Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that provide a device that can be easily connected to a user's wireless communication facility.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 1, an inspection device 10 includes: an acquisition unit 111 that acquires connection information from a server 20, which stores the connection information for a home appliance 40 to connect to a wireless base station, to which the home appliance 40 can connect in a location where the home appliance 40 is scheduled to be used by a user, in association with the user; and a setting unit 112 that sets the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit 111 in the home appliance 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a code registration system that performs a process of registering a communication setting code for a wireless communication device before the product is shipped (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-28788 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that provide a device that can be easily connected to a user's wireless communication equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing device of the present disclosure is an information processing device that includes an acquisition unit that acquires connection information for connecting the device to a wireless base station to which the device can connect at a location where the device is scheduled to be used by the user from a server that stores the connection information in association with the user, and a setting unit that sets the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit in the device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present disclosure can provide a device that can be easily connected to a user's wireless communication equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of use of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an order table according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a customer table according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing by a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of processing by the server according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of an inspection machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a code according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing by a server according to a first modification of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of an inspection machine according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of processing of the system according to the first modification of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of a delivery terminal according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing of the server according to the first modification of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a second example of processing of the system according to the first modification of the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of a system according to a second modification of the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of a connection state table according to a second modification of the embodiment. [Figure 16]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second example of a connection state table according to the second modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is a code registration system for wireless communication devices that performs a process of registering communication setting codes required for communication for a plurality of wireless communication devices, which are products, in a process before the products are shipped (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0009] The code registration system reads a serial code from a communication device such as an IoT (Internet of Things) home appliance, generates a communication setting code (e.g., an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and a password) from the serial code using pseudorandom numbers, writes the generated communication setting code to the communication device, and registers the communication setting code in a code management database in association with the serial code.

[0010] The SSID and password generated before shipping are written to a server device (e.g., a television receiver). When the server device pairs with a client device (e.g., a recording device), the SSID and password are also written to the client device. This allows the server device and client device to communicate with each other.

[0011] According to the above code registration system, for example, after an AV (Audio / Visual) transmission system equipped with a television receiver and a video recording device is delivered to a user's home, the user can reduce the effort required to set up communication between the television receiver and the video recording device.

[0012] The code registration system is applicable to cases where multiple devices (e.g., a server device and a client device) that are communicatively connected to each other are shipped from a factory at the same time, etc. In other words, it is not applicable to cases where a user configures communication settings so that the devices shipped from the factory can connect to wireless equipment (e.g., a wireless base station) already installed in the user's home.

[0013] The present disclosure provides an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that provide a user with a device that can be easily connected to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0014] Below, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from these inventions will be explained.

[0015] (1) An information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires connection information for connecting a device to a wireless base station to which the device can connect at a location where the device is scheduled to be used by the user from a server that stores the connection information in association with the user; and a setting unit that sets the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit in the device.

[0016] According to the above aspect, when a device is started up at a location where a user plans to use the device, the device can automatically connect to a wireless base station. At this time, the user does not need to configure the device to connect to the wireless base station. This is because connection information for connecting the device to the wireless base station is configured in the device when the device is started up at a location where the user plans to use the device. In this way, the information processing device can provide a device that can easily connect to a user's wireless communication equipment.

[0017] (2) The information processing device according to (1), further comprising a generation unit that executes a process for generating information for delivering the device for which the connection information has been set by the setting unit to the user.

[0018] According to the above aspect, the device is appropriately delivered to the user using the information generated by the generation process. As a result, when the device is started up at the delivered location, the device can automatically connect to the wireless base station. Therefore, the information processing device can provide the device that can easily connect to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0019] (3) The information processing device described in (2), wherein the server further stores delivery destination information indicating the address to which the equipment is to be delivered, the acquisition unit further acquires the delivery destination information from the server, and the generation unit executes, as one process included in the generation process, a process of generating information to be written on a label to be attached to the packaging material of the equipment, the label including the delivery destination information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0020] According to the above aspect, a label including delivery destination information is created, and delivery can be easily performed using the created label. At the time of delivery of a device, connection information associated with each user is set for the device to be delivered, and therefore the device must be delivered to the user corresponding to that device. Using the above label contributes to the delivery of the device to the user corresponding to that device. Therefore, the information processing device can more appropriately provide the user with a device that can easily connect to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0021] (4) The information processing device described in (3), wherein the server stores multiple sets of connection information and delivery destination information associated with the user, and the acquisition unit selects one set from the multiple sets, and when acquiring the connection information, acquires it as the connection information relating to the one set, and when acquiring the delivery destination information, acquires it as the delivery destination information relating to the one set.

[0022] According to the above aspect, even when multiple sets of connection information and delivery destination information are associated with one user, by selecting an appropriate set of connection information and delivery destination information from the multiple sets of connection information and delivery destination information, the information processing device can easily connect the device to the user's wireless communication equipment. Thus, the information processing device can provide the device that can easily connect to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0023] (5) The information processing device according to (3), wherein the delivery destination information included in the label is expressed by a two-dimensional code.

[0024] According to the above aspect, since the delivery destination information is expressed as a two-dimensional code, the delivery destination information can be easily and accurately read optically by a reading device. This allows the generation process to be performed more appropriately. Therefore, the information processing device can more appropriately provide the user with a device that can be easily connected to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0025] (6) The information processing device described in (2), wherein the server further stores the device ID of the device, the acquisition unit further acquires the device ID from the server, and the generation unit executes, as one process included in the generation process, a process of generating information to be written on a label that includes the device ID acquired by the acquisition unit and is to be attached to the packaging material of the device.

[0026] According to the above aspect, a label including a device ID is created, so that a device can be delivered to a user while preventing third parties from disclosing the user's delivery address information. When a device is delivered, connection information associated with each user is set for the device to be delivered, so the device must be delivered to the user corresponding to that device. Furthermore, since the delivery address information is not directly included in the label, there is an advantage in that the delivery address information is prevented from being revealed to third parties. Since the device ID on the label can identify the user to whom the device should be delivered, the delivery address can be identified from the device ID, even if the delivery address itself is not the delivery address itself. Furthermore, the device ID on the label makes it more difficult for third parties to disclosing the delivery address information than the address itself. Therefore, the information processing device can more appropriately provide a user with a device that can easily connect to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0027] (7) The information processing device according to (6), wherein the device ID included in the label is expressed by a two-dimensional code.

[0028] According to the above aspect, since the device ID is expressed as a two-dimensional code, the device ID can be easily and accurately read optically by a reading device. This allows for more appropriate delivery. Therefore, the information processing device can more appropriately provide the user with a device that can be easily connected to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0029] (8) An information processing system comprising: a memory unit that stores connection information for connecting a device to a wireless base station to which the device can connect at a location where the user plans to use the device, in association with the user; an acquisition unit that acquires the connection information from the memory unit; and a setting unit that sets the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit in the device.

[0030] According to the above aspect, the same effects as those of the above information processing device can be achieved.

[0031] (9) An information processing method executed by an information processing device, which acquires connection information for connecting the device to a wireless base station to which the device can connect at a location where the device is scheduled to be used by the user from a server that stores the connection information in association with the user, and sets the acquired connection information in the device.

[0032] According to the above aspect, the same effects as those of the above information processing device can be achieved.

[0033] (10) A program that causes a computer to execute the information processing method described in (9).

[0034] According to the above aspect, the same effects as those of the above information processing device can be achieved.

[0035] (11) An information processing method executed by an information processing system, the information processing system including a memory unit that stores connection information for connecting the device to a wireless base station to which the device can connect at a location where the user plans to use the device, in correspondence with the user, and the information processing method includes acquiring the connection information from the memory unit and setting the acquired connection information on the device.

[0036] According to the above aspect, the same effects as those of the above information processing device can be achieved.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following explanation and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0038] The inventors have provided the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0039] (Embodiment) In this embodiment, an information processing device or the like that provides a device that can be easily connected to a user's wireless communication facility will be described.

[0040] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 1, an example of use of information processing system 1 will be described, assuming a flow from when home appliance 40 manufactured in a factory is ordered by a user, to when it is shipped and delivered, and then used in the user's home.

[0042] It should be noted that home appliance 40 and communication device 30 (described later) are examples of devices. The devices may be electronic devices (including communication devices) that are not home appliances.

[0043] 1, the information processing system 1 includes an inspection machine 10 and a server 20. The inspection machine 10 and the server 20 are connected via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0044] The inspection machine 10 is an information processing device that inspects the home appliance 40, and is, for example, an industrial personal computer or a general-purpose personal computer. The inspection machine 10 may be connected to a printing machine 50. The printing machine 50 may or may not be included in the information processing system 1.

[0045] The inspection of home appliance 40 performed by inspection machine 10 is, for example, an inspection performed after the manufacture of home appliance 40 is completed and before the shipment of home appliance 40, and specifically, an inspection of communication device 30 incorporated in home appliance 40, including, for example, a quality inspection. Before or after the inspection, or in parallel with the inspection, inspection machine 10 sets connection information in home appliance 40 for connecting to a wireless base station to which home appliance 40 can connect in a location where home appliance 40 is planned to be used.

[0046] The timing at which the inspection device 10 inspects the home appliance 40 may be before the communication device 30 (described later) is incorporated into the home appliance 40, or after the communication device 30 is incorporated into the home appliance 40.

[0047] The home appliance 40 is an electrical appliance that can be connected to the network N, and specifically, is a washing machine, an air conditioner, a lighting device, a refrigerator, a rice cooker, etc. The home appliance 40 may be a so-called IoT home appliance. The home appliance 40 may also be simply referred to as a device.

[0048] Home appliance 40 is a device ordered by user U and is scheduled to be used at the home of user U. In this case, the wireless base station to which home appliance 40 can connect at the location where home appliance 40 is scheduled to be used is base station 35 (denoted as AP (Access Point) in the figure) owned by user U at home. Devices that have appropriate connection information set to connect to base station 35 can connect to base station 35. The connection information set by inspection machine 10 is connection information for home appliance 40 to connect to base station 35.

[0049] The inspection machine 10 also generates information necessary to create a label including delivery destination information indicating the delivery destination of the home appliance 40. The label includes a code 33 expressing the delivery destination information; in other words, the label includes a code 33 in which the delivery destination information is encoded. The printer 50 creates the label by printing the label based on the information necessary to create the label. The printed label is attached to a packaging material 32 that packs the home appliance 40. The label printed by the printer 50 is visible from outside the packaged home appliance 40 (in other words, outside the packaging material 32). The packaging material 32 includes packaging materials such as a cardboard box or bubble wrap.

[0050] The server 20 is an information processing device that manages information about users (in other words, customers). The server 20 is a server device or a personal computer.

[0051] The home appliance 40 is manufactured in a factory, packed in a packaging material 32, and then shipped and delivered to the home of the user U who ordered the home appliance 40.

[0052] The user U unpacks the packaging material 32, places the home appliance 40 in the user U's home, and starts up the home appliance 40. After starting up, the home appliance 40 can automatically connect to the base station 35. This is because the connection information for connecting the home appliance 40 to the base station 35 has already been set in the home appliance 40 by the inspection device 10. In this way, the home appliance 40 can easily connect to the base station 35.

[0053] When the home appliance 40 is connected to the base station 35, the home appliance 40 can connect to the network N via the base station 35 and can connect to the application server 60 via the network N. By connecting to the application server 60, the home appliance 40 can operate more appropriately and perform more appropriate functions than when the home appliance 40 including the communication device 30 operates alone. For example, the home appliance 40 can be remotely controlled.

[0054] The printer 50 has a printing unit 51 (described later). The printing unit 51 prints a QR code (registered trademark) representing delivery destination information on a label.

[0055] Application server 60 is an information processing device that provides information (such as software update information or updates) to home appliance 40 and receives information from home appliance 40. Application server 60 may also provide information to terminal T, which will be described later. Application server 60 is a server device, a personal computer, or the like.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0057] The inspection machine 10 includes a communication unit 101 , a processor 102 , a storage unit 103 , and a connection unit 104 .

[0058] The communication unit 101 is a communication interface communicatively connected to the network N. The communication unit 101 may be a communication interface of a wireless communication standard (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like, or a mobile communication system (3G (3rd Generation), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation) or the like)). The communication unit 101 may further have a communication interface of a wired communication standard (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like). The communication unit 101 is used when the functional units included in the inspection machine 10 communicate with other devices.

[0059] The processor 102 executes the software program stored in the memory unit 103, thereby causing the inspection machine 10 to fulfill the software functions. The processor 102 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 102 is also connected to other components of the inspection machine 10 via an internal bus, and realizes the following acquisition unit 111, setting unit 112, and generation unit 113 by causing the inspection machine 10 to fulfill the software functions while transmitting and receiving information to and from the other components.

[0060] The acquisition unit 111 acquires connection information. The connection information is connection information (also simply referred to as connection information) for the home appliance 40 to connect to the base station 35, which is a wireless base station to which the home appliance 40 can connect, in a location where the user U is scheduled to use the home appliance 40. The acquisition unit 111 can acquire the connection information from the server 20.

[0061] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 111 can further acquire delivery destination information indicating the destination to which the home appliance 40 is to be delivered from the server 20. The delivery destination information includes, for example, address information, and may further include a name.

[0062] Setting unit 112 sets the connection information acquired by acquisition unit 111 in home appliance 40. Specifically, setting unit 112 transmits the connection information to home appliance 40 via connection unit 104, thereby causing home appliance 40 to set the transmitted connection information.

[0063] The generation unit 113 executes a process of generating information for delivering the home appliance 40, the connection information of which has been set by the setting unit 112, to the user U. As one process included in the generation process, the generation unit 113 can execute a process of generating information necessary for creating a label to be attached to the packaging material 32 of the home appliance 40 (for example, information to be written on the label). The information necessary for creating the label includes the delivery destination information acquired by the acquisition unit 111. More specifically, the label information includes, as the delivery destination information, a code 33 that expresses the delivery destination information. The code 33 is, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code. Here, a case where the code 33 is a QR code, which is a two-dimensional code, will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0064] The storage unit 103 is a storage device that can store information. The storage unit 103 can store the connection information or delivery destination information acquired by the acquisition unit 111. The storage unit 103 also includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is used as a temporary storage area when the processor 102 performs information processing. The storage unit 103 also includes storage (for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory) that stores programs executed by the processor 102 or information used in the processing of the processor 102.

[0065] Connection unit 104 is a communication interface that is communicatively connected to home appliance 40. Connection unit 104 may be a communication interface that complies with a communication standard for wired communication, or may be a communication interface that complies with a communication standard for wireless communication. Connection unit 104 is used at least when setting unit 112 sets connection information in home appliance 40. Connection unit 104 may be shared with communication unit 101, or may be a separate unit.

[0066] The server 20 includes a communication unit 201 , a processor 202 , and a storage unit 203 .

[0067] The communication unit 201 is a communication interface communicatively connected to the network N. The communication unit 201 may be a communication interface of a wired communication standard (e.g., Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like), or may be a communication interface of a wireless communication standard (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like, or a mobile communication system (3G, 4G, 5G, or the like)). The communication unit 201 is used when a functional unit included in the server 20 communicates with another device.

[0068] The processor 202 executes the software program stored in the storage unit 203, thereby causing the server 20 to fulfill the software functions. The processor 202 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 202 is also connected to the other components of the server 20 via an internal bus, and realizes the providing unit 211 described below by causing the server 20 to fulfill the software functions while transmitting and receiving information to and from the other components.

[0069] The providing unit 211 provides the connection information stored in the storage unit 203 to the inspection device 10. The providing unit 211 can generate the connection information using order information or customer information. When the providing unit 211 provides the connection information, the inspection device 10 sets the connection information in the home appliance 40. In other words, the providing unit 211 provides the connection information to the inspection device 10, thereby causing the inspection device 10 to set the provided connection information in the home appliance 40. Note that the providing unit 211 may transmit, together with the connection information, control information to the inspection device 10 that causes the inspection device 10 to set the provided connection information in the home appliance 40. The inspection device 10 receives the transmitted control information and sets the connection information in the home appliance 40 according to the received control information.

[0070] The order information and customer information may be registered by the user or may be obtained from purchase information managed by the store or EC site. The contents of the order information and customer information will be described later.

[0071] Furthermore, when the providing unit 211 provides the connection information to the test device 10, the test device 10 can execute a process (also referred to as a generation process) for delivering the home appliance 40 in which the connection information is set to the user U. In other words, by providing the connection information to the test device 10, the providing unit 211 can cause the test device 10 to execute a generation process for delivering the home appliance 40 in which the connection information is set to the user U. Details of the generation process will be described later.

[0072] The providing unit 211 may transmit, together with the connection information, control information for causing the inspection device 10 to execute the generation process to the inspection device 10. The inspection device 10 can receive the transmitted control information and execute the generation process in accordance with the received control information.

[0073] Furthermore, the providing unit 211 provides the delivery destination information stored in the storage unit 203 to the inspection device 10. When the providing unit 211 provides the delivery destination information, the inspection device 10 can execute a generation process for delivering the home appliance 40 to the user U based on the delivery destination information. As the above process, the inspection device 10 can execute, for example, a process for generating information (e.g., information to be written on a label) necessary for creating a label including the delivery destination information and to be attached to the packaging material 32 of the home appliance 40, and this case will be described as an example. In this case, in other words, by providing the delivery destination information to the inspection device 10, the providing unit 211 causes the inspection device 10 to execute a process for generating information necessary for creating a label including the provided delivery destination information and to be attached to the packaging material 32 of the home appliance 40, and can also print the label using the printer 50.

[0074] The providing unit 211 may transmit, together with the delivery destination information, control information to the inspection device 10 for causing the inspection device 10 to execute a process for generating information necessary to create the label. The inspection device 10 receives the transmitted control information and executes a process for generating information necessary to create the label in accordance with the received control information.

[0075] As another example of the above process, the inspection device 10 may execute a process of printing the delivery destination information directly on the home appliance 40 or the packaging material 32.

[0076] The storage unit 203 is a storage device that can store information. More specifically, the storage unit 203 stores connection information for connecting the home appliance 40 to a base station 35 to which the home appliance 40 can connect in a location where the user U is scheduled to use the home appliance 40, in association with the user U. The storage unit 203 also stores delivery destination information that indicates a destination to which the home appliance 40 is delivered. The storage unit 203 also includes a RAM that is used as a temporary storage area when the processor 202 performs information processing. The storage unit 203 also includes storage (for example, an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory) in which information used in the processing by the processor 202 is stored.

[0077] The home appliance 40 includes a communication device 30 and a functional unit 41. The communication device 30 includes a communication unit 301, a processor 302, a storage unit 303, and a connection unit 304.

[0078] Functional unit 41 performs a function specific to home appliance 40. When home appliance 40 is a washing machine, functional unit 41 includes a washing tub and a motor for rotating the washing tub, etc. When home appliance 40 is an air conditioner, functional unit 41 includes a heat pump and a heat exchanger, etc.

[0079] The communication unit 301 is a communication interface communicably connectable to the base station 35. An example will be described in which the communication unit 301 is a communication interface for Wi-Fi (registered trademark), a communication standard for wireless communication. In this case, the connection information includes, for example, an SSID and a password. The communication unit 301 is connected to the base station 35, thereby being connected to the network N. As a result, the communication device 30 is communicably connected to the application server 60; in other words, the home appliance 40 is communicably connected to the application server 60. Note that the connection information may include an IP address.

[0080] The processor 302 executes a software program to cause the communication device 30 to fulfill the software functions. The processor 302 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 302 is also connected to other components of the communication device 30 via an internal bus, and realizes the setting unit 311 described below by causing the communication device 30 to fulfill the software functions while transmitting and receiving information to and from the other components.

[0081] The setting unit 311 acquires connection information. Specifically, the setting unit 311 acquires the connection information provided by the inspection machine 10 via the connection unit 304. The setting unit 311 also sets the acquired connection information in the communication unit 301. Note that the setting unit 311 may acquire the connection information from the inspection machine 10 using the communication unit 301 instead of using the connection unit 304.

[0082] The storage unit 303 is a storage device that can store information. The storage unit 303 can store the connection information acquired by the setting unit 311. The storage unit 303 also includes a RAM that is used as a temporary storage area when the processor 302 performs information processing. The storage unit 303 also includes storage (for example, an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory) that stores information used in the processing of the processor 302.

[0083] The connection unit 304 is a communication interface that is communicatively connected to the inspection device 10. The connection unit 304 may be a communication interface that complies with a communication standard for wired communication, or may be a communication interface that complies with a communication standard for wireless communication. The connection unit 304 is used at least when the communication device 30 (in other words, the home appliance 40) receives connection information settings from the inspection device 10. The connection unit 304 may be shared with the communication unit 301, or may be a separate unit.

[0084] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an order table according to this embodiment. The order table shown in Fig. 3 is an example of order information used when the providing unit 211 generates connection information.

[0085] 3, the order table has one or more entries, and each entry includes information related to an order placed by a user for home appliance 40. The information related to an order placed by a user includes a user ID, a product number, a serial number, and whether automatic setting is required.

[0086] The user ID indicates the identifier of the user who placed the order corresponding to the entry.

[0087] The product number indicates the product number of the home appliance 40 that is the subject of the order corresponding to the entry. The product number is an identifier that indicates the model of the home appliance 40. The product number is also generally referred to as the model type or model number.

[0088] The serial number indicates the serial number of the home appliance 40 that is the subject of the order corresponding to the entry. The serial number is an identifier that is uniquely assigned to each home appliance 40, and is an example of a device ID.

[0089] The automatic setting necessity is information indicating whether automatic setting is necessary for the home appliance 40 that is the subject of the order corresponding to the entry. For example, the automatic setting necessity is indicated as "necessary" when automatic setting of the home appliance 40 is necessary, and "not necessary" when automatic setting of the home appliance 40 is not necessary. For the home appliance 40 that is the subject of the order and for which automatic setting is indicated as being necessary, connection information is set by the inspection machine 10.

[0090] The necessity of automatic configuration may be set to "necessary" as a default value, or may be configured to be selectable when the user places an order. A home appliance 40 for which automatic configuration is not possible may be set to "no" in advance. A home appliance 40 for which automatic configuration is not necessary and a home appliance 40 for which automatic configuration is not possible may be managed with different identifiers. A home appliance 40 for which automatic configuration is not possible may be configured not to be included in the order table.

[0091] For example, the entry shown in the first line indicates that a user with a user ID of "U01" has ordered a home appliance 40 with a product number of "ZZ-01." The entry also indicates that automatic configuration is required for the home appliance 40 that is the subject of the order. The entry also indicates that the serial number of the home appliance 40 to be delivered to the user is "AZ0101." This serial number may have been set by reading "AZ0101" as the serial number of the appliance and transmitting it to the server 20 after automatic configuration has been performed on the appliance based on this entry.

[0092] For example, the entry shown on the second line indicates that a user with a user ID of "U01" has ordered a home appliance 40 with a product number of "ZZ-02." It also indicates that automatic configuration is not required for the home appliance 40 that is the subject of the order. The serial number of the home appliance 40 is left blank. The serial number field may be filled in by reading the serial number of the appliance and transmitting it to the server 20.

[0093] For example, the entry shown on the third line indicates that a user with a user ID of "U02" has ordered a home appliance 40 with a product number of "ZZ-01." The entry also indicates that automatic configuration is required for the home appliance 40 that is the subject of the order. The serial number of the home appliance 40 is left blank. The serial number field may be filled in by reading the serial number of the appliance and transmitting it to the server 20.

[0094] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a customer table according to this embodiment. The customer table shown in Fig. 4 is an example of customer information used when the providing unit 211 generates connection information or delivery destination information.

[0095] 4, the customer table has one or more entries, and each entry contains information related to a user. The information related to a user includes a user ID, an SSID, a password (also referred to as PW), address information, and a name. The SSID and password may correspond to connection information, and the address information and name may correspond to delivery information.

[0096] Note that one user ID may be associated with multiple sets of SSID, password, address information, and name (in other words, sets of connection information and delivery address information).

[0097] The user ID indicates the identifier of the user corresponding to the entry.

[0098] The SSID is the SSID that should be set in the communication device 30 of the home appliance 40 in order for the home appliance 40 to connect to the wireless base station owned by the user corresponding to the entry.

[0099] The password is a password that should be set in the communication device 30 of the home appliance 40 in order for the home appliance 40 to connect to the wireless base station owned by the user corresponding to the entry.

[0100] The address information is information that indicates the address of the user corresponding to the entry.

[0101] The name is the name of the user corresponding to the entry.

[0102] For example, the entry shown in the first line includes information about a user whose user ID is "U01." The SSID for home appliance 40 to connect to the wireless base station owned by the user is "SA1," and the password is "PA1." The address of the user is "Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture...," and the name is "NA1."

[0103] For example, the entry shown on the second and third lines contains information about a user with the user ID "U02," and two sets of SSID, password (also written as PW), address information, and name are associated. The first SSID is "SB1," the password is "PB1," the address is "Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture...," and the name is "NB1." The second SSID is "SB2," the password is "PB2," the address is "Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture...," and the name is "NB2."

[0104] The server 20 (more specifically, the providing unit 211) may acquire the SSID and password from a device that the user has previously purchased and set up, and manage them as the SSID and password.

[0105] The processing of the information processing system 1 configured as above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 7A.

[0106] Here, a series of processes will be described in which information processing system 1 sets connection information in home appliance 40 ordered by a user and adds delivery destination information to packaging material 32 of home appliance 40 for which the connection information has been set.

[0107] FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing a first example of the processing of the server 20 according to the present embodiment.

[0108] At the time step S101 is executed, it is assumed that the user's order has been completed (in other words, the product number of the home appliance 40 to be ordered has been determined), and the serial number of the specific home appliance 40 to be delivered to the user has not yet been determined. In this case, in the order table (see FIG. 3), values ​​are set for the user ID and product number, but no value is set for the serial number (the state of the third line in FIG. 3). Furthermore, the product number and serial number are set in the storage unit of the home appliance 40 during the manufacturing process and can be read by the inspection device 10. When a serial number is set for an entry in the order table, it may be determined that connection information has already been set for the home appliance of that entry, and the home appliance 40 may not be subject to this processing. Furthermore, when a serial number is not set for the home appliance 40, control information to be written to another home appliance 40 or control information instructing the home appliance 40 to write to another home appliance 40 may be sent. Furthermore, the inspection device 10 may store the serial number and the error content as an inaccessible device table.

[0109] In step S101, the providing unit 211 receives the product number of the home appliance 40 from the inspection device 10 via the communication unit 201. The product number of the home appliance 40 received by the communication unit 201 is the product number transmitted by the inspection device 10 in step S202 (described later).

[0110] In step S102, the providing unit 211 identifies the user who ordered the product with the product number received in step S101. When identifying the user, the providing unit 211 identifies the user ID of the user whose "product number" in the order table corresponds to the product number received in step S101. Note that if there are multiple users whose "product number" in the order table corresponds to the home appliance 40 with the product number received in step S101, one of the users may be identified as the user. One possible method of identification is to prioritize the multiple users. Specific examples of the priority include order of reception, order of delivery date, order of shipping date, etc. In the above case, the series of processes shown in FIGS. 5A to 7A are performed with each of the multiple users treated as a single user.

[0111] In step S102A, the providing unit 211 determines whether automatic setting is necessary for the product with the part number received in step S101 by referring to the automatic setting necessity in the entry in the order table corresponding to the part number and user identified in steps S101 and S102. If it is determined that automatic setting is necessary (Yes in step S102A), the process proceeds to step S103, and if not (No in step S102A), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0112] In step S103, the providing unit 211 determines whether the connection information of the user identified in step S102 is set in the customer table. If it is determined that the connection information of the user is registered in the customer table (Yes in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104; otherwise (No in step S103), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0113] It is possible that multiple sets of connection information for the user identified in step S102 are set in the customer table. This corresponds to a case where multiple sets of connection information and delivery address information are associated with one user ID. In this case, the providing unit 211 may select one set from the multiple sets and use the connection information associated with the selected set. For example, if a priority is assigned to each set in advance, one set may be selected from the multiple sets according to that priority. Furthermore, when a user places an order, the user may be asked to select one of the multiple sets.

[0114] In step S104, the providing unit 211 acquires the connection information of the user identified in step S102 from the customer table.

[0115] In step S105, the providing unit 211 transmits the user connection information acquired in step S104 to the inspection machine 10. Note that, when step S101 is executed, if a serial number is not set for an entry in the order table, control information may be transmitted to the inspection machine 10 to notify the inspection machine that the connection information could not be set.

[0116] In step S106, the providing unit 211 receives the serial number of the home appliance 40 via the communication unit 201. The serial number of the home appliance 40 received by the communication unit 201 is the serial number transmitted by the inspection machine 10 in step S206 (described later).

[0117] In step S107, the providing unit 211 registers the serial number received in step S106 in the order table in association with the user ID of the user identified in step S102.

[0118] In step S108, providing unit 211 acquires delivery destination information for home appliance 40 from the customer table. When acquiring the delivery destination information, address information and name of the user whose "user ID" in the customer table corresponds to the user ID identified in step S102 are acquired as the delivery destination information. Note that if multiple sets of connection information and delivery destination information are set in the customer table for the user identified in step S102, in other words, if multiple sets of connection information and delivery destination information are associated with one user ID, providing unit 211 may use delivery destination information related to one set selected from the multiple sets. The selected set is delivery destination information related to the same set as the connection information selected when multiple sets of connection information and delivery destination information are associated with one user ID.

[0119] In step S109, the providing unit 211 transmits the delivery destination information acquired in step S108 to the inspection device 10 via the communication unit 201.

[0120] If it is determined in step S103 that the connection information of the identified user is not registered in the customer table, the process of receiving and registering the device serial number (steps S106 to S107) and the process of acquiring and transmitting delivery address information (steps S108 to S109) may not be executed. An example of a flow diagram in this case is shown in Fig. 5B. In this case, server 20 does not transmit delivery address information for home appliance 40 ordered by a user whose connection information is not registered in the customer table.

[0121] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing of the inspection machine 10 according to this embodiment.

[0122] In step S201, the acquisition unit 111 reads the product number of the home appliance 40 to be inspected by the inspection machine 10, using the connection unit 104. The product number of the home appliance 40 may be written on a label attached to the home appliance 40 in association with a specific one of the home appliances 40. The label may be attached to the housing of the home appliance 40 or may be placed near the home appliance 40. In this case, the product number of the home appliance 40 may be expressed by a barcode, characters, or the like. The inspection machine 10 can acquire the product number by having an operator operate a scanner connected to the inspection machine 10 to read the product number written on the label with the scanner. The inspection machine 10 may determine the product number from the appearance of the home appliance 40 using an imaging device.

[0123] In addition, when there are multiple home appliances 40, the label may be a label that is placed closer to the home appliance 40 associated with the label than to a home appliance 40 that is different from the home appliance 40 associated with the label among the multiple home appliances 40. More specifically, the label may be a label that is attached to the home appliance 40 associated with the label.

[0124] In step S202, the acquisition unit 111 transmits the product number of the home appliance 40 read in step S201 to the server 20 via the communication unit 101.

[0125] In step S203, the setting unit 112 receives the user's connection information from the server 20. The received connection information is the connection information transmitted by the server 20 in step S105 (see FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B).

[0126] In step S204, setting unit 112 stores the connection information received in step S203 in home appliance 40. Specifically, setting unit 112 transmits the connection information received in step S203 to home appliance 40 via the connection made by connection unit 104 and connection unit 304, and also transmits control information to home appliance 40 that controls home appliance 40 to store the connection information in communication device 30 (specifically, storage unit 303). Having received the connection information and control information, home appliance 40 stores the connection information in communication device 30 (more specifically, storage unit 303).

[0127] In step S205, acquisition unit 111 receives the serial number of home appliance 40 from home appliance 40 via connection unit 104. Specifically, processor 302 of home appliance 40 reads the serial number from storage unit 303 and transmits it via connection unit 304, and acquisition unit 111 receives the transmitted serial number.

[0128] Note that, instead of receiving the serial numbers of the home appliances 40 as described above, the acquisition unit 111 may read the serial numbers of the home appliances 40 that are the targets of inspection by the inspection machine 10. The serial numbers of the home appliances 40 are written on, for example, a label that is attached to the home appliances 40 in association with a specific one of the home appliances 40. The label may be attached to the housing of the home appliance 40, or may be placed near the home appliance 40.

[0129] In step S206, acquisition unit 111 transmits the serial number of home appliance 40 received in step S205 to server 20 via communication unit 101. Note that the serial number may be read together with the product number in step S201 and stored in inspection machine 10. In this case, the serial number may be registered in server 20 when setting of the connection information in home appliance 40 is completed.

[0130] In step S207, the acquisition unit 111 receives the delivery destination information of the home appliance 40 via the communication unit 101. The received delivery destination information is the delivery destination information transmitted by the server 20 in step S109 (see FIG. 5A or 5B).

[0131] In step S208, generation unit 113 generates a QR code representing the delivery destination information received by acquisition unit 111 in step S207. Printing unit 51 prints the QR code generated by generation unit 113 as a label. The label on which the QR code is printed may be attached to home appliance 40 by inspection machine 10, or may be attached to home appliance 40 by a worker.

[0132] FIG. 7A is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing by the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0133] Fig. 7A shows the flow of processing executed by the information processing system 1 when user connection information is registered in the customer table. The processing steps of the inspection device 10 and the server 20 shown in Fig. 7A are the same as the processing steps of the same names shown in Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, or Fig. 6, so a description of the processing content will be omitted. Some of the processing steps shown in Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, or Fig. 6 are omitted in Fig. 7A.

[0134] FIG. 7A also shows the flow of processing executed by the information processing system 1 when the providing unit 211 determines in step S103 of FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B that the connection information of the identified user is registered in the customer table (Yes in step S103 (see FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B)).

[0135] 7A, connection information for connecting to base station 35 owned by the user is set in home appliance 40. Furthermore, home appliance 40 for which the connection information has been set in this way is delivered to the user using delivery address information printed on a label.

[0136] After home appliance 40 is delivered to the user, when home appliance 40 is started up at a location where the user plans to use it, the processor of home appliance 40 reads out the connection information stored in storage unit 303 and sets the connection information in communication unit 301. Communication unit 301 performs authentication processing with base station 35 using the connection information, and if the authentication is successful, home appliance 40 can connect to base station 35. At this time, no setting by the user is required to connect home appliance 40 to base station 35. In this way, information processing system 1 can provide a device that can be easily connected to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0137] The QR code generated by generation unit 113 may further include the name of home appliance 40, setting information for home appliance 40 (information about the app that controls home appliance 40), the model number of home appliance 40, information indicating whether automatic setting is enabled or disabled, or the URL of a web page containing information about home appliance 40.

[0138] Note that information about wireless communication settings or information about an application that controls home appliance 40 may be added near the QR code. These will be described with reference to FIG. 7B.

[0139] FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a code according to this embodiment.

[0140] The QR code shown in FIG. 7B encodes a URL for installing an application that controls home appliance 40.

[0141] 7B, information indicating that the wireless communication settings (in other words, the setup) have been completed is arranged near code 33, which is a QR code. Specifically, the information includes a graphic 33A indicating wireless communication and a character string 33B saying "set up." By visually recognizing the information indicating that the wireless communication settings have been completed, the user can know that the settings for connecting home appliance 40 to base station 35 in the user's home have been completed.

[0142] 7B, information about an app that controls home appliance 40 is arranged near code 33, which is a QR code. Specifically, the information includes image 33C indicating that home appliance 40 is compatible with the app and character string 33D that reads "Click here for the app." The user knows that an app that controls home appliance 40 is available, reads the QR code with a terminal, and accesses a URL for installing the app, thereby easily obtaining the app that controls home appliance 40.

[0143] (First Modification of the Embodiment) In this modified example, an information processing device that provides a device that can be easily connected to a user's wireless communication equipment will be described, which differs from the above embodiment. Specifically, an example will be described in which the QR code generated by the inspection device 10 contains a serial number instead of delivery destination information. In this case, an information terminal (also called a delivery terminal) owned by the deliverer is used.

[0144] In this modification, the differences from the above embodiment will be described below.

[0145] In this modification, the information processing system 1 executes a process of creating a label on the home electric appliance 40 (that is, the packaging material 32).

[0146] Specifically, the acquisition unit 111 of the inspection machine 10 acquires the serial number of the home appliance 40. At this time, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the serial number of the home appliance 40 from the server 20. Note that the inspection machine 10 may acquire the serial number by reading out the serial number that the inspection machine 10 has read and stored.

[0147] Furthermore, as one process included in the generation process, the generation unit 113 of the inspection machine 10 executes a process of generating information (label information) for creating a label that includes the serial number acquired by the acquisition unit 111 and is to be attached to the packaging material 32 of the home appliance 40. The serial number included in the label is expressed, for example, by a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

[0148] The providing unit 211 of the server 20 provides the inspection device 10 with the serial number of the home appliance 40. When the providing unit 211 provides the inspection device 10 with the serial number, the inspection device 10 executes a process to generate information necessary to create a label including the serial number and to be attached to the packaging material 32 of the home appliance 40. In other words, by providing the serial number to the inspection device 10, the providing unit 211 causes the inspection device 10 to execute a process to create information for the label including the serial number and to be attached to the packaging material 32 of the home appliance 40. Note that the providing unit 211 may also transmit, together with the serial number, control information to the inspection device 10 that causes the inspection device 10 to execute a process to generate information necessary to create the label. The inspection device 10 can receive the transmitted control information and execute a process to generate information necessary to create a label according to the received control information.

[0149] The process of creating the label and the process of delivering the home appliance 40 will be described in detail below.

[0150] (Process to create a label) The label creation process performed by the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0151] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing by the server according to the first modification of the present embodiment.

[0152] Steps S101 to S107 shown in FIG. 8 are the same as the processing (S101 to S107) of the server 20 in the above embodiment.

[0153] After executing step S107, the providing unit 211 executes step S109A.

[0154] In step S109A, the providing unit 211 transmits the serial number received in step S106 to the inspection machine 10 via the communication unit 201.

[0155] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the inspection machine 10 according to the first modification of the present embodiment.

[0156] Steps S201 to S206 shown in FIG. 9 are the same as the processing (S201 to S206) of the inspection machine 10 in the above embodiment.

[0157] After executing step S206, generation unit 113 executes step S208A.

[0158] In step S208A, generation unit 113 generates label information using the serial number as a QR code, and prints the information on the label using printer 50. The label on which the QR code is printed may be attached to home appliance 40 by inspection machine 10, or may be attached to home appliance 40 by an operator.

[0159] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of processing of the system according to the first modification of the present embodiment.

[0160] Fig. 10 shows the flow of processing executed by the information processing system 1 when user connection information is registered in the customer table. The processing steps of the inspection machine 10 and the server 20 shown in Fig. 10 are the same as the processing steps with the same names shown in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9, so a description of the processing content will be omitted. Some of the processing steps shown in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9 are omitted in Fig. 10.

[0161] FIG. 10 also shows the flow of processing executed by the information processing system 1 when the providing unit 211 determines in step S103 of FIG. 8 that the connection information of the identified user is registered in the customer table (Yes in step S103 (see FIG. 8)).

[0162] 10, connection information for connecting to the base station 35 owned by the user is set in the home appliance 40. Furthermore, information on a label to be attached to the home appliance 40 for which the connection information has been set in this way is generated by the inspection machine 10 and printed by the printer 50.

[0163] (Process of delivering home appliance 40) The process by which the information processing system 1 delivers the home appliance 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0164] In the information processing system 1, the process of delivering the home appliance 40 is executed by a terminal used for the delivery work (also referred to as a delivery terminal) and the server 20. The delivery terminal is, for example, an information terminal owned by a deliverer who is in charge of delivering the home appliance 40.

[0165] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of the delivery terminal according to the first modification of the present embodiment.

[0166] In step S301, the delivery terminal reads the QR code. The QR code read by the delivery terminal is the QR code printed in step S208A.

[0167] In step S302, the delivery terminal acquires the serial number of the home appliance 40 from the QR code read in step S301.

[0168] In step S303, the delivery terminal transmits the serial number acquired in step S302 to the server 20.

[0169] In step S304, the delivery terminal receives from the server 20 the delivery destination information corresponding to the serial number acquired in step S302.

[0170] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing of the server 20 according to the first modification of the present embodiment.

[0171] In step S401, the providing unit 211 receives the serial number of the home appliance 40 via the communication unit 201. The serial number received by the providing unit 211 is the serial number transmitted by the delivery terminal in step S303.

[0172] In step S402, the providing unit 211 acquires delivery destination information corresponding to the serial number received in step S401. Specifically, the providing unit 211 identifies a user ID having a serial number that matches the serial number received in step S401 in the order table (see FIG. 3), and then acquires delivery destination information (i.e., address information and name) corresponding to a user ID that matches the identified user ID in the customer table (see FIG. 4).

[0173] In step S403, the providing unit 211 transmits the delivery destination information acquired in step S402 to the delivery terminal.

[0174] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a second example of processing of the system according to the first modification of the present embodiment.

[0175] 13 shows a process in which information processing system 1 delivers home appliance 40. The processing steps of server 20 and the delivery terminal shown in FIG. 13 are the same as the processing steps of the same names shown in FIG. 11 or 12, so a description of the processing content will be omitted. Some of the processing steps shown in FIG. 11 or 12 are omitted in FIG. 13. The processing shown in FIG. 13 is executed after the processing shown in FIG. 10.

[0176] 13, the delivery terminal reads the QR code attached to home appliance 40 to acquire the serial number and receives delivery destination information from server 20. The deliverer can deliver home appliance 40 to the destination using the delivery destination information presented by the delivery terminal. At this time, the delivery terminal may further have a printing function and may print a label including the delivery destination information. The deliverer can attach the printed label to home appliance 40 or packaging material 32 and deliver the home appliance.

[0177] After home appliance 40 is delivered to the user, when home appliance 40 is started up at a location where the user plans to use it, home appliance 40 can automatically connect to base station 35. At this time, no setting is required to connect home appliance 40 to base station 35. In this way, information processing system 1 can provide a device that can be easily connected to the user's wireless communication equipment.

[0178] (Modification 2 of the embodiment) In this modification, an information processing device or the like that provides a device that can be easily connected to a user's wireless communication equipment will be described in a different manner from the above embodiment. Specifically, an example will be described in which a home appliance 40 is connected to a base station 35 after delivery, and a user U is notified that communication with an application server 60 is now possible.

[0179] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of the information processing system 1 according to this modification.

[0180] In this modification, a user U owns a terminal T. The terminal T is registered in the application server 60 as a terminal owned by the user U. The application server 60 has connection status information indicating whether the home appliance 40 is connected to the application server 60 via the base station 35.

[0181] Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of a connection status table according to this modification. Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of a connection status table according to this modification. The connection status tables shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 are examples of connection status information held by the application server 60.

[0182] 15, the connection status table has one or more entries, and each entry includes information related to the home appliance 40. The information related to the home appliance 40 includes the serial number and whether or not it is connected.

[0183] The serial number indicates the serial number of the home appliance 40 corresponding to the entry. The serial number is an identifier that is uniquely assigned to each home appliance 40.

[0184] The connection status indicates whether the home appliance 40 corresponding to the entry has communicated with the application server 60 at least once. For example, the connection status is indicated as "Yes" if the home appliance 40 has communicated with the application server 60 at least once, and is indicated as "No" if the home appliance 40 is not connected to the application server 60 so as to be able to communicate with it. Note that for a home appliance 40 that does not have a function for communicating with the application server 60, the connection status is indicated as "-".

[0185] For example, the entry shown in the first line indicates that the home appliance 40 with the serial number “BX-01” is unable to communicate with the application server 60.

[0186] The entry shown on the second line indicates that the home appliance 40 with the serial number “BX-02” is not connected to the application server 60.

[0187] The entry shown on the third line indicates that the home appliance 40 with the serial number “BZ-01” is not connected to the application server 60.

[0188] 15 indicates that the home appliance 40 with the serial number "BZ01" is not connected to the application server 60, as described above. At this time, when the home appliance 40 with the serial number "BZ01" is connected to the application server 60, the application server 60 updates the connection status table to indicate that the home appliance 40 with the serial number "BZ01" is connected to the application server 60. The connection status table updated in this manner is shown in FIG. 16.

[0189] When a serial number is written in the order table, an entry having the written serial number is created in the connection information table. Also, when user U accesses server 20 and manually registers (so-called user registration), an entry is created in the connection information table. When an entry is created, the serial number can be used to determine whether the device is a communicable device, and if communication is not possible at the time of entry creation, "-" is set, and if communication is possible, "none" is set.

[0190] When home appliance 40 is connected to base station 35, it becomes possible to communicate with server 20 via base station 35 and network N, and uses this communication to transmit the serial number of home appliance 40 to server 20. Server 20 can update the connection information table using the transmitted serial number of home appliance 40.

[0191] In FIG. 16, the entry shown on the third line indicates that the home appliance 40 with the serial number “BZ01” is connected to the application server 60.

[0192] In this way, the application server 60 can update the connection state table when the home appliance 40 changes from a state where it is not connected to the application server 60 to a state where it is connected.

[0193] When the application server 60 updates the connection status table, the application server 60 may transmit notification information to the terminal T. When the terminal T receives the notification information, the terminal T may present the content of the notification information to the user U by displaying it on a display screen. The notification information may be information indicating that the connection status table has been updated, or may be information indicating that the home appliance 40 with the serial number "BZ01" has been connected to the application server 60.

[0194] The application server 60 may transmit to the terminal T request information requesting that the home appliance 40, whose connection status is "not connected," be connected to the base station 35 or the application server 60. When the terminal T receives the request information, the terminal T may present the contents of the request information to the user U by displaying them on a display screen. It is expected that the user, upon viewing the contents of the request information, will connect the home appliance 40, whose connection status is "not connected," to the base station 35.

[0195] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and for that purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided.

[0196] Therefore, the components shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only essential components for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above implementation. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are shown in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0197] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0198] The present disclosure is applicable to a system that provides devices that can be connected to a user's wireless communication equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Inspection machine 20 servers 30. Communication Equipment 32 Packaging materials 33 Code 33A Shape 33B, 33D string 33C Images 35 base station 40 Home appliances 41 Functional Section 50 printing press 51 Printing Department 60 application servers 101, 201, 301 Communications Department 102, 202, 302 processors 103, 203, 303 Storage section 104, 304 connection part 111 Acquisition Department 112, 311 Setting section 113 Generation part 211 Provision Department N Network T-Terminal U User

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires connection information from a server that stores connection information for connecting the device to a wireless base station to which the device can be connected in a location where the device is scheduled to be used by the user, the connection information being associated with the user; a setting unit that sets the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit to the device. Information processing device.

2. The information processing device further comprises: a generating unit that executes a process of generating information for delivering the device for which the connection information has been set by the setting unit to the user; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The server further storing delivery destination information indicating a destination to which the device is to be delivered; The acquisition unit further Obtaining the delivery destination information from the server; The generation unit As one process included in the generation process, a process is executed to generate information to be written on a label that includes the delivery destination information acquired by the acquisition unit and is to be attached to a packaging material of the device. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the server stores a plurality of sets of connection information and delivery destination information in association with the user; The acquisition unit selecting a set from the plurality of sets; When acquiring the connection information, the connection information is acquired as the connection information related to the one set, When the delivery destination information is acquired, it is acquired as the delivery destination information relating to the one set. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The delivery address information included on the label is expressed by a two-dimensional code. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

6. The server further A device ID of the device is stored, The acquisition unit further Acquire the device ID from the server; The generation unit As one process included in the generation process, a process of generating information to be written on a label including the device ID acquired by the acquisition unit and to be attached to a packaging material of the device is executed. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

7. The device ID included in the label is expressed by a two-dimensional code. The information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. a storage unit that stores connection information for connecting the device to a wireless base station to which the device can connect in a location where the user plans to use the device, in association with the user; an acquisition unit that acquires the connection information from the storage unit; a setting unit that sets the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit to the device. Information processing system.

9. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, acquiring connection information from a server that stores connection information for connecting the device to a wireless base station to which the device can connect in a location where the device is scheduled to be used by the user, the connection information being associated with the user; The acquired connection information is set in the device. Information processing methods.

10. A program that causes a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 9.

11. An information processing method executed by an information processing system, The information processing system includes: a storage unit that stores connection information for connecting the device to a wireless base station to which the device can connect in a location where the user is scheduled to use the device, in association with the user; The information processing method includes: acquiring the connection information from the storage unit; The acquired connection information is set in the device. Information processing methods.

Images