Communication system, information processing device, and connection setting method

Abstract

A communication system (10) includes: a GW (14) and user equipment (12) provided in a user's house; and an operator apparatus (20) that performs a work related to the user equipment (12) before a network in the user's house is established. The operator apparatus (20) acknowledges an input of connection information, which is information necessary to connect the user equipment (12) to the network and saves the connection information in a server (24). The GW (14) reads the connection information on the user equipment (12) saved in the server (24) and performs a process of connecting the user equipment (12) to the network in the user's house based on the connection information thus read.

Description

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND CONNECTION SETTING METHOD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to communication technology, and more particularly to a communication system, an information processing device, and a connection setting method.

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of IoT (Internet of Things) technology, homes (also called "smart homes") in which various home appliances and household equipment can be controlled via a single input device are becoming more common (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-57245

[0004] When a user moves into a new home, a service provider usually performs basic settings on the user's devices (such as home appliances and housing equipment) that will be connected to the network before the network is opened (for example, before the Internet line is opened). After the network is opened, the user's devices will need to be reconfigured, such as connecting to the network.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in light of these circumstances, and one object thereof is to reduce the effort required for setting up devices installed in a user's facility to connect to a network.

[0006] To solve the above problem, a communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication device and a device installed at a user's facility, and a worker device that is a device of a worker who performs work on the device before the facility's network is opened. The worker device includes a reception unit that receives input of connection information necessary to connect the device to the network, and a storage unit that stores the device connection information received by the reception unit in a server. The communication device includes a reading unit that reads the device connection information stored on the server, and a setting unit that executes processing to connect the device to the facility's network based on the device connection information read by the reading unit.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device, which is a device for a worker who performs work on a communication device and the device before the network of a user's facility where the device is installed is opened, and includes a reception unit that receives input of connection information that is information necessary to connect the device to the network, and a storage unit that stores the device connection information received by the reception unit in a server, thereby enabling the communication device to execute a process of reading the device connection information stored in the server and a process of connecting the device to the facility network based on the connection information.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a connection setting method, the method including the steps of: receiving, by a device of a worker who performs work on the communication device and the device before opening a network of a user's facility where the device is installed, input of connection information necessary for connecting the device to the network; storing, by the worker's device, the received device connection information in a server; reading, by the communication device, the device connection information stored in the server; and executing, by the communication device, a process for connecting the device to the facility network based on the read device connection information.

[0009] Any combination of the above components, or any expression of the present disclosure converted into a computer program, a recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, or the like, is also valid as an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the effort required to set up devices installed in a user's facility to connect to a network.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication system of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the operator device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the GW of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication system of a modified example. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system of a modified example. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of a GW of a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system of the second embodiment.

[0012] The subject of the device or method disclosed herein includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device or method disclosed herein. The computer's main hardware component is a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or large-scale integration (LSI). While ICs and LSIs are used here, the names may vary depending on the degree of integration, and may be called system LSIs, very large-scale integration (VLSIs), or ultra large-scale integration (USLIs). Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which are programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or reconfigurable logic devices that can reconfigure the connections within the LSI or set up circuit partitions within the LSI, can also be used for the same purpose. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated on a single chip or provided on multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk drive, etc. The program may be stored in the recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

[0013] Before describing the embodiment in detail, the concept of the embodiment will be explained. Before opening an Internet line to a new home where a user is moving in (hereinafter referred to as "user home"), a technician (e.g., a construction company or a housing equipment supplier) performs basic settings and checks the operation of the user's devices installed in the user home. To do this, the technician brings a mobile router or the like into the user home and connects the user's devices to the network via the mobile router. After opening the Internet line, the user's devices must be reconfigured to connect to the user's home network (e.g., a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) access point), which is time-consuming.

[0014] In this embodiment, the operator connects the user's gateway (GW) and devices to the mobile router and stores information about the connection in a cloud server. The user's communication device reads the connection information between the GW and devices from the server and automatically registers the GW and devices to the user's Wi-Fi access point. This reduces the user's effort to connect many devices to a Wi-Fi access point.

[0015] In the embodiment, the well-known "Wi-Fi Certified Easy Connect" is used to connect the user's gateway and devices to a Wi-Fi access point (as well as a mobile router). This technology includes the following steps: (1) A configurator reads the two-dimensional code of the access point and establishes a connection with the access point based on the information indicated by the two-dimensional code. (2) The configurator reads the two-dimensional code of a client device to be connected to Wi-Fi and registers the client device with the access point based on the information indicated by the two-dimensional code. (3) Thereafter, the client device can connect to the Wi-Fi network. In the embodiment, the gateway 14 or the user terminal 18 functions as the configurator.

[0016] The following describes the embodiments in detail. <First Embodiment> Fig. 1 shows the configuration of a communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. The communication system 10 includes (1) a user device 12, a gateway 14, and an access point 16 installed in a user's home and used by the user after the user moves in, (2) a worker device 20 and a mobile router 22 brought in by a worker to perform work at the user's home, and (3) a server 24 installed outside the user's home (e.g., on the cloud). The dashed lines in Fig. 1 indicate the network configuration at the time of basic configuration by a worker before an internet line is opened for the user's home, and the solid lines in Fig. 1 indicate the network configuration after an internet line is opened for the user's home.

[0017] The user devices 12 include a plurality of home appliances, household equipment, and information devices that can be connected to a network. For example, the user devices 12 may include air conditioners, lighting, electric window shutters, and electric locks. The GW 14 is a communication device (gateway device) that controls the plurality of user devices 12. The GW 14 may be realized as part of the functions of a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) controller. The AP 16 is a Wi-Fi access point (in other words, a Wi-Fi router) and is connected to the Internet 26.

[0018] The worker device 20 is an information processing device for performing configuration work on the user device 12 before the network is opened at the user's home (before the Internet line is opened). The worker device 20 may be, for example, a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The mobile router 22 functions as a Wi-Fi router and is connected to the Internet 26 via 4G or 5G communication. The server 24 is an information processing device that stores connection information, which is information necessary to connect the user device 12 to the network.

[0019] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the worker device 20 in Figure 1. Each block shown in the block diagram of the present disclosure can be realized in terms of hardware by elements and mechanical devices such as a computer's CPU and memory, and in terms of software by a computer program, etc., but the functional blocks shown here are realized by the cooperation of these elements. Those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

[0020] The worker device 20 includes a camera unit 30, a reception unit 32, a setting unit 34, and a storage unit 36. A computer program that implements the functions of at least some of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 may be stored on a recording medium and installed in the storage of the worker device 20 via the recording medium. Alternatively, the computer program may be installed in the storage of the worker device 20 via a communication network. The CPU of the worker device 20 may load the computer program into main memory and execute it to fulfill the functions of each functional block. The same applies to the other block diagrams.

[0021] The camera unit 30 captures an image of a two-dimensional code attached to the housing of a device to be registered with the mobile router (also referred to as a "registration target device"). This two-dimensional code is an encoded version of connection information, which is information required to connect the registration target device to a network. The connection information may include, for example, the MAC address and passphrase of the device.

[0022] The reception unit 32 receives input of connection information for the device to be registered. Specifically, the reception unit 32 receives image data of the two-dimensional code output from the camera unit 30. The reception unit 32 analyzes the image data to decode the two-dimensional code and obtains the connection information indicated by the two-dimensional code.

[0023] The setting unit 34 registers the registration target device with the mobile router 22 based on the connection information of the registration target device accepted by the accepting unit 32. This enables Wi-Fi communication between the registration target device and the mobile router 22. The saving unit 36 ​​accesses the server 24 via the Internet 26 and saves the connection information of the registration target device accepted by the accepting unit 32 in the server 24.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the GW 14 in Fig. 1. The GW 14 includes a camera unit 40, a reception unit 42, a reading unit 44, and a setting unit 46. The camera unit 40 captures an image of a two-dimensional code attached to the housing of a device to be registered in the AP 16.

[0025] The reception unit 42 receives input of connection information for the device to be registered. Specifically, the reception unit 42 receives image data of the two-dimensional code output from the camera unit 40 and acquires the connection information indicated by the two-dimensional code. The reading unit 44 accesses the server 24 via the Internet 26 and reads the connection information for the device to be registered stored on the server 24.

[0026] The setting unit 46 executes processing for connecting the registration target device to the user's home network. Specifically, the setting unit 46 registers the registration target device to the AP 16 based on the connection information of the registration target device accepted by the accepting unit 42. The setting unit 46 also registers the registration target device to the AP 16 based on the connection information of the registration target device read by the reading unit 44. This enables Wi-Fi communication between the registration target device and the AP 16.

[0027] The operation of the communication system 10 of the first embodiment will now be described. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 of the first embodiment. The processes of S10 to S22 in this diagram are processes related to the setup work by an operator before the network is opened at the user's home, typically before the user moves in.

[0028] The worker operates the camera unit 30 of the worker device 20 to capture an image of the two-dimensional code of the mobile router 22 (S10). The reception unit 32 of the worker device 20 acquires the connection information of the mobile router 22 indicated by the two-dimensional code based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code of the mobile router 22. The setting unit 34 of the worker device 20 registers its own device with the mobile router 22 based on the connection information of the mobile router 22 (S12).

[0029] The worker operates the camera unit 30 of the worker device 20 to capture an image of the two-dimensional code of the GW 14 (S14). The reception unit 32 of the worker device 20 acquires connection information for the GW 14 indicated by the two-dimensional code based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code of the GW 14. The setting unit 34 of the worker device 20 registers the GW 14 with the mobile router 22 based on the connection information of the GW 14 (S16).

[0030] The worker uses the camera unit 30 of the worker device 20 to capture an image of the two-dimensional code of the user device 12 (S18). The reception unit 32 of the worker device 20 acquires connection information for the user device 12 indicated by the two-dimensional code based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code of the user device 12. The setting unit 34 of the worker device 20 registers the user device 12 with the mobile router 22 based on the connection information for the user device 12 (S20). In practice, the two-dimensional codes of multiple user devices 12 are acquired, and multiple user devices 12 are registered with the mobile router 22 based on the connection information indicated by the two-dimensional code of each device.

[0031] The worker performs basic settings on the user device 12 and the GW 14. For example, the worker causes the user device 12 and the GW 14 to communicate with devices outside the company's premises (e.g., the server 24) via the mobile router 22 and the Internet 26. The worker also performs an operation test on the user device 12 by having the worker device 20 send a predetermined control signal to the user device 12. For example, the worker verifies that if the user device 12 is a light, it lights up in response to the control signal, and if the user device 12 is an electric window shutter, it opens and closes in response to the control signal.

[0032] When the basic settings are complete, the worker logs in to the server 24 from the worker device 20 using the worker's ID and password. The worker inputs an instruction to save the connection information into the worker device 20. The storage unit 36 ​​of the worker device 20 transmits the connection information (in other words, two-dimensional code information) of the user device 12 to the server 24, and stores the connection information in the server 24 (S22). In practice, the storage unit 36 ​​transmits the connection information of each of the multiple user devices 12 to the server 24 and stores it therein.

[0033] 4 are processes related to the setup work performed by the user after the network is opened at the user's home, typically after the user moves in. The user captures an image of the two-dimensional code of the AP 16 using the camera unit 40 of the GW 14 (S24). The reception unit 42 of the GW 14 acquires connection information for the AP 16 indicated by the two-dimensional code based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code of the AP 16. The setting unit 46 of the GW 14 registers the GW 14 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the AP 16 (S26).

[0034] The reading unit 44 of the GW 14 reads from the server 24 the connection information (in other words, the two-dimensional code information) of the user device 12 that was saved in the server 24 in S22 (S28). The setting unit 46 of the GW 14 registers the user device 12 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the user device 12 (S30). Thereafter, it becomes possible to operate multiple user devices 12 from the GW 14, and also to operate multiple user devices 12 from the user's smartphone.

[0035] The communication system 10 of the first embodiment can reduce the effort required for a user to connect many user devices 12 to a Wi-Fi access point. Furthermore, after the network is opened at the user's home, the user does not need to ask a technician to connect the user devices 12 to the network again, which is a significant cost benefit.

[0036] The present disclosure has been described above based on Example 1. This Example is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] A modified example of the first embodiment will be described. The following description of this modified example will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and a description of the commonalities will be omitted. Components of this modified example that are the same as or correspond to components of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a communication system 10 according to a modified example. The communication system 10 according to the modified example further includes a user terminal 18. The user terminal 18 is a communication device capable of 4G or 5G communication in addition to Wi-Fi communication. The user terminal 18 may be, for example, a user's smartphone or tablet terminal. In the first embodiment, the user terminal 18 includes the camera unit 40, reception unit 42, reading unit 44, and setting unit 46 provided in the GW 14. In this modified example, an application (hereinafter also referred to as a "setting app") that implements the functions of these functional blocks is installed on the user terminal 18.

[0039] The operation of the communication system 10 of the modified example will now be described. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 of the modified example. The figure shows the process related to the setup work performed by an operator before the network is opened at the user's home. The process of S40 to S50 in the figure is the same as the process of S10 to S20 in Fig. 4, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0040] The worker device 20 logs in to the server 24 using the worker's ID and password. The storage unit 36 ​​of the worker device 20 transmits the connection information of the GW 14 and the connection information of the user device 12 to the server 24, and stores the connection information in a storage area for the worker in the server 24 (hereinafter referred to as the "worker area") (S52).

[0041] The worker logs in to the server 24 using the worker's ID and password, and moves the connection information for the GW 14 and the connection information for the user device 12 stored in the worker area of ​​the server 24 to a storage area for the user on the server 24 (hereinafter referred to as the "user area") (S54). The server 24 issues the user's ID and password and notifies the user device 12 (S56). The user device 12 may receive this notification via a 4G line or a 5G line. Note that the user's ID and password can access the user area of ​​the server 24, but cannot access the worker area.

[0042] FIG. 7 is also a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 of the modified example. This diagram illustrates the process related to the user's setup work after the network is opened at the user's home. The user logs in to the setup app of the user terminal 18 using the user ID and password notified in S56. The user then captures an image of the two-dimensional code of the AP 16 using the camera unit 40 of the user terminal 18 (S58). The reception unit 42 of the user terminal 18 acquires connection information for the AP 16 indicated by the two-dimensional code based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code of the AP 16. The setting unit 46 of the user terminal 18 registers the user terminal 18 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the AP 16 (S60).

[0043] The reading unit 44 of the user terminal 18 logs in to the server 24 using the user ID and password entered by the user, and reads the connection information for the GW 14 and the connection information for the user device 12 stored in the user area of ​​the server 24 (S62). The setting unit 46 of the user terminal 18 registers the GW 14 with the AP 16 based on the connection information for the GW 14 read from the server 24 (S64). For example, the setting unit 46 may transmit the connection information for the GW 14 to the AP 16 and also transmit the connection information for the AP 16 to the GW 14, thereby enabling Wi-Fi communication between the AP 16 and the GW 14.

[0044] Furthermore, the setting unit 46 of the user terminal 18 registers the user device 12 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the user device 12 read from the server 24 (S66). For example, the setting unit 46 may transmit the connection information of the user device 12 to the AP 16 and also transmit the connection information of the AP 16 to the user device 12, thereby enabling Wi-Fi communication between the AP 16 and the user device 12.

[0045] The communication system 10 of this modification achieves the same effects as the communication system 10 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the communication system 10 of this modification can take over connection information stored in the server 24 using an ID and password unique to the worker, using the user's ID and password. This allows the user to take over connection information for each device while minimizing increases in security risks.

[0046] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, and a description of the commonalities will be omitted. Components of the second embodiment that are the same as or correspond to components of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

[0047] The configuration of communication system 10 of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of communication system 10 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Like worker device 20 of the first embodiment, worker device 20 of the second embodiment includes camera unit 30, reception unit 32, setting unit 34, and storage unit 36 ​​shown in Fig. 2.

[0048] The storage unit 36 ​​of the worker device 20 stores the connection information of the user device 12 in the server 24, and also stores setting information related to the settings made by the worker to the user device 12 in the server 24. The setting information may include, for example, information related to the user, information specifying an operation mode according to the state of the user's home, and setting information related to the HEMS.

[0049] 8 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the GW 14 of the second embodiment. In addition to the functional blocks described in the first embodiment, the GW 14 of the second embodiment further includes a storage unit 48. A reading unit 44 of the GW 14 reads connection information of the user device 12 that has been pre-stored in the server 24, and further reads setting information of the user device 12 that has been pre-stored in the server 24. The storage unit 48 of the GW 14 stores the setting information of the user device 12 that has been read by the reading unit 44 in a user area of ​​the server 24.

[0050] The operation of the communication system 10 of the second embodiment will now be described. Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 of the second embodiment. The process shown in this diagram is related to the setup work performed by an operator before the network is opened at the user's home, typically before the user moves in. The process of S70 to S80 in this diagram is the same as the process of S10 to S20 in Fig. 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] In response to the operator's operation, the setting unit 34 of the operator device 20 transmits data to be set in the GW 14 (e.g., information about the user device 12 to be accommodated, etc.) to the GW 14 via the mobile router 22 (S82). The GW 14 notifies the operator device 20 of the setting result (S84). In response to the operator's operation, the setting unit 34 of the operator device 20 transmits data to be set in the user device 12 (e.g., information about the GW 14 that accommodates the user device, etc.) to the user device 12 via the mobile router 22 (S86). The user device 12 notifies the operator device 20 of the setting result (S88).

[0052] The storage unit 36 ​​of the worker device 20 transmits the connection information (i.e., two-dimensional code information) of the user device 12 to the server 24, and stores the connection information in the server 24 (S90). Furthermore, the storage unit 36 ​​transmits setting information indicating the setting contents for the GW 14 and setting information indicating the setting contents for the user device 12 to the server 24, and stores the setting information in the server 24 (S92).

[0053] 10 is also a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 of the second embodiment. This diagram shows the process related to the setup work by the user after the network is opened at the user's home, typically after the user moves in. Before the process shown in this diagram is executed, the server 24 notifies the user in advance of connection information related to the user and address information (such as a URI, hereinafter also referred to as a "read address") for accessing the setup information.

[0054] The processing of S94 and S96 in this figure is the same as the processing of S24 and S26 in Figure 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The GW 14 accesses the server 24 via the AP 16 and logs in to the server 24 using a user ID and password issued in advance. The reading unit 44 of the GW 14 reads the registration information by the worker, in this case the connection information of the user device 12, from the server 24 using the read address notified to the user (S98). The setting unit 46 of the GW 14 registers the user device 12 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the user device 12 (S100).

[0055] The reading unit 44 of the GW 14 reads the registration information by the worker, in this case the setting information of the GW 14 and the setting information of the user device 12, from the server 24 using the read address notified to the user (S102). The storage unit 48 of the GW 14 stores the setting information of the GW 14 and the setting information of the user device 12 read by the reading unit 44 in a user area of ​​the server 24 (S104). Note that the user area of ​​the server 24 may be a storage area that is linked to the user's ID and that can be accessed after logging in using the user's ID and password.

[0056] The communication system 10 of the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the communication system 10 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the communication system 10 of the second embodiment, the setting information for the GW 14 and the user device 12 is stored in the server 24, and after the network at the user's home is opened, the GW 14 reads the setting information, allowing the user to take over and utilize the setting information. Furthermore, by writing the setting information for the GW 14 and the user device 12 to the user area of ​​the server 24, it is possible to further facilitate utilization of the setting information while maintaining security.

[0057] The present disclosure has been described above based on the second embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] A modified example of the second embodiment will be described. The following description of this modified example will focus on the differences from the second embodiment, and a description of the commonalities will be omitted. Components of this modified example that are the same as or correspond to those of the second embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0059] The communication system 10 of this modified example has the same configuration as the communication system 10 of the modified example of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5. The user terminal 18 of this modified example includes the camera unit 40, the reception unit 42, the reading unit 44, the setting unit 46, and the storage unit 48 that are included in the GW 14 of the second embodiment.

[0060] The operation of the communication system 10 of the modified example will be described below. The process of the operation of the communication system 10 of the modified example, which is related to the setup work by an operator before the network is opened at the user's home, typically before the user moves in, is the same as the process of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 of the modified example. This diagram shows the process related to the setup work by the user after the network is opened at the user's home, typically after the user moves in. The server 24 notifies the user terminal 18 of the user's ID, password, and read address (S110). This notification may be made via a network other than the user's home network, such as a mobile phone network to which the user terminal 18 is connected.

[0062] The processing of S112 and S114 in Fig. 11 is the same as the processing of S58 and S60 shown in Fig. 7, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. The reading unit 44 of the user terminal 18 logs in to the server 24 using the user ID and password entered by the user, and reads the connection information of the GW 14 and the connection information of the user device 12 using the read address (S116). The setting unit 46 of the user terminal 18 registers the GW 14 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the GW 14 read from the server 24 (S118). The setting unit 46 also registers the user device 12 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the user device 12 read from the server 24 (S120).

[0063] The reading unit 44 of the user terminal 18 reads the setting information of the GW 14 and the setting information of the user device 12 from the server 24 using the read address notified to the user (S122). The storage unit 48 of the user terminal 18 stores the setting information of the GW 14 and the setting information of the user device 12 read by the reading unit 44 in the user area of ​​the server 24 (S124). The communication system 10 of this modified example also achieves the same effects as the communication system 10 of the second embodiment.

[0064] The techniques described in the above embodiment and modified examples can be applied to various facilities other than homes, for example, to network connection settings for devices installed in corporate offices, schools, etc.

[0065] Any combination of the above-described examples and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. A new embodiment resulting from a combination will have the combined effects of the combined examples and modifications. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each constituent element described in the claims can be realized by each component shown in the examples and modifications alone or in combination.

[0066] The techniques described in the embodiments and modified examples may be specified by the following items: [Item 1] A communication system (10) comprising: a communication device (14, 18) and a device (12) provided in a user's facility; and a worker device (20) that is a device of a worker who performs work on the device (12) before a network of the facility is opened, wherein the worker device (20) includes: a reception unit (32) that receives input of connection information that is information necessary for connecting the device (12) to a network, and a storage unit (36) that stores the connection information of the device (12) received by the reception unit in a server (24), and the communication device (14, 18) includes: a reading unit (44) that reads the connection information of the device (12) stored in the server (24), and a setting unit (46) that executes processing to connect the device (12) to the network of the facility based on the connection information of the device (12) read by the reading unit (44). [Item 2] The communication system (10) according to Item 1, wherein a storage unit (36) of the worker device (20) accesses the server (24) using a worker ID and stores the connection information of the device (12) in a worker area of ​​the server (24), the connection information of the device (12) is moved from the worker area to a user area in the server (24), and a reading unit (44) of the communication device (14, 18) accesses the server (24) using a user ID and reads the connection information of the device (12) from the user area of ​​the server (24). [Item 3] The communication system (10) according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit (36) of the worker device (20) further stores setting information relating to settings made by the worker in the device (12) in the server (24), and the reading unit (44) of the communication device (14, 18) further reads the setting information of the device (12) stored in the server (24). [Item 4] The communication system (10) according to Item 3, wherein the communication device (14, 18) further includes a storage unit (48) that stores the setting information of the device (12) read by the reading unit (44) in a user area of ​​the server (24).[Item 5] An information processing device (20) for a worker who performs work on a communication device (14, 18) and a device (12) before the network of a user's facility where the device (12) is installed is opened, the information processing device (20) comprising: a reception unit (32) that receives input of connection information that is information necessary to connect the device (12) to a network; and a storage unit (36) that stores the connection information of the device (12) received by the reception unit (32) in a server (24), thereby enabling the communication device (14, 18) to execute a process of reading the connection information of the device (12) stored in the server (24) and a process of connecting the device (12) to the network of the facility based on the connection information. [Item 6] A connection setting method comprising: a step in which a device (20) of a worker who performs work on the device (12) before the network of a user's facility where the communication device (14, 18) and the device (12) are installed receives input of connection information that is information necessary for connecting the device (12) to the network; a step in which the worker's device (20) stores the received connection information of the device (12) in a server (24); a step in which the communication device (14, 18) reads the connection information of the device (12) stored in the server (24); and a step in which the communication device (14, 18) executes processing to connect the device (12) to the network of the facility based on the read connection information of the device (12).

[0067] The techniques of the present disclosure can be applied to systems and devices related to communications.

[0068] 10 Communication system, 12 User device, 14 GW, 18 User terminal, 20 Worker device, 24 Server, 32 Reception unit, 34 Setting unit, 36 Storage unit, 42 Reception unit, 44 Reading unit, 46 Setting unit, 48 Storage unit.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising: a communication device and equipment installed in a user's facility; and a worker device that is a device of a worker who performs work on the equipment before the facility's network is opened; wherein the worker device includes a reception unit that receives input of connection information that is information necessary to connect the equipment to the network; and a storage unit that stores the connection information of the equipment received by the reception unit in a server; and the communication device includes a reading unit that reads the connection information of the equipment stored in the server; and a setting unit that executes processing to connect the equipment to the facility's network based on the connection information of the equipment read by the reading unit.

2. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein the storage unit of the worker device accesses the server using the worker's ID and stores the device connection information in the worker area of ​​the server, and in the server, the device connection information is moved from the worker area to the user area, and the reading unit of the communication device accesses the server using the user's ID and reads the device connection information from the user area of ​​the server.

3. A communication system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit of the worker device further stores setting information relating to the settings made by the worker to the equipment in the server, and the reading unit of the communication device further reads the setting information of the equipment stored in the server.

4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the communication device further comprises a storage unit that stores the setting information of the device read by the reading unit in a user area of ​​the server.

5. An information processing device for a worker who performs work on a communication device and equipment before the network of a user's facility where the equipment is installed is opened, comprising: a reception unit that receives input of connection information that is information necessary to connect the equipment to the network; and a storage unit that stores the connection information of the equipment received by the reception unit in a server, thereby enabling the communication device to execute a process of reading the connection information of the equipment stored in the server and a process of connecting the equipment to the network of the facility based on the connection information.

6. A connection setting method comprising the steps of: a step in which a device of a worker who performs work on a communication device and the device before the network of a user's facility where the device is installed receives input of connection information that is information necessary to connect the device to the network; a step in which the worker's device stores the received connection information of the device in a server; a step in which the communication device reads the connection information of the device stored in the server; and a step in which the communication device executes processing to connect the device to the network of the facility based on the read connection information of the device.