Information processing system, server, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To simplify the work of registering user information with a second server when providing a second service provided by the second server to a user who uses a first service provided by a first server, using an existing system.SOLUTION: In an information processing system provided with a first server for managing device information, which is information on devices installed in a facility, and a second server which provides a predetermined service based on the device information, the second server has a control unit for enabling communication with the first server, the control unit accepts input of a management ID corresponding to the device information, acquires the device information from the first server, and periodically accesses the first server to update the device information acquired by the control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, a server, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Air conditioner manufacturers provide a variety of services, such as an equipment monitoring service for monitoring air conditioners, a remote control service for remotely operating air conditioners, and an air conditioner maintenance service.

[0003] Furthermore, in a remote maintenance management system for cooling and heating equipment, a technique is known in which, when registering contract information, a customer ID or the like is used to acquire information from a server system (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-275317 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, various services provided by air conditioner manufacturers and the like may provide services to users by providing a server for each service and registering user information in each server. In this way, when a server is provided for each service, for example, when a second service provided by a second server is provided to a user who is using a first service provided by a first server, there is a problem that a task of registering user information in the second server is required.

[0006] On the other hand, a method such as the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be considered in which information managed by various services is consolidated into a server system. In this case, however, it is necessary to reconsider the configuration of existing systems that provide various services.

[0007] The present disclosure utilizes an existing system to simplify the task of registering user information in a second server when a second service provided by a second server is provided to a user who is using a first service provided by a first server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system capable of communicating with a first server that manages device information, which is information about devices installed in a facility, and having a second server that provides a specified service based on the device information, wherein the second server has a control unit that can communicate with the first server, and the control unit accepts input of a management ID corresponding to the device information, acquires the device information from the first server, and periodically accesses the first server to update the device information acquired by the control unit.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, when a second service provided by a second server is provided to a user who is using a first service provided by a first server by utilizing an existing system, the task of registering user information in a second server can be simplified.

[0010] A second aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit periodically checks the device information managed by the first server, and if there is a change in the device information managed by the first server, updates the device information acquired by the control unit.

[0011] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the management ID is linked to the device information.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the management ID is further linked to information about the facility.

[0013] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system according to any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first server acquires operation information of an air conditioner installed in the facility and provides a first service of remotely monitoring the air conditioner.

[0014] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the remote monitoring includes a test run function of the remote monitoring.

[0015] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the first server acquires the equipment information of the air conditioner from a communication device connected to the air conditioner when performing a trial run of the remote monitoring.

[0016] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the second server provides a second service different from the first service.

[0017] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system according to the eighth aspect, wherein the second service includes a service related to inspection of the air conditioner.

[0018] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system according to any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first server provides a first service for managing a trial run of an air conditioner installed in the facility, and the second server provides a second service relating to the air conditioner that is different from the first service.

[0019] An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system described in the tenth aspect, wherein when the first server terminates provision of the first service, the second server also terminates provision of the second service.

[0020] A server according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a second server capable of communicating with a first server that manages device information, which is information about devices installed in a facility, and providing a specified service based on the device information, wherein the second server has a control unit capable of communicating with the first server, and the control unit accepts input of a management ID corresponding to the device information, acquires the device information from the first server, and periodically accesses the first server to update the device information acquired by the control unit.

[0021] An information processing method according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides an information processing system having a second server capable of communicating with a first server that manages device information, which is information about devices installed in a facility, and providing a specified service based on the device information, wherein the second server has a control unit capable of communicating with the first server, and the control unit accepts input of a management ID corresponding to the device information, acquires the device information from the first server, and periodically accesses the first server to update the device information acquired by the control unit.

[0022] A program according to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system having a second server capable of communicating with a first server that manages device information, which is information about devices installed in a facility, and providing a specified service based on the device information, wherein the second server has a control unit capable of communicating with the first server, and causes the control unit to accept input of a management ID corresponding to the device information, obtain the device information from the first server, and periodically access the first server to update the device information obtained by the control unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a user information registration process according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user information update process according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information registered in user information according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the entire process of the second server according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure (the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0025] <Configuration of information processing system> 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes, for example, a first server 10, a second server 20, an administrator terminal 30, a user terminal 40, a communication device 50, and air conditioners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, etc. In the following description, when referring to any air conditioner among the air conditioners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, etc., the term "air conditioner 51" is used.

[0026] The first server 10, the second server 20, the administrator terminal 30, the user terminal 40, and the communication device 50 are connected to a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network) and can communicate with each other. For example, the first server 10 can communicate with the communication device 50 and the second server 20 via the communication network. In addition, the second server 20 and the control unit 111 can communicate with the first server 10, the administrator terminal 30, and the user terminal 40 via the communication network.

[0027] The first server 10 is a system including one or more information processing devices having a computer configuration. The first server 10 includes a first control unit 101, manages equipment information that is information on air conditioners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, etc. installed in the facility 2, and provides a first service of remotely monitoring the air conditioners 51. The first server 10 may further manage equipment information on equipment other than the air conditioner 51, such as lighting devices and elevators. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the first server 10 manages equipment information on the air conditioner 51 installed in the facility 2.

[0028] The first control unit 101 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the first server 10, and executes a predetermined program to realize various functions included in the first server 10. Note that the first control unit 101 may be a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0029] The first control unit 101 executes a predetermined program to obtain operation information of the air conditioner 51 installed in the facility and provide a remote monitoring service for remotely monitoring the air conditioner 51. In the example of Fig. 1, the first control unit 101 obtains operation information of the air conditioners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, ... using a communication device 50 capable of communicating via a communication network. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, if the air conditioner 51 is capable of communicating with the first control unit 101, the first control unit 101 may obtain operation information from the air conditioner 51 without going through the communication device 50.

[0030] The first control unit 101 stores and manages equipment information of the air conditioner 51 to be monitored in an equipment information DB (database) 103. The first control unit 101 also stores and manages operation information and the like acquired from the air conditioner 51 to be monitored in an operation information DB 104. Furthermore, the first control unit 101 provides remote monitoring services such as failure prediction, abnormality notification, remote emergency operation, emergency dispatch, remote recovery, or remote inspection of the air conditioner 51 based on the equipment information of the air conditioner 51 and the operation information of the air conditioner 51.

[0031] In addition, the first control unit 101 provides a test run service (test run function) for performing a test run of the remote monitoring by executing a test run application, which is an application program for performing a test run of the remote monitoring. For example, when a manager who manages the information processing system 1 installs a new device such as an air conditioner 51 or a communication device 50 in the facility 2, the manager can perform a test run of the remote monitoring by the remote monitoring service using the first server 10. Here, the test run of the remote monitoring includes, for example, a series of processes for testing whether the first control unit 101 can correctly acquire various pieces of information from the air conditioners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, etc., which are to be monitored, via the communication device 50. The test run service provided by the first control unit 101 is included in the first service provided by the first server 10.

[0032] Prior to a trial run, an administrator or the like inputs property information (facility information) required for the trial run into the first server 10. The first control unit 101 stores and manages the input property information in the property information DB 105. This property information includes, for example, the user's contract information, the installation location (postal code, address, telephone number, floor name, room number, etc.), and property name (facility name), etc. The property information is an example of information about the facility 2 in which the air conditioner 51 is installed.

[0033] Furthermore, the first control unit 101 can acquire device information of the air conditioner 51 newly installed in the facility 2 through a test run. This allows the first server 10 to manage the latest information on the communication device 50 and devices such as the air conditioner 51 installed in the facility 2.

[0034] The first server 10 provides an API 102 for an external device such as the second server 20 to utilize a service provided by the first control unit 101. For example, the second server 20 can utilize a remote monitoring service and a trial run service provided by the first control unit 101 by using the API 102. For example, an administrator 31 can cause the first control unit 101 to execute a trial run using an administrator terminal 30 connected to the second server 20. The API 102 may be divided into an API for utilizing the remote monitoring service and an API for utilizing the trial run service.

[0035] 1 is an example. For example, the first server 10 may include a control unit that provides a remote monitoring service and another control unit that provides a trial run service. The first server 10 may further include another control unit that provides a service different from the remote monitoring service and the trial run service.

[0036] The second server 20 is an information processing device having a computer configuration, or a system including a plurality of information processing devices. The second server 20 includes a control unit (second control unit) 111 capable of communicating with the first server 10 via a communication network, and provides a second service (a predetermined service) different from the first service provided by the first server 10. The control unit (second control unit) 111 is an example of a control unit according to this embodiment. In the following description, the control unit (second control unit) 111 will be simply referred to as the control unit 111.

[0037] The second service provided by the second server 20 includes, for example, a service related to the inspection of the air conditioner 51. For example, the second server 20 provides services such as freon inspection management, abnormality management, or visualization of the status of the air conditioner 51.

[0038] The second service provided by the second server 20 may overlap with the first service provided by the first server 10. For example, the remote monitoring service provided by the first server 10 includes a simplified inspection service that complies with the Fluorocarbons Emission Control Law. Even in this case, the second server 20 may provide a more detailed inspection service that complies with the Fluorocarbons Emission Control Law.

[0039] The control unit 111 is a processor such as a CPU included in the second server 20, and executes a predetermined program to realize various functions included in the second server 20. The control unit 111 may be a device such as an ASIC or an FPGA. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the control unit 111 is a processor that executes a predetermined program.

[0040] The control unit 111 executes a predetermined program to thereby execute, for example, a display control process, an information management process, a service provision process, and the like.

[0041] The display control process includes, for example, a process of displaying a UI (User Interface) screen for using the service provided by the second server 20 on the administrator terminal 30 used by the administrator 31 or the user terminal 40 used by the user 41. For example, the display control process provides a web page that displays a UI screen for using the service provided by the second server 20.

[0042] This allows the administrator 31 or the like to use a web browser included in the administrator terminal 30, or an application program (hereinafter, referred to as an app) corresponding to the second server 20 to display a UI screen provided by the second server 20. Also, the user 41 or the like can use a web browser included in the user terminal 40, or an app corresponding to the second server 20 to display a UI screen provided by the second server 20. The administrator terminal 30 and the user terminal 40 are, for example, information terminals such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0043] The information management process includes a process of acquiring the above-mentioned property information, device information, and the like from the first server 10, and registering the acquired information in a device information DB (Database) 112 or the like.

[0044] For example, the information management process acquires property information and device information of the user from the first server 10 and registers the information in the user information when the second service provided by the second server 20 is provided to the user who is using the first service provided by the first server 10. This simplifies the task of registering user information in the second server 20 when the second server 20 provides the second service provided by the second server 20 to the user who is using the first service provided by the first server 10.

[0045] Furthermore, the information management process periodically accesses the first server 10 to update the acquired device information, property information, etc. This allows the second server 20 to keep the device information, property information, etc. managed by the second server 20 up to date while utilizing the existing system.

[0046] The service provision process includes a process of providing a second service to a user based on the device information stored in the device information DB 112. For example, the service provision process acquires operation information of the air conditioner 51 used by the user based on the device information stored in the device information DB 112. The service provision process also provides the above-mentioned second service based on the acquired information. The service provision process also registers various information related to the second service in the service information DB 113, etc.

[0047] <Hardware configuration> The second server 20 has, for example, a hardware configuration of a computer 200 as shown in Fig. 3. The first server 10, the administrator terminal 30, the user terminal 40, and the communication device 50 have the same hardware configuration as the computer 200. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer according to this embodiment. The computer 200 has, for example, a control unit 111, a memory 201, a storage device 202, a communication device 203, an output device 204, an input device 205, a drive device 206, and a bus 208.

[0048] The control unit 111 is a processor such as a CPU that realizes various functions by executing a predetermined program stored in a storage medium such as the storage device 202 or the memory 201. Note that the control unit 111 may include a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) in addition to the CPU.

[0049] The memory 201 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) which is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like for the control unit 111, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a non-volatile memory that stores programs for starting up the control unit 111. The storage device 202 is a non-volatile large-capacity storage device that stores an OS (Operating System), programs such as applications, and various data.

[0050] The communication device 203 includes various communication interfaces for communicating with other devices, such as a network interface card (NIC) that connects the computer 200 to a communication network, or a wireless communication interface that performs wireless wide area network (WAN) communication or wireless LAN communication.

[0051] The output device 204 is an output device that outputs to the outside, such as a display, a speaker, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The input device 205 is an input device that accepts input from the outside, such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a pointing device. The output device 204 and the input device 205 may be a single display input device, such as a touch panel display.

[0052] The drive device 206 is a device for connecting a storage medium (recording medium) 207 to the computer 200. The storage medium 207 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a magneto-optical disk. The storage medium 207 may also include semiconductor memories that record information electrically, such as a ROM or a flash memory. The bus 208 is commonly connected to the above components, and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

[0053] <Processing flow> Next, the process flow of the information processing method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0054] (User information registration process) 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a user information registration process according to the present embodiment. This process shows an example of a process in which an administrator or the like registers user information in a second server when a second service provided by a second server 20 is provided to a user who uses a first service provided by a first server 10.

[0055] In step S301, the administrator or the like performs a user registration operation using the administrator terminal 30. For example, the administrator or the like logs into the second server using the administrator terminal 30, displays a user registration screen, and inputs user registration information.

[0056] In step S302, the administrator terminal 30 transmits the user registration information input by the administrator or the like to the second server 20. In response to this, in step S303, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 performs user registration based on the user registration information received from the administrator terminal 30. For example, the control unit 111 registers the user registration information received from the administrator terminal 30 in the device information DB 112 or the like.

[0057] In step S304, the administrator or the like registers the management ID of the user using the administrator terminal 30. Here, the management ID is linked in the first server 10 to device information, which is information on devices such as the air conditioner 51 and communication device 50 used by the user. Also, the management ID is linked in the first server 10 to property information, which is information on the facility 2 in which the air conditioner 51 and communication device 50 used by the user are installed. Note that the name of the management ID is an example, and may be another name such as a property ID, facility ID, equipment ID, contract ID, or tenant ID.

[0058] In step S305, the administrator terminal 30 transmits the management ID input by the administrator or the like to the second server 20. In response to this, in step S306, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 registers the management ID received from the administrator terminal 30 in information of the user who has registered (hereinafter referred to as user information). For example, the control unit 111 associates the management ID received from the administrator terminal 30 with user registration information already registered in the device information DB 112, and registers it in the device information DB 112.

[0059] The processes in steps S301 to S306 are merely an example. For example, the first server 10 may manage the user registration information and property information by linking them to the management ID. In this case, when the administrator or the like registers the management ID in the second server 20 from the administrator terminal 30, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 can obtain the user registration information corresponding to the management ID from the first server 10. Therefore, the administrator or the like can complete the user registration by simply registering the management ID in the second server 20.

[0060] In step S307, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 utilizes the API 102 of the first server 10 to request the first server 10 to acquire property information linked to the management ID registered in step S306. In response to this, in step S308, the first control unit 101 of the first server 10 acquires the property information linked to the management ID from the property information DB 105, and transmits the acquired property information to the second server 20. This allows the control unit 111 of the second server 20 to acquire property information that is information on the facility 2 in which devices such as the air conditioner 51 and communication device 50 used by the user are installed.

[0061] In step S309, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 utilizes the API 102 of the first server 10 to request the first server 10 to acquire device information linked to the management ID registered in step S306. In response to this, in step S310, the first control unit 101 of the first server 10 acquires the device information linked to the management ID from the device information DB 103, and transmits the acquired device information to the second server 20. This allows the control unit 111 of the second server 20 to acquire device information that is information on devices such as the air conditioner 51 and communication device 50 used by the user.

[0062] In step S311, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 registers the property information and device information acquired from the first server 10 in the user information.

[0063] In step S312, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 periodically updates the property information and device information acquired from the first server 10. For example, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 periodically executes an update process of user information as shown in FIG.

[0064] (User information update process) Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a user information update process according to this embodiment. This process shows an example of a user information update process that is periodically executed by the control unit 111 of the second server 20 after executing the processes of steps S301 to S311 in Fig. 3. Note that it is preferable that the frequency of executing this process can be set by an administrator or the like to an arbitrary value, such as once a month, once a week, or once a day.

[0065] In steps S401 and S402, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 uses the API 102 of the first server 10 to check the property information linked to the management ID registered in the user information and judges whether the property information has changed. At this time, the control unit 111 may request the first server 10 to check whether the property information has changed, or may obtain the property information from the first server 10 and check whether the property information has changed. If the property information has changed, the control unit 111 shifts the process to step S403. On the other hand, if the property information has not changed, the control unit 111 shifts the process to step S404.

[0066] In step S403, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 updates the property information registered in the user information. For example, the control unit 111 acquires property information that has been changed since the last time it was acquired, and reflects the changes in the property information.

[0067] In steps S404 and S405, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 uses the API 102 of the first server 10 to check the device information associated with the management ID registered in the user information and determines whether the device information has changed. At this time, the control unit 111 may request the first server 10 to check whether the device information has changed, or may obtain the device information from the first server 10 and check whether the device information has changed. If the device information has changed, the control unit 111 shifts the process to step S406. On the other hand, if the device information has not changed, the control unit 111 ends the process of FIG. 4.

[0068] In step S406, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 updates the device information registered in the user information. For example, the control unit 111 acquires device information that has been changed since the last time it was acquired, and reflects the changes in the device information.

[0069] 3 and 4, when the second server 20 provides a second service to a user who uses a first service provided by the first server 10, the task of registering user information in the second server 20 can be simplified. For example, an administrator can register property information 503 and device information 504 in user information 500 as shown in FIG. 5, for example, without inputting property information and device information to be registered in the user information in the second server 20.

[0070] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information registered in user information according to this embodiment. In the example of Fig. 5, in user information 500, a management ID 502, property information 503, and device information 504 are registered in association with a user name 501. Here, the user name 501 is information indicating the name, title, etc. of a user (e.g., an individual, a company, a customer, etc.). The management ID 502 is identification information associated with the property information 503 and device information 504 in the information processing system 1.

[0071] The property information 503 is property information acquired by the control unit 111 of the second server 20 from the first server 10. In the example of FIG. 5, the property information 503 includes, for example, information such as "contract ID", "facility name", and "address". "Contract ID" is identification information for identifying a contract with a user. "Facility name" is information indicating the name of the facility 2 in which devices such as the air conditioner 51 and the communication device 50 are installed. "Address" is information indicating the address of the facility 2 in which the devices are installed. The property information may further include various information such as a postal code, a telephone number, a floor name, and a room number.

[0072] The device information 504 is device information acquired by the control unit 111 of the second server 20 from the first server 10. In the example of FIG. 5, the device information 504 includes, by way of example, information such as "device name", "management number", "system name", and "installation date". "Device name" is information indicating the name of devices such as the air conditioner 51 and the communication device 50. "Management number" is a management number that identifies a device. Note that the "management number" may be a device ID or the like that identifies a device.

[0073] "System name" is information such as a name indicating a system of an apparatus. In the example of Fig. 5, as an example, the same system name is given to the communication device 50 and the air conditioners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, ... connected to the communication device 50. Note that "system name" may be a system ID or the like that identifies the system. "Installation date" is information indicating the date on which the apparatus was installed.

[0074] In the conventional technology, when a second service provided by a second server 20 is provided to a user who is using a first service provided by a first server 10, an administrator or the like must register user information, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the second server 20.

[0075] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, when an administrator or the like registers a user in the second server 20, the administrator or the like can enter an administration ID, thereby registering, for example, user information 500 as shown in FIG. 5 in the second server 20.

[0076] Furthermore, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 periodically accesses the first server 10 to update the acquired property information and device information. Since the first server 10 always manages the latest device information in order to perform a trial run of remote monitoring, the second server 20 can also manage the latest property information and device information.

[0077] 5, the property information 503 corresponding to the management ID 502 is common. In such a case, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 may, for example, reduce the frequency of periodically accessing the first server 10 to update the "property information" or may omit the process of updating the "property information".

[0078] (Overall processing) Here, the flow of the entire process of the second server 20 will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the entire process of the second server according to this embodiment. Note that detailed description of the process contents described in Figs. 3 and 4 will be omitted here.

[0079] In step S601, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 registers (registers the user) the user registration information accepted from the administrator terminal 30. Note that this process corresponds to, for example, the processes of steps S302 and S303 in FIG.

[0080] In step S602, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 registers in the user information the management ID accepted from the administrator terminal 30. Note that this process corresponds to, for example, the processes of S305 and S306 in FIG.

[0081] In step S603, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 uses the registered management ID to acquire property information linked to the management ID from the first server 10. This process corresponds to, for example, the processes of steps S307 and S308 in FIG.

[0082] In step S604, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 uses the registered management ID to acquire device information associated with the management ID from the first server 10. Note that this process corresponds to, for example, the processes of steps S309 and S310 in FIG.

[0083] In step S605, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 registers the acquired property information and device information in user information. As a result, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, information such as a user name 501, a management ID 502, property information 503, and device information 504 can be registered in user information 500.

[0084] In step S606, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 provides a second service to the user based on the registered user information. For example, the control unit 111 acquires operation information, inspection information, warning information, or the like of the air conditioner 51 from the first server 10 based on the device information 504 of the registered user information 500. Furthermore, the control unit 111 provides a second service, such as freon inspection management, abnormality management, or visualization of the status of the air conditioner 51, based on the acquired information.

[0085] In step S607, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 checks whether the property information and device information managed by the first server 10 have been changed and then judges whether a predetermined time has elapsed. This predetermined time corresponds to, for example, the frequency at which the user information update process described in Fig. 4 is periodically executed (for example, once a month, once a week, once a day, etc.). Note that this process is executed every time the predetermined time elapses, even if the second service is being provided in step S606.

[0086] If the predetermined time has not elapsed, control unit 111 returns the process to step S606. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, control unit 111 shifts the process to step S608.

[0087] In step S608, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 determines whether the user's contract for the first service is valid. If the contract for the first service is valid, the control unit 111 shifts the process to step S609. On the other hand, if the contract for the first service is not valid, the control unit 111 shifts the process to step S610.

[0088] In step S609, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 executes a user information update process as shown in FIG. 4, for example, and then returns the process to step S606.

[0089] On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S610, the control unit 111 of the second server 20, for example, ends the provision of the second service. This is because the second service provided by the second server 20 is premised on the first service provided by the first server 10. For example, if the user cancels the first service, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 will no longer be able to obtain the operation information of the air conditioner 51 from the first server 10. Therefore, when the user's contract for the first service ends, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 also ends the provision of the second service.

[0090] (Example of display screen) Here, an example of a display screen (UI screen) that the control unit 111 of the second server 20 causes the administrator terminal 30 to display will be described.

[0091] 7 to 9 are diagrams showing examples of display screens according to this embodiment. Fig. 7 shows an example of a user list screen 700 that the control unit 111 of the second server 20 causes the administrator terminal 30 to display. The user list screen 700 displays a list of users registered in the second service provided by the second server 20. The administrator or the like can manually register or edit device information of a user 701 by selecting a "Register / Edit Device" button 702 on this user list screen 700.

[0092] Also, the administrator, for example, can display a device registration screen 800 as shown in FIG. 8 and acquire device information linked to the management ID of user A from the first server 10. For example, when the administrator, for example, selects a "Import device information for remote monitoring service" button 801 on the device registration screen 800, the control unit 111 of the second server 20 causes a confirmation screen 900 as shown in FIG. 9 to be displayed on the administrator terminal 30. When the administrator, for example, selects an "Execute" button 901 on this confirmation screen 900, the control unit 111 acquires device information linked to the management ID of user A from the first server 10. Note that, if device information linked to the management ID of user A has already been acquired, the control unit 111 synchronizes the data of the device information and acquires only device information that has increased or decreased.

[0093] In this way, the administrator or the like can use the UI screen provided by the control unit 111 of the second server 20 to obtain or update the device information linked to the user's management ID from the first server 10.

[0094] As described above, the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure is capable of communicating with a first server 10 that manages equipment information, which is information about equipment (such as air conditioners 51 and communication devices 50) installed in a facility 2, and has a second server 20 that provides a specified service based on the equipment information. The second server 20 has a control unit 111 that can communicate with the first server 10, and the control unit 111 accepts input of a management ID corresponding to the equipment information, acquires the equipment information from the first server 10, and periodically accesses the first server 10 to update the equipment information acquired by the control unit 111.

[0095] According to the present disclosure, the information processing system 1 can utilize an existing system to simplify the task of registering user information in the second server 20 when providing a second service provided by the second server 20 to a user who is using a first service provided by the first server 10.

[0096] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, the control unit 111 periodically checks the device information managed by the first server 10, and when there is a change in the device information managed by the first server 10, updates the device information acquired by the control unit 111. This allows the second server 20 to keep the device information managed by the second server 20 up to date.

[0097] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, the management ID is linked to the device information, so that the second server 20 can easily obtain the device information by using the management ID.

[0098] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, the management ID is further linked to property information (information on the facility 2). This allows the second server 20 to easily acquire the property information by using the management ID.

[0099] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, the first server 10 acquires operation information of the air conditioner 51 installed in the facility 2, and provides a first service of remotely monitoring the air conditioner 51. As a result, the second server 20 sets the server from which the control unit 111 acquires equipment information as the first server 10, which is the first server that acquires operation information of the air conditioner 51 and provides the first service of remotely monitoring the air conditioner 51, and thereby makes effective use of information that the first server 10 has traditionally held.

[0100] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, the first service includes a trial run function of remote monitoring.

[0101] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, the first server 10 acquires device information of the air conditioner 51 from the communication device 50 connected to the air conditioner 51 when performing a test run for remote monitoring.

[0102] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, the second server 20 provides a second service different from the first service. This allows the information processing system 1 to simplify the task of registering user information in the second server 20 even when the information processing system 1 is to provide a second service different from the first service using the second server 20. In this way, the information processing system 1 can simplify the task of registering user information when providing different services rather than the same service.

[0103] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, the second service includes a service relating to inspection of the air conditioner 51.

[0104] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 of the present disclosure, the first server 10 provides a first service of managing the trial operation of an air conditioner 51 installed in the facility 2, and the second server 20 provides a second service related to the air conditioner 51 that is different from the first service.

[0105] Preferably, in the information processing system 1 according to the present disclosure, when the first server 10 ends the provision of the first service, the second server 20 also ends the provision of the second service. This allows the information processing system 1 to end the provision of the second service simply by carrying out a procedure for ending the provision of the first service, thereby simplifying the registration process for the end of the service provision.

[0106] The server according to the present disclosure is a second server 20 capable of communicating with a first server 10 that manages equipment information, which is information about equipment (such as air conditioners 51 and communication devices 50) installed in a facility 2, and that provides a specified service based on the equipment information, the second server 20 having a control unit 111 capable of communicating with the first server 10, the control unit 111 accepting input of a management ID corresponding to the equipment information, acquiring the equipment information from the first server 10, and periodically accessing the first server 10 to update the equipment information acquired by the control unit 111.

[0107] As a result, the second server 20 of the present disclosure can utilize an existing system to simplify the task of registering user information in the second server 20 when providing a second service provided by the second server 20 to a user who is using a first service provided by the first server 10.

[0108] The information processing method of the present disclosure relates to an information processing system 1 having a second server 20 that is capable of communicating with a first server 10 that manages equipment information, which is information about equipment (such as air conditioners 51 and communication devices 50) installed in a facility 2, and provides a specified service based on the equipment information. The second server 20 has a control unit 111 that is capable of communicating with the first server 10, and the control unit 111 accepts input of a management ID corresponding to the equipment information, acquires the equipment information from the first server 10, and periodically accesses the first server 10 to update the equipment information acquired by the control unit 111.

[0109] As a result, the information processing method of the present disclosure can utilize an existing system to simplify the task of registering user information in the second server 20 when providing a second service provided by the second server 20 to a user who is using a first service provided by the first server 10.

[0110] The program of the present disclosure is an information processing system 1 having a second server 20 that is capable of communicating with a first server 10 that manages equipment information, which is information about equipment (such as air conditioners 51 and communication devices 50) installed in a facility 2, and provides a specified service based on the equipment information. The second server 20 has a control unit 111 that is capable of communicating with the first server 10, and causes the control unit 111 to accept input of a management ID corresponding to the equipment information, acquire the equipment information from the first server 10, and periodically access the first server 10 to update the equipment information acquired by the control unit 111.

[0111] As a result, the program of the present disclosure can utilize an existing system to simplify the task of registering user information in the second server 20 when providing a second service provided by the second server 20 to a user who is using a first service provided by the first server 10.

[0112] Although the embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1. Information Processing Systems 2 Facilities 10 First Server 20 Second Server 50 Communication equipment 51, 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d Air conditioners (examples of equipment) 111 Control section 200 Computers 502 Management ID 503 Property Information (Facility Information) 504 Machine Intelligence

Claims

1. An information processing system including a first server that can communicate with a first server that manages device information, which is information about devices installed in a facility, and a second server that provides a predetermined service based on the device information, and an administrator terminal, the second server has a control unit capable of communicating with the first server and the administrator terminal; The control unit is receiving a management ID corresponding to the device information of a device used by the user, the management ID being transmitted from the administrator terminal when providing a second service provided by the second server to the user who is using a first service provided by the first server; acquiring the device information corresponding to the management ID from the first server; registering the acquired device information in user information of the user; periodically accessing the first server and updating the device information registered in the user information; Information processing system.

2. 2. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the control unit periodically checks the device information managed by the first server, and if there is a change in the device information managed by the first server, updates the device information registered in the user information.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the management ID is linked to the device information.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3 , wherein the management ID is further linked to information about the facility.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the first server obtains operation information of an air conditioner installed in the facility and provides a first service of remotely monitoring the air conditioner.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5 , wherein the remote monitoring includes a test run function of the remote monitoring.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6 , wherein the first server acquires the device information of the air conditioner from a communication device connected to the air conditioner when performing a test run of the remote monitoring.

8. The information processing system according to claim 5 , wherein the second server provides a second service different from the first service.

9. The information processing system according to claim 8 , wherein the second service includes a service relating to inspection of the air conditioner.

10. The first server provides a first service for managing a test run of an air conditioner installed in the facility; the second server provides a second service related to the air conditioner, which is different from the first service; 3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The information processing system according to claim 10 , wherein when the first server ends provision of the first service, the second server also ends provision of the second service.

12. A second server capable of communicating with a first server that manages device information, which is information about devices installed in a facility, and that provides a predetermined service based on the device information, the second server has a control unit capable of communicating with the first server and an administrator terminal; The control unit is receiving a management ID corresponding to the device information of a device used by the user, the management ID being transmitted from the administrator terminal when providing a second service provided by the second server to the user who is using a first service provided by the first server; acquiring the device information corresponding to the management ID from the first server; registering the acquired device information in user information of the user; periodically accessing the first server and updating the device information registered in the user information; server.

13. An information processing system including a first server that can communicate with a first server that manages device information, which is information about devices installed in a facility, and a second server that provides a predetermined service based on the device information, and an administrator terminal, the second server has a control unit capable of communicating with the first server and the administrator terminal; The control unit: receiving a management ID corresponding to the device information of a device used by the user, the management ID being transmitted from the administrator terminal when providing a second service provided by the second server to the user who is using a first service provided by the first server; acquiring the device information corresponding to the management ID from the first server; registering the acquired device information in user information of the user; periodically accessing the first server and updating the device information registered in the user information; Information processing methods.

14. An information processing system including a first server that can communicate with a first server that manages device information, which is information about devices installed in a facility, and a second server that provides a predetermined service based on the device information, and an administrator terminal, the second server has a control unit capable of communicating with the first server and the administrator terminal; The control unit, when providing a second service provided by the second server to a user who is using a first service provided by the first server, the user receives a management ID corresponding to the device information of a device used by the user, the management ID being transmitted by the administrator terminal; acquiring the device information corresponding to the management ID from the first server; The acquired device information is registered in user information of the user; periodically accessing the first server to update the device information registered in the user information; program.

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