Computer programs and information processing systems

Abstract

The objective is to provide information processing systems and programs that can improve convenience. [Solution] The computer program of the embodiment causes the server of a system comprising a server, a terminal device that displays a plurality of candidate time periods for performing software updates for home appliances and transmits to the server the time period indicated by one of the displayed plurality of candidate periods, and the home appliance that performs the update in response to the update instructions transmitted from the server based on the time period transmitted to the server by the terminal device, to analyze the usage status of the home appliance and transmit the plurality of candidate periods to the terminal device of the user of the home appliance based on the analysis results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to computer programs and information processing systems.

Background Art

[0002] Some household appliances operate by software programs. Technologies that can improve the convenience of such household appliances are expected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a computer program and an information processing system capable of improving the convenience of household appliances.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The computer program of the embodiment causes the server in a system including the server, a terminal device that displays a plurality of candidates for a time zone in which to execute an update of the software of the household appliance and transmits a time zone indicated by one candidate selected from the displayed plurality of candidates to the server, and the household appliance that executes an update in response to an update instruction transmitted from the server based on the time zone transmitted by the terminal device to the server, to analyze the usage status of the household appliance and transmit the plurality of candidates to the terminal device of the user of the household appliance based on the analysis result.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1]A diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a home appliance service provision system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a home appliance according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a server in one embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows an example of the processing flow of a home appliance service provision system according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 2 shows an example of the processing flow of a home appliance service provision system according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 3 shows an example of the processing flow of a home appliance service provision system according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating the process by which a server in a first modified example of one embodiment generates update plans for each group of home appliances. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of several candidate time periods for updates transmitted from a server to a terminal device in a first modified example of one embodiment. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of several candidate time periods for updates transmitted from a server to a terminal device in a first modified example of one embodiment. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of several candidate time periods for updates transmitted from a server to a terminal device in a first modified example of one embodiment. [Figure 12] A diagram showing an example of several candidate time periods for updates transmitted from a server 200 to a terminal device 300 in a first modified example of one embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of the processing flow of a home appliance service provision system in a second modified example of one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The computer programs and information processing systems of the embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. In this specification, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX," and may also include cases where XX is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is used directly, but may also include cases where XX has been processed or modified. In this specification, "XX or YY" is not limited to cases where either XX or YY is used, but may also include cases where both XX and YY are used. This is also true when there are three or more optional elements. XX and YY are arbitrary elements (e.g., arbitrary information).

[0008] In this specification, "acquisition" is not limited to actively acquiring information by sending a transmission request, but may also include acquiring information by passively receiving information transmitted from another device. Furthermore, "acquisition" may also include acquiring information by performing calculations or processing on information obtained from an external source to generate the desired information. In this specification, "use" and "utilize" are used substantially interchangeably and can be read as either. In this specification, "database" is abbreviated as "DB".

[0009] <Embodiment> (Overall structure) Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a home appliance service provision system 1 (an example of an information processing system) according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the home appliance service provision system 1 includes one or more home appliances 100, a server 200, a home appliance management application program APP for terminal devices 300, and a service management server 400. The network NW described later may be, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), or other public lines or dedicated lines, depending on the situation.

[0010] Home appliance 100 is an electrical appliance primarily used in a home. Home appliance 100 is an appliance used by user U and is located within user U's residence. Home appliance 100 is connected to the network NW via a wireless router WR and modem M installed within user U's residence. Home appliance 100 can communicate with server 200 via the network NW. Home appliance 100 is, but is not limited to, a refrigerator 100A, a clothes processing machine 100B, an air conditioner 100C, a cooking appliance 100D, or a lighting device 100E. A clothes processing machine 100B is a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a dryer, or a closet-type clothes processing machine. A cooking appliance 100D is an oven range, a microwave oven, a toaster, or a rice cooker. For convenience of explanation, "clothes processing machine" may be referred to as "washing machine" below.

[0011] In one embodiment of the home appliance service provision system 1, the server 200 sends a software update instruction to the home appliance 100 based on a time slot selected by the user U from among several candidate time slots for updating the software program of the home appliance 100. The home appliance 100 updates its software in accordance with the instruction.

[0012] Server 200 manages the home appliance 100. For example, Server 200 manages the usage status of the home appliance 100. Server 200 consists of one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers). Server 200 can communicate with the home appliance 100 and terminal devices 300 via a network NW. Server 200 may also include an information processing unit that performs edge computing or fog computing, such as an information processing unit included in a router in the network NW. Server 200 is not limited to a cloud server; it may also be a computer in the user U's residence, or a home router (e.g., a wireless router WR).

[0013] The terminal device 300 is a computer used by the user U. The terminal device 300 is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device. However, the terminal device 300 is not limited to a mobile terminal device and may be a personal computer or the like. The terminal device 300 has, for example, a display device 301, an input device 302, and a communication unit 303. The display device 301 has a display screen 301a capable of displaying various information. The input device 302 can receive the operation input of the user U. The input device 302 is, for example, a touch panel provided overlapping the display screen 301a of the display device 301. The input device 302 may include a camera, a microphone, etc. provided in the terminal device 300. The communication unit 303 is a communication module capable of wireless communication. The communication unit 303 is connected to the network NW via a wireless router WR and a modem M or directly. The communication unit 303 can communicate with the home appliance 100 or the server 200 via the network NW.

[0014] An application program P is installed in the terminal device 300. The application program P enables communication between the terminal device 300, the home appliance 100, and the server 200. The application program P includes a "home appliance management application program APP". For example, the home appliance management application program APP is an application program for updating the software program of the home appliance 100. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the "home appliance management application program APP" is also started when the application program P is executed. The terminal device 300 is an example of a "computer". The application program P and the home appliance management application program APP are examples of "computer programs".

[0015] (Configuration of Home Appliance) Next, referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the home appliance 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the home appliance 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the home appliance 100 includes an actuator 110, a sensor unit 120, an operation unit 130, a communication unit 150, a control unit 160, and a storage unit 190.

[0016] The actuator 110 includes a drive unit that operates the main function of the home appliance 100. For example, when the home appliance 100 is a refrigerator 100A, the actuator 110 includes a compressor that compresses refrigerant and a blower that circulates cold air inside the refrigerator. When the home appliance 100 is a washing machine 100B, the actuator 110 includes a motor that rotates the washing tub. When the home appliance 100 is an air conditioner 100C, the actuator 110 includes a compressor that compresses refrigerant and a motor that operates a louver for changing the wind direction.

[0017] The sensor unit 120 includes one or more sensors that measure, for example, temperature, humidity, voltage, current, vibration, or rotational speed. The sensor unit 120 can detect the operating state of the home appliance 100. The operating state of the home appliance 100 includes the usage status of the home appliance 100. The "usage status" is information corresponding to the usage method by the user U, and at least includes an on state or an off state, and may include one or more of usage frequency, usage mode (e.g., the operating mode used), or usage time zone. The usage frequency includes the number of usages, usage time, and the like. Note that the operating state of the home appliance 100 may include the presence or absence and content of operational failures (errors) that occur in the home appliance 100. Information indicating the operating state of the home appliance 100 (hereinafter referred to as "operation information 191") is stored in the storage unit 190. The operation information 191 is an example of "information indicating the usage status of the home appliance 100".

[0018] The operation unit 130 includes operation buttons or a touch panel provided on the home appliance 100. The operation unit 130 can receive operations from user U regarding the home appliance 100. For example, the operation unit 130 can receive operations from user U to specify or change the settings of the home appliance 100. The settings of the home appliance 100 include one or more of the following: control quantities related to various controls, target values, thresholds, timer reservation settings, operating modes, etc. Information indicating the settings of the home appliance 100 (hereinafter referred to as "setting information 192") is stored in the storage unit 190. Setting information 192 is another example of "information indicating the usage status of the home appliance 100".

[0019] The communication unit 150 is, for example, a wireless communication module that can connect to a wireless router WR. The communication unit 150 can communicate with the server 200 via the network NW.

[0020] The control unit 160 comprehensively controls the entire home appliance 100. For example, the control unit 160 operates the home appliance 100 by controlling the actuator 110 based on the detection results of the sensor unit 120 and the setting information 192. The control unit 160 also executes various controls to operate the home appliance 100 based on control commands from the server 200. Furthermore, the control unit 160 transmits operation information 191 and setting information 192 of the home appliance 100 to the server 200 at predetermined intervals.

[0021] (Server configuration) Next, the configuration of the server 200 will be described in detail. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 200 in one embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the server 200 has a device registration unit 210, an information acquisition unit 220, an information transmission unit 230, a device control unit 240, and a storage unit 290.

[0022] The device registration unit 210 accepts device registration for the home appliance 100. Device registration is performed based on information obtained from the home appliance 100 or the terminal device 300. For example, device registration is performed by associating the user U's account (hereinafter referred to as "user ID") with the identification information of the home appliance 100 (hereinafter referred to as "device ID") and registering it in the user DB 291.

[0023] The information acquisition unit 220 acquires operation information 191 and setting information 192 from the home appliance 100 at predetermined intervals. The information acquisition unit 220 associates the acquired operation information 191 of the home appliance 100 with the device ID of the home appliance 100 and stores it in the operation status DB 292.

[0024] The device control unit 240 controls the operation of the home appliance 100. For example, when the device control unit 240 receives a signal from the terminal device 300 to operate the home appliance 100, it generates a control command for the home appliance 100 corresponding to the received signal and transmits the generated control command to the home appliance 100. Specifically, for example, the device control unit 240 transmits a signal to the home appliance 100 to update its software program during a time period selected by the user U. Details of the processing performed by the device control unit 240 will be described later.

[0025] The storage unit 290 stores, for example, a user database 291 and an operating status database 292. The storage unit 290 also stores, for example, the latest software program for updating the home appliance 100 indicated by the device ID, associated with the device ID.

[0026] (Terminal device configuration) Next, the terminal device 300 will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal device 300 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the terminal device 300 has an information acquisition unit 310, a display control unit 320, an operation reception unit 330, an information transmission unit 350 (an example of a communication unit), and a storage unit 390. The information acquisition unit 310, the display control unit 320, the operation reception unit 330, and the information transmission unit 350 are realized when one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) mounted on the terminal device 300, execute an application program P, and the home appliance management application program APP is executed.

[0027] The information acquisition unit 310 acquires various types of information from the server 200. For example, the information acquisition unit 310 acquires information from the server 200 for controlling the operation of the home appliance 100.

[0028] The display control unit 320 controls the content displayed on the display screen 301a of the display device 301 of the terminal device 300 by controlling the display device 301 of the display device 301. For example, the display related to the display screen 301a described below is realized by the display control unit 320. In one embodiment, the display control unit 320 displays information necessary for updating the software program on the display screen 301a during the software program update. An example of information necessary for updating the software program is a list of possible time slots for performing the software program update.

[0029] The operation reception unit 330 receives operations performed by user U on the input device 302 in relation to the home appliance management application program APP. A specific example of how the operation reception unit 330 receives operations on the display screen 301a will be described later.

[0030] The information transmission unit 350 transmits various information related to the operation received by the operation reception unit 330 to the server 200 or the service management server 400. Specific examples of the various information that the information transmission unit 350 transmits to the server 200 or the service management server 400 will be described later.

[0031] The memory unit 390 stores the application program P.

[0032] The processing performed by the home appliance 100, server 200, and terminal device 300 described above is not limited to the processing described above. The processing performed by the home appliance 100, server 200, and terminal device 300 described above may also be those described below.

[0033] (Processing performed by the home appliance service provision system) Next, the processing performed by the home appliance service provision system 1 will be described. Figure 5 is the first diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the home appliance service provision system 1 in one embodiment. Figure 6 is the second diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the home appliance service provision system 1 in one embodiment. Figure 7 is the third diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the home appliance service provision system 1 in one embodiment. Here, the software program update of the home appliance 100 performed by the home appliance service provision system 1 will be explained with reference to the figures. It will be assumed that the application program P has already been installed in the home appliance service provision system 1. Furthermore, here, as a specific example of the home appliance 100, an air conditioner 100C will be used to explain the processing performed by the home appliance service provision system 1. It will also be assumed that the information acquisition unit 220 acquires "information indicating the usage status of the home appliance 100" (i.e., operation information 191 and setting information 192) from the home appliance 100 at regular time intervals.

[0034] User U performs an operation on the control unit 130 to start the home appliance 100 (for example, an air conditioner 100C). The control unit 130 accepts the operation to start the home appliance 100 in response to this operation (step S1). When the control unit 130 accepts the operation, the control unit 160 sends an inquiry signal to the server 200 via the communication unit 150 to inquire whether or not there is an update to the software program of the home appliance 100 (for example, 100C) (step S2).

[0035] The information acquisition unit 220 receives an inquiry signal from the home appliance 100 that includes information indicating the device ID and the software program version (step S3). When the information acquisition unit 220 receives the inquiry signal, the device control unit 240 acquires information indicating the latest software program version stored in the storage unit 290 from the storage unit 290 (step S4). The device control unit 240 compares the information indicating the latest software program version acquired from the storage unit 290 with the information indicating the software version included in the inquiry signal. Then, the device control unit 240 determines whether the software program version acquired from the storage unit 290 matches the latest software program version (step S5).

[0036] If the device control unit 240 determines that the version of the software program obtained from the storage unit 290 matches the latest version of the software program (YES in step S5), it determines that there is no software program update for the home appliance 100. Then, the information transmission unit 230 sends a notification to the home appliance 100 indicating that there is no software program update for the home appliance 100 (step S6).

[0037] The control unit 160 receives a notification via the communication unit 150 indicating that there is no software program update for the home appliance 100 (step S7). If the control unit 160 receives a notification indicating that there is no software program update for the home appliance 100, it returns to the process in step S1.

[0038] Furthermore, if the device control unit 240 determines that the version of the software program obtained from the storage unit 290 does not match the latest version of the software program (NO in step S5), it determines that there is an update for the latest software program. The information transmission unit 230 then sends a notification to the home appliance 100 indicating that there is an update for the software program of the home appliance 100 (step S8).

[0039] The control unit 160 receives a notification via the communication unit 150 indicating that there is a software program update for the home appliance 100 (step S9). The control unit 160 then sends a signal to the server 200 to download the updated software program for the home appliance 100 (step S10).

[0040] The information acquisition unit 220 receives a signal from the home appliance 100 to download an update software program for the home appliance 100 (step S11). Then, the information transmission unit 230 transmits the latest software program stored in the storage unit 290 to the home appliance 100 (step S12).

[0041] The control unit 160 receives the latest software program for the home appliance 100 via the communication unit 150 (step S13). Once the control unit 160 has finished receiving the latest software program, it sends a signal to the server 200 via the communication unit 150 indicating that the reception has been completed (step S14).

[0042] The information acquisition unit 220 receives a signal from the home appliance 100 indicating the completion of reception (step S15). The device control unit 240 then generates information indicating an update (i.e., information indicating multiple candidate time periods for updating the home appliance 100 with the latest software program) (step S16). For example, the device control unit 240 generates a candidate for immediately updating with the latest software program and a candidate for updating with the latest software program after a predetermined time. The device control unit 240 transmits the generated update information to the terminal device 300 (step S17).

[0043] The information acquisition unit 310 receives information indicating an update notification from the server 200 (step S18). The display control unit 320 displays multiple candidate time slots indicated by the update notification received by the information acquisition unit 310 on the display screen 301a (step S19).

[0044] Here, the multiple time slots indicated in the update notification are assumed to be either an option to immediately update to the latest software program or an option to update to the latest software program after a predetermined time. User U then performs an operation on the terminal device 300 to select one of these options. For example, user U performs an operation to tap one of the options displayed on the display screen 301a.

[0045] The operation reception unit 330 accepts an operation from user U to select one of the candidate time slots (step S20). The information transmission unit 350 transmits information indicating the time slot accepted by the operation reception unit 330 to the server 200 (step S21).

[0046] The information acquisition unit 220 receives information indicating a time period from the terminal device 300 (step S22). The device control unit 240 determines whether the time period indicated by the information received by the information acquisition unit 220 indicates that an update should be performed immediately (step S23). If the device control unit 240 determines that the time period indicated by the information received by the information acquisition unit 220 indicates that an update should be performed immediately (TES in step S23), the information transmission unit 230 transmits a signal to the home appliance 100 to update to the latest software program (step S24).

[0047] The control unit 160 receives a signal from the server 200 via the communication unit 150 to update the latest software program (step S25). In response to the received signal, the control unit 160 immediately updates the home appliance 100 with the latest software program (step S26).

[0048] Furthermore, if the device control unit 240 determines that the time period indicated by the information received by the information acquisition unit 220 indicates that an update should be performed after a predetermined time (NO in step S23), the device control unit 240 records in the storage unit 290 that the latest software program should be updated after the predetermined time (step S27).

[0049] The device control unit 240 identifies the usage status of the home appliance 100 after a predetermined time period based on the operation information 191 and setting information 192 that the information acquisition unit 220 acquires from the home appliance 100 at regular time intervals (step S28). The usage status of the home appliance 100 here includes at least the state in which the home appliance 100 is ON or OFF.

[0050] The device control unit 240 determines whether the identified usage status includes the home appliance 100 being in the ON state (step S29). If the device control unit 240 determines that the usage status of the home appliance 100 after a predetermined time includes the ON state (YES in step S29), the information transmission unit 230 proceeds to the process in step S24.

[0051] Furthermore, if the device control unit 240 determines that the usage status of the home appliance 100 after a predetermined time includes being in the off state (NO in step S29), it returns the processing of the home appliance service provision system 1 to the processing of step S1.

[0052] (advantage) The above describes the home appliance service provision system 1. In the home appliance service provision system 1, the server 200 analyzes the usage status of the home appliance 100 and, based on the analysis results, sends multiple candidate time slots for performing software updates on the home appliance 100 to the terminal device 300 of the user U of the home appliance 100. The terminal device 300 displays the multiple candidate slots and sends the time slot indicated by one of the selected candidate slots to the server 200. The home appliance 100 performs the update in accordance with the update instructions sent from the server 200 based on the time slot sent by the terminal device 300 to the server 200. This home appliance service provision system 1 makes it possible to update the software program of the home appliance 100 at an appropriate time slot. In other words, the home appliance service provision system 1 equipped with this server can improve the convenience of home appliances.

[0053] <First modified example of the embodiment> A first modified example of the embodiment of the home appliance service provision system 1 will now be described. In the above-described embodiment, an air conditioner 100C was given as a specific example of the home appliance equipment 100 provided by the home appliance service provision system 1. However, as described in the embodiment, the home appliance equipment 100 provided by the home appliance service provision system 1 may be a refrigerator 100A, a clothes processing machine 100B, an air conditioner 100C, a cooking appliance 100D, or a lighting device 100E, etc. However, the home appliance equipment 100 provided by the home appliance service provision system 1 is not limited to these appliances. The home appliance equipment 100 provided by the home appliance service provision system 1 may include home appliance equipment other than these appliances.

[0054] In the first modified embodiment, the processing performed by the home appliance service provision system 1 will be described, with examples other than the air conditioner 100C as specific examples of home appliance equipment 100 provided by the home appliance service provision system 1.

[0055] Specifically, in the first modified embodiment, the home appliances 100 are divided into three groups: a group of home appliances that are always powered on and operating at all times (hereinafter referred to as "Group 1 home appliances 100"), a group of home appliances that are always powered on and operate only when in use, and are in standby mode when not in use (hereinafter referred to as "Group 2 home appliances 100"), and a group of home appliances that are powered on and operated when in use, and are turned off when not in use (hereinafter referred to as "Group 3 home appliances 100"). Examples of Group 1 home appliances 100 include refrigerators, etc. Examples of Group 2 home appliances 100 include air conditioners, microwave ovens, rice cookers, air purifiers, etc. Examples of Group 3 home appliances 100 include washing machines, electric fans, vacuum cleaners, etc. The examples provided here are household appliances grouped within the scope of what is assumed to be typical usage. Depending on how user U uses them, the examples of household appliances 100 in each group may differ from those shown here.

[0056] (Summary of replacement plans for 100 home appliances in each group) As mentioned earlier, the operation methods differ depending on the type of home appliance 100, so the update plan (i.e., how to update the software program) for each home appliance 100 also differs for the server 200. Here, we will explain the outline of the update plan for each group of home appliance 100.

[0057] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the outline of the process by which a server 200 in a first modified example of one embodiment generates an update plan for each group of home appliances 100. The server 200 determines whether or not a home appliance 100 belongs to group 1 (step S101). If the server 200 determines that a home appliance 100 does not belong to group 1 (NO in step S101), it decides to include a time slot for immediate update as a candidate (step S102). The server 200 then creates an update plan that includes multiple candidate time slots, including the determined time slot (in this case, the time slot for immediate update) (step S103). The server 200 then notifies the terminal device 300 of the multiple candidate time slots indicated in the generated update plan (step S104).

[0058] Furthermore, if the server 200 determines that the home appliance 100 is a home appliance 100 of group 1 (YES in step S101), it determines whether the operating status is reserved or not (step S105).

[0059] If server 200 determines that the operating status is reserved (YES in step S105), it decides to include time slots before the reserved time as candidates for the update time slot (step S106). Server 200 proceeds to step S103 and creates an update plan that includes multiple candidate time slots, including the time slot in question (in this case, the time slot to update before the reserved time). Then, server 200 performs the process in step S104.

[0060] Furthermore, if server 200 determines that the operating status is not reserved (NO in step S105), it decides to include the time period after the end of operation as a candidate for the update time period (step S107). Server 200 proceeds to the process in step S103 and creates an update plan that includes multiple candidate time periods, including the decided time period (in this case, the time period after the end of operation). Then, server 200 performs the process in step S104.

[0061] Next, we will explain the replacement plans for each of the home appliances 100 in Group 1, 100 in Group 2, and 100 in Group 3, according to their respective operating statuses.

[0062] (Replacement plan for 100 home appliances in Group 1) First, let's explain the update plan for the home appliances 100 in Group 1. The home appliances 100 in Group 1 are always in a state where their software programs can be updated. Therefore, the server 200 sends multiple candidate time slots for the updates to the terminal device 300.

[0063] Figure 9 shows an example of multiple candidate update time slots that a server 200 of a first modified embodiment sends to a terminal device 300. As shown in Figure 9, for example, the server 200 sends three candidate time slots to the terminal device 300: "Execute immediately," "Execute after X hours," and "Decide later." X is a number that can be specified by the user U. The terminal device 300 then displays the information shown in Figure 9 on screen 301a.

[0064] The option "Execute immediately" is included as a possible update time if, for example, user U is in the same space as the home appliance 100 and is able to perform the update. The option "Execute after X hours" is included as a possible update time if, for example, user U is away from the home appliance 100 for an inconvenient time, but will return home after X hours and be able to perform the update. The option "Decide later" is included as a possible update time if, for example, the operating schedule of the home appliance 100 is unknown for some time, in which case server 200 will notify terminal device 300 after a few days to finally determine the update time.

[0065] (Replacement plan for 100 home appliances in Group 2) Next, I will explain the update plan for the home appliances 100 in Group 2. The home appliances 100 in Group 2 will have their software programs updated while they are not in operation. Therefore, the server 200 checks the operating status of the home appliances 100 to be updated and sends candidate update time slots to multiple terminal devices 300.

[0066] For example, if there is no timer setting and the device is in standby mode, it can be said that it is ready for update at any time, just like the home appliance 100 in Group 1 described above. Therefore, the server 200 should send the terminal device 300 three options as multiple time slot candidates, similar to the home appliance 100 in Group 1: "Execute immediately," "Execute after X hours," and "Decide later."

[0067] Furthermore, for example, if there is no timer setting and the system is running, the time period during which updates can be performed is unknown. Therefore, the server 200 sends three options to the terminal device 300 as multiple possible time periods: "Execute after operation ends," "Execute immediately after operation ends," and "To be decided later."

[0068] Figure 10 shows an example of multiple candidate update time slots that the server 200 of a first modified embodiment transmits to the terminal device 300. In this case, the server 200 transmits three candidates, as shown in Figure 10, to the terminal device 300.

[0069] The option "Execute after operation ends" is included as a possible update time when, for example, it is unclear when the operation of home appliance 100 will finish, when it is not desirable to restart home appliance 100, or when it is desired that the update be performed when home appliance 100 has finished operating. The option "Stop operation immediately and execute" is included as a possible update time when, for example, it is not a problem to stop the operation of home appliance 100. The option "Decided later" is included as a possible update time when, for example, the operating schedule of home appliance 100 is unknown for some time, and the server 200 will notify the terminal device 300 after a few days to finally determine the update time.

[0070] Furthermore, for example, if a timer is set and the system is in standby mode, possible update timeframes include updating immediately or updating before the next startup. Therefore, the server 200 sends three options to the terminal device 300 as multiple timeframe candidates: "Execute immediately," "Execute when Y is started according to the timer setting," and "Decided later."

[0071] Figure 11 shows an example of multiple candidate update time slots that the server 200 of a first modified embodiment transmits to the terminal device 300. In this case, the server 200 transmits three candidates, as shown in Figure 11, to the terminal device 300.

[0072] Furthermore, "Execute immediately" is included as a candidate for the update time slot when, for example, user U is in the same space as the home appliance 100 and the update is possible. Also, "Execute when Y is started according to the timer setting" is included as a candidate for the update time slot when, for example, user U is away from the home appliance 100, which is inconvenient, but the update is possible at the time set by the timer setting for Y. Finally, "Decided later" is included as a candidate for the update time slot when, for example, the operating schedule of the home appliance 100 is unknown for some time, and the server 200 will notify the terminal device 300 after a few days to finally determine the update time slot.

[0073] Furthermore, for example, if a timer is set and the device is in operation, one possible time frame for updating is after the home appliance 100 has finished operating. Therefore, the server 200 sends three options to the terminal device 300 as multiple time frame candidates: "Execute after operation ends," "Execute immediately after operation ends," and "Decided later." In this case, the server 200 only needs to send the three options shown in Figure 10 to the terminal device 300.

[0074] The option "Execute after operation ends" is included as a possible update time, for example, when you don't want to restart the home appliance 100, or when you want the update to occur when the home appliance 100 has finished operating. The option "Execute immediately after operation ends" is included as a possible update time, for example, when it is not a problem to stop the operation of the home appliance 100. The option "Decided later" is included as a possible update time, for example, when the operating schedule of the home appliance 100 is unknown for some time, in which case the server 200 will notify the terminal device 300 after a few days to finally determine the update time.

[0075] (Replacement plan for 100 home appliances in Group 3) Next, I will explain the update plan for the home appliances 100 in Group 3. The home appliances 100 in Group 3 cannot have their software programs updated when the power is off. Therefore, the server 200 updates the software programs during the time when user U turns on the power to the home appliances 100. To this end, the server 200 sends three options to the terminal device 300 as multiple time slot candidates: "Execute immediately after turning on the power," "Execute the next time the home appliance is used," and "Decide later."

[0076] Figure 12 shows an example of multiple candidate update time slots that the server 200 of a first modified embodiment transmits to the terminal device 300. In this case, the server 200 transmits three candidates, as shown in Figure 12, to the terminal device 300.

[0077] The option "Power on and run immediately" is included as a possible update time when, for example, an update can be performed immediately. The option "Run when the appliance is used next time" is included as a possible update time when, for example, user U is away from the appliance 100 and it is inconvenient, but the software program is temporarily set to be updated when the appliance 100 is used next time. The option "Decided later" is included as a possible update time when, for example, the operating schedule of the appliance 100 is unknown for some time, and the server 200 will notify the terminal device 300 after a few days to finally determine the update time.

[0078] (advantage) The above describes a home appliance service provision system 1, which is a first modified example of one embodiment. In this home appliance service provision system 1, the server 200 performs the processing described above, enabling the home appliance service provision system 1 to update the software program of the home appliance 100 at an appropriate time. In other words, the home appliance service provision system 1 equipped with this server can improve convenience.

[0079] <Second Modification of Embodiment> A second modified example of the embodiment of the home appliance service provision system 1 will now be described. The second modified example of the embodiment of the home appliance service provision system 1 may perform the following processes. Here, it is assumed that the server 200 sends to the terminal device 300 multiple candidates for the time period in which to update the software program, including at least one of the following: "update immediately," "update with the power of the home appliance turned on," "update at a specified time," "update with the specified home appliance in a specified state," and "decide later."

[0080] Figure 13 shows an example of the processing flow of the home appliance service provision system 1 in a second modified example of one embodiment. As described in one embodiment, user U performs an operation to select one of several candidate time slots for updating the software program displayed on the terminal device 300. As described in one embodiment, the terminal device 300 transmits information indicating the time slot selected by user U to the server 200 in response to this operation (step S201). The server 200 receives the information indicating the time slot from the terminal device 300. The server 200 determines whether the received time slot is for "updating immediately" (step S202). If the server 200 determines that the received time slot is not for "updating immediately" (NO in step S202), it determines whether the received time slot is for "updating with the home appliance powered on" (step S203). If the server 200 determines that the received time slot is not for "updating with the home appliance powered on" (NO in step S203), it determines whether the received time slot is for "updating at a specified time" (step S204). If the server 200 determines that the received time slot is not "update at the specified time" (NO in step S204), it determines whether the received time slot is "update with the specified home appliance in the specified state" (step S205). If the server 200 determines that the received time slot is not "update with the specified home appliance in the specified state" (NO in step S205), it determines that the received time slot is "to be decided later" (step S206). The server 200 sets the time slot for the update (step S207). Then, when the set time slot arrives, the server 200 sends multiple time slot candidates to the terminal device 300 again (step S208).

[0081] Furthermore, if the server 200 determines that the received time period is "update immediately" (YES in step S202), it updates the software program immediately (step S209). Also, if the server 200 determines that the received time period is "update with the home appliance powered on" (YES in step S203), it checks the status of the home appliance 100 and updates the software program when the home appliance 100 is powered on (step S210). Also, if the server 200 determines that the received time period is "update at a specified time" (YES in step S204), it updates the software program when the specified time period arrives (step S211). Also, if the server 200 determines that the received time period is "update with the home appliance in a specified state" (YES in step S205), it checks the status of the home appliance 100 and updates the software program when it reaches the specified state (step S212).

[0082] (advantage) The above describes a second modified example of a home appliance service provision system 1 according to one embodiment. By performing the processing described above, the home appliance service provision system 1 becomes capable of updating the software program of the home appliance 100 at an appropriate time. In other words, the home appliance service provision system 1 equipped with this server can improve convenience.

[0083] <Third Modification of the Embodiment> A third modified example of the embodiment of the home appliance service provision system 1 will be described. Even if the home appliances 100 are of the same type, some functions may differ if the model or part number is different. Therefore, in the third modified example of the embodiment of the home appliance service provision system 1, after the home appliance 100 has finished downloading the latest software program, it sends identification information (e.g., model name, part number, etc.), which is information that can identify the functions of the home appliance 100, to the server 200. The server 200 holds information that shows the correspondence between the identification information and the functions, and identifies the function corresponding to the identification information received from the terminal device 300. Depending on whether the identified function is a function that affects updates such as the reservation function, the server 200 generates a standard message indicating multiple candidate time slots to send to the terminal device 300.

[0084] For example, if washing machine A is a model without a reservation function and there is a software program update for washing machine A, terminal device 300 sends identification information for washing machine A to server 200. Server 200 identifies the function corresponding to that identification information and identifies it as a washing machine without a reservation function. In this case, server 200 creates a standard message indicating that it is in a standby state and sends it to terminal device 300.

[0085] For example, if washing machine B is a model with a reservation function and there is a software program update for washing machine B, terminal device 300 sends identification information for washing machine B to server 200. Server 200 identifies the function corresponding to that identification information and identifies it as a washing machine with a reservation function. In this case, server 200 retrieves the reservation information for washing machine B, creates a standard message corresponding to the time period indicated by the reservation information, and sends it to terminal device 300.

[0086] (advantage) The above describes a third modified example of a home appliance service provision system 1 according to one embodiment. By performing the processing described above, the home appliance service provision system 1 can display suitable time slot candidates on the terminal device 300. As a result, it becomes possible to update the software program of the home appliance 100 at an appropriate time. In other words, the home appliance service provision system 1 equipped with this server can improve convenience.

[0087] Several embodiments have been described above. However, the embodiments are not limited to the examples above. For example, the embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate to realize the invention.

[0088] The home appliance equipment 100, server 200, and terminal device 300 of the home appliance service provision system 1 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), executing programs. However, some or all of these may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or by the cooperation of software and hardware.

[0089] The memory units 190, 290, and 390 are implemented using a combination of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0090] According to at least one embodiment described above, the program causes the server of a system comprising a server, a terminal device that displays a plurality of candidate time periods for performing software updates for home appliances and transmits to the server the time period indicated by one of the displayed candidate periods, and the home appliance that performs the update in response to the update instructions transmitted from the server based on the time period transmitted to the server by the terminal device, to analyze the usage status of the home appliance and transmit the plurality of candidate periods to the terminal device of the user of the home appliance based on the analysis results. With such a configuration, convenience can be improved.

[0091] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1... Home appliance service provision system, 100... Home appliance equipment, 110... Actuator, 120... Sensor unit, 130... Operation unit, 150... Communication unit, 160... Control unit, 190... Storage unit, 200... Server, 210... Equipment registration unit, 220... Information acquisition unit, 230... Information transmission unit, 240... Equipment control unit, 290... Storage unit, 300... Terminal device, 310... Information acquisition unit, 320... Display control unit, 330... Operation reception unit, 350... Information transmission unit.

Claims

1. The system comprises a server, a terminal device that displays multiple candidate time slots for performing software updates for home appliances and transmits to the server the time slot indicated by one of the displayed candidate slots, and the home appliance that performs the update in response to the update instructions transmitted from the server based on the time slot transmitted to the server by the terminal device, The usage status of the aforementioned home appliance is analyzed, and based on the analysis results, the plurality of candidates are transmitted to the terminal device of the user of the aforementioned home appliance. A computer program that executes an action.

2. The plurality of candidates are updated based on the operating mode of the aforementioned home appliance. A computer program according to claim 1 that causes execution.

3. If the home appliance is powered off during the time period indicated by the candidate transmitted from the terminal device, the update instruction is sent to the home appliance after confirming that the home appliance has been turned on. A computer program according to claim 1 that causes execution.

4. A server that analyzes the usage status of home appliances and, based on the analysis results, sends multiple candidate time slots for performing software updates on the home appliances to the terminal devices of the home appliance users. The terminal device displays the aforementioned multiple candidates and transmits to the server the time period indicated by one of the candidates selected from the displayed multiple candidates. The home appliance performs an update in response to the update instructions sent from the server based on the time period transmitted by the terminal device to the server, An information processing system equipped with the following features.

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