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

Abstract

This apparatus information management device (20) comprises: a communication circuit (21) that communicates with an apparatus (10) and an external network service (30); a first database (61) in which apparatus identification information and first user information are associated with each other; an input / output unit (25) that receives instruction information for controlling the apparatus from a second user (40b) via the external network service (30); a search unit (24) that identifies, from the first database (61) and a second database (62) in which each of a plurality of pieces of user information is associated with a first attribute value of first attribute information, first user information associated with the same first attribute value as that of second user information and associated with the apparatus identification information; and a transmission unit (28) that transmits apparatus control information for controlling the apparatus to the apparatus (10) on the basis of the 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 in which a user remotely operates a home appliance such as an air conditioner using a mobile terminal. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user remotely operates the home appliance using a mobile terminal in which a dedicated application program is installed. However, a technique is also known in which the user obtains notifications from IoT (Internet of Things) home appliances via an SNS (Social Network Service) business service and controls the IoT home appliances.

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

[0004] However, information notifications from IoT home appliances are made to the user who registered the IoT home appliances, and only the user who registered the IoT home appliances can control the IoT home appliances. Therefore, for example, in a situation where there is a family member living with the user who registered the washing machine, there is a problem that family members other than the user who registered the IoT home appliances cannot obtain notifications from the washing machine and / or control the washing machine.

[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 assist communication between a device and a user who is not directly associated with the device.

[0006] One embodiment of the device information management device according to this disclosure includes a communication circuit that communicates with a device and an external network service; a first database in which device identification information that identifies the device and first user information that identifies a first user are associated; an input / output unit that receives instruction information for controlling the device from a second user via the external network service; a search unit that identifies the first user information that is associated with the device identification information and has the same first attribute value as the second user information that represents the second user, from the first database and a second database in which each of a plurality of user information that identifies each of a plurality of users including the second user is associated with a first attribute value of first attribute information that indicates the attributes of each of the plurality of users; and a transmission unit that transmits device control information for controlling the device to the device based on the communication circuit.

[0007] Furthermore, one embodiment of the device information management system relating to this disclosure includes a device having a first communication circuit, a second communication circuit that communicates with the device and an external network service, a first database in which device identification information that identifies the device and first user information that identifies a first user are associated, an input / output unit that receives instruction information for controlling the device from a second user via the external network service, a search unit that identifies the first user information that is associated with the device identification information and has the same first attribute value as the second user information that represents the second user, from the first database and a second database in which each of a plurality of user information that identifies each of a plurality of users including the second user is associated with a first attribute value of first attribute information that indicates the attributes of each of the plurality of users, and a transmission unit that transmits device control information for controlling the device to the device 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 device and an external network service, and includes an input / output step of receiving instruction information for controlling the device from a second user via the external network service; a search step of identifying the first user information that has the same first attribute value as the second user information and is associated with the device identification information from a second database in which each of a plurality of user information identifying each of a plurality of users including the second user is associated with a first attribute value of first attribute information indicating the attributes of each of the plurality of users, and a first database in which device identification information identifying the device is associated with first user information identifying the first user; and a transmission step of transmitting device control information for controlling the device to the device.

[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 support communication between a device and a user that is not directly associated with that device.

[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 first 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 first embodiment. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a notification displayed on a terminal device according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the third database according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the device information management device according to the first embodiment when a time correction notification is issued. Figure 9 is a diagram showing another example of the first database according to the embodiment. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device information management system according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the device information management device according to the second embodiment. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a notification according to the second embodiment. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device information management system according to the third embodiment. Figure 14 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the device information management device according to the third embodiment. Figure 15 is a diagram showing another example of the second database according to the embodiment.

[0012] (Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the device information management device, device information management system, device information management method, and program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all preferred specific examples of the present invention. 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 the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in an independent claim will be described as any component constituting a preferred form.

[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] (First Embodiment) The device information management system 1 according to the first embodiment can transmit information transmitted by the device 10 to a user 40 that is not directly associated with the device 10, by having the device information management device 20 relay the information transmitted by the device 10. The device information management system 1 according to this first embodiment will be described below.

[0020] [Configuration] The configuration of the device information management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device information management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0021] The device information management system 1 comprises one or more devices 10 and a device information management device 20.

[0022] The device 10 includes household appliances installed in the house 100. For example, device 10 is a washing machine (device 10a) or a refrigerator (device 10b). The device 10 includes a communication circuit (device 11).

[0023] 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 10a, which is a washing machine, it may be information indicating "washing complete" or information indicating "spinning start". The event information may also include time information.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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, and a determination unit 27.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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's user information by input from the user 40 or by the device information management device 20. Multiple users 40 who are associated with the same attribute values ​​share the device 10.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The storage unit 26 is a memory 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 storage unit 26 is implemented using semiconductor memory.

[0033] The storage unit 26 further stores a first database 61 and a second database 62. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the first database 61 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the first database 61 associates device identification information and user information. The device identification information is information for identifying the device 10. The user information is information for identifying the user. The user information associated with the device identification information is user information that indicates the user who registered the device 10 indicated by the device identification information.

[0034] In the first database 61 shown in Figure 3, the device identification information "Washing Machine A" and the user information "User A" are associated with each other.

[0035] Hereinafter, we will refer to the device identification information of device 10a as "Washing Machine A", the device identification information of device 10b as "Refrigerator A", the user information of the first user 40a as "User A", and the user information of the second user 40b as "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. The multiple users 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 users.

[0037] Attribute information may include first attribute information and second attribute information. First attribute information is information for identifying the group to which user 40 belongs. First attribute information is, for example, an attribute number. An attribute number is a unique number assigned to the group to which user 40 belongs. The first 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. Second attribute information is information indicating the attributes of user 40 within the group to which user 40 belongs. Second attribute information is, for example, a relationship. The second attribute value is specifically "parent" or "child," etc. Note that the second attribute information may also indicate the role within the group. In this case, the second attribute value is specifically "bathroom attendant" or "kitchen attendant," etc.

[0038] The first attribute value, second attribute value, and external network service used by user 40 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 the first attribute value "0001" and the second attribute value "Parent" with the external network service used "First external network service 30a". Similarly, user information "User B" is associated with the first attribute value "0001" and the second attribute value "Parent" with 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 first 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 first 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 first attribute value "0001".

[0041] Next, the second user 40b obtains information from the first user 40a, for example, using a two-dimensional barcode, which includes the first attribute value "0001". The second user 40b then uses this information to input user information into the device information management device 20. The device information management device 20 then associates the user information of the second user 40b, "User B", with the first attribute value "0001" stored in the second database 62. In this way, the second database 62 associates the user information of the second user 40b, "User B", with the first attribute value "0001".

[0042] In this way, the same first attribute value "0001" is associated with the first user 40a and the second user 40b in the second database 62.

[0043] Furthermore, input regarding information indicating the external network services used by each user 40 may be accepted after the user information and the first attribute value have been associated.

[0044] The determination unit 27 determines whether the time indicated by the predicted time information included in the event information satisfies predetermined conditions. The determination unit 27 is implemented, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or dedicated circuit. The function of the determination unit 27 is 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.

[0045] The external network service 30 is a service that supports communication between the device information management device 20 and the user 40, which is used by the user 40. The external network service 30 is, for example, an SNS (Social Network Service). The external network service 30 may be a mail system, or may be 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.

[0046] 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 different network services.

[0047] The terminal device 41 is an information terminal used by the user 40. The terminal device 41a is an information terminal used by the first user 40a, and the terminal device 41b is an information terminal used by the second user 40b. The terminal device 41 is, for example, a smartphone. The notification content from the device information management device 20 is displayed on the terminal device 41. The user 40 can check the operation status of the device 10 by viewing the notification content displayed on the terminal device 41. Note that the terminal device 41 may be a tablet terminal or a personal computer, etc. Specifically, the terminal device 41a includes a communication circuit 42a, a display unit 43a, and an operation reception unit 44a, and the terminal device 41b specifically includes a communication circuit 42b, a display unit 43b, and an operation reception unit 44b.

[0048] The communication circuit 42 is a wireless communication module for the terminal device 41 to perform wireless communication with the external network service 30. Specifically, the communication circuit 42 performs wireless communication according to a communication standard such as LTE. The communication standard of the communication performed by the communication circuit 42 is not particularly limited.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] [Operation Example 1] Next, with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the embodiment in which it notifies the user 40 based on event information will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a notification displayed on the terminal device 41 according to the first embodiment.

[0052] The following describes the case where, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first user 40a owns a washing machine (device 10a), and the first user 40a and the second user 40b are associated with the same first and second attribute values.

[0053] 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.

[0054] When the acquisition unit 22 receives event information from the device 10, the identification unit 23 identifies the first user (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 "Washing Machine A" of the device 10a. "User A" is an example of first user information.

[0055] Next, the search unit 24 searches for a second user (S13). The search unit 24 obtains second user information that has the same first attribute value and second attribute value as the first user information by referring to the second database 62 stored in the storage unit 26. For example, in the case of the second database 62 shown in Figure 4, the search unit 24 obtains another user information "User B" that has the first attribute value "0001" of the first attribute information and the second attribute value "Parent" of the second attribute information associated with the user information "User A". Note that there may be multiple second users 40b.

[0056] 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.

[0057] Finally, the input / output unit 25 transmits notifications based on event information to the first user 40a and the second user 40b (S14). 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.

[0058] The terminal device 41 displays a notification on the display unit 43 based on the received notification information. For example, when device 10a transmits the event information "Washing complete", the display unit 43 of the terminal device 41 displays "Washing is complete." as shown in Figure 6.

[0059] With the operation described above, the device information management device 20 can send notifications based on event information acquired from device 10a not only to the first user 40a who has registered device 10a, but also to the second user 40b who has not registered device 10b.

[0060] In example 1, the device information management device 20 sent a notification only to users whose first attribute value and second attribute value matched, but it may also send it to all users whose first attribute value matches. That is, for example, in the case of the database described above, the same notification may be sent to the first user 40a whose user information is "User A", the second user 40b whose user information is "User B", and the third user 40c whose user information is "User C". When event information is acquired from the device 10, whether to send a notification only to users whose first attribute value and second attribute value match, or to send a notification to all users whose first attribute value matches, may be set in advance by user input or the like for each of the devices 10 or each of the types of events of the device 10.

[0061] [Operation Example 2] In Operation Example 1, the device information management device 20 notified the first user 40a and the second user 40b about the content of the event information based on the event information acquired from the device 10. Here, the device information management device 20 may, for example, notify the time when a predetermined operation of the device 10 is expected to be completed. For example, if the washing operation of the washing machine, device 10a, is expected to be completed at "11:30", the device information management device 20 may send a notification to the display unit 43 so that it displays "Washing is expected to be completed at 11:30". The device 10 transmits event information including time information, and the device information management device 20 sends a notification including time information based on the event information.

[0062] After a notification containing time information is sent, the time indicated by the time information may change. For example, the time at which the device 10 is expected to complete a predetermined operation may change. In such cases, failing to notify the user of the changed time may impair the user's comfort. For example, even if user 40 goes to check on the device 10a, which is a washing machine, at the notified time, it may still be washing clothes. This discrepancy between the actual situation and what is indicated in the notification can lead to distrust of the notification by user 40 and therefore needs to be improved.

[0063] The device information management device 20 according to the operation example 2 of the first embodiment can suppress discrepancies between the content of the notification and the actual situation by issuing a notification again when there is a change in the time information.

[0064] The following describes an example of the operation of such a device information management device 20, using Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the third database 63 according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the first embodiment when a time correction notification is issued.

[0065] First, as described above, the device information management device 20 sends notifications to the first user 40a and the second user 40b based on event information that includes time information.

[0066] At this time, the input / output unit 25 stores information about the notified event in the third database 63 stored in the storage unit 26. As shown in Figure 7, the third database 63 associates device identification information, event type, and time information. For example, if the device information management device 20 obtains event information from device 10a that "washing will be finished at 13:00" and issues a notification based on the event information, the input / output unit 25 registers data in the third database 63 with device identification information as "washing machine A", event type as "finished", and time information as "13:00".

[0067] In other words, the third database 63 associates the device that sent the event information, the type of event, and the time information for notifications previously sent by the device information management device 20. Furthermore, the third database 63 may also be associated with the first database 61.

[0068] Regarding Figure 8, first, event information including time information is received from the device information management device 20 (S21). Device 10a transmits event information to the device information management device 20 at predetermined intervals. The predetermined interval may be, for example, 5 minutes or 15 minutes. The predetermined interval is not particularly limited.

[0069] When the device information management device 20 receives event information, the identification unit 23 obtains time information included in past notifications for the same type of event by referring to the third database 63 (S22). The identification unit 23 identifies data in the third database 63 that matches the device identification information and event type included in the event information, and obtains time information included in that data.

[0070] Next, the determination unit 27 determines whether the time difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (S23). Specifically, the determination unit 27 determines whether the difference between the time indicated by the time information included in the event information received in step S21 and the time indicated by the time information included in the event information identified in step S22 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is, for example, 30 minutes, but may also be 15 minutes. The predetermined threshold is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate by user input, etc.

[0071] If it is determined that the time difference is less than a predetermined threshold (No in S23), the device information management device 20 terminates its operation. In other words, the device information management device 20 does not perform notifications or the like based on the event information received in step S21.

[0072] If it is determined that the time difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (Yes in S23), the device information management device 20 notifies the user 40 that there has been a change in the predicted time included in the past notification.

[0073] Specifically, the identification unit 23 identifies the first user 40a (S24). By referring to the first database 61, the identification unit 23 obtains first user information associated with the device identification information contained in the event information received in step S21.

[0074] Next, the search unit 24 searches for the second user (S25). The search unit 24 obtains second user information that has the same first attribute values ​​and second attribute values ​​as the first user information by referring to the second database 62 stored in the storage unit 26. Finally, the input / output unit 25 sends notifications based on event information to the first user 40a and the second user 40b (S26). At the same time, the input / output unit 25 updates the time information of the data corresponding to the sent notifications stored in the third database 63 stored in the storage unit 26.

[0075] With the above operation, if the predicted end time of an event changes by more than a predetermined threshold after notification has been made, a new notification including the changed predicted end time can be sent. The device information management device 20 can suppress discrepancies between the content indicated in the notification and the actual situation.

[0076] [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 the first attribute value of the attribute information. For example, the association between device identification information and the first attribute value of the attribute information is achieved by referring to the first attribute value associated with the user information of the user 40 who registered the device. Figure 9 shows another example of the first database 61 according to the embodiment.

[0077] In the first database 61 shown in Figure 9, the device identification information "Washing Machine A" is associated with the first attribute value "0001" of the attribute information. The first attribute value "0001" is associated with the user information "User A" in the second database 62.

[0078] In this case, when the first database 61 shown in Figure 9 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 first 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 first 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.

[0079] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the device information management device 20 sent a notification based on event information acquired from the device 10a to the first user 40a, which is directly associated with the device 10a, and to the second user 40b, which is not directly associated with the device 10a. Here, communication takes place between the first user 40a and the device information management device 20, and between the second user 40b and the device information management device 20, but no communication takes place between the first user 40a and the second user 40b.

[0080] Therefore, conventionally, each of the multiple users 40 who receive a notification cannot know whether or not the other users 40 have seen the notification. However, knowing whether or not other users 40 have seen the notification has the advantage of allowing for more accurate decisions on whether or not to take action in response to the notification.

[0081] Therefore, the device information management system 1 according to the second embodiment can notify a user 40 whether or not another user 40 has confirmed the notification.

[0082] A second embodiment of the device information management system 1 described below will be explained.

[0083] [Configuration] First, the configuration of the device information management system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device information management system 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0084] The arrows in Figure 10 indicate the flow of information when, as described in the first embodiment, the device information management device 20 sends a notification based on event information acquired from the device 10 to the first user 40a and the second user 40b, and the first user 40a confirms the notification.

[0085] First, terminal device 41a sends response information to device information management device 20 using the first external network service 30a to indicate that it has confirmed the notification. Based on the received response information, device information management device 20 sends a notification based on the response information to terminal device 41b using the second external network service 30b.

[0086] As shown in Figure 10, the configuration of the device information management system 1 is the same as that of the device information management system 1 of the first embodiment described using Figure 2.

[0087] [Operation] Next, the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the second embodiment will be explained using Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the second embodiment. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a notification according to the second embodiment.

[0088] First, the input / output unit 25 sends notifications based on event information to the first user 40a and the second user 40b (S14 in Figure 5). At this time, the input / output unit 25 stores in the storage unit 26 information for identifying the notification sent to the first user 40a and information for identifying the notification sent to the second user 40b.

[0089] The input / output unit 25 receives response information indicating that the first user 40a has acknowledged the notification (S31). The response information includes information for identifying the notification. As a result, the acquisition unit 22 receives response information indicating that the first user 40a has acknowledged the notification.

[0090] When the terminal device 41a displays, for example, the notification transmitted in step S14 of Figure 5 on the display unit 43, it considers that the first user 40a has confirmed the notification and transmits response information to the device information management device 20 via the first external network service 30a. The input / output unit 25 receives the response information using the communication circuit 21.

[0091] When the input / output unit 25 receives response information, the search unit 24 searches for the second user 40b (S32). Specifically, the search unit 24 uses information for identifying the notification contained in the response information to obtain user information "User A" which indicates the first user 40a, the user who confirmed the notification. Next, by referring to the second database 62, it obtains user information "User B" which has the same attribute values ​​as user information "User A".

[0092] Finally, the input / output unit 25 transmits information to the second user 40b notifying the first user 40a of the response (S33). Using the information for identifying the notification included in the response information, the input / output unit 25 identifies the notification that corresponds to the notification that the first user 40a has confirmed among the notifications transmitted to the second user 40b. The input / output unit 25 transmits this information to the second external network service 30b so that information notifying the first user 40a that the identified notification has been responded to is added and displayed on the display unit 43b.

[0093] As shown in Figure 12, for example, the display unit 43b displays the notification described in Figure 6, with an additional icon for the first user 40a, "User A".

[0094] Furthermore, the type of information to be included in the notification is not particularly limited, as long as it can be shown to the second user 40b that the first user 40a has seen the notification. For example, textual information such as "Read: Name of first user 40a" may be included.

[0095] Alternatively, the second user 40b may only be shown the number of users 40 who have seen the notification, or simply the fact that other users 40 have seen the notification. For example, the notification described in Figure 6 may have "Number of Reads: 1" added to it.

[0096] Through the operations described above, the device information management device 20 can notify the second user 40b whether or not the first user 40a has confirmed the notification.

[0097] While the operation when the first user 40a confirms the notification has been described, the device information management device 20 operates similarly when the second user 40b confirms the notification, thereby notifying the first user 40a that the second user 40b has confirmed the notification.

[0098] (Third Embodiment) Conventionally, only the first user 40a, who has registered the device 10, can control the device 10 remotely. By associating the first user 40a with the second user 40b using the second database 62, the second user 40b, who has not registered the device 10, can also control the device 10 remotely. The following describes the device information management system 1 according to this third embodiment.

[0099] The device information management system 1 according to the third embodiment can support users who are not directly associated with the device 10 in controlling the device 10.

[0100] The following describes the device information management system 1 according to this third embodiment.

[0101] [Configuration] Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device information management system 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0102] The device information management device 20 according to the third embodiment further includes a transmission unit 28.

[0103] The transmitting unit 28 performs information processing to transmit device control information to the device 10 for controlling the device 10. The transmitting unit 28 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The function of the transmitting unit 28 is realized by a hardware such as a microcomputer or processor executing a software program, such as a predetermined application program, stored in the storage unit 26.

[0104] In the third embodiment, the input / output unit 25 receives instruction information from the user 40 via the external network service 30 for controlling the device 10.

[0105] The search unit 24, by referring to the first database 61 and the second database 62, identifies user information that has the same attribute values ​​as the user information indicating the user 40 who sent the instruction information received by the input / output unit 25, and that is associated with the target device of the instruction information and the device identification information.

[0106] The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, except that the acquisition unit 22 and the identification unit 23 are not required.

[0107] [Operation] Next, the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the third embodiment will be explained using Figure 14. Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the device information management device 20 according to the third embodiment.

[0108] First, the input / output unit 25 receives instruction information from the second user 40b (S41). The instruction information is information for user 40 to control the device 10, and includes device identification information and information indicating the operation of the device. The second user 40b inputs an instruction to the device 10 by selecting one of the predetermined options displayed on the display unit 43b of the terminal device 41b via touch input through the operation reception unit 44. More specifically, for example, the display unit 43b displays options for the washing machine's "operating mode," and the second user 40b inputs an instruction to the device 10a by touching the "hand wash mode" icon. Based on the input from the second user 40b received by the operation reception unit 44b, the terminal device 41b transmits the instruction information to the device information management device 20 via the second external network service 30b and the public network 50 using the communication circuit 42b.

[0109] When the input / output unit 25 receives instruction information, the search unit 24 identifies the first user 40a (S42). Specifically, the search unit 24 first searches for user information associated with the same first attribute value as the user information of user 40 who sent the received instruction information by referring to the second database 62. For example, in the case of the second database 62 shown in Figure 4, the search unit 24 obtains user information "User A" and "User C" which are associated with the same first attribute value "0001" as the user information "User B" of the second user 40b.

[0110] Next, the search unit 24 refers to the first database 61 to identify user information associated with the device identification information contained in the received instruction information. For example, in the case of the first database 61 shown in Figure 3, the search unit 24 identifies user information "User A" associated with the device identification information "Washing Machine A" of device 10a, and confirms that this is included in "User A" and "User C" identified by the search unit 24.

[0111] Finally, the transmitting unit 28 transmits device control information (S43). Specifically, the transmitting unit 28 uses the communication circuit 21 to transmit device control information based on the received instruction information to the device 10 via the public network 50. The device control information is information for controlling the device 10.

[0112] Here, the device control information includes information indicating that the control is coming from a registered user. For example, in the case of device 10a, it includes information indicating that the control is coming from the first user 40a. When the device information management device 20 receives instruction information for controlling device 10a from the second user 40b, it identifies the first user 40a associated with device 10a and transmits the instruction information to device 10a as if it had been transmitted by the first user 40a.

[0113] According to the above operation, the device information management device 20 can assist a second user 40b, who has not registered device 10a, in controlling device 10a. According to the device information management device 20 of the third embodiment, it can assist a user who is not directly associated with device 10 in controlling device 10.

[0114] (Summary) [Effects, etc.] The technologies that can be derived from the disclosures in this specification are, for example, the following technologies. The technologies that can be derived from the disclosures in this specification will be explained below, along with the effects, etc. that can be obtained by such technologies.

[0115] Technology 1 is a device information management device 20 comprising: a communication circuit 21 that communicates with the device 10 and an external network service 30; a first database 61 in which device identification information that identifies the device 10 and first user information that identifies the first user 40a are associated; an input / output unit 25 that receives instruction information for controlling the device from a second user 40b via an external network service 30; a search unit 24 that identifies the first user information that is associated with the device identification information and has the same first attribute value as the second user information that represents the second user 40b, from the first database 61 and a second database 62 in which each of a plurality of user information that identifies each of a plurality of users 40 including the second user 40b is associated with the first attribute value of first attribute information that indicates the attributes of each of the plurality of users 40; and a transmission unit 28 that transmits device control information for controlling the device to the device 10 based on the communication circuit 21.

[0116] Such a device information management device 20 can assist a user 40 who is not directly associated with the device 10 in controlling the device 10. In other words, such a device information management device 20 can assist communication between the device 10 and a user 40 (second user 40b) who is not directly associated with the device 10.

[0117] Technology 2 is the device information management device 20 of Technology 1, wherein the external network service 30 includes a first external network service 30a and a second external network service 30b, and the input / output unit 25 receives instruction information from a first user 40a via the first external network service 30a and receives instruction information from a second user 40b via the second external network service 30b.

[0118] With such a device information management device 20, even when the first user 40a and the second user 40b are using different external network services 30, the first user 40a and the second user 40b can control the device 10.

[0119] Technology 3 is a device information management device 20 of Technology 1 or 2, in which each of the multiple user information entries in the second database 62 is associated with the second attribute value of the second attribute information which indicates an attribute different from the first attribute information of each of the multiple users 40, and when the input / output unit 25 receives instruction information from a third user 40c indicated by third user information which matches the first user information and the first attribute value but does not match the second attribute value, the transmission unit 28 does not transmit device control information to the device 10.

[0120] Such a device information management device 20 can be configured to reject control of the device 10 from a third user 40c whose first attribute value matches that of the first user 40a, but whose second attribute value does not match. In other words, with such a device information management device 20, by setting the second attribute value, it is possible to configure a user 40 who can execute control of the device from among multiple users whose first attribute values ​​match.

[0121] Technology 4 is a device information management system 1 comprising: a device 10 having a first communication circuit 11; a second communication circuit 21 that communicates with the device 10 and an external network service 30; a first database 61 in which device identification information that identifies the device 10 and first user information that identifies a first user 40a are associated; an input / output unit 25 that receives instruction information for controlling the device 10 from a second user 40b via an external network service 30; a search unit 24 that identifies first user information that is associated with the device identification information and has the same first attribute value as the second user information that represents the second user 40b, from the first database 61 and a second database 62 in which each of a plurality of user information that identifies each of a plurality of users 40 including the second user 40b is associated with the first attribute value of first attribute information that indicates the attributes of each of the plurality of users 40; and a transmission unit 28 that transmits device control information for controlling the device 10 to the device 10 based on the second communication circuit 21.

[0122] Such a device information management system 1 can support a user 40 who is not directly associated with the device 10 in controlling the device 10. In other words, such a device information management system 1 can support communication between the device 10 and a user 40 (second user 40b) who is not directly associated with the device 10.

[0123] Technology 5 is a device information management method executed by a server 20 equipped with a communication circuit 21 that communicates with a device 10 and an external network service 30, and includes an input / output step of receiving instruction information for controlling the device 10 from a second user 40b via an external network service 30; a search step of identifying a first user information that has the same first attribute value as the second user information indicating the second user 40b and is associated with the device identification information from a second database 62 in which each of a plurality of user information that identifies each of a plurality of users 40 including the second user 40b is associated with a first attribute value of first attribute information indicating the attributes of each of the plurality of users 40, and a first database 61 in which device identification information that identifies the device 10 is associated with first user information that identifies the first user 40a; and a transmission step of transmitting device control information for controlling the device 10 to the device 10.

[0124] This device information management method can support communication between device 10 and a user 40 (second user 40b) that is not directly associated with device 10, by supporting a user 40 that is not directly associated with device 10 in controlling device 10.

[0125] Technology 6 is a program that causes the server to execute the device information management method of Technology 5.

[0126] Such a program can support communication between the device 10 and a user 40 (second user 40b) that is not directly associated with the device 10, by assisting a user 40 that is not directly associated with the device 10 in controlling the device 10.

[0127] (Other Embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0128] In the second database 62 in the above embodiment, the first attribute information associated with each user information was an attribute number, but the first attribute information may also be an address. In this case, the first attribute value is specifically the place of residence of user 40 (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 first attribute information is not particularly limited, as long as it is information that identifies the group to which user 40 belongs.

[0129] Figure 15 shows another example of the second database 62 according to the embodiment. Figure 15 shows the second database 62 when the first attribute information is an address. Figure 15 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4. In the second database 62 shown in Figure 15, user information "User A" is associated with the first attribute value "Nishi-ku 1-2-3", the second attribute value "Parent", and the external network service used "First external network service 30a". Also, user information "User B" is associated with the first attribute value "Nishi-ku 1-2-3", the second attribute value "Parent", and the external network service used "Second external network service 30b".

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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 intervened in the communication between devices.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processing units may be changed, or multiple processing units may be executed in parallel.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0137] For example, the present invention 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, the present invention may be implemented as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0138] Furthermore, the present invention 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 the present invention.

[0139] This disclosure can be used in technologies that enable users to remotely operate communication devices such as home appliances.

[0140] 1. Device Information Management System 10, 10a, 10b Devices 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 26. Storage Unit 27. Determination Unit 28. Transmission Unit 30. External Network Services 30a. First External Network Service 30b. Second External Network Service 40. Users 40a. First User 40b. Second User 40c. Third 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

Claims

1. A device information management device comprising: a communication circuit for communicating with a device and an external network service; a first database in which device identification information for identifying the device and first user information for identifying a first user are associated; an input / output unit for receiving instruction information for controlling the device from a second user via the external network service; a search unit for identifying the first user information that has the same first attribute value as the second user and is associated with the device identification information, from the first database and a second database in which each of a plurality of user information for identifying each of a plurality of users including the second user is associated with a first attribute value of first attribute information indicating the attributes of each of the plurality of users; and a transmission unit for transmitting device control information for controlling the device to the device based on the communication circuit.

2. The device information management device according to claim 1, wherein the external network service includes a first external network service and a second external network service, and the input / output unit receives the instruction information from the first user via the first external network service and receives the instruction information from the second user via the second external network service.

3. Furthermore, the second database is associated with each of the plurality of user information and the second attribute value of the second attribute information which indicates an attribute different from the first attribute information of each of the plurality of users, and when the input / output unit receives the instruction information from a third user indicated by third user information which matches the first user information and the first attribute value but does not match the second attribute value, the transmission unit does not transmit the device control information to the device, the device information management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A device information management system comprising: a device having a first communication circuit; a second communication circuit that communicates with the device and an external network service; a first database in which device identification information that identifies the device and first user information that identifies a first user are associated; an input / output unit that receives instruction information for controlling the device from a second user via the external network service; a search unit that identifies the first user information that is associated with the device identification information and has the same first attribute value as the second user information that identifies the second user, from the first database and a second database in which each of a plurality of user information that identifies each of a plurality of users including the second user is associated with a first attribute value of first attribute information that indicates the attributes of each of the plurality of users; and a transmission unit that transmits device control information for controlling the device to the device based on the second communication circuit.

5. A device information management method executed by a server equipped with a communication circuit for communicating with a device and an external network service, comprising: an input / output step of receiving instruction information for controlling the device from a second user via the external network service; a search step of identifying the first user information that has the same first attribute value as the second user information and is associated with the device identification information from a second database in which each of a plurality of user information identifying each of a plurality of users including the second user is associated with a first attribute value of first attribute information indicating the attributes of each of the plurality of users, and a first database in which device identification information identifying the device is associated with first user information identifying the first user; and a transmission step of transmitting device control information for controlling the device to the device.

6. A program that causes the server to execute the device information management method described in claim 5.

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