Apparatus information management device, apparatus information management system, apparatus information management method, and program

Abstract

An apparatus information management device (20) comprises an acquiring unit (22) that receives event information from a first apparatus (10b), an identifying unit (23) that acquires first user information associated with first apparatus identification information, a search unit (24) that acquires second user information associated with the same attribute value as the first user information, an output unit (25) that transmits a first notification based on the event information to a first user (40a) and a second user (40b) via an external network service (30), and a determining unit (27) that determines whether or not a predetermined action with respect to the first notification has been executed, wherein, if the determining unit (27) has not determined that the predetermined action with respect to the first notification has been executed, the output unit (25) transmits a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is acquired on the basis of a communication circuit (21).

Description

Device Information Management Apparatus, Device Information Management System, Device Information Management Method, and Program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device information management apparatus, a device information management system, a device information management method, and a program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for a user to remotely operate home appliances such as air conditioners using a mobile terminal. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user performs remote operation of home appliances using a mobile terminal on which a dedicated application program is installed. However, a technique for a user to obtain notifications from IoT (Internet of Things) home appliances via an SNS (Social Networking Service) business service is also known.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015 - 105795

[0004] When a notification is sent from an IoT home appliance to a terminal device used by a user, before the user checks the notification from the IoT home appliance, other notifications or the like may be received, causing the notification to be buried and the user to overlook the notification.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a device information management apparatus, a device information management system, a device information management method, and a program that can suppress a user from overlooking a notification from a device.

[0006] One embodiment of the device information management device according to this disclosure comprises: a communication circuit that communicates with a first device and an external network service; an acquisition unit that receives event information from the first device; an identification unit that, when the acquisition unit receives the event information, acquires first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database in which first device identification information that identifies the first device and first user information that identifies a first user are associated; a search unit that acquires second user information from a second database in which user information that identifies a plurality of users including the first user and attribute values ​​that indicate the attributes of each of the plurality of users are associated, the second user information that has the same attribute values ​​as the first user information; an output unit that transmits a first notification based on the event information to the first user and the second user indicated by the second user information via the external network service; and a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined action has been performed in response to the first notification. If the determination unit has not determined that a predetermined action has been performed in response to the first notification, the output unit transmits a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is acquired based on the communication circuit.

[0007] Furthermore, one embodiment of the device information management system relating to this disclosure includes: a first device having a first communication circuit; a second communication circuit communicating with an external network service; an acquisition unit that receives event information from the first device; an identification unit that, when the acquisition unit receives the event information, acquires first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database in which first device identification information that identifies the first device and first user information that identifies a first user are associated; a search unit that acquires second user information from a second database in which user information that identifies a plurality of users including the first user and attribute values ​​indicating the attributes of each of the plurality of users are associated, the second user information that has the same attribute values ​​as the first user information; an output unit that transmits a first notification based on the event information to the first user and the second user indicated by the second user information via the external network service; and a determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed. If the determination unit has not determined that a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed, the output unit transmits a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is acquired based on the second communication circuit.

[0008] Furthermore, one embodiment of the device information management method relating to this disclosure is a device information management method executed by a server equipped with a communication circuit that communicates with a first device and an external network service, comprising: an acquisition step of receiving event information from the first device; a identification step of obtaining first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database in which first device identification information that identifies the first device and first user information that identifies a first user are associated, when the event information is received in the acquisition step; a search step of obtaining second user information from a second database in which user information that identifies a plurality of users including the first user and attribute values ​​that indicate the attributes of each of the plurality of users are associated, the second user information among the user information to which the same attribute values ​​as the first user information are associated; a first output step of transmitting a first notification based on the event information to the first user and the second user indicated by the second user information via the external network service; a determination step of determining whether a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed; and a second output step of transmitting a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is obtained based on the communication circuit, if it has not been determined in the determination step that a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed.

[0009] Furthermore, this disclosure can be implemented not only as the above-mentioned device information management method, but also as a program that causes a computer to execute the above-mentioned device information management method. Moreover, it can also be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium that stores that program.

[0010] The device information management device, device information management system, device information management method, and program related to this disclosure can help prevent users from overlooking notifications from devices.

[0011] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of the device information management system according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device information management system according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the first database according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the second database according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the device information management device according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a notification displayed on the terminal device according to the embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the third database according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a re-notification displayed on the terminal device according to the embodiment. Figure 9 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the re-notification of the device information management device according to the embodiment. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the fourth database according to the embodiment. Figure 11 is a diagram showing another example of the first database according to the embodiment. Figure 12 is a diagram showing another example of the second database according to the embodiment.

[0012] (Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the equipment information management device, equipment information management system, equipment information management method, and program relating to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to drawings. The embodiments described below are all preferred specific examples of this disclosure. The numerical values, components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in an independent claim will be described as any component constituting a preferred configuration.

[0013] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc., in this disclosure do not refer to the number or order of components, etc., but are used for the purpose of avoiding confusion and distinguishing similar components, etc.

[0015] (Overview) First, an overview of the device information management system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of the device information management system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the device information management system 1 comprises one or more devices 10 and a device information management device 20. The one or more devices 10 and the device information management device 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a public network 50 such as the Internet. Furthermore, the device information management device 20 is connected to each of the servers of a plurality of external network services 30 so as to be able to communicate via the public network 50. The servers of the external network services 30 are connected to terminal devices 41 used by users 40 so as to be able to communicate via the public network 50. For example, the server of the first external network service 30a communicates with terminal device 41a used by the first user 40a via the public network 50, and the server of the second external network service 30b communicates with terminal device 41b used by the second user 40b via the public network 50.

[0017] In other words, in the device information management system 1, the device information management device 20 communicates with the device 10 and the external network service 30 to support the exchange of information between the device 10 and the terminal device 41.

[0018] One or more devices 10 include, for example, household electrical appliances (hereinafter also referred to as home appliances, etc.) installed in a residence 100. In Figure 1, a washing machine is shown as device 10a and a refrigerator as device 10b. Device 10 may be a vacuum cleaner such as a cleaning robot, or an air conditioning unit. Device 10 is not limited to home appliances, and its specific form is not particularly limited, as long as it can communicate with the device information management device 20 via the public network 50.

[0019] [Configuration] First, the configuration of the device information management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device information management system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0020] The device information management system 1 comprises one or more devices 10 and a device information management device 20.

[0021] The device 10 includes household appliances installed in a house. For example, the device 10 may be a washing machine, refrigerator, or rice cooker. The device 10 may also be an air conditioner, air purifier, or television, and its specific form is not particularly limited. The device 10 includes a communication circuit 11.

[0022] Device 10 transmits event information to the device information management device 20 using the communication circuit 11. The event information is information indicating the content of the operation of device 10, for example, in the case of device 10c (rice cooker), it is information indicating "rice cooking complete". The event information may also include time information.

[0023] The communication circuit 11 is a wireless communication module for the device 10 to communicate wirelessly with the device information management device 20 via the public network 50. The communication circuit 11 communicates wirelessly according to a communication standard such as NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things) or HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). The communication standard used by the communication circuit 11 is not particularly limited. The communication circuit 11 is an example of a first communication circuit.

[0024] The device information management device 20 is a device that communicates with the device 10 and the external network service 30. The device information management device 20 is implemented, for example, by a cloud server. Specifically, the device information management device 20 comprises a communication circuit 21, an acquisition unit 22, an identification unit 23, a search unit 24, an input / output unit 25, a storage unit 26, a determination unit 27, and a communication unit 28.

[0025] The communication circuit 21 is a wireless communication module for the device information management device 20 to wirelessly communicate with the device 10 and external network services 30 via the public network 50. The communication circuit 21 performs wireless communication according to a communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) (registered trademark). The communication standard used for communication by the communication circuit 21 is not particularly limited. The communication circuit 21 is an example of a second communication circuit.

[0026] The acquisition unit 22 acquires event information from the device 10 using the communication circuit 21. The event information is information indicating the operation of the device 10. The event information includes device identification information and information indicating the content of the operation. The device identification information is information for identifying the device 10. The specific form of the device identification information is not particularly limited, as long as it is information unique to each device 10.

[0027] The identification unit 23 obtains user information associated with the device identification information contained in the event information acquired by the acquisition unit 22 by referring to the first database 61 (described later). User information is information for identifying user 40. The specific form of user information is not particularly limited, as long as it is unique to each user.

[0028] The search unit 24 obtains user information associated with the same attribute values ​​as the user information obtained by the identification unit 23 by referring to the second database 62 (described later). The attribute values ​​are the values ​​of the user's attribute information. For example, when a user 40 registers for a service provided by the device information management device 20, the attribute values ​​are assigned to the user 40 in association with the user information of the user 40, either by input from the user 40 or by the device information management device 20.

[0029] The input / output unit 25 performs information processing to send notifications based on event information to one or more users 40 whose user information has been acquired by the identification unit 23 and the search unit 24, via the external network service 30. The input / output unit 25 is an example of an output unit.

[0030] The acquisition unit 22, the identification unit 23, the search unit 24, and the input / output unit 25 are implemented, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. The functions of the acquisition unit 22, the identification unit 23, the search unit 24, and the input / output unit 25 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor executing a software program, such as a predetermined application program, stored in the storage unit 26.

[0031] The memory unit 26 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing, such as computer programs, executed by the acquisition unit 22, identification unit 23, search unit 24, and input / output unit 25, etc. The memory unit 26 is implemented using semiconductor memory.

[0032] The memory unit 26 also stores the first database 61 and the second database 62.

[0033] Figure 3 shows an example of a first database 61 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the first database 61 associates equipment identification information, user information, and installation information. Equipment identification information is information for identifying equipment 10. User information is information for identifying user 40. The user information associated with the equipment identification information is user information indicating the first user 40a who registered the equipment 10 indicated by the equipment identification information. Installation information is the name of the area in the house where the equipment 10 is located. Installation information may be, for example, "kitchen" or "living room". Installation information is entered when the first user 40a registers the equipment 10. Note that the installation information may also be the coordinates of the location where the equipment 10 is placed.

[0034] In the first database 61 shown in Figure 3, the equipment identification information "Refrigerator A", user information "User A", and installation information "Kitchen" are associated with each other.

[0035] Hereinafter, we will use the following descriptions: the device identification information for device 10a will be "Washing Machine A", the device identification information for device 10b will be "Refrigerator A", the device identification information for device 10c will be "Rice Cooker A", the user information for the first user 40a will be "User A", and the user information for the second user 40b will be "User B".

[0036] Figure 4 shows an example of a second database 62 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the second database 62 associates each of the multiple user information entries with the attribute values ​​of attribute information that represent the attributes of each of the multiple users 40. The multiple users 40 include the first user 40a and the second user 40b. Furthermore, the second database 62 associates user information with the external network services 30 used by the user 40.

[0037] Attribute information is information used to identify the group to which user 40 belongs. Attribute information includes, for example, an attribute number. An attribute number is a unique number assigned to the group to which user 40 belongs. An attribute value is the specific value of the attribute number. In other words, multiple users 40 belonging to the same group will be associated with the same attribute number value.

[0038] The attribute values ​​of user 40 and the external network service 30 to be used are mapped to the second database 62 in advance based on input from user 40.

[0039] In the second database 62 shown in Figure 4, user information "User A" is associated with attribute value "0001" and the external network service used "First external network service 30a". Similarly, user information "User B" is associated with attribute value "0001" and the external network service used "Second external network service 30b".

[0040] Here, we will explain an example of the procedure for associating values ​​with the same attribute number in the second database 62. First, the device information management device 20 receives user information input from the first user 40a. The user information input by the first user 40a includes information to which the attribute value "0001" is associated. Based on the user information input by the first user 40a, the device information management device 20 stores the first user 40a's user information "User A" and the attribute value "0001" in the second database 62. In this way, the second database 62 associates the first user 40a's user information "User A" with the attribute value "0001".

[0041] Next, the second user 40b obtains information including the attribute value "0001" from the first user 40a, for example, by a two-dimensional barcode.

[0042] The second user 40b inputs user information into the device information management apparatus 20 using this information. The device information management apparatus 20 further associates the user information "User B" of the second user 40b with the attribute value "0001" stored in the second database 62. Thus, the user information "User B" of the second user 40b and the attribute value "0001" are associated in the second database 62. In this way, the same attribute value "0001" is associated with the first user 40a and the second user 40b in the second database 62.

[0043] Note that the input regarding the information indicating the external network service used by each of the users 40 may be accepted after the association between the user information and the attribute value is made.

[0044] In addition, in the second database 62, in addition to the users 40, the installation terminals used by the users 40 may be associated with the attribute values. Here, the installation terminal is a device having a function of notifying the user 40. The installation terminal can use the external network service 30 by the mounted OS. The installation terminal is realized by, for example, a TV, an LED ceiling light, a door phone, or the like. For example, the TV as the installation terminal can present a notification to the user 40 using the liquid crystal screen of the TV. Also, using the speaker of the TV, a notification including sound information can be presented to the user 40.

[0045] In the second database 62 shown in FIG. 4, the user information "Installation Terminal A", the attribute value "0001", and the used external network service "First External Network Service 30a" are associated.

[0046] The determination unit 27 determines whether or not a predetermined action has been executed for the notification. Also, it determines whether or not trigger information has been acquired.

[0047] The communication unit 28 communicates message information with each of the users 40. The communication unit 28 exchanges message information with the first user 40a via the first external network service 30a and exchanges message information with the second user 40b via the second external network service 30b.

[0048] Also, the communication unit 28 transmits the message information communicated with the first user 40a to the second user 40b. Specifically, first, the communication unit 28 receives the message information transmitted by the first user 40a to the communication unit 28 via the first external network service 30a. The communication unit 28 obtains user information "User B" associated with the same attribute value "0001" as the user information "User A" of the first user 40a by referring to the second database 62. The communication unit 28 transmits the message information to the second user 40b indicated by the user information "User B" via the second external network service 30b. Similarly, the communication unit 28 transmits the message information transmitted by the second user 40b to the communication unit 28 via the second external network service 30b to the first user 40a via the first external network service 30a.

[0049] In this way, the first user 40a and the second user 40b can exchange message information via the device information management device 20. The communication unit 28 supports the first user 40a and the second user 40b in exchanging message information.

[0050] The determination unit 27 and the communication unit 28 are realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The function of the determination unit 27 is realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or a processor executing a software program such as a predetermined application program stored in the storage unit 26.

[0051] The external network service 30 is a service used by the user 40 to support communication between the device information management device 20 and the user 40. The external network service 30 is, for example, an SNS (Social Network Service). The external network service 30 may be an email system or a dedicated application program related to the device 10 and the device information management device 20. The specific form of the external network service 30 is not particularly limited, as long as the device information management device 20 can transmit information to the user 40 via wireless communication.

[0052] The first external network service 30a is an external network service used by the first user 40a, and the second external network service 30b is an external network service used by the second user 40b. The first external network service 30a and the second external network service 30b may be the same network service or may be different network services.

[0053] Terminal device 41 is an information terminal used by user 40. Terminal device 41a is an information terminal used by first user 40a, and terminal device 41b is an information terminal used by second user 40b. Terminal device 41 is, for example, a smartphone. Notification content from the device information management device 20 is displayed on terminal device 41. User 40 can check the operating status of device 10 by viewing the notification content displayed on terminal device 41. Terminal device 41 may be a tablet terminal or a personal computer, etc. Specifically, terminal device 41a includes a communication circuit 42a, a display unit 43a, and an operation reception unit 44a, and terminal device 41b specifically includes a communication circuit 42b, a display unit 43b, and an operation reception unit 44b.

[0054] The communication circuit 42 is a wireless communication module that enables the terminal device 41 to communicate wirelessly with the external network service 30. Specifically, the communication circuit 42 communicates wirelessly according to a communication standard such as LTE. The communication standard used by the communication circuit 42 is not particularly limited.

[0055] The display unit 43 is a screen on which various images are displayed. The display unit 43 is implemented by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) panel.

[0056] The operation reception unit 44 receives operations from the user 40. The operation reception unit 44 is implemented, for example, by a touch panel or the like.

[0057] [Operation] Next, the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the embodiment.

[0058] The following explanation will describe the case where, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first user 40a owns the device 10b (refrigerator), and the first user 40a and the second user 40b have the same attribute values.

[0059] As shown in Figure 5, first, the acquisition unit 22 receives event information (S11). The device 10 transmits the event information to the device information management device 20 using the communication circuit 11. The event information transmitted to the device 10 is received by the acquisition unit 22 of the device information management device 20 via the public network 50 and the communication circuit 21.

[0060] When the acquisition unit 22 receives event information from the device 10, the identification unit 23 identifies the first user 40a (S12). The identification unit 23 obtains user information associated with the device identification information of the device 10 included in the event information by referring to the first database 61 stored in the storage unit 26. For example, in the case of the first database 61 shown in Figure 3, it identifies "User A" associated with the device identification information "Refrigerator A" of the device 10b. "User A" is an example of first user information.

[0061] Next, the search unit 24 searches for the second user 40b (S13). By referring to the second database 62 stored in the storage unit 26, the search unit 24 obtains second user information to which the same attribute values ​​as the first user information are associated. For example, in the case of the second database 62 shown in Figure 4, the search unit 24 obtains another user information "User B" to which the attribute value "0001" of the attribute information associated with user information "User A" is associated.

[0062] Note that user information with the same attribute values ​​as the first user information may not exist in the second database 62. In such cases, the search unit 24 checks the second database 62 to confirm that the second user 40b does not exist.

[0063] The input / output unit 25 transmits notifications based on event information to the first user 40a and the second user 40b (S14). This notification is an example of a first notification. Specifically, the input / output unit 25 transmits notification information to the servers of the public network 50 and the external network service 30 using the communication circuit 21. The form of the notification information is appropriate for the first external network service 30a and the second external network service 30b, respectively. The server of the first external network service 30a transmits notification information to the terminal device 41a used by the first user 40a. The server of the second external network service 30b transmits notification information to the terminal device 41b used by the second user 40b.

[0064] The terminal device 41 displays a notification on the display unit 43 based on the received notification information. Figure 6 shows an example of a notification displayed on the terminal device 41 according to the embodiment. For example, when device 10b transmits the event information "ice maker running out of water", the display unit 43 of the terminal device 41 displays "'ice maker running out of water' has occurred." as shown in Figure 6.

[0065] Next, the input / output unit 25 stores the notification information in the storage unit 26 (S15). The input / output unit 25 stores the notification information in the third database 63 stored in the storage unit 26. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the third database 63 according to the embodiment.

[0066] The third database 63 stores information about notifications previously sent for each attribute value of the attribute information. The notification information includes device identification information, notification content indicating the content of the notification, and notification time indicating the time the notification was sent. Note that the notification time may also include information indicating the year, month, and day.

[0067] Figure 7 shows the third database 63 for attribute number "0001". The third database 63 shown in Figure 7 stores that device 10b, whose device identification information is "Refrigerator A", sent a notification with the content "Ice maker out" to user 40, whose attribute value is "0001", at notification time "6:50". The third database 63 shown in Figure 7 also stores that device 10a, whose device identification information is "Washing machine A", sent a notification with the content "Washing finished" at notification time "13:00".

[0068] Next, the determination unit 27 determines whether a predetermined action was performed after the notification was sent in step S14 (S16). The predetermined action is an action corresponding to the content of the notification information stored in the third database 63.

[0069] For example, a predetermined action in response to a notification from device 10b stating "ice maker water depleted" is to fill the ice tray of device 10b with water. Also, for example, a predetermined action in response to a notification from device 10a stating "washing complete" is to open the lid of device 10a or to remove the laundry from inside device 10a.

[0070] When the device 10 that sent the notification detects that a predetermined action has been performed, it transmits information indicating that the predetermined action has been performed to the device information management device 20. For example, the device 10 is equipped with various sensors such as a weight sensor and detects that a predetermined action has been performed according to the detection results of the sensors. When the determination unit 27 acquires this information, it determines that the predetermined action has been performed. The information indicating that a predetermined action has been performed is an example of operation information.

[0071] Furthermore, if the first user 40a or the second user 40b who receives the notification performs a predetermined action, they may transmit information to the device information management device 20 indicating that they have performed the predetermined action. The determination unit 27 determines that the predetermined action has been performed when such information is acquired.

[0072] If it is determined that the predetermined action has not been performed (No in S16), the determination unit 27 acquires trigger information (S17). The trigger information will be described in more detail later.

[0073] When trigger information is acquired, the input / output unit 25 sends a re-notification based on the notification information to the first user 40a and the second user 40b (S18). The re-notification is an example of a second notification. The re-notification includes information indicating that it is a re-notification of the notification sent in step S14. The input / output unit 25 sends the re-notification to the first user 40a and the second user 40b in the same manner as described in step S14.

[0074] The terminal device 41 displays a notification on the display unit 43 based on the received notification information. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a notification displayed on the terminal device 41 according to the embodiment. For example, when device 10b transmits the event information "Ice making water depleted", the display unit 43 of the terminal device 41 displays "'Ice making water depleted' has occurred." and "#Re-notification", which indicates that it is a re-notification, as shown in Figure 8.

[0075] The manner in which information indicating a re-notification is displayed is not particularly limited. For example, instead of displaying the text information "#Re-notification", the color of the notification text or the background color may be changed. Alternatively, an image may be displayed.

[0076] Furthermore, if the terminal device 41 is an installed terminal, the re-notification may be a voice push notification. A voice push notification is a notification output by voice from the installed terminal. A voice push notification may also include text information. In this case, the notification information that the device information management device 20 transmits to the installed terminal includes voice information, and the installed terminal realizes the voice push notification by playing the voice information using the speaker installed in the installed terminal.

[0077] Furthermore, the installed terminal has a function to read aloud text information, and voice push notifications may be implemented by reading aloud the text information of the re-notification.

[0078] In other words, in the process of step S18 described above, the input / output unit 25 may send a re-notification including voice information to the installed terminal whose user information is "installed terminal A" and which is associated with the same attribute value "0001" as the first user 40a. The input / output unit 25 sends a re-notification based on the notification information to the installed terminal whose user information is "installed terminal A" using the first external network service 30a.

[0079] When it is determined that a predetermined action has been performed (Yes in S16), the input / output unit 25 deletes the notification information stored in the storage unit 26 (S19). Specifically, the input / output unit 25 deletes the notification information corresponding to the performed predetermined action from the third database 63.

[0080] With the above operation, when the device information management device 20 sends a notification, it stores the notification information of the notification in the third database 63 until a predetermined action is taken. The input / output unit 25 can send a re-notification based on the notification information if trigger information is acquired while the notification information is stored in the third database 63. Such a device information management device 20 can prevent the user 40 from overlooking notifications from the device 10.

[0081] [Trigger Information] Trigger information is information that prompts the sending of a re-notification. Trigger information for notifications based on event information from the first device 10b is information related to the first device 10b.

[0082] For example, the trigger information is event information received by the acquisition unit 22 from the second device 10c, where the first installation information of the first device 10b and the second installation information of the second device 10c satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0083] The following describes the operation in which a re-notification is performed when event information is received from the second device 10c. Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the re-notification operation of the device information management device 20 according to the embodiment.

[0084] First, the acquisition unit 22 receives event information from the second device 10c (S21). This event information includes the device identification information of the second device 10c, "rice cooker A".

[0085] Next, the determination unit 27 acquires information regarding notifications that require re-notification (S22). Specifically, the determination unit 27 acquires notification information stored in the third database 63. The third database 63 shown in Figure 7 stores notification information from device 10b, which has the device identification information "refrigerator A," and the determination unit 27 acquires this notification information.

[0086] The determination unit 27 determines whether the installation location of the equipment satisfies predetermined conditions (S23). The predetermined conditions for the installation location of the equipment mean that, in a residence, the first equipment 10b and the second equipment 10c are installed in relatively close proximity to each other.

[0087] The determination unit 27 obtains the installation information of the second device 10c that sent event information in step S21 by referring to the first database 61. In the first database 61 shown in Figure 3, the installation information for the device identification information "rice cooker A" is "kitchen". This installation information is an example of second installation information. Next, the determination unit 27 obtains the installation information of the first device 10b associated with the notification information obtained in step S22 by referring to the first database 61. In the first database 61 shown in Figure 3, the installation information for the device identification information "refrigerator A" is "kitchen". This installation information is an example of first installation information.

[0088] The determination unit 27 determines that the installation location of the equipment satisfies predetermined conditions if these installation information matches.

[0089] Furthermore, if the location relationship of the areas is stored in the storage unit 26 based on input from the user 40, the determination unit 27 may determine that the installation location of the equipment satisfies predetermined conditions when the areas are relatively close to each other, such as adjacent areas. Also, if the installation information is in the form of location coordinates, the determination unit 27 may calculate the distance between the installation locations of the equipment and determine whether the distance is below a predetermined threshold.

[0090] If the determination unit 27 determines that the installation location of the equipment satisfies predetermined conditions (Yes in S23), the input / output unit 25 sends a re-notification based on the notification information regarding the first equipment 10b stored in the third database 63 (S24). In other words, if the installation location of the equipment satisfies predetermined conditions, the trigger information is event information received from the second equipment 10c. If the determination unit 27 determines that the installation location of the equipment does not satisfy predetermined conditions (No in S23), the equipment information management device 20 terminates its operation without sending a re-notification.

[0091] Furthermore, for example, the trigger information may be message information from among the message information communicated by at least one of the first user 40a and the second user 40b to the communication unit 28 via the external network service 30, which has been determined by AI (Artificial Intelligence) to contain notification-related content. The determination unit 27 determines that the trigger information has been acquired by using AI to determine the content of the message information communicated by each of the first user 40a and the second user 40b to the communication unit 28 via the external network service 30. AI refers to artificial intelligence, and is, for example, a machine learning model such as a trained neural network. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the fourth database 64 according to the embodiment.

[0092] The fourth database 64 stores message information exchanged between users 40 whose identical attribute values ​​are associated via the communication unit 28. The fourth database 64 may also include information indicating the time when the user 40 sent the message information. Furthermore, the time information may include information indicating the year, month, and day. Figure 10 shows the fourth database 64 for attribute number "0001". For example, when the first user 40a sends the message "It's so hot, I want something cold to eat," the message is stored in the fourth database 64 as shown in Figure 10.

[0093] The determination unit 27 analyzes the message information stored in the fourth database 64 using AI, and determines that the communication unit 28 has communicated message information related to notification information stored in the third database 63, in which case it determines that trigger information has been acquired.

[0094] Furthermore, the determination unit 27 may determine that it has obtained trigger information by combining the two methods described above.

[0095] [Modification] In the above embodiment, the first database 61 associates device identification information with user information as shown in Figure 3. However, the first database 61 may also associate device identification information with attribute values ​​of attribute information. For example, the association between device identification information and attribute values ​​of attribute information is achieved by referring to the attribute values ​​associated with the user information of the user 40 who registered the device. Figure 11 shows another example of the first database 61 according to the embodiment.

[0096] In the first database 61 shown in Figure 11, the equipment identification information "Refrigerator A", the attribute value "0001" of the attribute information, and the installation information "Kitchen" are associated. The attribute value "0001" is associated with the user information "User A" in the second database 62.

[0097] In this case, when the first database 61 shown in Figure 11 is used, in the process of step S12 in Figure 5 described above, the identification unit 23 refers to the first database 61 to identify the attribute value of the attribute information associated with the device identification information of the device 10 included in the event information. In the process of step S13 in Figure 5, the search unit 24 refers to the second database 62 to obtain user information associated with the attribute value of the identified attribute information. In this way, the user who is the target of notification based on the acquired event information can be identified.

[0098] [Effects, etc.] The technologies derived from the disclosures in this specification include, for example, the following technologies. The technologies derived from the disclosures in this specification will be described below, along with the effects, etc., that can be obtained by such technologies.

[0099] Technology 1 includes a communication circuit 21 that communicates with a first device 10b and an external network service 30, an acquisition unit 22 that receives event information from the first device 10b, a specification unit 23 that, when the acquisition unit 22 receives event information, acquires first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database 61 in which first device identification information that identifies the first device 10b and first user information that identifies the first user 40a are associated, and a second database 62 in which user information that identifies a plurality of users 40 including the first user 40a and attribute values ​​that indicate the attributes of each of the plurality of users 40 are associated, The device information management device 20 includes a search unit 24 that acquires second user information to which the same attribute values ​​as first user information are associated, an output unit 25 that transmits a first notification based on event information to the first user 40a and the second user 40b indicated by the second user information via an external network service 30, and a determination unit 27 that determines whether or not a predetermined action has been performed in response to the first notification. If the determination unit 27 has not determined that a predetermined action has been performed in response to the first notification, the output unit 25 transmits a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is acquired based on the communication circuit 21.

[0100] Such a device information management device 20 can send a re-notification if trigger information is acquired between the time a notification is sent and the time a predetermined action in response to the notification is performed, thereby preventing the user 40 from overlooking the notification from the first device 10b.

[0101] Technology 2 is the device information management device 20 of Technology 1, in which the communication circuit 21 communicates with a second device 10c which is different from the first device 10b, and the first database 61 associates first device identification information and first installation information indicating the installation location of the first device 10b, and second device identification information that identifies the second device 10c and second installation information indicating the installation location of the second device 10c, and the determination unit 27 further determines whether the first installation information and second installation information obtained from the first database 61 satisfy predetermined conditions, and if the determination unit 27 determines that the first installation information and second installation information satisfy predetermined conditions, the trigger information is event information received by the acquisition unit 22 from the second device 10c.

[0102] Such a device information management device 20 sends a re-notification when it receives event information from the second device 10c, which is located relatively close to the first device 10b, so that it can send a re-notification at a more appropriate timing.

[0103] Technology 3 is the device information management device 20 of Technology 1, further comprising a communication unit 28 that communicates message information with each of the first user 40a and the second user 40b, wherein the trigger information is message information that at least one of the first user 40a and the second user 40b is communicating with the communication unit 28 via an external network service 30, and which the AI ​​has determined to contain content related to the first notification.

[0104] Such a device information management device 20 can acquire message information from the user 40, and by using AI to determine the content of the message information, it can send a re-notification at a more appropriate time.

[0105] Technology 4 is the device information management device 20 of Technology 3, in which the communication unit 28 transmits message information communicated with the first user 40a to the second user 40b.

[0106] Such a device information management device 20 can acquire message information exchanged between the first user 40a and the second user 40b via the device information management device 20.

[0107] Technology 5 is an equipment information management device 20 of any of Technologies 1 to 4, which includes information indicating that the second notification is a re-notification of the first notification.

[0108] Such a device information management device 20 can make re-notifications stand out by adding information to the re-notification that indicates it is a re-notification.

[0109] Technology 6 is the device information management device 20 of Technology 5, in which the information indicating the second notification includes sound information.

[0110] Such a device information management device 20 can prevent the user 40 from noticing a re-notification by using sound to send the re-notification.

[0111] Technology 7 is a device information management device 20 according to any of technologies 1 to 4, wherein the acquisition unit 22 receives operation information indicating an operation performed on the first device 10b, and the determination unit 27 determines, based on the operation information, whether or not a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed.

[0112] Such a device information management device 20 can determine whether or not the period between the transmission of a notification and the execution of a predetermined action in response to the notification has elapsed, that is, whether or not it is necessary to send a re-notification.

[0113] Technology 8 is a device information management device 20 of Technology 3 or 4, in which the determination unit 27 determines, based on message information, whether or not a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed.

[0114] Such a device information management device 20 can determine whether or not it is necessary to send a re-notification based on the message information sent by the user 40.

[0115] Technology 9 is a device information management device 20 according to any of technologies 1 to 4, wherein when the determination unit 27 determines that a predetermined action has been performed in response to the first notification, the information relating to the first notification is deleted from the third database 63 where the information relating to the first notification is stored.

[0116] Such a device information management device 20 can be configured to prevent re-notifications from being sent when it is no longer necessary to send them.

[0117] Technology 10 includes a first device 10b having a first communication circuit 11, a second communication circuit 21 that communicates with the first device 10b and an external network service 30, an acquisition unit 22 that receives event information from the first device 10b, a specification unit 23 that, when the acquisition unit 22 receives event information, acquires first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database 61 in which first device identification information that identifies the first device 10b and first user information that identifies the first user 40a are associated, and a second data in which user information that identifies a plurality of users 40 including the first user 40a and attribute values ​​that indicate the attributes of each of the plurality of users 40 are associated. The device information management system 1 includes a search unit 24 that acquires second user information from base 62 to which the same attribute values ​​as the first user information are associated; an output unit 25 that transmits a first notification based on event information to the first user 40a and the second user 40b indicated by the second user information via an external network service 30; and a determination unit 27 that determines whether or not a predetermined action has been performed in response to the first notification. If the determination unit 27 has not determined that a predetermined action has been performed in response to the first notification, the output unit 25 transmits a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is acquired based on the second communication circuit 21.

[0118] This device information management system 1 can send a re-notification if trigger information is acquired between the time a notification is sent and the time a predetermined action in response to the notification is performed. This helps prevent the user 40 from overlooking notifications from the first device 10b.

[0119] Technology 11 is a device information management method executed by a server 20 equipped with a communication circuit 21 that communicates with a first device 10b and an external network service 30, comprising: an acquisition step of receiving event information from the first device 10b; a identification step of acquiring first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database 61 in which first device identification information that identifies the first device 10b and first user information that identifies the first user 40a are associated when event information is received in the acquisition step; and a second database in which user information that identifies a plurality of users 40 including the first user 40a and attribute values ​​that indicate the attributes of each of the plurality of users 40 are associated The device information management method includes: a search step of obtaining second user information from a database 62 to which the same attribute values ​​as first user information are associated; a first output step of sending a first notification based on event information to the first user 40a and the second user 40b indicated by the second user information via an external network service 30; a determination step of determining whether or not a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed; and a second output step of sending a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is obtained based on the communication circuit 21, if it has not been determined in the determination step that a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed.

[0120] This device information management method can prevent user 40 from overlooking notifications from the first device 10b.

[0121] Technology 12 is a program that causes the server 20 to execute the device information management method of Technology 11.

[0122] Such a program can help prevent user 40 from overlooking notifications from the first device 10b.

[0123] (Other Embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0124] In the second database 62 in the above embodiment, the attribute information associated with each user's information was an attribute number, but the attribute information may also be an address. In this case, the attribute value is specifically the user 40's place of residence (information indicating the address up to the street number, or up to the room number if it is an apartment building). The specific form of the attribute information is not particularly limited, as long as it is information that identifies the group to which user 40 belongs.

[0125] Figure 12 shows another example of the second database 62 according to the embodiment. Figure 12 shows the second database 62 when the attribute information is an address. Figure 12 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4. In the second database 62 shown in Figure 12, user information "User A" is associated with the attribute value "Nishi-ku 1-2-3" and the external network service used "First external network service 30a". Also, user information "User B" is associated with the attribute value "Nishi-ku 1-2-3" and the external network service used "Second external network service 30b".

[0126] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the first database 61, the second database 62, and the third database 63 were stored in the storage unit 26, but at least one of the first database 61, the second database 62, and the third database 63 may be stored in a device other than the device information management device 20.

[0127] For example, in the above embodiment, the device information management system was implemented by multiple devices. When the device information management system is implemented by multiple devices in this way, the components of the device information management system (especially the functional components) may be distributed among the multiple devices in any manner.

[0128] Furthermore, the method of communication between devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. In addition, relay devices (such as gateway devices), which are not shown, may be involved in the communication between devices.

[0129] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0130] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0131] Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0132] Furthermore, the general or specific embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. They may also be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0133] For example, this disclosure may be implemented as a device information management method executed by a computer, such as the device information management system (device information management device) of the above embodiment, or as a program (in other words, a computer program product) that causes a computer to execute the device information management method. Furthermore, this disclosure may be implemented as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0134] Furthermore, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0135] This disclosure can be used in technologies that enable users to remotely operate communication devices such as home appliances.

[0136] 1. Device Information Management System 10, 10a Device 10a Device 10b Device (First Device) 10c Device (Second Device) 11. Communication Circuit (First Communication Circuit) 20. Device Information Management Device (Server) 21. Communication Circuit (Second Communication Circuit) 22. Acquisition Unit 23. Identification Unit 24. Search Unit 25. Input / Output Unit (Output Unit) 26. Storage Unit 27. Determination Unit 28. Communication Unit 30. External Network Services 30a First External Network Service 30b Second External Network Service 40. Users 40a First User 40b Second User 41, 41a, 41b Terminal Devices 42, 42a, 42b Communication Circuits 43, 43a, 43b Display Units 44, 44a, 44b Operation Acceptance Unit 50. Public Network 61. First Database 62. Second Database 63. Third Database 64 Fourth Database

Claims

1. A device information management device comprising: a communication circuit that communicates with a first device and an external network service; an acquisition unit that receives event information from the first device; a identification unit that, when the acquisition unit receives the event information, acquires first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database in which first device identification information that identifies the first device and first user information that identifies a first user are associated; a search unit that acquires second user information from a second database in which user information that identifies a plurality of users including the first user and attribute values ​​that indicate the attributes of each of the plurality of users are associated, the second user information that has the same attribute values ​​as the first user information; an output unit that transmits a first notification based on the event information to the first user and the second user indicated by the second user information via the external network service; and a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed, wherein when the determination unit has not determined that a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed, the output unit transmits a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is acquired based on the communication circuit.

2. The communication circuit communicates with a second device different from the first device; the first database associates first device identification information and first installation information indicating the installation location of the first device, and second device identification information identifying the second device and second installation information indicating the installation location of the second device; the determination unit further determines whether the first installation information and the second installation information obtained from the first database satisfy predetermined conditions; and if the determination unit determines that the first installation information and the second installation information satisfy the predetermined conditions, the trigger information is event information received by the acquisition unit from the second device; the device information management device according to claim 1.

3. The device information management device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that communicates message information with the first user and the second user, wherein the trigger information is message information that at least one of the first user and the second user communicates with the communication unit via the external network service, and which the AI ​​has determined to contain content relating to the first notification.

4. The device information management device according to claim 3, wherein the communication unit transmits message information communicated with the first user to the second user.

5. The device information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second notice includes information indicating that it is a re-notification of the first notice.

6. The device information management device according to claim 5, wherein the information indicating the second notification includes sound information.

7. The device information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the acquisition unit receives operation information indicating an operation performed on the first device, and the determination unit determines, based on the operation information, whether or not a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed.

8. The device information management device according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising the determination unit determining, based on the message information, whether or not a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed.

9. The device information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the determination unit determines that a predetermined action has been performed in response to the first notification, the information relating to the first notification is deleted from the third database in which the information relating to the first notification is stored.

10. A device information management system comprising: a first device having a first communication circuit; a second communication circuit communicating with an external network service; an acquisition unit receiving event information from the first device; a specification unit that, when the acquisition unit receives the event information, acquires first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database in which first device identification information identifying the first device and first user information identifying a first user are associated; a search unit that acquires second user information from a second database in which user information identifying a plurality of users including the first user and attribute values ​​indicating the attributes of each of the plurality of users are associated, the second user information having the same attribute values ​​as the first user information; an output unit that transmits a first notification based on the event information to the first user and the second user indicated by the second user information via the external network service; and a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed, wherein, when the determination unit has not determined that a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed, the output unit transmits a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is acquired based on the second communication circuit.

11. A device information management method executed by a server equipped with a communication circuit that communicates with a first device and an external network service, comprising: an acquisition step of receiving event information from the first device; a identification step of obtaining first user information associated with the first device identification information from a first database in which first device identification information that identifies the first device and first user information that identifies a first user are associated, when the event information is received in the acquisition step; a search step of obtaining second user information from a second database in which user information that identifies a plurality of users including the first user and attribute values ​​that indicate the attributes of each of the plurality of users are associated, the second user information among the user information that has the same attribute values ​​as the first user information; a first output step of transmitting a first notification based on the event information to the first user and the second user indicated by the second user information via the external network service; a determination step of determining whether a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed; and a second output step of transmitting a second notification corresponding to the first notification when trigger information is obtained based on the communication circuit, if it has not been determined in the determination step that a predetermined action in response to the first notification has been performed.

12. A program that causes the server to execute the device information management method described in claim 11.

Images