Home appliance control system

Abstract

For properties that have scheduled a visit, we provide a system to ensure a comfortable room temperature at the scheduled visit date and time. [Solution] The home appliance control system comprises a user terminal 1 for reserving a visit date and time, a first server 3 for registering the visit date and time, an operating device 5 for operating home appliances installed in the property, a second server 4 connected to the operating device 5 for communication, and an administrator terminal 2 for registering the identification information of the operating device 5 with the first server 3, as well as the operation content and timing of the home appliance 6 to be operated by the operating device 5. When the operation timing registered by the administrator terminal 2 arrives, the first server 3 transmits the operation content along with the identification information of the operating device 5 to the second server 4. The second server 4 transmits the operation content to the operating device 5 corresponding to the identification information transmitted from the first server 3. The operating device 5 operates the home appliance 6 according to the transmitted operation content.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for remotely operating home appliances within a real estate property.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a system that can open and close an electronic lock installed in a real estate property that the user wishes to view inside at a reserved date and time using a user terminal by using API linkage information.

[0003] Non-Patent Document 1 describes a system that can remotely operate indoor home appliances from a smartphone.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In summer, the indoor temperature is high, and in winter, the indoor temperature is low. When arriving at a real estate property that the user wishes to view inside at a reserved date and time, opening the electronic lock and entering the room using the system described in Patent Document 1, it is better to make the room temperature comfortable, which may improve the impression of the real estate property and increase the contract rate.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a system for ensuring a comfortable room temperature at the scheduled time of visit for a property that has been booked for a visit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features. The present invention comprises a user terminal for reserving a visit date and time for a property to be visited, a first server for registering the visit date and time reserved by the user terminal, an operating device for operating home appliances installed in the property, a second server connected to the operating device via a network for communication, and an administrator terminal for registering identification information of the operating device with the first server via the network, as well as registering the operation content and timing of the home appliances operated by the operating device. When the operation timing registered by the administrator terminal arrives, the first server transmits the operation details, along with the identification information of the operating device, to the second server. The second server transmits the operation details to the operating device corresponding to the identification information sent from the first server. The control device operates the home appliance according to the transmitted operation instructions.

[0009] Preferably, the operation timing is the start timing for starting the operation of the home appliance and the end timing for ending the operation of the home appliance.

[0010] Preferably, the start time should be before the scheduled date and time of the visit.

[0011] Preferably, the appliance is an air conditioner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, for a property that has been booked for a visit, the home appliances will be running at the scheduled time of the visit, so the room temperature can be kept at a comfortable level.

[0013] These and other purposes, features, aspects, and effects of the present invention will become even clearer from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of a home appliance control system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of a home appliance control system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] In Figure 1, the home appliance control system comprises at least one user terminal 1, at least one administrator terminal 2, a first server 3, a second server 4, at least one control device 5, and at least one home appliance 6. The user terminal 1, administrator terminal 2, first server 3, second server 4, and control device 5 are communicated together via a network 7, including the internet, a mobile phone network, and an indoor wireless LAN.

[0016] User terminal 1 is a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer used by a user to reserve real estate. Administrator terminal 2 is a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer used by the administrator who manages the property in question. The first server 3 is a computer device that transmits commands to an electronic lock installed on the property to remotely operate the electronic lock. The second server 4 is a computer device that transmits commands to the operating device 5 installed on the property to remotely operate the operating device 5.

[0017] The operating device 5 is a device for operating the home appliance 6 using infrared rays or other wireless means. For example, if the home appliance 6 is an air conditioner, the operation device 5 stores infrared information for operating the home appliance 6, and in response to an instruction from the second server 4, outputs an infrared ray for operating the home appliance 6, and can operate the home appliance 6 as an air conditioner (such as cooling, heating, temperature setting, etc.). Note that since such an operation device 5 has been put into practical use as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, the description of its detailed structure will be omitted.

[0018] The operation flow of the home appliance operation system will be described while referring to FIG. 2. First, it is assumed that communication has been established in advance between the second server 4 and the operation device 5, an instruction from the second server 4 can be received by the operation device 5, and in response to the instruction, the operation device 5 is in a state where it can operate the neighboring home appliance 6. Identification information (also referred to as token information) is respectively given to the operation devices 5, and the second server 4 can identify the operation devices 5 based on the identification information and send instructions.

[0019] The operation device 5 is installed in the real estate managed by the administrator in a state of being connected to the network 7. It is assumed that the administrator can obtain the identification information of the operation device 5. The real estate is not necessarily limited to one. The operation device 5 is installed in each of a plurality of real estates. It is assumed that the administrator knows which operation device 5 is installed in which real estate. The home appliances 6 to be operated by each operation device 5 are not limited to air conditioners. For example, all home appliances such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, fans, water heaters, etc. are the objects of the present invention. It is assumed that the operation device 5 can operate those home appliances 6.

[0020] Based on the above, the operation will be described. First, the administrator terminal 2 inputs the identification information of the operating device 5 installed in the property managed by the administrator to the first server 3, linking it to the property (S201). In response, the first server 3 registers the identification information of the operating device 5 linked to the property (S301). Note that there is not necessarily only one operating device 5 in one property. There may be operating devices 5 installed in each room of a property. In that case, the administrator terminal 2 and the first server 3 may register the identification information linked to each room in the property.

[0021] Next, the administrator terminal 2 configures the home appliance 6 that the registered operating device 5 will operate (S202). For example, if an air conditioner is used as the home appliance 6, the operation of the air conditioner (heating or cooling, etc.) and the set temperature are configured. Alternatively, the operation of the air conditioner may be pre-configured according to the season. For example, settings may be made to set dehumidification during the rainy season, cooling in the summer, and heating in the winter.

[0022] The first server 3 registers the operation details of the home appliance 6 to be operated in response to instructions from the administrator terminal 2 (S302).

[0023] Next, the administrator terminal 2 sets the timing for operating the home appliance 6 (S203). For example, it is a good idea to set it to start the air conditioner 30 minutes before the scheduled arrival time and stop it after the scheduled arrival time has elapsed. Thus, the operation timing consists of a start timing for when the appliance 6 begins to operate and an end timing for when it ends. The first server 3 registers the operation timings (start timing and end timing) set by the administrator terminal 2 (S303). Steps S201-S303 complete the preliminary setup.

[0024] Suppose a user wishes to view a property and has reserved a date and time for the visit using user terminal 1 (S101). In response, the first server 3 registers the date and time of the visit (S304).

[0025] Then, when the scheduled arrival time arrives, the first server 3 displays an unlock button (not shown) on the user terminal 1 so that the user terminal can open the electronic lock on the property. The technology for opening and closing the electronic lock when the scheduled arrival time arrives is described in Patent Document 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0026] The first server 3 determines whether or not the timing for operating the appliance has arrived (S305). For example, if in S303 the start timing of the appliance is registered as 30 minutes before the visit date and time, the first server 3 determines that the timing for operation has arrived 30 minutes before the visit date and time. Also, if in S303 the end timing of the appliance is registered as after the visit date and time has elapsed, the first server 3 determines that the timing for operation has arrived after the scheduled visit date and time has passed.

[0027] When the timing for operation arrives, the first server 3 transmits the operation details (such as whether to turn on or stop the appliance, or what temperature to set it to) along with the identification information of the control device to be operated on to the second server 4.

[0028] The second server 4 receives identification information and operation details from the first server 3 (S401), and transmits the operation details to the operating device corresponding to the identification information (S402).

[0029] The operating device 5 receives the operation details (S501) and operates the home appliance 6 to be operated (S502).

[0030] As a result, for example, you can turn on the air conditioner 30 minutes before the visitor arrives, allowing them to view the property comfortably. Once the scheduled visit time has passed, you can turn off the air conditioner to avoid wasting electricity.

[0031] In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the electronic lock installed on the property is opened and closed using the user terminal 1. However, the present invention is valid as long as the date and time of the viewing appointment are decided, so the present invention is not limited to a system in which the electronic lock is opened and closed using the user terminal 1.

[0032] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative in all respects and is not intended to limit its scope. Needless to say, various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each constituent element of the invention disclosed herein shall stand as an independent and standalone invention. Inventions that combine each constituent element in any way shall also be included in the present invention. The specific expressions in this specification are merely illustrative, and the present invention shall also include conceptualizations of such illustrative expressions. [Industrial applicability]

[0033] This invention relates to an operating system for home appliances and is industrially applicable. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1 User terminal 2 Administrator terminal 3. First Server 4. Second Server 5 Operating device 6 Home appliances 7 Network

Claims

1. A user terminal for booking a visit date and time for the property you wish to visit, A first server for registering the date and time of visit reserved by the user terminal, An operating device for operating home appliances installed in the aforementioned property, A second server is connected to the operating device via a network in a manner that allows communication between the two devices. The system includes an administrator terminal that registers identification information of the operating device to the first server via the network, and registers the operation content and timing of the home appliance operated by the operating device, When the operation timing registered by the administrator terminal arrives, the first server transmits the operation details, along with the identification information of the operating device, to the second server. The second server transmits the operation content to the operating device corresponding to the identification information transmitted from the first server. The operating device is characterized by operating the home appliance according to the transmitted operation content, and is a home appliance operating system.

2. The appliance operation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation timing is a start timing for starting the operation of the appliance and an end timing for ending the operation of the appliance.

3. The home appliance operation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the start timing is earlier than the date and time of the visit.

4. The appliance control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the appliance is an air conditioner.

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