Equipment systems, equipment, programs for equipment, and programs for communication terminals.

Abstract

This technology provides a way to make it easier for users to understand what actions they should take when communication is interrupted while remotely controlling equipment via a server from a communication terminal. [Solution] The equipment system comprises equipment installed in a building, a communication terminal, and a server that is connected to the equipment and the communication terminal via an external network, enabling communication between them. The communication terminal allows remote control of the equipment via the server. The system further comprises a determination unit that determines whether communication between either the equipment or the communication terminal and the server has been interrupted, and a notification unit that notifies notification information regarding the interruption when the determination unit determines that communication between either the equipment or the communication terminal and the server has been interrupted. The notification unit modifies the content of the notification information depending on whether communication between the server and the equipment has been interrupted, or whether communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a technology that can remotely control facility equipment from a communication terminal via a server.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a facility equipment system including facility equipment installed in a building, a server, and a communication terminal capable of remotely controlling the facility equipment via the server. In order for the communication terminal to remotely control the facility equipment via the server, it is necessary that communication between the communication terminal and the facility equipment via the server can be executed. In the facility equipment system of Patent Document 1, the facility equipment detects whether communication with the server can be executed. When communication between the facility equipment and the server cannot be executed, the notification unit of the facility equipment notifies that communication with the server has been interrupted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the equipment system described in Patent Document 1, when the equipment detects that communication with the server has been interrupted, the equipment's notification unit notifies the user that communication with the server has been interrupted. However, simply being notified that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted may not allow the user to understand what actions to take to restore communication. Furthermore, when a communication terminal remotely controls the equipment via a server, it is necessary for communication to be possible not only between the equipment and the server, but also between the server and the communication terminal. The actions the user should take to restore communication differ depending on whether the interruption is between the equipment and the server or between the server and the communication terminal. For this reason, simply being notified that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted makes it difficult for the user to understand what actions to take.

[0005] This specification discloses a technology to make it easier for users to understand what actions they should take when a communication interruption occurs while remotely controlling equipment from a communication terminal via a server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect of the technology disclosed herein, the equipment system comprises equipment installed in a building, a communication terminal, and a server that is communicated with the equipment and the communication terminal via an external network. The communication terminal allows remote control of the equipment via the server. The system further comprises a determination unit that determines whether communication between either the equipment or the communication terminal and the server has been interrupted, and a notification unit that notifies notification information regarding the interruption when the determination unit determines that communication between either the equipment or the communication terminal and the server has been interrupted. The notification unit modifies the content of the notification information depending on whether communication between the server and the equipment or between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted.

[0007] In the above-described equipment system, the content of the notification information broadcast by the notification unit changes depending on whether the communication is interrupted between the server and the equipment, or between the server and the communication terminal. Therefore, users can take appropriate measures to restore communication depending on whether the communication is interrupted between the server and the equipment, or between the server and the communication terminal.

[0008] In a second aspect of the technology disclosed herein, the determination unit and the notification unit may be provided in the equipment in the first aspect described above. When the determination unit determines that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted, the notification unit may broadcast notification information.

[0009] In this configuration, when a determination unit installed in the equipment determines that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted, a notification unit installed in the equipment broadcasts notification information. This allows the equipment to determine that communication between the server and the equipment has been interrupted and to notify that communication has been interrupted. Furthermore, by checking the notification unit installed in the equipment, the user can take appropriate measures to restore communication between the server and the equipment.

[0010] In a third aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in the first aspect described above, the determination unit may be provided in the server. The notification unit may be provided in the communication terminal. When the determination unit determines that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted, the server may transmit an interruption signal to the communication terminal indicating that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted. When the communication terminal receives the interruption signal transmitted from the server, the notification unit may broadcast notification information.

[0011] In this configuration, when a determination unit in the server determines that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted, the server sends an interruption signal to the communication terminal. When the communication terminal receives the interruption signal, a notification unit in the communication terminal notifies the user of the notification information. Therefore, even if communication between the server and the equipment is interrupted, the communication terminal communicating with the server can notify the user of the interruption in communication between the server and the equipment, and the user can take appropriate measures to restore communication between the server and the equipment.

[0012] In a fourth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in the first aspect described above, the determination unit may be provided in the server. The notification unit may be provided in the equipment. When the determination unit determines that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted, the server may transmit an interruption signal to the equipment indicating that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted. When the equipment receives the interruption signal transmitted from the server, the notification unit may broadcast notification information.

[0013] In this configuration, when a determination unit in the server determines that communication between the communication terminal and the server has been interrupted, the server sends an interruption signal to the equipment. When the equipment receives the interruption signal, a notification unit in the equipment notifies the user of the notification information. Therefore, even if communication between the server and the communication terminal is interrupted, the equipment communicating with the server can notify the user of the interruption in communication between the server and the communication terminal, and the user can take appropriate measures to restore communication between the server and the communication terminal.

[0014] In a fifth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in the first embodiment described above, the determination unit and the notification unit may be provided in a communication terminal. When the determination unit determines that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted, the notification unit may broadcast notification information.

[0015] In this configuration, when a determination unit in the communication terminal determines that communication between the communication terminal and the server has been interrupted, a notification unit in the communication terminal broadcasts notification information. This allows the communication terminal to determine that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted and to notify that communication has been interrupted. Furthermore, by checking the notification unit in the communication terminal, the user can take appropriate measures to restore communication between the server and the communication terminal.

[0016] In a sixth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, the server may perform liveness monitoring communication with each of the equipment and communication terminals under predetermined conditions. The determination unit may determine that communication between the equipment and communication terminal and the server has been interrupted if an abnormal state in the liveness monitoring communication between the server and one of the equipment and communication terminals continues for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of times.

[0017] With this configuration, the server can accurately detect abnormalities in communication between the server and the equipment, and between the server and the communication terminal, by performing health monitoring communication with each of the equipment and communication terminals under predetermined conditions (for example, performing it at set time intervals, performing it over a set period, performing it when the equipment or communication terminal is operational, etc.). Furthermore, if the abnormal state of health monitoring communication continues for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of times, it is determined that communication between one of the equipment or communication terminals and the server has been interrupted. However, in other cases, it is not determined that communication between one of the equipment or communication terminals and the server has been interrupted. Therefore, the notification unit avoids broadcasting information about interruptions even when sudden communication abnormalities or temporary communication problems occur due to noise, etc., thus reducing the inconvenience experienced by the user.

[0018] In a seventh aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in any one of the first to sixth aspects described above, the equipment system may include a plurality of communication terminals. Each of the plurality of communication terminals may be able to communicate with a server. The notification unit may not notify when the determination unit determines that communication between each communication terminal and the server has been interrupted for some of the plurality of communication terminals, but communication between each communication terminal and the server has not been interrupted for the remaining plurality of communication terminals. The notification unit may not notify when the determination unit determines that communication between each communication terminal and the server has been interrupted for all of the plurality of communication terminals.

[0019] With this configuration, notification information is not broadcast when communication between even one of the multiple communication terminals and the server is possible, and is only broadcast when communication between all of the multiple communication terminals and the server is interrupted. For example, some of the multiple communication terminals may intentionally block communication with the server even though communication is possible. If notification information is broadcast in such cases, users may find it annoying. With the above configuration, notification information is broadcast only when communication between all of the multiple communication terminals and the server is interrupted, thus preventing users from feeling annoyed.

[0020] The equipment disclosed herein is installed in a building. The equipment comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with a server via an external network, and a notification unit. The server is capable of communicating with a communication terminal capable of remotely controlling the equipment via an external network. When communication between the communication unit and the server is interrupted, the notification unit broadcasts first notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the communication unit and the server, and when it receives an interruption signal from the server indicating that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted, it broadcasts second notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the server and the communication terminal.

[0021] In the above-described equipment, the notification unit broadcasts a first notification if communication between the equipment's communication unit and the server is interrupted, and broadcasts a second notification, different from the first notification, if communication between the server and the communication terminal is interrupted. In other words, the content of the notification information broadcast by the notification unit changes depending on whether the communication is interrupted between the server and the equipment or between the server and the communication terminal. Therefore, it can achieve the same effects as the above-described equipment system.

[0022] The first program disclosed herein is executed in equipment installed in a building. The equipment includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a server via an external network, and a notification unit. The server is capable of communicating with a communication terminal capable of remotely controlling the equipment via an external network. When communication between the communication unit and the server is interrupted, the program causes the notification unit to broadcast first notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the communication unit and the server, and when the program receives an interruption signal from the server indicating that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted, it causes the notification unit to broadcast second notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the server and the communication terminal.

[0023] In the first program described above, if communication between the communication unit of the equipment and the server is interrupted, the first notification information is sent to the notification unit. If communication between the server and the communication terminal is interrupted, the second notification information, which is different from the first notification information, is sent to the notification unit. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the equipment system and equipment described above.

[0024] The second program disclosed in this specification is executed on a communication terminal capable of remotely controlling facility equipment installed in a building. The communication terminal includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a server via an external network and a notification unit. The facility equipment is capable of communicating with the server via the external network. When the communication between the communication unit and the server is interrupted, the program causes the notification unit to notify first notification information corresponding to the interruption of the communication between the communication unit and the server. When receiving an interruption signal indicating that the communication between the server and the facility equipment has been interrupted from the server, the program causes the notification unit to notify second notification information corresponding to the interruption of the communication between the server and the facility equipment.

[0025] In the above second program, when the communication between the communication unit included in the communication terminal and the server is interrupted, the first notification information is notified to the notification unit. When the communication between the server and the facility equipment is interrupted, second notification information different from the first notification information is notified to the notification unit. Therefore, the same operational effects as those of the above facility equipment system can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facility equipment system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A flowchart showing an example of a process in which the CPU of a remote controller detects whether communication between the server and the remote controller is executable. [Figure 3] A sequence diagram showing an example of an operation executed by the facility equipment system in a process in which the server detects whether communication between the server and the remote controller is executable. [Figure 4] A sequence diagram showing an example of an operation executed by the facility equipment system in a process in which the server detects whether communication between the server and the communication terminal is executable. [Figure 5] A flowchart showing an example of a process in which the CPU of the communication terminal detects whether communication between the server and the communication terminal is executable. [Figure 6] A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facility equipment system according to a modification. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] (Configuration of Equipment System 2) The equipment system 2 comprises a remote control 10, a repeater 8, a communication terminal 100, and a remote control server 200. The remote control 10 is connected to the internet 6 via the repeater 8. The communication terminal 100 and the remote control server 200 are connected to the internet 6. The communication terminal 100 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or tablet.

[0028] The remote control 10 is installed inside the house. The remote control 10 is connected to the water heater 50. The remote control 10 can receive various instructions for the water heater 50 (for example, instructions for operation, instructions for setting temperature, etc.). The water heater 50 is a thermal appliance that has the function of heating tap water or a heat transfer medium to produce hot water (i.e., the function of hot water supply). The water heater 50 may be equipped with only a gas heat source, only a heat pump heat source, both a gas heat source and a heat pump heat source, or other types of heat sources.

[0029] The remote control server 200 provides a remote control service for remotely controlling the water heater 50. The remote control server 200 manages account information for users to use the service. Account information includes an account name and password. The remote control server 200 is installed on the Internet 6 by, for example, the vendor of the water heater 50 and the remote control 10. Hereafter, the remote control server 200 will be simply referred to as "server 200".

[0030] (Configuration of remote control 10) The remote control 10 comprises an operation unit 12, a display 14, a LAN interface 16, a Bluetooth® interface 18, and a control unit 30. In the following, "interface" will be abbreviated as "I / F" and "Bluetooth" will be abbreviated as "BT".

[0031] The control unit 12 is equipped with multiple keys. By operating the control unit 12, the user can input various instructions to the remote control 10. The display 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays various information. The display 14 may also be a touchscreen, in which case the display 14 is part of the control unit 12.

[0032] LANI / F16 is an interface for performing communication via LAN4. LAN4 is wireless or wired and is formed by a repeater 8. The repeater 8 is a device that relays communication between the Internet 6 and LAN4. The repeater 8 is, for example, a router, or a combination of a router and an access point. The repeater 8 is connected to the Internet 6. LAN4 is, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The remote control 10 can communicate with the server 200 on the Internet 6 via LANI / F16. The remote control 10 can also communicate with the communication terminal 100 via BTI / F18.

[0033] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The CPU 32 controls the operation of the remote control 10 according to the program 40 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 also stores a remote control identifier RI1 that identifies the remote control 10. The memory 34 also stores information 44 for notifying of communication interruptions (hereinafter also simply referred to as "notification information 44"). There are two types of notification information 44: notification information that is notified when communication between the remote control 10 and the server 200 is interrupted, and notification information that is notified when communication between the communication terminal 100 and the server 200 is interrupted.

[0034] (Configuration of communication terminal 100) The communication terminal 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display 114, a LANI / F 116, a mobile communication I / F 117, a BTI / F 118, and a control unit 130. The operation unit 112 is, for example, a touchscreen. The LANI / F 116 is connectable to LAN4, and the communication terminal 100 can communicate with the remote control 10 via the LANI / F 116. The communication terminal 100 can also communicate with the remote control 10 via the BTI / F 118.

[0035] The mobile communication interface 117 is an interface for performing communication using mobile communication such as 4G and 5G. The communication terminal 100 can communicate with the server 200 on the internet 6 via either the mobile communication interface 117 or the LAN interface 116.

[0036] The control unit 130 comprises a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The CPU 132 controls the operation of the communication terminal 100 according to the programs 140 and 142 stored in the memory 134. The OS program 140 is a program for executing the basic processing of the communication terminal 100. The remote control application 142 is an application program for remotely controlling the water heater 50. The remote control application 142 is provided, for example, by the vendor of the remote control 10 and the water heater 50.

[0037] Furthermore, memory 134 stores notification information 144 for notifying of communication interruptions. There are two types of notification information 144: notification information to be issued when communication between the communication terminal 100 and the server 200 is interrupted, and notification information to be issued when communication between the remote control 10 and the server 200 is interrupted.

[0038] When a user installs the remote control application 142 on the communication terminal 100 and launches the remote control application 142, the communication terminal 100 performs an authentication process with the server 200. This enables the communication terminal 100 to communicate with the server 200. In a modified example, the user may enter account information into the communication terminal 100 when installing the remote control application 142. The communication terminal 100 then sends the account information to the server 200. The server 200 performs authentication of the account information received from the communication terminal 100. If the authentication of the account information is successful, the server 200 allows the communication terminal 100 to log in to the server 200. This enables the communication terminal 100 to communicate with the server 200. Next, the communication terminal 100 obtains the remote control identifier RI1 from the remote control 10. For example, the communication terminal 100 searches for the remote control 10 connected to LAN4 and obtains the remote control identifier RI1 from the remote control 10 via LAN4 and the repeater 8. In a modified version, the communication terminal 100 may obtain the remote control identifier RI1 from the remote control 10 using a communication means other than LAN4, such as BT. In another modified version, the communication terminal 100 may obtain the remote control identifier RI1 by reading an information code (e.g., a barcode, a two-dimensional code) displayed on the remote control 10's display 14 with the communication terminal 100's camera (not shown). In yet another modified version, the communication terminal 100 may obtain the remote control identifier RI1 by manual input. In this case, for example, the remote control identifier RI1 is displayed on the remote control 10's display 14 as an alphanumeric string of a predetermined number of digits, and the user manually inputs the string displayed on the display 14 into the communication terminal 100. The communication terminal 100 stores the remote control identifier RI1 obtained from the remote control 10 in memory 134 and also transmits it to the server 200. As a result, the server 200 stores the remote control identifier RI1 received from the communication terminal 100 in association with the logged-in account information.

[0039] (Processing by Server 200) As described above, the server 200 stores the remote control identifier RI1 in association with the account information. When the server 200 receives an instruction signal from the communication terminal 100 that has logged in using the account information, it sends the instruction signal to the remote control 10 identified by the remote control identifier RI1 stored in association with the logged-in account information. As a result, the remote control 10 performs an action according to the instruction signal (for example, an instruction to fill the bathtub with hot water).

[0040] For remote control to be performed, the remote control 10 must be able to communicate with the server 200 via LAN4, repeater 8, and the Internet 6, and the communication terminal 100 must be able to communicate with the server 200 via either the mobile communication I / F 117 or LANI / F 116. However, for some reason, communication between the remote control 10 and the server 200 or between the communication terminal 100 and the server 200 may become impossible. Reasons for this failure include, for example, a malfunction in the repeater 8, the disappearance of LAN4 to which LANI / F 16 is connected due to replacement of the repeater 8, the disconnection of the repeater 8 from the Internet 6, the communication terminal 100 being located in a place where it cannot connect to the mobile communication I / F 117 and LANI / F 116, or the server 200 ceasing to operate due to maintenance, etc. This embodiment aims to address situations where communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 becomes impossible, or where communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 becomes impossible.

[0041] (Processing implemented by equipment system 2) Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the process for notifying the server 200 and the remote control 10 of a communication interruption, or the communication interruption between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100, in the equipment system 2 will be explained.

[0042] First, referring to Figure 2, we will describe the case in which the CPU 32 of the remote control 10 performs the process of detecting whether communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 is possible. In this embodiment, the remote control 10 queries the server 200 at a pre-set query time to inquire about the status of communication with the server 200. The query time is, for example, a time when it is highly likely that the user is not using the water heater 50, for example, 2 a.m. For example, the query time is pre-set by the vendors of the remote control 10 and the water heater 50 and stored in memory 34. In a modified example, the query time may be arbitrarily set by the user. In a further modified example, instead of a keep-alive signal, periodic communication with data may be performed between the server 200 and the remote control 10.

[0043] When the query time arrives, CPU32 sends a keep-alive signal to server200 (S12). The keep-alive signal is sent from LANI / F16 to server200 via LAN4, repeater8 and the internet6. When server200 receives the keep-alive signal sent from remote control10, it sends a response signal to remote control10.

[0044] Next, the CPU 32 determines whether or not it has received a response signal from the server 200 (S14). If it has received a response signal (YES in S14), the CPU 32 determines that communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 is possible.

[0045] On the other hand, if no response signal is received (NO in S14), the CPU 32 determines that communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 has been interrupted and displays notification information 44 regarding the communication interruption on the display 14 (S16). The notification information 44 displayed on the display 14 in S16 is notification information that is issued when communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 has been interrupted. The CPU 32 displays a notification screen SC1 on the display 14 that includes a statement that communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 has been interrupted, as well as information on user actions to restore communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10. By checking the notification screen SC1, the user can take action to restore communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10.

[0046] Furthermore, if the CPU 32 of the remote control 10 determines that communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 has been interrupted (NO in S14), the CPU 32 may send notification information 44 regarding the communication interruption to the communication terminal 100. The remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100 can communicate bidirectionally via the BTI / F18 of the remote control 10 and the BTI / F118 of the communication terminal. Therefore, the CPU 32 can send notification information 44 regarding the communication interruption to the communication terminal 100. The CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 may display a notification screen SC1 on the display 114 of the communication terminal 100 based on the received notification information 44 regarding the communication interruption.

[0047] Next, referring to Figure 3, we will explain the case where the server 200 performs a process to detect whether communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 is possible. Similar to the case in Figure 2, when the query time arrives (T12), the CPU 32 of the remote control 10 sends a keep-alive signal to the server 200 (T14). If communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 is possible, the server 200 receives the keep-alive signal sent from the remote control 10. Then, the server 200 sends a response signal to the remote control 10 (T16).

[0048] On the other hand, if communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 is interrupted, even if the CPU 32 of the remote control 10 sends a keep-alive signal to the server 200 at the query time (T18) (T20), the server 200 will not receive the keep-alive signal sent from the remote control 10. The server 200 determines that communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 has been interrupted if it does not receive a keep-alive signal from the remote control 10 even after a certain period of time has passed since the query time. The server 200 then sends a signal indicating that communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 has been interrupted (hereinafter also referred to as the interruption signal) to the communication terminal 100 (T22). When the communication terminal 100 receives the interruption signal sent from the server 200, the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 displays notification information 144 regarding the communication interruption on the display 114 (T24). The notification information 144 displayed on the display 114 in T24 is notification information that is issued when communication between the remote control 10 and the server 200 is interrupted. The CPU 132 displays notification screen SC2 on the display 114, which includes a message that communication between the remote control 10 and the server 200 has been interrupted, as well as information on actions the user can take to restore communication between the remote control 10 and the server 200. For example, assuming that the user has changed the repeater 8 (e.g., a router) as one example of a communication interruption between the remote control 10 and the server 200, the CPU 132 displays notification screen SC2 on the display 114, which includes a message that communication between the remote control 10 and the server 200 has been interrupted, as well as information on actions to take to restore communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10. By checking notification screen SC2, the user can take actions to restore communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10.

[0049] Furthermore, if the communication terminal 100 receives a disconnection signal from the server 200 (T22), the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 may transmit the disconnection signal to the remote control 10. The CPU 32 of the remote control 10 may display the notification screen SC2 on the display 14 of the remote control 10 based on the received disconnection signal.

[0050] Next, referring to Figure 4, we will describe the case in which the server 200 performs a process to detect whether or not communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 is possible. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 100 queries the server 200 for the status of communication with the server 200 at a predetermined query time. The query time is, for example, a time when the user is likely to notice the screen displayed on the display 114 of the communication terminal 100. For example, the query time is a time when the user is expected to be active, for example, 9 p.m.

[0051] When the query time arrives (T32), the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 sends a keep-alive signal to the server 200 (T34). The keep-alive signal is sent to the server 200 via the LAN I / F 116 or the mobile communication I / F 117 and the Internet 6. If communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 is possible, the server 200 receives the keep-alive signal sent from the communication terminal 100. The server 200 then sends a response signal to the communication terminal 100 (T36).

[0052] On the other hand, if communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 is interrupted, even if the CPU 32 of the communication terminal 100 sends a keep-alive signal to the server 200 at the query time (T38) (T40), the server 200 cannot receive the keep-alive signal sent from the communication terminal 100. The server 200 determines that communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 has been interrupted if it does not receive a keep-alive signal from the communication terminal 100 even after a certain period of time has passed since the query time. The server 200 then sends an interruption signal to the remote control 10 indicating that communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 has been interrupted (T42). When the remote control 10 receives the interruption signal sent from the server 200, the CPU 32 of the remote control 10 displays notification information 44 regarding the communication interruption on the display 14 (T44). The notification information 44 displayed on the display 14 by T44 is notification information that is issued when communication between the communication terminal 100 and the server 200 is interrupted. The CPU 32 displays a notification screen SC3 on the display 14 that indicates that communication between the communication terminal 100 and the server 200 is interrupted, and also contains information about user actions to restore communication between the communication terminal 100 and the server 200. By checking the notification screen SC3, the user can take action to restore communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100.

[0053] The display 14 of the remote control 10 displays information regarding the communication interruption when the CPU 32 of the remote control 10 detects an interruption in communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 (see Figure 2), and when the server 200 detects an interruption in communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 (see Figure 4). Notification screen SC1 shown in Figure 2 contains information corresponding to the communication interruption between the server 200 and the remote control 10, and notification screen SC3 shown in Figure 4 contains information corresponding to the communication interruption between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100. In this way, the content of the notification on the display 14 of the remote control 10 changes depending on whether communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 or between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 is interrupted. Therefore, the user can take appropriate action to restore communication.

[0054] Furthermore, if the remote control 10 receives a disconnection signal from the server 200 (T42), the CPU 32 of the remote control 10 may transmit the disconnection signal to the communication terminal 100. The CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 may display the notification screen SC3 on the display 114 of the communication terminal 100 based on the received disconnection signal.

[0055] Furthermore, when it is confirmed in T36 that communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 is possible, the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 sends information regarding the use of the remote control application 142 (hereinafter also referred to as usage information) to the server 200 (not shown). If the remote control application 142 is not being used, the usage information will indicate that the remote control application 142 is not being used. When the server 200 receives usage information from the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 indicating that the remote control application 142 is not being used, it may send an instruction signal to the communication terminal 100 instructing it to display a message prompting the use of the remote control application 142. In this case, since communication between the communication terminal 100 and the server 200 is possible, the communication terminal 100 can receive the instruction signal from the server 200. When the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 receives the instruction signal, it displays a message on the display 114 prompting the use of the remote control application 142. At this time, the CPU 132 may also display on the display 114 the advantages of using the remote control application 142.

[0056] Next, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the case where the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 performs the process of detecting whether communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 is possible. Similar to the case in Figure 4, when the query time arrives, the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 sends a keep-alive signal to the server 200 (S22). When the server 200 receives the keep-alive signal sent from the communication terminal 100, it sends a response signal to the communication terminal 100.

[0057] Next, the CPU 132 determines whether or not it has received a response signal sent from the server 200 (S24). If it has received a response signal (YES in S24), the CPU 132 determines that communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 is possible.

[0058] On the other hand, if no response signal is received (NO in S24), the CPU 132 determines that communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 has been interrupted and displays notification information 144 regarding the communication interruption on the display 114 (S26). The notification information 144 displayed on the display 114 in S26 is notification information that is issued when communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 has been interrupted. The CPU 132 displays a notification screen SC4 on the display 114 that includes a statement that communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 has been interrupted, as well as information on user actions to restore communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100. By checking the notification screen SC4, the user can take action to restore communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100.

[0059] The display 114 of the communication terminal 100 displays information regarding the communication interruption when the server 200 detects an interruption in communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 (see Figure 3), and when the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 detects an interruption in communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 (see Figure 5). The notification screen SC2 shown in Figure 3 contains information corresponding to the communication interruption between the server 200 and the remote control 10, and the notification screen SC4 shown in Figure 5 contains information corresponding to the communication interruption between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100. In this way, the content of the notification on the display 114 of the communication terminal 100 changes depending on whether the communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10 or the communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 is interrupted. Therefore, the user can take appropriate action to restore communication.

[0060] Furthermore, if the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 determines that communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100 has been interrupted (NO in S24), the CPU 132 of the communication terminal 100 may send notification information 144 regarding the interruption of communication to the remote control 10. The CPU 32 of the remote control 10 may display notification screen SC4 on the display 14 of the remote control 10 based on the received notification information 144 regarding the interruption of communication.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the equipment system 2 was equipped with one communication terminal 100, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the equipment system 2a may be equipped with multiple (three in Figure 6) communication terminals 100a to 100c. The remote control 10, water heater 50, repeater 8, and server 200 equipped in the equipment system 2a have the same configuration as the remote control 10, water heater 50, repeater 8, and server 200 of the equipment system 2 described above, so a detailed explanation of each configuration is omitted. Also, the multiple communication terminals 100a to 100c equipped in the equipment system 2a each have the same configuration as the communication terminal 100 of the equipment system 2 described above, so a detailed explanation of each configuration is omitted. Furthermore, the number of communication terminals 100 equipped in the equipment system 2a is not limited and may be less than three or more than three.

[0062] In the equipment system 2a, multiple communication terminals 100a to 100c can each communicate with the server 200 via the internet 6, and the water heater 50 can be remotely controlled via the remote control 10. When the remote control application 142 is launched, the communication terminals 100a to 100c send a signal to the server 200 indicating that it has been launched. In addition, when the remote control application 142 is used, the communication terminals 100a to 100c send information about its use to the server 200, and also send a keep-alive signal to the server 200 when the inquiry time arrives. Therefore, the server 200 can determine whether the remote control application 142 is launched for each of the communication terminals 100a to 100c.

[0063] In the equipment system 2 shown in Figure 1, as shown in Figure 4, when the server 200 does not receive a keep-alive signal from the communication terminal 100, it determines that communication with the communication terminal 100 has been interrupted and sends a disconnection signal to the remote control 10 (T42). In contrast, in the equipment system 2a shown in Figure 6, for example, the server 200 determines that communication with the communication terminals 100a to 100c has been interrupted only if it has not received keep-alive signals from all of the communication terminals 100a to 100c, and sends a disconnection signal to the remote control 10. On the other hand, for example, even if the server 200 does not receive a keep-alive signal from one of the communication terminals 100a to 100c, namely communication terminal 100a, if it receives keep-alive signals from the other communication terminals 100b and 100c, it determines that communication with the communication terminals 100a to 100c is possible and does not send a disconnection signal to the remote control 10. Furthermore, if the server 200 does not receive a keep-alive signal from one of the multiple communication terminals 100a to 100c, specifically from communication terminal 100a, it may send a disconnection signal to the other communication terminals 100b and 100c indicating that communication between that communication terminal 100a and the server 200 has been interrupted. In this case, the other communication terminals 100b and 100c that receive the disconnection signal may display a notification screen on their respective displays 14 that indicates that communication between communication terminal 100a and the server 200 has been interrupted, along with information regarding user actions to restore communication between communication terminal 100a and the server 200.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100 send a keep-alive signal to the server 200, and the server 200 sends a response signal to the remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100 when it receives the keep-alive signal from the remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100, but the system is not limited to this configuration. For example, the server 200 may send a keep-alive signal to the remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100, and the remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100 may send a response signal to the server 200 when they receive the keep-alive signal from the server 200. In such a configuration as well, it is possible to detect the interruption of communication between the server 200 and the remote control 10, or the interruption of communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100. Also, in the above embodiment, the interruption of communication with the server 200 was detected using the keep-alive signal that the remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100 send to the server 200, but the system is not limited to this configuration. For example, instead of a keep-alive signal, a heartbeat signal transmitted by the remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100 to the server 200 may be used to detect a communication interruption with the server 200.

[0065] Furthermore, in a configuration that detects the interruption of communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100, the system may be configured such that when the communication terminal 100 stops the remote control application 142, it sends an application stop signal to the server 200, thereby preventing the transmission of a keep-alive signal or the transmission of an interruption signal to the remote control 10 even if a response signal is not received. In this case, when a user intentionally interrupts communication between the server 200 and the communication terminal 100, it is possible to prevent the user from being bothered by being notified of the communication interruption.

[0066] Alternatively, the keep-alive signal may be transmitted multiple times at a set time, and a response signal may be sent for each of the received keep-alive signals.

[0067] Furthermore, if a state of communication interruption is detected, such as not receiving a keep-alive signal or a response signal, and this state continues for a certain period (for example, 7 days), a notification of interruption may be issued. In this case, information indicating when the interruption began may be included in the notification information 44, 144.

[0068] Furthermore, although the communication between the remote control 10 and the repeater 8 was described as Wi-Fi and the communication between the remote control 10 and the communication terminal 100 as BT, the system is not limited to these and may be composed of other communication methods such as local 5G, WiMAX®, Wi-SUN®, ZigBee®, infrared communication, etc.

[0069] Furthermore, while equipment system 2 shown in Figure 1 and equipment system 2a shown in Figure 6 were equipped with a water heater 50, the system is not limited to this configuration. Equipment systems 2 and 2a may be equipped with other equipment instead of the water heater 50, for example, a heating device, cooking appliance, clothes dryer, dishwasher, etc., that can connect to the internet 6.

[0070] The following points should be noted regarding the equipment system 2 described in the embodiment. The water heater 50 in the embodiment is an example of "equipment," and the remote control server 200 is an example of a "server." Also, CPU 32, CPU 132, and the remote control server 200 are examples of "decision units," and displays 14 and 114 are examples of "notification units." Furthermore, LANI / F 16 is an example of a "communication unit" provided by the "equipment," and LANI / F 116 and mobile communication I / F 117 are examples of "communication units" provided by the "communication terminal." Also, the keep-alive signal and heartbeat signal are examples of "liveness monitoring communication."

[0071] The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 2, 2a: Equipment and Systems 4: LAN 6: Internet 8: Repeater 10: Remote control 12:Operation section 14: Display 16 :LANI / F 18: BTI / F 30: Control Unit 32:CPU 34: Memory 40: Program 50: Water heater 100, 100a, 100b, 100c: Communication terminals 112:Operation unit 114: Display 116 :LANI / F 117: Mobile communication interface 118: BTI / F 130: Control Unit 132:CPU 134: Memory 140: OS Program 142: Remote control app 200: Remote control server RI1: Remote control identifier SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4: Notification screens

Claims

1. Equipment and machinery installed in the building, Communication terminal and The system includes a server that is connected to the aforementioned equipment and communication terminal via an external network, enabling communication between them, The communication terminal enables remote control of the equipment via the server. A determination unit that determines whether or not communication between either the aforementioned equipment or the aforementioned communication terminal and the server has been interrupted. The determination unit determines that the communication between either the equipment or the communication terminal and the server has been interrupted, and further comprises a notification unit that notifies notification information regarding the interruption, The notification unit is an equipment system that changes the content of the notification information depending on whether communication between the server and the equipment is interrupted, or whether communication between the server and the communication terminal is interrupted.

2. The aforementioned determination unit and notification unit are provided in the aforementioned equipment, The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted, the notification unit notifies the notification information.

3. The aforementioned determination unit is provided in the server, The notification unit is provided in the communication terminal, When the determination unit determines that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted, the server transmits an interruption signal to the communication terminal indicating that communication between the equipment and the server has been interrupted. The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the notification information when the communication terminal receives the interruption signal transmitted from the server.

4. The aforementioned determination unit is provided in the server, The notification unit is provided in the equipment, When the determination unit determines that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted, the server transmits an interruption signal to the equipment indicating that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted. The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the notification information when the equipment receives the interruption signal transmitted from the server.

5. The determination unit and the notification unit are provided in the communication terminal. The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted, the notification unit notifies the notification information.

6. The server performs a status monitoring communication with each of the equipment and the communication terminal under predetermined conditions. The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the communication between the equipment and the communication terminal and the server has been interrupted when the abnormal state of the liveness monitoring communication between the equipment and the communication terminal and the server continues for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of times.

7. It is equipped with multiple communication terminals, Each of the aforementioned communication terminals is capable of communicating with the server, The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit does not notify the notification information when the determination unit determines that communication between each communication terminal and the server has been interrupted in some of the plurality of communication terminals, and that communication between each communication terminal and the server has not been interrupted in the remaining plurality of communication terminals, and the determination unit notifies the notification information when it determines that communication between each communication terminal and the server has been interrupted in all of the plurality of communication terminals.

8. Equipment installed in a building, A communication unit capable of communicating with a server via an external network, Equipped with a news department, The server is capable of communicating with a communication terminal that can remotely control the equipment via the external network. The aforementioned notification department, When communication between the communication unit and the server is interrupted, a first notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the communication unit and the server is notified. Equipment that, upon receiving a disconnection signal from the server indicating that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted, broadcasts a second notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the server and the communication terminal.

9. A program that is executed in equipment installed in a building, The aforementioned equipment and machinery are A communication unit capable of communicating with a server via an external network, Equipped with a news department, The server is capable of communicating with a communication terminal that can remotely control the equipment via the external network. The aforementioned program, When communication between the communication unit and the server is interrupted, the communication unit is instructed to broadcast first notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the communication unit and the server. A program that, upon receiving a disconnection signal from the server indicating that communication between the server and the communication terminal has been interrupted, causes the notification unit to broadcast a second notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the server and the communication terminal.

10. A program executed on a communication terminal capable of remotely controlling equipment installed in a building, The aforementioned communication terminal is A communication unit capable of communicating with a server via an external network, Equipped with a news department, The aforementioned equipment is capable of communicating with the server via the external network, The aforementioned program, When communication between the communication unit and the server is interrupted, the communication unit is instructed to broadcast first notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the communication unit and the server. A program that, upon receiving a disconnection signal from the server indicating that communication between the server and the equipment has been interrupted, causes the notification unit to broadcast a second notification information corresponding to the interruption of communication between the server and the equipment.

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