Home system, control unit, server, method for granting administrator privileges, and program for granting administrator privileges.

Abstract

We provide home systems and other devices that new residents of residential and other facilities can easily and safely begin using. [Solution] The home system comprises a server for managing users, facility equipment installed in the facility, a control device that relays communication between the server and the facility equipment, and a terminal device that can communicate with the server. The server manages user registrations that associate the users with the facility equipment and the control device that the users can use. The control device includes an identifier transmitter that transmits an administrator identifier that grants temporary administrator privileges to the terminal device in the vicinity. The server allows the terminal device to which the temporary administrator privileges have been granted to update the user registration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a home system, a control device, a server, an administrator privilege granting method, and an administrator privilege granting program.

Background Art

[0002] Household equipment and the like connectable to the Internet are increasing. Smart home systems that provide residents with comfortable and convenient functions by utilizing household equipment and the like connected to the Internet have been proposed.

[0003] When the resident of a house where a smart home system is installed changes, it is necessary to change the users who can use the smart home system from the previous resident to the new resident. Unless the registration of users who can use the smart home system (hereinafter also referred to as "user registration") is appropriately changed, it is difficult to ensure the security of the smart home system.

[0004] A smart home system that can be used by guests may be installed in accommodation facilities for short-term stays. Even in this case, when the guest changes, it is necessary to change the users who can use the smart home system from the previous guest to the new guest.

[0005] Methods for ensuring the security of a smart home system when the resident of a house where the smart home system is installed changes have been proposed. For example, the collective housing system described in Patent Document 1 deletes personal information stored in a housing terminal when a resident moves out.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, if the user registration is not properly updated when the occupants of a house equipped with a smart home system change, the conventional smart home system will not be able to detect the change in residents, making it difficult for the new occupants to start using the smart home system safely.

[0008] In light of the above circumstances, this disclosure aims to provide a home system, control device, server, method for granting administrator privileges, and program for granting administrator privileges that new residents of facilities such as residences can easily and safely begin using. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A home system according to a first aspect of this disclosure comprises a server for managing users, facility equipment installed in a facility, a control device for relaying communication between the server and the facility equipment, and a terminal device capable of communicating with the server, wherein the server manages user registrations that associate the users with the facility equipment and the control device that the users can use, the control device includes an identifier transmitting unit that transmits an administrator identifier that grants temporary administrator privileges to the terminal device in the vicinity, and the server permits the terminal device to which the temporary administrator privileges have been granted to update the user registration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall configuration of a home system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of the control unit for the home system. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram of the smartphone in the same home system. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram of the home system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] A home system 100 according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0012] [Home System 100] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the home system 100. The home system 100 comprises a residential equipment 1, a control device 2, a dedicated remote control 3, a router 4, a smartphone 6, and a server 7. The router 4, smartphone 6, and server 7 are connected via a network NW.

[0013] The network NW may be a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a private network (LAN) within a building where the home system 100 is installed, or a combination of the two. Furthermore, the network NW may be either wired or wireless. Other devices, such as access points, may be involved in communication between the devices.

[0014] Residential equipment 1 is a device installed as equipment in a residential building (HO). A residential building (HO) is, for example, a detached house, an apartment building, or a short-term lodging facility. Residential buildings (HO) to which residential equipment 1 is installed include not only buildings used for residential purposes, but also buildings not used for residential purposes, such as offices, schools, and hospitals. A residential building (HO) is an example of a "facility." Residential equipment 1 is an example of "facility equipment" installed as equipment in a facility. Facility equipment includes building equipment in buildings not used for residential purposes (e.g., office buildings). Furthermore, facility equipment includes not only equipment installed within a residential building (HO), but also equipment installed on the premises where the residential building (HO) is located.

[0015] Residential equipment 1 includes open / close sensors, electric locks, electric shutters, cameras, air conditioners, etc. Residential equipment 1 may also include energy management devices such as distribution boards and solar power generation equipment, sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors and motion sensors, faucets, toilets, smart home appliances, etc. Residential equipment 1 has a manual control input mechanism that receives manual control instructions from the user, and a remote control input mechanism that receives remote control instructions from a server 7, etc.

[0016] The residential facility 1 can communicate with a router via wireless LAN communication WC1 such as WiFi, or wired LAN communication. The residential facility 1 may communicate with the router via a controllable control device 2 using short-range wireless communication WC2 such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0017] The residential facility 1 has a remote control input mechanism that receives a remote control instruction from a smartphone 6 via a server 7. For example, a user can remotely operate the residential facility 1 using the smartphone 6 regardless of whether the user is at home or away from home.

[0018] The operating state of the residential facility 1 is acquired by the smartphone 6 via the server 7. For example, the user can check the operating state of the residential facility 1 using the smartphone 6 regardless of whether the user is at home or away from home.

[0019] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the control device 2. The control device 2 is a device that controls the connected residential facility 1. In addition, the control device 2 relays communication between the residential facility 1 and the router 4. The control device 2 is also referred to as a relay device or a home device. The control device 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a recording unit 23, and an identifier transmission unit 28.

[0020] The control unit 21 is a program-executable computer including a processor such as a CPU, a memory capable of reading a program, a storage unit capable of storing the program and data, and an input / output control unit. The functions of the control unit 21 are realized by the processor executing the program provided to the control unit 21.

[0021] The communication unit 22 includes an antenna and the like, and has a function of performing communication via wireless LAN communication WC1 such as Wi-Fi or wired LAN communication, and a function of performing communication via short-range wireless communication WC2 such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or NFC (Near Field Communication). The communication unit 22 can communicate with the home equipment 1 via the short-range wireless communication WC2 based on an instruction from the control unit 21. The communication unit 22 can communicate with the router 4 via the wireless LAN communication WC1 such as Wi-Fi or wired LAN communication based on an instruction from the control unit 21.

[0022] The recording unit 23 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The recording unit 23 records setting information of the control device 2. Specifically, the recording unit 23 records wireless connection information 25 and an administrator identifier 29.

[0023] The wireless connection information 25 includes wireless connection information necessary for communicating with the home equipment 1 via the short-range wireless communication WC2, and is, for example, pairing information of Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0024] The wireless connection information 25 includes wireless connection information necessary for communicating with the router 4 and the smartphone 6 via the wireless LAN communication WC1, and is, for example, a combination of a Wi-Fi SSID (Service Set Identifier) and a password corresponding to the SSID.

[0025] The identifier transmission unit 28 transmits an administrator identifier 29 that grants temporary administrator privileges to the smartphone 6 located in the short range. The administrator identifier 29 is acquired in advance from the server 7 and recorded in the recording unit 23.

[0026] For example, the identifier transmission unit 28 is an electronic tag readable using radio waves, and specifically is an RF tag, an IC tag, a wireless tag, an electronic tag, a contactless tag, an ID tag, or the like. In this case, the administrator identifier 29 is tag information included in the electronic tag.

[0027] For example, the identifier transmitting unit 28 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a touch panel. In this case, the administrator identifier 29 is code information contained in a two-dimensional barcode displayed by the display unit. Note that the image containing the administrator identifier 29 displayed on the display unit is not limited to a two-dimensional barcode, but may also be a one-dimensional barcode or a specific image predetermined in advance.

[0028] For example, if any of the residential equipment 1 has a display unit, the identifier transmitting unit 28 may be a mechanism that causes an image containing code information which is the administrator identifier 29 to be displayed on the display unit of the residential equipment 1. In this case, the control device 2 does not need to have a display unit.

[0029] The identifier transmitting unit 28 can re-acquire and change the administrator identifier 29 from the server 7 based on instructions from the server 7 or the like.

[0030] The identifier transmitting unit 28 can transmit code information, which is the administrator identifier 29, to devices connected to the LAN of the residential building HO via the LAN interface (Wi-Fi, Ethernet) of the communication unit 22.

[0031] [Router 4] Router 4 is installed in the residential HO and has the function of communicating via wireless LAN communication WC1 such as WiFi or wired LAN communication, as well as router functionality. Router 4 is a so-called "wireless LAN router". Router 4 communicates with equipment installed in the residential HO (including residential equipment 1 and control device 2) via wireless LAN communication WC1 or wired LAN communication. Router 4 relays communication with equipment via wireless LAN communication WC1 or wired LAN communication to the network NW via the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

[0032] [Smartphone 6] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of smartphone 6. A smartphone 6 is an example of a mobile device or terminal device. Mobile devices and terminal devices are not limited to a smartphone 6, and may include, for example, mobile phones, smartwatches, tablet devices, personal computers, etc.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the smartphone 6 includes a control unit 61, a wireless communication unit 62, a touch panel 63, a camera 64, and a microphone 65.

[0034] The control unit 61 is a program-executable computer having a processor such as a CPU, a memory capable of reading programs, a storage unit capable of storing programs and data, and an input / output control unit. The functions of the control unit 61 are realized by the processor executing programs provided to the control unit 61. Programs provided to the control unit 61 are also called applications. The control unit 61 controls the wireless communication unit 62, the touch panel 63, the camera 64, and the microphone 65.

[0035] The wireless communication unit 62 has an antenna and other components, and has the function of communicating via wireless LAN communication WC1 such as Wi-Fi, the function of communicating via short-range wireless communication WC2 such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, and NFC (Near field communication), and the function of communicating via high-speed wireless communication WC3 which can connect to a network NW using fourth-generation communication standards, fifth-generation communication standards, etc.

[0036] Based on instructions from the control unit 61, the wireless communication unit 62 can communicate with the residential equipment 1, the control device 2, and the router 4 via wireless LAN communication WC1 (LAN). Based on instructions from the control unit 61, the wireless communication unit 62 can communicate with the residential equipment 1 and the control device 2 via short-range wireless communication WC2 (PAN). Based on instructions from the control unit 61, the wireless communication unit 62 can communicate with the equipment management server 8 and the user management server 9 via high-speed wireless communication WC3 connected to the base station and the network NW.

[0037] The wireless communication unit 62 can read electronic tags such as RF tags using short-range wireless communication WC2.

[0038] The touch panel 63 is, for example, a capacitive touch panel. Input operations entered by the user on the touch panel are acquired by the control unit 61. The touch panel 63 displays a display screen based on instructions from the control unit 61. The touch panel 63 functions as an operation unit for inputting operations and a display unit for displaying the display screen.

[0039] Camera 64 is capable of capturing barcode images, such as two-dimensional barcodes. The code information contained in the barcode image is acquired by the control unit 61.

[0040] Smartphone 6 has a smart home application (AP) installed, which is an application that provides users with comfortable and convenient functions by utilizing the home equipment 1 connected to the network NW.

[0041] The smart home application AP can check the status of home equipment 1 based on user requests. Users can check the status of home equipment 1 using the smart home application AP whether they are at home or away from home.

[0042] The smart home application AP can generate remote control instructions for the home equipment 1. These remote control instructions for the home equipment 1 are acquired by the equipment management server 8 via the network NW. The home equipment 1 performs control based on the control instructions acquired via the network NW. The user can remotely operate the home equipment 1 using the smart home application AP, whether they are at home or away from home.

[0043] [Server 7] Server 7 is composed of, for example, one or more servers and is connectable to a network NW. A server includes hardware such as a processor (CPU), memory, recording media (hard disk or flash memory), and communication devices. The functions of Server 7 are realized by programs executed on the server's processor. A server may be an on-site server, a cloud server providing IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), SaaS (Software as a Service), etc., or a server combining these. In the following description, "server" includes any of the above servers.

[0044] Server 7 includes a device management server 8 and a user management server 9. Note that the device management server 8 and the user management server 9 may be the same server.

[0045] [Device Management Server 8] The device management server 8 is a server that manages the residential equipment 1. The device management server 8 obtains control instructions for residential equipment 1 generated in the smart home application AP. The control instructions for residential equipment 1 are obtained by residential equipment 1.

[0046] The device management server 8 obtains the status of the residential equipment 1 based on the user's request. The status of residential equipment 1 is obtained by the smart home application AP.

[0047] [User Management Server 9] The user management server 9 is a server that manages the registration of users who can use the home system 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "user registration"). The user management server 9 assigns a user code to registered users. The user code is a unique code within the home system 100 and is a code that identifies the user within the home system 100. The user code is, for example, a user ID.

[0048] User registration is information recorded that associates a user code, which identifies a user, with the equipment (including residential equipment 1 and control device 2) that the user can use. User registration may be recorded collectively for multiple pieces of equipment installed in residential HO, or it may be recorded separately for each piece of equipment. A registered user can use the associated equipment.

[0049] Users of the home system 100 can obtain a user code from the user management server 9. The user code obtained by the user is registered in the smart home application AP on the smartphone 6. The user code is also recorded in the device management server 8. Control instructions for the home equipment 1 generated by the user in the smart home application AP are obtained by the device management server 8 and the home equipment 1, which are associated based on the user code.

[0050] [Home System 100 Operation] Next, we will explain the operation of the home system 100. Hereafter, we will use the sequence diagram of the home system 100 shown in Figure 4 to explain its operation. Specifically, we will explain the operation of the home system 100 when a new resident moves into a rental property or when a new guest stays at a short-term accommodation facility, and when the new resident or guest (hereinafter referred to as "resident, etc.") begins using the home system 100.

[0051] New residents obtain a user code from server 7 in advance to use the home system 100. The new residents then register the obtained user code in the smart home application AP on their smartphone 6.

[0052] On server 7, the residential equipment 1 and control device 2 installed in the residential HO where the new resident lives remain associated with the user code of the previous resident. In this case, the new resident cannot use the residential equipment 1 and control device 2 installed in the residential HO as part of the home system 100. Therefore, the new resident can obtain an administrator identifier 29 that grants temporary administrator privileges from the control device 2, etc., and remove the association between the residential equipment 1 and control device 2 and the user code of the previous resident. The procedure is described below.

[0053] In step S110, the smart home application AP on smartphone 6 obtains an administrator identifier 29 from the identifier transmitter 28 of the control device 2. The administrator identifier 29 is tag information contained in an electronic tag such as an RF tag, or code information contained in an image such as a barcode image. If the identifier transmitter 28 is displaying a barcode image or the like on the display unit of the home equipment 1, the smart home application AP obtains the administrator identifier 29 from the display unit of the home equipment 1. The smart home application AP that obtains the administrator identifier 29 is granted temporary administrator privileges. These temporary administrator privileges are revoked, for example, within a predetermined time. These temporary administrator privileges are also revoked, for example, if the user moves from the location where they were obtained.

[0054] In step S120, the smart home application AP requests the server 7 to update the user registration. Specifically, the smart home application AP requests the deletion of the association between the home equipment 1 and control device 2 and the user code of a previous resident, and the addition (including overwriting) of the association between the home equipment 1 and control device 2 and its own user code.

[0055] In step S130, Server 7 allows the Smart Home Application AP, which has been temporarily granted administrator privileges, to update user registration. This enables new residents to use the residential equipment 1 and control device 2 installed in the house HO where they live as part of the Home System 100. New residents can use the Smart Home Application AP to check the status of the residential equipment 1 and control device 2 and to remotely control them.

[0056] Server 7 will not provide new residents with personal information of previous residents. This protects the personal information of previous residents.

[0057] In step S140, server 7 updates the administrator identifier 29 recorded by control device 2. This is because it is desirable to invalidate the administrator identifier 29 once it has been used so that it cannot be reused when the resident or other person no longer resides in the residence HO.

[0058] According to the home system 100 of this embodiment, new residents of a residence HO can easily and safely begin using the home system 100 as users. The administrator identifier 29 is only acquired when the new resident is in close proximity to the residential equipment 1 and the control device 2. Furthermore, the administrator privileges granted by the administrator identifier 29 are temporary. Therefore, the home system 100 can safely allow new residents of a residence HO to update their user registration.

[0059] Although one embodiment of this disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components shown in the above-described embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0060] The programs for the control device 2, smartphone 6, server 7, etc., are recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The programs recorded on this recording medium are loaded into the computer system and executed. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside the computer system that acts as a server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the above programs may be for the purpose of realizing some of the functions described above, or they may be able to realize the above functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system, or they may be realized using programmable logic devices such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 100...Home System, AP...Smart Home Application, 1...Residential Equipment, 2...Control Device, 4...Router, 6...Smartphone, 7...Server, 8...Device Management Server, 9...User Management Server

Claims

1. A server that manages users, The facility equipment installed in the facility, A control device that relays communication between the server and the facility equipment, A terminal device capable of communicating with the aforementioned server, Equipped with, The server manages user registrations that associate the user with the facilities and equipment and control devices that the user can use. The control device includes an identifier transmitting unit that transmits an administrator identifier that grants temporary administrator privileges to the terminal device located nearby, The server permits the terminal device, which has been granted temporary administrator privileges, to update the user registration. Home system.

2. The identifier transmitting unit is an electronic tag that can be read using radio waves. The administrator identifier is the tag information contained in the electronic tag. The home system according to claim 1.

3. The identifier transmitting unit is a display unit, The administrator identifier is code information included in the image displayed by the display unit. The home system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned facility equipment has a display unit, The identifier transmitting unit causes the display unit of the facility equipment to display an image containing code information which is the administrator identifier. The home system according to claim 1.

5. The terminal device to which the administrator privileges have been granted can change or delete the user associated with the facility equipment and the control device in the user registration. The home system according to claim 1.

6. The identifier transmitting unit is capable of communication using a LAN interface. The administrator identifier is code information that can be communicated via the LAN interface. The home system according to claim 1.

7. When the user registration is updated, the server causes the control device to update the administrator identifier. The home system according to claim 1.

8. A communication unit capable of communicating with terminal devices, An identifier transmitting unit that transmits an administrator identifier that grants temporary administrator privileges to the terminal device located nearby, Equipped with, Control device.

9. The identifier transmitting unit is an electronic tag that can be read using radio waves. The administrator identifier is the tag information contained in the electronic tag. The control device according to claim 8.

10. The identifier transmitting unit is a display unit, The administrator identifier is code information included in the image displayed by the display unit. The control device according to claim 8.

11. A server capable of communicating with facility equipment and terminal devices installed in a facility, The system manages user registrations that associate the user to be managed with the facilities and equipment that the user can use. Allow the terminal device, which has been granted temporary administrator privileges, to update the user registration. server.

12. A method for temporarily granting a terminal device administrator privileges that allow it to update user registrations that associate a user with a control device that the user can use, The control device temporarily grants the administrator privileges to the terminal device located nearby. How to grant administrator privileges.

13. A program that temporarily grants a terminal device administrator privileges that allow it to update user registrations that associate a user with a control device that the user can use, The control device is instructed to temporarily grant the administrator privileges to the terminal device located nearby. A program that grants administrator privileges.

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