Machine service provision system, remote server, and machine service provision method

Abstract

To provide advantageous services related to devices while securing user anonymity.SOLUTION: A communication device 2 includes a device data acquisition unit 200 configured to acquire device data from a device 3, a device data transmission unit 201 configured to transmit the acquired device data to a remote server 5, a local information acquisition unit 203 configured to acquire local information from a local information server 6, a local information transmission unit 204 configured to transmit the acquired local information to the remote server 5, a control command generation unit 206 configured to generate a control command based on service data received from the remote server 5, and a control command transmission unit 207 configured to transmit the generated control command to the device 3. The remote server 5 includes a service data generation unit 504 configured to generate the service data on the basis of the device data received from the communication device 2 and the local information received from the communication device 2, and a service data transmission unit 505 configured to transmit the generated service data to the communication device 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device service providing system , far The present invention relates to a remote server and a device service providing method. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been proposed in which a remote server periodically acquires device data related to a device installed in a home from the device, acquires regional information related to the area in which the device is installed from an external information providing server, and provides a user with services related to the device based on the acquired device data and regional information (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the home appliance management system described in Patent Document 1, a management server acquires information on the amount of power consumed by a home appliance from the home appliance at regular intervals, and acquires electricity bill information (for the area and contract in which the home appliance is installed) linked to time from an information providing server.The management server then determines whether or not it is necessary to restrict the operation of the home appliance based on the acquired information on the amount of power consumed and the acquired electricity bill information, and if it determines that it is necessary to restrict the operation, it performs control such as reducing the power consumption of the home appliance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-39590 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the home appliance management system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the management server must store in advance information about the installation locations or regions of home appliances for which the service is provided. Therefore, users who wish to receive the service must register information about the installation locations of their home appliances, such as their addresses and postal codes, in the management server in advance. In other words, when users subscribe to the service, they are required to register information about the location of their homes.

[0006] Information about home location can be used to identify individuals, and it is expected that many users will abandon their subscription to the service out of fear of information leakage, or will reluctantly register information about their home location in order to subscribe to the service despite feeling dissatisfied or suspicious.

[0007] In view of the above, there is a demand for a technology that can provide advantageous device-related services to users while ensuring the anonymity of the users.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a device service providing system that can provide advantageous device-related services to users while ensuring the anonymity of the users. , far The present invention aims to provide a remote server and a device service providing method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the equipment service providing system according to the present disclosure includes: a communication device and a remote server; The communication device air conditioner From the above air conditioner equipment data acquisition means for acquiring equipment data relating to the a device data transmitting means for transmitting the acquired device data to the remote server; From the local information server air conditioner Corresponding to the location area of is weather information Local information acquisition means for acquiring local information, Local information transmission means for transmitting the acquired local information to the remote server, Service data reception means for receiving service data from the remote server, Based on the received service data to control the air conditioner Service execution means for performing, and is provided with, The remote server Device data reception means for receiving the device data from the communication device, Device data storage means for storing the received device data, Local information reception means for receiving the local information from the communication device, Local information storage means for storing the received local information, Based on the device data and the local information, the air conditioner Regarding the energy-saving control Service data generation means for generating service data for providing a service to the user, Service data transmission means for transmitting the generated service data to the communication device, and is provided with.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to provide an advantageous service regarding a device to a user while ensuring the anonymity of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] Diagram showing the overall configuration of the device service providing system in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the communication device in Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal in Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the remote server in Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Block diagram showing the functional configurations of the communication device and the remote server in Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Diagram showing an example of the device DB in Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Diagram showing an example of the carrier designation screen in Embodiment 1 [Figure 8] Diagram showing an example of the local information DB in Embodiment 1 [Figure 9] Diagram showing an example of the power consumption table in Embodiment 1 [Figure 10] Flowchart showing the operation procedure of the communication device in Embodiment 1 [Figure 11] Flowchart showing the operation procedure of the remote server in Embodiment 1 [Figure 12] Flowchart showing the procedure of the service data generation process in Embodiment 1 [Figure 13] Diagram showing the overall configuration of the device service providing system in Embodiment 2 [Figure 14] Block diagram showing the functional configurations of the communication device and the remote server in Embodiment 2 [Figure 15] Diagram showing an example of the device DB in Embodiment 2 [Figure 16] Diagram showing an example of the local information DB in Embodiment 2 [Figure 17] Flowchart showing the procedure of the service data generation process in Embodiment 2 [Figure 18] Diagram showing the overall configuration of the device service providing system in Embodiment 3 [Figure 19] Block diagram showing the functional configurations of the communication device and the remote server in Embodiment 3 [Figure 20] Diagram showing an example of the device DB in Embodiment 3 [Figure 21] Diagram showing an example of the local information DB in Embodiment 3 [Figure 22] Flowchart showing the procedure of the service data generation process in Embodiment 3 [Figure 23] Diagram showing an example of a recipe table in Embodiment 3 [Figure 24] Diagram for explaining cost points in Embodiment 3 [Figure 25] Diagram showing the overall configuration of the device service providing system in Embodiment 4 [Figure 26] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the communication device in Embodiment 4 [Figure 27] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device in Embodiment 4 [Figure 28] Diagram showing an example of the operator designation screen in Embodiment 4 [Figure 29] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the remote server in Embodiment 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a device service providing system 1 in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The device service providing system 1 is a system that provides services related to devices 3 installed in each customer's house H. The device service providing system 1 includes a communication device 2 and a device 3 installed in each house H, a user terminal 4 possessed by the user of each house H, a remote server 5, and a plurality of local information servers 6.

[0014] <Communication device 2> The communication device 2 is an example of the communication device according to the present disclosure. The communication device 2 is a communication adapter for communicatively connecting the corresponding device 3 to a network N which is a wide area network such as a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the Internet. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 2 includes, as a hardware configuration, a first communication interface 20, a second communication interface 21, a third communication interface 22, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 23, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 25, and an auxiliary storage device 26. These components are interconnected via a bus 27.

[0015] The first communication interface 20 is hardware for electrically connecting to communicate with the device 3. In the present embodiment, the first communication interface 20 is a serial communication device such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter). The second communication interface 21 is hardware for a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) for connecting to the network N and communicating with other devices such as a remote server 5 and a local information server 6, or hardware for mobile data communication.

[0016] The third communication interface 22 is hardware for performing short-range wireless communication with the user terminal 4. For example, the third communication interface 22 is hardware corresponding to BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

[0017] The CPU 23 comprehensively controls the communication device 2. Details of the functions of the communication device 2 realized by the CPU 23 will be described later. The ROM 24 stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and firmware, and data used when these programs are executed. The RAM 25 is used as a working area for the CPU 23. The auxiliary storage device 26 is composed of, for example, a rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) or a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 26 stores a device communication program for communicating with the device 3 to exchange data, a service execution program for receiving service data from the remote server 5 and executing processing based on the received service data, and data used when these programs are executed.

[0018] The above-mentioned device communication program and service execution program can be downloaded to the communication device 2 from the remote server 5 or another server via the network N. Also, the communication device 2 may acquire the above-mentioned device communication program and service execution program from the user terminal 4 or another device by the above-described short-range wireless communication.

[0019] Also, the above-mentioned device communication program and service execution program can be recorded and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magneto-optical disk, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory card.

[0020] <Device 3> Each device 3 is a device targeted by the services provided by the remote server 5, and is installed in each customer's home (i.e., each house H) that subscribes to the service. In the present embodiment, the device 3 is an air conditioner. Each device 3 periodically (e.g., every hour) transmits device data related to the device 3 to the communication device 2 connected to the device 3. The device data transmitted by each device 3 includes the operation mode, the set temperature, the controlled temperature, the outside air temperature, and the power consumption.

[0021] The operation mode is the mode during air conditioning operation set by the user, and indicates, for example, any one of cooling, heating, air blowing, dehumidifying, and stopping. The set temperature is the target room temperature set by the user. The controlled temperature is the target room temperature actually used by the device 3 during air conditioning. Normally, the set temperature and the controlled temperature are the same value. However, during the energy-saving control described later by the remote server 5, the controlled temperature is set to be lower than the set temperature during heating, and is set to be higher than the set temperature during cooling. The outside air temperature is the outside air temperature at the location where the device 3 is installed, and is detected by a temperature sensor provided in the outdoor unit of the device 3. The power consumption is the actual value (Wh) of the power consumption required for the operation of the device 3, and specifically indicates the integrated value of the power consumption from 0:00 am every day.

[0022] <User terminal 4> The user terminal 4 is an electronic device that serves as an interface with the user in the device service providing system 1, and is, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 4 includes a display 40, an operation reception unit 41, a first communication interface 42, a second communication interface 43, a CPU 44, a ROM 45, a RAM 46, and an auxiliary storage device 47. These components are interconnected via a bus 48.

[0023] The display 40 is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display 40 displays various screens and the like according to user operations under the control of the CPU 44.

[0024] The operation reception unit 41 is configured to include one or more input devices such as push buttons, touch panels, and touch pads, receive operation inputs from a user, and output signals related to the received operations to the CPU 44.

[0025] The first communication interface 42 is hardware for performing short-range wireless communication with the communication device 2. For example, the first communication interface 42 is hardware corresponding to BLE. The second communication interface 43 is hardware for wireless LAN for communicating with other devices such as the remote server 5 via the network N, or hardware for mobile data communication

[0026] The CPU 44 comprehensively controls the user terminal 4. The ROM 45 stores the BIOS and firmware, and data used when these programs are executed. The RAM 46 is used as a working area for the CPU 44. The auxiliary storage device 47 is configured to include a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM and a flash memory. In the auxiliary storage device 47, various programs including an application program (hereinafter referred to as a device service application) for receiving services related to the device 3 provided by the remote server 5 and data used when these programs are executed are stored.

[0027] The device service application can be downloaded to the user terminal 4 from the remote server 5 or another server via the network N. Further, the user terminal 4 may acquire the device service application from other devices by the above-described short-range wireless communication. Also, by connecting a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, or memory card in which the device service application is recorded to the user terminal 4, the user terminal 4 can also take in the device service application.

[0028] <Remote server 5> The remote server 5 is an example of the remote server according to the present disclosure. The remote server 5 is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the communication device 2 and the device 3, and is connected to the network N. As shown in FIG. 4, the remote server 5 includes a communication interface 50, a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and an auxiliary storage device 54. These components are interconnected via a bus 55.

[0029] The communication interface 50 is hardware for a wired or wireless LAN for connecting to the network N and communicating with other devices such as each communication device 2. The CPU 51 comprehensively controls the remote server 5. Details of the functions of the remote server 5 realized by the CPU 51 will be described later. The ROM 52 stores the BIOS and firmware, and data used when these programs are executed. The RAM 53 is used as a work area for the CPU 51.

[0030] The auxiliary storage device 54 is composed of a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, an HDD, etc. The readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory is, for example, EEPROM, flash memory, etc. The auxiliary storage device 54 stores various programs including a program for realizing cloud computing services (hereinafter referred to as a cloud program), and data used when these programs are executed.

[0031] The above cloud program can be downloaded to the remote server 5 from another server via the network N. Also, by connecting a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, memory card, etc. in which the cloud program is stored to the remote server 5, the remote server 5 can also incorporate the cloud program.

[0032] <Local Information Server 6> Each local information server 6 is a server that provides information regarding the area where the local information server 6 is installed (hereinafter referred to as local information), and is a server operated by a business operator different from the business operator related to the device service providing system 1. In the present embodiment, the local information server 6 is a weather server operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency, a weather business operator, etc., and provides the weather information of the area as local information in a generally available manner. The local information provided by the local information server 6, that is, the weather information, includes information regarding the prediction of the future outside air temperature.

[0033] <Functional configurations of the communication device 2 and the remote server 5> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configurations of the communication device 2 and the remote server 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication device 2 includes a device data acquisition unit 200, a device data transmission unit 201, a carrier designation reception unit 202, a local information acquisition unit 203, a local information transmission unit 204, a service data reception unit 205, a control command generation unit 206, and a control command transmission unit 207. These functional units of the communication device 2 are realized by the CPU 23 executing the above-described device communication program and service execution program stored in the auxiliary storage device 26.

[0034] The remote server 5 includes a device data reception unit 500, a device data storage unit 501, a local information reception unit 502, a local information storage unit 503, a service data generation unit 504, and a service data transmission unit 505. These functional units of the remote server 5 are realized by the CPU 51 executing the above-described cloud program stored in the auxiliary storage device 54.

[0035] In the communication device 2, the device data acquisition unit 200 is an example of the device data acquisition means according to the present disclosure. The device data acquisition unit 200 periodically (for example, every hour) acquires device data from the connected device 3. As described above, the device data includes an operation mode, a set temperature, a control temperature, an outside air temperature, and a power consumption amount. The device data acquisition unit 200 adds a time stamp indicating the current date and time (year, month, day, and time) to the acquired device data and supplies it to the device data transmission unit 201. The device data transmission unit 201 is an example of the device data transmission means according to the present disclosure. The device data transmission unit 201 transmits the device data supplied from the device data acquisition unit 200 to the remote server 5.

[0036] The device data reception unit 500 of the remote server 5 receives the device data sent from the communication device 2 of each house H. The device data storage unit 501 stores the device data received by the device data reception unit 500 in the device DB540. The device DB540 is an example of the device data storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the device DB540 is a database that sequentially stores the device data sent from each communication device 2 and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54. In the device DB540, the history of device data for a predetermined period (for example, one year) is managed for each customer.

[0037] In the present embodiment, in the device DB540, customer-by-customer management is realized by managing the history of device data according to the device ID (identification) of the communication device 2. The device ID is, for example, the serial number of the communication device 2. Note that in the device DB540, the history of device data may be managed according to the device ID of the device 3, or may be managed according to the customer ID assigned to each customer at the time of user registration.

[0038] In the communication device 2, the carrier-designation receiving unit 202 receives a designation of a carrier who is the operator of the local information server 6 from the user. When receiving a service related to the device 3, the user needs to designate in advance the carrier to be used for the communication device 2. The designation of the carrier is made via the user terminal 4. Specifically, the user activates the above-described device service application installed in the user terminal 4 and designates the carrier via the carrier-designation screen shown in FIG. 7. For example, the user inputs the location of his / her home in the carrier-designation screen, executes a search, and selects and designates a desired carrier from the list of carriers displayed as search results.

[0039] When the designation of the carrier by the user is completed, information about the carrier designated by the user (in the example of FIG. 7, "Carrier A") (hereinafter referred to as carrier information) is transmitted from the user terminal 4 to the communication device 2. The carrier information is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing a resource indicating local information provided by the local information server 6 corresponding to the carrier.

[0040] The carrier-designation receiving unit 202 receives and accepts the carrier information sent from the user terminal 4, and notifies the received carrier information to the local information acquisition unit 203. The local information acquisition unit 203 is an example of the local information acquisition means according to the present disclosure, and acquires local information corresponding to the location area of the device 3 from any one of the local information servers 6. Specifically, when receiving a notification of the carrier information from the carrier-designation receiving unit 202, the local information acquisition unit 203 subsequently accesses the local information server 6 specified by the carrier information periodically (for example, every hour), and acquires local information (that is, weather information) from the local information server 6.

[0041] The local information transmission unit 204 is an example of the local information transmission means according to the present disclosure. The local information transmission unit 204 transmits the local information acquired by the local information acquisition unit 203 to the remote server 5.

[0042] The local information receiving unit 502 of the remote server 5 is an example of the local information receiving means according to the present disclosure, and receives local information sent from the communication device 2 of each house H. The local information storage unit 503 stores the local information received by the local information receiving unit 502 in the local information DB 541. The local information DB 541 is an example of the local information storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the local information DB 541 is a database that stores local information sent from each communication device 2, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54. In the local information DB 541, the latest local information is managed for each customer.

[0043] In the present embodiment, in the local information DB 541, local information is managed for each device ID of the communication device 2 in the same manner as the management in the device DB 540. In the device DB 540, when the history of device data is managed for each device ID of device 3 or for each customer ID, it is assumed that local information is managed in the local information DB 541 in the same manner as the device DB 540.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows an example of local information corresponding to one customer. In the present embodiment, the local information is weather information and is information indicating the prediction of the future outside air temperature. In FIG. 8, the date, month, year, and time zone are the date, month, year, and time zone corresponding to the predicted outside air temperature.

[0045] The service data generation unit 504 is an example of the service data generation means according to the present disclosure. The service data generation unit 504 generates service data, which is data for providing services related to device 3 to customers. In the present embodiment, the remote server 5 provides an energy-saving control service for keeping the daily power consumption of the device 3 (i.e., the air conditioner) in each customer's house within a preset target value. The target value is preset by each customer using the device service application.

[0046] The service data generation unit 504 executes service data generation processing each time device data from the communication device 2 corresponding to a customer is stored in the device DB 540 for each customer. In the service data generation processing, first, the service data generation unit 504 calculates an expected value of the power consumption of the device 3 of the day for the customer. Specifically, the service data generation unit 504 reads the latest device data of the device 3 corresponding to the customer from the device DB 540, reads the latest local information (i.e., weather information) corresponding to the customer from the local information DB 541, and reads the power consumption table (see FIG. 9) corresponding to the customer from the auxiliary storage device 54.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 9, the power consumption table is a table showing the relationship between the outside air temperature, the set temperature, and the power consumption per hour (Wh), and is generated for each device 3 by the remote server 5 and stored in the auxiliary storage device 54. The remote server 5 generates a power consumption table for each of winter and summer corresponding to the device 3 from the history of the device data of the device 3. FIG. 9 shows an example of the winter power consumption table.

[0048] The service data generation unit 504 calculates the total future power consumption when operating at the set temperature included in the latest device data, that is, the current set temperature, until the air conditioning end time, with reference to the read weather information and the power consumption table shown in FIG. 9. The air conditioning end time is the time when the air conditioning by the device 3 is terminated, which is set in advance by the customer, in other words, the time when the operation of the device 3 is stopped. The customer can set a desired air conditioning end time using the device service application.

[0049] For example, the content of the device DB540 shown in FIG. 6, the content of the local information DB541 shown in FIG. 8, and the power consumption table shown in FIG. 9 correspond to the same customer. When the air conditioning end time is 20:00, if the device 3 is operated from the current time (15:00 in this example) to 20:00 at the current set temperature (22°C in this example), the total future power consumption will be 700 Wh + 720 Wh + 740 Wh + 760 Wh + 780 Wh = 3700 Wh. The service data generation unit 504 calculates the expected value of the power consumption of the device 3 for this customer today by adding the calculated total future power consumption to the power consumption (6320 Wh in this example) included in the latest device data of the customer. In this example, the expected value of the power consumption of the device 3 for today is 10020 Wh.

[0050] Next, the service data generation unit 504 compares the calculated expected value of the power consumption with a preset target value and determines whether the expected value is less than or equal to the target value. If the expected value is less than or equal to the target value, the service data generation unit 504 determines that there is no need for energy-saving control for the device 3, that is, there is no need to generate service data. On the other hand, if the expected value is greater than the target value, the service data generation unit 504 determines that there is a need for energy-saving control for the device 3, that is, there is a need to generate service data. For example, if the expected value is 10020 Wh and the target value is 10 kWh, the service data generation unit 504 determines that there is a need for energy-saving control for the device 3.

[0051] When it is determined that energy-saving control for the device 3 is necessary, the service data generation unit 504 refers to the weather information (see FIG. 8) and the power consumption table (see FIG. 9), and in the future time period, when the current set temperature of the device 3 is decreased by 1°C, the time period in which the energy-saving effect is the highest, that is, the time period to be subjected to energy saving, is acquired. For example, when the current set temperature is 22°C, referring to the weather information in FIG. 8 and the power consumption table in FIG. 9, when the set temperature in the time period from 19:00 to 20:00 when the predicted outside air temperature is 6°C is lowered from 22°C to 21°C, the power consumption is reduced by 25 Wh, and it can be seen that the energy-saving control in this time period has the highest energy-saving effect compared to other time periods. Therefore, the service data generation unit 504 acquires the time period from 19:00 to 20:00 as the time period to be subjected to energy saving.

[0052] In summer, the service data generation unit 504 refers to the weather information and the power consumption table, and in the future time period, the time period in which the energy-saving effect is the highest when the current set temperature of the device 3 is increased by 1°C is acquired as the time period to be subjected to energy saving.

[0053] The service data generation unit 504 updates the predicted value by subtracting the reduced power consumption from the previously calculated predicted value of the power consumption. Then, the updated predicted value and the target value are compared to determine whether the predicted value is less than or equal to the target value. For example, if the initial predicted value is 10020 Wh and the power consumption is reduced by 25 Wh by energy-saving control, the updated predicted value becomes 9995 Wh. Here, if the target value is 10 kWh, the predicted value is less than or equal to the target value, and the service data generation unit 504 determines that no further energy-saving control is required.

[0054] Then, the service data generation unit 504 generates service data instructing energy-saving operation in the acquired time period to be subjected to energy saving, and supplies the generated service data to the service data transmission unit 505. Specifically, the service data includes a code indicating the setting of the control temperature, the time period to be subjected to energy saving, and the value of the control temperature. For example, in winter (i.e., during heating), the value of the control temperature is the current set temperature - 1°C.

[0055] Even if energy-saving control is performed during one time period obtained as the time period subject to energy saving, if the expected value of the power consumption today does not become less than or equal to the target value, the service data generation unit 504 will again obtain, as the time period subject to energy saving, a time period with a high energy-saving effect (for example, the time period from 18:00 to 19:00) following the time period subject to energy saving obtained previously. Then, the service data generation unit 504 updates the expected value of the power consumption in the same manner as above and determines whether it becomes less than or equal to the target value. The service data generation unit 504 repeats the above process until the expected value of the power consumption becomes less than or equal to the target value.

[0056] Also, when there are a plurality of time periods with the same reduction value during energy-saving control (for example, the time period from 15:00 to 16:00 and the time period from 16:00 to 17:00), the service data generation unit 504 obtains, as the time period subject to energy saving, the time period with a larger power consumption (in this example, the time period from 16:00 to 17:00).

[0057] When the service data generation unit 504 obtains a plurality of time periods as the time periods subject to energy saving, it generates service data instructing energy-saving operation for each time period, and supplies the generated service data to the service data transmission unit 505. In this case, the service data includes a code indicating the setting of the control temperature, each time period subject to energy saving, and the value of the control temperature.

[0058] Note that if the service data generated this time has the same content as the service data generated previously, the service data generation unit 504 discards it without supplying the service data generated this time to the service data transmission unit 505.

[0059] The service data transmission unit 505 is an example of the service data transmission means according to the present disclosure. The service data transmission unit 505 transmits the service data supplied from the service data generation unit 504 to the corresponding communication device 2.

[0060] The service data receiving unit 205 of the communication device 2, which is an example of the service data receiving means according to the present disclosure, receives service data sent from the remote server 5. The service data receiving unit 205 supplies the received service data to the control command generation unit 206. The control command generation unit 206 generates a control command for controlling the device 3 based on the service data sent from the remote server 5. Then, the control command generation unit 206 instructs the control command transmission unit 207 to transmit the generated control command to the device 3 at a specified time.

[0061] For example, when the service data is to set the control temperature to "21°C" between 19:00 and 20:00, the control command generation unit 206 generates a control command indicating that the control temperature is to be set to 21°C for one hour, and instructs the control command transmission unit 207 to transmit the generated control command to the device 3 at 19:00. Upon receiving such an instruction, the control command transmission unit 207 transmits the control command to the device 3 connected thereto at 19:00. The control command generation unit 206 and the control command transmission unit 207 are an example of the service execution means according to the present disclosure.

[0062] The device 3 (i.e., the air conditioner) that has received the control command from the communication device 2 performs air conditioning (heating operation or cooling operation) so that the room temperature of the room where the device 3 is installed becomes the control temperature indicated by the control command instead of the set temperature set by the user.

[0063] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the communication device 2. (Step S101) The communication device 2 acquires device data from the device 3 to be connected. As described above, the device data includes the operation mode, the set temperature, the control temperature, the outside air temperature, and the power consumption. Then, the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S102.

[0064] (Step S102) The communication device 2 accesses the local information server 6 specified by the carrier information received from the user, and acquires local information (i.e., weather information). As described above, the weather information includes information regarding the prediction of the future outside air temperature. Thereafter, the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S103.

[0065] (Step S103) The communication device 2 transmits the acquired device data and local information to the remote server 5. Thereafter, the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S104.

[0066] (Step S104) The communication device 2 determines whether or not it has received service data from the remote server 5. If it has received the service data (step S104; YES), the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S105. On the other hand, if it has not received the service data (step S104; NO), the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S106.

[0067] (Step S105) The communication device 2 generates a control command for controlling the device 3 based on the content of the received service data. Thereafter, the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S106.

[0068] (Step S106) The communication device 2 determines whether or not the transmission time of the control command has arrived, that is, whether or not the time has arrived to transmit the generated control command to the device 3. If the transmission time of the control command has arrived (step S106; YES), the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S107. On the other hand, if the transmission time of the control command has not arrived (step S106; NO), the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S108.

[0069] (Step S107) The communication device transmits the control command to the device 3 to which it is connected. Thereafter, the process of the communication device 2 transitions to step S108.

[0070] (Step S108) The communication device 2 waits for a certain period of time (e.g., 1 hour) for the operation. After that, the process of the communication device 2 returns to step S101.

[0071] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the remote server 5. (Step S201) The remote server 5 determines whether it has received device data and local information from any of the communication devices 2. If it has not received device data and local information from any of the communication devices 2 (step S201; NO), the remote server 5 continues to perform the process of step S201. On the other hand, if it has received device data and local information from any of the communication devices 2 (step S201; YES), the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S202.

[0072] (Step S202) The remote server 5 stores the received device data in the device DB540 and stores the received local information in the local information DB541. After that, the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S203.

[0073] (Step S203) The remote server 5 executes a service data generation process. After that, the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S204.

[0074] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the service data generation process. (Step S301) The remote server 5 calculates the expected value of the power consumption of the customer's device 3 today as described above. After that, the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S302.

[0075] (Step S302) The remote server 5 determines whether or not the estimated power consumption value is equal to or less than a preset target value. If the estimated power consumption value is not less than the target value (step S302; NO), the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S303. On the other hand, if the estimated power consumption value is less than or equal to the target value (step S302; YES), the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S305.

[0076] (Step S303) The remote server 5 acquires the time zone for energy saving as described above. After that, the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S304.

[0077] (Step S304) The remote server 5 updates the estimated value by subtracting from the current estimated value the power consumption that can be reduced when energy saving control is performed during the acquired energy-saving target time zone. After that, the process of the remote server 5 returns to step S302.

[0078] (Step S305) The remote server 5 determines whether or not it has acquired the time zone for energy saving, in other words, whether or not the process of step S303 has been executed. If the time zone for energy saving has been acquired (step S305; YES), the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S306. On the other hand, if the time zone for energy saving has not been acquired (step S305; NO), the remote server 5 ends the service data generation process.

[0079] (Step S306) The remote server 5 generates service data instructing energy-saving operation during the acquired energy-saving target time zone, and ends the service data generation process.

[0080] (Step S204 in FIG. 11) The remote server 5 determines whether service data has been generated in the service data generation process. If the service data has not been generated (step S204; NO), the process of the remote server 5 returns to step S201. On the other hand, if the service data has been generated (step S204; YES), the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S205.

[0081] (Step S205) The remote server 5 transmits the generated service data to the corresponding communication device 2. After that, the process of the remote server 5 returns to step S201.

[0082] As described above, in the device service providing system 1 of Embodiment 1, the communication device 2 acquires weather information, which is local information corresponding to the location area of the device 3, from the local information server 6 corresponding to the operator designated by the user, and transmits it to the remote server 5. For this reason, the remote server 5 does not need to manage information regarding the location area of each device 3, and the user does not need to register information regarding the location of their home with the remote server 5. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide advantageous services regarding the device 3 to the user while ensuring the anonymity of the user.

[0083] As a result, since the user can safely subscribe to the service, an increase in the number of subscribers to the service can be achieved, and furthermore, promotion of the sales of the device 3 can also be expected.

[0084] Also, for the operator of the remote server 5, the workload for paying attention to domestic and foreign laws and regulations regarding personal information is significantly reduced.

[0085] Also, since the remote server 5 does not need to communicate with each local information server 6, it is not overloaded, and stable system operation can be realized.

[0086] Also, since the remote server 5 provides an energy-saving control service for keeping the daily power consumption of the device 3 within a preset target value, each customer can effectively save on electricity bills.

[0087] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components common to Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the device service providing system 1a in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. The device service providing system 1a is a system that provides services related to the devices 3a installed in each customer's house H. The device service providing system 1a includes a communication device 2a and a device 3a installed in each house H, a user terminal 4 possessed by the user of each house H, a remote server 5a, and a plurality of local information servers 6a.

[0089] <Communication device 2a> The communication device 2a is an example of the communication device according to the present disclosure. The communication device 2a is a communication adapter for communicatively connecting the corresponding device 3a to a network N, which is a wide area network such as a WAN or the Internet. The hardware configuration of the communication device 2a is the same as that of the communication device 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2). Details of the functions of the communication device 2a will be described later.

[0090] <Device 3a> Each device 3a is a device that is the target of the service provided by the remote server 5a, and is installed in each customer's house (that is, each house H) that subscribes to the service. In the present embodiment, the device 3a is a storage type water heater. Each device 3a periodically (for example, every hour) transmits device data to the communication device 2a connected to the device 3a. The device data transmitted by each device 3a includes the tank capacity (L) and the available hot water volume (L).

[0091] The tank capacity is the capacity of the hot water storage tank provided in the device 3a. The available hot water volume is the amount of hot water that can be used by the user, that is, the amount of hot water that the user can utilize via a hot water supply terminal such as a shower or a faucet. The available hot water volume also includes the amount of city water mixed with the high-temperature hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank. Therefore, the available hot water volume may be more than the stored hot water volume and may also be more than the tank capacity.

[0092] <Remote server 5a> The remote server 5a is an example of the remote server according to the present disclosure. The remote server 5a is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the communication device 2a and the device 3a, and is connected to the network N. The hardware configuration of the remote server 5a is the same as that of the remote server 5 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4). Details of the functions of the remote server 5a will be described later.

[0093] <Local information server 6a> Each local information server 6a is a server that provides local information, which is information about the area where the local information server 6a is installed, and is a server operated by an operator different from the operator related to the device service providing system 1a. In the present embodiment, the local information server 6a is a server operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency or other public institutions, meteorological operators, etc., and generally provides the disaster prevention information of the area as local information. The local information provided by the local information server 6a, that is, the disaster prevention information, includes the notified date and time (year, month, day, and time) and the notified content (for example, heavy rain warning, heavy snow special warning, etc.).

[0094] <Functional configurations of the communication device 2a and the remote server 5a> FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device 2a and the remote server 5a. As shown in FIG. 14, the communication device 2a includes a device data acquisition unit 200, a device data transmission unit 201, a carrier designation reception unit 202, a local information acquisition unit 203a, a local information transmission unit 204, a service data reception unit 205, a control command generation unit 206a, and a control command transmission unit 207. These functional units of the communication device 2a are realized by the CPU 23 executing a device communication program stored in the auxiliary storage device 26 for communicating with the device 3a to exchange data, and a service execution program for receiving service data from the remote server 5a and executing processing based on the received service data.

[0095] The remote server 5a includes a device data reception unit 500, a device data storage unit 501, a local information reception unit 502, a local information storage unit 503, a service data generation unit 504a, and a service data transmission unit 505. These functional units of the remote server 5a are realized by the CPU 51 executing a cloud program stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 for realizing a cloud computing service.

[0096] In the communication device 2a, the device data acquisition unit 200 periodically (for example, every hour) acquires device data from the connected device 3a. As described above, the device data includes the tank capacity and the available hot water volume. The device data acquisition unit 200 adds a time stamp indicating the current date and time (year, month, day, and time) to the acquired device data and supplies it to the device data transmission unit 201. The device data transmission unit 201 transmits the device data supplied from the device data acquisition unit 200 to the remote server 5a.

[0097] The device data receiving unit 500 of the remote server 5a is an example of the device data receiving means according to the present disclosure, and receives the device data sent from the communication device 2a of each house H. The device data storage unit 501 stores the device data received by the device data receiving unit 500 in the device DB 540a. The device DB 540a is an example of the device data storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 15, the device DB 540a is a database that sequentially stores the device data sent from each communication device 2a, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54. In the device DB 540a, the history of device data for a predetermined period (for example, one day's worth) is managed for each customer.

[0098] In the present embodiment, in the device DB 540a, by managing the history of device data according to the device ID of the communication device 2a, customer-by-customer management is realized. The device ID is, for example, the serial number of the communication device 2a. Note that in the device DB 540a, the history of device data may be managed according to the device ID of the device 3a, or may be managed according to the customer ID assigned to each customer at the time of user registration.

[0099] In the communication device 2a, the carrier designated reception unit 202 receives a carrier designation from the user, as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the carrier designated reception unit 202 receives and accepts the carrier information regarding the carrier designated by the user, which has been sent from the user terminal 4. The carrier designated reception unit 202 notifies the received carrier information to the local information acquisition unit 203a.

[0100] The local information acquisition unit 203a is an example of the local information acquisition means according to the present disclosure. When the local information acquisition unit 203a receives a notification of carrier information from the carrier designated reception unit 202, it then periodically (for example, every hour) accesses the local information server 6a specified by the carrier information, and acquires the reported information as local information when disaster prevention information has been reported. The local information transmission unit 204 transmits the local information acquired by the local information acquisition unit 203a to the remote server 5a.

[0101] The local information receiving unit 502 of the remote server 5a receives the local information sent from the communication device 2a of each house H. The local information storage unit 503 stores the local information received by the local information receiving unit 502 in the local information DB 541a. The local information DB 541a is an example of the local information storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 16, the local information DB 541a is a database that stores the local information sent from each communication device 2a and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54. In the local information DB 541a, the latest local information is stored for each customer.

[0102] In the present embodiment, in the local information DB 541a, the local information is managed by device ID of the communication device 2a in the same manner as the management in the device DB 540a. In the device DB 540a, when the history of device data is managed by device ID of the device 3a or by customer ID, it is assumed that the local information is managed in the local information DB 541a in the same manner as the device DB 540a.

[0103] FIG. 16 shows an example of local information corresponding to one customer. In the present embodiment, the local information is disaster prevention information, which is information indicating a notification related to disaster prevention. In FIG. 16, the date, month, year, and time are the date and time when the disaster prevention information was reported, and the notification content is the content of the notification.

[0104] The service data generation unit 504a is an example of the service data generation means according to the present disclosure, and generates service data for providing services related to the device 3a to customers. In the present embodiment, the remote server 5a provides a boiling control service for ensuring a sufficient amount of usable hot water in advance in preparation for a power outage. The service data generation unit 504a executes a service data generation process for each customer every time the local information from the communication device 2a corresponding to the customer is stored in the local information DB 541a, that is, every time the disaster prevention information is updated. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the service data generation process executed by the service data generation unit 504a.

[0105] (Step S401) The service data generation unit 504a checks the updated disaster prevention information and determines whether there is a possibility of a power outage. The service data generation unit 504a determines whether there is a possibility of a power outage based on the notification content in the disaster prevention information. For example, when the notification content corresponds to a special warning, the service data generation unit 504a determines that there is a possibility of a power outage, and when the notification content does not correspond to a special warning (for example, a cautionary message, etc.), it determines that there is no possibility of a power outage. If there is a possibility of a power outage (Step S401; YES), the process of the service data generation unit 504a transitions to Step S402. On the other hand, if there is no possibility of a power outage (Step S401; NO), the service data generation unit 504a ends the service data generation process based on the update of the disaster prevention information for the customer.

[0106] (Step S402) The service data generation unit 504a reads the latest device data of the device 3a installed in the customer's home from the device DB540a and acquires the tank capacity and the available hot water volume. Then, the process of the service data generation unit 504a transitions to Step S403.

[0107] (Step S403) The service data generation unit 504a calculates a reference value from the tank capacity. The reference value is calculated by multiplying the tank capacity by a constant (for example, 1.6). Then, the process of the service data generation unit 504a transitions to Step S404.

[0108] (Step S404) The service data generation unit 504a determines whether the available hot water volume is less than the reference value. If the available hot water volume is less than the reference value (Step S404; YES), the process of the service data generation unit 504a transitions to Step S405. On the other hand, if the available hot water volume is greater than or equal to the reference value (Step S404; NO), since sufficient available hot water volume has already been ensured, the service data generation unit 504a ends the service data generation process based on the update of the disaster prevention information for the customer.

[0109] For example, the latest device data of the device 3a at the customer's home is the device data at 16:00 on January 27, 2021 shown in FIG. 15. If the constant for calculating the reference value is 1.6, the reference value is 460 L × 1.6 = 736 L. Therefore, the available hot water volume (720 L) is less than the reference value. This means that sufficient available hot water volume is not ensured for power outages.

[0110] (Step S405) The service data generation unit 504a generates service data for instructing the start of the boiling operation for the device 3a, and ends the service data generation process based on the update of the current disaster prevention information of the customer.

[0111] The service data transmission unit 505 transmits the service data generated by the service data generation unit 504a to the corresponding communication device 2a.

[0112] The service data reception unit 205 of the communication device 2a receives the service data sent from the remote server 5a. The service data reception unit 205 supplies the received service data to the control command generation unit 206a. The control command generation unit 206a generates a control command for controlling the device 3a, that is, a control command for instructing the start of the boiling operation, based on the service data sent from the remote server 5a.

[0113] The control command transmission unit 207 transmits the control command generated by the control command generation unit 206a to the device 3a to which it is connected. The device 3a that has received such a control command starts the boiling operation. The control command generation unit 206a and the control command transmission unit 207 are an example of the service execution means according to the present disclosure.

[0114] As described above, in the device service providing system 1a of the second embodiment, the communication device 2a acquires disaster prevention information, which is local information corresponding to the area where the device 3a is located, from the local information server 6a corresponding to the operator designated by the user, and transmits it to the remote server 5a. Therefore, the remote server 5a does not need to manage information regarding the area where each device 3a is located, and the user does not need to register information regarding the location of their home with the remote server 5a. As a result, it becomes possible to provide advantageous services regarding the device 3a to the user while ensuring the anonymity of the user.

[0115] As a result, since the user can safely subscribe to the service, an increase in the number of subscribers to the service can be achieved, and promotion of the sales of the device 3a can also be expected.

[0116] Also, for the operator of the remote server 5a, the workload for paying attention to domestic and foreign laws and regulations regarding personal information is significantly reduced.

[0117] Also, since the remote server 5a does not need to communicate with each local information server 6a, it is not under high load, and stable system operation can be realized.

[0118] Also, since the remote server 5a provides a boiling control service in preparation for a power outage, it becomes possible to avoid, as much as possible, a situation where the available hot water volume runs out during a power outage in each house H.

[0119] (Third Embodiment) Subsequently, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like that are common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0120] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the device service providing system 1b in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. The device service providing system 1b is a system that provides services related to devices 3b installed in each customer's house H. The device service providing system 1b includes a communication device 2b and a device 3b installed in each house H, a user terminal 4 held by the user of each house H, a remote server 5b, and a plurality of local information servers 6b.

[0121] <Communication device 2b> The communication device 2b is an example of the communication device according to the present disclosure. The communication device 2b is a communication adapter for communicatively connecting the corresponding device 3b to a network N, which is a wide area network such as a WAN or the Internet. The hardware configuration of the communication device 2b is the same as that of the communication device 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2). Details of the functions of the communication device 2b will be described later.

[0122] <Device 3b> Each device 3b is a device that is the target of the service provided by the remote server 5b and is installed in each customer's house (i.e., each house H) that subscribes to the service. In the present embodiment, the device 3b is a refrigerator. Each device 3b periodically (for example, every hour) transmits device data to the communication device 2b connected to the device 3b. Each device 3b includes, for example, a visible camera (not shown) composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and transmits device data including image data showing an image inside the storage taken by the visible camera to the communication device 2b.

[0123] <Remote server 5b> The remote server 5b is an example of the remote server according to the present disclosure. The remote server 5b is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the communication device 2b and the device 3b, and is connected to the network N. The hardware configuration of the remote server 5b is the same as that of the remote server 5 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4). Details of the functions of the remote server 5b will be described later.

[0124] <Local Information Server 6b> Each local information server 6b is a server that provides local information, which is information about the area where the local information server 6b is installed, and is a server operated by a third party different from the operator of the device service providing system 1b. In the present embodiment, the local information server 6b is a server operated by an operator who operates a retail store such as a supermarket that stocks a variety of food items, and generally provides the product information of the retail store as local information. The local information provided by the local information server 6b, that is, the product information, includes the date (year, month, and day) when the product information is provided and information regarding the presence or absence of special sales for each main product handled.

[0125] <Functional Configurations of Communication Device 2b and Remote Server 5b> FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the functional configurations of the communication device 2b and the remote server 5b. As shown in FIG. 19, the communication device 2b includes a device data acquisition unit 200, a device data transmission unit 201, a carrier designation reception unit 202, a local information acquisition unit 203, a local information transmission unit 204, a service data reception unit 205, and a notification unit 208. These functional units of the communication device 2b are realized by the CPU 23 executing a device communication program for communicating with the device 3b to exchange data and stored in the auxiliary storage device 26, and a service execution program for receiving service data from the remote server 5b and executing processing based on the received service data.

[0126] The remote server 5b includes a device data receiving unit 500, a device data storage unit 501a, a local information receiving unit 502, a local information storage unit 503, a service data generating unit 504b, and a service data transmitting unit 505. These functional units of the remote server 5b are realized by the CPU 51 executing a cloud program stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 for realizing cloud computing services.

[0127] In the communication device 2b, the device data acquisition unit 200 periodically (for example, every hour) acquires device data from the connected device 3b. As described above, the device data includes image data showing an image inside the device 3 (i.e., the refrigerator). The device data transmitting unit 201 transmits the device data acquired by the device data acquisition unit 200 to the remote server 5b.

[0128] The device data receiving unit 500 of the remote server 5b receives the device data sent from the communication device 2b of each house H. The device data storage unit 501a discriminates the foodstuffs stored in the device 3b by performing image recognition on the image data included in the device data received by the device data receiving unit 500 using AI (Artificial Intelligence). Then, the device data storage unit 501a stores, in the device DB 540b, as the device data sent from the communication device 2b, data including the current date and time (year, month, day, and time) and information indicating each discriminated foodstuff. The device DB 540b is an example of the device data storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 20, the device DB 540b is a database that sequentially stores the device data sent from each communication device 2b and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54. In the device DB 540b, the history of device data for a predetermined period (for example, for one day) is managed for each customer.

[0129] In this embodiment, the device DB 540b manages the device data history by the device ID of the communication device 2b, thereby realizing management by customer. The device ID is, for example, the serial number of the communication device 2b. Note that the device DB 540b may manage the device data history by the device ID of the device 3b, or by the customer ID assigned to each customer at the time of user registration.

[0130] In the communication device 2b, the business operator designation accepting unit 202 accepts the designation of a business operator from the user, as in the first embodiment. In detail, the business operator designation accepting unit 202 receives and accepts business operator information related to the business operator designated by the user, which is sent from the user terminal 4. The business operator designation accepting unit 202 notifies the local information acquisition unit 203 of the accepted business operator information.

[0131] Upon receiving notification of the business information from the business designation receiving unit 202, the local information acquiring unit 203 thereafter accesses the local information server 6b identified by the business information at a predetermined time (for example, 10:00 a.m.) and acquires product information provided by the local information server 6b as local information. The local information transmitting unit 204 transmits the local information acquired by the local information acquiring unit 203 to the remote server 5b.

[0132] The local information receiving unit 502 of the remote server 5b receives the local information sent from the communication device 2b of each residence H. The local information storage unit 503 stores the local information received by the local information receiving unit 502 in the local information DB 541b. The local information DB 541b is an example of a local information storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 21 , the local information DB 541b is a database that stores the local information sent from each communication device 2b, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54. In the local information DB 541b, the latest local information is managed for each customer.

[0133] In this embodiment, in the local information DB 541b, the local information is managed by device ID of the communication device 2b in the same way as the management in the device DB 540b. Note that in the device DB 540b, when the history of device data is managed by device ID of the device 3b or by customer ID, it is assumed that the local information in the local information DB 541b is managed in the same way as the device DB 540b.

[0134] In FIG. 21, an example of local information corresponding to one customer is shown. In this embodiment, the local information is product information and is information regarding the presence or absence of special sales for each main product. In FIG. 21, the date is the date when the product information is provided by the local information server 6b. Also, in each item of "Product 1", "Product 2",... in FIG. 21, "Name" is the name of the product, and "Special Sales Flag" is a flag indicating whether the product is a special sales item. In the "Special Sales Flag", "1" indicates that the product is a special sales item, and "0" indicates that the product is not a special sales item.

[0135] The service data generation unit 504b is an example of the service data generation means according to the present disclosure, and generates service data for providing services related to the device 3b to customers. In this embodiment, the remote server 5b provides a service of presenting a list of recommended menus (hereinafter referred to as a recommended menu list) to the customer from the food ingredients stored in the device 3b (i.e., the refrigerator) at the customer's home and the product information which is local information. The service data generation unit 504b executes a service data generation process when the time preset by the customer (hereinafter referred to as the service provision time) arrives for each customer. Each customer can set a desired service provision time (for example, 11:00 am, 5:00 pm, etc.) using the device service application. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the service data generation process executed by the service data generation unit 504b.

[0136] (Step S501) The service data generation unit 504b reads the latest device data of the customer from the device DB 540b, and acquires information on all food ingredients from the read device data. Thereafter, the process of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S502.

[0137] (Step S502) The service data generation unit 504b acquires the recommended menu items. Specifically, the service data generation unit 504b refers to the recipe table shown in FIG. 23 based on the acquired food ingredient information to acquire the recommended menu items. The recipe table is a table that associates menu items with the food ingredients used, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 in advance.

[0138] For each menu item in the recipe table, if the service data generation unit 504b already possesses (i.e., already stored in the device 3b) more than a certain percentage (e.g., 50%) of the food ingredients used in the menu item, the service data generation unit 504b determines that the menu item is a recommended target. The service data generation unit 504b refers to the recipe table and acquires the recommended menu items one by one in descending order of the percentage of possessed food ingredients. Thereafter, the process of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S503.

[0139] (Step S503) The service data generation unit 504b acquires information on whether each missing food ingredient for the acquired recommended menu item is a special sale item. Specifically, the service data generation unit 504b reads the local information corresponding to the customer, i.e., the product information, from the local information DB 541b, and refers to the read product information to acquire information on whether each missing food ingredient for the recommended menu item, i.e., each non - possessed food ingredient, is a special sale item. Thereafter, the process of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S504.

[0140] (Step S504) The service data generation unit 504b aggregates the cost points for each ingredient of the menu items to be recommended. After that, the process of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S505. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the cost points assigned according to the situation of the ingredients are determined. For example, if the menu item to be recommended is "curry", the ingredients used are "curry roux", "onion", "carrot", "potato", and "pork", and the store has "curry roux", "onion", and "carrot", the "potato" which is not in stock is on sale, and the "pork" is not on sale, the total cost point value is 0 points (curry roux) + 0 points (onion) + 0 points (carrot) + 1 point (potato) + 2 points (pork) = 3 points.

[0141] (Step S505) The service data generation unit 504b determines whether all the menu items to be recommended have been acquired from the recipe table. If not all the menu items to be recommended have been acquired (step S505; NO), the process of the service data generation unit 504b returns to step S502. On the other hand, if all the menu items to be recommended have been acquired (step S505; YES), the process of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S506.

[0142] (Step S506) The service data generation unit 504b generates service data including a recommended menu list in which the acquired menu items to be recommended are ranked in ascending order of the total cost point value, and ends the service data generation process at the current service provision time for the customer.

[0143] The service data transmission unit 505 transmits the service data generated by the service data generation unit 504b to the corresponding communication device 2b.

[0144] The service data receiving unit 205 of the communication device 2b receives the service data sent from the remote server 5b. The service data receiving unit 205 supplies the received service data to the notification unit 208. The notification unit 208 is an example of the service execution means according to the present disclosure. The notification unit 208 notifies the user of the device 3b of the information based on the service data sent from the remote server 5b. Specifically, it generates notification information for displaying the recommended menu list included in the service data on the user terminal 4, and transmits it to the user terminal 4 of the user. The user terminal 4 that has received such notification information displays the recommended menu list on the display 40 under the operation of the device service application.

[0145] As described above, in the device service providing system 1b of the third embodiment, the communication device 2b acquires product information, which is local information corresponding to the location area of the device 3b, from the local information server 6b corresponding to the operator designated by the user, and transmits it to the remote server 5b. For this reason, the remote server 5b does not need to manage the information regarding the location area of each device 3b, and the user does not need to register the information regarding the location of his / her home with the remote server 5b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the user with advantageous services regarding the device 3b while ensuring the anonymity of the user.

[0146] As a result, since the user can safely subscribe to the service, an increase in the number of subscribers to the service can be achieved, and an increase in the sales of the device 3b can also be expected.

[0147] Also, for the operator of the remote server 5b, the work load for paying attention to domestic and foreign laws and regulations regarding personal information is significantly reduced.

[0148] In addition, since the remote server 5b does not need to communicate with each local information server 6b, it is not under high load, and stable system operation can be realized.

[0149] In addition, the remote server 5b provides a service of presenting a recommended menu list based on the food ingredients stored in the device 3b and the product information regarding the availability of special sales for each product, which is excellent in customer convenience.

[0150] (Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, for components and the like common to Embodiments 1 to 3, the same reference numerals will be given and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0151] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the device service providing system 1c in Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. The device service providing system 1c is a system that provides services related to one or a plurality of devices 8 installed in each customer's house H. The device service providing system 1c includes a communication device 7 and one or a plurality of devices 8 installed in each house H, a user terminal 4 possessed by the user of each house H, a remote server 5c, and a plurality of local information servers 9.

[0152] <Communication device 7> The communication device 7 is an example of the communication device according to the present disclosure. The communication device 7 is a home gateway for communicatively connecting each device 8 connected via an in-house network constructed in the house to a network N, which is a wide area network such as a WAN or the Internet. As shown in FIG. 26, as a hardware configuration, the communication device 7 includes a first communication interface 70, a second communication interface 71, a CPU 72, a ROM 73, a RAM 74, and an auxiliary storage device 75. These components are interconnected via a bus 76.

[0153] The first communication interface 70 is hardware for connecting to the in-house network and communicating with each device 8 and the user terminal 4. The second communication interface 71 is hardware for connecting to the network N and communicating with other devices such as the remote server 5c and the local information server 9.

[0154] The CPU 72 comprehensively controls the communication device 7. Details of the functions of the communication device 7 realized by the CPU 72 will be described later. The ROM 73 stores the BIOS and firmware, and data used when these programs are executed. The RAM 74 is used as a working area for the CPU 72. The auxiliary storage device 75 is composed of a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, an HDD, etc. The readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory is, for example, an EEPROM, a flash memory, etc. The auxiliary storage device 75 stores a device communication program for communicating with the device 8 to exchange data, a service execution program for receiving service data from the remote server 5c and executing processing based on the received service data, and data used when these programs are executed.

[0155] The above device communication program and service execution program can be downloaded to the communication device 7 from the remote server 5c or another server via the network N. Also, the communication device 2 may acquire the above device communication program and service execution program from the user terminal 4 or another device via the in-house network.

[0156] Also, the above device communication program and service execution program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, memory card, etc. and distributed.

[0157] <Device 8> Each device 8 is a device targeted by the service provided by the remote server 5c and is installed in each customer's home (i.e., each house H) subscribing to the service. In the present embodiment, each device 8 is any one of the device 3 (i.e., air conditioner) of Embodiment 1, the device 3a (i.e., water heater) of Embodiment 2, and the device 3b (i.e., refrigerator) of Embodiment 3. For example, when the device 8 is the device 3, the device 8 periodically (e.g., every hour) transmits device data including the operation mode, set temperature, controlled temperature, outside air temperature, and power consumption to the communication device 7.

[0158] When the device 8 is the device 3a, the device 8 periodically (e.g., every hour) transmits device data including the tank capacity (L) and the available hot water amount (L) to the communication device 7. When the device 8 is the device 3b, the device 8 periodically (e.g., every hour) transmits device data including image data showing an image inside the storage to the communication device 7.

[0159] <Remote server 5c> The remote server 5c is an example of the remote server according to the present disclosure. The remote server 5c is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the communication device 7 and the device 8, and is connected to the network N. The hardware configuration of the remote server 5c is the same as that of the remote server 5 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4). Details of the functions of the remote server 5c will be described later.

[0160] <Local information server 9> Each local information server 9 is a server that provides information regarding the area where the local information server 9 is installed (hereinafter referred to as local information), and is a server operated by a third party different from the operator of the device service providing system 1c. In the present embodiment, each local information server 9 is any one of the local information server 6 in the first embodiment, the local information server 6a in the second embodiment, and the local information server 6b in the third embodiment. For example, when the local information server 9 is the local information server 6, the local information server 9 generally provides the weather information of the area as local information.

[0161] When the local information server 9 is the local information server 6a, the local information server 9 generally provides the disaster prevention information of the area as local information. When the local information server 9 is the local information server 6b, the local information server 9 generally provides the product information of retail stores such as supermarkets in the area.

[0162] <Functional Configuration of Communication Device 7> FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of communication device 7. As shown in FIG. 27, communication device 7 includes a device data acquisition unit 700, a device data transmission unit 701, a carrier designation reception unit 702, a local information acquisition unit 703, a local information transmission unit 704, a service data reception unit 705, a service data analysis unit 706, a control command generation unit 707, a control command transmission unit 708, and a notification unit 709. These functional units of communication device 7 are realized by CPU 72 executing the above-described device communication program and service execution program stored in auxiliary storage device 75.

[0163] Device data acquisition unit 700 is an example of the device data acquisition means according to the present disclosure. Device data acquisition unit 700 periodically (for example, every hour) acquires device data from each device 8 connected via the in-house network. Device data acquisition unit 700 adds to the acquired device data a code (hereinafter referred to as a device code) indicating the type of the device 8 (air conditioner, water heater, refrigerator) and the device ID of the device 8. Further, when the device 8 is an air conditioner or a water heater, device data acquisition unit 700 adds a time stamp indicating the current date and time (year, month, day, and time) to the device data. Device data transmission unit 701 transmits the device data acquired by device data acquisition unit 700, to which the device code, the device ID, and, if necessary, the time stamp are added, to remote server 5c. Device data transmission unit 701 is an example of the device data transmission means according to the present disclosure.

[0164] The service provider designation reception unit 702 receives the designation of a service provider from the user. When receiving the service provided for the device 8, the user needs to specify in advance the service provider to be used for the communication device 7. The designation of the service provider is made via the user terminal 4. Specifically, the user activates the device service application, which is an application program for receiving the service related to the device 8 provided by the remote server 5c and installed in the user terminal 4, and makes the designation of the service provider via the service provider designation screen shown in FIG. 28. For example, the user inputs the type of information to be received (e.g., weather, disaster prevention, food, etc.) and the location area of the home on the service provider designation screen, executes a search, and selects and designates a desired service provider from the list of service providers displayed as the search result.

[0165] When the designation of the service provider by the user is completed, the information about the service provider designated by the user (in the example of FIG. 28, "Service Provider A") is transmitted from the user terminal 4 to the communication device 7. The service provider information includes a code (hereinafter referred to as the local information code) indicating the types of local information (weather information, disaster prevention information, product information) provided by the local information server 9 corresponding to the service provider, and a URL for accessing the resource indicating the local information. The user makes the designation of the service provider to be used for all the devices 8 connected to the communication device 7.

[0166] The service provider designation reception unit 702 receives and accepts each service provider information sent from the user terminal 4, and notifies the received each service provider information to the local information acquisition unit 703. The local information acquisition unit 703 is an example of the local information acquisition means according to the present disclosure. When receiving the notification of the service provider information from the service provider designation reception unit 702, the local information acquisition unit 703 thereafter periodically accesses the local information server 9 specified by the service provider information to acquire the local information. For example, when the local information server 9 provides weather information, the local information acquisition unit 703 accesses the local information server 9 every hour, for example, and acquires the weather information as the local information.

[0167] When the local information server 9 provides disaster prevention information, the local information acquisition unit 703 accesses the local information server 9, for example, every hour, and acquires the reported information as local information when disaster prevention information is reported. When the local information server 9 provides product information, the local information acquisition unit 703 accesses the local information server 9 at a predetermined time (for example, 10:00 am) and acquires product information as local information.

[0168] The local information acquisition unit 703 adds a local information code corresponding to the acquired local information to the local information and supplies it to the local information transmission unit 704. The local information transmission unit 704 is an example of the local information transmission means according to the present disclosure. The local information transmission unit 704 transmits the local information supplied from the local information acquisition unit 703 to the remote server 5c.

[0169] The service data reception unit 705 is an example of the service data reception means according to the present disclosure, and receives service data sent from the remote server 5c. The service data reception unit 705 supplies the received service data to the service data analysis unit 706. The service data analysis unit 706 analyzes the service data supplied from the service data reception unit 705, determines whether the service data indicates control or information presentation, and acquires the content thereof.

[0170] When the service data indicates control, the service data analysis unit 706 supplies the content of the control indicated by the service data to the control command generation unit 707. On the other hand, when the service data indicates information presentation, the service data analysis unit 706 supplies the content of the information presentation indicated by the service data to the notification unit 709.

[0171] The control command generation unit 707 generates a control command for controlling the device 8 based on the content of the control supplied from the service data analysis unit 706. Then, the control command generation unit 707 instructs the control command transmission unit 708 to transmit the generated control command. At this time, when the device 8 is the device 3 (i.e., the air conditioner), the control command generation unit 707 instructs the control command transmission unit 708 to transmit the generated control command to the device 8 at the specified time, similar to the control command generation unit 206 in the first embodiment. The control command transmission unit 708 transmits the control command generated by the control command generation unit 707 to the corresponding device 8.

[0172] The notification unit 709 notifies the user of the device 8 of information based on the content of the information presentation supplied from the service data analysis unit 706. Specifically, notification information for displaying the recommended menu list included in the service data on the user terminal 4 is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 4 of the user. The user terminal 4 that has received such notification information displays the recommended menu list on the display 40 under the operation of the device service application. The service data analysis unit 706, the control command generation unit 707, the control command transmission unit 708, and the notification unit 709 are an example of the service execution means according to the present disclosure.

[0173] <Functional configuration of the remote server 5c> FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the remote server 5c. As shown in FIG. 29, the remote server 5c includes a device data reception unit 500, a device data storage unit 501b, a local information reception unit 502, a local information storage unit 503a, a service data generation unit 504c, and a service data transmission unit 505. These functional units of the remote server 5c are realized by the CPU 51 executing a cloud program for realizing a cloud computing service stored in the auxiliary storage device 54.

[0174] The device data receiving unit 500 receives the device data sent from the communication device 7 of each house H. The device data storage unit 501b distributes and stores the device data received by the device data receiving unit 500 according to the device code included in the device data in any one of the device DB540, device DB540a, and device DB540b. For example, when the device code indicates an air conditioner, the device data storage unit 501b stores the device data in the device DB540. Also, when the device code indicates a water heater, the device data storage unit 501b stores the device data in the device DB540a.

[0175] Also, when the device code indicates a refrigerator, the device data storage unit 501b performs image recognition on the image data included in the device data to determine the food ingredients stored in the device 8. Then, the device data storage unit 501b stores the data including the current date and time (year, month, day, and time) and the information indicating each determined food ingredient as the device data sent from the communication device 7 in the device DB540b.

[0176] The local information receiving unit 502 receives the local information sent from the communication device 7 of each house H. The local information storage unit 503a distributes and stores the local information received by the local information receiving unit 502 according to the local information code included in the local information in any one of the local information DB541, local information DB541a, and local information DB541b.

[0177] For example, when the local information code indicates weather information, the local information storage unit 503a stores the local information in the local information DB541. Also, when the local information code indicates disaster prevention information, the local information storage unit 503a stores the local information in the local information DB541a. Also, when the local information code indicates product information, the local information storage unit 503a stores the local information in the local information DB541b.

[0178] The service data generation unit 504c is an example of the service data generation means according to the present disclosure, and generates service data which is data for providing services related to the device 8 to customers. In the present embodiment, the remote server 5c provides the same services as those in Embodiments 1 to 3 for the devices 8 in each customer's home according to the types of the devices 8. For example, when the device 8 is an air conditioner, the remote server 5c provides an energy-saving control service for keeping the daily power consumption within a preset target value. When the device 8 is a water heater, the remote server 5c provides a boiling control service in preparation for a power outage. When the device 8 is a refrigerator, the remote server 5c provides a service of presenting a recommended menu list, which is a list of recommended menus, to the customer.

[0179] For each customer, the service data generation unit 504c executes the same service data generation process (see FIG. 12) as in Embodiment 1 each time the device data from the communication device 7 corresponding to the customer is stored in the device DB 540. Also, for each customer, the service data generation unit 504c executes the same service data generation process (see FIG. 17) as in Embodiment 2 each time the local information from the communication device 7 corresponding to the customer is stored in the local information DB 541a, that is, each time the disaster prevention information is updated. Further, for each customer, the service data generation unit 504c executes the same service data generation process (see FIG. 22) as in Embodiment 3 when it reaches the service provision time which is the time preset by the customer.

[0180] The service data generation unit 504c adds the device ID of the device 8 to the generated service data and supplies it to the service data transmission unit 505. The service data transmission unit 505 transmits the service data supplied from the service data generation unit 504c to the corresponding communication device 7.

[0181] As described above, in the device service providing system 1c of the fourth embodiment, the communication device 7 acquires local information corresponding to the location area of the device 8 from the local information server 9 corresponding to the carrier designated by the user, and transmits it to the remote server 5c. Therefore, the remote server 5c does not need to manage information regarding the location areas of the respective devices 8, and the user does not need to register information regarding the location of his / her home with the remote server 5c. As a result, it becomes possible to provide the user with advantageous services regarding the device 8 while ensuring the anonymity of the user.

[0182] As a result, since the user can safely subscribe to the service, an increase in the number of subscribers to the service can be achieved, and promotion of the sales of the device 8 can also be expected.

[0183] Also, for the operator of the remote server 5c, the workload for paying attention to domestic and foreign laws and regulations regarding personal information is significantly reduced.

[0184] Also, since the remote server 5c does not need to communicate with each local information server 9, it is not under high load, and stable system operation can be realized.

[0185] Also, the remote server 5c provides the same services as those in the first to third embodiments for the devices 8 at each customer's home according to the types of the devices 8. Also, the communication device 7 is communicably connected to a plurality of various devices 8, and can execute the same processing as that in the first to third embodiments according to the content of the service data received from the remote server 5c. Therefore, the user can receive the provision of services regarding a plurality of various devices 8 by installing one communication device 7 in the house H.

[0186] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described respective embodiments, and various modifications can of course be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0187] (Modification Example 1) In Embodiment 1, the user may be able to specify a service provider via a dedicated remote controller (not shown) of the device 3. In this case, the service provider information regarding the service provider specified by the user may be transmitted from the dedicated remote controller to the communication device 2, or may be transmitted to the communication device 2 via the device 3.

[0188] (Modification Example 2) In Embodiment 1, instead of separately transmitting the device data and the local information to the remote server 5, the communication device 2 may periodically transmit the data in which the device data and the local information are stored to the remote server 5. In this case, the remote server 5 may extract the device data and the local information from the received data, store the extracted device data in the device DB 540, and store the extracted local information in the local information DB 541.

[0189] (Modification Example 3) In Embodiment 1, the timing at which the communication device 2 acquires the device data from the device 3 and transmits it to the remote server 5 and the timing at which the communication device 2 acquires the local information from the local information server 6 and transmits it to the remote server 5 do not have to coincide, and the time interval for acquiring the device data from the device 3 and the time interval for acquiring the local information from the local information server 6 do not have to coincide either.

[0190] (Modification Example 4) In Embodiment 1, when the communication device 2 receives a transmission request for device data from the remote server 5, the communication device 2 may acquire the device data from the device 3 and transmit the acquired device data to the remote server 5. Further, when the communication device 2 receives a transmission request for local information from the remote server 5, the communication device 2 may access the local information server 6, acquire the local information, and transmit the acquired local information to the remote server 5.

[0191] (Modification Example 5) In Embodiment 1, the remote server 5 provided the customer with services related to the control of the device 3, specifically, an energy-saving control service, as a service for the device 3. Furthermore, the remote server 5 may provide the customer with a service for presenting information related to the operation of the device 3. For example, the service data generation unit 504 of the remote server 5 generates service data for presenting information such as advice for energy saving and the results of energy-saving control to the customer based on the history of device data and local information, and transmits the generated service data to the corresponding communication device 2.

[0192] The communication device 2 of this modification includes the functional configuration of the communication device 2 of Embodiment 1, and further includes functional units similar to the service data analysis unit 706 and the notification unit 709 in the communication device 7 of Embodiment 4.

[0193] (Modification 6) In Embodiment 1, in addition to the energy-saving control service, the remote server 5 may be able to provide various services related to the control of the device 3. In this case, the customer may be able to specify a desired service in advance using the device service application.

[0194] (Modification 7) In Embodiment 1, instead of immediately transmitting the generated service data to the communication device 2, the remote server 5 may transmit it to the corresponding communication device 2 when the start time of the time period subject to energy-saving control arrives, or 10 to 60 seconds before the start time. In this case, when the communication device 2 receives the service data, it immediately transmits the control data based on the service data to the device 3 to which it is connected.

[0195] (Modification 8) In Embodiment 1, a plurality of sets of communication devices 2 and devices 3 may be installed in the house H. In this case, for example, each set of communication devices 2 and devices 3 is installed in each room of the house H.

[0196] (Modification 9) In Embodiment 2, the user may be able to specify a service provider via a dedicated remote controller (not shown) of the device 3a. In this case, the service provider information regarding the service provider specified by the user may be transmitted from the dedicated remote controller to the communication device 2a, or may be transmitted to the communication device 2a via the device 3a.

[0197] (Modification Example 10) In Embodiment 2, when the communication device 2a receives a transmission request for device data from the remote server 5a, the communication device 2a may acquire the device data from the device 3a and transmit the acquired device data to the remote server 5a. Further, when the communication device 2a receives a transmission request for local information from the remote server 5a, the communication device 2a may access the local information server 6a. If the local information can be acquired, the communication device 2a may transmit the local information to the remote server 5a, and if the local information cannot be acquired, the communication device 2a may transmit information indicating that fact to the remote server 5a.

[0198] (Modification Example 11) In Embodiment 2, as a service related to the device 3a, the remote server 5a provides a boiling control service in preparation for a power outage to customers. However, the remote server 5a may further provide a service for presenting information regarding the operation of the device 3a to customers. In this case, the communication device 2a in this case includes the functional configuration of the communication device 2a in Embodiment 2, and further includes functional units similar to the service data analysis unit 706 and the notification unit 709 in the communication device 7 in Embodiment 4, respectively.

[0199] (Modification Example 12) In Embodiment 2, in addition to the boiling control service in preparation for a power outage, the remote server 5a may be able to provide various services related to the control of the device 3a. In this case, the customer may be able to specify a desired service in advance using the device service application.

[0200] (Modification Example 13) In Embodiment 3, the user may be able to specify a service provider via a dedicated remote controller (not shown) of the device 3b. In this case, the service provider information regarding the service provider specified by the user may be transmitted from the dedicated remote controller to the communication device 2b, or may be transmitted to the communication device 2b via the device 3b.

[0201] (Modification Example 14) In Embodiment 3, instead of periodically transmitting device data to the communication device 2b, the device 3b (i.e., the refrigerator) may capture an image inside the cabinet at the timing when the door is closed, and transmit device data including image data showing the captured image inside the cabinet to the communication device 2b. That is, in this case, the communication device 2b transmits the device data acquired from the device 3b to the remote server 5 each time the door of the device 3b is closed.

[0202] (Modification Example 15) In Embodiment 3, when the communication device 2b receives a device data transmission request from the remote server 5b, the communication device 2b may acquire device data from the device 3b and transmit the acquired device data to the remote server 5b. Further, when the communication device 2b receives a local information transmission request from the remote server 5b, the communication device 2b may access the local information server 6b to acquire local information and transmit the acquired local information to the remote server 5b.

[0203] (Modification Example 16) In Embodiment 3, the notification unit 208 may transmit notification information to the dedicated remote controller of the device 3b, and the dedicated remote controller may display a screen based on the notification information.

[0204] (Modification Example 17) In Embodiment 3, in addition to the service of presenting a recommended menu list, the remote server 5b may be able to provide various services for presenting information regarding the device 3b. In this case, the customer may be able to specify a desired service in advance using the device service application.

[0205] (Modification Example 18) In Embodiment 4, the communication between the communication device 7 and the user terminal 4 may be performed by a short-range wireless communication method such as BLE.

[0206] (Modification Example 19) In Embodiment 4, a plurality of devices 8 of the same type (for example, air conditioners) may be connected to the communication device 7.

[0207] (Modification Example 20) The technical ideas according to the above Modification Examples 1 to 17 can be applied as modification examples of Embodiment 4.

[0208] (Modification Example 21) All or part of the functional units of the communication device 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 5) may be realized by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units of the communication device 2a in Embodiment 2 (see FIG. 14) may be realized by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units of the communication device 2b in Embodiment 3 (see FIG. 19) may be realized by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units of the communication device 7 in Embodiment 4 (see FIG. 27) may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0209] Also, all or part of the functional units of the remote server 5 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 5) may be realized by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units of the remote server 5a in Embodiment 2 (see FIG. 14) may be realized by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units of the remote server 5b in Embodiment 3 (see FIG. 19) may be realized by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units of the remote server 5c in Embodiment 4 (see FIG. 29) may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0210] The above-mentioned dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0211] (Modification Example 22) In the device service providing system according to the present disclosure, the devices to be provided with services are not limited to air conditioners, water heaters, and refrigerators. For example, various household electrical appliances such as televisions, lighting devices, and IH (Induction Heating) cookers can be the targets of service provision in the device service providing system according to the present disclosure. Also, facility devices installed in buildings such as buildings and stores can also be the targets of service provision in the device service providing system according to the present disclosure.

[0212] The technical ideas according to the above respective modification examples may be realized independently or may be realized in appropriate combination.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0213] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Machine service providing system, 2, 2a, 2b, 7 Communication device, 3, 3a, 3b, 8 Device, 4 User terminal, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c Remote server, 6, 6a, 6b, 9 Local information server, 20, 42, 70 First communication interface, 21, 43, 71 Second communication interface, 22 Third communication interface, 23, 44, 51, 72 CPU, 24, 45, 52, 73 ROM, 25, 46, 53, 74 RAM, 26, 47, 54, 75 Auxiliary storage device, 27, 48, 55, 76 Bus, 40 Display, 41 Operation reception unit, 50 Communication interface, 200, 700 Device data acquisition unit, 201, 701 Device data transmission unit, 202, 702 Operator designation reception unit, 203, 203a, 703 Local information acquisition unit, 204, 704 Local information transmission unit, 205, 705 Service data reception unit, 206, 206a, 707 Control command generation unit, 207, 708 Control command transmission unit, 208, 709 Notification unit, 500 Device data reception unit, 501, 501a, 501b Device data storage unit, 502 Local information reception unit, 503, 503a Local information storage unit, 504, 504a, 504b, 504c Service data generation unit, 505 Service data transmission unit, 540, 540a, 540b Device DB, 541, 541a, 541b Local information DB, 706 Service data analysis unit

Claims

1. A communication device and a remote server, wherein the communication device comprises device data acquisition means for acquiring device data related to the air conditioner from the air conditioner, device data transmission means for transmitting the acquired device data to the remote server, local information acquisition means for acquiring local information, which is weather information corresponding to the location area of the air conditioner, from a local information server, local information transmission means for transmitting the acquired local information to the remote server, service data reception means for receiving service data from the remote server, and service execution means for controlling the air conditioner based on the received service data; wherein the remote server comprises device data reception means for receiving the device data from the communication device, device data storage means for storing the received device data, local information reception means for receiving the local information from the communication device, local information storage means for storing the received local information, service data generation means for generating service data for providing an energy-saving control service related to the air conditioner to a user based on the device data and the local information, and service data transmission means for transmitting the generated service data to the communication device, a device service providing system.

2. A communication device and a remote server, wherein the communication device comprises device data acquisition means for acquiring device data related to the water heater from the water heater, device data transmission means for transmitting the acquired device data to the remote server, local information acquisition means for acquiring local information, which is disaster prevention information corresponding to the location area of the water heater, from a local information server, local information transmission means for transmitting the acquired local information to the remote server, service data reception means for receiving service data from the remote server, and service execution means for controlling the water heater based on the received service data; wherein the remote server comprises device data reception means for receiving the device data from the communication device, device data storage means for storing the received device data, local information reception means for receiving the local information from the communication device, local information storage means for storing the received local information, Service data generation means for generating service data for providing a boiling control service related to the water heater to the user based on the machine data and the local information; A device service providing system comprising: service data transmission means for transmitting the generated service data to the communication device.

3. The service data generation means of the remote server generates service data indicating information related to the air conditioner, The service execution means of the communication device notifies the user of information based on the service data. The device service providing system according to claim 1.

4. The service data generation means of the remote server generates service data indicating information related to the water heater, The service execution means of the communication device notifies the user of information based on the service data. The device service providing system according to claim 2.

5. Device data receiving means for receiving device data related to the air conditioner from the communication device; Device data storage means for storing the received device data; Local information receiving means for receiving local information, which is weather information corresponding to the location area of the air conditioner, from the communication device; Local information storage means for storing the received local information; Service data generation means for generating service data for providing an energy-saving control service related to the air conditioner to the user based on the device data and the local information; A remote server comprising: service data transmission means for transmitting the generated service data to the communication device.

6. Device data receiving means for receiving device data related to the water heater from the communication device; Device data storage means for storing the received device data; Local information receiving means for receiving local information, which is disaster prevention information corresponding to the location area of the water heater, from the communication device; Local information storage means for storing the received local information; Service data generation means for generating service data for providing a boiling control service related to the water heater to the user based on the device data and the local information; A remote server comprising: service data transmission means for transmitting the generated service data to the communication device.

7. The communication device acquires device data related to the air conditioner from the air conditioner, Transmit the obtained device data to a remote server, Obtain local information, which is weather information corresponding to the location area of the air conditioner, from a local information server, Transmit the obtained local information to the remote server, The remote server Receives the device data from the communication device, stores the received device data in device data storage means, Receives the local information from the communication device, stores the received local information in local information storage means, Generates service data for providing an energy-saving control service related to the air conditioner to the user based on the device data and the local information, Transmits the generated service data to the communication device, The communication device Receives the service data from the remote server, A device service providing method for controlling the air conditioner based on the received service data.

8. The communication device Obtains device data related to the water heater from the water heater, Transmits the obtained device data to a remote server, Obtains local information, which is disaster prevention information corresponding to the location area of the water heater, from a local information server, Transmits the obtained local information to the remote server, The remote server Receives the device data from the communication device, stores the received device data in device data storage means, Receives the local information from the communication device, stores the received local information in local information storage means, Generates service data for providing a boiling control service related to the water heater to the user based on the device data and the local information, Transmits the generated service data to the communication device, The communication device Receives the service data from the remote server, A device service providing method for controlling the water heater based on the received service data.

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