Equipment management system and equipment management method

Abstract

To provide an equipment management system and an equipment management method capable of improving accuracy in the setting work of equipment.SOLUTION: A cloud server 1 has a two-dimensional code generation unit 113 to generate a code image based on authentication information to authenticate a contractor determined by a manager for each apartment complex, and an equipment information registration unit 116 to store equipment information transmitted from a terminal device 4, which is a transmission source of the authentication information, in an equipment information storage unit 131 in association with apartment complex information when the authentication is succeeded in authentication processing. The terminal device 4 has an authentication information conversion unit 411 to convert code image information indicating the code image into the authentication information, an authentication request unit 418 to transmit the authentication information to the cloud server 1, and an equipment information notification unit 417 to transmit the equipment information on equipment 3 to the cloud server 1 when the authentication is succeeded in authentication processing based on the authentication information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device management system and a device management method. [Background technology]

[0002] A water heater control device has been proposed that controls the heating operation of multiple storage-type water heaters (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This water heater control device predicts the power consumption of a house in which multiple water heaters are installed and the amount of hot water used in each house, and generates an operation schedule for each of the multiple water heaters so that the predicted power consumption is reduced to below a preset power consumption threshold. As such a water heater control device, one that is realized on a cloud server and centrally manages the water heaters installed in each of multiple apartment buildings by correlating them with the apartment buildings is being provided. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-137215 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, when the water heater control device centrally manages the water heaters installed in each of a plurality of apartment buildings by associating them with the apartment buildings, it is necessary to accurately associate and manage the apartment buildings with the water heaters installed in the apartment buildings. Therefore, in the task of setting the correspondence between the apartment buildings and the water heaters, it is required to prevent errors in the setting task, such as associating the water heater with a different apartment building from the apartment building in which the water heater is installed, and to improve the accuracy of the setting task.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a device management system and a device management method that can improve the accuracy of device setting work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the device management system according to the present disclosure includes: a device management device that manages a plurality of devices; a terminal device carried by a first user and capable of communicating with the device management device; The device management device includes: a device information storage unit that stores device information including device identification information for identifying each of the plurality of devices in association with location information indicating an installation location where each of the plurality of devices is installed; a code generating unit that generates a code image based on authentication information for authenticating the first user determined by a second user for each of the installation locations; an authentication unit that executes authentication processing for the first user based on authentication information transmitted from the terminal device; a device information registration unit that, when authentication is successful in the authentication process, stores device information of each of the plurality of devices transmitted from the terminal device that is a transmission source of the authentication information in the device information storage unit in association with the location information; The terminal device A code image acquisition unit that acquires the code image; an authentication information conversion unit that converts code image information indicating the code image into the authentication information; an authentication request unit that transmits the authentication information to the device management device; a device information acquisition unit that acquires the device information of each of the plurality of devices; The device information notification unit transmits the acquired device information to the device management device when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, in the device management device, a code image is generated for each installation location of the device based on the authentication information. Then, the terminal device acquires the code image, converts the code image information indicating the acquired code image into authentication information, and transmits it to the device management device. Meanwhile, the device management device executes an authentication process based on the authentication information transmitted from the terminal device, and when authentication is successful in the authentication process, stores the device information of each of the multiple devices transmitted from the terminal device that transmitted the authentication information in the device information storage unit in association with the location information. This allows the first user to acquire a code image corresponding to the installation location of the device whose device information is to be stored in the device information storage unit, and transmit the device information to the device management device via the terminal device only when authentication is successful based on the authentication information corresponding to the code image. Therefore, by requiring the first user to acquire a code image corresponding to the installation location of the target device, the first user can be given an opportunity to confirm the installation location of the target device, and therefore it is possible to suppress the device information of the device installed in another installation location from being erroneously transmitted to the device management device, and to improve the accuracy of the device setting work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device management system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a device management system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a device management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a device information storage unit according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of information stored in an authentication information storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6]FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an apartment house list display image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a tool identification information list display image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an authentication information input dialog box image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a download instruction dialog box image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an image capturing prompt image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a location information input operation image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment; [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device management process executed by a cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device management process executed by a cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device registration process executed by a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a device management system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of an apartment house list display image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a location information input image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of a dialog box image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of another dialog box image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the device management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a device management system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the device management system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a device management system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a device management system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of information stored in the authentication information storage unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the device management system according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a device management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The device management system according to the present embodiment includes a device management device that manages a plurality of devices, and a terminal device that is carried by a first user and can communicate with the device management device. The device management device includes a device information storage unit that stores device information including device identification information that identifies each of the plurality of devices in association with location information indicating the installation location where each of the plurality of devices is installed, a code generation unit that generates a code image based on authentication information for authenticating the first user determined by the second user for each installation location, an authentication unit that executes authentication processing for the first user based on the authentication information transmitted from the terminal device, and a device information registration unit that, when authentication is successful in the authentication processing, stores device information for each of the plurality of devices transmitted from the terminal device that transmitted the authentication information in association with the location information in the device information storage unit. The terminal device has a code image acquisition unit that acquires a code image, an authentication information conversion unit that converts code image information indicating the code image into authentication information, an authentication request unit that transmits the authentication information to the device management device, a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information for each of a plurality of devices, and a device information notification unit that transmits the acquired device information to the device management device if authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information.

[0010] The device management system according to the present embodiment is used for apartment buildings B[0], B[1], ...B[j], ...(j is an integer equal to or greater than 0) constituting a group of multiple dwelling units H[0,0], H[0,1], ..., H[0,i], ...(i is an integer equal to or greater than 0) as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the apartment building B[j] is, for example, an apartment house that receives power supply by a high-voltage collective power receiving method. The apartment building B[j] is not limited to an apartment house, and may be another type of apartment house composed of multiple dwelling units H[j,i]. In each dwelling unit H[j,i], a device 3, a communication control device 2 that can communicate with the device 3 via a local network NW2 constructed in each dwelling unit H[j,i], and a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 8 that can communicate with the communication control device 2 via the local network NW2 are installed. The local network NW2 is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a wired LAN. The BBR 8 is also connected to a wide area network NW1 such as the Internet. The device management system according to this embodiment includes a terminal device 4 owned by a construction company that installs devices 3 in each dwelling unit H[j,i] of an apartment building B[j], a terminal device 4 managed by a so-called aggregator that manages the power supply to the apartment building B[j], and a cloud server 1. The terminal devices 4 and 5 and the cloud server 1 are capable of communicating with each other via the wide area network NW1.

[0011] The device 3 is a water heater, an air conditioner, or the like. A sticker on which a two-dimensional code is printed indicating device information including device identification information of the device itself and type information indicating the type of the device itself is attached to the housing of the device 3. The two-dimensional code is not limited to being printed on a sticker, but may be directly printed or engraved on the housing body, for example. The device 3 periodically generates device status notification information including device status information indicating the state of the device itself and device identification information identifying the device itself, and transmits the generated device status notification information to the cloud server 1 via the local network NW2, the communication control device 2, the BBR8, and the wide area network NW1. In addition, when the device 3 receives response request information (to be described later) transmitted from the cloud server 1, it generates response information in response to the response information and transmits it to the cloud server 1.

[0012] When the communication control device 2 acquires device status notification information transmitted from the device 3, it adds header information to the acquired device status notification information specifying the cloud server 1 as the destination and its own device as the source, and then transmits the device status notification information to the cloud server 1 via the BBR8 and the wide area network NW1.

[0013] The terminal device 5 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a main memory unit 502, an auxiliary memory unit 503, a display unit 504, an input unit 505, and a communication unit 506 as shown in FIG. 2, and is used by a manager of the housing complex B[j], such as a so-called aggregator. This manager corresponds to the second user. Here, the main memory unit 502 is a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a working area for the CPU 501. The auxiliary memory unit 503 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like, and stores programs for realizing various functions of the terminal device 5. The display unit 504 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-luminescence) display, or the like, and displays various information. The input unit 505 is, for example, a keyboard, and receives an operation of the manager and outputs information indicating the received operation content to the CPU 501. The communication unit 506 has an interface for connecting to the wide area network NW1.

[0014] The CPU 501 reads out the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503 into the main storage unit 502 and executes them, thereby functioning as an apartment information registration unit 511, a display control unit 512, an apartment information notification unit 513, an apartment information acquisition unit 514, and an authentication information registration request unit 515, as shown in Fig. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 503 shown in Fig. 2 also has an apartment information storage unit 531 that stores apartment information indicating the apartment B[j] and manager identification information that identifies the aggregator that manages the apartment B[j] in association with each other, and a two-dimensional code information storage unit 532. The two-dimensional code information storage unit 532 stores two-dimensional code information indicating a two-dimensional code that indicates authentication information for authenticating a contractor who installs the device 3 in the apartment B[j]. For example, when the manager requests a construction contractor to register the device 3 installed in the apartment building B[j] that the manager manages to the cloud server 1, the manager prints out a two-dimensional code image indicated by the two-dimensional code information associated with the apartment building information of the apartment building B[j] in which the device 3 to be registered is installed, stored in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 532, and gives it to the construction contractor. Alternatively, the manager may send the two-dimensional code image indicated by the two-dimensional code information to the terminal device 4 possessed by the construction contractor, for example, by attaching it to an e-mail.

[0015] When the manager of apartment B[j] performs an apartment registration operation on input unit 505 to register the apartment information of apartment B[j] and the manager who manages the apartment B[j] in cloud server 1, apartment information registration unit 511 accepts the apartment registration operation and, based on the content of the accepted operation, notifies apartment information notification unit 513 of the apartment information and manager identification information that identifies the manager of apartment B[j]. Then, apartment information notification unit 513 generates apartment information notification information including the notified apartment information and manager identification information, and transmits it to cloud server 1.

[0016] When the administrator performs an apartment search operation on input unit 505 to search for apartment information corresponding to apartment B[j] specified by the administrator from among the apartment information registered in cloud server 1, apartment information acquisition unit 514 accepts the apartment search operation, generates apartment information request information including the specified administrator identification information and requesting cloud server 1 to transmit the apartment information managed by the administrator himself, and transmits this to cloud server 1. As a result, apartment information acquisition unit 514 acquires the apartment information notification information transmitted from cloud server 1, extracts the apartment information and the corresponding administrator identification information contained in the acquired apartment information notification information, and stores the extracted apartment information and the administrator identification information in apartment information storage unit 531 in association with each other.

[0017] The display control unit 512 forms an apartment list display image showing a list of apartments based on the apartment information and the manager identification information stored in the apartment information storage unit 531, and displays it on the display unit 504. When the manager performs a tool identification information list display operation on the input unit 505 to register authentication information in the cloud server 1, the display control unit 512 accepts the tool identification information list display operation, and forms a tool identification information list display image showing a list of tool identification information based on the apartment information stored in the apartment information storage unit 531, and displays it on the display unit 504. When the manager performs an authentication information registration operation on the input unit 505 to register authentication information for authenticating a construction contractor who possesses the terminal device 4 in the cloud server 1, the authentication information registration request unit 515 accepts the authentication information registration operation, and generates authentication information registration request information including authentication information including tool identification information and password information, apartment information, and manager identification information based on the content of the operation, and transmits the authentication information registration request information to the cloud server 1. Here, the authentication information includes tool identification information for identifying the setting tool used by the installer, and password information indicating a password for authenticating the installer.

[0018] When the administrator performs a two-dimensional code acquisition operation on the input unit 505 to acquire two-dimensional code information, the two-dimensional code acquisition unit 516 accepts the two-dimensional code acquisition operation, generates two-dimensional code request information including tool identification information, password information, administrator identification information, and apartment building information, and transmits it to the cloud server 1. In this way, the two-dimensional code acquisition unit 516 acquires two-dimensional code notification information including the two-dimensional code information, apartment building information, and administrator identification information transmitted from the cloud server 1, and stores these pieces of information included in the acquired two-dimensional code notification information in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 532 in association with each other.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 2, the terminal device 4 is, for example, a smartphone, and includes a CPU 401, a main memory unit 402, an auxiliary memory unit 403, a display unit 404, an input unit 405, a communication unit 406, and an imaging unit 407. The terminal device 4 is used by a construction company that installs the device 3 in each dwelling unit H[j,i]. This construction company corresponds to a first user. The main memory unit 402 has a volatile memory used as a work area of ​​the CPU 401, and the auxiliary memory unit 403 has a non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the terminal device 4. The input unit 405 is, for example, a transparent touch pad placed on the display unit 404, and receives an operation by the construction company and outputs information indicating the received operation content to the CPU 401. The communication unit 406 has an interface for connecting to the wide area network NW1. The imaging unit 407 has a camera, and outputs a captured image obtained by capturing an image with the camera to a bus 409.

[0020] The CPU 401 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 403 into the main storage unit 402 and executes it, thereby functioning as an authentication information conversion unit 411, an imaging control unit 412, a two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413, a device information conversion unit 414, a display control unit 415, a location information notification unit 416, a device information notification unit 417, an authentication request unit 418, and a registration status acquisition unit 419, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 403 shown in FIG. 2 also has a device information storage unit 431 and an authentication information storage unit 432, as shown in FIG. 3. The device information storage unit 431 stores device information corresponding to a two-dimensional code image indicating device information, which is obtained by imaging the image capture unit 407. Here, the device information includes, for example, MAC address information indicating a MAC (Media Access Control) address unique to the device 3. The authentication information storage unit 432 stores authentication information corresponding to a two-dimensional code image indicating authentication information, which is obtained by imaging the image capture unit 407. Here, the authentication information includes the above-mentioned tool information and password information.

[0021] When the contractor performs a two-dimensional code imaging operation on the input unit 405 to image the two-dimensional code for authentication received from the administrator or the two-dimensional code printed on a sticker affixed to the housing of the device 3, the imaging control unit 412 accepts the two-dimensional code imaging operation and causes the imaging unit 407 to execute imaging processing to image the two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413 extracts a two-dimensional code image included in an image indicated by image information output from the imaging unit 407 as a result of the imaging unit 407 executing the imaging processing, and notifies the authentication information conversion unit 411 or the device information conversion unit 414 of two-dimensional code image information indicating the extracted two-dimensional code image.

[0022] The authentication information conversion unit 411 converts two-dimensional code image information indicating the authentication information notified from the two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413 into authentication information, and stores the authentication information in the authentication information storage unit 432. The device information conversion unit 414 converts two-dimensional code image information indicating the device information notified from the two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413 into device information, and stores the device information in the device information storage unit 431.

[0023] Authentication request unit 418 transmits the authentication information stored in authentication information storage unit 432 to cloud server 1, thereby requesting cloud server 1 to execute authentication processing. When authentication based on the authentication information is successful in cloud server 1, authentication request unit 418 acquires authentication success notification information transmitted from cloud server 1, and notifies device information notification unit 417 and display control unit 415 of the acquired authentication success notification information. When authentication based on the authentication information is unsuccessful in cloud server 1, authentication request unit 418 acquires authentication failure notification information transmitted from cloud server 1, and notifies display control unit 415 of the acquired authentication failure notification information. When registration status acquisition unit 419 acquires device information registration completion notification information or non-connection notification information transmitted from cloud server 1, it notifies display control unit 415 of the acquired device information registration completion notification information or non-connection notification information.

[0024] When the contractor performs a device information registration preparation operation on the input unit 405, the display control unit 415 accepts the device information registration preparation operation, forms an image-capturing prompting image for prompting the contractor to capture an image of the two-dimensional code obtained from the administrator, and displays the image on the display unit 404. When the display control unit 415 is notified of authentication success notification information from the authentication request unit 418, it forms an image-capturing prompting image for prompting the contractor to capture an image of the two-dimensional code printed on the sticker attached to the housing of the device 3, and displays the image on the display unit 404. On the other hand, when the display control unit 415 is notified of authentication failure notification information from the authentication request unit 418, it forms an authentication failure notification image for notifying the contractor that the authentication has failed, and displays the image on the display unit 404. When the display control unit 415 is notified of device information registration completion notification information from the registration status acquisition unit 419, it forms a location information input image for registering the location where the device 3 is installed, and displays the image on the display unit 404. On the other hand, when the display control unit 415 receives the non-connection notification information from the registration status acquisition unit 419, the display control unit 415 forms a non-connection notification image for notifying the contractor that the device 3 is not connected, and displays the image on the display unit 404.

[0025] The device information notification unit 417 generates device information notification information including the device information, apartment building information, and manager identification information stored in the device information storage unit 431, and transmits it to the cloud server 1. When the construction contractor performs a location information input operation on the input unit 405 to input dwelling unit identification information that identifies the dwelling unit H[j,i] in which the device 3 is installed while the location information input image is displayed on the display unit 404, the location information notification unit 416 accepts the location information input operation, generates location information notification information including the input dwelling unit identification information, and transmits it to the cloud server 1.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 2, the cloud server 1 acquires device status notification information including device status information and device identification information periodically transmitted from the device 3, and manages the device status information and device identification information included in the acquired device status notification information in association with each other, thereby functioning as a device management device that monitors the status of the device 3. The cloud server 1 is connected to the device 3 via the local network NW2, the communication control device 2, the BBR 8, and the wide area network NW1, and functions as a device management device that manages the device 3. The cloud server 1 is, for example, a computer for server use, and includes a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a communication unit 106, a clock unit 108, and a bus 109 that connects each unit. The CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main memory unit 102 is a volatile memory, and is used as a working area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory unit 103 has a non-volatile memory, functions as a ROM and a storage, and stores programs for realizing various functions of the cloud server 1. The communication unit 106 communicates with the device 3 via the wide area network NW1, the BBR 8, the communication control device 2, and the local network NW2. The clock unit 108 includes, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock).

[0027] The CPU 101 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as an apartment information acquisition unit 111, an authentication information registration request acquisition unit 112, a two-dimensional code generation unit 113, a two-dimensional code notification unit 114, an authentication unit 115, a device information registration unit 116, a connection confirmation unit 117, and an apartment information notification unit 118, as shown in Fig. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in Fig. 2 also has a device information storage unit 131, an authentication information storage unit 132, and a two-dimensional code information storage unit 133, as shown in Fig. 3. The device information storage unit 131 stores device information of a device 3 installed in an apartment B[j] in association with administrator identification information that identifies an aggregator that manages the device 3, apartment information indicating the apartment B[j] in which the device 3 is installed, and dwelling unit identification information that identifies the dwelling unit H[j,i] in which the device 3 is installed, as shown in Fig. 4(A), for example. The example shown in Figure 4(A) indicates that device 3 identified by MAC address "AA:AA:AA:AA:AA:AA" is installed in unit H[j,i] identified by unit identification information "A101" of apartment B[j] in "Apartment XXA" managed by aggregator A identified by administrator identification information IDE[0].

[0028] Returning to FIG. 3, the authentication information storage unit 132 stores authentication information used to authenticate a construction company when the construction company performs the work of registering device information of the device 3 installed in the apartment B[j] to the cloud server 1, in association with the apartment information indicating the apartment B[j] and the administrator identification information of the administrator managing the apartment B[j], as shown in FIG. 4(B). In the example shown in FIG. 4(B), the authentication information required to register device information of the device 3 installed in the apartment B[j] of "Apartment XXA" managed by the aggregator A identified by the administrator identification information IDE[0] to the cloud server is the tool identification information "seko1" and the password "xxxxxxx". Returning to FIG. 3, the two-dimensional code information storage unit 133 stores two-dimensional code information indicating a two-dimensional code indicating authentication information in association with the corresponding apartment information and administrator identification information.

[0029] When the apartment building information acquisition unit 111 acquires apartment building information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the apartment building information and manager identification information included in the acquired apartment building information notification information, and stores the extracted information in correspondence with each other in the device information storage unit 131. When the apartment building information notification unit 118 acquires apartment building information request information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the manager identification information included in the acquired apartment building information request information, and identifies the apartment building information corresponding to the extracted manager identification information from the apartment building information stored in the device information storage unit 131. Then, the apartment building information notification unit 118 generates apartment building information notification information including the identified apartment building information, and transmits it to the terminal device 5.

[0030] When the authentication information registration request acquisition unit 112 acquires the authentication information registration request information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the authentication information, the manager identification information, and the apartment information included in the acquired authentication information registration request information, and stores the extracted information in the authentication information storage unit 132 in association with each other. When new authentication information is stored in the authentication information storage unit 132, the two-dimensional code generation unit 113 generates two-dimensional code information indicating a two-dimensional code indicating the authentication information. Then, the two-dimensional code generation unit 113 stores the generated two-dimensional code information in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 133 in association with the corresponding manager identification information and apartment information. When the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 acquires the two-dimensional code request information transmitted from the terminal device 4, it extracts the tool identification information, password information, manager identification information, and apartment information included in the acquired two-dimensional code request information, and specifies the two-dimensional code information corresponding to the extracted manager identification information and apartment information from the two-dimensional code information stored in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 133. Next, the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 determines whether or not the combination of tool identification information and password information corresponding to the specified two-dimensional code information matches the combination of the extracted tool identification information and password information. If the combination of tool identification information and password information corresponding to the specified two-dimensional code information matches the combination of the extracted tool identification information and password information, the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 generates two-dimensional code notification information including the two-dimensional code information, apartment building information, and manager identification information, and transmits it to the terminal device 5.

[0031] When the authentication unit 115 acquires the authentication information transmitted from the terminal device 4, the authentication unit 115 executes an authentication process to determine whether or not the acquired authentication information matches the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 132. If the acquired authentication information matches the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 132, the authentication unit 115 determines that the authentication has been successful and transmits authentication success notification information to the terminal device 4. On the other hand, if the acquired authentication information does not match the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 132, the authentication unit 115 determines that the authentication has failed and transmits authentication failure notification information to the terminal device 4.

[0032] When the device information registration unit 116 acquires device information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4, it extracts the device information, the manager identification information, and the apartment information included in the acquired device information notification information, and notifies the connection confirmation unit 117 of the extracted device information. Then, when the device information registration unit 116 is notified of the connection notification information from the connection confirmation unit 117, it stores the extracted device information, manager identification information, and apartment information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with each other, and generates device information registration completion notification information notifying that the registration of the device 3 has been completed, and transmits it to the terminal device 4. On the other hand, when the device information registration unit 116 is notified of non-connection notification information from the connection confirmation unit 117, it transmits the non-connection notification information to the terminal device 4. Also, when the device information registration unit 116 acquires location information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4, it extracts the location information and the apartment information included in the acquired location information notification information, and stores the extracted location information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with the extracted apartment information.

[0033] When the connection confirmation unit 117 is notified of the device information from the device information registration unit 116, the connection confirmation unit 117 generates response request information for requesting transmission of response information to the device 3 corresponding to the device information based on the device information, and transmits the generated response request information to the device 3. Then, the connection confirmation unit 117 determines the connection state with the device 3 based on the acquisition status of response information transmitted from the device 3 until a preset waiting time has elapsed after transmitting the response request information to the device 3. Here, if the above-mentioned waiting time has elapsed in a state where response information cannot be acquired from the device 3 after transmitting the response request information to the device 3, the connection confirmation unit 117 determines that it is not possible to connect to the device 3, and notifies the device information registration unit 116 of non-connection notification information. On the other hand, if the connection confirmation unit 117 acquires response information until the above-mentioned waiting time has elapsed after transmitting the response request information to the device 3, it determines that it is connected to the device 3, and notifies the device information registration unit 116 of connection notification information.

[0034] Next, the operation of the device management system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 10. First, as shown in Fig. 5, it is assumed that the manager performs the above-mentioned apartment registration operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to register, for example, an apartment B[j] that the manager manages in the cloud server 1. In this case, the terminal device 5 accepts the apartment registration operation and generates apartment information notification information including the apartment information of the target apartment B[j] and the administrator identification information that identifies the administrator of the apartment B[j] based on the accepted operation content (step S1). Next, the generated apartment information notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S2). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the apartment information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the apartment information and the administrator identification information included in the acquired apartment information notification information, and stores the extracted information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S3).

[0035] Also, assume that the manager performs an apartment search operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to search for apartment information corresponding to the apartment B[j] specified by the manager from among the apartment information registered in the cloud server 1. In this case, the terminal device 5 accepts the apartment search operation and generates apartment information request information including the specified manager identification information and requesting the cloud server 1 to transmit the apartment information managed by the manager (step S4). Next, the generated apartment information request information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S5). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires the apartment information request information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the manager identification information included in the acquired apartment information request information and identifies the apartment information corresponding to the extracted manager identification information from among the apartment information stored in the device information storage unit 131 (step S6). After that, the cloud server 1 generates apartment information notification information including the identified apartment information (step S7), and the generated apartment information notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5 (step S8). On the other hand, when the terminal device 5 acquires the apartment information notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1, it extracts the apartment information and the corresponding manager identification information included in the acquired apartment information notification information, and stores the extracted apartment information and the manager identification information in the apartment information storage unit 531 in association with each other. Then, the terminal device 5 forms an apartment list display image showing a list of apartments based on the apartment information and the manager identification information stored in the apartment information storage unit 531, and displays it on the display unit 504 (step S9). Here, the terminal device 5 displays an apartment list display image GA1 as shown in FIG. 6(A), for example, on the display unit 504. The apartment list display image GA1 includes a message image M11 indicating the name of the apartment B[j], a button image BU11 selected when changing the name registered for the apartment B[j], and a button image BU12 selected when adding an apartment B[j] to be registered or deleting a registered apartment B[j].

[0036] Returning to FIG. 5, it is assumed that the administrator performs a tool identification information list display operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to register authentication information including the above-mentioned tool identification information and password information in the cloud server 1. In this case, the terminal device 5 forms a tool identification information list display image showing a list of tool identification information based on the apartment information stored in the apartment information storage unit 531, and displays it on the display unit 504 (step S10). The terminal device 5 displays a tool identification information list display image GA2 as shown in FIG. 6(B), for example, on the display unit 504. This tool identification information list display image GA2 includes a message image M21 showing the name of the apartment B[j] and a message image M22 showing the tool identification information. In addition, the tool identification information list display image GA2 includes a button image BU21 selected when registering tool identification information that has not yet been registered, a button image BU22 selected when acquiring two-dimensional code information from the cloud server 1, and a button image BU23 selected when deleting registered tool identification information.

[0037] Returning to FIG. 5, it is assumed that the administrator performs an authentication information registration operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5. In this authentication information registration operation, for example, in a state in which a tool identification information list display image GA2 shown in FIG. 6(B) is displayed on the display unit 504 of the terminal device 5, a button image BU21 is selected. At this time, the terminal device 5 causes the display unit 504 to display an authentication information input dialog box image GA3 including a tool identification information input field B31, a password input field B32, and a button image BU31 selected when registering the input information, as shown in FIG. 7(A), for example. Then, the administrator performs an operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to input the tool identification information and the password into the input fields B31 and B32, and then selects the button image BU31. Returning to FIG. 5, in this case, the terminal device 5 accepts the authentication information registration operation, generates authentication information registration request information including the authentication information including the tool identification information and password information, and the apartment information and the manager identification information based on the operation content (step S11), and the generated authentication information registration request information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S12). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the authentication information registration request information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the authentication information, the manager identification information, and the apartment information included in the acquired authentication information registration request information, and stores the extracted information in the authentication information storage unit 132 in association with each other (step S13). Next, when new authentication information is stored in the authentication information storage unit 132, the cloud server 1 generates two-dimensional code information indicating a two-dimensional code indicating the authentication information. Then, the two-dimensional code generation unit 113 stores the generated two-dimensional code information in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 133 in association with the corresponding manager identification information and apartment information (step S14).

[0038] Next, it is assumed that the administrator performs a two-dimensional code acquisition operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to acquire two-dimensional code information. In this two-dimensional code acquisition operation, for example, in a state in which the tool identification information list display image GA2 shown in FIG. 6(B) is displayed on the display unit 504 of the terminal device 5, the button image BU22 is selected. At this time, the terminal device 5 causes the display unit 504 to display a download instruction dialog box image GA4 including a password input field B41 and a button image BU41 selected when instructing to download the two-dimensional code information, for example, as shown in FIG. 7(B). Then, the administrator performs an operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to select the button image BU41 after inputting the password into the input field B41. Returning to FIG. 5, in this case, the terminal device 5 accepts the two-dimensional code acquisition operation and generates two-dimensional code request information including the tool identification information and the password information (step S15), and the generated two-dimensional code request information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S16). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the two-dimensional code request information transmitted from the terminal device 4, it extracts the tool identification information, password information, manager identification information, and apartment information contained in the acquired two-dimensional code request information, and identifies the two-dimensional code information corresponding to the extracted manager identification information and apartment information from the two-dimensional code information stored in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 133 (step S17). After that, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the combination of the tool identification information and password information corresponding to the identified two-dimensional code information matches the combination of the extracted tool identification information and password information (step S18). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates two-dimensional code notification information including the identified two-dimensional code information, apartment identification information, and manager identification information (step S19), and the generated two-dimensional code notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5 (step S20). Meanwhile, when the terminal device 5 receives the two-dimensional code information notification transmitted from the cloud server 1, it extracts the two-dimensional code information, apartment building information, and administrator identification information contained in the received two-dimensional code notification information, and stores the extracted information in correspondence with each other in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 532 (step S21).

[0039] Then, the manager gives the two-dimensional code indicated by the two-dimensional code information stored in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 532 to a contractor who will install the device 3 in the apartment building B[j] indicated by the apartment building information in association with the two-dimensional code information. Meanwhile, the contractor, carrying the two-dimensional code received from the manager, goes to the corresponding apartment building B[j] to install the device 3.

[0040] Also, when the contractor performs a device information registration preparation operation on the input unit 405 of the terminal device 4, the terminal device 4 accepts the device information registration preparation operation, forms an image-capturing prompting image for prompting the contractor to capture the two-dimensional code obtained from the administrator, and displays the image on the display unit 404 (step S22). At this time, the terminal device 4 displays an image-capturing prompting image GA5 including a message image M51 showing a message prompting the contractor to capture the image as shown in FIG. 9(A) and a button image BU51 selected when the contractor is to capture the image on the display unit 404. Returning to FIG. 8, next, it is assumed that the contractor performs a two-dimensional code image-capturing operation on the input unit 405 of the terminal device 4 to capture the two-dimensional code for authentication received from the administrator. In this two-dimensional code image-capturing operation, for example, the button image BU51 is selected in a state where the image-capturing prompting image GA5 shown in FIG. 9(A) is displayed on the display unit 404 of the terminal device 4. In this case, the terminal device 4 accepts the two-dimensional code imaging operation and causes the imaging unit 407 to execute imaging processing to image the two-dimensional code (step S23). Next, the terminal device 4 extracts a two-dimensional code image included in an image indicated by image information output from the imaging unit 407 by the imaging unit 407 executing imaging processing, converts two-dimensional code image information indicating the extracted two-dimensional code image into authentication information (step S24), and stores it in the authentication information storage unit 432. Thereafter, the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 432 is transmitted from the terminal device 4 to the cloud server 1 (step S25). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the authentication information transmitted from the terminal device 4, it executes authentication processing to determine whether the acquired authentication information matches the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 132. Then, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the acquired authentication information matches the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 132 and that the authentication has been successful (step S26). In this case, authentication success notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 4 (step S27).

[0041] On the other hand, when the terminal device 4 acquires the authentication success notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1, it forms an image-capturing prompting image for prompting the capturing of the two-dimensional code printed on the sticker attached to the housing of the device 3, and displays it on the display unit 404 (step S28). At this time, the terminal device 4 displays an image similar to the image-capturing prompting image GA5 as shown in FIG. 9(A) on the display unit 504. Returning to FIG. 8, next, it is assumed that the contractor performs a two-dimensional code imaging operation on the input unit 405 of the terminal device 4 to capture the two-dimensional code printed on the sticker attached to the housing of the device 3. In this two-dimensional code imaging operation, for example, the button image BU51 is selected in a state in which the image-capturing prompting image GA5 shown in FIG. 9(A) is displayed on the display unit 404 of the terminal device 4. In this case, the terminal device 4 accepts the two-dimensional code imaging operation and causes the imaging unit 407 to execute imaging processing for capturing the two-dimensional code (step S29). Next, the terminal device 4 extracts a two-dimensional code image included in an image indicated by image information output from the imaging unit 407 by the imaging unit 407 executing imaging processing, converts the two-dimensional code image information indicating the extracted two-dimensional code image into device information, and stores the device information in the device information storage unit 431 (step S30). After that, the terminal device 4 generates device information notification information including the device information stored in the device information storage unit 431, the apartment building information, and the manager identification information (step S31), and the generated device information notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 4 to the cloud server 1 (step S32).

[0042] On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the device information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4, it extracts the device information, the manager identification information, and the apartment house information contained in the acquired device information notification information (step S33). Next, the cloud server 1 generates response request information based on the device information (step S34), and as shown in FIG. 10, the generated response request information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the device 3 (step S35). On the other hand, when the device 3 acquires the response request information, it generates response information in response to the response request information (step S36), and the generated response information is transmitted from the device 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S37). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the response information, it determines that it is connected to the device 3, and stores the extracted device information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with the extracted manager identification information and the apartment house information (step S38). Next, the cloud server 1 generates device information registration completion notification information to notify that the registration of the device 3 has been completed (step S39), and the generated device information registration completion notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 4 (step S40).

[0043] On the other hand, when the terminal device 4 receives the device information registration completion notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1, it forms a location information input image for registering the location where the device 3 is installed and displays it on the display unit 404 (step S41). At this time, the terminal device 4 displays a location information input image GA6 as shown in FIG. 9B on the display unit 404. This location information input image GA6 includes a message image M61 showing a message urging the input of the room number of the dwelling unit H[j,i], an input field B61 for dwelling unit identification information for identifying the dwelling unit H[j,i] where the device 3 is installed, a message image M62 showing the device information, and a button image BU61 selected when transmitting the location information to the cloud server 1. Returning to FIG. 10, it is assumed that the contractor performs a location information input operation on the input unit 405 of the terminal device 4 to register the location information in the cloud server 1. In this location information input operation, for example, in a state where the location information input image GA6 shown in Fig. 9(B) is displayed on the display unit 404 of the terminal device 4, the dwelling unit identification information for identifying the dwelling unit H[j,i] in which the device 3 is installed is input in the input field B61, and then the button image BU61 is selected. At this time, the terminal device 4 accepts the location information input operation and generates location information notification information including location information including the input dwelling unit identification information (step S42), and the generated location information notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 4 to the cloud server 1 (step S43). Meanwhile, when the device information registration unit 116 acquires the location information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4, it extracts the dwelling unit identification information and the apartment information included in the acquired location information notification information, and stores the extracted dwelling unit identification information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with the extracted apartment information (step S44).

[0044] Next, the device management process executed by the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. This device management process is started when a program for executing the device management process is started in the cloud server 1. First, the apartment information acquisition unit 111 judges whether or not it has acquired apartment information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5 (step S101). If the apartment information acquisition unit 111 judges that it has not acquired apartment information notification information (step S101: No), the process of step S103 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the apartment information acquisition unit 111 judges that it has acquired apartment information notification information (step S101: Yes), it extracts apartment information and manager identification information included in the acquired apartment information notification information, and stores the extracted information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S102).

[0045] Next, the apartment information notification unit 118 judges whether or not it has acquired the apartment information request information transmitted from the terminal device 5 (step S103). If the apartment information notification unit 118 judges that it has not acquired the apartment information request information (step S103: No), the process of step S108 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the apartment information notification unit 118 judges that it has acquired the apartment information request information (step S103: Yes), it extracts the manager identification information included in the acquired apartment information request information, and identifies the apartment information corresponding to the extracted manager identification information from the apartment information stored in the device information storage unit 131 (step S104). Next, the apartment information notification unit 118 generates apartment information notification information including the identified apartment information, and transmits it to the terminal device 5 (step S105).

[0046] Thereafter, the authentication information registration request acquisition unit 112 judges whether or not the authentication information registration request information transmitted from the terminal device 5 has been acquired (step S106). If the authentication information registration request acquisition unit 112 judges that the authentication information registration request information has not been acquired (step S106: No), the process of step S109 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the authentication information registration request acquisition unit 112 judges that the authentication information registration request information has been acquired (step S106: Yes), the authentication information registration request acquisition unit 112 extracts the authentication information, the manager identification information, and the apartment information included in the acquired authentication information registration request information, and stores the extracted information in the authentication information storage unit 132 in association with each other (step S107). Next, when new authentication information is stored in the authentication information storage unit 132, the two-dimensional code generation unit 113 generates two-dimensional code information indicating a two-dimensional code indicating the authentication information. Then, the two-dimensional code generating unit 113 stores the generated two-dimensional code information in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 133 in association with the corresponding manager identification information and apartment building information (step S108).

[0047] Next, the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 judges whether or not it has acquired two-dimensional code request information transmitted from the terminal device 4 (step S109). If the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 judges that it has not acquired two-dimensional code request information (step S109: No), the process of step S114 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 judges that it has acquired two-dimensional code request information (step S109: Yes), it extracts the tool identification information, password information, manager identification information, and apartment information included in the acquired two-dimensional code request information, and identifies two-dimensional code information corresponding to the extracted manager identification information and apartment information from the two-dimensional code information stored in the two-dimensional code information storage unit 133 (step S110). After that, the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 judges whether or not the combination of the tool identification information and password information corresponding to the identified two-dimensional code information matches the combination of the extracted tool identification information and password information (step S111). Here, if the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 determines that the combination of tool identification information and password information corresponding to the specified two-dimensional code information does not match the combination of tool identification information and password information extracted (step S111: No), it generates error notification information and transmits it to the terminal device 4 (step S112). On the other hand, if the two-dimensional code notification unit 114 determines that the combination of tool identification information and password information corresponding to the specified two-dimensional code information matches the combination of tool identification information and password information extracted (step S111: Yes), it generates two-dimensional code notification information including the two-dimensional code information, apartment building information, and manager identification information and transmits it to the terminal device 5 (step S113).

[0048] Next, the authentication unit 115 judges whether or not the authentication information transmitted from the terminal device 4 has been acquired (step S114). Here, if the authentication unit 115 judges that the authentication information has not been acquired (step S114: No), the process of step S118 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the authentication unit 115 judges that the authentication information has been acquired (step S114: Yes), the authentication unit 115 executes an authentication process for judging whether or not the acquired authentication information matches the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 132. Then, the authentication unit 115 judges whether or not the acquired authentication information matches the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 132 and the authentication has been successful (step S115). Here, if the authentication unit 115 judges that the authentication has failed (step S115: No), it transmits authentication failure notification information to the terminal device 4 (step S116). On the other hand, if the authentication unit 115 judges that the authentication has been successful (step S115: Yes), it transmits authentication success notification information to the terminal device 4 (step S117).

[0049] 12, the device information registration unit 116 judges whether or not the device information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4 has been acquired (step S118). If the device information registration unit 116 judges that the device information notification information has not been acquired (step S118: No), the process of step S125 described later is executed. On the other hand, if the device information registration unit 116 judges that the device information notification information has been acquired (step S118: Yes), the device information registration unit 116 extracts the device information, the manager identification information, and the apartment information included in the acquired device information notification information (step S119), and notifies the connection confirmation unit 117 of the extracted device information. Then, when the device information is notified from the device information registration unit 116, the connection confirmation unit 117 generates response request information for requesting the device 3 corresponding to the device information to transmit response information based on the device information, and transmits the generated response request information to the device 3 (step S120). After that, the connection confirmation unit 117 judges whether or not the response information transmitted from the device 3 is acquired during the waiting time after the response request information is transmitted to the device 3 (step S121). Here, if the connection confirmation unit 117 judges that the waiting time has elapsed without being able to acquire the response information from the device 3 after transmitting the response request information to the device 3 (step S121: No), the connection confirmation unit 117 judges that the device 3 cannot be connected and notifies the device information registration unit 116 of the non-connection notification information. Then, when the device information registration unit 116 is notified of the non-connection notification information from the connection confirmation unit 117, the device information registration unit 116 transmits the non-connection notification information to the terminal device 4 (step S122). On the other hand, if the connection confirmation unit 117 judges that the response information is acquired during the waiting time after transmitting the response request information to the device 3 (step S121: Yes), the connection confirmation unit 117 judges that the device 3 is connected and notifies the device information registration unit 116 of the connection notification information. Then, when the device information registration unit 116 is notified of the connection notification information from the connection confirmation unit 117, it stores the extracted device information, manager identification information, and apartment building information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S123). Next, the device information registration unit 116 generates device information registration completion notification information notifying that the registration of the device 3 has been completed, and transmits it to the terminal device 4 (step S124).

[0050] Next, the device information registration unit 116 determines whether or not location information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4 has been acquired (step S125). If the device information registration unit 116 determines that location information notification information has not been acquired (step S125: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the device information registration unit 116 determines that location information notification information has been acquired (step S125: Yes), the device information registration unit 116 extracts the location information and apartment information included in the acquired location information notification information, and stores the extracted location information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with the extracted apartment information (step S126). Then, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0051] Next, the device registration process executed by the terminal device 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. This device registration process is started when a program for executing the device registration process is started in the terminal device 4 after the terminal device 4 is powered on. First, the display control unit 415 judges whether or not the above-mentioned device information registration preparation operation has been accepted (step S201). Here, unless the display control unit 415 accepts the device information registration preparation operation (step S201: No), the process of step S201 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the display control unit 415 judges that the device information registration preparation operation has been accepted (step S201: Yes), it forms an image pickup prompting image for prompting the image pickup of the two-dimensional code acquired from the administrator and displays it on the display unit 404 (step S202).

[0052] Next, the imaging control unit 412 judges whether or not the contractor has accepted a two-dimensional code imaging operation for imaging the authentication two-dimensional code received from the administrator via the input unit 405 (step S203). If the imaging control unit 412 judges that the two-dimensional code imaging operation has not been accepted within a preset waiting time (step S203: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the imaging control unit 412 judges that the two-dimensional code imaging operation has been accepted (step S203: Yes), it causes the imaging unit 407 to execute imaging processing for imaging the two-dimensional code (step S204). Next, the two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413 extracts a two-dimensional code image included in an image indicated by image information output from the imaging unit 407 by the imaging unit 407 executing imaging processing, and notifies the authentication information conversion unit 411 of two-dimensional code image information indicating the extracted two-dimensional code image. Then, the authentication information conversion unit 411 converts the two-dimensional code image information indicating the authentication information notified from the two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413 into authentication information (step S205), and stores the authentication information in the authentication information storage unit 432. After that, the authentication request unit 418 transmits the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 432 to the cloud server 1 (step S206).

[0053] Next, the authentication request unit 418 judges whether or not the authentication success notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1 has been acquired (step S207). Here, when the authentication request unit 418 judges that the authentication failure notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1 has been acquired (step S207: No), it notifies the display control unit 415 of the acquired authentication failure notification information. Then, when the display control unit 415 is notified of the authentication failure notification information from the authentication request unit 418, it forms an authentication failure notification image notifying the contractor that the authentication has failed, and displays it on the display unit 404 (step S208). On the other hand, when the authentication request unit 418 judges that the authentication success notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1 has been acquired (step S207: Yes), it notifies the device information notifying unit 417 and the display control unit 415 of the acquired authentication success notification information. Then, when the display control unit 415 receives the authentication success notification information from the authentication request unit 418, it forms an image capturing prompting image prompting the user to capture an image of the two-dimensional code printed on the sticker affixed to the housing of the device 3, and displays the image on the display unit 404 (step S209).

[0054] Next, the imaging control unit 412 judges whether or not the contractor has accepted a two-dimensional code imaging operation for imaging the two-dimensional code printed on the sticker attached to the housing of the device 3 through the input unit 405 (step S210). If the imaging control unit 412 judges that the two-dimensional code imaging operation has not been accepted within a preset waiting time (step S210: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the imaging control unit 412 judges that the two-dimensional code imaging operation has been accepted (step S210: Yes), it causes the imaging unit 407 to execute imaging processing for imaging the two-dimensional code (step S211). After that, the two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413 extracts a two-dimensional code image included in an image indicated by image information output from the imaging unit 407 by the imaging unit 407 executing imaging processing, and notifies the authentication information conversion unit 411 of two-dimensional code image information indicating the extracted two-dimensional code image. Then, the device information conversion unit 414 converts the two-dimensional code image information indicating the device information notified from the two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413 into device information, and stores the device information in the device information storage unit 431 (step S212). Next, the device information notification unit 417 generates device information notification information including the device information stored in the device information storage unit 431, the apartment building information, and the manager identification information, and transmits the device information notification information to the cloud server 1 (step S213).

[0055] Next, the registration status acquisition unit 419 judges whether or not the device information registration completion notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1 has been acquired (step S214). Here, when the registration status acquisition unit 419 judges that the non-connection notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1 has been acquired (step S214: No), it notifies the display control unit 415 of the acquired non-connection notification information. Then, when the display control unit 415 is notified of the non-connection notification information from the registration status acquisition unit 419, it forms a non-connection notification image for notifying that the device 3 is not connected, and displays it on the display unit 404 (step S215), and then the process of step S203 is executed again. On the other hand, when the registration status acquisition unit 419 judges that the device information registration completion notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1 has been acquired (step S214: Yes), it notifies the display control unit 415 of the acquired device information registration completion notification information. Then, when the display control unit 415 receives device information registration completion notification information from the registration status acquisition unit 419, it forms a location information input image for registering the location where the device 3 is installed and displays it on the display unit 404 (step S216).

[0056] Thereafter, the location information notification unit 416 determines whether or not the location information input operation described above has been accepted (step S217). If the location information notification unit 416 determines that the location information input operation has not been accepted within a preset waiting time (step S217: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the location information notification unit 416 determines that the location information input operation has been accepted (step S217: Yes), the location information notification unit 416 generates location information notification information including the entered dwelling unit identification information and transmits it to the cloud server 1 (step S218). Next, the process of step S201 is executed again.

[0057] As described above, according to the device management system of the present embodiment, the cloud server 1 generates a code image for each apartment building B[j] in which the device 3 is installed based on the above-mentioned authentication information. Then, the terminal device 4 acquires the code image, converts the code image information indicating the acquired code image into authentication information, and transmits it to the cloud server 1. Meanwhile, the cloud server 1 executes an authentication process based on the authentication information transmitted from the terminal device 4, and if the authentication is successful in the authentication process, stores the device information of each device 3 transmitted from the terminal device 4 that transmitted the authentication information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with the apartment building information. This allows the construction company to acquire a code image corresponding to the apartment building B[j] in which the device 3, the device information of which is to be stored in the device information storage unit 131, is installed, and transmit the device information to the cloud server 1 via the terminal device 4 only if the authentication is successful based on the authentication information corresponding to the code image. Therefore, by requiring the construction company to obtain a code image corresponding to the apartment building B[j] in which the target device 3 will be installed, the construction company is given an opportunity to check the apartment building B[j] in which the target device 3 will be installed. This prevents device information of devices 3 installed in other apartment buildings B[j] from being mistakenly sent to the cloud server 1, and improves the accuracy of the configuration work for the device 3.

[0058] (Embodiment 2) The device management system according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the device management device has a list storage unit that stores list information indicating a list of multiple dwelling unit identification information registered in advance by the manager for the apartment building B[j], and the device information registration unit transmits the list information stored in the list storage unit to the terminal device when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information. Also, the terminal device differs from the first embodiment in that it has a location information notification unit that transmits to the device management device the dwelling unit identification information selected by the first user via an input unit from the multiple dwelling unit identification information indicated in the list information transmitted from the device management device.

[0059] The device management system according to the present embodiment includes terminal devices 2004 and 2005 and a cloud server 2001. The terminal devices 2004 and 2005 and the cloud server 2001 according to the present embodiment each have the same hardware configuration as in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the hardware configuration will be described using the reference numerals shown in FIG. 2 as appropriate. In the terminal device 2005, the CPU 501 reads out a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 503 into the main storage unit 502 and executes it, thereby functioning as an apartment building information registration unit 2511, a display control unit 2512, an apartment building information notification unit 2513, an apartment building information acquisition unit 514, and an authentication information registration request unit 515 as shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, the same components as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 503 also has an apartment building information storage unit 531 and a two-dimensional code information storage unit 532.

[0060] The display control unit 2512 forms an apartment list display image showing a list of apartments based on the apartment information and the manager identification information stored in the apartment information storage unit 531, and displays it on the display unit 504. Here, the display control unit 2512 displays an apartment list display image GA2001 as shown in FIG. 15(A), for example, on the display unit 504. Note that in FIG. 15(A), the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 6(A). This apartment list display image GA2001 includes a button image BU2013 that is selected when setting a list of dwelling unit identification information, as well as a message image M11, button images BU11 and BU12. Then, when the manager performs an operation to select the button image BU2013 via the input unit 505, the display control unit 2512 forms a list registration image for registering a list of dwelling unit identification information, and displays it on the display unit 504.

[0061] 14, when the manager of apartment B[j] performs an apartment registration operation on input unit 505 to register the apartment information of apartment B[j], the manager managing the apartment B[j], and a list of dwelling unit identification information in cloud server 1, the apartment information registration unit 2511 accepts the apartment registration operation and, based on the accepted operation content, notifies the apartment information notification unit 2513 of the apartment information, manager identification information identifying the manager of apartment B[j], and list information indicating the list of dwelling unit identification information. The apartment information notification unit 2513 then generates apartment information notification information including the notified apartment information, manager identification information, and list information, and transmits it to the cloud server 2001.

[0062] In the terminal device 2004, the CPU 401 reads out a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 403 into the main storage unit 402 and executes it, thereby functioning as an authentication information conversion unit 411, an imaging control unit 412, a two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413, a device information conversion unit 414, a display control unit 2415, a location information notification unit 2416, a device information notification unit 417, an authentication request unit 418, and a registration status acquisition unit 2419. The auxiliary storage unit 403 also has a device information storage unit 431 and an authentication information storage unit 432. When the registration status acquisition unit 2419 acquires device information registration completion notification information transmitted from the cloud server 2001, it extracts list information included in the acquired device information registration completion notification information and notifies the display control unit 2415 of the extracted list information.

[0063] When the display control unit 2415 is notified of the list information from the registration status acquisition unit 419, the display control unit 2415 forms a location information input image including a button image selected when displaying a pop-up menu image for selecting one dwell unit identification information from the list of dwell unit identification information based on the list information, and displays the image on the display unit 404. Here, the display control unit 2415 displays a location information input image GA2006 as shown in FIG. 15(B), for example, on the display unit 404. Note that in FIG. 15(B), the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 9(B). This location information input image GA2006 is located at the right end of an input field B2061 for dwell unit identification information, and includes a button image BU2062 selected when displaying a list of dwell unit identification information. Here, when button image BU2062 is selected, the display control unit 2415 may cause the display unit 404 to display a dialog box image GA2061 including button images BU2611, BU2612, and BU2613 for selecting a floor in apartment building B[j,i], as shown in, for example, FIG. 16(A).Furthermore, when button image BU2611 is selected, for example, the display control unit 2415 may cause the display unit 404 to display a dialog box image GA2062 including check box images BU2621, BU2622, and BU2623, as shown in, for example, FIG. 16(B).

[0064] Returning to Figure 14, when a location information input image is displayed on the display unit 404 and the construction worker performs a location information selection operation via the input unit 405 to select one piece of unit identification information that identifies the unit H[j,i] in which the equipment 3 is installed, the location information notification unit 2416 accepts the location information selection operation, generates location information notification information including the input unit identification information, and transmits it to the cloud server 2001.

[0065] In the cloud server 2001, the CPU 101 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as an apartment information acquisition unit 2111, an authentication information registration request acquisition unit 112, a two-dimensional code generation unit 113, a two-dimensional code notification unit 114, an authentication unit 115, a device information registration unit 2116, a connection confirmation unit 117, and an apartment information notification unit 118. As shown in Fig. 3, the auxiliary storage unit 103 has a device information storage unit 131, an authentication information storage unit 132, a two-dimensional code information storage unit 133, and a list storage unit 2134 that stores list information indicating a list of dwelling unit identification information. The list storage unit 2134 stores list information indicating a list of multiple dwelling unit identification information set by the manager in association with the apartment identification information, the manager identification information, and floor information indicating the floor on which the dwelling unit H[j, i] identified by the dwelling unit identification information is located.

[0066] When the apartment building information acquisition unit 2111 acquires apartment building information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the apartment building information, manager identification information, and list information included in the acquired apartment building information notification information, and stores the extracted apartment building information and manager identification information in association with each other in the device information storage unit 131. In addition, the apartment building information acquisition unit 2111 stores the extracted list information in the list storage unit 2134 in association with the extracted apartment building information and manager identification information.

[0067] When the device information registration unit 2116 receives connection notification information from the connection confirmation unit 117, it stores the extracted device information, administrator identification information and apartment building information in the device information memory unit 131 in correspondence with each other, and generates device information registration completion notification information including list information corresponding to the extracted administrator identification information and apartment building information stored in the list memory unit 2134, and transmits it to the terminal device 2004.

[0068] Next, the operation of the device management system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17. In FIG. 17, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5, FIG. 8, or FIG. 10. First, a series of processes from step S1 to S37 is executed, and when the cloud server 2001 acquires response information, it determines that it is connected to the device 3, and stores the extracted device information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with the extracted administrator identification information and apartment building information (step S38). Next, the cloud server 2001 generates device information registration completion notification information including list information corresponding to the extracted administrator identification information and apartment building information stored in the list storage unit 2134 (step S2001), and the generated device information registration completion notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 2001 to the terminal device 2004 (step S2002).

[0069] Meanwhile, when the terminal device 2004 acquires the device information registration completion notification information transmitted from the cloud server 2001, it forms a location information input image based on the list information included in the acquired device information registration completion notification information and displays it on the display unit 404 (step S2003). Now, it is assumed that the contractor selects dwelling unit identification information on the input unit 405 of the terminal device 2004 and performs a location information selection operation for registering the selected dwelling unit identification information in the cloud server 2001. At this time, the terminal device 4 accepts the location information selection operation and generates location information notification information including location information including the input dwelling unit identification information (step S2004), and the generated location information notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 2004 to the cloud server 2001 (step S43). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 2001 acquires the location information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4, it extracts the dwelling unit identification information and apartment building information contained in the acquired location information notification information, and stores the extracted dwelling unit identification information in the device information memory unit 131 in correspondence with the extracted apartment building information (step S44).

[0070] As described above, in the device management system according to the present embodiment, when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information, the device information registration unit 2116 of the cloud server 2001 transmits the list information stored in the list storage unit 2134 to the terminal device 2004. Then, the location information notification unit 2416 of the terminal device 2004 transmits the dwelling unit identification information selected by the builder via the input unit 405 from the multiple pieces of dwelling unit identification information indicated by the list information to the cloud server 2001. This saves the builder the trouble of inputting the dwelling unit identification information via the input unit 405, thereby improving the convenience for the builder.

[0071] (Embodiment 3) The equipment management system of this embodiment differs from embodiment 1 in that the terminal device has a location information conversion unit that converts an image obtained by capturing an image of the dwelling unit identification information displayed on each of a plurality of dwelling units into dwelling unit identification information, and a location information notification unit that transmits the dwelling unit identification information obtained by the conversion to the equipment management device.

[0072] The device management system according to the present embodiment includes terminal devices 3004 and 5 and a cloud server 1. The terminal device 3004 according to the present embodiment has the same hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the hardware configuration will be described using the reference numerals shown in FIG. 2 as appropriate. In the terminal device 3004, the CPU 401 reads out a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 403 into the main storage unit 402 and executes it, thereby functioning as an authentication information conversion unit 411, an imaging control unit 412, a two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413, a device information conversion unit 414, a display control unit 3415, a location information notification unit 3416, a device information notification unit 417, an authentication request unit 418, a registration status acquisition unit 419, a location information conversion unit 3420, and a location display image acquisition unit 3421, as shown in FIG. 18. The auxiliary storage unit 403 also includes a device information storage unit 431 and an authentication information storage unit 432.

[0073] When the builder performs a location display imaging operation on the input unit 405 to image the dwell identification information displayed in the dwell unit H[j,i], the imaging control unit 412 accepts the location display imaging operation and causes the imaging unit 407 to execute imaging processing to image the dwell identification information. The location display image acquisition unit 3421 extracts an image of the display portion of the dwell identification information included in the image indicated by the image information output from the imaging unit 407 as a result of the imaging unit 407 executing the imaging processing, and notifies the location information conversion unit 3420 of image information indicating the extracted image. The location information conversion unit 3420 converts the image information notified from the location display image acquisition unit 3421 into dwell identification information and notifies the location information notification unit 3416.

[0074] When the display control unit 3415 is notified of device information registration completion notification information from the registration status acquisition unit 419, it forms a location information input image prompting the user to capture an image of the dwelling unit identification information displayed in the dwelling unit H[j,i], and displays it on the display unit 404. When the builder performs a location display imaging operation via the input unit 405 while the location information input image is displayed on the display unit 404, the location information notification unit 3416 accepts the location display imaging operation, generates location information notification information including the dwelling unit identification information notified from the location information conversion unit 3420, and transmits the information to the cloud server 1.

[0075] Next, the operation of the device management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 19. In Fig. 19, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 5, 8 or 10. First, when a series of processes from steps S1 to S39 are executed, the generated device information registration completion notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 3004 (step S40).

[0076] On the other hand, when the terminal device 3004 acquires the device information registration completion notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1, it forms a location information input image including a message image prompting the capturing of the dwell identification information displayed in the dwell unit H[j,i], and displays it on the display unit 404 (step S3001). Here, it is assumed that the contractor performs a location display imaging operation on the input unit 405 of the terminal device 3004 to capture the dwell identification information displayed in the dwell unit H[j,i]. At this time, the terminal device 3004 accepts the location display imaging operation and causes the imaging unit 407 to execute imaging processing to capture the dwell identification information (step S3002). Next, the terminal device 3004 extracts an image representing the location display image included in the image indicated by the image information output from the imaging unit 407 by the imaging unit 407 executing the imaging processing, and converts the image information indicating the extracted image into dwell identification information (step S3003). Next, the terminal device 3004 generates location information notification information including location information including the dwelling unit identification information obtained by the conversion (step S3004), and the generated location information notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 3004 to the cloud server 1 (step S43). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the location information notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4, the device information registration unit 116 extracts the dwelling unit identification information and apartment information included in the acquired location information notification information, and stores the extracted dwelling unit identification information in the device information storage unit 131 in association with the extracted apartment information (step S44).

[0077] As described above, in the equipment management system according to the present embodiment, the location information conversion unit 3420 of the terminal device 3004 converts an image obtained by capturing an image of the dwelling unit identification information displayed in the dwelling unit H[j,i] into dwelling unit identification information, and the location information notification unit 3416 generates location information notification information including the dwelling unit identification information obtained by conversion and transmits it to the cloud server 1. This saves the construction company the trouble of inputting the dwelling unit identification information via the input unit 405, thereby improving the convenience for the construction company.

[0078] (Embodiment 4) The device management system according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the device management device has a location determination unit that determines whether the location of the terminal device carried by the first user matches the location indicated by the location information, and a permission notification unit that transmits permission notification information to the terminal device to notify the terminal device that transmission of device information is permitted when it is determined that the location of the terminal device matches the location indicated by the location information. Then, when the device information notification unit of the terminal device acquires the permission notification information, it transmits the device information to the device management device.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 20, the device management system according to the present embodiment includes terminal devices 4004 and 5 and a cloud server 4001. In Fig. 20, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The terminal device 4004 differs from the terminal device 4 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a GNSS receiver 408 that receives GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) radio waves. The GNSS receiver 408 receives GNSS radio waves arriving from positioning satellites, generates GNSS information including phase information, time information, etc. based on the received GNSS radio waves, and outputs the GNSS information to the CPU 401.

[0080] The CPU 401 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 403 into the main storage unit 402 and executes it, thereby functioning as an authentication information conversion unit 411, an imaging control unit 412, a two-dimensional code image acquisition unit 413, a device information conversion unit 414, a display control unit 415, a location information notification unit 416, a device information notification unit 4417, an authentication request unit 418, a registration status acquisition unit 419, a positioning unit 4422, a position notification unit 4423, a permission acquisition unit 4424, and a terminal device information notification unit 4425, as shown in Fig. 21. In Fig. 21, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 3. In addition, the auxiliary storage unit 403 has a device information storage unit 431 and an authentication information storage unit 432. When the terminal device information notification unit 4425 receives authentication success notification information from the authentication request unit 418, it generates terminal device information including terminal device identification information that identifies the terminal device 4004, tool identification information, and password information, and transmits the terminal device information to the cloud server 4001.

[0081] The positioning unit 4422 measures the position of the terminal device 4004 based on the GNSS information output from the GNSS receiving unit 408. The position notifying unit 4423 generates position notification information including position information indicating the position of the terminal device 4004 measured by the positioning unit 4422 and terminal device identification information for identifying the terminal device 4004, and transmits the position notification information to the cloud server 4001. Upon receiving permission notification information transmitted from the cloud server 4001, the permission acquisition unit 4424 notifies the display control unit 415 and the device information notifying unit 417 of the acquired permission notification information.

[0082] When the display control unit 415 is notified of permission notification information from the permission acquisition unit 4424 after being notified of authentication success notification information from the authentication request unit 418, the display control unit 415 forms an imaging prompting image for prompting an image of the two-dimensional code printed on the sticker affixed to the housing of the device 3 and displays it on the display unit 404. When the device information notification unit 417 has been notified of permission notification information from the permission acquisition unit 4424, the device information notification unit 417 generates device information notification information including the device information stored in the device information storage unit 431, the apartment building information, and the manager identification information, and transmits the device information notification information to the cloud server 4001.

[0083] In the cloud server 4001, the CPU 101 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as an apartment information acquisition unit 111, an authentication information registration request acquisition unit 112, a two-dimensional code generation unit 113, a two-dimensional code notification unit 114, an authentication unit 115, an equipment information registration unit 116, a connection confirmation unit 117, an apartment information notification unit 118, a position acquisition unit 4119, a position determination unit 4120, a permission notification unit 4121, and a terminal device information acquisition unit 4122. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also has an equipment information storage unit 131, an authentication information storage unit 4132, and a two-dimensional code information storage unit 133. The authentication information storage unit 4132 stores, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, location range information indicating a location range corresponding to the authentication information within the corresponding apartment B[j] in association with the apartment information, the manager identification information, and the terminal device identification information. In the example shown in Figure 22, when a construction contractor who possesses a terminal device 4004 identified by terminal device identification information IDT[0] registers in a cloud server device information for a device 3 installed in an apartment building B[j] of "Condominium XXA" managed by an aggregator A identified by administrator identification information IDE[0], the location of the terminal device 4 that the construction contractor possesses must match one of the locations within the location range indicated by the location range information "A[0]".

[0084] Returning to Figure 21, when the terminal device information acquisition unit 4122 acquires the terminal device information transmitted from the terminal device 4004, it extracts the terminal device identification information, tool identification information and password information contained in the acquired terminal device information, and stores the extracted terminal device information in the authentication information storage unit 4132 in correspondence with the extracted tool identification information and password information.

[0085] When the position acquisition unit 4119 acquires the position notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4004, it extracts the position information of the terminal device 4004 included in the acquired position notification information. Then, the position acquisition unit 4119 notifies the position determination unit 4120 of the extracted position information. The position determination unit 4120 refers to the position range information corresponding to the terminal device identification information of the terminal device 4004 stored in the authentication information storage unit 4132, and determines whether or not the position of the terminal device 4004 possessed by the construction agent coincides with a location within the position range indicated by the position range information. When the position determination unit 4120 determines that the position of the terminal device 4004 possessed by the construction agent coincides with a location within the position range indicated by the position range information, the permission notification unit 4121 generates permission notification information and transmits it to the terminal device 4004.

[0086] Next, the operation of the device management system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 23. In Fig. 23, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 5, 8, or 10. First, when a series of processes from step S1 to S26 are executed, the generated authentication success notification information is transmitted from cloud server 4001 to terminal device 4004 (step S27). On the other hand, when terminal device 4004 acquires the authentication success notification information transmitted from cloud server 4001, it generates terminal device information including terminal device identification information for identifying terminal device 4004, tool identification information, and password information (step S4001), and the generated terminal device information is transmitted from terminal device 4004 to cloud server 4001 (step S4002). On the other hand, when the cloud server 4001 acquires the terminal device information transmitted from the terminal device 4004, it extracts the terminal device identification information, tool identification information, and password information contained in the acquired terminal device information, and stores the extracted terminal device information in the authentication information storage unit 4132 in correspondence with the extracted tool identification information and password information (step S4003).

[0087] Next, the terminal device 4004 executes a positioning process for measuring the position of the terminal device 4004 based on the GNSS information output from the GNSS receiving unit 408 (step S4004). Next, the terminal device 4004 generates position notification information including position information indicating the measured position of the terminal device 4004 and terminal device identification information for identifying the terminal device 4004 (step S4005), and the generated position notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 4004 to the cloud server 4001 (step S4006). On the other hand, when the cloud server 4001 acquires the position notification information transmitted from the terminal device 4004, it extracts the position information of the terminal device 4004 included in the acquired position notification information (step S4007). Thereafter, the cloud server 4001 refers to the position range information corresponding to the terminal device identification information of the terminal device 4004 stored in the authentication information storage unit 4132, and determines that the position indicated by the extracted position information coincides with a place within the position range indicated by the position range information (step S4008). In this case, cloud server 4001 generates permission notification information (step S4009), and the generated permission notification information is transmitted from cloud server 4001 to terminal device 4004 (step S4010). On the other hand, upon receiving the permission notification information transmitted from cloud server 4001, terminal device 4004 forms an image capturing prompting image for prompting an image of the two-dimensional code printed on the sticker attached to the housing of device 3, and displays the image on display unit 404 (step S28). Then, a series of processes from step S29 onwards are executed.

[0088] As described above, in the device management system according to the present embodiment, the location determination unit 4120 determines whether the location of the terminal device 4004 possessed by the construction contractor matches a location within the location range indicated by the location range information, and when the permission notification unit 4121 determines that the location of the terminal device 4004 matches a location within the location range indicated by the location range information, it transmits permission notification information to the terminal device 4004 notifying the terminal device 4004 that transmission of device information is permitted. As a result, unless the construction contractor actually reaches the apartment building B[j] in which the device 3 is installed, the device information cannot be transmitted via the terminal device 4004. This makes it possible to prevent the device information of the device 3 installed in another apartment building B[j] from being erroneously transmitted to the cloud server 1, and improves the accuracy of the configuration work of the device 3.

[0089] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a validity period may be set for a combination of tool identification information and password information.

[0090] In each embodiment, an example has been described in which the device information includes only device identification information that identifies the device 3, but this is not limited to this, and the device information may include other information regarding the device 3, such as device type information indicating the type of the device 3, manufacturer information indicating the manufacturer of the device 3, etc.

[0091] In each embodiment, an example has been described in which the location information is dwelling unit identification information that identifies the dwelling unit H[j,i], but this is not limiting, and the location information may include floor information that indicates the floor (floor number) on which the dwelling unit H[j,i] is located in the apartment building B[j], as well as the dwelling unit identification information. Furthermore, when the device management system according to each embodiment is applied to a facility having multiple rooms, the location information may be room identification information that identifies a room in the facility.

[0092] In addition, the various functions of the cloud servers 1, 2001, 3001, 4001 and the terminal devices 4, 5, 2004, 2005, 3004, 4004 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware may be written as a program, and the program may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), and the program may be read and installed in a computer to configure a computer capable of realizing each of the above-mentioned functions. In addition, when each function is realized by sharing the work between an OS (Operating System) and an application or by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored in the recording medium.

[0093] Furthermore, each program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed via a network. For example, the program can be posted on a bulletin board (BBS, Bulletin Board System) on the network and distributed via the network. These programs can then be started and run under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

[0094] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0095] (Appendix 1) a device management device that manages a plurality of devices; a terminal device carried by a first user and capable of communicating with the device management device; The device management device includes: a device information storage unit that stores device information including device identification information for identifying each of the plurality of devices in association with location information indicating an installation location where each of the plurality of devices is installed; a code generating unit that generates a code image based on authentication information for authenticating the first user determined by a second user for each of the installation locations; an authentication unit that executes authentication processing for the first user based on authentication information transmitted from the terminal device; a device information registration unit that, when authentication is successful in the authentication process, stores device information of each of the plurality of devices transmitted from the terminal device that is a transmission source of the authentication information in the device information storage unit in association with the location information; The terminal device A code image acquisition unit that acquires the code image; an authentication information conversion unit that converts code image information indicating the code image into the authentication information; an authentication request unit that transmits the authentication information to the device management device; a device information acquisition unit that acquires the device information of each of the plurality of devices; and a device information notification unit that transmits the acquired device information to the device management device when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information. Equipment management system. (Appendix 2) the location information includes apartment building information indicating an apartment building in which each of the plurality of devices is installed, and dwelling unit identification information identifying each of a plurality of dwelling units in the apartment building; the device management device further includes a list storage unit configured to store list information indicating a list of a plurality of dwelling unit identification information previously registered by the second user for the apartment building; the device information registration unit transmits the list information to the terminal device when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information; The terminal device An input unit; and a location information notification unit that transmits to the device management device the dwelling unit identification information selected by the first user via the input unit from among the plurality of dwelling unit identification information indicated in the list information transmitted from the device management device. 2. An equipment management system as described in claim 1. (Appendix 3) the location information includes apartment building information indicating an apartment building in which each of the plurality of devices is installed, and dwelling unit identification information identifying each of a plurality of dwelling units in the apartment building; The terminal device a location information conversion unit that converts an image obtained by capturing an image of dwelling unit identification information displayed on each of the plurality of dwelling units into the dwelling unit identification information; and a location information notification unit that transmits the converted dwelling unit identification information to the device management device. 10. An equipment management system according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The device management device includes: a location determination unit that determines whether or not the location of the terminal device coincides with a location indicated by the location information; a permission notification unit that, when it is determined that the location of the terminal device matches the location indicated by the location information, transmits permission notification information to the terminal device to notify the terminal device that transmission of the device information is permitted, When the device information notification unit acquires the permission notification information, the device information notification unit transmits the device information to the device management device. 4. An equipment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) A device management method using a device management device that manages a plurality of devices and a terminal device that is carried by a first user and is capable of communicating with the device management device, comprising: a step of storing, in a device information storage unit, device information including device identification information for identifying each of the plurality of devices in association with location information indicating installation locations where each of the plurality of devices is installed, by the device management device; generating a code image based on authentication information for authenticating the first user determined by a second user, for each of the installation locations, by the device management device; The terminal device acquires the code image; a step of converting code image information indicating the code image into the authentication information by the terminal device; the terminal device transmitting the authentication information to the device management device; The device management device executes an authentication process for the first user based on authentication information transmitted from the terminal device; The terminal device acquires the device information of each of the plurality of devices; a step of transmitting the acquired device information to the device management device by the terminal device when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information; and storing, in the device information storage unit, device information of each of the plurality of devices transmitted from the terminal device that is a transmission source of the authentication information, in association with the location information, by the device management device. Equipment management method. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The present disclosure is suitable as a hot water supply system that controls hot water heaters installed in each residence in an apartment building that has a bulk power receiving contract with an electric power company. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1,2001,3001,4001 Cloud server, 2 Communication control device, 3 Equipment, 4,5,2004,2005,3004,4004 Terminal device, 8 BBR, 101,401,501 CPU, 102,402,502 Main memory unit, 103,403,503 Auxiliary memory unit, 106,406,506 Communication unit, 108 Timer unit, 109,409,509 Bus, 111,2111 Apartment information acquisition unit, 112 Authentication information registration request acquisition unit, 113 Two-dimensional code generation unit, 114 Two-dimensional code notification unit, 115 Authentication unit, 116,2116 Equipment information registration unit, 117 Connection confirmation unit, 118 Apartment information notification unit, 131 Device information storage unit, 132, 432, 4132 Authentication information storage unit, 133, 532 Two-dimensional code information storage unit, 404, 504 Display unit, 405, 505 Input unit, 407 Imaging unit, 408 GNSS receiving unit, 411 Authentication information conversion unit, 412, 3142 Imaging control unit, 413 Two-dimensional code image acquisition unit, 414 Device information conversion unit, 415, 512, 2512, 3415 Display control unit, 416, 2416, 3416 Location information notification unit, 417, 4417 Device information notification unit, 418 Authentication request unit, 419, 2419 Registration status acquisition unit, 431 Device information storage unit, 511, 2511 Apartment information registration unit, 513, 2513 Apartment information notification unit, 514 Apartment information acquisition unit, 515 Authentication information registration request unit, 516, two-dimensional code acquisition unit, 531, apartment information storage unit, 2134, list storage unit, 3420, location information conversion unit, 3421, location display image extraction unit, 4119, location acquisition unit, 4120, location determination unit, 4121, permission notification unit, 4122, terminal device information acquisition unit, 4422, positioning unit, 4423, location notification unit, 4424, permission acquisition unit, 4425, terminal device information notification unit, B31, B32, B41, B61, B2061, input field, BU11, BU12, BU21, BU22, BU23, BU31, BU41, BU51, BU61, BU2013, BU2062, BU2611, BU2612, BU2613, button image, BU2621, BU2622, BU2623 Checkbox image, GA1,GA2001 Apartment complex list display image, GA2 Tool identification information list display image, GA3 Authentication information input dialog box image, GA4 Download instruction dialog box image, GA5 Shooting reminder image, GA6, GA2006 Location information input image, GA2061, GA2062 Dialog box image, H[0,0], H[0,1], H[0,i] House, M11, M21, M22, M51, M61, M62 Message image, NW1 Wide area network, NW2 Local network,

Claims

1. a device management device that manages a plurality of devices; a terminal device carried by a first user and capable of communicating with the device management device; The device management device includes: a device information storage unit that stores device information including device identification information for identifying each of the plurality of devices in association with location information indicating an installation location where each of the plurality of devices is installed; a code generating unit that generates a code image based on authentication information for authenticating the first user determined by a second user for each of the installation locations; an authentication unit that executes authentication processing for the first user based on authentication information transmitted from the terminal device; a device information registration unit that, when authentication is successful in the authentication process, stores device information of each of the plurality of devices transmitted from the terminal device that is a transmission source of the authentication information in the device information storage unit in association with the location information; The terminal device A code image acquisition unit that acquires the code image; an authentication information conversion unit that converts code image information indicating the code image into the authentication information; an authentication request unit that transmits the authentication information to the device management device; a device information acquisition unit that acquires the device information of each of the plurality of devices; and a device information notification unit that transmits the acquired device information to the device management device when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information. Equipment management system.

2. the location information includes apartment building information indicating an apartment building in which each of the plurality of devices is installed, and dwelling unit identification information identifying each of a plurality of dwelling units in the apartment building; The device management device further includes a list storage unit configured to store list information indicating a list of a plurality of dwelling unit identification information previously registered by the second user for the apartment building, the device information registration unit transmits the list information to the terminal device when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information; The terminal device An input unit; and a location information notification unit that transmits to the device management device the dwelling unit identification information selected by the first user via the input unit from among the plurality of dwelling unit identification information indicated in the list information transmitted from the device management device. The device management system according to claim 1 .

3. the location information includes apartment building information indicating an apartment building in which each of the plurality of devices is installed, and dwelling unit identification information identifying each of a plurality of dwelling units in the apartment building; The terminal device a location information conversion unit that converts an image obtained by capturing an image of dwelling unit identification information displayed on each of the plurality of dwelling units into the dwelling unit identification information; and a location information notification unit that transmits the converted dwelling unit identification information to the device management device. The device management system according to claim 1 .

4. The device management device includes: a location determination unit that determines whether or not the location of the terminal device coincides with a location indicated by the location information; a permission notification unit that, when it is determined that the location of the terminal device matches the location indicated by the location information, transmits permission notification information to the terminal device to notify the terminal device that transmission of the device information is permitted, When the device information notification unit acquires the permission notification information, the device information notification unit transmits the device information to the device management device. The device management system according to claim 1 .

5. A device management method using a device management device that manages a plurality of devices and a terminal device that is carried by a first user and is capable of communicating with the device management device, comprising: a step of storing, in a device information storage unit, device information including device identification information for identifying each of the plurality of devices in association with location information indicating an installation location where each of the plurality of devices is installed, by the device management device; generating a code image based on authentication information for authenticating the first user determined by a second user, for each of the installation locations, by the device management device; The terminal device acquires the code image; a step of converting code image information indicating the code image into the authentication information by the terminal device; the terminal device transmitting the authentication information to the device management device; The device management device executes an authentication process for the first user based on authentication information transmitted from the terminal device; The terminal device acquires the device information of each of the plurality of devices; a step of transmitting the acquired device information to the device management device by the terminal device when authentication is successful in the authentication process based on the authentication information; and storing, in the device information storage unit, device information of each of the plurality of devices transmitted from the terminal device that is a transmission source of the authentication information, in association with the location information, by the device management device. Equipment management method.

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