Network system, information processing method, and server

Abstract

To provide a network system, information processing method, and server for providing a watch service that is more user-friendly.SOLUTION: A network system 1 is provided, comprising a refrigerator 200, a terminal 300, and a server 100 configured to be communicable with the refrigerator and the terminal. The server determines a time zone of the day when a refrigerator door is likely to be opened and closed by learning an opening / closing motion of the refrigerator door and, if the refrigerator door is not opened and closed during the time zone of the day, informs the terminal about the fact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote monitoring service, and particularly to a technology of a monitoring service using a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to remote monitoring services via a network have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-148991 (Patent Document 1) discloses a safety confirmation system and a refrigerator. According to Patent Document 1, the safety confirmation system includes a refrigerator having a human sensor, a door opening / closing sensor, or an operation unit, and voice input / output means, and an external device connectable thereto via the Internet. Initial speaking means for performing speaking control to a target person via the voice input / output means upon receiving transmission of any one of a detection signal of the human sensor, a detection signal of the door opening / closing sensor, or an input signal to the operation unit, safety information acquisition means for acquiring voice data input by the target person to the voice input / output means in response thereto, safety state recognition means for recognizing a safety state by analyzing the voice data and generating safety information, and resuming speaking means for performing speaking control to the target person again with content corresponding to the safety state. The safety information is stored in the external device, and the external device is connected to the Internet and includes safety information confirmation means capable of browsing the safety information.

[0003] Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-185315 (Patent Document 2) discloses a refrigerator safety confirmation device. According to Patent Document 2, in a refrigerator having an opening / closing door, it includes opening / closing count means for the opening / closing door, and transmitting means for transmitting information to a pre-registered electronic terminal when the number of opening / closing operations of the opening / closing door within a predetermined fixed time becomes equal to or less than a set value.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a network system, an information processing method, and a server for realizing a monitoring service that is more user-friendly than conventional ones.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network system including a refrigerator, a terminal, and a server capable of communicating with the refrigerator and the terminal. The server determines a time zone in which the refrigerator door is likely to be opened or closed by learning the opening and closing operations of the refrigerator door, and notifies the terminal of information indicating that the refrigerator door has not been opened or closed during the time zone.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] As described above, according to the present invention, there are provided a network system, an information processing method, and a server for realizing a monitoring service that is more user-friendly than conventional ones.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. <First Embodiment> <Overall Configuration of Network System 1>

[0010] First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing the overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0011] The network system 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a monitoring server 100, electrical devices such as a refrigerator 200, and a communication terminal 300 such as a smartphone. In the present embodiment, the electrical devices such as the refrigerator 200 and the communication terminal 300 such as a smartphone are configured to be connectable to the monitoring server 100 via Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), a carrier network, the Internet, or the like.

[0012] Note that the communication terminal 300 is not limited to a smartphone, and may be a personal computer, a tablet, a game machine, a wearable terminal, or the like.

[0013] In the present embodiment, as one of the functions included in the monitoring service, the monitoring server 100 provides information about the first user on the monitored side to the communication terminal 300 of the second user on the monitoring side based on operations on the refrigerator 200 in the first user's home on the monitored side, such as opening and closing of the doors 201, 202, and 203. <Overview of the operation of the network system 1>

[0014] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the overview of the operation of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 2, the pairing process between the refrigerator 200 in the first user's home on the monitored side and the communication terminal 300 of the second user on the monitoring side using the monitoring server 100 will be described.

[0015] First, the first user uses the touch panel 250 of the refrigerator 200 or other input interfaces to select the "Guardian Registration" process from the menu of the cloud-using service. The first user instructs the refrigerator 200 to issue an authentication number. The refrigerator 200 requests the issuance of an authentication number from the guardian server 100 or the authentication server. The refrigerator 200 receives the authentication number from the guardian server 100 or the authentication server and displays it.

[0016] And, simultaneously and in parallel, the second user starts the application for the guardian service on the communication terminal 300. The second user selects the "Guardian" process from the setting screen of the display 330, and then selects the "Guardian Home Appliance Registration" process. The communication terminal 300 prompts the input of the number output by the refrigerator 200 to be monitored.

[0017] As a result, the second user can input the authentication number into the communication terminal 300. More specifically, while holding the communication terminal 300, the second user can obtain the authentication number output by the refrigerator 200 and input it into the communication terminal 300 by working in front of the refrigerator 200 at the first user's home. Alternatively, when the second user is in a location away from the refrigerator 200, the first user can use a phone, SNS, etc. to convey the authentication number to the second user, so that the second user can input the authentication number into the communication terminal 300.

[0018] As a result, the communication terminal 300 transmits the input authentication number to the guardian server 100. The guardian server 100 executes the first authentication process based on the information from the communication terminal 300. More specifically, when the guardian server 100 receives the authentication number from the communication terminal 300 within a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes, after issuing the authentication number to the refrigerator 200, it determines that the first authentication is successful. The guardian server 100 returns the first authentication result to the communication terminal 300.

[0019] In this embodiment, the monitoring server 100 also provides the communication terminal 300 with information for specifying an operation on the refrigerator 200 as the first authentication result. For example, when the first authentication is successful, the monitoring server 100 causes the communication terminal 300 to output information instructing to press a predetermined button of the refrigerator 200, such as a button for message output.

[0020] As a result, for example, while the second user holds the communication terminal 300, the communication terminal 300 can perform an authentication operation on the refrigerator 200 by pressing a predetermined button of the refrigerator 200 at the first user's home. Alternatively, when the second user is away from the refrigerator 200, the second user can use a phone or SNS to inform the first user of the operation to be performed on the refrigerator 200, and then the first user can perform the operation on the refrigerator 200.

[0021] The refrigerator 200 transmits the received operation to the monitoring server 100. The monitoring server 100 executes a second authentication process based on the operation performed on the refrigerator 200. More specifically, when the monitoring server 100 receives the operation information from the refrigerator 200 within a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes, after transmitting the operation information to the communication terminal 300, it determines that the second authentication is successful. The monitoring server 100 returns the second authentication result to the communication terminal 300 and the refrigerator 200.

[0022] In this embodiment, when the second authentication is successful, the monitoring server 100 permits the pairing between the refrigerator 200 and the communication terminal 300. Specifically, after the pairing, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 300 can register the nickname of the refrigerator 200, set the frequency of monitoring notifications, and finally view the operation history on the refrigerator 200 from the communication terminal 300.

[0023] In the present embodiment, as the frequency of the monitoring notification, (1) a pattern in which a notification is sent to the communication terminal 300 when the door of the refrigerator 200 is first opened within a day, (2) a pattern in which a notification is sent to the communication terminal 300 when the door of the refrigerator 200 is first opened at every predetermined period within a day, and (3) a pattern in which no notification is sent even when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened can be freely set by the second user.

[0024] Regarding (2), for example, it is conceivable to send a notification when the door of the refrigerator 200 is first opened in three periods of morning / noon / night. The morning period is set to, for example, 5:00 to 11:59, the noon period is set to, for example, 12:00 to 16:59, and the night is set to, for example, 17:00 to 23:59. It may be further divided into finer and more periods.

[0025] Note that it is preferable that the second user can set the frequency of the monitoring notification from the setting screen at an arbitrary timing, not only immediately after the authentication process is completed.

[0026] In this way, when the pairing process is completed, based on the frequency of the monitoring notification, when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened, the monitoring server 100 transmits information regarding the opening and closing of the door of the refrigerator 200 to the communication terminal 300. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, a monitoring notification is pop-up displayed on the display 330 of the communication terminal 300. Then, when the second user touches the display 330, the communication terminal 300 displays a detailed history regarding the opening and closing of the door of the refrigerator 200.

[0027] Note that not only when there is a notification from the monitoring server 100, but also when the second user selects "Notification List" from the setting screen at an arbitrary timing, it is preferable that the communication terminal 300 displays a detailed history regarding the opening and closing of the door of the refrigerator 200. Note that the communication terminal 300 may request information regarding the opening and closing of the refrigerator 200 from the monitoring server 100 in response to the selection of the "Notification List", or may be in a form of displaying information stored in advance.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first user and the second user can input an instruction for releasing the monitoring mode by using the refrigerator 200. Also, the first user and the second user can input an instruction for releasing the monitoring mode by using the communication terminal 300 as well.

[0029] As described above, in this embodiment, the monitoring server 100 can obtain an operation on the refrigerator 200 and provide the information to the communication terminal 300, so that the first user can know the safety of the second user. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the network system 1 for realizing such a function will be described in detail. <Configuration of Refrigerator 200>

[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, an aspect of the configuration of the refrigerator 200 that constitutes the network system 1 will be described. The refrigerator 200 according to this embodiment mainly includes a CPU 210, a memory 220, a display 230, an operation unit 240, a communication interface 260, a speaker 270, a microphone 280, a device drive unit 290, a door opening / closing sensor 299, doors 201, 202, 203 (see FIG. 1), and the like.

[0031] The CPU 210 controls each part of the refrigerator 200 by executing a program stored in the memory 220 or an external storage medium.

[0032] The memory 220 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, etc., and may be included in the refrigerator 200, may be detachable from various interfaces of the refrigerator 200, or may be a recording medium of another device accessible from the refrigerator 200. The memory 220 stores programs executed by the CPU 210, data generated by the execution of programs by the CPU 210, data input via the operation unit 240, data received from the monitoring server 100 via a router or the Internet, and the like.

[0033] The display 230 outputs characters, images, etc. based on the signal from the CPU 210. Note that the display 230 may simply be an LED light or the like.

[0034] The operation unit 240 is realized by buttons, a touch panel, etc., receives commands from the user, and inputs the commands to the CPU 210. Note that the display 230 and the operation unit 240 may form a touch panel 250.

[0035] The communication interface 260 is realized by a communication module such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The communication interface 260 exchanges data with other devices such as the server 100 via a router, the Internet, etc. by wired communication or wireless communication. That is, the CPU 210 transmits information indicating the opening and closing operation of the door, other operation commands, the current operation state, etc. to other devices such as the server 100 via the communication interface 260, or conversely receives various information such as operation commands and voice data from other devices such as the server 100.

[0036] The speaker 270 outputs voice messages, etc. based on the voice data from the CPU 210. The microphone 280 acquires the user's voice, etc. and inputs the voice data to the CPU 110.

[0037] The device drive unit 290 controls each part of the electrical device (such as the motor of the compressor, the fan, the light, etc.) based on the signal from the CPU 210.

[0038] The door opening / closing sensor 299 detects the open state and closed state of each door and inputs the detection result to the CPU 210. <Configuration of the communication terminal 300>

[0039] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an aspect of the configuration of the communication terminal 300 that constitutes the network system 1 will be described. The communication terminal 300 according to the present embodiment includes, as main components, a CPU 310, a memory 320, a display 330, an operation unit 340, a communication interface 360, a speaker 370, and a microphone 380.

[0040] The CPU 310 controls each part of the communication terminal 300 by executing the programs stored in the memory 320.

[0041] The memory 320 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, and the like. The memory 320 stores application programs for various services, data generated by the execution of programs by the CPU 310, data received from the server 100, data input via the operation unit 340, and data used for the services according to the present embodiment.

[0042] The display 330 displays images and text based on the data from the CPU 310. The operation unit 340 is composed of a pointing device, a switch, and the like, and inputs various commands from the user to the CPU 310. Note that the user terminal may have a touch panel 350 including the display 330 and the operation unit 340.

[0043] The communication interface 360 transmits and receives data to and from other devices such as the server 100 and the refrigerator 200 via the Internet, a carrier network, or the like. For example, the CPU 310 obtains an opening / closing history from the monitoring server 100 via the communication interface 360, transmits operation commands, messages, and the like to the monitoring server 100, and exchanges various information used for the monitoring service according to the application program for the monitoring service. <Configuration of the monitoring server 100>

[0044] First, an aspect of the configuration of the monitoring server 100 that constitutes the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 6, the server 100 includes, as main components, a CPU 110, a memory 120, an operation unit 140, and a communication interface 160.

[0045] The CPU 110 controls each part of the server 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 120. For example, the CPU 110 executes a program stored in the memory 120 and refers to various data to execute various processes described later.

[0046] The memory 120 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, etc. The memory 120 may be included in the server 100, may be detachable from various interfaces of the server 100, or may be a recording medium of another device accessible from the server 100. The memory 120 stores a program executed by the CPU 110, data generated by the execution of the program by the CPU 110, data acquired from the refrigerator 200 and the communication terminal 300, and other data used for services according to the present embodiment.

[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the memory 120 stores user information data 121. The user information data 121 stores, for each user registered in the monitoring service, the user's identification information, the user name, and other information related to the user.

[0048] In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the memory 120 stores device information data 122. The device information data 122 stores, for each refrigerator 200 registered in the monitoring service, the identification information of the refrigerator 200, the model name of the refrigerator 200, the model number of the refrigerator 200, the start date and time of learning the opening and closing operation of the door, and other information related to the refrigerator 200. Note that the start date and time of learning the opening and closing operation of the door may be the date and time when the main power supply of the refrigerator 200 is turned on, the date and time when the refrigerator 200 is first paired with the communication terminal 300, or the date and time when information indicating the start of learning the opening and closing operation is received from the refrigerator 200 or the communication terminal 300.

[0049] In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the memory 120 stores pairing information data 123. The pairing information data 123 stores the correspondence relationship between the refrigerator 200 that has successfully paired for the monitoring service and the second user or the communication terminal 300. In the present embodiment, for each second user or communication terminal 300, a nickname of the target refrigerator 200, such as "grandma's refrigerator" or "dad's hiechan", is stored. Also, in the present embodiment, for each second user, setting information such as the frequency of monitoring notifications for the target refrigerator 200 is stored.

[0050] In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the memory 120 stores history information data 124. The history information data 124 stores, in association with the identification information of the refrigerator 200, the history of the opening and closing operation of the door, the history of other operation information, the history of various measurement values, and the like. Note that the history information is preferably stored in association with day-of-week data, month data, weekday-holiday data, season data, weather data, and the like.

[0051] In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the memory 120 stores openability data 125. The openability data 125 stores, in association with the identification information of the refrigerator 200, information for specifying a time zone when the door is likely to be opened. In the present embodiment, based on the opening and closing history of the door of the refrigerator 200 for a period of about several weeks, information indicating the possibility of the door being opened or closed is stored every hour.

[0052] For example, every time one hour elapses, the CPU 110 calculates the possibility that the door of the refrigerator 200 will be opened or closed during that one hour based on new information regarding whether the door of the refrigerator 200 was opened or closed during the current one hour and information regarding the same time zone that has been accumulated so far, and updates the opening / closing possibility data 125. Note that the opening / closing possibility data 125 may be information indicating the possibility that the door of the refrigerator 200 will be opened or closed every hour, or may be information indicating the possibility that the door of the refrigerator 200 will be opened or closed at each time divided in another way, or may be information specifying a time zone in which the possibility is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Further, it is preferable that these pieces of information are stored in association with day-of-week data, month data, weekday / holiday data, season data, weather data, and the like.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 6, the operation unit 140 receives an instruction from, for example, a service administrator and inputs the instruction to the CPU 110.

[0054] The communication interface 160 transmits data from the CPU 110 to other devices such as the refrigerator 200 and the communication terminal 300 via the Internet, a carrier network, a router, or the like. Conversely, the communication interface 160 receives data from other devices such as the refrigerator 200 and the communication terminal 300 via the Internet, a carrier network, a router, or the like and delivers the data to the CPU 110. <Information Processing in the Monitoring Server 100>

[0055] Next, information processing in the monitoring server 100 will be described. First, referring to FIG. 12, when the CPU 110 of the monitoring server 100 according to the present embodiment receives data indicating that the door has been opened or closed from the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160, the CPU 110 executes the following processing according to the program stored in the memory 120.

[0056] The CPU 110 receives information indicating that the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened or closed via the communication interface 160 (step S112). The CPU 110 refers to the pairing information data 123 to identify the communication terminal 300 paired with the refrigerator 200, and determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the pairing (step S114). Note that the predetermined period is, for example, 24 hours or the like.

[0057] When the predetermined period has not elapsed since the pairing (if NO in step S114), the CPU 110 notifies the communication terminal 300 paired with the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160 that the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened or closed (step S130). Then, the CPU 110 updates the history information data 124 and updates the open / close possibility data 125 based on the door open / close information received this time (step S132). The CPU 110 waits for the next data from the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160.

[0058] Note that the CPU 110 refers to the pairing information data 123 and the history information data 124, and if the door has not been opened even once until a predetermined period, for example, 24 hours, has elapsed since the pairing, it is preferable to notify via the communication interface 160 that the door of the refrigerator 200 has not been opened even once until the predetermined period has elapsed since the pairing.

[0059] In this way, in the present embodiment, since the notifications regarding the opening and closing of the door can be increased until the predetermined period has elapsed since the pairing, it is easy for the second user to recognize that the watching setting is being performed normally.

[0060] When a predetermined period has elapsed since pairing (if YES in step S114), the CPU 110 refers to the pairing information data 123 and reads out setting information such as the notification frequency corresponding to the refrigerator 200 and the communication terminal 300 (step S116). The CPU 110 determines whether the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened or closed for the first time in the time zone that is the target this time (step S118).

[0061] When the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened or closed for the first time in the target time zone (if YES in step S116), the CPU 110 notifies the communication terminal 300 paired with the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160 that the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened or closed for the first time in the current time zone today (step S130). Then, the CPU 110 updates the history information data 124 and updates the open / close possibility data 125 based on the door open / close information received this time (step S132). The CPU 110 waits for the next data from the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160.

[0062] When the door of the refrigerator 200 has not been opened or closed for the first time in the target time zone (if NO in step S116), the CPU 110 updates the history information data 124 and updates the open / close possibility data 125 based on the door open / close information received this time (step S132). The CPU 110 waits for the next data from the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160.

[0063] In the present embodiment, by learning the history of the opening and closing operations of the door of the refrigerator 200 in the past, that is, by using the open / close possibility data 125 and the like, the CPU 110 of the monitoring server 100 also executes the process shown in FIG. 13.

[0064] Every time a first predetermined period elapses, for example, every 10 minutes, for each refrigerator 200, the CPU 110 refers to the device information data 122 and determines whether a second predetermined period, for example, two weeks, has elapsed since the start of learning the opening / closing history of the door of the refrigerator 200 (step S142).

[0065] When the second predetermined period has elapsed since the start of learning the opening / closing history of the refrigerator 200 (when YES in step S142), the CPU 110 refers to the opening / closing possibility data 125 and determines whether the time zone in which the door of the refrigerator 200 is likely to be opened / closed within the first predetermined period in the reverse time direction is over a first predetermined value, for example, 100% or 75% or more (step S144). Note that as the time zone used for this determination, the time zone in which the possibility of the door of the refrigerator 200 being opened / closed in the opening / closing possibility data 125 is a first predetermined value or more + 1 hour, or the time zone in which the possibility of the door of the refrigerator 200 being opened / closed is a first predetermined value or more ± 1 hour may be used.

[0066] If the time zone in which the door of the refrigerator 200 is likely to be opened / closed within the first predetermined period has not ended (when NO in step S144), the CPU 110 transfers the process to the next refrigerator 200.

[0067] If the time zone in which the door of the refrigerator 200 is likely to be opened / closed within the predetermined period has ended (when YES in step S144), the CPU 110 refers to the history information data 124 and determines whether the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened / closed during this time zone (step S146). If the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened / closed during this time zone (when YES in step S146), the CPU 110 transfers the process to the next refrigerator 200.

[0068] If the door of the refrigerator 200 has not been opened or closed during the current time period (when YES in step S146), the CPU 110 transmits, via the communication interface 160, a message indicating that the door of the refrigerator 200 has not been opened or closed today during the time period when the door of the refrigerator 200 is normally opened or closed, to the communication terminal 300 paired with the refrigerator 200 (step S148). The CPU 110 proceeds to the next refrigerator 200 for processing.

[0069] If the second predetermined period has not elapsed since the start of learning the opening / closing history of the refrigerator 200 (when NO in step S142), the CPU 110 refers to the history information data 124 and determines whether the period during which the door of the refrigerator 200 has not been opened or closed has continued for a third predetermined period, for example, 24 hours or more (step S152). If the period during which the door of the refrigerator 200 has not been opened or closed has not continued for 24 hours or more (when NO in step S152), the CPU 110 proceeds to the next refrigerator 200 for processing.

[0070] If the period during which the door of the refrigerator 200 has not been opened or closed has continued for 24 hours or more (when YES in step S152), the CPU 110 transmits, via the communication interface 160, a message indicating that the period during which the door of the refrigerator 200 has not been opened or closed has continued for 24 hours or more, to the communication terminal 300 paired with the refrigerator 200 (step S154). The CPU 110 proceeds to the next refrigerator 200 for processing. <Monitoring Notification Automatic Restriction Function>

[0071] Hereinafter, a function for automatically restricting notifications for monitoring in the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 14, first, the monitoring server 100 receives a setting of the monitoring mode for the refrigerator 200 (step S160).

[0072] In this state, when the user starts the eco-mode operation via the operation unit 240 of the refrigerator 200 (step S162), the CPU 210 of the refrigerator 200 transmits information indicating that the eco-mode operation has been started to the monitoring server 100 via the communication interface 260. However, the command to start the eco-mode operation may be input by the first user to the refrigerator 200 by voice, or may be input by the first user via a communication terminal such as a smartphone, or may be input by the second user via the communication terminal 300.

[0073] When the CPU 110 of the monitoring server 100 receives information on the start of the eco-mode operation from the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160, it restricts the function of the monitoring service of the refrigerator 200 (step S164). For example, the refrigerator 200 or the monitoring server 100 temporarily stops any of the steps shown in FIG. 12, or temporarily stops the processing shown in FIG. 13.

[0074] Note that the restriction of the function of the monitoring service may be such that all notifications from the monitoring server 100 to the communication terminal 300 regarding the monitoring service are stopped while continuing to accumulate the history of opening and closing operations and learning the opening and closing time zones, or only a part of the notifications from the monitoring server 100 to the communication terminal 300 regarding the monitoring service may be stopped, or the transmission of data from the monitoring server 100 to the communication terminal 300 regarding the monitoring service may be stopped.

[0075] Alternatively, while the refrigerator 200 accumulates the history of opening and closing operations, a part of the communication between the monitoring server 100 and the refrigerator 200 may be stopped. Alternatively, the monitoring service by the monitoring server 100 or the refrigerator 200 may be completely stopped. That is, the CPU 210 of the refrigerator 200 may be configured to stop some or all of the operations related to the monitoring service in response to the command of the eco-mode operation.

[0076] And in such a state where the monitoring service is restricted, when the user ends the eco-mode operation via the operation unit 240 of the refrigerator 200 or the eco-mode operation automatically ends when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed (step S166), the CPU 210 of the refrigerator 200 transmits information indicating that the eco-mode operation has ended to the monitoring server 100 via the communication interface 260.

[0077] When the CPU 110 of the monitoring server 100 receives information on the end of the eco-mode operation from the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160, it returns the monitoring service regarding the refrigerator 200 to the normal state (step S168).

[0078] This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the first user may go on a trip without performing an operation to cancel the monitoring mode, and the notification in step S148 of FIG. 13 will be repeatedly notified to the second user. Also, even if the user forgets to resume the monitoring mode when returning home, it is possible to return to the monitoring mode just by opening and closing the door of the refrigerator 200. <Second Embodiment>

[0079] In addition to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, even when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed for the first time in the target time zone (when YES in step S118), if the possibility that the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed in the target time zone is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, for example, 75% (when YES in step S220), the CPU 110 may not notify the communication terminal 300.

[0080] That is, when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed for the first time in the target time zone and the possibility that the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed is less than the first predetermined value, the CPU 110 of the monitoring server 100 may notify the communication terminal 300 that the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened via the communication interface 160.

[0081] However, when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed for the first time during the target time period, or when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed when the possibility of the door being opened or closed is less than a first predetermined value, the CPU 110 may be configured to notify the communication terminal 300 via the communication interface 160 that the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened.

[0082] Alternatively, different notifications may be made depending on whether the possibility of the door of the refrigerator 200 being opened or closed is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value or less than the first predetermined value. For example, if YES in step S220, a message such as "The door opened as usual." may be notified, and if NO in step S120, a message such as "It seems the refrigerator was opened today." may be notified. <Third Embodiment>

[0083] Alternatively, the opening / closing possibility data 125 may also store information for designating a time period when the possibility of the door being opened is low, in association with the identification information of the refrigerator 200. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed (when YES in step S118), the CPU 110 refers to the opening / closing possibility data 125, and when it is a time period where the possibility of the door of the refrigerator 200 being opened or closed is less than a second predetermined value, for example, less than 25% which is smaller than the first predetermined value (when YES in step S320), a notification may be made (step S130).

[0084] That is, when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed for the first time during the target time period and the possibility of the door of the refrigerator 200 being opened or closed is less than the second predetermined value, the CPU 110 of the monitoring server 100 may notify the communication terminal 300 via the communication interface 160 that the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened.

[0085] However, when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed for the first time during the target time period, or when the door of the refrigerator 200 is opened or closed when the possibility of the door being opened or closed is less than a second predetermined value, the CPU 110 may be configured to notify the communication terminal 300 via the communication interface 160 that the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened.

[0086] Alternatively, the CPU 110 may change the message according to the possibility of the door in the time period when the door is opened. For example, when the possibility of the door of the refrigerator 200 being opened or closed is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, the CPU 110 notifies a message "It seems that the refrigerator has been opened again today.", when the possibility of the door of the refrigerator 200 being opened or closed is less than the first predetermined value and equal to or greater than the second predetermined value, the CPU 110 notifies a message "It seems that the refrigerator has been opened today.", and when the possibility of the door of the refrigerator 200 being opened or closed is less than the second predetermined value, the CPU 110 may notify a message "It's rare that the refrigerator has been opened today." <Fourth Embodiment>

[0087] In the above embodiment, as shown in step S114 of FIG. 12, the CPU 110 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the pairing. However, as shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 110 may refer to the pairing information data 123 to identify the communication terminal 300 paired with the refrigerator 200, and determine whether the door has been opened or closed a predetermined number of times or more since the pairing (step S414). The predetermined number of times is, for example, 3 times.

[0088] When the door has not been opened or closed a predetermined number of times or more since pairing (when the answer is NO in step S414), the CPU 110 notifies the communication terminal 300 paired with the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160 that the door of the refrigerator 200 has been opened or closed (step S130). The CPU 110 updates the history information data 124 and updates the open / close possibility data 125 based on the door open / close information received this time (step S132). The CPU 110 waits for the next data from the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160.

[0089] When the door has been opened or closed a predetermined number of times or more since pairing (when the answer is YES in step S414), the CPU 110 executes the process from step S116. <Fifth Embodiment>

[0090] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first authentication is successful, the monitoring server 100 causes the communication terminal 300 to output information instructing to press a predetermined button of the refrigerator 200. However, when the first authentication is successful, the CPU 110 of the monitoring server 100 may output information instructing the communication terminal 300 to open or close a predetermined door of the refrigerator 200 via the communication interface 160.

[0091] Based on the information from the monitoring server 100, the CPU 310 of the communication terminal 300 displays information for designating the door to be opened first on the display 330 or outputs it as voice from the speaker 370 within a predetermined time. As a result, the first user or the second user can recognize the door to be opened.

[0092] Then, based on the detection result of the door open / close sensor 299, the CPU 210 of the refrigerator 200 transmits information for identifying the door opened or closed via the communication interface 260 to the monitoring server 100.

[0093] The monitoring server 100 performs a second authentication based on the opening / closing information from the refrigerator 200. More specifically, after the CPU 110 of the monitoring server 100 transmits information for specifying the door to be opened to the communication terminal 300, it determines whether the specified door has been opened within a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes or the like.

[0094] When the monitoring server 100 succeeds in the second authentication, it permits the pairing between the refrigerator 200 and the communication terminal 300, and transmits a notice to that effect to the refrigerator 200 and the communication terminal 300 via the communication interface 160.

[0095] That is, when the second user opens the specified door of the refrigerator 200 at the first user's home while looking at the screen of the communication terminal 300 to succeed in the authentication, or when the second user is away from the refrigerator 200, the second user uses a telephone, SNS, etc. to inform the first user of the door to be opened / closed, and the first user can succeed in the authentication by opening the specified door of the refrigerator 200. <Sixth Embodiment>

[0096] The structure, function, and operation of the monitoring server 100, the refrigerator 200, and the communication terminal 300 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment. For example, the roles of the respective devices may be realized by other devices. For example, part of the role of the monitoring server 100 may be borne by other authentication servers, the refrigerator 200, or the communication terminal 300, or conversely, part of the role of the refrigerator 200 may be borne by the refrigerator 200, the communication terminal 300, other home appliance control servers, or the like. <Summary>

[0097] In the above-described embodiment, a network system including a refrigerator, a terminal, and a server capable of communicating with the refrigerator and the terminal is provided. The server determines a time zone in which the refrigerator door is likely to be opened / closed by learning the opening / closing operation of the refrigerator door, and notifies the terminal of information indicating that the refrigerator door has not been opened / closed during the time zone.

[0098] Preferably, when the refrigerator door is opened or closed during a time period when there is a low probability that the refrigerator door will be opened or closed, the server notifies the terminal of information indicating this fact.

[0099] Preferably, at the beginning of each day, when the refrigerator door is opened or closed, the server notifies the terminal of information indicating this fact.

[0100] Preferably, at the beginning of each of a plurality of periods into which a day is divided, when the refrigerator door is opened or closed, the server notifies the terminal of information indicating this fact.

[0101] Preferably, until a period for learning has elapsed, when the refrigerator door has not been opened or closed for a predetermined period, the server notifies the terminal of information indicating this fact.

[0102] In the above embodiment, there is provided an information processing method including: a step in which the server determines a time period when the refrigerator door is likely to be opened or closed by learning the opening and closing operation of the refrigerator door; and a step in which the server notifies the terminal of information indicating that the refrigerator door has not been opened or closed during the time period.

[0103] In the above embodiment, there is provided a server including: a communication interface for communicating with the refrigerator and the terminal; and a processor for determining, by learning the opening and closing operation of the refrigerator door using the communication interface, a time period when the refrigerator door is likely to be opened or closed, and notifying the terminal when the refrigerator door has not been opened or closed during the time period.

[0104] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1: Network system 100: Server 110: CPU 120: Memory 121: User information data 122: Device information data 123: Pairing information data 124: History information data 125: Open / close possibility data 140: Operation unit 160: Communication interface 200: Refrigerator 201: Door 202: Door 203: Door 210: CPU 220: Memory 230: Display 240: Operation unit 250: Touch panel 260: Communication interface 270: Speaker 280: Microphone 290: Device drive unit 299: Door open / close sensor 300: Communication terminal 310: CPU 320: Memory 330: Display 340: Operation unit 350: Touch panel 360: Communication interface 370: Speaker 380: Microphone

Claims

1. A refrigerator and A terminal, a server capable of communicating with the refrigerator and the terminal, The server determines a time period during which the refrigerator door is likely to be opened or closed by learning the opening and closing actions of the refrigerator door, and if the refrigerator door has not been opened or closed during that time period, notifies the terminal of that fact.

2. 2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein when the door of the refrigerator is opened or closed during a time period when the door of the refrigerator is unlikely to be opened or closed, the server notifies the terminal of information indicating that the door of the refrigerator is opened or closed during that time period.

3. 3. The network system according to claim 1, wherein when the door of the refrigerator is opened or closed at the beginning of a day, the server notifies the terminal of information indicating that the door of the refrigerator is opened or closed.

4. 3. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the server notifies the terminal of information indicating that the door of the refrigerator has been opened or closed at the beginning of each of a plurality of periods into which one day is divided.

5. 5. The network system according to claim 1, wherein if the door of the refrigerator has not been opened or closed for a predetermined period until the learning period has elapsed, the server notifies the terminal of that fact.

6. A step in which a server determines a time period during which the door of the refrigerator is likely to be opened or closed by learning an opening and closing operation of the door of the refrigerator; and a step in which, if the door of the refrigerator has not been opened or closed during the time period, the server notifies the terminal of that fact.

7. a communication interface for communicating with the refrigerator and the terminal; and a processor for determining a time period during which the refrigerator door is likely to be opened or closed by learning the opening and closing actions of the refrigerator door using the communication interface, and for notifying the terminal if the refrigerator door has not been opened or closed during the time period.

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