Device and product

Abstract

To provide a device and product configured to reduce paper resources to be consumed, and enable easy access to detailed handling information of a device in use while preventing accesses to detailed handling information of devices not in use.SOLUTION: An inverter device 1 serving as a device of an embodiment provides, as guiding information for browsing detailed handling information, the detailed handling information being provided over a network 3, information obtained by encrypting at least a part of a serial number uniquely assigned to the device, or information including the information obtained by encrypting at least the part of the serial number.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present embodiment relates to an apparatus and a product. [Background technology]

[0002] When purchasing equipment, it is common to purchase not only the equipment itself, but also the product with, for example, an instruction manual attached or packaged in the package. Conventionally, in order to conserve paper resources, paper-based accessories were provided as printed materials with simple operating instructions and contact information, while detailed instruction manuals were provided as electronic files on optical media such as CD-ROMs or DVDs.

[0003] However, due to the decline in PCs that come standard with optical drives and the widespread use of mobile devices that do not have optical drives, such as smartphones and tablets, it is expected that users do not have the environment to read optical media. Furthermore, as the number of items included increases, there is also the problem that the environmental burden during transportation increases due to the increase in the volume and weight of the product. For this reason, in recent years, it has become common to attach simple instruction manuals to products and make detailed instruction manuals accessible via networks such as the Internet. This method of providing instruction manuals can reduce the consumption of paper resources and can quickly provide the latest information even if, for example, the instruction manual is revised.

[0004] However, for example, for business reasons, it is conceivable that there may be a situation where access to a detailed instruction manual should be limited to actual users, and access from the general public should be restricted. Hereinafter, information such as an instruction manual that describes the detailed functions and operation of a device will be referred to as detailed operation information. This detailed operation information is not limited to instruction manuals provided in paper form that have been converted into electronic files, but also includes information that explains functions and operation using audio, animation, video, etc.

[0005] One method for restricting access to the detailed handling information is, for example, to have users register as users. This would allow the provision of the detailed handling information to be limited to registered users, making it possible to restrict access to the detailed handling information. However, because user registration requires a procedure, and because, depending on the type of device, an examination is required after application for user registration, it may take time even for actual users to perform initial setup or respond to malfunctions.

[0006] Also, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, it is conceivable to provide an instruction manual to a user who has actually purchased the device by having the user input the device's serial number. However, depending on the type of device, the format of the serial number may be made public, and in that case, there is a risk that detailed operating information may be accessed by inferring the serial number based on the public information, even if the user does not own the device, or even if the device is different from the device currently being used.

[0007] Depending on the type of equipment, the technical information contained in the detailed handling information may be subject to export control. For example, for an inverter device, which is an industrial device, technical information for using a frequency converter is provided as detailed handling information, and this technical information is subject to so-called catch-all control. Therefore, in the case of equipment subject to export control, it is required to restrict access to the detailed handling information from the general public, while it is also required to provide the detailed handling information easily and quickly to actual users who need it for installation, maintenance, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-183358 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention provides a device and product that can reduce the consumption of paper resources, and can simultaneously provide easy access to the detailed handling information while restricting access to the detailed handling information from an unspecified number of people. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In the embodiment, detailed handling information is provided via a network, and as guidance information for viewing the detailed handling information, information in which at least a portion of a serial number uniquely assigned to the device is encrypted, or information including information in which at least a portion of the serial number is encrypted, is provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an inverter device as an example of a device according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a manner in which detailed handling information is accessed. [Diagram 3] A diagram showing an example of the product configuration including devices [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of guide information according to the second embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of display of guide information according to the third embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of display of guidance information; [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, components that are substantially common to the embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0013] (First embodiment) A first embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, an inverter device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is assumed as an example of a device. This inverter device 1 is assigned a unique serial number for the purpose of manufacturing history management and quality assurance, and the serial number is written, for example, on a nameplate 2 on the side shown in FIG. 2 together with a model number and a rating. The target device is not limited to an industrial device such as the inverter device 1, but may be a device with the inverter device 1 built in or other industrial device, or may be so-called electronic devices, electrical devices, or mechanical devices. In addition, any number that is uniquely assigned to each device, such as an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number assigned to a mobile phone or a data communication card, or a Media Access Control address (MAC address) assigned to a network interface, is considered to be a type of serial number and is included in the subject matter of the present invention.

[0014] Detailed operating information for this inverter device 1, which includes detailed functions, operating methods, detailed technical information for use, etc., is provided via a network 3 such as the Internet as shown in Fig. 2 described below. The information to be included in the detailed operating information can be set as appropriate by the manufacturing company or sales company of the inverter device 1. Hereinafter, the manufacturing company or sales company of the inverter device 1 will be referred to as the provider for convenience.

[0015] A label 5 with a two-dimensional code 4 printed thereon is attached to the front of the inverter device 1. The two-dimensional code 4 corresponds to guidance information for viewing detailed handling information of the device in use, and in this embodiment, as described below, is provided as information for restricting the access destination when accessing the detailed handling information via the network 3 to the detailed handling information of the inverter device 1 in use. In addition, since the serial number is unique to each inverter device 1, the two-dimensional code 4 is also unique to each inverter device 1.

[0016] As described above, the detailed handling information includes the detailed functions and handling methods of the inverter device 1, detailed technical information for use, etc. Therefore, it is expected that there will be a situation where, for business reasons or the like, access to the detailed handling information will be limited to actual users, and access from the general public will be restricted. In particular, the inverter device 1 is subject to export control even as a standalone device, and technical information included in the detailed handling information, for example, for using a frequency converter, is also subject to export control, so it is necessary to restrict access to the detailed handling information.

[0017] Therefore, in this embodiment, by using the guidance information, it is possible to reduce the consumption of paper resources, and to easily access the detailed handling information of the device in use and to suppress access to the detailed handling information of the device not in use. First, in the two-dimensional code 4 attached to the inverter device 1, as an example, a URL to which the address of a website prepared by the provider and information obtained by encrypting the serial number as a query parameter are added is described as guidance information. In other words, the inverter device 1 provides information including information obtained by encrypting the serial number uniquely attached to the device as the two-dimensional code 4. The serial number of the inverter device 1 is given in a predetermined format such as "INV001A002", in which the first three digits indicate the type of device, the next four digits indicate the date of manufacture, and the last three digits indicate a serial number, and the format may be made public. The encryption technology for encrypting the serial number may be an existing technology or a new technology unique to the provider. In addition, the provider may keep secret what encryption technology is used.

[0018] For example, suppose the web address prepared by the provider is "https: / / www.?????.co.jp / Manuals / " and the encrypted information of the serial number is "BDtpm41ZqSqaso6OHr0eYSU+wJ7ROGFD". In this case, the guidance information provided by the two-dimensional code 4 is "https: / / www.?????.co.jp / Manuals / ?s=BDtpm41ZqSqaso6OHr0eYSU+wJ7ROGFD". Note that the "?" above is a symbol to separate the web address part from the query parameter part, the "s" above is the name of the parameter, and the "=" above is a symbol to match the parameter name and value. However, the web address and query parameters shown here are just examples, and the address may contain a model number or other query parameters. Note that "www.???????.co.jp" is a domain name, but for convenience, it is set to the non-existent domain name "?????" to avoid overlapping with the name of an actual company.

[0019] 2, the user captures the two-dimensional code 4 as guidance information with the camera 11 of his / her operation terminal 10, accesses the information providing server 20 where detailed handling information is prepared via the terminal communication unit 12 based on the guidance information, and views the detailed handling information on the terminal display unit 13. Note that the operation terminal 10 is assumed to be, for example, a personal computer or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0020] The information providing server 20 has a Web server 21 operating to receive access via the network 3, and when the server communication unit 22 receives access from the operation terminal 10, it provides the corresponding detailed operating information stored in the server-side storage unit 23. This information providing server 20 has prepared, as detailed operating information, for example, a detailed instruction manual A which is detailed operating information for the inverter device 1 of type A, a detailed instruction manual B which is detailed operating information for the inverter device 1 of type B, and a detailed instruction manual C which is detailed operating information for the inverter device 1 of type C.

[0021] The information providing server 20 also has detailed handling information prepared therein, such as examples of troubleshooting to explain how to deal with various abnormalities, and technical information such as how to deal with tripping when a protective operation of the device such as a trip occurs. Furthermore, the information providing server 20 also has detailed handling information prepared therein, such as option information A and option information B to explain handling and technical information regarding optional items shown in Fig. 7, which will be described later. However, the detailed handling information shown in Fig. 2 is merely an example, and the number and types of detailed handling information prepared in the information providing server 20 are not limited to this.

[0022] The information providing server 20 then uses the authentication function unit 24 to decrypt the encrypted serial number included in the guidance information when accessed from the operation terminal 10. As a result, the information providing server 20 provides detailed handling information corresponding to the serial number actually being used. As a result, the detailed handling information of the inverter device 1 currently being used is displayed on the screen of the operation terminal 10.

[0023] In this case, the information providing server 20 provides the detailed handling information to the user by directly displaying the detailed instruction manual corresponding to the serial number, by having the user browse and select a Web page that displays, for example, a list of multiple pieces of detailed handling information corresponding to the serial number, by transferring the user to another Web page where the corresponding detailed handling information is prepared, or by combining these methods. This allows the user to easily access the detailed handling information.

[0024] In this way, by providing encrypted information of the serial number uniquely assigned to the device as guidance information for viewing the detailed handling information for a device for which detailed handling information is provided via the network 3, even if the serial number is known, it becomes impossible to access the detailed handling information unless the encryption method is understood. Also, as in this embodiment, by providing the access destination when accessing the detailed handling information via the network 3 as a URL for guiding to the detailed handling information of the device in use, the detailed handling information can be easily viewed.

[0025] Therefore, even for devices that are assigned serial numbers for manufacturing history management and quality assurance, and whose serial numbers are relatively easy to guess, it is possible to provide the detailed handling information to actual users only, and to restrict access to the detailed handling information from the general public. The ability to restrict access to the detailed handling information is extremely useful for devices that can be used for purposes other than those at the time of purchase, such as the inverter device 1, and devices that incorporate such devices, particularly devices that are subject to export control.

[0026] Moreover, the user can easily access the desired information by capturing the guidance information with the camera 11. Moreover, by attaching guidance information to the inverter device 1, the user can view the necessary information at the actual site, which is extremely useful at the time of installation and maintenance. Moreover, even if the device is broken and cannot be turned on, or even if it is not desirable to turn on the device, the user can view the detailed handling information, which is extremely useful especially for industrial devices.

[0027] In addition, the use of guidance information is suitable for export control, since it is believed that access restrictions equivalent to those imposed by conventional CD-ROMs or printed materials on paper can be imposed. Furthermore, even when multiple people are working together, each person can easily access the detailed handling information from their own operation terminal 10, which greatly improves workability.

[0028] In addition, by attaching the guidance information to a location separate from the nameplate 2, it is expected that the leakage of the guidance information will be suppressed because there is a possibility that the guidance information will not be captured even if the nameplate 2 is photographed. In this case, it is expected that the leakage of the guidance information will be suppressed by attaching the guidance information to a location where it is difficult to capture an image even if the external appearance is photographed, such as the inside of the cover of the inverter device 1.

[0029] Incidentally, when purchasing equipment such as the inverter device 1, it is common to purchase the inverter device 1 as a product 32 including an accessory 30 that is packed with the equipment and describes matters related to product safety and matters required for compliance with standards or regulations such as UL standards (USA) or CE marking (Europe), and a packaging material 31 for packaging them, as shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, the guidance information can be provided by attaching or printing it on the accessory 30 or the packaging material 31. In this case, instead of attaching the guidance information to the inverter device 1, the guidance information may be attached to at least one of the accessory 30 or the packaging material 31, or it may be attached to both the accessory 30 and the packaging material 31, or it may be attached to the inverter device 1 and then attached to at least one of the accessory 30 and the packaging material 31 or both.

[0030] In this way, even with a product 32 including a device for which detailed handling information is provided via a network 3, in which at least one of the accessories 30 or the packaging material 31 is provided with information including encrypted information of a serial number uniquely assigned to the device as guidance information for viewing the detailed handling information, it is possible to provide the detailed handling information exclusively to the actual user, as described above, and to restrict access to the detailed handling information from an unspecified number of people.

[0031] In addition, the information providing system 100, which is a system for providing detailed handling information for explaining detailed handling via the network 3, provides detailed handling information corresponding to a serial number based on access from a device that provides information including information in which at least a portion of the serial number is encrypted as guidance information for viewing the detailed handling information of the device in use, and allows easy access to the desired information and makes it possible to provide the detailed handling information exclusively to the actual user, thereby enabling various effects similar to those of the above-mentioned device to be obtained, such as restricting access to the detailed handling information.

[0032] It can also be combined with a configuration in which the information providing server 20 imposes restrictions based on location information such as the IP address of the access source. This makes it possible to take measures such as not restricting access from within Japan, but restricting access from overseas. In this case, access may be restricted completely, or access to some important information may be restricted. It is also possible to easily access detailed handling information by determining the user's language based on location information such as the IP address and providing information according to that language.

[0033] Second embodiment A second embodiment will be described below. In the second embodiment, an example of guidance information different from that in the first embodiment will be described. Note that the second embodiment assumes the inverter device 1 described in the first embodiment, and therefore will be described with reference to FIG. 1 as well.

[0034] In the first embodiment, a URL including information obtained by encrypting the entire serial number uniquely assigned to the device is used as guidance information, but as shown in guidance information example 1 in Fig. 4, information obtained by encrypting the entire serial number, for example "INV001A002", can be provided as guidance information. In this case, the guidance information can be attached to the inverter device 1, the accessory 30, or the packaging material 31.

[0035] Alternatively, as shown in the second example of guidance information, information in which a part of a serial number is encrypted, such as "A002" of a serial number "INV001A002", may be provided as guidance information. That is, information in which at least a part of a serial number is encrypted may be provided as guidance information for guiding to detailed handling information. In this case, the information may be attached to the inverter device 1, the accessory 30, or the packaging material 31.

[0036] In this case, the address of the website to be accessed via the network 3 may be provided by printing it on the accessory 30. Then, the user of the inverter device 1 accesses the website from the operation terminal 10 and inputs an encrypted serial number obtained by capturing an image of the guidance information with the camera 11, or uploads the guidance information captured by the camera 11 to the information providing server 20. As a result, the information providing server 20 authenticates and decrypts the guidance information and provides corresponding detailed handling information, allowing the user to view a detailed instruction manual, etc., on the screen of the operation terminal 10.

[0037] In addition, the same effect can be obtained by configuring the product 32 described in the first embodiment in such a way that at least one of the accessories 30 or the packaging material 31 has guidance information written thereon as encrypted information of at least a portion of the serial number.

[0038] Also, as shown in the third example of the guidance information, the guidance information may be provided in the form of a one-dimensional code 40, which is the URL of the access destination described in the first embodiment. Of course, as described above, the guidance information may be provided in the form of an encrypted serial number or a part of the encrypted serial number, which is the one-dimensional code 40. In this case, the guidance information may be attached to the inverter device 1, the accessory 30, or the packaging material 31. With this configuration, it is also possible to provide the detailed handling information to the actual user in a limited manner, and access to the detailed handling information may be restricted. In this case, the configuration may be such that the user is prompted to input the serial number written on the nameplate 2 in addition to the guidance information.

[0039] Also, as shown in the fourth example of guidance information, guidance information may be provided in the form of a text code 41 that is an access destination URL, a serial number, or information obtained by encrypting at least a part of the serial number. In this case, the text code 41 may be attached to the inverter device 1, the accessory 30, or the packaging material 31. With this configuration as well, it is possible to provide the detailed handling information to the actual user only, and access to the detailed handling information can be restricted. In this case, the configuration may be such that the user is prompted to enter the serial number written on the nameplate 2 in addition to the guidance information.

[0040] Furthermore, the guidance information may be provided as an image or in an invisible state, rather than as a two-dimensional code 4, one-dimensional code 40, or text code 41. In this case, a random image generated based on the serial number may be used as the image, and a so-called digital watermarking technique or hidden characters may be used to make the information invisible. The user can then access the detailed handling information by uploading the image to the information providing server 20 and restoring the original serial number. In other words, even with this configuration, it is possible to obtain various effects similar to those of the first embodiment, such as restricting access to the detailed handling information.

[0041] In this case, in addition to the guidance information, the serial number printed on the nameplate 2 may be requested to be input, which makes it possible to restrict access to the detailed handling information more reliably. As described in the first embodiment, the information providing server 20 may also be configured to impose restrictions based on location information such as the IP address of the access source.

[0042] In addition, although an example of guidance information different from that of the first embodiment has been described above, for example, the guidance information described in the first embodiment may be attached to the inverter device 1, and the guidance information of the second embodiment may be printed on the accessory 30 or the packaging material 31, or the guidance information described in the second embodiment may be attached to the inverter device 1, and the guidance information of the first embodiment may be printed on the accessory 30 or the packaging material 31. That is, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined.

[0043] Third embodiment The third embodiment will be described below. In the third embodiment, a configuration example in which guidance information is presented when the user needs it, rather than being provided in advance as in the first and second embodiments, will be described. Note that the third embodiment can be combined with the first and second embodiments, and therefore will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.

[0044] 1, the inverter device 1 is provided with a display 6a on an operation panel 6. In addition, since the inverter device 1 generally stores a serial number internally as software information, the serial number can be known. Therefore, the inverter device 1 can be configured to display guidance information on the display 6a based on an operation from the operation panel 6.

[0045] In this case, for example, as described in the first embodiment, a URL including the website address and encrypted serial number information can be displayed as guidance information, or as described in the second embodiment, guidance information in which only the serial number is encrypted can be displayed, or guidance information in the form of a one-dimensional code 40 or a text code 41 can be displayed.

[0046] 5, when the display 6a is configured as a 7-segment display, the text code 41 described in the second embodiment can be displayed shifted by one character by turning the dial 6b as shown by the arrow F, and guidance information can be provided to the user. Note that the guidance information can also be configured to be shifted by the number of display digits by one operation of the dial 6b.

[0047] 6, when the display 6a of the operation panel 6 is configured as a liquid crystal panel, it is possible to configure it so that the various types of guidance information described in the first and second embodiments are displayed based on the operation from the operation panel 6. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain various effects similar to those of the first embodiment, such as being able to restrict access to detailed handling information.

[0048] Furthermore, when guidance information is displayed on the display 6a, the power supply is wired to the inverter device 1, and the guidance information is presented only when the power supply is turned on, so that even if a photo of the product 32 is leaked on an e-commerce site for used goods, the detailed handling information cannot be accessed, and the risk of unauthorized access to the detailed information can be reduced. Although a situation where the power supply cannot be turned on due to a malfunction or the like is also assumed, convenience can be improved by combining this with the first and second embodiments.

[0049] (Fourth embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described below. In the fourth embodiment, a configuration example in which the guidance information is not limited to a single device but includes other information will be described. In other words, in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to present not only predetermined guidance information but also guidance information according to an actual usage situation. Note that the fourth embodiment can be combined with the first to third embodiments, and therefore will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

[0050] 7, the inverter device 1 includes, for example, an operation panel 6, a control circuit 51, a main circuit 52, a fan 53, and a storage unit 54. The inverter device 1 outputs a control signal from the control circuit 51 to the main circuit 52 based on set parameters, and the main circuit 52 converts commercial power to supply power to a load 55. The load 55 may be, for example, a pump, a compressor, a conveying machine, or a lifting machine.

[0051] The inverter device 1 is also capable of detecting operating conditions such as output and current flow time, and abnormal conditions such as short circuits and ground faults, based on the detection results of various sensors, such as a current sensor and a voltage sensor (not shown), provided in the main circuit 52, and of setting a trip state as a protective operation. Each detected state and parameter is stored in the memory unit 54 as operation information, setting information, abnormality information, and trip information. At this time, each piece of information is stored in association with time.

[0052] The fan 53 has a set service life based on, for example, temperature and power-on time, and information such as the power-on time of the fan 53 is stored in the storage unit 54 as operation information. The inverter device 1 can be equipped with various optional items. In the case of FIG. 7, the inverter device 1 is equipped with a communication unit 56 for communicating with an external device and a noise filter 57 for reducing noise as optional items. The optional items equipped in the inverter device 1 are stored in the storage unit 54 as option information. Note that "OPA" and "OPB" in parentheses attached to the optional items are information indicating the type, and correspond to, for example, a model number or a serial number. Note that the optional items shown in FIG. 7 are examples, and for example, an input reactor, a DC reactor, a braking unit, a braking resistor, a surge voltage suppression filter, a communication unit, etc. can be attached as optional items. In addition, since optional items are expected to include both items that are attached externally to the equipment and items that are built into the equipment at the time of shipment from the factory, FIG. 7 intentionally illustrates a communication unit 56 as an example of an optional item that is attached externally to the inverter device 1, and a noise filter 57 as an example of an optional item that is built into the inverter device 1.

[0053] Now, by storing the above-mentioned information in the storage unit 54, the inverter device 1 can read out the information when necessary. Therefore, the inverter device 1 can display guidance information in the form of a combination of multiple pieces of information as described below whenever the user needs it.

[0054] For example, in addition to the encrypted serial number, guidance information including information on optional items provided in the inverter device 1 can be displayed in the form of a two-dimensional code 4, a one-dimensional code 40, or a text code 41 as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the information on the optional items may or may not be encrypted. In other words, a configuration can be adopted in which information on optional items provided in the device is included as guidance information.

[0055] Then, by capturing the guidance information including the information on the optional items with the camera 11 and accessing the information providing server 20, the user can selectively view or collectively view detailed handling information such as option information A and option information B shown in Fig. 2 in addition to the detailed handling information on the operation terminal 10. Therefore, various effects similar to those of the first to third embodiments can be obtained, such as the ability to restrict access to detailed handling information, and access to instruction manuals for optional items can be made easier, and it is also possible to restrict the instruction manuals for accessible optional items.

[0056] Alternatively, the guidance information may be provided including operation information of the device or life expectancy prediction information of the device. For the inverter device 1, the operation information may be, for example, the power-on time, the driving time of the load 55, and the operation time of the fan 53. It is to be noted that the operation information may include operation information of optional items, not limited to the inverter device 1. The life expectancy prediction information is information obtained from the operation time and the useful life, and may be, for example, the remaining time, number of days, or number of years until the useful life. For members that require regular maintenance, the remaining time or number of days until the next maintenance is assumed. The guidance information may include at least one of the operation information and the life expectancy prediction information, or may include both. The operation information and the life expectancy prediction information may be encrypted or may not be encrypted.

[0057] Then, by capturing the guidance information with the camera 11 and accessing the information providing server 20, the user can selectively view useful information such as a maintenance method for a component nearing the end of its life or a device that requires maintenance, based on the operation information and life prediction information, in addition to the detailed handling information. Therefore, it is possible to obtain various effects similar to those of the first to third embodiments, such as being able to restrict access to the detailed handling information, and also to easily obtain information that is useful during use.

[0058] Also, the guidance information may be provided including setting information such as parameters set in the device. In this case, the setting information may or may not be encrypted. Also, instead of including all parameters that can be set in the inverter device 1 in the guidance information, some major parameters may be included in the guidance information. In this case, by operating the dial 6b or a plurality of switches 6c, it is possible to set whether or not to include the parameter in the guidance information as a property of the parameter. For example, if the parameter is "0", the parameter is not included in the guidance information, and if the parameter is "1", the parameter is included in the guidance information, thereby making it possible to set whether or not to include the parameter in the guidance information for each parameter. Of course, it is also possible to set whether or not to include the parameter in the guidance information collectively.

[0059] As an example of this setting information, the inverter device 1 has a parameter "AUA" that indicates the purpose, and if the value is set to "3", it is for a conveying device, and if the set value is "6", it is for a pump, and so on. Therefore, by including the "AUA" parameter in the guidance information, the user can view detailed handling information such as setting methods for each purpose. Note that the types of parameters are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0060] Also, the guidance information may be configured to include the changed parameters, or to include whether the parameter settings have been changed. This makes it possible to selectively obtain information such as information on problems that may occur due to the setting change, and explanations and guidance for changing the settings, from the information providing server 20. When the guidance information is displayed on the display 6a, the user can select the parameters to be included in the guidance information, thereby enabling the user to accurately obtain the information he or she desires.

[0061] The guidance information may be provided including information about the protective operation of the device. In this case, the information about the protective operation may be encrypted or not. As the information about the protective operation, for example, whether or not a trip has occurred at the time of accessing the information providing server 20, or a chronological history of past trips, etc., may be assumed.

[0062] This allows the user to easily view detailed handling information such as a trip explanation and a trip solution including information on the current and voltage values ​​that are trip criteria, and if the guidance information includes information that a trip has occurred at the moment, the information providing server 20 can selectively or preferentially display the trip solution, greatly improving convenience. Also, if the history of past trips is included, it becomes possible to display the trip solution even when the user accesses the detailed handling information after a trip has occurred and been reset, greatly improving convenience.

[0063] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] In the drawings, 1 indicates an inverter device (equipment), 3 indicates a network, 4 indicates a two-dimensional code (guidance information), 30 indicates accessories, 31 indicates packaging materials, 32 indicates a product, 40 indicates a one-dimensional code (guidance information), 41 indicates a text code (guidance information), 56 indicates a communication unit (optional item), and 57 indicates a noise filter (optional item).

Claims

1. A device for which detailed handling information is provided via a network, A device that provides, as guidance information for viewing the detailed handling information, information in which at least a portion of a serial number uniquely assigned to the device is encrypted, or information including information in which at least a portion of the serial number is encrypted.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the guidance information includes information on optional items provided in the device.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the guidance information provided includes operation information of the device or life expectancy prediction information of the device.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the guidance information includes setting information set in the device.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the guidance information includes information regarding a protective operation of the device.

6. A product including a device for which detailed handling information is provided via a network, A product in which at least one of the accessories or packaging materials is marked with information in which at least a portion of a serial number uniquely assigned to the device is encrypted, or information including at least a portion of the serial number in which at least a portion of the serial number is encrypted, as guidance information for viewing the detailed handling information.

Images