Communication systems and communication methods

Abstract

The objective is to provide a communication system and communication method that can reduce the failure to establish a communication connection caused by incorrectly reading information codes. [Solution] The communication system 1 comprises an air conditioner 11 having a first information code IC1 which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices, an access point 13 having a second information code IC2 which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices, and a portable terminal device 14 capable of reading information codes. When establishing a communication connection between the portable terminal device 14 and the air conditioner 11, the first information code IC1 and the second information code IC2 are read by the portable terminal device 14.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , ,

[0005] , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system and a communication method for establishing communication connections between devices.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in Patent Document 1, connection information such as an IP address for causing a connected device to make a connection via a network is displayed as a QR code (registered trademark), and by reading the code with a camera of a mobile terminal, a network connection between the mobile terminal and the connected device is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a communication system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first device having a first information code which is an information code necessary for establishing a communication connection with other devices, a second device having a second information code which is an information code necessary for establishing a communication connection with other devices, and a portable terminal device capable of reading the information codes, wherein when establishing a communication connection between the portable terminal device and the first device, the first information code and the second information code are read by the portable terminal device.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, a communication method according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, when establishing a communication connection between the first device and the mobile terminal device among a first device, a second device, and a mobile terminal device that are capable of communicating with each other, the mobile terminal device reads a first information code, which is an information code necessary for establishing a communication connection with other devices, and the mobile terminal device reads a second information code, which is an information code necessary for establishing a communication connection with other devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to each aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the failure to establish a communication connection caused by incorrectly reading the information code. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner provided in a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless local area network adapter provided in a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]This is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an access point provided in a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal device provided in a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention illustrate apparatus and methods for realizing the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of the components to those described below. The technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the patent claims.

[0011] [First Embodiment] 1. Communication system configuration: A schematic configuration of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the communication system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1 according to this embodiment includes a wireless LAN adapter 12 for connecting the air conditioner 11 to a wireless local area network (LAN). Hereinafter, "wireless local area network" will be abbreviated as "LAN". The communication system 1 includes an access point 13 that connects the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the communication network 2, an air conditioner 11 connected to the communication network 2 via the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13, and a mobile terminal device 14 connected to the communication network 2, etc. The communication network 2 is, for example, an information and communication network such as the Internet.

[0013] A cloud server 3 is connected to the communication network 2. The cloud server 3 stores data such as the settings and operating status of the air conditioner 11, as well as identification information to identify the user of the air conditioner 11.

[0014] The air conditioner 11 has an indoor unit 111 and an outdoor unit (not shown). The indoor unit 111 is connected to a wireless LAN adapter 12, for example, by a wired connection. The indoor unit 111 communicates with the access point 13 and the mobile terminal device 14, respectively, via the wireless LAN adapter 12.

[0015] The wireless LAN adapter 12 corresponds to a first device having a first information code IC1, which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with another device (in this embodiment, a mobile terminal device 14). In this embodiment, the wireless LAN adapter 12 is externally attached to, for example, the indoor unit 111. However, the wireless LAN adapter 12 may be located inside the indoor unit 111. The wireless LAN adapter 12 is connected to the indoor unit 111, for example, by wired communication, but may also be connected by wireless communication.

[0016] Access point 13 corresponds to a second device having a second information code IC2, which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with another device (in this embodiment, the air conditioner 11). In this embodiment, when a communication connection is established between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13, the second identification information (for example, the SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and password of access point 13) contained in the second information code IC2 transmitted from the mobile terminal device 14 is used. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a communication connection is established between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13, the process by which the wireless LAN adapter 12 obtains the second identification information from the access point 13 to identify access point 13 is unnecessary.

[0017] The access point 13 is connected to the communication network 2. The access point 13 receives the signal transmitted from the cloud server 3 via the communication network 2 and transmits the received signal to the wireless LAN adapter 12. Also, the access point 13 receives the signal transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 12 and transmits the received signal to the cloud server 3 via the communication network 2. Therefore, when a communication connection is established between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13, the wireless LAN adapter 12 can transmit and receive predetermined information to and from the cloud server 3 via the access point 13 and the communication network 2.

[0018] The mobile terminal device 14 is, for example, a smartphone, but may be a portable device such as a tablet terminal device. The mobile terminal device 14 is connected to the wireless LAN adapter 12 by wireless communication. The mobile terminal device 14 can be communicatively connected to the air conditioner 11 via the wireless LAN adapter 12. Also, the mobile terminal device 14 can be connected to the access point 13 by wireless communication.

[0019] The mobile terminal device 14 is a device capable of reading the information codes of other devices (the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13 in this embodiment). When establishing a communication connection between the mobile terminal device 14 and the wireless LAN adapter 12, the first information code IC1 provided in the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the second information code IC2 provided in the access point 13 are read by the mobile terminal device 14. The information code necessary for the communication connection between the mobile terminal device 14 and the wireless LAN adapter 12 is only the first information code IC1. However, in the communication system 1, by also having the second information code IC2 provided in the access point 13 read by the mobile terminal device 14 and only reading the second information code IC2 that is unnecessary for the connection to the wireless LAN adapter 12, an event where the communication connection to the wireless LAN adapter 12 cannot be made is avoided.

[0020] The mobile terminal device 14 establishes a communication connection with the wireless LAN adapter 12 by using the first identification information (e.g., the SSID and password for identifying the wireless LAN adapter 12) included in the read first information code IC1. Further, the mobile terminal device 14 transmits the second identification information (the SSID and password for identifying the access point 13) included in the read second information code IC2 to the wireless LAN adapter 12. The wireless LAN adapter 12 establishes a communication connection with the access point 13 by using the received second identification information. Thus, although not necessary for the communication connection with the wireless LAN adapter 12, the communication system 1 utilizes the second information code IC2 that is read as a means to prevent omission of reading the first information code IC1 necessary for the communication connection with the wireless LAN adapter 12, and establishes a communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13. Thereby, since the communication system 1 can establish a communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13, the procedure for establishing a communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the cloud server 3 can be reduced.

[0021] 2. Configuration of the indoor unit: The schematic configuration of the indoor unit 111 provided in the air conditioner 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the indoor unit 111. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 111 has a control unit 111a, an air conditioning unit 111b, a storage unit 111c, a wired communication unit 111d, and a wireless communication unit 111e.

[0022] The control unit 111a is, for example, a microcomputer and is constituted by, for example, one or a plurality of central processing units (CPUs) or microprocessing units (MPUs). The control unit 111a comprehensively controls the indoor unit 111.

[0023] The air conditioning unit 111b is controlled by the control unit 111a based on input signals received from the wireless communication unit 111e. The air conditioning unit 111b includes, for example, a heat exchanger, a blower fan, an air outlet, a wind direction louver, and a filter (none of which are shown). The air conditioning unit 111b is controlled by the control unit 111a and blows out air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger from the air outlet, adjusting the air in the indoor space through heating, cooling, or ventilation.

[0024] The memory unit 111c stores various data necessary for the indoor unit 111 to operate. A wireless LAN adapter 12 (see Figure 1) is connected to the wired communication unit 111d. This enables wired communication between the indoor unit 111 and the wireless LAN adapter 12. Data output from the wireless LAN adapter 12 is input to the control unit 111a via the wired communication unit 111d. In addition, a portion of the data output from the wireless LAN adapter 12 is stored in the storage unit 111c via the wired communication unit 111d. Data output from the indoor unit 111 is output to the wireless LAN adapter 12 via the wired communication unit 111d. In this way, the wired communication unit 111d has a configuration that enables bidirectional communication with the wireless LAN adapter 12.

[0025] The wireless communication unit 111e is provided for data communication with a remote controller (not shown) dedicated to the air conditioner 11. The remote controller is a device used by the user of the air conditioner 11 to control the air conditioner 11, such as switching operating modes. The wireless communication unit 111e has a configuration that enables, for example, infrared communication. For example, infrared rays output from the remote controller are converted into electrical signals in the wireless communication unit 111e and input to the control unit 111a. The control unit 111a controls the air conditioner 11 based on data derived from these electrical signals. A portion of the data derived from these electrical signals input to the wireless communication unit 111e is stored in the storage unit 111c. Unlike the wired communication unit 111d, the wireless communication unit 111e has a configuration that enables one-way communication from the remote controller to the indoor unit 111.

[0026] 3. Wireless LAN adapter configuration: The general configuration of the wireless LAN adapter 12 will be explained using Figure 3, with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the general configuration of the wireless LAN adapter 12. As shown in Figure 3, the wireless LAN adapter 12 includes a first information code IC 1, a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, a wired communication unit 123, and a wireless communication unit 124.

[0027] The first information code IC1 is a code that has first identification information, which is identification information for identifying the wireless LAN adapter 12, and is expressed in a way that can be read by a mobile terminal or the like. In this embodiment, the first information code IC1 is provided on the wireless LAN adapter 12, but it may also be provided in the instruction manual for the wireless LAN adapter 12, etc. The first information code IC1 may be, for example, a two-dimensional barcode (e.g., a QR code) or a barcode.

[0028] The control unit 121 is, for example, a microcomputer and is composed of, for example, one or more CPUs or MPUs. The control unit 121 comprehensively controls the wireless LAN adapter 12. The control unit 121 functions as a control unit that establishes communication connections between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14 and the access point 13 by executing a communication connection establishment control program stored in the memory unit 122 as one of the computer programs.

[0029] The communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14 (see Figure 1) is established through a predetermined negotiation. The control unit 121 performs this negotiation. The storage unit 122 stores first identification information, which is the identification information of the wireless LAN adapter 12. In the negotiation, the control unit 121 establishes a communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14 if the identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal device 14 as first identification information matches the first identification information stored in the storage unit 122. On the other hand, in the negotiation, the control unit 121 does not establish a communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14 if the identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal device 14 does not match the first identification information stored in the storage unit 122.

[0030] The control unit 121 performs control to output signals input from the wired communication unit 123 or the wireless communication unit 124 to the indoor unit 111 (see Figure 2), and also performs control to selectively output signals input from the indoor unit 111 to the wired communication unit 123 or the wireless communication unit 124.

[0031] The memory unit 122 stores the first identification information. The memory unit 122 temporarily stores, for example, the second identification information for identifying the access point 13, which is input from the mobile terminal device 14 via the wireless communication unit 124. The second identification information temporarily stored in the memory unit 122 is used when establishing a communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13.

[0032] The wired communication unit 123 is connected to the wired communication unit 111d (see Figure 2) of the indoor unit 111. Signals output from the indoor unit 111 are input to the control unit 121 via the wired communication unit 123. Signals output from the wireless LAN adapter 12 are output to the indoor unit 111 via the wired communication unit 123 as needed, based on the control of the control unit 121. In this way, the wired communication unit 123 has a configuration that enables bidirectional communication with the indoor unit 111.

[0033] The wireless communication unit 124 is connected wirelessly to the access point 13 and the mobile terminal device 14 (see Figure 1). The communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13 is established through a predetermined negotiation. This negotiation is mainly performed by the access point 13. During this negotiation, the control unit 121 outputs the second identification information stored in the storage unit 122 to the access point 13 via the wireless communication unit 124. After the communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13 is established, signals are output from the wireless LAN adapter 12 to the access point 13 via the wireless communication unit 124, and signals are input from the access point 13 to the wireless LAN adapter 12 via the wireless communication unit 124.

[0034] When a communication connection is established between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14, and after the communication connection is established, various information is output from the wireless LAN adapter 12 to the mobile terminal device 14, or input from the mobile terminal device 14 to the wireless LAN adapter 12, via the wireless communication unit 124. The first identification information extracted from the first information code IC1 in the mobile terminal device 14 is input from the mobile terminal device 14 to the wireless communication unit 124.

[0035] Thus, the wireless communication unit 124 has a configuration that enables bidirectional communication with both the access point 13 and the mobile terminal device 14.

[0036] 4. Access point configuration: The general configuration of access point 13 will be explained using Figure 4, with reference to Figures 1 and 3. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the general configuration of access point 13. As shown in Figure 4, the access point 13 includes a second information code IC2, a control unit 131, a storage unit 132, a wireless communication unit 133, and a wired communication unit 134.

[0037] The second information code IC2 is a code that contains second identification information to identify the access point 13 and is expressed in a way that can be read by a mobile terminal or the like. In this embodiment, the second information code IC2 may be provided on the casing of the access point 13, for example, but it may also be provided in the instruction manual for the access point 13. The second information code IC2 may be, for example, a two-dimensional barcode (e.g., a QR code) or a barcode.

[0038] The control unit 131 is, for example, a microcomputer and is composed of, for example, one or more CPUs or MPUs. The control unit 131 functions as a control unit that establishes a communication connection with the wireless LAN adapter 12 (see Figure 1) by executing a communication connection establishment control program stored in the memory unit 132 as one of the computer programs.

[0039] The control unit 131 controls the negotiation to establish a communication connection between the access point 13 and the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14 (see Figure 1). In the negotiation in the wireless LAN adapter 12, the control unit 131 determines whether the second identification information, which is identification information for identifying the access point 13, matches the identification information input from the wireless LAN adapter 12. This second identification information is stored in the storage unit 122. The identification information input from the wireless LAN adapter 12 is the identification information input to the wireless LAN adapter 12 from the mobile terminal device 14 as the second identification information. In the negotiation, if the second identification information matches the identification information transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 12, the control unit 131 establishes a communication connection between the access point 13 and the wireless LAN adapter 12. On the other hand, if the second identification information does not match the identification information transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 12 in the negotiation, the control unit 131 does not establish a communication connection between the access point 13 and the wireless LAN adapter 12.

[0040] The control unit 131 determines, during negotiation with the mobile terminal device 14, whether the second identification information stored in the memory unit 132 matches the identification information input from the mobile terminal device 14. The identification information input from the mobile terminal device 14 is the second identification information obtained by the mobile terminal device 14 reading the second information code IC2. In the negotiation, if the second identification information matches the identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal device 14, the control unit 131 establishes a communication connection between the access point 13 and the mobile terminal device 14. On the other hand, if the second identification information does not match the identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal device 14, the control unit 131 does not establish a communication connection between the access point 13 and the mobile terminal device 14.

[0041] In addition to establishing communication connections with the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14, the control unit 131 comprehensively controls the access point 13, including communication processing between each device and the cloud server 3, and read / write control of the storage unit 132.

[0042] The memory unit 132 stores second identification information, which is the identification information of the access point 13. The memory unit 132 temporarily stores, for example, the identification information input via the wireless communication unit 133 during negotiation to establish a communication connection with the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14. The second identification information stored in the memory unit 132 is read out by the control unit 131 when establishing a communication connection with the access point 13.

[0043] The wireless communication unit 133 is wirelessly connected to the wireless communication unit 124 (see Figure 3) of the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14, respectively. When establishing a communication connection between the access point 13 and the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14, and after such a connection has been established, various information is output from the access point 13 to the wireless LAN adapter 12 or the mobile terminal device 14, or input from the wireless LAN adapter 12 or the mobile terminal device 14 to the access point 13 via the wireless communication unit 133. In this way, the wireless communication unit 133 has a configuration that enables bidirectional communication between the access point 13 and the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14, respectively. Communication between the access point 13 and the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14, respectively, is controlled by the control unit 131.

[0044] The wired communication unit 134 has a configuration that allows it to be connected to, for example, an optical network unit (ONU) (not shown). This optical network unit is connected to the communication network 2 via an optical cable (not shown). The access point 13 is connected to the communication network 2 (see Figure 1) via the wired communication unit 134, the optical network unit, and the optical cable.

[0045] Access point 13 is connected to the cloud server 3 via a wired communication unit 134 and a communication network 2. Access point 13 can input and output signals to and from the cloud server 3 via the wired communication unit 134 and the communication network 2. In addition, access point 13 can send and receive signals from the cloud server 3 via the communication network 2 using the wired communication unit 134.

[0046] Thus, the wired communication unit 134 has a configuration that enables bidirectional communication with the cloud server 3. Communication between the access point 13 and the cloud server 3 is controlled by the control unit 131.

[0047] 5. Configuration of the mobile terminal device: The general configuration of the mobile terminal device 14 will be explained using Figure 5 with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the general configuration of the mobile terminal device 14. As shown in Figure 5, the mobile terminal device 14 includes a control unit 141, a storage unit 142, an operation unit 143, a display unit 144, a reading unit 145, and a communication unit 146.

[0048] The control unit 141 is, for example, a microcomputer and is composed of, for example, one or more CPUs or MPUs. The control unit 141 comprehensively controls the mobile terminal device 14 based on signals input from the operation unit 143, display unit 144, reading unit 145, and communication unit 146. The control unit 141 corresponds to a determination unit that determines whether the information code read by the reading unit 145 is the first information code IC1 (see Figure 2) or the second information code IC2 (see Figure 4).

[0049] Information codes such as QR codes contain identification information (e.g., SSID and password) to identify the device on which the information code is installed. However, there is no common standard for the format in which this identification information is included in the information code; each manufacturer providing the device decides its own format, and therefore there is no commonality. To address this, the storage unit 142 stores an information code list ICL, which is a database of the formats of the second information codes of access points from various companies circulating in the market and the first information code IC1 of the wireless LAN adapter 12. The information code list ICL contains multiple formats for the second information codes of each company. The control unit 141 obtains the identification information by referring to the information code list ICL and comparing it with the information code read by the reading unit 145.

[0050] The information code read by the mobile terminal device 14 includes identification information such as the SSID and password, but the order of the SSID and password may differ depending on the device, and it may also include information other than identification information. For this reason, the control unit 141 extracts the information corresponding to the SSID and password according to the format listed in the information code list ICL, and determines whether the extracted information has the format of an SSID and password. The control unit 141 may make the determination for all formats listed in the information code list ICL, or it may terminate the determination process when it determines that the information has the format of an SSID and password.

[0051] The control unit 141, when reading an information code as the first information code IC1 of the wireless LAN adapter 12 by the reading unit 145, refers to the format of the first information code IC1 before the format of the second information code IC2 which is databased in the information code list ICL. On the other hand, when reading an information code as the second information code IC2 by the reading unit 145, the control unit 141 refers to the format of the second information code IC2 before the format of the first information code IC1 which is databased in the information code list ICL. As a result, the control unit 141 can efficiently determine whether the reading unit 145 read the first information code IC1 or the second information code IC2.

[0052] The control unit 141 determines that the first information code IC1 of the wireless LAN adapter 12 has been read if it determines that the information extracted from the information code read as the first information code IC1 by the reading unit 145 by referring to the format of the first information code IC1 has the format of identification information. On the other hand, the control unit 141 determines that the information extracted from the information code read as the first information code IC1 by the reading unit 145 by referring to the format of the first information code IC1 does not have the format of identification information if it determines that the information code of a device other than the wireless LAN adapter 12 has been read.

[0053] In this case, the control unit 141 refers to the format of the second information code IC2, which is databased in the information code list ICL, and determines whether the retrieved information has the format of identification information. If the information code list ICL contains a format for the second information code IC2 that can be determined to have the format of identification information, the control unit 141 determines that the information code read by the reading unit 145 is the second information code IC2 provided on the access point 13. On the other hand, if the information code list ICL does not contain a format for the second information code IC2 that can be determined to have the format of identification information, the control unit 141 determines that the information code read by the reading unit 145 is neither the first information code IC1 nor the second information code IC2.

[0054] If the control unit 141 determines that the information extracted from the information code read as the second information code IC2 by the reading unit 145 by referring to the format of the second information code databased in the information code list ICL has the form of identification information, it determines that the second information code IC2 of access point 13 has been read. On the other hand, if the control unit 141 determines that the information extracted from the information code read as the second information code IC2 by the reading unit 145 by referring to the format of the second information code databased in the information code list ICL does not have the form of identification information, it determines that the information code of a device other than access point 13 has been read.

[0055] In this case, the control unit 141 refers to the format of the first information code IC1, which is databased in the information code list ICL, and determines whether the retrieved information has the format of identification information. If the control unit 141 can determine that the retrieved information has the format of identification information, it determines that the information code read by the reading unit 145 is the first information code IC1 provided on the wireless LAN adapter 12. On the other hand, if the control unit 141 cannot determine that the retrieved information has the format of identification information, it determines that the information code read by the reading unit 145 is neither the first information code IC1 nor the second information code IC2.

[0056] The control unit 143 has, for example, mechanical buttons. The control unit 143 is exposed and mounted on the main body of the mobile terminal device 14. The control unit 143 includes, for example, a power button for turning the mobile terminal device 14 on or off, and volume buttons for adjusting the volume.

[0057] The display unit 144 displays various information. The display unit 144 has, for example, a touch panel and a display screen (neither of which are shown), and has two functions: input and display. The display unit 144 senses the position where the user's fingertip or a stylus used by the user taps on the image displayed on the display screen, and transmits the information of that position to the control unit 141.

[0058] The reading unit 145 reads the information code. The reading unit 145 is, for example, a camera. The reading unit 145 photographs the first information code IC1 (see Figure 2) provided on the indoor unit 111 and the second information code IC2 (see Figure 4) provided on the access point 13 and reads these information codes. The reading unit 145 outputs the read first information code IC1 or second information code IC2 to the control unit 141.

[0059] The communication unit 146 is connected wirelessly to the wireless communication unit 124 of the wireless LAN adapter 12 (see Figure 3) and the wireless communication unit 133 of the access point 13 (see Figure 4). The communication unit 146 has a configuration that allows for bidirectional communication with the wireless communication unit 133. As a result, after a communication connection is established between the communication unit 146 and the wireless communication unit 133, the mobile terminal device 14 becomes capable of bidirectional communication with the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the air conditioner 11 via the wireless LAN adapter 12.

[0060] In communication system 1, IEEE 802.11 (IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, or IEEE 802.11n), one of the wireless LAN standards, is used for wireless communication between the wireless communication unit 124 and the communication unit 146, wireless communication between the wireless communication unit 124 and the wireless communication unit 133, and wireless communication between the wireless communication unit 133 and the communication unit 146. However, compliance with wireless LAN standards other than IEEE 802.11 is also permitted.

[0061] 6. Communication method: The communication method according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, and with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the communication method according to this embodiment. Figure 6 illustrates the process when a communication connection is established between the mobile terminal device 14, the air conditioner 11, and the access point 13 in the communication method according to this practical embodiment.

[0062] As shown in Figure 1, when establishing a communication connection between a wireless LAN adapter (an example of a first device) 12, an access point (an example of a second device) 13, and a mobile terminal device 14, each capable of communicating with one another, in step S11, the mobile terminal device 14 reads the first information code IC1 (see Figure 3), which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with the other device (in this embodiment, the wireless LAN adapter 12), and proceeds to the process in step S12. Specifically, according to the application for establishing a communication connection executed in the mobile terminal device 14, the user of the air conditioner 11 to which the wireless LAN adapter 12 is connected operates the operation unit 143 of the mobile terminal device 14 to activate the reading unit 145 (see Figure 5), thereby obtaining the first information code IC1 from the wireless LAN adapter 12.

[0063] In step S12, the mobile terminal device 14 reads the second information code IC2 (see Figure 4), which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with another device, and proceeds to the process in step S13. In this embodiment, the communication connection is between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13, and the other device corresponds to the access point 13. Specifically, the user of the air conditioner 11 operates the reading unit 145 of the mobile terminal device 14 according to the application described above, thereby obtaining the second information code IC2 from the access point 13.

[0064] In step S13, the mobile terminal device 14 requests a communication connection from the wireless LAN adapter 12. This initiates negotiation to establish a communication connection between the mobile terminal device 14 and the wireless LAN adapter 12. In this negotiation, the first identification information extracted from the first information code IC1 obtained in step S11 is used.

[0065] In the negotiation, the control unit 121 (see Figure 3) determines that the identification information received by the wireless communication unit 124 (see Figure 3) of the wireless LAN adapter 12 matches the first identification information stored in the storage unit 122 (see Figure 3). As a result, in step S14, a communication connection is established between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the mobile terminal device 14. This establishes a communication connection between the air conditioner 11 (see Figure 1) and the mobile terminal device 14 via the wireless LAN adapter 12.

[0066] In the next step S15 following step S14, the mobile terminal device 14 registers the second identification information extracted from the second information code IC2 acquired in step S12 with the wireless LAN adapter 12 and proceeds to the processing in step S16. Specifically, the user of the air conditioner 11 requests the wireless LAN adapter 12 to register the second identification information according to the application described above. As a result, the mobile terminal device 14 transmits the second identification information extracted from the second information code IC2 read in step S12, along with the information requesting the registration of the second identification information, to the wireless LAN adapter 12. The wireless LAN adapter 12 stores the received second identification information in the storage unit 122.

[0067] In step S16, the wireless LAN adapter 12 requests a communication connection from the access point 13. This initiates negotiation to establish a communication connection between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13. The second identification information stored in step S15 is used in this negotiation.

[0068] In step S17, when the access point 13 determines that the second identification information it receives matches the second identification information stored in the storage unit 132 (see Figure 4), a communication connection is established between the wireless LAN adapter 12 and the access point 13. As a result, the air conditioner 11 and the access point 13 are connected via the wireless LAN adapter 12.

[0069] 7. Effects of communication systems and communication methods: With conventional technology, when air conditioner users establish a communication connection between their mobile device and the wireless LAN adapter connected to the air conditioner, they may mistakenly read the access point's information code instead of the wireless LAN adapter's information code. This misreading of information codes is thought to be due to the difficulty in determining which code to read, given the existence of various information codes on different devices. Furthermore, the preconceived notion that an access point is necessary for communication may lead users to read the access point's information code, which is also considered a contributing factor.

[0070] Therefore, in the communication system 1 and communication method according to this embodiment, when establishing a communication connection between the mobile terminal device 14 and the wireless LAN adapter 12 connected to the air conditioner 11, the first information code IC1 of the wireless LAN adapter 12, which is the target of establishing a communication connection with the mobile terminal device 14, and the second information code IC2 of the access point 13, which is not the target of establishing a communication connection with the mobile terminal device 14, are read. The mobile terminal device 14 can determine which of the first identification information contained in the read first information code IC1 and the second identification information contained in the second information code IC2 is the identification information necessary for establishing a communication connection with the wireless LAN adapter 12. As a result, the communication system 1 and communication method according to this embodiment can reduce the possibility of failing to establish a communication connection by mistakenly reading an information code that is not necessary for establishing a communication connection with the wireless LAN adapter 12.

[0071] As described above, the communication system 1 according to this embodiment comprises an air conditioner 11 having a first information code IC1 which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices, an access point 13 having a second information code IC2 which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices, and a portable terminal device 14 capable of reading information codes. When establishing a communication connection between the portable terminal device 14 and the air conditioner 11, the first information code IC1 and the second information code IC2 are read by the portable terminal device 14.

[0072] Furthermore, the communication method according to this embodiment includes, when establishing a communication connection between the air conditioner 11 and the mobile terminal device 14, which are among the air conditioner 11, access point 13, and mobile terminal device 14 that can communicate with each other, step S11 in which the mobile terminal device reads a first information code IC1, which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices, and step S12 in which the mobile terminal device 14 reads a second information code IC2, which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices.

[0073] The communication system 1 and communication method having such a configuration can reduce the failure to establish a communication connection caused by incorrectly reading the information code.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. In the above embodiment, the mobile terminal device 14 stores the information code list ICL, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cloud server 3 may store the information code list ICL. In this case, the mobile terminal device 14 may upload the read first information code IC1 and second information code IC2 to the cloud server 3 via the access point 13 and the communication network 2, and the cloud server 3 may determine the information code. Alternatively, when the mobile terminal device 14 reads at least one of the first information code IC1 and the second information code IC2, it may download the information code list ICL from the cloud server 3 and determine the information code.

[0075] In the communication method according to the above embodiment, a communication connection is established between the mobile terminal device 14 and the wireless LAN adapter 12 after reading the first information code IC1 and the second information code IC2 (the flow from step S11 to step S13), but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a communication connection may be established between the mobile terminal device 14 and the wireless LAN adapter 12 after reading the first information code IC1 but before reading the second information code IC2.

[0076] Furthermore, in the communication method according to the above embodiment, the second information code IC2 is read after the first information code IC1 is read, but the first information code IC1 may be read after the second information code IC2 is read.

[0077] In an application for establishing a communication connection executed on the mobile terminal device 14, suppose the user mistakenly reads the second information code IC2 when requested to read the first information code IC1, or the user mistakenly reads the first information code IC1 when requested to read the second information code IC2. In this case, the mobile terminal device 14 may display on the display unit 144 that the information code reading was incorrect and prompt the user to reread the information code.

[0078] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrative and described embodiments, but also includes all embodiments that produce effects equivalent to those aimed at by the present invention. Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the combination of features of the invention defined by the claims, but can be defined by any desired combination of specific features from all disclosed features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1. Communication System 2. Communication Network 3. Cloud Server 11. Air conditioner 12 Wireless LAN Adapters 13 Access Points 14 Mobile terminal devices 111 Indoor unit 111a, 121, 131, 141 Control Unit 111b Air conditioning section 111c,122,132,142 Storage section 111d,123,134 Wired communication department 111e,124,133 Wireless Communication Department 143 Operation section 144 Display section 145 Reading section 146 Communications Department IC1 First Information Code IC2 Second Information Code ICL Information Code List

Claims

1. A first device having a first information code, which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices, A second device possessing a second information code, which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices, A portable terminal device capable of reading the aforementioned information code and Equipped with, When establishing a communication connection between the mobile terminal device and the first device, the first information code and the second information code are read by the mobile terminal device. A communication system characterized by the following features.

2. The mobile terminal device establishes a communication connection with the first device using the first identification information contained in the first information code it reads, and transmits the second identification information contained in the second information code it reads to the first device. The communication system according to feature 1.

3. The first device establishes a communication connection with the second device using the received second identification information. The communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 2.

4. The aforementioned mobile terminal device, A reading unit that reads the aforementioned information code and A determination unit that determines whether the information code read by the reading unit is the first information code or the second information code. has The communication system according to feature 1.

5. The aforementioned first device is a wireless local area network adapter for connecting an air conditioner to a wireless local area network, The second device is an access point connected to a communication network. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When establishing a communication connection between the first device and the mobile terminal device, among the first device, second device, and mobile terminal device which are capable of communicating with each other, The steps include: the mobile terminal device reading a first information code, which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices; The mobile terminal device reads a second information code, which is an information code necessary to establish a communication connection with other devices. A communication method characterized by the following features.

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