Notification system, home appliance, and notification method

Abstract

To provide a notification system, appliances, and a notification method with which provision of information regarding a usage state of an appliance is ceased when the owner of the appliance could have possibly been changed.SOLUTION: A notification system includes an information obtaining unit, an information generation unit, and a management processing unit. The information obtaining unit obtains notifications from target appliances. The information generation unit generates and outputs information based on notifications from the target appliances. The management processing unit, when determining that an owner of a specific appliance out of the target appliances has been changed, deletes the specific appliance that had been owned by a former owner out of the target appliances or when determining that the owner has been changed as mentioned above, restricts information provision based on notifications from the specific appliance that had been owned by the former owner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a notification system, a home appliance, and a notification method. [Background technology]

[0002] The "Monitoring Notification System" (notification system) provides a service to monitor monitored individuals by indirectly detecting the activity status of monitored individuals from the usage status of home appliances related to the monitored individuals, and notifying notification recipients registered in the system of information on the monitored individuals' activity status. When the owner of a home appliance used in such a "Monitoring Notification System" changes, there is a concern that the information provision service related to the usage status of the home appliance may not be discontinued, and the information provision service may continue even after the change of owner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-65113 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a notification system, a home appliance, and a notification method that stop providing information related to the usage status of a home appliance when there is a possibility that the owner of the home appliance has changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The notification system of the embodiment includes an information acquisition unit, an information generation unit, and a management processing unit. The information acquisition unit acquires notifications from target home appliances. The information generation unit generates and outputs information in response to the notifications from the target home appliances. When the management processing unit determines that there has been a change in owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances, the management processing unit either deletes the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner from the target home appliances, or, when it determines that there has been a change in owner, restricts provision of information in response to notifications from the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner. When an owner other than the previous owner requests registration of information about the target home appliance that the previous owner has given up, the information generation unit and the management processing unit perform processing related to the use of new information provision that is different from the information provision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a monitoring notification system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a monitoring notification system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a monitoring notification system according to an embodiment; [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an event information DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a notification condition DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a notification message DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 3D] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a user attribute information DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 3E] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a change notification DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 3F] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a change notification DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 4A] 10 is a flowchart of a process related to a watchful notification service according to an embodiment. [Figure 4B] 4B is a flowchart showing a process for verifying the validity of the usage application in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of a process related to a watchful notification service according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of a process related to a watchful notification service according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a process related to a monitoring notification service according to a comparative example of an embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a watchful waiting notification according to an embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a watchful waiting notification according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a watchful waiting notification according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a process related to notification and verification when an owner changes in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, notification systems, home appliances, and notification methods according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be assigned the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. "Based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include a case where the component is based on another element in addition to XX. "Based on XX" is not limited to the direct use of XX, but may also include a case where the component is based on XX after calculation or processing. "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, but may include both XX and YY. This also applies when there are three or more selective elements. "XX" and "YY" are arbitrary elements (e.g., arbitrary information).

[0008] In the embodiments, "home appliances" refer to electrical machinery and appliances each having a communication function. Examples of home appliances include refrigerators, televisions, audio equipment, lighting fixtures, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, and air conditioners. Some of these appliances will be described below as examples. From a house in the embodiments, it is possible to use communication services via a network NW, for example. In the embodiments, "when it is determined that there has been a change in owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances" includes cases where there has actually been a change in owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances, as well as cases where there is a possibility that there has been a change in owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances, when an event is detected that could lead to the determination that there has been a change in owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances, and when there has been a change in the environment in which a specific home appliance among the target home appliances is placed. In the embodiments, "obtaining a notification from a target home appliance" includes obtaining a notification resulting from use of a communication service via the network NW, or obtaining information contained in the notification.

[0009] Below, we will explain a "monitoring notification system," which is an example of a "notification system." The "monitoring notification system" shown here provides a service to monitor a target person. The information provided by the service to monitor a target person is an example of "information in response to a notification from a target home appliance."

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a monitoring notification system 1 according to an embodiment. The monitoring notification system 1 provides a monitoring notification service using information from home appliances installed in multiple houses, such as house 3 and house 4. There are no restrictions on the number and size of the houses, or the types and number of home appliances. House 3 and house 4 are each equipped with one or more home appliances that can be used for the monitoring notification service.

[0011] A target person T3 resides in house 3. Target person T3 is an example of a target monitored by monitoring notification system 1. Monitoring notification system 1 indirectly detects the activity status of target person T3 using home appliances, etc., and notifies notification destinations registered in the system that conditions related to a specific event have been met. It is assumed that house 4 is occupied by someone other than a related person of target person T3.

[0012] The first user U1 to the third user U3 are examples of related parties of the target person T3. The first user U1 to the third user U3 are examples of notification recipients registered in the monitoring notification system 1 to receive the monitoring notification service from the system (see FIG. 3D). In the following description, the target person T3 and his related parties, the first user U1 to the third user U3, may be referred to as group A for convenience.

[0013] For example, the first user U1 has the authority to use the monitoring notification system 1 to receive the monitoring notification service. The authority for the first user U1 to use the monitoring notification system 1 may be linked to the account (authentication information) of the first user U1. The same applies to each of the second user U2 to the third user U3. The first user U1 to the third user U3 may be collectively referred to simply as "user U."

[0014] House 3 is equipped with home appliances such as a refrigerator 31 and a television 32, and a communication device 33 (WRA). Each of the above home appliances is connected to an outlet (not shown) via a power cord (not shown), for example, and operates using AC power supplied through the outlet. Home appliances such as refrigerator 31 and television 32 are relatively often used in a constantly powered state with their power cords plugged into the outlet. Each of the above home appliances notifies the notification service providing device 2 of the detected device status. The refrigerator 31 and television 32 are examples of home appliances that can be used for the monitoring notification service in house 3, and are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1 , and can be added or removed as appropriate. Each of the above home appliances generates data for registering information for the monitoring notification service in the notification service providing device 2 located outside house 3. Each of the above home appliances transmits the generated data to the network NW via the communication device 33, where it is registered in the notification service providing device 2.

[0015] The network NW includes, for example, either or both of a WAN (Wide Area Network) and a LAN (Local Area Network). Communications in the WAN use one or more of the Internet, public lines, telephone lines, cellular networks, etc.

[0016] For example, a LAN is provided in the house 3, and the LAN is configured to allow connection between each home appliance and a terminal device 60 (described later) used by a user U. A communication device 33 connects the LAN in the house 3 to an external network NW. The LAN in the house 3 may be either a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, or both. These may be collectively referred to simply as LAN.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, a first user U1 is staying in a house 3 and has a terminal device 61. The terminal device 61 communicates with the notification service providing device 2 via a communication device 33 and a network NW.

[0018] House 4 is equipped with home appliances such as a refrigerator and a television 42, and a communication device 43 (WRB). Each of the above home appliances operates using AC power supplied via an outlet. Each of the above home appliances notifies the notification service providing device 2 of the detected device status. The refrigerator and television 42 are examples of home appliances that can be used for the monitoring notification service in house 4, and are not limited to those shown in the figure, and can be added or removed as appropriate. Each of the above home appliances generates data for registering information for the monitoring notification service in the notification service providing device 2 located outside house 4. Each of the above home appliances transmits the generated data to the network NW via the communication device 43, so that the data can be registered in the notification service providing device 2.

[0019] In each scenario shown in the following embodiments, the residents of the house 4 do not have to include those monitored by the monitoring notification service. In the above case, each home appliance in the house 4 may use the information it has acquired to receive services other than the monitoring notification service.

[0020] In the case of the house 4, a LAN is also provided within the house 4, and each home appliance and a terminal device 64 used by a user U4 are configured to be connectable to the LAN. A communication device 43 connects the LAN within the house 4 to an external network NW. The LAN within the house 4 may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

[0021] The management of network addresses assigned to communication devices within the user's premises by the communication device 43 is the same as that of the communication device 33 described above. Different network addresses are assigned to the communication device 43 and the communication device 33 described above, and the respective LANs can be identified using the network addresses. Furthermore, different identification information is assigned to the communication device 43 and the communication device 33, and this identification information can be used to identify the respective LANs.

[0022] A second user U2 uses terminal device 62. A third user U3 uses terminal device 63. A fourth user U4 uses terminal device 64. A fifth user U5 uses terminal device 65. When there is no need to distinguish between terminal device 61 and terminal device 63, they may be simply referred to as terminal device 60.

[0023] The terminal device 60 may be a computer equipped with a display unit, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. There are no restrictions on the type of terminal device 60. The terminal device 60 can communicate with the notification service providing device 2 via the network NW, and can further communicate with the notification service providing device 2 via the LAN of either the house 3 or the house 4. For example, the wireless communication base stations 91, 92, and 95 are wireless communication base stations of a cellular system or the like, and are connected to a network NW. Communication services can be used within areas Z91, Z92, and Z95 associated with the wireless communication base stations 91, 92, and 95.

[0024] Each home appliance in each house may have one or more of each type, and the specifications of the same type of appliances may be different from each other, and some or all of the same type of appliances may have the above-mentioned communication functions. Furthermore, the home appliances installed in each house do not necessarily have to use all of the above-mentioned types of appliances, and it may be possible to use some of the types of appliances. For example, each house may be equipped with at least some of the above-mentioned types of appliances.

[0025] The notification service providing device 2 will be described later. An example of each device will be described below with reference to Figures 2A and 2B. Figures 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of the configuration of a watchful notification system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0026] The refrigerator 31 will now be described. The refrigerator 31 is installed in, for example, a house 3. The house 3 in which the refrigerator 31 is installed has a plurality of areas, such as a living room, a bathroom, and a kitchen, which are separated from one another by walls. The refrigerator 31 is installed in, for example, the kitchen. The place where the refrigerator 31 is installed is not limited to the kitchen of the house 3, and may be, for example, a store, an office, etc.

[0027] The refrigerator 31 includes a housing, a door, and shelves that form a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the refrigerator 31 includes an operation unit 31a, a display unit 31b, a control unit 31c, a communication unit 31d, a freezer main body 31e, a sensor 31f, and a power supply unit 31g. The operation unit 31a includes a plurality of buttons, for example, for switching operation modes. When a user operates a button on the operation unit 31a, the operation unit 31a transmits a signal according to the operated button to the control unit 31c. The display unit 31b has a liquid crystal panel and displays images to be provided to the user. The display unit 31b may be configured as a touch panel, in which case the display unit 31b also functions as the operation unit 31a.

[0028] The refrigerator main body 31e includes a heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, a pump for circulating the refrigerant to the heat exchanger, a motor for driving the pump, a fan unit for circulating cool air, and the like.

[0029] The sensor 31f is provided with a plurality of sensors including, for example, a door sensor for detecting that the door or shelf of the refrigerator 31 is opened, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside or around the refrigerator 31. The type and number of the sensors 31f other than those described above may be determined as appropriate. The power supply unit 31g converts AC power supplied from an external source to generate DC power for control. The power supply unit 31g may detect a change from a state in which no AC power is being supplied to a state in which AC power is being supplied.

[0030] The control unit 31c includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory 31m such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The control unit 31c is controllably connected to each unit (31a to 31f) via wiring (not shown). The memory 31m of the control unit 31c stores a computer program for controlling each unit (31a to 31e) of the refrigerator 31 based on the state detected by the sensor 31f. When refrigerator 31 is in a predetermined state, control unit 31c transmits state information corresponding to the predetermined state to notification service providing device 2. For example, control unit 31c notifies notification service providing device 2 (notification system) that the owner of the home electric appliance has changed.

[0031] In response to a communication request from control unit 31c, communication unit 31d generates an IEEE 802.11 frame (hereinafter simply referred to as a MAC frame) that can include an IP packet, and transmits it to notification service providing device 2. This MAC frame includes an IEEE 802.11 header (hereinafter simply referred to as MAC frame header information) that is transmitted following a predetermined physical header, actual data, and an error detection code. Communication unit 31d generates a MAC frame that includes an IP packet as the actual data. Note that the payload of the IP packet stores data of an upper layer protocol that is appropriately selected.

[0032] Furthermore, communication unit 31d may generate an IP packet specifying the communication destination based on address information such as the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or IP address of the communication destination notification service providing device 2. Communication unit 31d transmits this IP packet to notification service providing device 2 using the above MAC frame.

[0033] The control unit 31c stores in the memory 31m identification information for the LAN of the house 3 and address information such as the URL or IP address of the destination notification service providing device 2. This LAN identification information includes either or both of the MAC address information and the SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​of the opposing communication device 33. The type of memory 31m used for this is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. This prevents loss of data in the memory 31m due to a power outage or the like. The control unit 31c controls the communication unit 31d to notify the notification service providing device 2 of status information using the URL or IP address of the destination notification service providing device 2 stored in the memory 31m.

[0034] Furthermore, prior to the above communication, control unit 31c performs various settings required for communication with communication device 33 on refrigerator 31 and communication device 33, enabling communication using communication device 33. For example, refrigerator 31 and communication device 33 each obtain the MAC address of the other device, and refrigerator 31 obtains the SSID of communication device 33. Using these, refrigerator 31 and communication device 33 authenticate each other, enabling communication device 33 to send notifications to notification service providing device 2, etc.

[0035] In this embodiment, control unit 31c includes information that can identify the communication environment of refrigerator 31 in a message and notifies notification service providing device 2, the communication destination. This information that can identify the communication environment includes, for example, some or all of the identification information for the LAN in house 3. The identification information for the LAN in house 3 (network information in FIG. 3D) may include some or all of the MAC address information, SSID, and other information for communication device 33, the communication device that communicates with refrigerator 31. Notification service providing device 2 uses the "information that can identify the communication environment" of refrigerator 31 to detect changes in the communication environment in which refrigerator 31 is located. Note that sending a message that includes information that can identify the communication environment of refrigerator 31 is different from adding the information to the header information of a MAC frame and sending it. This will be described in detail later. In the following explanation, the communication environment of refrigerator 31 is referred to as the usage environment of refrigerator 31.

[0036] In this embodiment, the control unit 31c uses the LAN identification information (MAC address information) to identify the location and usage environment of the refrigerator 31. The control unit 31c can detect that the refrigerator 31 is located within a range where the LAN in the house 3 can be used by comparing the LAN identification information (MAC address information, SSID, etc. of the communication device 33) of the house 3 stored in the memory 31m with part or all of the identification information (source MAC address) attached to the received frame. This allows the control unit 31c to estimate the approximate location of the refrigerator 31 or whether it has moved.

[0037] When the power supply unit 31g detects that "the supply of AC power has started or resumed," the control unit 31c may execute an initialization process required for controlling the refrigerator 31, and in response thereto, detect whether the usage environment allows communication.

[0038] Next, the terminal device 60 will be described. The terminal device 60 is carried by each user U (see FIG. 1). For example, the user U holds the terminal device 60 outside or inside the house 3. The terminal device 60 is an example of a mobile terminal device.

[0039] For example, the terminal device 60 is an example of the notification unit. The notification unit is not limited to the terminal device 60, and may be, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, or other portable terminal devices, or may be a terminal device that is difficult to carry. For example, a stationary device such as a television or a desktop PC may be used as the notification unit. A home appliance such as a refrigerator 31 may also be used as the notification unit.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2A, the terminal device 60 includes an operation display unit 60a, a communication unit 60b, a GPS receiver 60c, and a control unit 60d.

[0041] The operation display unit 60a is configured as a touch panel. The operation display unit 60a includes a display screen capable of displaying images and videos, and a touch sensor superimposed on the display screen. The operation display unit 60a is another example of an "alert unit." When the user U touches the operation display unit 60a, the control unit 60d detects a signal indicating the operated position. The operation display unit 60a also displays an image to be provided to the user U.

[0042] Communication unit 60b receives information from notification service providing device 2 via network NW and transmits the information to notification service providing device 2. Communication unit 60b also receives status information about the status of refrigerator 31 from notification service providing device 2, which information has been transmitted from communication unit 31d of refrigerator 31 to notification service providing device 2. In a modified example, communication unit 60b may receive status information directly from communication unit 31d of refrigerator 31.

[0043] The GPS receiver 60c receives radio waves transmitted from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite (GPS in FIG. 1) to identify the position of the terminal device 60.

[0044] The control unit 60d includes a CPU 60e and memory 60f such as RAM and ROM. The control unit 60d is controllably connected to the units 22, 24, and 26 via wiring (not shown). The memory 60f of the control unit 60d stores computer programs for controlling the units 22, 24, and 26. The memory 60f also stores application software (hereinafter referred to as "terminal application") for a monitoring notification service (described later).

[0045] The memory 60f also stores identification information indicating the usage environment where the refrigerator 31 and other devices are installed. When a terminal app is installed in the terminal device 60, the terminal app processes requests for starting or canceling use of the monitoring notification service. The terminal app may also acquire information about the usage environment where the refrigerator 31 is located, store the information within the terminal device 60, and use it for direct communication with the refrigerator 31. Information about the usage environment where the refrigerator 31 and other devices are located may be registered in advance in the terminal app by, for example, the user U operating the operation display unit 60a.

[0046] When this terminal application identifies the usage environment related to communication using LAN address information (such as a MAC address), the control unit 60d can detect that the terminal device 60 is located within a range where the LAN in the house 3 can be used by comparing the LAN identification information of the house 3 stored in the memory 60f with part or all of the source MAC address of the received frame. This allows the control unit 60d to estimate the approximate location of the user U carrying the terminal device 60.

[0047] Next, the television 32 will be described. The television 32 is an example of a television receiver that receives broadcast waves, or a monitor that displays video distributed via communication. Hereinafter, it will be simply referred to as the television 32. The television 32 displays broadcast or distributed video. For example, the television 32 may be capable of receiving video distributed from a video distribution site via the network NW and displaying the video, or may be configured to exclusively receive video distribution via the network NW. The television 32 is installed, for example, inside the house 3 (see FIG. 1). The location where the television 32 is installed is not limited to the living room, and may be, for example, a store, an office, etc.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2A, the television 32 includes an operation unit 32a, a display unit 32b, a control unit 32c, a communication unit 32d, and a power supply unit 32g. The operation unit 32a includes a plurality of buttons, such as a power button. When a user operates a button on the operation unit 32a, the operation unit 32a transmits a signal corresponding to the operated button to the control unit 32c. The operation unit 32a may be a remote control. The display unit 32b has, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays an image to be provided to the user U. The power supply unit 32g converts AC power supplied from an external source to generate DC power for control. The power supply unit 32g may detect a change from a state in which AC power is not supplied to a state in which AC power is supplied.

[0049] The control unit 32c includes a CPU and memories such as RAM and ROM (not shown). The control unit 32c is controllably connected to each unit (32a to 32d) via wiring (not shown). The control unit 32c stores a computer program for controlling each unit (32a to 32d). When the television 32 is in a predetermined state, the control unit 32c transmits status information corresponding to the predetermined state to the notification service providing device 2. For example, the control unit 32c notifies the notification service providing device 2 (notification system) that the owner of the home appliance has changed. The communication unit 32d transmits and receives information between the notification service providing device 2 and the terminal device 60 via the network NW. For example, the control unit 32c receives a monitoring notification from the notification service providing device 2, forms a corresponding display screen, and displays it on the display unit. The display screen may be displayed as a pop-up screen or a split screen. The communication process of the refrigerator 31 described above may be applied as the communication process between the communication unit 32d and the control unit 32c.

[0050] Next, the notification service providing device 2 will be described. The notification service providing device 2 provides a monitoring notification service. The notification service providing device 2 is configured, for example, by one or more server devices (cloud servers). The notification service providing device 2 is a server device that manages history information received from various home appliances, remotely controls each home appliance, and performs processing for providing a monitoring notification service. The notification service providing device 2 may include an information processing unit that performs edge computing or fog computing, such as an information processing unit included in a router and / or an information processing unit included in a router in the network NW.

[0051] For example, the notification service providing device 2 includes a control unit 210 and a storage unit 220. The control unit 210 includes a user attribute information acquisition unit 211, an event information acquisition unit 212, a management processing unit 213, an information generation unit 214, and a notification processing unit 215, for example.

[0052] All or part of these functional units are realized by one or more hardware processors (processor cores) such as a CPU mounted on the notification service providing device 2 executing a program (software). However, all or part of these functional units may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit 220 is realized by RAM, ROM, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, or a combination of two or more of these. The storage unit 220 stores an event information DB 221, a notification condition DB 222, a notification message DB 223, and a user attribute information DB 224. 、 and a change notification information DB225.

[0053] The user attribute information acquisition unit 211 acquires user attribute information related to each user U who is to be registered as a user of the monitoring notification service from each terminal device 60, and adds data related to the user attribute information to a user attribute information DB 224, which will be described later. The event information acquisition unit 212 acquires event information from each home appliance, and adds data to an event information DB 221, which will be described later. The user attribute information acquisition unit 211 and the event information acquisition unit 212 are examples of information acquisition units.

[0054] The information generation unit 214 generates information for providing the monitoring notification information using various information notified from the target home appliance. The notification processing unit 215 determines the notification destination of the monitoring notification by referring to the user attribute information DB 224 described later, and notifies each user extracted as the notification destination of the monitoring notification. For example, the information generation unit 214 and the notification processing unit 215 are examples of the information generation unit.

[0055] The management processing unit 213 acquires information relating to the start / cancellation of the monitoring notification service, addition / deletion of notification destinations, etc., in response to registration applications from the terminal device 60, etc., and adds the data to the user attribute information DB 224. For example, when there is a change in the owner of a specific home appliance of the target home appliance, the management processing unit 213 deletes the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner from the targets of information provision, or when it determines that there has been a change in the owner, restricts information provision using information notified from the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner.

[0056] In the following embodiment, a case where a refrigerator 31 owned by a first user U1 is transferred to a fourth user U4 will be described as an example. When the refrigerator 31 is owned by the first user U1, it is used as a home appliance for a monitoring notification service in the house 3. The refrigerator 31 is transferred from the house 3 to the house 4 by transfer or the like, and is used in the house 4.

[0057] A database (DB) for storing various information according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F.

[0058] FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating the event information DB 221 according to the embodiment. The event information DB 221 stores data items such as an event identification number (No.), date and time, and event details (described as "event") detected by each home appliance for each event received from each home appliance. The event here may include an event indirectly detected as an action of the subject T3, such as the opening of a refrigerator door or the detection of a high temperature. Details of the event will be described later.

[0059] FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the notification condition DB 222 according to the embodiment. The notification condition DB 222 stores, for each condition 1, data on items such as the type of home appliance, a state detection item (described as state), and a condition for detecting an event (referred to as condition 1).

[0060] FIG. 3C is a diagram showing the notification message DB 223 according to the embodiment. The notification message DB 223 stores, for example, the identification number (MID) of the monitoring notification, data such as items, etc. For example, it is set to notify such things as "The refrigerator is empty," "The room temperature has exceeded 30 degrees," "The monitoring service will start," and "The monitoring service has been canceled."

[0061] FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating the user attribute information DB 224 according to the embodiment. The user attribute information DB224 stores data items such as the representative, registrant, user identification information (registrant ID), and network information for each group (representative). This network information includes identification information for identifying the LAN in each home. For example, the user attribute information DB224 includes information on the registrant (second user) who receives notifications of the monitoring notification service and information on the representative (first user) who sets the usage pattern of the monitoring notification service. For example, the registrant who receives notifications of the monitoring notification service is all registrants excluding the representative. The above "registrant" is synonymous with user U. The management processing unit 213 may notify the registrant (second user) who receives notifications of the monitoring notification service that a change in the usage environment of the refrigerator 31 has been identified. In this case, the management processing unit 213 associates information indicating that a change in the usage environment of the refrigerator 31 has been identified, i.e., that it has been determined that a change has occurred in the usage environment of the refrigerator 31, with the account of the registrant (second user) who receives notifications of the monitoring notification service.

[0062] 3E and 3F are diagrams showing the change notification DB 225 according to the embodiment. The change report DB 225 stores data such as the report identification number (No.), the date and time of receipt, the applicant, the respondent, the method, and the reason, and associates the responses from each registrant with a representative. When an applicant applies for the monitoring notification service, a report identification number (No.) is assigned to each application. The application is stored in association with the date and time of receipt and the applicant's registrant ID. When this application is accepted, a confirmation notice is sent to the relevant registrant depending on the content of the application. The response to the confirmation notice is added to items such as "method" and "reason." Fig. 3E shows change report DB225 in a situation where the correspondence between the representative and the registrant is valid in relation to a change in the owner of refrigerator 31. In contrast, Fig. 3F shows change report DB225 in a situation where the correspondence between the representative and the registrant is invalid. In the comparative example shown in Fig. 3F, the relationship between the representative and the registrant is such that they do not belong to the same group.

[0063] The notification service providing device 2 uses the various information stored in the database to provide a monitoring notification service. Each home appliance detects a specific event to detect the activity status of the target person T3 and notifies the notification service providing device 2 of the detection result.

[0064] Next, information regarding specific events and detection conditions will be described. Examples of specific events for detecting the activity state of a subject include the following. It is preferable to detect the following events. Examples are listed below.

[0065] For the refrigerator: -Opening and closing refrigerator doors or shelves, or switching refrigerator operating modes. The ambient temperature or temperature inside the refrigerator etc. has risen above the threshold.

[0066] For TV: - Controlling the TV on and off, switching between programs, or changing the volume.

[0067] Some typical cases will be described below. The monitoring notification service according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5B. Fig. 4A is a flowchart of processing related to the watchful notification service of the embodiment. Fig. 4B is a flowchart of processing related to verification of the validity of the use application in Fig. 4A. Figs. 5A and 5B are sequence diagrams of processing related to the watchful notification service of the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of processing related to the watchful notification service of a comparative example of the embodiment.

[0068] For example, as shown in Fig. 1, a first user U1 is staying in the same house (house 3) as a person to be monitored T3, while a second user U2 and a third user U3 are not in the house 3, for example, are out. In the above situation, when each home appliance such as a refrigerator 31 or a television 32 detects a specific event related to its operation, the detection result (DET) is notified from each home appliance to the notification service providing device 2.

[0069] For example, the control unit 210 (management processing unit 213) of the notification service providing device 2 acquires an application to use the "monitoring notification service" notified from the terminal device 61, and starts processing related to the "monitoring notification service" using the requested home appliance (step SA2).

[0070] When the user attribute information acquisition unit 211 receives the notification of the network information (step SA4), the management processing unit 213 verifies whether or not the network being used has been changed in response to this (step SA6).

[0071] If the received network information is included in the network information of the group corresponding to the above-mentioned home appliance among the network information in the user attribute information DB 224 stored in the storage unit 220, the management processing unit 213 determines that the network being used has not changed. If the received network information is not included in the network information in the user attribute information DB 224, the management processing unit 213 determines that the network being used has changed.

[0072] In this way, the management processing unit 213 identifies whether the network being used has changed by comparing the network information in the user attribute information DB 224 with the received network information. If the management processing unit 213 identifies that the network being used has changed through this verification, and if the user attribute information acquisition unit 211 subsequently acquires network information corresponding to the new network, the management processing unit 213 starts providing information through the "monitoring notification service" (step SA10). In other cases, the management processing unit 213, for example, suspends the start of providing information through the "monitoring notification service."

[0073] When the provision of information by this "monitoring notification service" begins, the event information acquisition unit 212 acquires information from the home appliances and adds the acquired event information to the event information DB 221. The information generation unit 214 detects the user situation based on this (step SA12).

[0074] At this stage, an event may occur that prevents the home appliance from notifying the home appliance of its usage status, resulting in a situation where information from the home appliance cannot be received for a relatively long period of time. Such a situation can occur due to a power outage on the home appliance side, a communication failure in the network NW, or an interruption or cessation of use of the home appliance. Even if a power outage occurs on the home appliance side, causing a communication failure in the network NW, or an interruption or cessation of use of the home appliance, the network environment in which the home appliance is used will return to the state it was in before the failure occurred once the situation is resolved. On the other hand, in the case of a suspension or stoppage of use of a home appliance accompanied by a relocation of the home appliance, the environment in which the home appliance is resumed may be different from the environment before the suspension or stoppage. This will be described later.

[0075] The management processing unit 213 determines whether or not network information different from the registered network information has been received (step SA14). If network information that matches the registered network information has been received, the management processing unit 213 permits the monitoring notification service to notify the monitoring result (step SA16) and causes the notification to be made at a predetermined timing.

[0076] The management processing unit 213 determines whether to cancel the monitoring notification service based on whether a notification to cancel the monitoring notification service has been received from the terminal device 61 (step SA18). If the monitoring notification service is not to be canceled, the notification service providing device 2 repeats the processing from step SA12.

[0077] If it is determined in step SA14 that network information different from the registered network information has been received, or if it is determined in step SA18 that the monitoring notification service should be canceled, the management processing unit 213 notifies the terminal devices 62, 63 of the cancellation of the monitoring notification service (step SA20) and cancels the monitoring notification service (step SA22).

[0078] The management processing unit 213 determines whether or not a request to restart the monitoring notification service is received from the terminal device 61 (step SA24), and if there is no request to restart, repeats the processing of step SA24, and if there is a request to restart, repeats the processing from step SA2.

[0079] The notification service providing device 2 continues to detect this restart request until a predetermined number of times is exceeded or until a predetermined time has elapsed, and when the above conditions are met, it terminates the monitoring notification service and completes the series of processes.

[0080] The above-mentioned "Monitoring Notification Service" process will be explained in several cases. FIG. 5A shows a general procedure from start to end of the "Monitoring Notification Service" without relocating the refrigerator 31 or the like.

[0081] The devices shown here are home appliances (EQ) such as a refrigerator 31 and a television 32 located in a house 3, a communication device 33 (WRA), a notification service providing device 2, and terminal devices 61 to 63 (TA).

[0082] Hereinafter, a refrigerator 31 will be described as an example of the home electric appliance (EQ). It is assumed that the refrigerator 31 is about to be used as a home appliance for detecting the status of the "Monitoring Notification Service."

[0083] Start process for "Monitoring Notification Service": The first user U1 operates the terminal device 61 to send a message to the notification service providing device 2 requesting the start of the "monitoring notification service." For example, the terminal device 61, through the operation of the first user U1, sends a command SETUPA to the notification service providing device 2 notifying the start of the "monitoring notification service." The notification service providing device 2 receives the command SETUPA and starts the "monitoring notification service" SA for group A. If certain conditions are further met, the notification service providing device 2 activates the "monitoring notification service" SA for group A.

[0084] Initialization process for refrigerator 31: When the refrigerator 31 is turned on, it performs an initialization process. At this stage, settings have not yet been completed between refrigerator 31 and communication device 33 so that refrigerator 31 can communicate using communication device 33. Also, settings have often not yet been completed in refrigerator 31 so that refrigerator 31 can communicate with notification service providing device 2.

[0085] Credential exchange process: Settings are made between refrigerator 31 and communication device 33 so that refrigerator 31 can communicate using communication device 33, enabling authenticated communication. For example, refrigerator 31 and communication device 33 exchange MAC addresses with each other in response to an operation by user U1, include the MAC addresses in the header information of the frame they send, and then compare the MAC address in the received frame header to identify the frame to be received. When refrigerator 31 and communication device 33 exchange MAC addresses with each other, they use authentication information such as SSID and password to identify devices that should be allowed to receive data, thereby restricting the storage of MAC addresses of unnecessary devices. As a result, refrigerator 31 is identified as a device that can use communication via communication device 33, and communication device 33 adds the MAC address of refrigerator 31 to its address list. Similarly, refrigerator 31 adds the MAC address of communication device 33 to its address list. The SSID, password, and other data used as authentication information may be registered in the refrigerator 31 by the first user U1. Alternatively, an auxiliary procedure that simplifies the setup process may be used. Several auxiliary procedures are known to simplify the setup process, including "WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup: registered trademark)." While such an auxiliary procedure must be available on both the refrigerator 31 and the communication device 33, there is no limit to the type of auxiliary procedure, and the required auxiliary procedure can be selected as needed.

[0086] Communication start request processing: After the exchange of the authentication information is completed, refrigerator 31 executes a process to send a communication start request. Refrigerator 31 acquires the IP address of notification service providing device 2 using, for example, communication device 33. Refrigerator 31 uses the acquired IP address to send a communication request to notification service providing device 2 and notifies notification service providing device 2 of refrigerator 31's environmental information. Note that this environmental information of refrigerator 31 includes identification information ID_APA of communication device 33. The notification service providing device 2 acquires the environmental information of the refrigerator 31 and stores it in the memory of the notification service providing device 2. The notification service providing device 2 then activates the "monitoring notification service" of group A and sends a message SAOPEN indicating the start of the service to the terminal devices 61 to 63. When the terminal applications of the terminal devices 61 to 63 detect the reception of the message SAOPEN, they cause a display indicating the start of the service to be displayed on the display unit of each terminal device 60. This display may be displayed as a pop-up.

[0087] Information notification processing related to the "Monitoring Notification Service": When the notification service providing device 2 completes the above-mentioned communication start request process, it receives a status notification DET (event information) from the refrigerator 31 or the like, and sends a corresponding report REPA of the monitoring status of the target person T3 to the terminal devices 62, 63. The terminal device 62 receives the above-mentioned notification and displays the result on the display unit (FIG. 7A). Note that the terminal device 61 associated with the representative may be set as an exception to the recipients of the report REPA of the monitoring status of the target person T3. For example, the notification service providing device 2 (control unit 210) may identify the terminal device 61 associated with the representative as an exception to the recipients of notifications, based on the representative's registration information in the user attribute information DB 224. In this way, the control unit 210 (notification processing unit 215) in the notification service providing device 2 generates and sends a monitoring status report REPA to each user set as a notification destination. For example, the monitoring status report REPA is notified repeatedly according to a predetermined condition (time, period, linked to the occurrence of an event, etc.).

[0088] Processing related to the suspension of the "Monitoring Notification Service": When suspending the "Monitoring Notification Service", similar to the process for sending the above-mentioned communication start request, the first user U1 operates the terminal device 61 to send a message SAREJ requesting suspension of the "Monitoring Notification Service" to the notification service providing device 2. The notification service providing device 2 receives the message SAREJ, deactivates the "Monitoring Notification Service" of group A, and sends a message SACLOSE indicating the suspension of the service to the terminal devices 61 to 63. If there is no corresponding negative response from the terminal devices 61 to 63, the notification service providing device 2 terminates the "Monitoring Notification Service" of group A.

[0089] As described above, the start and end of the "Monitoring Notification Service" is set in response to a command from the terminal device 61 associated with the representative. If there is no request to end the "Monitoring Notification Service," the notification service providing device 2 may continue the "Monitoring Notification Service" for group A.

[0090] To explain the process related to this suspension, a comparative example of a scenario in which refrigerator 31 is transferred will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the sequence shown in Fig. 6, a monitoring status report REPA is distributed, similar to the sequence shown in Fig. 5A. Refrigerator 31Z, television 32Z, and notification service providing device 2Z shown as comparative examples correspond to refrigerator 31, television 32, and notification service providing device 2, respectively, but have some different functions. For example, before refrigerator 31Z is relocated, refrigerator 31Z transmits status notification DET to notification service providing device 2Z via communication device 33. Notification service providing device 2Z receives status notification DET and distributes monitoring status report REPA in response to the status notification DET to terminal devices 62 and 63. The sequence shown in Figure 6 differs from the sequence shown in Figure 5A above in that the last terminal device 61 in Figure 5A does not notify the notification service providing device 2 of the request for the ``monitoring notification service'' of group A.

[0091] Furthermore, at this stage, the owner of refrigerator 31Z changes and refrigerator 31Z is relocated. During the relocation, power supply to refrigerator 31Z and communication with refrigerator 31Z are temporarily suspended. Refrigerator 31Z is installed in house 4 at the new location. Communication device 43 is installed in house 4 at the new location. Refrigerator 31Z is placed within the communication area of ​​communication device 43. As described above, when power is supplied to refrigerator 31Z, an environment setting is performed on refrigerator 31Z to enable communication via communication device 43. As a result, refrigerator 31Z becomes able to communicate with external network NW via communication device 43.

[0092] Like refrigerator 31, refrigerator 31Z in this comparative example is configured to store information about the notification destinations of notification service providing device 2Z. Furthermore, as described above, notification service providing device 2Z continues the "monitoring notification service" for group A. If, at this stage, refrigerator 31 and notification service providing device 2Z are able to communicate and notification service providing device 2Z receives status notification DET from refrigerator 31Z, notification service providing device 2Z will transmit a corresponding monitoring status report REPA to previous terminal devices 62, 63. In this way, in the above scenario, notification service providing device 2Z could have notified the previous owner's terminal devices (62, 63) that the new owner had operated refrigerator 31.

[0093] Returning to FIG. 5B, a scenario in which refrigerator 31 of the embodiment is transferred will be described. This will be explained mainly focusing on the difference between the sequences shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. Compared to the sequence shown in Figure 5A above, this sequence differs in that the last terminal device 61 does not notify the notification service providing device 2 of the request for the "monitoring notification service" for Group A, and in that the refrigerator 31 is moved. In addition, since refrigerator 31 is relocated (moved), the power supply to refrigerator 31 is temporarily interrupted. Even after the movement is completed, the notification service providing device 2 continues to provide the "monitoring notification service" for group A.

[0094] In this embodiment, notifications to the "monitoring notification service" for the terminal devices in group A are restricted based on the status notification DET from refrigerator 31 after relocation. For example, after power supply is started, refrigerator 31 located at the relocation destination receives a signal from communication device 43 and detects that there has been a change in its usage environment. For example, refrigerator 31 and communication device 43 exchange authentication information. As a result, refrigerator 31 acquires identification information (IP_APB) of communication device 43. Refrigerator 31 notifies notification service providing device 2 of this identification information (IP_APB) of communication device 43. Notification service providing device 2 acquires the identification information (IP_APB) of this communication device 43. For example, management processing unit 213 of notification service providing device 2 identifies whether there has been a change in the usage environment of refrigerator 31 using the identification information of communication devices including communication device 43 to which refrigerator 31 is connected. More specifically, management processing unit 213 identifies whether there has been a change in the usage environment of refrigerator 31 using the identification information of communication device 43 to which refrigerator 31 is connected.

[0095] The communication device 33 and the communication device 43 are examples of communication devices to which the refrigerator 31 is connected. For example, communication device 43 connected to refrigerator 31 is a communication device configured to transmit a signal that refrigerator 31 can receive, and is located within a range where refrigerator 31 can receive the signal. Communication device 33 and communication device 43 are examples of communication devices located between refrigerator 31, which is a target home appliance, and notification service providing device 2. For example, the identification information of communication device 33 and communication device 43 may include either or both of the MAC address information of communication device 33 and communication device 43 and the SSID used for authentication between refrigerator 31 and communication device 33. The same applies to the case where communication device 43 and refrigerator 31 are associated with each other.

[0096] Next, the watchful waiting notification according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 9. FIG. 7A to 8 are diagrams for explaining the watchful waiting notification of the embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the process relating to notification and verification when the owner is changed in the embodiment.

[0097] Ownership change notification and verification: 5B, for example, when the owner of refrigerator 31 changes, management processing unit 213 notifies second user U2 that either the home appliances owned by the previous owner have been deleted from the home appliances to which information is to be provided, or that information provision using information notified from the home appliances owned by the previous owner has been restricted. In this case, second user U2 is notified of the change in service without first user U1, who is the previous owner, notifying second user U2 of the change in service, thereby reducing the burden on first user U1 and enabling second user U2 to be notified without missing any notice.

[0098] Here, notification and verification at the time of an owner change will be described with a specific example with reference to Fig. 9. As described above, the change notification DB 225 of the storage unit 220 is configured to store information acquired from the terminal device 60 and the like and hold it as an application history. The management processing unit 213 can use this to check the history of the owner change and confirm the owner change.

[0099] For example, the management processing unit 213 receives a notification regarding a change in the owner of the refrigerator 31, which is a target home electric appliance, and detects the change in the owner (step SA402). The management processing unit 213 sends a confirmation notice of the change of owner to the first user U1 who is the representative from among the users registered as the owner (step SA404). For example, this notice includes information to prompt the first user U1 to register either or both of the method (sale / transfer / disposal) and the reason (unnecessary / replacement / broken, etc.) for parting with the target home electric appliance refrigerator 31.

[0100] The terminal device 61 detects and accepts this confirmation notification (step SB404) and displays on its display unit an indication that the notification has been accepted (step SB406). In response to this notification, the terminal device 61 also displays a display screen (pop-up) on the display unit of the terminal device 61 used by the first user U1 to accept an operation to register the first user U1's response (step SB408). The terminal device 61 accepts the response to the notification and transmits it to the notification service providing device 2 (step SB410).

[0101] The user attribute information acquisition unit 211 acquires information on the method for letting go of the target home appliance or the reason for letting go of the home appliance from the terminal device 62 used by the second user U2 (step SA410), and adds and registers the information in the change notification DB 225 of the storage unit 220 (step SA412). At that time, the management processing unit 213 may determine the details of the owner change and the validity of the owner change, and verify this (step SA414). The above process allows you to obtain an opinion on the notification when the owner changes and verify the validity of the change notification that notifies you of the suspension of the monitoring notification service.

[0102] The second user U2 shown in FIG. 7A and the first user U1 shown in FIG. 8 are parties involved in the monitoring notification service provided by the notification service providing device 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the terminal device 62 of the second user U2 receives a monitoring notification, the terminal device 62 displays content determined by the status of the monitoring notification on its display unit. Also, as shown in FIG. 7B, the content of the monitoring notification is displayed on the display screen DSP of the terminal device 62. In this way, the display method can be selected, such as displaying the content as a pop-up on the display screen DSP.

[0103] 8, the first user U1 may be watching a program on the television 32, and may place the terminal device 61 on a table or the like and not operate it. In such a case, it is preferable to output an incoming monitoring notification from the television 32 instead of outputting it from the terminal device 61. 8, for example, the terminal device 61 and the television 32 are in a state in which they can directly communicate with each other using wireless communication based on a short-range wireless communication method. At this time, the terminal device 61 and the television 32 are in a paired state in which they can directly communicate with each other, and it is preferable that part or all of the display screen of the terminal device 61 is displayed on the display unit of the television 32. In the above-described method, the terminal device 61 and the television 32 can receive information on the status management of the monitoring notification service as well as displaying information on the monitoring notification service on their display units.

[0104] Registration management to prevent duplicate registration of home appliances to multiple groups: With reference to FIGS. 4B, 5A, and 5B, a description will be given of registration management for managing household electrical appliances so that they are not registered in multiple groups.

[0105] At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the management processing unit 213 may determine the validity of the acquired application for use of the "monitoring notification service." For example, management processing unit 213 detects whether the acquired application for use of the "Monitoring Notification Service" is an application involving the addition of a home appliance to user attribute information DB 224 (step SA202), and identifies whether the home appliance is present among all home appliances registered in user attribute information DB 224 (step SA204). If the home appliance is registered in user attribute information DB 224, management processing unit 213 deletes the already registered home appliance (step SA206). When the registration deletion process of step SA206 is completed, or if the home appliance is not registered in user attribute information DB 224, management processing unit 213 adds the requested home appliance to user attribute information DB 224 (step SA208), and ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 4B. By such a procedure of giving priority to registration to the latest request, it is possible to prevent a home appliance from being registered in multiple groups.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the case of changing the owner of the refrigerator 31 has been described as an example of one target device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to change the owners of multiple home appliances (target devices) or multiple types of home appliances (target devices) all at once.

[0107] According to the above embodiment, the user attribute information acquisition unit 211 (information acquisition unit) acquires a notification from a target home appliance. The information generation unit 214 generates and outputs information in response to the notification from the target home appliance. When the management processing unit 213 determines that there has been a change in owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances, the management processing unit 213 either deletes the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner from the target home appliances, or restricts the provision of information in response to a notification from the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner when it determines that there has been a change in owner. This makes it possible to stop providing information related to the usage status of a home appliance when there is a possibility that the owner of the home appliance has changed.

[0108] The management processing unit 213 may delete a specific home appliance owned by the previous owner from the target home appliances by invalidating notifications for the specific home appliance. For example, the management processing unit 213 may use information notified from the target home appliance to identify that an owner change has occurred for the target home appliance, and invalidate information on the home appliance for which a change has been identified in registered information indicating the target of information provision, thereby deleting the home appliance owned by the previous owner from the home appliances to which information is provided. Prior to this, the management processing unit 213 may identify a specific home appliance that satisfies the above-mentioned predetermined condition.

[0109] When it is determined that the usage environment of the target home appliance has changed, the management processing unit 213 may identify a change in the owner of the target home appliance. The management processing unit 213 may acquire information including either information relating to the usage status of the target home appliance or information about the usage environment (owner) of the target home appliance. The information generating unit 214 generates the information for the monitoring notification service that notifies the user of the activity status of the target home appliance, using the information related to the usage status of the target home appliance. The management processing unit 213 may identify that there has been a change in the usage environment of the target home appliance based on the acquired information related to the usage environment, and identify that there has been a change in the owner of the target home appliance using the identification result. Attribute information of the home appliances related to the use of the monitoring notification service is stored in the storage unit 220 (storage area). In this case, the management processing unit 213 may delete the attribute information related to the home appliances for which a change has been identified from the information of the home appliances related to the use of the monitoring notification service.

[0110] (First Modification of the Embodiment) In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which notification service providing device 2 identifies that there has been a change in the owner of target refrigerator 31. In this modification, instead, a case will be described in which target refrigerator 31 identifies that there has been a change in its owner.

[0111] When a connection operation using the above-mentioned "WPS (registered trademark)" or the like is performed, refrigerator 31 acquires the SSID of communication device 33 from communication device 33 and becomes available using this SSID. This operation may be performed when replacing the communication device without relocating refrigerator 31. In addition to the above cases, there is a case where the communication destination is changed to a communication device at the new location due to the relocation of refrigerator 31. As described above, several cases are possible, but in the latter case in particular, the owner of refrigerator 31 may have changed.

[0112] Therefore, when control unit 31c of refrigerator 31 detects that a connection operation such as "WPS" has been performed, it can use this as a trigger to send a notification to notification service providing device 2 requesting that refrigerator 31 be removed from the list of recipients of information provision or that information provision using information notified by refrigerator 31 be restricted. This request can be a message that does not include identification information ID_APA (FIGS. 5A and 5B) of communication device 33, or can include a specific code. For example, the "identification information ID_APA" in FIGS. 5A and 5B can be replaced with a simple message. When management processing unit 213 of notification service providing device 2 detects such a request, it can restrict the provision of information related to refrigerator 31. This can achieve the same effect as the embodiment.

[0113] (Second Modification of the Embodiment) In the above embodiment and its first modification, a case has been described in which notification service providing device 2 receives a notification from target refrigerator 31 and acquires information for identifying that there has been a change in the owner of refrigerator 31. In this modification, instead, a case will be described in which target refrigerator 31 individually identifies that there has been a change in its owner.

[0114] Refrigerator 31 stores in memory 31m the SSID acquired when communication with communication device 33 is permitted. Communication unit 31d of refrigerator 31 uses the SSID stored in memory 31m to identify devices with which it has communicated. For example, if communication unit 31d detects an SSID that is the same as the SSID stored in memory 31m in a received signal, it can identify the device that transmitted the SSID as a device with which it has communicated.

[0115] When multiple SSIDs are detected, the detected SSIDs may be patterned and treated as an SSID group pattern. The greater the difference between the SSID group pattern and previously detected SSID group patterns, the greater the likelihood of a change in the usage environment. Using this SSID group pattern information, refrigerator 31 may independently detect changes in the usage environment, and if a change in the SSID group pattern exceeds a predetermined criterion, it may determine that the owner has changed.

[0116] According to at least one embodiment described above, the notification system of the embodiment includes an information acquisition unit, an information generation unit, and a management processing unit. The information acquisition unit acquires notifications from target home appliances. The information generation unit generates and outputs information in response to the notifications from the target home appliances. When the management processing unit determines that there has been a change in owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances, it either deletes the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner from the target home appliances, or, when it determines that there has been a change in owner, it restricts the provision of information in response to notifications from the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner. This makes it possible to stop providing information related to the usage status of a home appliance when there is a possibility that the owner of the home appliance has changed.

[0117] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0118] For example, although a case has been described in which a home electric appliance such as refrigerator 31 notifies notification service providing device 2 of the MAC addresses or SSIDs of communication devices 33 and 43, instead, terminal device 60 may notify notification service providing device 2 of the MAC addresses or SSIDs of communication devices 33 and 43. In this case, the process of the home electric appliance notifying the MAC addresses or SSIDs of communication devices 33 and 43 can be omitted. The identification information (MAC address or SSID) of communication devices 33, 43 transmitted by a home electric appliance such as refrigerator 31 may be a part of or all of the information. Furthermore, a home electric appliance such as refrigerator 31 may perform confidentiality processing to encrypt all or part of the identification information of communication devices 33, 43 in accordance with a predetermined encryption rule, and then generate an IP packet and transmit this to notification service providing device 2. Notification service providing device 2 is involved in the monitoring notification service, and may use this information by decoding it in accordance with a predetermined encryption rule, or may use it as is without decoding it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1...Monitoring notification system, 2...Notification service providing device, 3, 4...House, 8...Server device, 30, 40...Router, 31, 41...Refrigerator (microwave oven), 32, 42...Television, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65Terminal device, 210...Control unit, 220...Memory unit, U, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5...User, T3...Target person

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires notifications from target home appliances; an information generation unit that generates and outputs information in response to a notification from a target home appliance; a management processing unit that, when determining that an owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances has changed, deletes the specific home appliance that was owned by a previous owner from the target home appliances, or restricts provision of information in response to a notification from the specific home appliance that was owned by the previous owner when determining that an owner of the specific home appliance has changed; Equipped with When an owner other than the previous owner requests registration of information on the target home appliance that the previous owner has given up, The information generating unit and the management processing unit Implementing a process related to the use of new information provision different from the information provision described above; Notification system.

2. An information acquisition unit that acquires notifications from target home appliances; an information generation unit that generates and outputs information in response to a notification from a target home appliance; a management processing unit that, when determining that an owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances has changed, deletes the specific home appliance that was owned by a previous owner from the target home appliances, or restricts provision of information in response to a notification from the specific home appliance that was owned by the previous owner when determining that an owner of the specific home appliance has changed; Equipped with The management processing unit By disabling notifications from the specific home appliance, the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner is deleted from the target home appliances. Notification system.

3. The management processing unit A case where it is determined that the owner of the target home appliance has changed is when it is determined that the environment in which the target home appliance is used has changed. The notification system of claim 2 .

4. An information acquisition unit that acquires notifications from target home appliances; an information generation unit that generates and outputs information in response to a notification from a target home appliance; a management processing unit that, when determining that an owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances has changed, deletes the specific home appliance that was owned by a previous owner from the target home appliances, or restricts provision of information in response to a notification from the specific home appliance that was owned by the previous owner when determining that an owner of the specific home appliance has changed; Equipped with The information acquisition unit acquiring information including either information relating to the usage status of the target home appliance or information relating to the usage environment of the target home appliance; The information generation unit generating information for a monitoring notification service that notifies a user of an activity status using information related to the usage status of the target home appliance; The management processing unit Identifying whether there has been a change in the usage environment of the target home appliance based on the acquired information related to the usage environment, and using the result of the identification, determining that there has been a change in the owner of the target home appliance. Notification system.

5. Attribute information of the home appliances related to the use of the monitoring notification service is stored in a storage area, The management processing unit Attribute information relating to the home appliance for which the change in the usage environment has been identified is deleted from information on the home appliance relating to the use of the monitoring notification service. The notification system of claim 4.

6. Information of a first user who sets a usage mode of the monitoring notification service and information of a second user who receives a notification of the monitoring notification service are stored in a storage area, The management processing unit Notifying the second user that it has been determined that the usage environment has changed. The notification system according to claim 4 or claim 5.

7. The management processing unit When it is determined that the use environment has changed, information indicating that it has been determined that the use environment has changed is associated with the account of the second user. The notification system of claim 6.

8. The management processing unit The change in the usage environment is identified using identification information of a communication device including a communication device to which the target home appliance is connected.

8. The notification system according to claim 6 or claim 7.

9. The management processing unit The change in the usage environment is identified using identification information of a communication device that is located between the target home appliance and the notification service providing device and is a connection destination of the target home appliance.

8. The notification system according to claim 6 or claim 7.

10. The identification information of the communication device that is the communication destination of the target home appliance includes address information of the communication device or identification information used for authentication between the target home appliance and the communication device. A notification system according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. The management processing unit When the owner of the home appliance changes, the second user is notified that the home appliance owned by the previous owner has been deleted from the home appliances to which the information is provided, or that the information provision using the information notified from the home appliance owned by the previous owner has been restricted. A notification system according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

12. The management processing unit When the first user gives up the target home appliance, information for prompting the first user to register a method or a reason for giving up the target home appliance is displayed on a display unit of a terminal device used by the first user. A notification system according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

13. A memory unit that stores acquired information Equipped with The information acquisition unit Information regarding a method or a reason for parting with the target home appliance is acquired from a terminal device used by the first user, and added to the storage unit. The notification system of claim 12.

14. The management processing unit When it is determined that the use environment has changed for a plurality of home electric appliances, the second user is notified of the determination that the use environment has changed.

8. The notification system according to claim 6 or claim 7.

15. A home appliance that causes a notification system to provide information in response to a notification from a target home appliance, A control unit that notifies the notification system that the owner of a home appliance has changed Equipped with The notification system that received the notification When it is determined that an owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances has changed, notification of the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner is invalidated from targets of the information provision, thereby deleting the specific home appliance from the target home appliances, or when it is determined that an owner change has occurred, restricting information provision in response to notification from the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner. Home appliances.

16. A home appliance that causes a notification system to provide information in response to a notification from a target home appliance, A control unit that notifies the notification system that the owner of a home appliance has changed Equipped with The notification system that received the notification acquiring information including either information relating to the usage status of the target home appliance or information relating to the usage environment of the target home appliance; generating information for a monitoring notification service that notifies a user of an activity status using information related to the usage status of the target home appliance; Identifying that there has been a change in the usage environment of the target home appliance based on the acquired information related to the usage environment, and using the result of the identification, determining that there has been a change in the owner of the target home appliance; When it is determined that there has been a change in the owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances, the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner is deleted from the targets of the information provision, or when it is determined that there has been a change in the owner, the information provision in response to a notification from the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner is restricted. Home appliances.

17. The computer receiving notifications from the target home appliance; generating and outputting information in response to a notification from a target home appliance; When it is determined that there has been a change in owner of a specific home appliance among the target home appliances, deleting the specific home appliance from the target home appliances by disabling notifications from the specific home appliance owned by a previous owner from the target home appliances, or when it is determined that there has been a change in owner, restricting provision of information in response to notifications from the specific home appliance owned by the previous owner; Notification methods, including:

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