Information processing method, information processing apparatus, and information processing program
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/JP2025/039774
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-03-21
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-24
Smart Images
Figure JP2025039774_24092026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Information processing method, information processing apparatus, and information processing program
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for providing warranties for devices.
[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an extended warranty system that generates an extended warranty ID associated with customer information and purchased product information, and issues the generated extended warranty ID to a user for using the extended warranty service in place of the product ID.
[0003] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology does not consider taking over the device warranty from a previous user to a new user, and further improvement has been required.
[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-32171
[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide a technology that allows a device warranty to be taken over from a previous user to a new user.
[0006] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: acquiring warranty application information for applying for a warranty for the device, the warranty application information including a user ID for identifying a user and a device ID for identifying the device purchased by the user; determining whether there is the warranty information associated with the device ID included in the warranty application information in a warranty information database that stores the user ID, the device ID, and warranty information related to the warranty for the device in association with each other; and when the warranty information exists in the warranty information database, the warranty for the device is valid, and the user ID associated with the device ID in the warranty information database is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information, changing the user ID associated with the device ID in the warranty information database to the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0007] According to the present disclosure, the warranty for a device can be taken over from a previous user to a new user.
[0008] This figure shows the overall configuration of the information processing system in the embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a first flowchart for explaining the information processing by the server in the embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a second flowchart for explaining the information processing by the server in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] (Knowledge forming the basis of this disclosure) Traditionally, there is a manufacturer's warranty service that guarantees a product. A manufacturer's warranty service is a service in which the manufacturer repairs or replaces the product free of charge if the product malfunctions. There is also an extended warranty service that extends the warranty period of the manufacturer's warranty service. The warranty period of the manufacturer's warranty service is, for example, one year, while the warranty period of the extended warranty service is, for example, five years or ten years. When a user purchases a product at a retail store, etc., they can subscribe to the extended warranty service by paying a predetermined extended warranty fee in addition.
[0010] In the conventional technology described above, an extended warranty ID is generated that associates customer information with information about the purchased product, and this generated extended warranty ID is issued to the user. The retail store then uses the extended warranty ID, which is managed separately from the product ID in the extended warranty system, to accept or confirm repair requests.
[0011] On the other hand, in recent years, the emergence of applications that mediate the buying and selling of products has led to increased activity in person-to-person product transactions. When a product is transferred from the transferor to the transferee, the user of the product changes.
[0012] However, traditionally, when a product's user changed, it was difficult to transfer the product warranty from the previous user to the new user, even if the warranty period was still valid.
[0013] To address the above challenges, the following technologies are disclosed.
[0014] (1) An information processing method relating to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method performed by a computer, which includes a user ID for identifying a user and an equipment ID for identifying equipment purchased by the user, and includes acquiring warranty application information for applying for a warranty for the equipment; determining whether there is warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information in a warranty information database that stores the user ID, the equipment ID, and warranty information relating to the warranty of the equipment in association with each other; and if the warranty information is in the warranty information database, the warranty for the equipment is valid, and the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information, then changing the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database to the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0015] According to this configuration, if warranty information exists in the warranty information database, the equipment warranty is valid, and the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information, then the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is changed to the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0016] Therefore, the equipment warranty can be transferred from the previous user to the new user. Furthermore, since the warranty is transferred by changing the previous user's user ID to the new user's user ID, the number of computer processing steps required for warranty transfer can be reduced, thereby easing the burden on the computer.
[0017] (2) In the information processing method described in (1) above, the warranty application information further includes a transaction ID for identifying the transaction of the equipment issued by the sales company that sold the equipment or the intermediary company that mediated the sale of the equipment, and further includes determining whether the user ID and the transaction ID included in the warranty application information are present in a transaction information database that stores the user ID and the transaction ID in association, and the determination of whether the warranty information is present may include, if it is determined that the user ID and the transaction ID are present in the transaction information database, determining whether the warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information is present in the warranty information database.
[0018] With this configuration, before determining whether or not warranty information exists in the warranty information database, it is determined whether or not the user ID and transaction ID included in the warranty application information exist in the transaction information database. This allows verification that the user who applied for a warranty for the equipment is the person who purchased the equipment, thus preventing fraudulent warranty applications.
[0019] (3) The information processing method described in (2) above may further include sending an error notification if it is determined that the user ID and the transaction ID are not present in the transaction information database.
[0020] With this configuration, if there is an error in at least one of the user ID and transaction ID included in the warranty application information, an error notification is sent, prompting the user to enter the correct user ID and transaction ID.
[0021] (4) The information processing method described in any one of (1) to (3) above further includes receiving payment of a warranty fee for the equipment by the user, and the determination of whether or not the warranty information exists may include, when the warranty fee for the equipment has been paid, determining whether or not the warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information exists in the warranty information database.
[0022] With this configuration, it is possible to accept payment of warranty fees from users in advance, before it is determined whether or not warranty information exists in the warranty information database, and the warranty for the equipment can be transferred to users who have paid the warranty fee in advance.
[0023] (5) The information processing method described in (4) above may further include sending an error notification if the warranty fee for the equipment has not been paid.
[0024] With this configuration, if the warranty fee for the equipment is not paid, an error notification is sent, prompting the user to pay the warranty fee.
[0025] (6) In the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (5) above, if the warranty information is not present in the warranty information database, the method may further include newly storing the user ID and the equipment ID included in the warranty application information, along with the warranty information, in the warranty information database in order to initiate a new warranty for the equipment.
[0026] With this configuration, a new warranty for the equipment is initiated when the user ID, equipment ID, and warranty information are newly stored in the warranty information database. Therefore, even unused equipment can receive a new warranty service.
[0027] (7) The information processing method described in (6) above may further include: obtaining log information indicating the operation history of the equipment corresponding to the equipment ID; calculating the frequency of use of the equipment based on the obtained log information; and determining at least one of the warranty period and warranty fee for the new warranty according to the calculated frequency of use.
[0028] According to this configuration, at least one of the warranty period and warranty fee for a new warranty is determined based on the frequency of use of the equipment. Therefore, for equipment whose frequency of use is above a threshold, the warranty period can be made shorter than the standard period, or the warranty fee can be made cheaper than the standard fee. Conversely, for equipment whose frequency of use is below the threshold, the warranty period can be made longer than the standard period, or the warranty fee can be made more expensive than the standard fee.
[0029] (8) In the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (7) above, the warranty information includes the warranty period of the equipment, and the method further includes determining whether the warranty of the equipment is valid based on the warranty period included in the warranty information associated with the equipment ID.
[0030] With this configuration, if the current date is within the warranty period, it can be determined that the equipment warranty is valid. Conversely, if the current date is within the warranty period, it can be determined that the equipment warranty is not valid. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether or not the equipment warranty is valid based on the warranty period.
[0031] (9) The information processing method described in any one of (1) to (7) above may further include obtaining log information indicating the operation history of the device corresponding to the device ID, and determining whether the warranty for the device is valid based on the obtained log information.
[0032] This configuration allows for determining whether the equipment warranty is valid based on the equipment's usage.
[0033] (10) In the information processing method described in (9) above, the determination of whether the guarantee is valid or not may include calculating the frequency of use of the equipment based on the acquired log information, determining that the guarantee is valid if the calculated frequency of use is lower than a threshold, and determining that the guarantee is not valid if the calculated frequency of use is equal to or greater than the threshold.
[0034] With this configuration, if the frequency of equipment use is below a threshold, the warranty is determined to be valid, and if the frequency of equipment use is above the threshold, the warranty is determined to be invalid. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the equipment warranty is valid based on the frequency of equipment use.
[0035] (11) The information processing method described in any one of (8) to (10) above may further include sending an error notification if it is determined that the guarantee is not valid.
[0036] With this configuration, if it is determined that the warranty is not valid, an error notification is sent, so the user can be notified that the device's warranty has expired.
[0037] (12) The information processing method described in any one of (1) to (11) above may further include sending an error notification if the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is the same as the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0038] With this configuration, if the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is the same as the user ID included in the warranty application information, an error notification is sent, allowing the user to be notified that the equipment warranty has already been activated.
[0039] (13) In the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (12) above, the warranty information may further include obtaining log information indicating the operating history of the equipment corresponding to the equipment ID, calculating the frequency of use of the equipment based on the obtained log information, and extending or shortening the warranty period according to the calculated frequency of use.
[0040] With this configuration, the warranty period is extended or shortened depending on the frequency of use of the equipment. Therefore, if the frequency of use is below the threshold, the warranty period can be extended, and if the frequency of use is above the threshold, the warranty period can be shortened.
[0041] Furthermore, this disclosure can be implemented not only as an information processing method that performs the characteristic processing described above, but also as an information processing device having a characteristic configuration corresponding to the characteristic processing performed by the information processing method. It can also be implemented as a computer program that causes a computer to execute the characteristic processing included in such an information processing method. Therefore, the same effects as the above-described information processing method can be achieved in the following other embodiments.
[0042] (14) An information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus including a processor, wherein the processor acquires warranty application information for applying for a warranty for the device, the warranty application information including a user ID for identifying a user and a device ID for identifying the device purchased by the user, determines whether or not the warranty information associated with the device ID included in the warranty application information exists in a warranty information database that stores the user ID, the device ID, and warranty information related to the warranty for the device in association with each other, and changes the user ID associated with the device ID in the warranty information database to the user ID included in the warranty application information when the warranty information exists in the warranty information database, the warranty for the device is valid, and the user ID associated with the device ID in the warranty information database is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0043] (15) An information processing program according to another aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to function to: acquire warranty application information for applying for a warranty for a device, the warranty application information including a user ID for identifying a user and a device ID for identifying the device purchased by the user; determine whether or not warranty information associated with the device ID included in the warranty application information exists in a warranty information database that stores the user ID, the device ID, and warranty information related to the warranty for the device in association with each other; and change the user ID associated with the device ID in the warranty information database to the user ID included in the warranty application information when the warranty information exists in the warranty information database, the warranty for the device is valid, and the user ID associated with the device ID in the warranty information database is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0044] A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to another aspect of the present disclosure stores the information processing program according to (15) above.
[0045] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. All of the embodiments described below illustrate a specific example of the present disclosure. Numerical values, shapes, constituent elements, steps, the order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements not recited in the independent claim representing the most superordinate concept are described as optional constituent elements. Furthermore, the contents of all embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0046] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0047] The information processing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a server 1, an information terminal 2, and a device 3.
[0048] The device 3 is, for example, a home appliance such as a television, a washing machine, or a refrigerator, and is used by a user. For example, the device 3 is a device purchased by a user using an application or a website that mediates the sale and purchase of devices. The device 3 may be a used device that has been used by another user, or may be a device that has not been used by another user. Furthermore, the application that mediates the sale and purchase of devices may be a flea market application or an auction application, and the website that mediates the sale and purchase of devices may be a flea market site or an auction site. Furthermore, the device 3 may be a device purchased by a user using an application or a website that sells used or unused devices.
[0049] The device 3 has already been enrolled in a warranty service by another user. The warranty service includes a manufacturer warranty service in which the manufacturer warrants the device, and an extended warranty service in which a retail store or the like warrants the device by extending the warranty period of the manufacturer warranty service. The warranty period of the manufacturer warranty service is, for example, one year, and the warranty period of the extended warranty service is, for example, five years or ten years. Another user enrolls in the extended warranty service by additionally paying a predetermined extended warranty fee when purchasing the device at a retail store or the like.
[0050] Device 3 is connected to information terminal 2 via network 4, enabling communication. Network 4 is, for example, the internet.
[0051] Device 3 comprises a device ID storage unit 301 and a device ID transmission unit 302. The device ID storage unit 301 stores a device ID for identifying device 3 in advance. The device ID transmission unit 302 transmits the device ID to the information terminal 2 in response to a request from the information terminal 2.
[0052] Information terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer, and is used by the user. Information terminal 2 is connected to server 1 via network 4 so as to be able to communicate. Network 4 is, for example, the internet.
[0053] The information terminal 2 includes a processor 21, a display unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The processor 21 is composed of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).
[0054] The processor 21 includes a transaction ID acquisition unit 201, a user ID acquisition unit 202, an equipment ID acquisition unit 203, a warranty application unit 204, and a notification acquisition unit 205. The transaction ID acquisition unit 201, user ID acquisition unit 202, equipment ID acquisition unit 203, warranty application unit 204, and notification acquisition unit 205 may be implemented by the processor 21 executing an information processing program, or they may be configured as dedicated hardware circuits such as ASICs. The information processing program may be recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium.
[0055] The communication unit 23 is a communication interface that connects the information terminal 2 to the network. The communication unit 23 transmits warranty application information to the server 1. The communication unit 23 receives warranty commencement notifications and error notifications from the server 1.
[0056] The transaction ID acquisition unit 201 acquires a transaction ID for identifying the transaction of equipment 3, which is issued by the sales company that sold equipment 3 or the intermediary company that mediated the sale of equipment 3. The transaction ID acquisition unit 201 may acquire the transaction ID from the server 1 when equipment 3 is purchased and store the acquired transaction ID in memory (not shown). The transaction ID acquisition unit 201 may also acquire the transaction ID from memory. The transaction ID may include an order ID issued by the sales company when an order for equipment 3 is accepted, and may also include a listing ID issued by the intermediary company when a listing for equipment 3 is accepted.
[0057] The user ID acquisition unit 202 acquires a user ID to identify the user. The memory (not shown) stores user IDs in advance, and the user ID acquisition unit 202 acquires the user ID from the memory.
[0058] The device ID acquisition unit 203 acquires a device ID to identify the device purchased by the user. The device ID acquisition unit 203 acquires the device ID from device 3. The device ID acquisition unit 203 requests the device ID from device 3 and receives the device ID transmitted in response to the request from device 3. Alternatively, the device ID acquisition unit 203 may request the device ID from device 3 located near the information terminal 2 via short-range wireless communication and receive the device ID transmitted in response to the request from device 3. By the information terminal 2 directly acquiring the device ID from device 3, the confidentiality of the device ID can be enhanced. In particular, if the device ID is stored only on device 3, the confidentiality of the device ID can be further enhanced.
[0059] The transaction ID acquisition unit 201 may acquire the transaction ID entered by the user. The user ID acquisition unit 202 may acquire the user ID entered by the user. The device ID acquisition unit 203 may acquire the device ID entered by the user. In this case, the user may input the transaction ID, user ID, and device ID using an input device such as a touch panel or keyboard (not shown).
[0060] The warranty application unit 204 transmits warranty application information to the server 1 for applying for a warranty on the equipment 3, including a user ID for identifying the user, an equipment ID for identifying the equipment 3 purchased by the user, and a transaction ID issued by the sales company that sold the equipment 3 or the intermediary that mediated the sale of the equipment 3. The warranty application unit 204 transmits warranty application information to the server 1 including the user ID obtained by the user ID acquisition unit 202, the equipment ID obtained by the equipment ID acquisition unit 203, and the transaction ID obtained by the transaction ID acquisition unit 201. The warranty application unit 204 also transmits the warranty application information to the server 1 via the communication unit 23.
[0061] The notification acquisition unit 205 acquires the guarantee start notification sent by the server 1. The notification acquisition unit 205 acquires the guarantee start notification received by the communication unit 23. The notification acquisition unit 205 also acquires the error notification sent by the server 1. The notification acquisition unit 205 acquires the error notification received by the communication unit 23.
[0062] The display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device and displays various information. When the notification acquisition unit 205 acquires a warranty commencement notification, the display unit 22 displays a warranty commencement screen indicating that the warranty for equipment 3 has commenced. The warranty commencement screen includes, for example, the warranty commencement date, warranty period, warranty end date, and warranty details. When the notification acquisition unit 205 acquires an error notification, the display unit 22 displays an error screen indicating that the application for warranty for equipment 3 has been rejected. The error screen includes, for example, the reason why the application for warranty for equipment 3 was rejected.
[0063] Server 1 is an example of an information processing device and computer. Server 1 is, for example, a cloud server composed of one or more computers. Server 1 is operated by a sales company that sells equipment 3 or a brokerage company that mediates the buying and selling of equipment 3.
[0064] Server 1 comprises, for example, a computer system including a control program, a processing circuit such as a processor or logic circuit that executes the control program, and a recording device such as internal memory or accessible external memory that stores the control program. Server 1 may be implemented, for example, by hardware implementation using a processing circuit, by execution of a software program held in memory by the processing circuit or distributed from an external server, or by a combination of these hardware and software implementations. Furthermore, the configuration of Server 1 may be distributed across multiple servers.
[0065] Server 1 includes a processor 11, memory 12, and a communication unit 13. The processor 11 is composed of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).
[0066] The processor 11 includes a warranty application acquisition unit 101, a transaction management unit 102, a warranty management unit 103, a warranty commencement notification unit 104, and an error notification unit 105. The warranty application acquisition unit 101, the transaction management unit 102, the warranty management unit 103, the warranty commencement notification unit 104, and the error notification unit 105 may be implemented by the processor 11 executing an information processing program, or they may be composed of dedicated hardware circuits such as an ASIC. The information processing program may be recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium.
[0067] The memory 12 consists of a non-volatile rewritable storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive. The memory 12 includes a transaction information database (DB) 106 and a guarantee information database (DB) 107.
[0068] The communication unit 13 is a communication interface that connects the server 1 to the network. The communication unit 13 receives warranty application information from the information terminal 2. The communication unit 13 sends warranty commencement notifications and error notifications to the information terminal 2.
[0069] The warranty application acquisition unit 101 acquires warranty application information for applying for a warranty on the equipment 3, which includes a user ID for identifying the user, an equipment ID for identifying the equipment 3 purchased by the user, and a transaction ID issued by the sales company that sold the equipment 3 or the intermediary that brokered the sale of the equipment 3. The communication unit 13 receives the warranty application information transmitted by the information terminal 2. The warranty application acquisition unit 101 acquires the warranty application information received by the communication unit 13.
[0070] The transaction information DB 106 stores user IDs and transaction IDs in association. The transaction information DB 106 stores the user ID of the user who purchased equipment 3 and the transaction ID used to identify the transaction for equipment 3 in association.
[0071] The warranty information DB107 stores user IDs, device IDs, and warranty information related to the device's warranty in advance. The warranty information includes the warranty start date, warranty period, warranty expiration date (warranty end date), and warranty details. The warranty start date is the date the purchaser bought device 3, the date device 3 was delivered to the purchaser's home, or the date the purchaser started using device 3. The warranty information may include either the warranty period or the warranty expiration date.
[0072] The transaction management unit 102 determines whether the user ID and transaction ID included in the guarantee application information exist in the transaction information DB 106, which stores user IDs and transaction IDs in association. The transaction management unit 102 determines whether the combination of user ID and transaction ID included in the guarantee application information exists in the transaction information DB 106.
[0073] The warranty management unit 103 determines whether there is warranty information in the warranty information DB 107, which stores user IDs, equipment IDs, and warranty information indicating the warranty details of the equipment in association with each other, that is associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information. At this time, if the warranty management unit 103 determines that there is user ID and transaction ID in the transaction information DB 106, it determines whether there is warranty information in the warranty information DB 107 that is associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information.
[0074] The warranty management unit 103, if warranty information exists in the warranty information DB 107, the warranty for equipment 3 is valid, and the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information, changes the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 to the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0075] The user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB107 is changed to the user ID included in the warranty application information, thereby transferring the warranty for equipment 3 from the previous user (transferor) to the new user (transferee). The transferred warranty service may be either a manufacturer's warranty service or an extended warranty service.
[0076] The warranty management unit 103 determines whether the warranty for equipment 3 is valid based on the warranty expiration date included in the warranty information associated with the equipment ID. If warranty information exists in the warranty information DB 107, the warranty management unit 103 determines whether the warranty for equipment 3 is valid. The warranty management unit 103 determines that the warranty for equipment 3 is valid if the current date does not exceed the warranty expiration date for equipment 3. Conversely, the warranty management unit 103 determines that the warranty for equipment 3 is not valid if the current date exceeds the warranty expiration date for equipment 3.
[0077] Furthermore, the warranty management unit 103 determines whether the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 is the same as the user ID included in the warranty application information. If the warranty for equipment 3 is valid, the warranty management unit 103 determines whether the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 is the same as the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0078] Furthermore, if there is no warranty information in the warranty information DB 107, the warranty management unit 103 newly stores the user ID and equipment ID included in the warranty application information, along with the warranty information, in the warranty information DB 107 in order to start a new warranty for equipment 3.
[0079] The warranty commencement notification unit 104 sends a warranty commencement notification to the information terminal 2 indicating that the warranty for equipment 3 from the previous user has been transferred to the new user and the warranty for equipment 3 has commenced, when the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 by the warranty management unit 103 has been changed to a user ID included in the warranty application information. The warranty commencement notification unit 104 sends the warranty commencement notification to the information terminal 2 via the communication unit 13.
[0080] Furthermore, when the warranty management unit 103 newly stores the user ID, equipment ID, and warranty information in the warranty information DB 107, the warranty commencement notification unit 104 sends a warranty commencement notification to the information terminal 2 indicating that the warranty for equipment 3 has been newly commenced.
[0081] If the transaction management unit 102 determines that neither the user ID nor the transaction ID is present in the transaction information DB 106, the error notification unit 105 sends an error notification to the information terminal 2 indicating that at least one of the user ID and transaction ID is incorrect. The error notification unit 105 sends the error notification to the information terminal 2 via the communication unit 13.
[0082] Furthermore, if the error notification unit 105 determines that the warranty for device 3 is not valid, it sends an error notification to the information terminal 2 indicating that the warranty for device 3 has expired.
[0083] Furthermore, if the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 is the same as the user ID included in the warranty application information, the error notification unit 105 sends an error notification indicating that the application was submitted by the same user who is already registered.
[0084] In this embodiment, the transaction management unit 102 does not need to determine whether the transaction information DB 106 contains the user ID and transaction ID included in the warranty application information. In this case, the server 1 does not need to have the transaction management unit 102. The warranty application acquisition unit 101 may include a user ID for identifying the user and an equipment ID for identifying the equipment 3 purchased by the user, and acquire warranty application information for applying for a warranty for the equipment 3.
[0085] Next, the information processing by Server 1 in the embodiment of this disclosure will be described.
[0086] Figure 2 is a first flowchart illustrating the information processing by Server 1 in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 3 is a second flowchart illustrating the information processing by Server 1 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0087] First, in step S1, the warranty application acquisition unit 101 acquires warranty application information for applying for a warranty on the equipment 3, which includes a user ID for identifying the user, an equipment ID for identifying the equipment 3 purchased by the user, and a transaction ID for identifying the transaction for the equipment 3 issued by the sales company that sold the equipment 3 or the intermediary company that mediated the sale of the equipment 3.
[0088] Next, in step S2, the transaction management unit 102 determines whether the user ID and transaction ID included in the guarantee application information are present in the transaction information DB 106.
[0089] If it is determined that the user ID and transaction ID included in the warranty application information are not in the transaction information DB 106 (NO in step S2), then in step S3, the error notification unit 105 sends an error notification to the information terminal 2 indicating that at least one of the user ID and transaction ID is incorrect. The notification acquisition unit 205 of the information terminal 2 acquires the error notification sent by the server 1. The display unit 22 then displays an error screen indicating that the warranty application for equipment 3 has been rejected. At this time, the error screen notifies that at least one of the user ID and transaction ID included in the warranty application information is incorrect as the reason for the rejection of the warranty application for equipment 3.
[0090] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user ID and transaction ID included in the warranty application information are in the transaction information DB 106 (YES in step S2), in step S4, the warranty management unit 103 determines whether or not the warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information is in the warranty information DB 107.
[0091] If it is determined that there is no warranty information in the warranty information DB 107 that corresponds to the equipment ID included in the warranty application information (NO in step S4), then in step S5, the warranty management unit 103 newly stores the user ID and equipment ID included in the warranty application information, along with the warranty information, in the warranty information DB 107. The warranty period and warranty details of the newly stored warranty information may be predetermined or entered by the user. The information terminal 2 may accept the user's input of the warranty period and warranty details and transmit the entered warranty period and warranty details to the server 1. The warranty start date of the newly stored warranty information may be the date the user purchased equipment 3, the date equipment 3 was delivered to the user's home, or the date the user started using equipment 3.
[0092] Next, in step S6, the warranty commencement notification unit 104 sends a warranty commencement notification to the information terminal 2 indicating that the warranty for equipment 3 has been newly commenced. The warranty commencement notification includes the warranty commencement date, warranty period, warranty expiration date (warranty end date), and warranty details. The notification acquisition unit 205 of the information terminal 2 acquires the warranty commencement notification sent by the server 1. Then, the display unit 22 displays a warranty commencement screen indicating that the warranty for equipment 3 has commenced. At this time, the warranty commencement screen includes the warranty commencement date, warranty period, warranty expiration date (warranty end date), and warranty details.
[0093] In this way, by newly storing the user ID, device ID, and warranty information in the warranty information DB 107, a new warranty for device 3 is initiated, so even unused device 3 can receive a new warranty service.
[0094] On the other hand, if it is determined that warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information exists in the warranty information DB 107 (YES in step S4), in step S7, the warranty management unit 103 determines whether the warranty for equipment 3 is valid based on the warranty expiration date included in the warranty information associated with the equipment ID. At this time, the warranty management unit 103 determines whether the current date has exceeded the warranty expiration date for equipment 3. If the current date has not exceeded the warranty expiration date for equipment 3, the warranty management unit 103 determines that the warranty for equipment 3 is valid. If the current date has exceeded the warranty expiration date for equipment 3, the warranty management unit 103 determines that the warranty for equipment 3 is not valid.
[0095] If it is determined that the warranty for device 3 is not valid (NO in step S7), in step S8, the error notification unit 105 sends an error notification to the information terminal 2 indicating that the warranty for device 3 has expired. The notification acquisition unit 205 of the information terminal 2 acquires the error notification sent by the server 1. The display unit 22 then displays an error screen indicating that the application for the warranty for device 3 has been rejected. At this time, the error screen notifies that the warranty for device 3 has expired as the reason for the rejection of the application for the warranty for device 3.
[0096] On the other hand, if it is determined that the warranty for equipment 3 is valid (YES in step S7), in step S9, the warranty management unit 103 determines whether the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 is the same as the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0097] Here, if it is determined that the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 is the same as the user ID included in the warranty application information (YES in step S9), in step S10, the error notification unit 105 sends an error notification indicating that the application was submitted by the same user as an already registered user. The notification acquisition unit 205 of the information terminal 2 acquires the error notification sent by the server 1. The display unit 22 then displays an error screen indicating that the warranty application for equipment 3 has been rejected. At this time, the error screen notifies that the reason the warranty application for equipment 3 was rejected is that it was submitted by the same user as an already registered user.
[0098] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information (NO in step S9), in step S11, the warranty management unit 103 changes the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 to the user ID included in the warranty application information.
[0099] Next, in step S12, the warranty commencement notification unit 104 sends a warranty commencement notification to the information terminal 2 indicating that the warranty for the previous user's equipment 3 has been transferred to the new user and that the warranty for equipment 3 has commenced. The warranty commencement notification includes the warranty commencement date, warranty period, warranty expiration date (warranty end date), and warranty details. The notification acquisition unit 205 of the information terminal 2 acquires the warranty commencement notification sent by the server 1. The display unit 22 then displays a warranty commencement screen indicating that the warranty for equipment 3 has commenced. At this time, the warranty commencement screen includes the warranty commencement date, warranty period, warranty expiration date (warranty end date), and warranty details. The warranty period and warranty details in the warranty information are those applied for by the previous user (transferor). The warranty commencement date in the warranty information is the date the previous user (transferor) purchased equipment 3, the date equipment 3 arrived at the previous user's (transferor's) home, or the date the previous user (transferor) started using equipment 3.
[0100] Thus, if warranty information exists in the warranty information DB 107, the warranty for device 3 is valid, and the user ID associated with the device ID in the warranty information DB 107 is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information, the user ID associated with the device ID in the warranty information DB 107 is changed to the user ID included in the warranty application information. Therefore, the warranty for device 3 can be transferred from the previous user to the new user. In addition, since the warranty for device 3 is transferred by changing the previous user's user ID to the new user's user ID, the number of computer processing steps required for warranty transfer can be reduced, thereby reducing the burden on the computer.
[0101] Furthermore, if the equipment still has a warranty period remaining, the transferor can add the cost of the remaining warranty period to the price of the equipment when selling it. The transferee can also purchase highly reliable equipment that comes with a warranty. Additionally, the ability to transfer warranties will increase the number of people buying and selling equipment, allowing sales or brokerage businesses to increase their sales or brokerage volume. Furthermore, the ability to transfer warranties will increase the number of people subscribing to warranty services, allowing insurance companies that provide warranties to increase their number of warranty service contracts.
[0102] In this embodiment, the server 1 may further include a reception unit that accepts payment of a warranty fee for equipment 3 by a user if it is determined that a user ID and a transaction ID exist in the transaction information DB 106. The warranty fee may be predetermined or determined according to the remaining warranty period of equipment 3. For example, if the remaining warranty period is 2 years out of a 5-year warranty period, the warranty fee may be 2 / 5 of the initial warranty fee. When the warranty fee for equipment 3 is paid by the reception unit, the warranty management unit 103 may determine whether or not there is warranty information in the warranty information DB 107 that is associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information. In addition, if the warranty fee for equipment 3 is not paid, the error notification unit 105 may send an error notification indicating that the warranty fee for equipment 3 has not been paid.
[0103] Furthermore, when a warranty is newly registered, the warranty management unit 103 may provide a warranty for a predetermined period from the date of purchase of the user's equipment 3. Alternatively, the warranty management unit 103 may obtain the release date of equipment 3 and, if it falls within a predetermined period from the release date, provide a warranty for a predetermined period from the date of purchase of the user's equipment 3. Furthermore, the warranty management unit 103 may provide a warranty for a predetermined period from the release date of equipment 3.
[0104] Furthermore, the processor 11 of server 1 may also include a reception unit that accepts payment of the warranty fee for equipment 3 by the user if the warranty information associated with the equipment ID is not in the warranty information DB 107. When the warranty fee for equipment 3 is paid by the reception unit, the warranty management unit 103 may newly store the user ID and equipment ID included in the warranty application information, along with the warranty information, in the warranty information DB 107 in order to start a new warranty for equipment 3. In addition, the error notification unit 105 may send an error notification indicating that the warranty fee for equipment 3 has not been paid if the warranty fee for equipment 3 has not been paid.
[0105] Furthermore, the processor 11 of server 1 may also be equipped with a reception unit that accepts payment of the warranty fee for equipment 3 by a user if the warranty information is available in the warranty information DB 107, the warranty for equipment 3 is valid, and the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information. The warranty management unit 103 may change the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 to the user ID included in the warranty application information when the warranty fee for equipment 3 is paid by the reception unit. The warranty fee may be determined according to the remaining warranty period, or according to the frequency of use based on the log information of equipment 3. The error notification unit 105 may also send an error notification indicating that the warranty fee for equipment 3 has not been paid if the warranty fee for equipment 3 has not been paid.
[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device 3 may further include a log information storage unit that stores log information indicating the operation history of the device 3, and a log information transmission unit that transmits the log information to the server 1. The device 3 is an IoT device. The log information transmission unit periodically transmits log information to the server 1. The communication unit 13 of the server 1 may receive the log information transmitted by the device 3. The processor 11 of the server 1 may further include a log information database (DB) that stores the log information received by the communication unit 13 in association with the device ID of the device 3, a log information acquisition unit that acquires log information indicating the operation history of the device 3 corresponding to the device ID from the log information DB, a calculation unit that calculates the frequency of use of the device 3 based on the log information acquired by the log information acquisition unit, and a determination unit that determines at least one of the warranty period and warranty fee for a new warranty according to the frequency of use calculated by the calculation unit.
[0107] If the log information acquisition unit determines that there is no warranty information in the warranty information DB 107 that corresponds to the equipment ID included in the warranty application information, it may acquire log information for equipment 3 corresponding to the equipment ID from the log information DB. The frequency of use may be the total number of times equipment 3 has been used from the start of use to the present, the average number of times equipment 3 has been used in a predetermined period (for example, one day) from the start of use to the present, the total usage time of equipment 3 from the start of use to the present, or the average usage time of equipment 3 in a predetermined period (for example, one day) from the start of use to the present.
[0108] For example, the decision-making unit may set the warranty period to 5 years if the frequency of use is lower than the first threshold, to 3 years if the frequency of use is equal to or greater than the first threshold but lower than the second threshold (second threshold > first threshold), and to 1 year if the frequency of use is equal to or greater than the second threshold.
[0109] The determination unit may also obtain the date of commencement of use of device 3 from the log information of device 3 and determine the warranty period and warranty fee based on the commencement of use date. The determination unit may also determine the warranty period and warranty fee according to the elapsed time since the commencement of use date.
[0110] Furthermore, the warranty management unit 103 may determine whether or not log information for device 3 exists in the log information DB. If log information for device 3 exists in the log information DB, the warranty management unit 103 may newly store the user ID, device ID, and warranty information in the warranty information DB 107. If log information for device 3 does not exist in the log information DB, the warranty management unit 103 does not need to newly store the user ID, device ID, and warranty information in the warranty information DB 107.
[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the warranty management unit 103 determines whether the warranty for device 3 is valid based on the warranty expiration date included in the warranty information associated with the device ID, but this disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. The warranty management unit 103 may also determine whether the warranty for device 3 is valid based on the log information acquired by the log information acquisition unit. The warranty management unit 103 may also determine whether the usage frequency calculated by the calculation unit is lower than a threshold. If the usage frequency calculated by the calculation unit is lower than a threshold, the warranty management unit 103 may determine that the warranty is valid. If the usage frequency calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than a threshold, the warranty management unit 103 may determine that the warranty is not valid.
[0112] Furthermore, if the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information DB 107 by the warranty management unit 103 is changed to a user ID included in the warranty application information, the warranty management unit 103 may extend or shorten the warranty period according to the usage frequency calculated by the calculation unit. For example, if the usage frequency calculated by the calculation unit is lower than a threshold, the warranty management unit 103 may extend the warranty period. Also, if the usage frequency calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than a threshold, the warranty management unit 103 may shorten the warranty period.
[0113] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the apparatus according to the embodiments of this disclosure may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.
[0114] Furthermore, all figures used above are illustrative examples provided to illustrate this disclosure, and this disclosure is not limited to these illustrative figures.
[0115] Furthermore, the order in which the steps shown in the flowchart above are performed is illustrative for the purpose of specifically illustrating this disclosure, and other orders are acceptable as long as similar effects are achieved. Also, some of the steps above may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.
[0116] The technology described herein is useful as a technology for providing warranties to equipment because it allows the warranty of the equipment to be transferred from the previous user to a new user.
Claims
1. An information processing method performed by a computer, comprising: obtaining warranty application information for applying for a warranty for equipment, which includes a user ID for identifying a user and equipment ID for identifying equipment purchased by the user; determining whether there is warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information in a warranty information database that stores the user ID, equipment ID and warranty information relating to the warranty of the equipment in association with each other; and, if the warranty information is in the warranty information database, the warranty for the equipment is valid, and the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information, changing the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database to the user ID included in the warranty application information.
2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the warranty application information further includes a transaction ID for identifying the transaction of the equipment issued by a sales company that sold the equipment or a broker that mediated the sale of the equipment, and further includes determining whether the user ID and the transaction ID included in the warranty application information are present in a transaction information database that stores the user ID and the transaction ID in association, and the determination of whether the warranty information is present includes, if it is determined that the user ID and the transaction ID are present in the transaction information database, determining whether the warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information is present in the warranty information database.
3. The information processing method according to claim 2, further comprising sending an error notification if it is determined that the user ID and the transaction ID are not present in the transaction information database.
4. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising accepting payment of a warranty fee for the equipment by the user, wherein the determination of whether or not warranty information exists includes, if the warranty fee for the equipment has been paid, determining whether or not the warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information exists in the warranty information database.
5. The information processing method according to claim 4, further comprising sending an error notification if the warranty fee for the equipment has not been paid.
6. If the warranty information is not present in the warranty information database, the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further includes newly storing the user ID and the equipment ID included in the warranty application information, and the warranty information, in the warranty information database in order to initiate a new warranty for the equipment.
7. The information processing method according to claim 6, further comprising: obtaining log information indicating the operation history of the device corresponding to the device ID; calculating the frequency of use of the device based on the obtained log information; and determining at least one of the warranty period and warranty fee for the new warranty according to the calculated frequency of use.
8. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the warranty information includes the warranty period of the equipment, and further comprises determining whether the warranty of the equipment is valid based on the warranty period included in the warranty information associated with the equipment ID.
9. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining log information indicating the operation history of the device corresponding to the device ID; and determining whether the warranty for the device is valid based on the obtained log information.
10. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the determination of whether the guarantee is valid includes: calculating the frequency of use of the equipment based on the acquired log information; determining that the guarantee is valid if the calculated frequency of use is lower than a threshold; and determining that the guarantee is not valid if the calculated frequency of use is equal to or greater than the threshold.
11. The information processing method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising sending an error notification if it is determined that the warranty is not valid.
12. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising sending an error notification if the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is the same as the user ID included in the warranty application information.
13. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: obtaining log information indicating the operating history of the equipment corresponding to the equipment ID, the warranty information including the warranty period of the equipment; calculating the frequency of use of the equipment based on the obtained log information; and extending or shortening the warranty period according to the calculated frequency of use.
14. An information processing device comprising a processor, wherein the processor includes a user ID for identifying a user and an equipment ID for identifying equipment purchased by the user, acquires warranty application information for applying for a warranty for the equipment, determines whether there is warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information in a warranty information database that stores the user ID, the equipment ID, and warranty information relating to the warranty of the equipment in association, and if the warranty information is in the warranty information database, the warranty for the equipment is valid, and the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information, the information processing device changes the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database to the user ID included in the warranty application information.
15. An information processing program that includes a user ID for identifying a user and an equipment ID for identifying equipment purchased by the user, obtains warranty application information for applying for a warranty for the equipment, determines whether there is warranty information associated with the equipment ID included in the warranty application information in a warranty information database that stores the user ID, the equipment ID, and warranty information relating to the warranty of the equipment in association, and if the warranty information is in the warranty information database, the warranty for the equipment is valid, and the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database is different from the user ID included in the warranty application information, causes the computer to function to change the user ID associated with the equipment ID in the warranty information database to the user ID included in the warranty application information.