program, which enable users, call center staff, and others to easily determine information obtained from residential equipment via the Internet.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] The home system of the first embodiment of this disclosure includes: residential equipment; a terminal device; a control device that controls the residential equipment and is capable of short-range wireless communication with the terminal device; and a diagnostic result identification device that is capable of communicating with the terminal device. The terminal device obtains device diagnostic results based on the short-range wireless communication with the control device, and the diagnostic result identification device obtains the device diagnostic results from the terminal device and identifies the device diagnostic results obtained from the terminal device using temporarily valid simplified identification information associated with the obtained device diagnostic results.

[0011] The control device of the second embodiment of this disclosure includes: a control unit for controlling residential equipment; and a communication unit capable of short-range wireless communication with a terminal device. The control unit generates a device diagnostic result based on an instruction from the terminal device, and the communication unit sends the device diagnostic result to a diagnostic result identification device via the terminal device. The diagnostic result identification device identifies the device diagnostic result using temporarily valid simplified identification information associated with the device diagnostic result.

[0012] The diagnostic result recognition device of the third embodiment of this disclosure can communicate with a terminal device, wherein the device diagnostic result is obtained from the terminal device, and the device diagnostic result is recognized using temporarily valid simplified identification information associated with the obtained device diagnostic result.

[0013] The terminal device of the fourth embodiment of this disclosure obtains device diagnostic results based on short-range wireless communication with a control device that controls residential equipment, and sends the device diagnostic results to a diagnostic result identification device, which identifies the device diagnostic results using temporarily valid simplified identification information associated with the device diagnostic results.

[0014] The diagnostic result identification method of the fifth aspect of this disclosure identifies device diagnostic results obtained from a control device that controls residential equipment, wherein the device diagnostic results are obtained based on short-range wireless communication with the control device, and the device diagnostic results are identified using temporary and valid simplified identification information associated with the obtained device diagnostic results.

[0015] The diagnostic result identification procedure of the sixth embodiment of this disclosure identifies device diagnostic results obtained from a control device that controls residential equipment, wherein the device diagnostic results are obtained based on short-range wireless communication with the control device, and the device diagnostic results are identified using temporary, valid, simplified identification information associated with the obtained device diagnostic results. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a home system according to one implementation method.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of the control device for the home system.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram of the smartphone in this home system.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a sequence diagram representing the operation of the home system.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a sequence diagram representing other actions of the home system. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Reference Figures 1 to 5 A home system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0022] [Home System 100] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall structure of home system 100.

[0023] The home system 100 includes residential equipment 1, control devices 2, access points 3, smartphones 4, device management servers 5, user management servers 6, EC servers 7, and call center servers 8. Access points 3, smartphones 4, device management servers 5, user management servers 6, EC servers 7, and call center servers 8 are connected via a network NW.

[0024] The network NW can be a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN) within a building where the home system 100 is installed, or a combination of both. Furthermore, the network NW can be wired or wireless communication. Access points and other devices may also be present in the communication between the various devices.

[0025] [Residential Equipment 1] Residential equipment 1 is a device installed in a residential building (HO) as an appliance, such as a faucet appliance 1A or a toilet appliance 1B. Residential equipment 1 includes at least: building materials such as roller blinds, doors, windows, and keys; cameras such as outdoor cameras and indoor cameras; energy management devices such as distribution panels and solar power generation devices; and sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors and human sensors. Residential buildings (HOs) where residential equipment 1 is installed include not only buildings used for residential purposes but also buildings not used for residential purposes such as offices, schools, and hospitals. Residential equipment 1 has a manual control input mechanism that accepts manual control instructions from the user and a remote control input mechanism that accepts remote control instructions from control devices 2, etc. For example, the control instructions accepted by faucet appliance 1A include instructions for water flow, water stop, temperature adjustment, flow rate adjustment, and a series of instructions combining these. The home system 100 that includes faucet appliance 1A as residential equipment 1 is referred to as a "faucet system".

[0026] [Control device 2] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of control device 2.

[0027] The control device 2 controls the operation of the residential equipment 1. The control device 2 is provided for each residential equipment 1. The control device 2 can be installed inside the residential equipment 1 and become an integral part of it. The control device 2 includes a control unit 21, a wireless communication unit 22, and a recording unit 23.

[0028] The control unit 21 is a computer capable of executing programs, and includes a processor such as a CPU, a memory capable of loading programs, a storage unit capable of storing programs and data, and an input / output control unit. The functions of the control unit 21 are implemented by the processor executing the programs provided to the control unit 21.

[0029] The control unit 21 controls the residential equipment 1 based on control instructions obtained via the wireless communication unit 22. Furthermore, the control unit 21 obtains the usage records (log) of the residential equipment 1 and stores these records in the recording unit 23 as part of the user association information 25. Additionally, the control unit 21 obtains status information that allows it to monitor the usage status of consumables on the residential equipment 1 and stores this status information in the recording unit 23 as part of the user association information 25. Finally, the control unit 21 controls the wireless communication unit 22 to conduct wireless communication with the access point 3 and the smartphone 4.

[0030] The wireless communication unit 22 includes an antenna and has the functions of communicating via wireless LAN communication (WC1) such as WiFi and short-range wireless communication (WC2) such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark). The wireless communication unit 22 can communicate with the access point 3 via wireless LAN communication (WC1) based on the instructions of the control unit 21. The wireless communication unit 22 can also communicate with the wireless communication unit 42 of the smartphone 4 via short-range wireless communication (WC2) based on the instructions of the control unit 21.

[0031] The recording unit 23 includes storage media such as hard disks and flash memory. The recording unit 23 records user authentication codes 24, user association information 25, and wireless connection information 26.

[0032] User authentication code 24 is a unique code assigned to a user in the home system 100, used to authenticate the user within the home system 100. User authentication code 24 may be, for example, a combination of a user ID and a password corresponding to that user ID, or a token generated based on the user ID.

[0033] User association information 25 is information associated with the user of residential equipment 1. User association information 25 includes usage records (logs) of residential equipment 1 and status information that allows monitoring the usage status of consumables of residential equipment 1. For example, the status information in faucet device 1A is the amount of water used or the usage time of faucet device 1A, etc.

[0034] The wireless connection information 26 includes wireless connection information required for communication between the wireless LAN communication WC1 and the access point 3, such as a combination of the WiFi SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and the password corresponding to the SSID.

[0035] Wireless connection information 26 contains wireless connection information required for communication with smartphone 4 via short-range wireless communication WC2, such as pairing information for Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0036] [Access Point 3] Access point 3 is located in the residential building HO and has the function of communicating via wireless LAN communication (WC1) such as WiFi. Access point 3 communicates with control device 2 via wireless LAN communication (WC1). In addition, the communication between access point 3 and control device 2 via wireless LAN communication (WC1) is relayed to network NW via gateway GW.

[0037] Multiple access points 3 can be set up in a residential HO. Each access point 3 can have a repeater 31 for wireless LAN communication (WC1). Communication between the access point 3 and the control device 2 via the wireless LAN communication (WC1) can be carried out through the repeater 31.

[0038] [Smartphone 4] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram of smartphone 4.

[0039] Smartphone 4 is an example of a portable terminal or terminal device. Portable terminals and terminal devices are not limited to smartphone 4; for example, they could be mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, personal computers, etc. Smartphone 4 includes a control unit 41, a wireless communication unit 42, a touch panel 43, a camera 44, and a microphone 45.

[0040] The control unit 41 is a computer capable of executing programs, and includes a processor such as a CPU, a memory capable of loading programs, a storage unit capable of storing programs and data, and an input / output control unit. The functions of the control unit 41 are implemented by the processor executing programs provided to the control unit 41. These programs are called applications. The control unit 41 controls the wireless communication unit 42, the touch panel 43, the camera 44, and the microphone 45.

[0041] The wireless communication unit 42 includes an antenna and has the function of communicating via short-range wireless communication WC2 such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark) and via high-speed wireless communication WC3 that can connect to the network NW using fourth-generation communication standards, fifth-generation communication standards, etc. Based on the instructions of the control unit 41, the wireless communication unit 42 can communicate with the wireless communication unit 22 of the control device 2 via short-range wireless communication WC2. Based on the instructions of the control unit 41, the wireless communication unit 42 can also communicate with the device management server 5, user management server 6, EC server 7, and call center server 8 via high-speed wireless communication WC3 that connects to the base station and the network NW.

[0042] The touch panel 43 is, for example, a capacitive touch panel. Input operations given to the touch panel 43 by the user are received by the control unit 41. The touch panel 43 displays a screen based on the instructions from the control unit 41.

[0043] The smartphone 4 has a smart home application AP installed. This smart home application AP is an application that uses residential devices 1 connected to the network NW to provide users with comfortable and convenient functions.

[0044] The smart home application AP can generate remote control instructions for residential device 1. These remote control instructions for residential device 1 are obtained from the device management server 5 via the network NW. The wireless communication unit 22 of the control device 2 obtains the remote control instructions for residential device 1 via the access point 3. The control unit 21 of the control device 2 controls residential device 1 based on the obtained control instructions. Users can remotely operate residential device 1 using the smart home application AP, whether at home or away.

[0045] The smart home application AP can communicate with the control device 2 via short-range wireless communication WC2, instructing the control device 2 to perform device diagnostics on both residential device 1 and the control device 2, and obtaining device diagnostic results from the control device 2. The smart home application AP can also generate device diagnostic results based on information obtained from the control device 2. The device diagnostic results include at least a portion of the user authentication code 24 and user association information 25. The smart home application AP can upload the device diagnostic results of residential device 1 to the user management server 6, call center server 8, etc. It should be noted that the device diagnostic results only need to include the diagnostic results of at least one of residential device 1 and the control device 2.

[0046] [Device Management Server 5] Device management server 5, for example, consists of one or more servers and is capable of connecting to the network NW. Servers include: processors such as CPUs; storage media such as memory, hard disks, and flash memory; and hardware such as communication equipment. The functions of device management server 5 are implemented through programs executed in the server's processor. Servers can be field servers, cloud servers providing IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), SaaS (Software as a Service), or a combination of these. In the following description, "server" includes any of the aforementioned servers.

[0047] Device management server 5 is a server that manages residential device 1. Device management server 5 obtains control instructions for residential device 1 generated in the smart home application (AP). These control instructions for residential device 1 are obtained by control device 2. Device management server 5 records the user-generated control instructions for residential device 1 as control instruction records. Additionally, device management server 5 obtains status information from control device 2 that allows it to monitor the usage status of consumables for residential device 1. Device management server 5 records the control instruction records for residential device 1 and the status information of residential device 1 as user-related information.

[0048] [User Management Server 6] User management server 6, for example, consists of one or more servers and is capable of connecting to network NW. The functions of user management server 6 are implemented through programs executed in the server's processor.

[0049] User management server 6 is a server that manages user authentication code 24. Users of home system 100 can obtain user authentication code 24 from user management server 6. The user authentication code 24 obtained by the user is also recorded in control device 2 and device management server 5. In addition, the user authentication code 24 obtained by the user is also registered in the smart home application AP of smartphone 4. Control instructions for residential device 1 generated by the user in smart home application AP are obtained by device management server 5 and control device 2 associated with user authentication code 24.

[0050] [EC Server 7] An EC (Electronic Commerce) server 7, for example, consists of one or more servers and is capable of connecting to a network NW. The functionality of the EC server 7 is achieved through programs executed in the server's processor.

[0051] EC Server 7 is a server capable of ordering consumables for Residential Equipment 1. Users can order consumables for Residential Equipment 1 using the EC Server 7's website. Alternatively, users can order consumables for Residential Equipment 1 using the smart home application AP on their smartphone 4. Furthermore, Device Management Server 5 can also order consumables based on the obtained status information of Residential Equipment 1.

[0052] [Call Center Server 8] Call center server 8, for example, consists of one or more servers and is capable of connecting to a network NW. A call center is an equipment manufacturer that accepts inquiries from users regarding residential equipment 1 via telephone or other means. The functionality of call center server 8 is implemented through programs executed in the server's processor.

[0053] Call center server 8 is a server set up in the call center of residential equipment 1. Call center server 8 obtains the usage records (logs) of residential equipment 1 via network NW. When answering telephone inquiries from users, call center staff use the usage records (logs) obtained by call center server 8.

[0054] It should be noted that two or more of the following servers can be the same: Device Management Server 5, User Management Server 6, EC Server 7, and Call Center Server 8.

[0055] Next, the operation of the home system 100 will be explained. The following will use... Figure 4 The timing diagram shown in the home system 100 illustrates the operation of the home system 100.

[0056] In this embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the user management server 6 and the call center server 8 function as "diagnostic result recognition devices" to assist users who have consulted the call center via telephone or other means in communicating with the call center staff.

[0057] Here, it is assumed that a communication failure occurs in residential device 1 and control device 2, including the inability to communicate with access point 3 via wireless LAN communication WC1. The user who identifies the failure connects smartphone 4 to control device 2 via short-range wireless communication WC2 and activates the smart home application AP. Using the smart home application AP, the user sends instructions to control device 2 to perform device diagnostics on residential device 1 and control device 2.

[0058] In step S100, the control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 issues an instruction to the control device 2 to perform device diagnostics on the residential equipment 1 and the control device 2.

[0059] In step S110, the control unit 21 of the control device 2 performs device diagnostics on the residential equipment 1 and the control device 2 to generate device diagnostic results, and sends the device diagnostic results to the smartphone 4. Furthermore, the control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 can also generate device diagnostic results based on information obtained from the control device 2.

[0060] In step S120, the control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 uploads the device diagnostic results to the user management server 6.

[0061] In step S130, the user management server 6 generates simplified identification information corresponding to the device diagnostic results. The simplified identification information is a simpler identifier than the user authentication code 24 managed by the user management server 6. The simplified identification information is temporarily valid and can be uniquely identified within a specified period and region. The simplified identification information may be, for example, 2-4 alphanumeric characters, a password, an illustration, or other easily remembered and verbally transmitted information. The user management server 6 generates the simplified identification information, for example, using random numbers.

[0062] In step S140, the user management server 6 associates the simplified identification information with the device diagnostic results and sends the device diagnostic results associated with the simplified identification information to the call center server 8. The call center server 8 can identify the user based on the user authentication code 24 contained in the device diagnostic results and can also obtain the simplified identification information associated with the device diagnostic results.

[0063] In step S150, the user management server 6 sends simplified identification information to the smartphone 4 that sent the device diagnostic results. This simplified identification information is registered in the smart home application AP. Users can access the simplified identification information corresponding to the sent device diagnostic results within the smart home application AP.

[0064] Users who consult the call center via telephone or other means convey simple identification information verbally to the call center staff. The call center staff can then use this simple identification information to determine the corresponding device diagnostic results for the user's inquiry.

[0065] Next, use Figure 5 The timing diagram shown in the home system 100 illustrates other operations of the home system 100. Steps S100 to S110 and... Figure 4 The operation is the same as that of the home system 100 shown.

[0066] Users who obtained device diagnostic results using the smart home application AP consulted the call center via telephone or other means. Call center staff prepared simple identification information to convey to the users.

[0067] In step S220, the call center server 8 generates simple identification information based on the instructions of the call center staff to request the user management server 6.

[0068] In step S230, the user management server 6 generates simplified identification information corresponding to the generation of the requested simplified identification information. The generation of simplified identification information is the same as in step S130.

[0069] In step S240, the user management server 6 sends the simplified identification information to the call center server 8.

[0070] In step S250, the call center server 8 sends simplified identification information to the user's smartphone 4. In the smart home application AP, the simplified identification information is associated with device diagnostic results. Call center staff can also verbally convey the simplified identification information to the user via telephone or other means. In this case, the user associates the simplified identification information with the device diagnostic results in the smart home application AP.

[0071] In step S260, the control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 sends the device diagnostic results associated with the simplified identification information to the call center server 8. The call center server 8 can identify the user based on the user authentication code 24 contained in the device diagnostic results, and can also obtain the simplified identification information associated with the device diagnostic results.

[0072] Call center staff can identify device diagnostic results corresponding to user inquiries based on simple identification information.

[0073] According to the home system 100 of this embodiment, users and call center staff can easily determine the device diagnostic results obtained from the residential device 1 via the Internet. The simple identification information is simpler than the user authentication code 24, which can easily become a complex string, and therefore can be easily transmitted even verbally. Furthermore, the simple identification information is temporarily unique, thus call center staff can reliably determine the device diagnostic results.

[0074] In this embodiment, the diagnostic result recognition device consists of a user management server 6 and a call center server 8, but the configuration of the diagnostic result recognition device is not limited to this. The diagnostic result recognition device may also consist of only the call center server 8, which can generate simple recognition information.

[0075] In this embodiment, the diagnostic result recognition device generates simple recognition information. However, the smart home application AP of the smartphone 4 can also generate simple recognition information.

[0076] The present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific solution is not limited to this embodiment and may include design changes that do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the constituent elements shown in the above embodiments and variations can be appropriately combined.

[0077] The program of control device 2, etc., is stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The computer system reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as the operating system and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the "computer-readable storage medium" includes at least: removable media such as floppy disks, optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs; and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Additionally, the "computer-readable storage medium" may also include: a medium that dynamically maintains the program for a short period of time, such as a communication line used to transmit the program via a network such as the Internet or a telephone line; or a medium that maintains the program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or client in this case. Furthermore, the program may be a program used to implement the above-mentioned functions, a program that can implement the above-mentioned functions by combining with a program already recorded in the computer system, or a program implemented using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0078] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0079] 100: Home system; AP: Smart home application; 1: Residential equipment; 2: Control device; 21: Control unit; 22: Wireless communication unit; 23: Recording unit; 24: User authentication code; 25: User association information; 26: Wireless connection information; 28: Information protection unit; 29: Communication initialization unit; 3: Access point; 4: Smartphone; 5: Device management server; 6: User management server; 7: EC server; 8: Call center server.

Claims

1. A home system, characterized in that, have: Residential equipment; Terminal device; A control device that controls the residential equipment and is capable of short-range wireless communication with the terminal device; The diagnostic result recognition device is capable of communicating with the terminal device. The terminal device obtains device diagnostic results based on short-range wireless communication with the control device. The diagnostic result recognition device obtains the device diagnostic result from the terminal device and uses temporarily valid simplified recognition information associated with the obtained device diagnostic result to recognize the device diagnostic result obtained from the terminal device.

2. The home system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The simplified identification information is an identification code that associates the terminal device with the device diagnostic results.

3. The home system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The simplified identification information is an identification code that associates the diagnostic result identification device with the diagnostic result of the device.

4. The home system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diagnostic result recognition device manages the user's unique user authentication code within the home system. The diagnostic result recognition device generates simplified recognition information, which is simpler than the user authentication code.

5. The home system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The simplified identification information is information that can be uniquely identified within a specified period and in a specified area.

6. The home system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control device generates the device diagnostic results based on instructions from the terminal device.

7. The home system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal device generates the device diagnostic result based on information obtained from the control device via the near-field wireless communication.

8. The home system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diagnostic results of the device include user-related information managed by the control device.

9. The home system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The residential appliance is a faucet device.

10. A control device, characterized in that, have: The control unit controls the residential equipment. The communications unit is capable of short-range wireless communication with terminal devices. The control unit generates diagnostic results from instructions received from the terminal device. The communication unit sends the device diagnostic result to the diagnostic result identification device via the terminal device, and the diagnostic result identification device uses temporarily valid simplified identification information associated with the device diagnostic result to identify the device diagnostic result.

11. A faucet system, characterized in that, have: The control device according to claim 10; A faucet device, which is the residential equipment controlled by the control device.

12. A diagnostic result recognition device, capable of communicating with a terminal device, characterized in that, Obtain device diagnostic results from the terminal device. The device diagnostic results are identified using temporary, simple identification information associated with the obtained device diagnostic results.

13. A terminal device, characterized in that, Device diagnostic results are obtained based on short-range wireless communication with control devices that control residential equipment. The device diagnostic result is sent to a diagnostic result recognition device, which uses temporarily valid simplified identification information associated with the device diagnostic result to identify the device diagnostic result.

14. A diagnostic result identification method for identifying device diagnostic results obtained from a control device that controls residential equipment, characterized in that, Device diagnostic results are obtained based on short-range wireless communication with the control device. The device diagnostic results are identified using temporary, simple identification information associated with the obtained device diagnostic results.

15. A diagnostic result recognition program for recognizing device diagnostic results obtained from a control device that controls residential equipment, characterized in that, Device diagnostic results are obtained based on short-range wireless communication with the control device. The device diagnostic results are identified using temporary, simple identification information associated with the obtained device diagnostic results.

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