Electrical device and server

Abstract

To provide an electrical device that can obtain information about damage after a disaster occurs.SOLUTION: An electrical device (30) capable of executing an operation action includes: a disaster information receiving unit (31) that receives disaster information; an operation action changing unit (32) that changes the operation action to a first operation action upon receiving the disaster information; an operation instruction input unit (33) that, after changing the operation action, receives an operation instruction of instructing the electrical device to change the operation action to a second operation action; and a response transmitting unit (34) that outputs to an external apparatus a notification that the operation instruction has been received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical equipment and servers.

Background Art

[0002] In the event of a disaster, evacuation advisories and other notifications are sent to residents via the municipal disaster prevention administrative radio. The disaster prevention radio is one-way information transmission from the administrative side to the residents.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system for transmitting information related to disaster prevention radio via email.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the prior art as described above, the administrative side cannot determine whether residents have been able to confirm the information related to the disaster prevention radio. Therefore, it can be said that it is substantially a one-way communication.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize an electrical device capable of obtaining information on damage during a disaster.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an electrical device according to the present invention is an electrical device capable of executing an operation, comprising: a receiving unit that receives disaster information; an operation change unit that changes the operation to a first operation when the receiving unit receives the disaster information; an input unit that, after changing the operation, receives an operation instruction for changing the operation of the electrical device to a second operation; and a transmitting unit that outputs to an external device that the input unit has received the operation instruction.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a server according to the present invention is a server that communicates with an electrical device and a user terminal, comprising: a registration unit that registers the electrical device and at least one of the user terminals in association with each other; a reporting unit that reports disaster information; and a transmitting unit that outputs to the user terminal registered in the registration unit safety information indicating a communication state between the electrical device and the server, a communication record with another user terminal associated with the electrical device, or the presence or absence of an operation instruction for the electrical device, after the reporting of the disaster information.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, an electrical device according to the present invention is an electrical device capable of executing an operation other than speaking, comprising: a receiving unit that receives disaster information; and a speaking unit that speaks the disaster information when the receiving unit receives the disaster information.

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, an electrical device according to the present invention is an electrical device capable of executing an operation other than speaking, comprising: a receiving unit that receives disaster information; and a transmitting unit that outputs a history of the operation of the electrical device when the receiving unit receives the disaster information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, information regarding damage during a disaster can be obtained via an electrical device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Hereinafter, an embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as "this embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0014] (Disaster Prevention System 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the disaster prevention system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The disaster prevention system 1 includes a local government server 10, a disaster prevention server (server) 20, an electric device 30, and a user terminal 40.

[0015] In the disaster prevention system 1, the disaster prevention server 20 communicates with the electric device 30 and the user terminal 40 to notify the user terminal 40 of the state of the electric device 30, and to estimate whether the user 50 operating the user terminal 40 is out or not based on the position of the user terminal 40.

[0016] The local government server 10 is a server managed by the local government, and acquires disaster information from a server and services that handle external disaster information. Note that the local government server itself may generate disaster information from various information (for example, weather forecasts, earthquake early warnings, etc.) instead of acquiring the disaster information. The local government server 10 transmits the disaster information to the disaster prevention server 20.

[0017] (Disaster Prevention Server 20) The disaster prevention server 20 communicates with the local government server 10, the electric device 30, and the user terminal 40. The disaster prevention server 20 receives disaster information from the local government server 10. Then, the disaster prevention server 20 arranges the acquired disaster information into necessary information and transmits it to each part of the disaster prevention system 1. In addition, the disaster prevention server 20 organizes the information obtained by each part of the disaster prevention system 1. Note that the disaster prevention server 20 may acquire disaster information from a server or service managed by someone other than the local government. The disaster information may include the time, area, scale of the disaster, type of the disaster, and / or evacuation method when the disaster has occurred or is expected to occur.

[0018] The disaster prevention server 20 includes a user registration unit (registration unit) 21, a disaster information notification unit (acquisition unit) 22, a response reception unit 23, and an electric device state transmission unit (transmission unit) 24.

[0019] The user registration unit 21 registers by associating the electric device 30 and at least one user terminal 40. That is, it associates the electric device 30 installed in each household with the user terminal 40 owned by the user 50 who uses the electric device 30. For one electric device 30, a plurality of user terminals 40 of a plurality of users 50 may be associated. The user registration unit 21 stores, for example, by associating the identifier of the electric device 30 and the network identifiers (IP address and MAC address) with the identifier of the user terminal 40, the user ID of the user 50 who uses the user terminal 40, and the network identifiers (IP address, MAC address, or email address), etc.

[0020] The disaster information reporting unit 22 acquires disaster information from the local government server 10. When the disaster information reporting unit 22 acquires disaster information from the local government server 10, it reports the disaster information to the electric devices 30 installed in the area corresponding to the disaster information. That is, the disaster information reporting unit 22 reports the disaster information to the users 50 in the area where the disaster has occurred or is about to occur via the electric devices 30. More preferably, when the disaster information reporting unit 22 acquires disaster information from the local government server 10, it reports the disaster information to the electric devices 30 installed in the area corresponding to the disaster information. Note that the disaster information reporting unit 22 may also report the disaster information to the user terminals 40 associated with the electric devices 30 installed in the area where the disaster occurs.

[0021] The response receiving unit 23 receives responses from the electric device 30 and the user terminal 40. That is, it receives responses from each part of the disaster prevention system 1 regarding the transmission of the disaster information to each part of the disaster prevention system 1 by the disaster information reporting unit 22.

[0022] The electrical equipment status transmission unit 24 outputs safety information to the user terminal 40 associated with the electrical equipment 30. The safety information is information indicating the communication status between the electrical equipment 30 and the disaster prevention server 20 after a disaster occurs or after the disaster information reporting unit 22 acquires disaster information, the communication record with other user terminals 40 associated with the electrical equipment 30, or the presence or absence of an operation instruction for the electrical equipment 30. Thereby, the user 50 can infer the status of the electrical equipment 30 and the status of each household equipped with the electrical equipment 30 by checking the user terminal 40. Therefore, the user 50 who is out can obtain a basis for judging whether to return home. In addition, the user 50 can estimate the status of another user 50 (who holds a user terminal 40 associated with the same electrical equipment 30) who was at home.

[0023] When the communication status with the electrical equipment 30 is not normal, when there is no safety contact from the user terminal 40, or when there is no operation instruction for the electrical equipment 30, the electrical equipment status transmission unit 24 may output the safety information to the user terminal 40 and then output the updated safety information to the user terminal 40 again after a certain period. Thereby, even when the communication status is temporarily poor or when there is a user 50 who is temporarily unable to operate the user terminal 40, it becomes possible to communicate information regarding safety.

[0024] (Electrical equipment 30) The electrical equipment 30 is electrical equipment installed in each household, such as an air conditioner, an air purifier, a refrigerator, a television, and an AI remote control. The electrical equipment 30 has a network function and can communicate with the disaster prevention server 20. Therefore, the information received from the disaster prevention server 20 can be notified to the user 50 (the user 50 indoors) who is at home by some means. Note that the electrical equipment 30 can execute an operation operation, which is a non-verbal operation for fulfilling the function of the electrical equipment 30 during normal times when no disaster is occurring.

[0025] The electrical device 30 includes a disaster information receiving unit (receiving unit) 31, an operation change unit 32, an operation instruction input unit (input unit) 33, and a response transmission unit (transmission unit) 34.

[0026] The disaster information receiving unit 31 receives disaster information from the disaster prevention server 20. The disaster information receiving unit 31 notifies the operation change unit 32 that it has received the disaster information.

[0027] When the disaster information receiving unit 31 receives disaster information, the operation change unit 32 changes the operation that the electrical device 30 is executing to a first operation. For example, when the electrical device 30 is an air conditioner, the operation change unit 32 changes the third operation, which is the operation of air conditioning at the strength set by the user, to the first operation, which is an operation with a stronger air volume intentionally. The operation with a stronger air volume may be, for example, the operation with the maximum air volume. The user 50 (the indoor user 50) in the environment where the electrical device 30 is installed can detect an abnormality because the operation of the electrical device 30 has suddenly changed even though no operation instruction has been given. As a result, the user 50 is led to check the disaster information.

[0028] When the disaster information receiving unit 31 receives disaster information, the operation change unit 32 may change the electrical device 30 that was in a stopped state as the third operation to a first operation that is not in a stopped state. Note that the operation change unit 32 may not change to the first operation when it is in a stopped state when the disaster information receiving unit 31 receives disaster information, and may change to the first operation only when it is in an operating state that is not in a stopped state. This is because when the electrical device 30 is in an operating state, it is highly likely that the user 50 is indoors.

[0029] After the operation change unit 32 changes the operation, the operation instruction input unit 33 receives an operation instruction to change the operation of the electrical device 30 to a second operation.

[0030] The operation instruction input unit 33 has a first operation instruction input unit (first input unit) 331 that receives operation instructions from a user 50 (for example, a user 50 indoors) in the environment where the electrical device 30 is disposed. The first operation instruction input unit 331 may be an operation button provided on the electrical device 30 that directly receives operation instructions from the user 50, or may be a light receiving unit that indirectly receives operation instructions from the user 50 in the environment where the electrical device 30 is disposed via short-distance communication such as infrared communication using a remote control.

[0031] The operation instruction input unit 33 has a second operation instruction input unit (second input unit) 332 that receives operation instructions from a user 50 (for example, a user who is out) in an environment where the electrical device 30 is not disposed via a network. As the second operation instruction input unit 332, there is a processing unit that receives instructions from an application installed in the user terminal 40. By having the second operation instruction input unit 332 in the operation instruction input unit 33, the user 50 who is out can operate the electrical device 30 from the outside.

[0032] The response transmission unit 34 transmits to the disaster prevention server 20, as a response, that the disaster information has been received normally. Also, the response transmission unit 34 transmits to the disaster prevention server 20, as a response, that the operation instruction input unit 33 has received an operation instruction. Note that the response transmission unit 34 may transmit together whether the operation instruction input unit 33 is an operation instruction from the first operation instruction input unit 331 or an operation instruction from the second operation instruction input unit 332. That is, the response transmission unit 34 may transmit together information regarding the location where the operation instruction was given (whether it is the environment where the electrical equipment 30 is arranged). Further, when it is an operation instruction from the second operation instruction input unit 332, the second operation instruction input unit 332 may acquire information regarding the location where the user terminal 40 is located from the user terminal 40 together with the operation instruction. The response transmission unit 34 may transmit information regarding the location where the user terminal 40 is located to the disaster prevention server 20. Note that the user terminal 40 can acquire information regarding the location where the user terminal 40 is located by means of GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like.

[0033] Based on the information from the response transmission unit 34, the disaster prevention server 20 can determine whether the electrical equipment 30 is operating normally, whether the network for the electrical equipment 30 is normal, and whether the user 50 can operate the electrical equipment 30.

[0034] (User terminal 40) The user terminal 40 is a terminal held by the user 50 and capable of communicating with the disaster prevention server 20, such as a smartphone or the like. The user 50 can recognize the disaster information by checking the user terminal 40. Also, the user 50 can notify the current state to the disaster prevention server 20 by operating the user terminal 40.

[0035] The user terminal 40 includes a notification receiving unit 41, a status reporting unit 42, and an electrical equipment operation unit 43. The functions of the notification receiving unit 41, the status reporting unit 42, and the electrical equipment operation unit 43 are realized by an application. Note that the user terminal 40 presents the operating state of the electrical equipment 30 to the user 50 by display or voice.

[0036] The notification receiving unit 41 receives disaster information for the user terminal 40 from the disaster prevention server 20. In addition, after the electrical equipment 30 receives the disaster information, the notification receiving unit 41 receives a notification indicating that the electrical equipment 30 has received an operation instruction. Thereby, the user 50 who holds the user terminal 40 associated with the electrical equipment 30 can estimate the state of another user 50 in the environment (home) where the electrical equipment 30 is located or the state of the electrical equipment 30. Specifically, when receiving a notification indicating that an operation instruction has been received, it can be inferred that another user 50 is alive. Also, if the disaster prevention server 20 has not received a response from the electrical equipment 30 in the first place, it can be inferred that the electrical equipment 30 is in a state where it cannot function properly.

[0037] The status reporting unit 42 registers the state of the user 50 operating the user terminal 40 with the disaster prevention server 20 in response to the disaster information received from the disaster prevention server 20. The states registered by the status reporting unit 42 include information such as the current location of the user 50 in addition to the health state of the user 50.

[0038] The electrical equipment operation unit 43 receives an operation instruction regarding the electrical equipment 30 from the user 50 and transmits the operation instruction to the electrical equipment 30. For example, the user 50 who is out can start the driving operation (third driving operation) of the electrical equipment 30 in advance according to the time of returning home. Also, when the user 50 who is out receives the occurrence of a disaster and the air conditioner, which is the electrical equipment 30, starts the first driving operation, the driving operation may be stopped for the purpose of reducing power waste.

[0039] (Operation example of the disaster prevention system 1) FIG. 2 is an activity diagram showing an operation example when the user 50 is indoors in the disaster prevention system 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an activity diagram showing an operation example when the user 50 is outdoors in the disaster prevention system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Here, "indoors" refers to the environment where the electric device 30 is provided, and "outdoors" refers to the environment where the electric device 30 is not provided. Therefore, the indoor user 50 is affected by the electric device 30, and the outdoor user 50 is not affected by the electric device 30.

[0040] The disaster prevention server 20 acquires disaster information from the local government server 10 (S11). Note that the electric device 30 and the user terminal 40 are registered in the disaster prevention server 20 in association with each other by the user registration unit 21. The user registration unit 21 also registers information indicating the area where the electric device 30 is disposed in association with the electric device 30. The disaster information notification unit 22 of the disaster prevention server 20 notifies the disaster information to the electric device 30 and the user terminal 40 (S12).

[0041] Note that the disaster prevention server 20 notifies the disaster information when there is an electric device 30 in the area where the disaster has occurred. The disaster information includes information indicating the area where the disaster has occurred. A plurality of areas are registered in the disaster prevention server 20. When one area is within the disaster range but another area is outside the disaster range, the disaster information is not notified to the other area.

[0042] The disaster information receiving unit 31 of the electric device 30 receives the disaster information (S13). The operation change unit 32 of the electric device 30 changes the operation being performed in the third operation to the first operation in response to receiving the disaster information (S14). Note that the first operation is different from the third operation. For example, when the electric device 30 is an air conditioner, the first operation is a case where the air volume of the air blowing is made larger than that in the third operation, and it is preferable that the change in the operation can be detected by the indoor user 50.

[0043] Furthermore, the response transmission unit 34 of the electrical device 30 transmits to the disaster prevention server 20 that the disaster information has been received normally and that the operation of the electrical device 30 has been switched to the first operation (S15). Note that the response reception unit 23 of the disaster prevention server 20 receives the response from the response transmission unit 34 (S16). Also, upon receiving the response, the response reception unit 23 may notify the user terminal 40 that the operation of the electrical device 30 has been switched to the first operation (S17).

[0044] Here, if the response reception unit 23 does not receive a response within a certain time after the disaster information reporting unit 22 reports the disaster information, it may be determined that there is a failure in the electrical device 30, a power outage in the area where the electrical device 30 is located, or a failure has occurred in the network up to the electrical device 30. If it is determined that some abnormality such as a failure has occurred, the response reception unit 23 may notify the user terminal 40 that an abnormality has occurred (S18). For safety, the disaster prevention server 20 may cause the disaster information reporting unit 22 to report the disaster information to the electrical device 30 again every second period shorter than the first period during the first period after the disaster occurs.

[0045] The user 50 in the environment where the electrical device 30 is provided notices that the operation of the electrical device 30 has been changed to the first operation, and gives an operation instruction to change the operation of the electrical device 30 from the first operation to the second operation (S19). Thereby, the first operation instruction input unit 331 in the operation instruction input unit 33 of the electrical device 30 changes the operation of the electrical device 30 from the first operation to the second operation (S20). Note that this operation instruction may be given to the electrical device 30 from the user terminal 40 via the disaster prevention server 20. In this case, the second operation instruction input unit 332 changes the operation of the electrical device 30 from the first operation to the second operation.

[0046] If there is no operation instruction from the user 50 for a predetermined period after the operation of the electrical device 30 is changed to the first operation, the operation may be further changed to another fourth operation. This can increase the opportunity to induce an operation instruction from the user 50. Alternatively, if there is no operation instruction from the user 50 for a predetermined period after the operation of the electrical device 30 is changed to the first operation, the operation may be returned to the original third operation or stopped.

[0047] Furthermore, the response transmission unit 34 of the electrical device 30 transmits a notification indicating that an operation instruction has been input to the response reception unit 23 of the disaster prevention server 20 by the operation instruction input unit 33 (S21). Note that information indicating that the operation has been changed to the second operation by an operation from indoors may be added to the notification. Thereby, the disaster prevention server 20 can determine that the user 50 indoors is alive.

[0048] The electrical device state transmission unit 24 of the disaster prevention server 20 notifies the user terminal 40 that the electrical device 30 has been operated from indoors, that is, that the user 50 indoors is alive (S22). This can reassure the user 50 outdoors.

[0049] Also, the disaster prevention server 20 may repeatedly notify the user terminal 40 (owned by another user 50) associated with the electrical device 30 of the operation instruction or operation history of the electrical device 30, or the safety information of the user 50, during the first period after the disaster occurs.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, the case where the user 50 is outdoors will be described. The notification reception unit 41 of the user terminal 40 receives disaster information from the disaster prevention server 20 (S31). The notification reception unit 41 may receive the disaster information by an application that manages the electrical device 30, or may receive the disaster information by email. Note that, as information received by the notification reception unit 41, in addition to the disaster information, information representing the state of the electrical device 30 may be received.

[0051] The outdoor user 50 operates the user terminal 40 to check the disaster information (S32). The outdoor user 50 uses the status reporting unit 42 of the user terminal 40 to report the status (whether safe or not) of the outdoor user 50 to the disaster prevention server 20 (S33). For example, the status reporting unit 42 transmits a safety notice indicating that the outdoor user 50 is safe to the disaster prevention server 20.

[0052] The outdoor user 50 can check the operating status of the electrical equipment 30 by the user terminal 40. For example, the outdoor user 50 can know that the electrical equipment 30 has started the first operating operation. The outdoor user 50 may send an operation instruction to change the operating operation of the electrical equipment 30 to the second operating operation to the electrical equipment operation unit 43 of the user terminal 40 (S34). Thereby, if the room is unoccupied, the outdoor user 50 can stop the operating operation when receiving the disaster information and the electrical equipment 30 suddenly starts moving.

[0053] Note that when the electrical equipment 30 receives an operation instruction of the operating operation from the user terminal 40, it changes the operating operation and notifies the disaster prevention server 20 of the information regarding the received operation instruction. Thereby, the disaster prevention server 20 can determine that the outdoor user 50 is alive. Also, in response to this, the disaster prevention server 20 can convey the survival of the outdoor user 50 to the indoor user 50 having another user terminal 40 associated with the electrical equipment 30, and can reassure the indoor user 50 (S35).

[0054] Note that the indoor user 50 may issue an operation instruction to the electrical equipment 30 using the user terminal 40 of the indoor user 50. The disaster prevention server 20 may determine whether the user 50 of the surviving user terminal 40 is indoors or not from the information regarding the location where the user terminal 40 that transmitted the operation instruction is located.

[0055] (parentheses) When the electrical device 30 receives disaster information, it switches to a first operation that the user 50 has not instructed. The user 50 indoors senses the abnormality of the situation from the unexpected change in the operation. This can induce the user 50 indoors to operate the electrical device 30 to restore the operation of the electrical device 30. The electrical device 30 can cause the user 50 indoors to input an operation instruction to change the operation of the electrical device 30 changed to the first operation to the second operation, thereby reporting the safety of the user 50 indoors to the disaster prevention server 20. This can have the effect of reassuring the user 50 outdoors. In addition, the disaster prevention server 20 can obtain the safety information of a plurality of users 50 in the area where a plurality of electrical devices 30 are arranged.

[0056] In addition, the user 50 indoors can grasp that something has happened, that is, a disaster has occurred or is about to occur, from the unexpected change in the operation. This enables the user 50 to evacuate quickly.

[0057] Furthermore, the user 50 outdoors also receives the disaster information and, in response, the user 50 indoors can also confirm the safety of the user 50 outdoors.

[0058] 〔Embodiment 2〕 Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will not be repeated.

[0059] The disaster prevention system 1 according to Embodiment 1 is a system in which the disaster prevention server 20 receives disaster information from the local government server 10, notifies the electrical device 30 and the user terminal 40 of the disaster information, and acquires the state of the user 50. In contrast, in Embodiment 2, damage information is created using the states of a plurality of electrical devices 30 and the state of the user 50 indoors and transmitted to the local government server 10. The purpose is to facilitate disaster countermeasures.

[0060] (Disaster prevention system 2) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the disaster prevention system 2 according to Embodiment 2. The disaster prevention system 2 includes a local government server 10, a disaster prevention server 20a, and an electric device 30a.

[0061] The disaster prevention server 20a includes a user registration unit 21, a disaster information reporting unit 22, a response receiving unit (communication unit) 23, an information organizing unit 25, and a damage information creating unit 26. The electric device 30a includes a disaster information receiving unit (receiving unit) 31, a response transmitting unit (notification unit) 34, and a speaking unit 35. That is, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that the disaster prevention server 20a includes the information organizing unit 25 and the damage information creating unit 26, and the electric device 30a includes the speaking unit 35. Although not shown, the disaster prevention server 20a and the electric device 30a may each have the functions of the disaster prevention server 20 and the electric device 30 of Embodiment 1 described above.

[0062] The speaking unit 35 includes a speaker provided in the electric device 30a and an audio output control unit for the speaker. The speaking unit 35 receives disaster information from the disaster information receiving unit 31. When the speaking unit 35 receives a notification that it has received disaster information from the disaster information receiving unit 31, it makes a speech regarding the disaster information. The response transmitting unit 34 transmits a response indicating that the speech has been completed to the disaster prevention server 20a when the speech by the speaking unit 35 is completed.

[0063] The information organizing unit 25 receives the response information of the electric device 30a from the response receiving unit 23. The information organizing unit 25 organizes the response information received by the response receiving unit 23. Specifically, the information organizing unit 25 associates the presence or absence of a completion notification from the electric device 30a with the information on the area where the electric device 30a is installed.

[0064] Here, the presence or absence of a completion notification from the electric device 30a means the presence or absence of a response indicating that the speech has been completed. Based on the presence or absence of this response, the information organizing unit 25 can determine whether the electric device 30a is operating normally or whether an abnormality has occurred in the network leading to the electric device 30a.

[0065] Also, the information about the area where the electrical device 30a is located is the placement information of the electrical device 30a registered by the user registration unit 21. The placement information is information indicating the area where the electrical device 30a is located, and may be a code indicating the area (for example, a postal code) or a name indicating the area (such as a town name). In order not to include personal information, the placement information may not include an address or the like.

[0066] For example, if due to a disaster, the electrical device 30a has fallen, the electrical device 30a has malfunctioned, there is a power outage in the area where it is placed, or there is an abnormality in the network, etc., the electrical device 30a cannot complete a call. An area where there are many electrical devices 30a that cannot complete a call is considered likely to have suffered damage due to a disaster. Therefore, the information sorting unit 25 correlates whether damage due to a disaster has occurred in which area (for example, in units of postal codes).

[0067] The damage information creation unit 26 creates area damage information based on the presence or absence of completion notifications from a plurality of electrical devices 30a placed in the area. The area damage information may be, for example, information indicating the number or ratio of completion notifications obtained from the electrical devices 30a placed in the area, or the number or ratio of completion notifications not obtained. The area damage information may be, for example, information indicating the ratio of the number of completion notifications obtained or not obtained to the population, number of houses, or number of households in the area. The area damage information may be, for example, information indicating the degree of damage (severity of damage) in the area determined based on the above number or ratio.

[0068] The damage information creation unit 26 may create a damage map with different displays such as colors for each area according to the damage information of each area based on the damage information of a plurality of areas, and use it as damage information.

[0069] The damage information creation unit 26 transmits the created damage information to the local government server 10. For example, the damage information can be created without the need for operations by users having the electric device 30a at the time of a disaster occurrence and spontaneous communication. Thereby, the local government can take measures against disasters without relying on information provided by the disaster victims themselves. By using the damage map, the local government can visually grasp, including the relationship of distances between regions, etc., which areas around are severely damaged. Therefore, measures against disasters such as rescue activities, evacuation instructions, or disaster victim support can be effectively executed.

[0070] (Operation example of the disaster prevention system 2) FIG. 5 is an activity diagram showing an operation example in the disaster prevention system 2 according to the second embodiment. S11 to S13 are common to the first embodiment.

[0071] The speaker unit 35 of the electric device 30a speaks about the disaster information when the disaster information receiving unit 31 receives the disaster information (S41). For example, the content to be spoken may include the time, area, scale of the disaster, type of the disaster, and / or evacuation method, etc. where the disaster has occurred or is expected to occur. Specifically, as the content to be spoken, it may be something like "An earthquake of intensity 6 has occurred in Area A at 5:10. There is no danger of a tsunami. Those in the affected area should evacuate to the evacuation shelter immediately."

[0072] The response transmission unit 34 of the electric device 30a transmits a response indicating that the speech has been completed to the response receiving unit 23 of the disaster prevention server 20 when the speaker unit 35 finishes speaking (S42). Also, the response receiving unit 23 calculates the elapsed time since the disaster information reporting unit 22 reported the disaster information, and identifies the electric devices 30 for which no response has been received even after a predetermined time has elapsed (S43).

[0073] The information sorting unit 25 of the disaster prevention server 20a checks the user registration unit 21 and associates the information on the area where the electrical device 30a is registered with the presence or absence of a notification regarding the electrical device 30a (S44). Based on the associated information, the damage information creation unit 26 of the disaster prevention server 20a creates damage information for a plurality of areas (S45). Thereafter, the damage information creation unit 26 transmits the damage information to the local government server 10 and reports it to the local government (S46). Note that the transmission destination of the damage information from the disaster prevention server 20a is not limited to the local government server 10 and may be a device of another organization. The damage information can be used by an appropriate organization for disaster prevention measures.

[0074] (Parentheses) The information sorting unit 25 and the damage information creation unit 26 can create damage information and report it to the local government. As a result, the local government can take effective disaster prevention measures.

[0075] [Embodiment 3] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0076] (Disaster prevention system 3) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the disaster prevention system 3 according to Embodiment 3. The disaster prevention system 3 includes a local government server 10, a disaster prevention server 20b, and an electrical device 30b. In the disaster prevention system 3 of the present embodiment, more accurate damage information is obtained from the operation history of the electrical device 30b.

[0077] The disaster prevention server 20b includes a user registration unit 21, a disaster information reporting unit 22, an information organizing unit 25b, a damage information creation unit 26b, and a history receiving unit (communication unit) 27. The electrical device 30b includes a disaster information receiving unit (receiving unit) 31, a speaking unit 35, and a history transmitting unit (transmitting unit) 36. That is, the difference from the second embodiment is that the disaster prevention server 20b includes the information organizing unit 25b, the damage information creation unit 26b, and the history receiving unit 27, and the electrical device 30b includes the history transmitting unit 36. The disaster prevention server 20b and the electrical device 30b may each have the functions of the disaster prevention server and the electrical device of each of the above-described embodiments.

[0078] When the disaster information receiving unit 31 receives disaster information, the history transmitting unit 36 transmits the history of the operation of the electrical device 30b to the disaster prevention server 20b. The history of the operation includes the history of operation instructions for the electrical device 30b, the history of various sensor values held by the electrical device 30b, the history of error occurrences, and the like. The history of error occurrences includes the history of error occurrences due to the presence or absence of power, water, or gas supply to the electrical device 30b. The history of the operation is transmitted to the disaster prevention server 20b as time-series data. In addition to the timing when the disaster information receiving unit 31 receives disaster information, the history transmitting unit 36 may transmit the history of the operation to the disaster prevention server 20b. For example, the history transmitting unit 36 may transmit the history of the operation to the disaster prevention server 20b at predetermined intervals. Even when the history transmitting unit 36 transmits the history of the operation to the disaster prevention server 20b at predetermined intervals, when the disaster information receiving unit 31 receives disaster information, the history transmitting unit 36 preferably transmits the history of the operation to the disaster prevention server 20b regardless of the timing of transmitting the history of the operation. The history of the operation may include information such as the operation instructions performed by the user 50, the time when the operation instructions were performed, the location where the operation instructions were performed, the content of the operation performed by the electrical device 30b, the start time, and / or the end time. The location where the operation instructions were performed can be determined based on whether the operation was performed at the location where the electrical device 30b is arranged or from the user terminal 40.

[0079] The information organizing unit 25b determines whether the history of the operation actions indicates that an operation was performed on the electrical device 30b during a predetermined period immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster. For example, the information organizing unit 25b may determine that an operation has been performed if the operation action has been changed.

[0080] Based on the history of the operation actions transmitted from a plurality of electrical devices 30b arranged in the area, the damage information creating unit 26b creates damage information for the area. In particular, when the history indicates that an operation was performed on the electrical device 30b during a predetermined period immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster, the damage information creating unit 26b adds the user 50 of the electrical device 30b registered by the user registration unit 21 as a person staying in the area to the damage information.

[0081] Regarding the electrical device 30b used in the situation where the user is at home, if the electrical device 30b is performing an operation action during a predetermined period immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster, it is considered that the user 50 is staying in the area. In such a case, the damage information creating unit 26b may add the user 50 of the electrical device 30b as a person staying in the area to the damage information.

[0082] That is, based on the history information before and after the occurrence of a disaster, the disaster prevention server 20b identifies, for example, the user 50 who is highly likely to have operated the electrical device 30b when the history indicates that an operation was performed on the electrical device 30b during a predetermined period immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster, and identifies the user as a person staying in the area. Depending on the details of the disaster, the identified persons staying in the area will be listed in the damage information as persons in need of rescue.

[0083] The damage information creating unit 26b transmits the damage information to the local government server 10. Note that the damage information creating unit 26b may transmit statistical information excluding personal information to the local government server 10 as the damage information. For example, the damage information creating unit 26b may transmit statistical information such as the number of persons staying in the area, the population, the number of houses, or the ratio to the number of households before and after the occurrence of a disaster to the local government server 10.

[0084] Of course, before and after a disaster occurs, outdoor users 50 are not listed as rescue targets. Also, even for indoor users 50, those who have contacted the disaster prevention server 20b through some means (such as user terminal 40, etc.) to indicate that they are alive and unharmed do not necessarily have to be listed.

[0085] (Operation example of disaster prevention system 3) FIG. 7 is an activity diagram showing an operation example in the disaster prevention system 3 according to Embodiment 3. S11 to S13 are common to Embodiment 1, and S41 and S46 are common to Embodiment 2.

[0086] The history transmission unit 36 of the electrical device 30b transmits the history of the operation during a predetermined period before and after receiving the disaster information to the disaster prevention server 20b (S51).

[0087] The information collation unit 25b of the disaster prevention server 20b checks the content of the history and determines whether an operation instruction has been given to the electrical device 39b (S52).

[0088] After that, the damage information creation unit 26b identifies the residents in the area (S53). The users 50 identified as residents in the area are the users 50 associated with the electrical devices 30b installed in the disaster area by the user registration unit 21.

[0089] Note that among the users 50 identified as residents, there may be outdoor users 50. Therefore, the damage information creation unit 26b uses the processing of the response reception unit 23 etc. in Embodiment 1 to identify the outdoor users 50 who have responded and excludes these users 50 from the residents (S54). Also, if an operation instruction is being given from the user terminal 40, it may be excluded from the residents in the area. Also, even for indoor users 50, users 50 who have responded may be excluded.

[0090] The damage information creation unit 26b creates a map or list indicating the number or ratio of the identified occupants as damage information (S55). This damage information is reported to the local government server 10 in the same manner as in Embodiment 2.

[0091] Note that the information collation unit 25b may specify the elapsed time from the time when the last operation instruction was given to the electrical device 30b, the time when the electrical device 30b last changed its operation, or the time when the electrical device 30b last transmitted the operation history to the disaster prevention server 20b, based on the history of the operation. The damage information creation unit 26b may create damage information associating the elapsed time with the region. The damage information creation unit 26b may create a map or a list of regions showing the statistical information of the elapsed time of a plurality of electrical devices 30b as damage information. For example, when the elapsed time is long, it is highly likely that the user 50 is in a situation where the electrical device 30b cannot be operated. It can be estimated that the region with a longer average value of the elapsed time has greater damage.

[0092] (Parentheses) The occupancy can be determined based on the operation history of the electrical device 30b by the history transmission unit 36. Therefore, local governments and the like can appropriately grasp the occupants and effectively conduct rescue activities and the like.

[0093] [Embodiment 4] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0094] In Embodiments 1 to 3, the cooperation between devices as a disaster prevention system was described. In Embodiment 4, how the disaster prevention server identifies the disaster area will be described.

[0095] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the disaster prevention system 4 according to Embodiment 4. The disaster prevention system 4 includes a local government server 10, a disaster prevention server 20c, an electrical device 30c, and a user terminal 40c.

[0096] The disaster prevention server 20c includes a user registration unit 21c, a disaster information transmission unit 22, a region determination unit 28, and a notification content determination unit 29. The electrical device 30c includes a disaster information reception unit 31. The user terminal 40c includes a notification reception unit 41.

[0097] The disaster prevention server 20c receives, as disaster information from the local government server 10, information related to the type of disaster and the location where the disaster has occurred / occurred. Based on this information, the disaster prevention server 20c determines the area affected by the disaster and the degree of countermeasures against the disaster.

[0098] (Region determination unit 28) Based on the information related to the type and location of the disaster received from the local government server 10, the region determination unit 28 of the disaster prevention server 20c identifies the regions for which countermeasures should be taken against the disaster and the risk thereof. FIG. 9 is an example of a table referred to by the region determination unit 28 according to Embodiment 4.

[0099] For example, when the type of disaster is heavy rain, river names such as "Kawa A" and "Kawa B" are given as the location. Generally, local governments create hazard maps based on the relationship between the height of river embankments, water levels, and the shape of surrounding land. Therefore, the region determination unit 28 has, as a table, the risk levels of each region when a disaster specified according to the hazard map occurs. Here, the region may be specified, for example, in units of postal codes. In the table, the type of disaster, the location where the disaster occurs, the region, and the risk level of the region are associated with each other. The risk level of the region varies depending on the type of disaster that occurs and the location where the disaster occurs.

[0100] The region determination unit 28 outputs the identified region and information on the risk level for that region to the notification content determination unit 29 and the user registration unit 21.

[0101] (User registration unit 21c) The user registration unit 21 of the disaster prevention server 20c identifies the electrical device 30c arranged in the region specified by the region determination unit 28 and the user terminal 40c associated with the electrical device 30c.

[0102] Figure 10 is an example of a table showing the relationship between the region according to Embodiment 4 and the electric device 30c. Figure 11 is an example of a table showing the relationship between the electric device 30c and the user terminal 40c according to Embodiment 4.

[0103] As shown in Figure 10, the device number (identifier) of the electric device 30c is associated with the region. Note that the type of the device of the electric device 30c may also be registered. In addition, other information such as the network identifier of the electric device 30c may be registered. A plurality of electric devices 30c may be associated with the region.

[0104] As shown in Figure 11, at least one or more user terminals 40c are associated with the device number. The information associated with the user terminal 40c may take various forms such as a network identifier, a telephone number, etc. A plurality of user terminals 40c may be associated with a single device number.

[0105] Using Figure 10, first identify the electric device 30c corresponding to the specified region, and then, using Figure 11, identify the user terminal 40c associated with the electric device 30c. Therefore, the user registration unit 21c identifies the electric device 30c that may be affected by the disaster and the user terminal 40c held by the user 50 in accordance with the disaster information received by the disaster prevention server 20c. The user registration unit 21c outputs the identified information to the disaster information reporting unit 22.

[0106] (Notification content determination unit 29) The notification content determination unit 29 of the disaster prevention server 20c determines the notification content corresponding to the risk level specified by the region determination unit 28 and the information on the type of the disaster. Figure 12 is an example of a table referred to by the notification content determination unit 29 according to Embodiment 4.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 12, the notification content is determined based on the type of disaster and its degree of danger. The notification content varies depending on the type and degree of danger of the disaster. The notification content determination unit 29 outputs the determined notification content to the disaster information transmission unit 22.

[0108] (Disaster information transmission unit 22) The disaster information transmission unit 22 of the disaster prevention server 20c outputs the notification content determined by the notification content determination unit 29 to the electric device 30c and the user terminal 40c specified by the user registration unit 21c.

[0109] 〔Modification example〕 In the disaster prevention system 2 according to the second embodiment and the disaster prevention system 3 according to the third embodiment, it is defined that the user terminal 40 may not be a part of the system. However, of course, the user terminal 40 may be a part of the system. In this case, the user 50 can easily input various information, and high-quality damage information can be created.

[0110] The local government server 10 does not necessarily have to be a server managed by the local government. For example, it may be a server that provides services such as disaster information and weather forecasts on the Internet. Therefore, the disaster prevention server may obtain disaster information by accessing these HP and WEB services.

[0111] The electric devices 30, 30a, 30b, and 30c may be provided with human sensors. In this case, the information of the human sensors may be included in the responses transmitted by the electric devices 30, 30a, 30b, and 30c to the disaster prevention servers 20, 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0112] 〔Summary〕 The electrical device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is an electrical device capable of executing an operation, and includes a receiving unit that receives disaster information, and an operation change unit that changes the operation to a first operation when the receiving unit receives the disaster information. After changing the operation, an input unit that receives an operation instruction to change the operation to a second operation for the electrical device, and a transmission unit that outputs to an external device that the input unit has received the operation instruction.

[0113] According to the above configuration, it is possible to output the presence or absence of an operation instruction via the electrical device, and thereby, in an external device, it is possible to indicate the safety of the user who has given the operation instruction.

[0114] The electrical device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is, in the above Embodiment 1, the electrical device is executing a third operation different from the first operation, and the operation change unit is configured to cause the electrical device operating in the third operation to execute the first operation when the receiving unit receives the disaster information.

[0115] According to the above configuration, by changing the operation from the third operation to the first operation, it is possible to make the user who gives the operation instruction recognize the presence or absence of disaster information.

[0116] The electrical device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is, in the above Embodiment 1 or 2, the transmission unit may be configured to transmit together information regarding the location where the operation instruction was given.

[0117] According to the above configuration, by notifying the location of the user who gives the operation instruction as information, an external device can make various judgments.

[0118] The electrical device according to Aspect 4 of the present invention is, in any one of the above Aspects 1 to 3, the input unit includes a first input unit that receives the operation instruction from a user in the environment where the electrical device is arranged, and a second input unit that receives the operation instruction from a user in an environment where the electrical device is not arranged via a network. It may be configured to have.

[0119] According to the above configuration, an external device can determine various information depending on whether the operation instruction is from the first input unit or the second input unit.

[0120] The server according to Aspect 5 of the present invention is a server that communicates with an electrical device and a user terminal, and includes a registration unit that registers the electrical device and at least one of the user terminals in association with each other, an acquisition unit that acquires disaster information, and after the acquisition of the disaster information or after the occurrence of a disaster, the communication state between the electrical device and the server, the communication record with other user terminals associated with the electrical device, or the presence or absence of an operation instruction for the electrical device, and a transmission unit that outputs the safety information indicating the above to the user terminal registered in the registration unit.

[0121] According to the above configuration, since it is possible to output the presence or absence of an operation instruction to the user terminal, it is possible to notify the user operating the user terminal of the safety information of other users using the same electrical device. Therefore, the user can be reassured.

[0122] The server according to Aspect 6 of the present invention is, in the above Aspect 5, the transmission unit outputs the safety information to the user terminal when the communication state is not normal, there is no safe contact from the other user terminal, or there is no operation instruction for the electrical device, and then outputs the updated safety information to the user terminal again after a period of time. It may be configured to do so.

[0123] According to the above configuration, since the safety information can be re-notified, the safety information can be updated during that time.

[0124] The electrical device according to aspect 7 of the present invention is an electrical device capable of executing an operation other than speaking, and includes a receiving unit that receives disaster information, and a speaking unit that speaks the disaster information when the receiving unit receives the disaster information.

[0125] According to the above configuration, when the speaking unit speaks the disaster information, a user in the environment where the electrical device is provided can recognize the disaster information.

[0126] The electrical device according to aspect 8 of the present invention may further include a notification unit that notifies an external device of the completion of the speaking by the speaking unit in the above aspect 7.

[0127] According to the above configuration, by notifying the completion of the speaking by the speaking unit, it is possible to check the state of the communication line up to the electrical device and the state of the electrical device itself and notify an external device.

[0128] The server according to aspect 9 of the present invention is a server that communicates with the electrical device of the above aspect 8 and receives the notification from the notification unit, and may include an information organizing unit that associates the presence or absence of the notification from the electrical device with information on the area where the electrical device is disposed.

[0129] According to the above configuration, by associating the presence or absence of the notification from the electrical device with the information on the area where the electrical device is disposed, it is possible to estimate where a disaster has occurred.

[0130] The server according to aspect 10 of the present invention may further include a damage information creating unit that creates damage information for the area based on the presence or absence of the notifications from a plurality of the electrical devices disposed in the area in the above aspect 9.

[0131] According to the above configuration, by using the presence or absence of a plurality of notifications, for example, by plotting the state on a map, it is possible to visualize the damage information for the area. As a result, the damage information becomes clear and it becomes easier to take measures against the disaster.

[0132] The electrical device according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention is an electrical device capable of performing an operation other than speech, and includes a receiving unit that receives disaster information, and a transmitting unit that outputs a history of the operation of the electrical device when the receiving unit receives the disaster information.

[0133] According to the above configuration, by analyzing the history of the operation, it is possible to generate information on the safety of the user in the environment where the electrical device is located.

[0134] The server according to Embodiment 12 of the present invention is a server that communicates with the electrical device of Embodiment 11 above and receives the history, and may be configured to include an information sorting unit that determines whether the history indicates that an operation has been performed on the electrical device during a predetermined period immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster.

[0135] According to the above configuration, the server can determine the safety information of the user in the environment where the electrical device is located by checking the history immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster.

[0136] The server according to Embodiment 13 of the present invention may further include, in Embodiment 12 above, a damage information creation unit that creates damage information for the area based on the histories from a plurality of the electrical devices arranged in the area.

[0137] According to the above configuration, based on the information sorted by the information sorting unit, it is possible to create damage information for the area. As a result, local governments that check the damage information can take efficient disaster countermeasures.

[0138] The server according to Embodiment 14 of the present invention, in Embodiment 12 or 13 above, when the history indicates that an operation has been performed on the electrical device during a predetermined period immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster, the damage information creation unit may be configured to add the user of the electrical device as a person staying in the area to the damage information.

[0139] According to the above configuration, disaster prevention measures can be efficiently carried out by identifying the stayers in each region.

[0140] 〔Supplementary Notes〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment, new technical features can be formed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0141] 1, 2, 3, 4 Disaster prevention system 10 Local government server 20, 20a, 20b, 20c Disaster prevention server (server) 21 User registration section (registration section) 22 Disaster information transmission section (acquisition section) 23 Response reception section 24 Electrical equipment status transmission section (transmission section) 25 Information sorting section 26 Damage information creation section 27 History reception section 28 Region determination section 29 Notification content determination section 30, 30a, 30b, 30c Electrical equipment 31 Disaster information reception section (reception section) 32 Driving operation change section 33 Operation instruction input section (input section) 34 Response transmission section (transmission section) 35 Speech section 36 History transmission section (transmission section) 40, 40c User terminal 41 Notification reception section 42 Status report section 43 Electrical equipment operation section 50 User

Claims

1. An electrical device capable of executing an operation, a receiving unit that receives disaster information, an operation change unit that changes the operation to a first operation when the receiving unit receives the disaster information, an input unit that receives an operation instruction to change the operation to a second operation for the electrical device after changing the operation, and a transmission unit that outputs to an external device that the input unit has received the operation instruction. The electrical device comprising these components.

2. The electrical device is executing a third operation different from the first operation, and when the receiving unit receives the disaster information, the operation change unit causes the electrical device operating in the third operation to execute the first operation. The electrical device according to Claim 1.

3. The transmission unit transmits together information regarding the location where the operation instruction was made. The electrical device according to Claim 1.

4. The input unit has a first input unit that receives the operation instruction from a user in the environment where the electrical device is arranged, and a second input unit that receives the operation instruction from a user in an environment where the electrical device is not arranged via a network. The electrical device according to Claim 1.

5. A server that communicates with an electrical device and a user terminal, a registration unit that registers the electrical device and at least one of the user terminals in association with each other, an acquisition unit that acquires disaster information, and a transmission unit that outputs safety information indicating the communication state between the electrical device and the server, the communication record with other user terminals associated with the electrical device, or the presence or absence of an operation instruction for the electrical device, after the acquisition of the disaster information or after the occurrence of a disaster, to the user terminal registered in the registration unit. The server comprising these components.

6. The transmission unit outputs the safety information to the user terminal when the communication state is not normal, when there is no safe contact from the other user terminal, or when there is no operation instruction for the electric device, and then outputs the updated safety information to the user terminal again after a certain period of time. The server according to claim 5.

7. An electric device capable of performing a driving operation that is not a speech, A receiving unit that receives disaster information, An electric device including a speech unit that speaks the disaster information when the receiving unit receives the disaster information.

8. The electric device according to claim 7, further comprising a notification unit that notifies an external device of the completion of the speech by the speech unit.

9. A server that communicates with the electric device according to claim 8 and receives the notification of the notification unit, An information organizing unit that associates the presence or absence of the notification from the electric device with information on the area where the electric device is disposed.

10. The server according to claim 9, further comprising a damage information creating unit that creates damage information of the area based on the presence or absence of the notification from a plurality of the electric devices disposed in the area.

11. An electric device capable of performing a driving operation that is not a speech, A receiving unit that receives disaster information, A transmission unit that outputs a history of the driving operation of the electric device when the receiving unit receives the disaster information.

12. A server that communicates with the electric device according to claim 11 and receives the history, An information organizing unit that determines whether the history indicates that an operation was performed on the electric device during a predetermined period immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster.

13. A server according to claim 12, further comprising a damage information creation unit that creates damage information for the area based on the history from the plurality of electrical devices arranged in the area.

14. The server according to claim 13, wherein when the history indicates that an operation on the electrical device was performed in a predetermined period immediately before or after the occurrence of a disaster, the damage information creation unit adds a user of the electrical device as a person staying in the area to the damage information.

Images