Home appliance network systems and home appliances

Abstract

This invention provides a home appliance network system that can restore normal communication between home appliances and a server in the event of a communication failure between the appliances and the server. [Solution] The home appliance network system 10 comprises a server 40 and an electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 having a communication module 23 that communicates with the server 40 by connecting to a wide-area communication network 60 via a router 30. The communication module 23 has a communication control unit 23b that, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the above communication by sending a request signal to the server 40 requesting a response from the server 40, will redo the startup process that is performed when the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is started up. The router 30 is an example of a gateway, and the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is an example of a home appliance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a home appliance network system and a home appliance device.

Background Art

[0002] The IoT (Internet of Things) of home appliance devices has been promoted. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a communication adapter for connecting a home appliance device to a network.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a home appliance network system and a home appliance device that can normalize communication between a home appliance device and a server when an abnormality occurs in communication between the home appliance device and the server.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A home appliance network system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a server and a home appliance device having a communication module that communicates with the server by connecting to a wide area communication network via a gateway. The communication module has a communication control unit that re-performs a startup process performed at startup of the home appliance device when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication by transmitting a request signal for requesting a response to the server to the server.

[0006] A home appliance according to one aspect of the present invention includes a communication module that communicates with a server by connecting to a wide-area communication network via a gateway, and the communication module has a communication control unit that, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication by sending a request signal to the server requesting a response from the server, redoes the startup process that is performed at startup. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The home appliance network system and home appliance of the present invention can normalize communication between the home appliance and the server in the event of an abnormality in communication between the home appliance and the server. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the communication monitoring operation. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the restart operation of the communication module of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the restart operation of the communication module of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the reset operation of the communication module of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the reset operation of the communication module of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet according to Embodiment 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0010] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) [composition] The following describes the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] The home appliance network system 10 according to Embodiment 1 comprises an electric toilet seat integrated toilet bowl 20, a router 30, a server 40, and a mobile terminal 50.

[0013] In the home appliance network system 10, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 communicates with the server 40 by connecting to the wide-area communication network 60 via the router 30. For example, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 transmits the operation history (e.g., the number of times flushing has been performed) of its remote controller (not shown) to the server 40. This allows the server 40 to manage the operation history of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20. Users can monitor the number of times the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 has been used, etc., by accessing the server 40 using a mobile terminal 50 with a dedicated application program installed.

[0014] For example, a user can monitor the usage frequency of an electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 installed in the home of a family member living separately, thereby determining whether the family member is living safely or not. In this way, the home appliance network system 10 can function as a monitoring system, for example, and provide a monitoring service to the user. The following describes each component of the home appliance network system.

[0015] The electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is a multi-functional toilet that has functions such as toilet bowl flushing and heated toilet seat. The electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is an example of a home appliance. Specifically, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 comprises a power supply module 21, a control module 22, and a communication module 23. The power supply module 21, the control module 22, and the communication module 23 are, for example, independent circuit board modules. The power supply module 21, the control module 22, and the communication module 23 are housed, for example, in a housing 24 attached to the main body of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20.

[0016] The power supply module 21 is a board module that converts AC power obtained from a power plug (not shown) provided in the integrated toilet seat type toilet 20 into DC power and supplies the DC power to the control module 22 and the communication module 23. The power supply module 21 is realized, for example, by mounting circuit elements on a board. The circuit elements include an AC-DC converter, a DC-DC converter, and the like. The power supply module 21 supplies power, for example, to the communication control unit 23b. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the power supply module 21 also supplies DC power to components other than the components of the control module 22 and the communication control unit 23b of the communication module 23.

[0017] The control module 22 is a board module for realizing the main functions of the integrated toilet seat type toilet 20. The main functions here are the toilet cleaning function, the warm water toilet seat function, and the like. Specifically, the control module 22 is realized by mounting circuit elements on a board. The control module 22 includes a control unit 22a, a storage unit 22b, and a switch 22c.

[0018] The control unit 22a performs information processing for realizing the above main functions by executing a program stored in the storage unit 22b. In addition, the control unit 22a controls the power supply to the communication control unit 23b by switching on and off the switch 22c. The control unit 22a is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0019] The storage unit 22b is a storage device that stores programs executed by the control unit 22a. The storage unit 22b is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0020] The switch 22c is an element for turning on and off the power supply to the communication control unit 23b. The switch 22c is realized by a semiconductor switching element such as a power transistor, but may also be realized by a relay element or the like.

[0021] The communication module 23 is a circuit board module that enables the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 to communicate with the server 40 via the router 30. Specifically, the communication module 23 is realized by mounting circuit elements on a circuit board. Specifically, the communication module 23 includes a communication unit 23a, a communication control unit 23b, a storage unit 23c, and a monitoring unit 23d.

[0022] The communication unit 23a is a communication circuit that includes an antenna element and other components for the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 to communicate via the router 30.

[0023] The communication control unit 23b performs information processing to enable communication by the communication unit 23a by executing a program stored in the storage unit 22b. The communication control unit 23b may be implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but it may also be implemented by a processor.

[0024] The memory unit 23c is a memory device that stores the program executed by the communication control unit 23b. For example, the startup process executed by the communication control unit 23b when power is supplied to it is executed based on the startup program stored in the memory unit 23c. The memory unit 23c is implemented using semiconductor memory or the like.

[0025] The monitoring unit 23d monitors the periodic communication between the server 40 and the router 30, which is performed by the communication unit 23a, and outputs a monitoring signal as a result of the monitoring. The monitoring unit 23d is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor. The communication control unit 23b and the monitoring unit 23d may be implemented by a single microcomputer or processor.

[0026] Router 30 is a communication device that relays communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet unit 20 and the server 40. Router 30 is installed in the same facility where the electric toilet seat integrated toilet unit 20 is installed. Router 30 is an example of a gateway. Specifically, Router 30 is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router, etc.

[0027] Server 40 is a cloud server located outside the facility where the electric toilet seat integrated toilet unit 20 is installed. Server 40 is operated, for example, by the manufacturer of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet unit 20, and provides the aforementioned monitoring service, etc., by communicating with the electric toilet seat integrated toilet unit 20.

[0028] The mobile terminal 50 is a portable information terminal owned by the user (or their family) of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20, and specifically, it is a smartphone or tablet device. As described above, the user can monitor the number of times the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 has been used by accessing the server 40 using the mobile terminal 50. The user can also use the mobile terminal 50 as a user interface to make personal settings such as the toilet seat temperature and shower strength.

[0029] [Communication monitoring operation] In the home appliance network system 10, if the server 40 goes down for any reason, even if the server 40 is restored afterward, it may not be possible to resume communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40. In such a case, one possible method to resume communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 is to restart the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 (i.e., turn the power off and then on again), but it is undesirable to require the user to perform the task of restarting the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20.

[0030] Therefore, if an abnormality occurs in communication with the server 40 (communication is interrupted), the electric toilet seat integrated toilet unit 20 attempts to normalize communication with the server 40 (restart communication) by restarting the communication module 23. To achieve this operation, the monitoring unit 23d of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet unit 20 monitors the communication status between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet unit 20 and the server 40. First, let's explain this communication monitoring operation. Figure 2 is a flowchart of the communication monitoring operation.

[0031] The monitoring unit 23d causes the communication unit 23a to send request signals to the router 30 and the server 40 respectively to request a response (S11), and determines whether or not a response has been received from the router 30 and the server 40 (S12).

[0032] If the monitoring unit 23d determines that it has received a response from both the router 30 and the server 40 (Yes in S12), it outputs a monitoring signal indicating that communication is normal (S13). On the other hand, if the monitoring unit 23d determines that it has not received a response from at least one of the router 30 and the server 40 (No in S12), it outputs a monitoring signal indicating that communication is abnormal (S14).

[0033] In both step S13 and step S14, the monitoring unit 23d causes the communication unit 23a to send a request signal to the router 30 and the server 40 respectively to request a response after a predetermined time of 1 to several minutes has elapsed (S11).

[0034] In this manner, the monitoring unit 23d monitors whether communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 is normal (whether the communication network is interrupted) at time intervals of 1 to several minutes. Note that the time interval at which the request signal is transmitted is not limited to 1 to several minutes, but can be determined appropriately based on experience or experimentation.

[0035] [Restart behavior] If the monitoring operations described above are performed, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 can restart the communication module 23 when an abnormality occurs in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40. Figure 3 is a flowchart of the restart operation of the communication module 23 of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20.

[0036] The control unit 22a of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 acquires a monitoring signal from the monitoring unit 23d (S21) and determines whether the monitoring signal indicates a communication abnormality for a predetermined period of time or longer. In other words, the control unit 22a determines whether the communication abnormality between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (S22). If it is determined that the communication abnormality between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 has not continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (No in S22), the operation ends.

[0037] On the other hand, if the control unit 22a determines that the abnormality in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (Yes in S22), it turns off switch 22c and then turns switch 22c on. In other words, the control unit 22a restarts the communication module 23 by turning off and then restarting the power supply from the power supply module 21 to the communication module 23 (S23). The communication control unit 23b of the communication module 23, triggered by the restart of power supply, redoes the startup process that is performed when the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is started (S24). Redoing the startup process means, for example, that the startup program executed by the communication control unit 23b when the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is started is redone from the beginning (just as at startup). As a result, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 can resume communication with the server 40 without requiring the user to perform any work to restart the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20.

[0038] Furthermore, even if the communication module 23 is restarted while the server 40 is not recovered, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 cannot resume communication with the server 40. Therefore, if the length of the predetermined period used for the determination in step S22 is set to be relatively short, there is a possibility that only the restart of the communication module 23 will be repeated without communication being resumed. For this reason, it is preferable to set the above predetermined period to be somewhat longer, such as 20 hours or more.

[0039] (Embodiment 2) [composition] The following describes the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 2. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 2. In the following description of Embodiment 2, the differences from Embodiment 1 will be the main focus.

[0040] The home appliance network system 110 according to Embodiment 2 comprises an electric toilet seat integrated toilet bowl 120, a router 30, a server 40, and a mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet bowl 120 comprises a power supply module 21, a control module 22, and a communication module 123. The difference between the communication module 23 and the communication module 123 is that the communication module 123 has a determination unit 23e.

[0041] In the home appliance network system 10, the monitoring unit 23d outputs a monitoring signal to the control unit 22a, and the control unit 22a determines, based on the acquired monitoring signal, whether or not the abnormality in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer. In contrast, in the home appliance network system 110, the monitoring unit 23d outputs a monitoring signal to the determination unit 23e, and the determination unit 23e determines, based on the acquired monitoring signal, whether or not the abnormality in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer. The determination unit 23e is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor. Note that the communication control unit 23b and the determination unit 23e may be implemented by a single microcomputer or processor.

[0042] [Restart behavior] Next, the restart operation of the communication module 123 of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120 will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the restart operation of the communication module 123 of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120.

[0043] The determination unit 23e of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120 acquires a monitoring signal from the monitoring unit 23d (S31) and determines whether the monitoring signal indicates a communication abnormality for a predetermined period of time or longer. In other words, the determination unit 23e determines whether the communication abnormality between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (S32). If it is determined that the communication abnormality between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120 and the server 40 has not continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (No in S32), the operation ends.

[0044] On the other hand, if the determination unit 23e determines that the abnormality in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (Yes in S32), it outputs an instruction signal to the control unit 22a to instruct the restart of the communication module 123 (S33). Based on the acquired instruction signal, the control unit 22a turns off the switch 22c and then turns on the switch 22c. In other words, the control unit 22a restarts the communication module 123 by turning off and then restarting the power supply from the power supply module 21 to the communication module 123 (S34).

[0045] The communication control unit 23b of the communication module 123, upon the restoration of power supply, re-performs the startup process that is performed when the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120 is started (S35). As a result, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120 can resume communication with the server 40 without requiring the user to perform any work to restart the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 120.

[0046] (Embodiment 3) [composition] The following describes the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 3. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 3. In the following description of Embodiment 3, the differences from Embodiment 1 will be the main focus.

[0047] The home appliance network system 210 according to Embodiment 3 comprises an electric toilet seat integrated toilet bowl 220, a router 30, a server 40, and a mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet bowl 220 comprises a power supply module 21, a control module 222, and a communication module 223.

[0048] The difference between control module 22 and control module 222 is that control module 222 does not have switch 22c. Also, the difference between communication module 23 and communication module 223 is that communication module 223 has reset unit 23f.

[0049] In the home appliance network system 10, communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 was attempted to be resumed by actually restarting the communication module 23 (temporarily turning off the power supply). In contrast, in the home appliance network system 210, the reset unit 23f outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit 23b, causing the communication control unit 23b to redo the startup process that is performed during restart (startup). In other words, power supply from the power module 21 to the communication module 223 is maintained, and only the startup process (execution of the startup program) is redone. Hereafter, this operation will also be referred to as the reset operation.

[0050] The reset unit 23f outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit 23b based on the communication anomaly determination result of the control unit 22a. The reset unit 23f is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. Note that the communication control unit 23b and the reset unit 23f may be implemented by a single microcomputer or processor.

[0051] [Reset operation] Next, we will explain the reset operation of the communication module 223 of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the reset operation of the communication module 223 of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220.

[0052] The control unit 22a of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 acquires a monitoring signal from the monitoring unit 23d (S41) and determines whether the monitoring signal indicates a communication abnormality for a predetermined period of time or longer. In other words, the control unit 22a determines whether the communication abnormality between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (S42). If it is determined that the communication abnormality between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 and the server 40 has not continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (No in S42), the operation ends.

[0053] On the other hand, if the control unit 22a determines that the abnormality in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (Yes in S42), it outputs an instruction signal to the reset unit 23f to instruct the communication module 223 to reset (S43). Based on the acquired instruction signal, the reset unit 23f outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit 23b (S44).

[0054] Upon receiving a reset signal, the communication control unit 23b of the communication module 223 restarts the startup process that is performed when the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 is started (S45). As a result, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 can resume communication with the server 40 without requiring the user to perform any work to restart the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220.

[0055] (Embodiment 4) [composition] The following describes the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 4. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the home appliance network system according to Embodiment 4. In the following description of Embodiment 4, the differences from Embodiment 3 will be the main focus.

[0056] The home appliance network system 310 according to Embodiment 4 comprises an electric toilet seat integrated toilet bowl 320, a router 30, a server 40, and a mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet bowl 320 comprises a power supply module 21, a control module 222, and a communication module 323. The difference between the communication module 223 and the communication module 323 is that the communication module 323 has a determination unit 23e.

[0057] In the home appliance network system 210, the monitoring unit 23d outputs a monitoring signal to the control unit 22a, and the control unit 22a determines, based on the acquired monitoring signal, whether or not the abnormality in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer. In contrast, in the home appliance network system 310, the monitoring unit 23d outputs a monitoring signal to the determination unit 23e, and the determination unit 23e determines, based on the acquired monitoring signal, whether or not the abnormality in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer. The reset unit 23f outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit 23b based on the determination result of the determination unit 23e regarding the abnormality in communication.

[0058] [Reset operation] Next, the reset operation of the communication module 323 of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320 will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart of the reset operation of the communication module 323 of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320.

[0059] The system acquires monitoring signals from the determination unit 23e and monitoring unit 23d of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320 (S51), and determines whether the monitoring signals indicate a communication abnormality for a predetermined period of time or longer. In other words, the determination unit 23e determines whether the communication abnormality between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (S52). If it is determined that the communication abnormality between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320 and the server 40 has not continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (No in S52), the operation ends.

[0060] On the other hand, if the determination unit 23e determines that the abnormality in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320 and the server 40 has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer (Yes in S52), it outputs an instruction signal to the reset unit 23f to instruct the communication module 323 to reset (S53). Based on the acquired instruction signal, the reset unit 23f outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit 23b (S54).

[0061] Upon receiving a reset signal, the communication control unit 23b of the communication module 323 restarts the startup process that is performed when the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320 is started (S55). As a result, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320 can resume communication with the server 40 without requiring the user to perform any work to restart the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 320.

[0062] (modified version) As described above, the monitoring unit 23d instructs the communication unit 23a to send request signals to both the router 30 and the server 40, and determines that communication is normal when responses are received from both the router 30 and the server 40. In this case, if there is a response from the router 30 but no response from the server 40, the monitoring unit 23d can determine that there is an abnormality in the server 40 (wide-area communication network 60). Furthermore, if there are no responses from either the router 30 or the server 40, the monitoring unit 23d can determine that there is an abnormality in at least the router 30 (local communication network from the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 to the router 30).

[0063] As a result, the monitoring unit 23d can output a monitoring signal that distinguishes between the occurrence of an anomaly (whether the server 40 is abnormal or the router 30 is abnormal). Based on such a monitoring signal, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 can selectively restart the startup process of the communication control unit 23b according to the occurrence of the anomaly (location) indicated by the monitoring signal. Specifically, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 can perform adaptive processing such as restarting the startup process of the communication control unit 23b when it is determined that only the server 40 of the router 30 and server 40 is abnormal, and not restarting the startup process of the communication control unit 23b (simply waiting for recovery) when it is determined that the router 30 is abnormal.

[0064] (Effects, etc.) As described above, the home appliance network system 10 comprises a server 40 and an electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 having a communication module 23 that communicates with the server 40 by connecting to a wide-area communication network 60 via a router 30. The communication module 23 has a communication control unit 23b that, in the event of an abnormality in the above communication, re-runs the startup process performed when the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is started up. The router 30 is an example of a gateway, and the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is an example of a home appliance.

[0065] Such a home appliance network system 10 can restore normal communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 if an abnormality occurs in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40.

[0066] Furthermore, in the home appliance network system 10, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is further equipped with a power supply module 21 and a control unit 22a that turns off and then restarts the power supply from the power supply module 21 to the communication module 23 when an abnormality occurs in the above communication. The communication control unit 23b restarts the startup process when the power supply is restarted by the control unit 22a.

[0067] Such a home appliance network system 10 can normalize communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 by restarting the communication module 23 provided in the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20.

[0068] Furthermore, in the home appliance network system 10, the control unit 22a determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time, and if it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time, it turns off the power supply and then restarts it.

[0069] This type of home appliance network system 10 can restart the communication module 23 by having the control unit 22a have a function to determine communication abnormalities.

[0070] Furthermore, in the home appliance network system 110, the communication module 123 has a determination unit 23e that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time. If the determination unit 23e determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 22a turns off the power supply and then restarts it.

[0071] In such a home appliance network system 110, the communication module 123 can be restarted by providing it with a communication anomaly detection function.

[0072] Furthermore, in the home appliance network system 210, the communication module 223 also has a reset unit 23f that outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit 23b when an abnormality occurs in the above communication. The communication control unit 23b restarts the startup process when it receives a reset signal from the reset unit 23f.

[0073] Such a home appliance network system 210 can normalize communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 without restarting the communication module 223 provided in the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 (that is, while maintaining power supply to the communication module 223).

[0074] Furthermore, in the home appliance network system 210, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220 is further equipped with a control unit 22a that performs information processing to realize the main functions of the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 220. The control unit 22a determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time. The reset unit 23f outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit 23b when the control unit 22a determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time.

[0075] In such a home appliance network system 210, the control unit 22a has a function to determine communication abnormalities, which enables the reset of the communication module 223.

[0076] Furthermore, in the home appliance network system 310, the communication module 323 has a determination unit 23e that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time. The reset unit 23f outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit 23b when the determination unit 23e determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time.

[0077] In such a home appliance network system 310, the communication module 123 can be reset by providing it with a function to detect communication abnormalities.

[0078] Furthermore, the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 is equipped with a communication module 23 that communicates with the server 40 by connecting to a wide-area communication network 60 via a router 30. The communication module 23 has a communication control unit 23b that re-runs the startup process performed at startup if an abnormality occurs in the above communication.

[0079] Such an electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 can restore normal communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40 if an abnormality occurs in communication between the electric toilet seat integrated toilet 20 and the server 40.

[0080] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0081] For example, in the above embodiment, abnormalities in the communication status were monitored based on whether or not a response was received from the router and server in response to a request signal transmitted from the electric toilet seat integrated toilet. However, abnormalities in the communication status may also be monitored based on whether or not the signal periodically transmitted from the server to the electric toilet seat integrated toilet has been interrupted.

[0082] In the above embodiment, an electric toilet seat integrated toilet was given as an example of a home appliance, but the present invention may be realized as other home appliances having substantially the same components as those described in the above embodiment. For example, the present invention may be realized as an electric toilet seat that can be attached to an existing toilet. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as an air conditioner, refrigerator, or washing machine, etc. The technology described in the above embodiment is applicable to so-called IoT home appliances in general.

[0083] Furthermore, the method of communication between devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, a relay device (not shown) may be involved in the communication between devices.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processing units may be changed, or multiple processing units may be executed in parallel.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0086] Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0087] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0088] For example, the present invention may be implemented as an information processing method executed by a computer (a method for restarting or resetting home appliances), as a program for causing a computer to execute such an information processing method, or as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0089] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10, 110, 210, 310 Home Appliance Network System 20, 120, 220, 320 Electric toilet seat integrated toilet (home appliance) 21 Power Modules 22a Control Unit 23, 123, 223, 323 communication modules 23b Communication Control Unit 23e Judgment section 23f Reset section 30 Routers (Gateways) 40 servers 60 Wide-area telecommunications networks

Claims

1. Server and A home appliance having a communication module that communicates with the server by connecting to a wide-area communication network via a gateway, The communication module includes a communication control unit that, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication by sending a request signal to the server requesting a response from the server, will redo the startup process that is performed when the home appliance is started up. Home appliance network system.

2. The aforementioned home appliances further include: Power module and The control unit includes a mechanism that, in the event of an abnormality in the aforementioned communication, turns off and then restarts the power supply from the power supply module to the communication module. The communication control unit will restart the startup process when the power supply is restored by the control unit. The home appliance network system according to claim 1.

3. The control unit determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time, and if it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time, it turns off the power supply and then restarts it. The home appliance network system according to claim 2.

4. The communication module has a determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time. The control unit, if the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time, turns off the power supply and then restarts it. The home appliance network system according to claim 2.

5. The communication module further includes a reset unit that outputs a reset signal to the communication control unit when an abnormality occurs in the communication. The communication control unit restarts the startup process when it receives the reset signal from the reset unit. The home appliance network system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned home appliance further includes a control unit that performs information processing to realize the main functions of the home appliance, The control unit determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time. The reset unit outputs the reset signal to the communication control unit when the control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time. The home appliance network system according to claim 5.

7. The communication module has a determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time. The reset unit outputs the reset signal to the communication control unit when the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication for a predetermined period of time. The home appliance network system according to claim 5.

8. The aforementioned home appliance is an electric toilet seat or a toilet with an integrated electric toilet seat. A home appliance network system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. It has a communication module that communicates with a server by connecting to a wide-area communication network via a gateway. The communication module has a communication control unit that, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication by sending a request signal to the server requesting a response from the server, will redo the startup process that is performed at startup. Home appliances.

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