CN114830802A

CN114830802A - Communication system, information processing apparatus, and connection setting method

Info

Publication number: CN114830802A
Application number: CN202080086853.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 平松胜彦
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-27
Filing date: 2020-12-22
Publication date: 2022-07-29
Also published as: TWI746324B; JPWO2021132243A1; WO2021132243A1; JP7308425B2; TW202127847A

Abstract

A communication system (10) is provided with: a GW (14) and a user device (12) provided in a user house; and an operator device (20) that performs an operation related to the user device (12) before the network of the user house is opened. The operator device (20) receives an input of connection information, which is information required to connect the user device (12) to the network, and stores the connection information in the server (24). The GW (14) reads connection information of the user device (12) stored in the server (24), and executes processing for connecting the user device (12) to a network of the user's house on the basis of the read connection information.

Description

Communication system, information processing apparatus, and connection setting method

Technical Field

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

Background

In recent years, along with the spread of the IoT (Internet of Things) technology, a home (also referred to as an "intelligent home") capable of controlling various home appliances or home devices through a single input device has spread (see, for example, patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-57245

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In a house into which a user newly moves, a basic setting is generally made on a user's device (for example, a home appliance or a house device) to be connected to a network by a company before the network is opened (for example, before an internet line is opened). After the network is opened, it is necessary to reset the connection of each device of the user to the network.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce setting work for connecting a device provided in a facility of a user to a network.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, a communication system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a communication device and equipment provided in a facility of a user; and an operator device that is a device of an operator who performs an operation related to the equipment before the network of the facility is opened. The worker device includes: a reception unit that receives input of connection information, which is information required to connect a device to a network; and a storage unit that stores the connection information of the device received by the receiving unit in the server. The communication apparatus includes: a reading unit that reads connection information of the device stored in the server; and a setting unit that executes processing for connecting the device to the network of the facility, based on the connection information of the device read by the reading unit.

Another mode of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus. The device is a device of an operator who performs an operation related to equipment before a network of a facility provided with a communication device and the user of the equipment is opened, and the information processing device includes: a reception unit that receives input of connection information, which is information required to connect a device to a network; and a storage unit that stores the connection information of the device received by the receiving unit in the server, thereby enabling the communication device to execute processing for reading the connection information of the device stored in the server and processing for connecting the device to the network of the facility based on the connection information.

Another other mode of the present disclosure is a connection setting method. The method comprises the following steps: receiving, by a device of an operator who performs an operation related to a device before a network of a facility provided with a communication device and a user of the device is opened, input of connection information that is information required to connect the device to the network; the device of the operator stores the received connection information of the equipment in the server; the communication device reads in the connection information of the equipment stored in the server; and the communication means executes processing for connecting the device to the network of the facility based on the read connection information of the device.

In addition, an arbitrary combination of the above-described components, and a mode in which the expression of the present disclosure is converted between a computer program, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, or the like are also effective as the mode of the present disclosure.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present disclosure, setting work for connecting a device provided in a facility of a user to a network can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the operator apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the GW of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a modification.

Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the communication system according to the modification.

Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the communication system according to the modification.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the GW of the second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the communication system according to the modification.

Detailed Description

The main body of the apparatus or method in the present disclosure is provided with a computer. The functions of the main body of the apparatus or method in the present disclosure are realized by executing the program by the computer. A computer has a processor operating according to a program as a main hardware configuration. The processor may be of any type as long as it can implement a function by executing a program. The processor is constituted by one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor Integrated Circuit (IC) or an LSI (large scale integration). It is referred to as an IC or an LSI, but the term may be changed depending on the degree of integration, and may be an electronic circuit called a system LSI, a VLSI (very large scale integration), or an USLI (ultra large scale integration). A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable logic device that can perform reconfiguration of the bonding relationship inside LSI or setting of circuit partitions inside LSI can also be used for the same purpose. The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or may be provided on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated into one device or may be provided in a plurality of devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, an optical disk, and a hard disk drive. The program may be stored in advance in a recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the internet.

Before describing the embodiments in detail, the ideas of the embodiments are described. In a house in which a user newly moves (hereinafter, referred to as a "user house"), before an internet line is opened, an operator (for example, a construction company or a house facility company) performs basic setting and operation confirmation on a device of the user installed in the user house. Therefore, the operator brings a mobile router or the like into the user house, and connects the user's device to the network via the mobile router. After the internet line is opened, it is necessary to reset the user's device so as to connect the user's device to a network (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark) access point) of the user's house, which causes a time and labor waste.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the operator connects the Gateway (GW) and the device of the user to the mobile router, and stores information on the connection to the server on the cloud. A user's communication device reads connection information of a GW and a device from a server, and automatically registers the GW and the device in a Wi-Fi access point of the user. This reduces the time and effort required for a user to connect many devices to the Wi-Fi access point.

In the embodiment, in order to Connect the GW and the device of the user to the Wi-Fi access point (the same applies to the mobile router), a well-known "Wi-Fi authenticated Easy connection" is used. The technique includes the following procedures. (1) A Configurator (Configurator) reads the two-dimensional code of the access point and establishes a connection with the access point based on information represented by the two-dimensional code. (2) The configurator reads the two-dimensional code of the client device that should connect to Wi-Fi and registers the client device with the access point based on information represented by the two-dimensional code. (3) The client device can then connect to the Wi-Fi network. In an embodiment, the GW14 or the user terminal 18 functions as the above-described configurator.

The embodiments are explained in detail.

< first embodiment >

Fig. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system 10 of the first embodiment. The communication system 10 includes: (1) user devices 12, GW14, and AP 16 used by users after the migration, the user devices 12, GW14, and AP 16 being installed in user houses; (2) an operator device 20 and a mobile router 22 which are carried in by an operator to perform an operation in a user's house; and (3) a server 24 provided outside the user's house (for example, on the cloud). Note that the broken line in fig. 1 indicates a network configuration when the operator performs basic settings before the internet line of the user's house is opened, and the solid line in fig. 1 indicates a network configuration after the internet line of the user's house is opened.

The user device 12 includes a plurality of home appliances, home devices, and information devices that can be connected to a network. The consumer device 12 may include, for example, an air conditioner, a lighting, an electrodynamic shutter, and an electrodynamic lock (japanese: an electro-bellows). The GW14 is a communication device (gateway device) that controls the plurality of user equipments 12. The GW14 can also be implemented as part of the functionality of an HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller. The AP 16 is a Wi-Fi access point (in other words, a Wi-Fi router) and is connected to the internet 26.

The operator apparatus 20 is an information processing apparatus that performs a setting operation on the user device 12 before the network of the user house is opened (before the internet line is opened). The worker device 20 may be, for example, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The mobile router 22 functions as a Wi-Fi router and is connected to the internet 26 by 4G or 5G communication. The server 24 is an information processing device that stores connection information, which is information required to connect the user device 12 to the network.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of operator device 20 in fig. 1. Each block shown in the block diagram of the present disclosure can be realized by an element or a setting device represented by a CPU or a memory of a computer in hardware, and realized by a computer program or the like in software, but functional blocks realized by cooperation of these are depicted here. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these functional blocks can be implemented in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

The operator device 20 includes a camera unit 30, a receiving unit 32, a setting unit 34, and a storage unit 36. A computer program in which functions of at least some of the functional blocks shown in fig. 2 are installed may be stored in a recording medium and installed in the storage device of the worker apparatus 20 via the recording medium. Alternatively, the computer program may be installed in a storage device of the operator apparatus 20 through a communication network. The CPU of the operator apparatus 20 reads the computer program described above into the main memory and executes the program, thereby causing the CPU to function as each functional block. The same applies to the other block diagrams.

The camera unit 30 captures a two-dimensional code attached to a housing of a device (also referred to as a "registration target device") to be registered with the mobile router. The two-dimensional code is obtained by encoding connection information, which is information required to connect the registration target apparatus to the network. The connection information may also contain, for example, the MAC address or passphrase of the device.

The reception unit 32 receives input of connection information of the registration target device. Specifically, the receiving unit 32 receives the image data of the two-dimensional code output from the camera unit 30. The reception unit 32 analyzes the imaging data to decode the two-dimensional code, and acquires connection information indicated by the two-dimensional code.

The setting unit 34 registers the registration target device in the mobile router 22 based on the connection information of the registration target device received by the receiving unit 32. This enables Wi-Fi communication between the registration target device and the mobile router 22. The storage unit 36 accesses the server 24 via the internet 26, and stores the connection information of the registration target device received by the reception unit 32 in the server 24.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the GW14 of fig. 1. GW14 includes a camera unit 40, a reception unit 42, a reading unit 44, and a setting unit 46. The camera unit 40 captures a two-dimensional code attached to a housing of a registration target device to be registered in the AP 16.

The reception unit 42 receives input of connection information of the registration target device. Specifically, the reception unit 42 receives the image data of the two-dimensional code output from the camera unit 40, and acquires the connection information indicated by the two-dimensional code. The reading unit 44 accesses the server 24 via the internet 26 to read the connection information of the registration target device stored in the server 24.

The setting unit 46 executes a process for connecting the registration target device to the network of the user's home. Specifically, the setting unit 46 registers the registration target device in the AP 16 based on the connection information of the registration target device received by the receiving unit 42. The setting unit 46 registers the registration target device in the AP 16 based on the connection information of the registration target device read by the reading unit 44. This enables Wi-Fi communication between the registration target device and the AP 16.

The operation of the communication system 10 of the first embodiment is explained. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. The processing at S10 to S22 in the present figure is processing relating to a setting operation performed by an operator before the network of the user house is opened, typically before the user moves in.

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

The operator operates the camera unit 30 of the operator device 20 to photograph the two-dimensional code of the GW14 (S14). The reception unit 32 of the operator device 20 acquires connection information of the GW14 indicated by the two-dimensional code based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code of the GW 14. Setting unit 34 of operator apparatus 20 registers GW14 with mobile router 22 based on connection information of GW14 (S16).

The operator uses the camera unit 30 of the operator device 20 to capture the two-dimensional code of the user device 12 (S18). The reception unit 32 of the operator apparatus 20 acquires the connection information of the user device 12 indicated by the two-dimensional code based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code of the user device 12. The setting unit 34 of the operator apparatus 20 registers the user device 12 in the mobile router 22 based on the connection information of the user device 12 (S20). In practice, the two-dimensional codes of the plurality of user devices 12 are acquired, and the plurality of user devices 12 are registered to the mobile router 22 based on the connection information indicated by the two-dimensional codes of the respective devices.

The operator performs basic settings for the user devices 12 and GW 14. For example, the user device 12 and the GW14 communicate with a device (for example, a server 24) outside the user house via the mobile router 22 to the internet 26. The operator performs an operation test on the user device 12 by causing the operator apparatus 20 to transmit a predetermined control signal to the user device 12. For example, when the user device 12 is an illumination, it is confirmed that the illumination is turned on in response to the control signal, and when the user device 12 is an electric blind, it is confirmed that the blind is opened or closed in response to the control signal.

When the basic setting is completed, the operator logs in the operator apparatus 20 to the server 24 using the ID and the password of the operator. The operator inputs an operation for instructing the storage of the connection information to the operator apparatus 20. The storage unit 36 of the operator apparatus 20 transmits the connection information (in other words, the two-dimensional code information) of the user device 12 to the server 24, and stores the connection information in the server 24 (S22). In practice, the storage unit 36 transmits the connection information of each of the plurality of user apparatuses 12 to the server 24, and stores the connection information in the server 24.

The processes of S24 to S30 in fig. 4 are processes related to the setting work performed by the user after the network of the user house is opened, typically after the user has moved in. The user uses the camera unit 40 of the GW14 to photograph the two-dimensional code of the AP 16 (S24). The reception unit 42 of the GW14 acquires the connection information of the AP 16 indicated by the two-dimensional code of the AP 16 based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code. The setting unit 46 of the GW14 registers the GW14 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the AP 16 (S26).

The reader 44 of the GW14 reads the connection information (in other words, the two-dimensional code information) of the user device 12 stored in the server 24 in S22 from the server 24 (S28). The setting unit 46 of the GW14 registers the user device 12 in the AP 16 based on the connection information of the user device 12 (S30). Thereafter, the GW14 can operate the plurality of user devices 12, and the user's smartphone can operate the plurality of user devices 12.

According to the communication system 10 of the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time and labor for the user to connect a large number of user devices 12 to the Wi-Fi access point. Further, the user does not need to ask the operator again to connect the user device 12 to the network after the network of the user house is opened, which is also a great advantage in terms of cost.

In the above, the present disclosure is explained based on the first embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made by combination of each constituent element or each process, and such modifications also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

A modification of the first embodiment will be described. The present modification will be described below mainly with respect to differences from the first embodiment, and description of common points will be omitted. The same or corresponding components as those of the first embodiment among the components of the present modification will be described with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 5 shows a configuration of a communication system 10 according to a modification. The communication system 10 of the modified example further includes a user terminal 18. The user terminal 18 is a communication device capable of performing 4G or 5G communication in addition to Wi-Fi communication. The user terminal 18 may be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal of the user. The user terminal 18 includes: in the first embodiment, GW14 includes a camera unit 40, a reception unit 42, a reading unit 44, and a setting unit 46. In the present modification, an application (hereinafter also referred to as "set App") having the functions of these functional blocks is installed in the user terminal 18.

The operation of the communication system 10 according to the modified example will be described. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the communication system 10 according to the modification. This figure shows processing relating to a setting operation performed by an operator before the network of the user's house is opened. The processing in S40 to S50 in this figure is the same as the processing in S10 to S20 in fig. 4, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

The operator device 20 logs in to the server 24 using the ID and the password of the operator. The storage unit 36 of the operator apparatus 20 transmits the connection information of the GW14 and the connection information of the user device 12 to the server 24, and stores the connection information in a storage area for the operator (hereinafter referred to as "operator area") in the server 24 (S52).

The operator logs in to server 24 using the ID and password of the operator, and moves the connection information of GW14 and the connection information of user device 12 stored in the operator area of server 24 to a storage area for the user in server 24 (hereinafter referred to as "user area") (S54). The server 24 issues the ID and the password of the user and notifies the user device 12 (S56). User device 12 may receive the notification over the 4G line or the 5G line. The user ID and password can access the user area of the server 24, but cannot access the operator area.

Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the modification. This figure shows processing relating to a setting operation performed by a user after the network of the user's house is opened. The user logs in to the setting App of the user terminal 18 using the ID and the password of the user notified in S56. The user uses the camera unit 40 of the user terminal 18 to photograph the two-dimensional code of the AP 16 (S58). The reception unit 42 of the user terminal 18 acquires the connection information of the AP 16 indicated by the two-dimensional code based on the captured image of the two-dimensional code of the AP 16. The setting unit 46 of the user terminal 18 registers the user terminal 18 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the AP 16 (S60).

The reading unit 44 of the user terminal 18 registers the server 24 with the user ID and the password input by the user, and reads the connection information of the GW14 and the connection information of the user device 12 stored in the user area of the server 24 (S62). Setting unit 46 of user terminal 18 registers GW14 with AP 16 based on the connection information of GW14 read from server 24 (S64). For example, setting unit 46 may transmit connection information of GW14 to AP 16 and transmit connection information of AP 16 to GW14, thereby enabling Wi-Fi communication between AP 16 and GW 14.

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

The communication system 10 according to the present modification exhibits the same effects as those of the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. Further, according to the communication system 10 of the present modification, the user ID and the password can be used to inherit the connection information stored in the server 24 using the ID and the password unique to the operator. This allows the user to inherit the connection information of each device while suppressing an increase in security risk.

< second embodiment >

The second embodiment will be described below centering on differences from the first embodiment, and description of common points will be omitted. The same or corresponding components as or to those of the first embodiment among the components of the second embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

The configuration of the communication system 10 of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the communication system 10 of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1. The operator apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment includes a camera unit 30, a receiving unit 32, a setting unit 34, and a storage unit 36, which are shown in fig. 2, in the same manner as the operator apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment.

The storage unit 36 of the operator device 20 stores the connection information of the user apparatus 12 in the server 24, and also stores setting information on the contents set by the operator in the user apparatus 12 in the server 24. The setting information may include, for example, information about a user, information specifying an operation mode according to a state of the user's house, and information about settings of the HEMS.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of GW14 of the second embodiment. The GW14 of the second embodiment includes a storage unit 48 in addition to the functional blocks described in the first embodiment. The reading unit 44 of the GW14 reads the connection information of the user device 12 stored in advance in the server 24 and reads the setting information of the user device 12 stored in advance in the server 24. The storage unit 48 of the GW14 stores the setting information of the user device 12 read by the reading unit 44 in the user area in the server 24.

The operation of the communication system 10 of the second embodiment is explained. Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the second embodiment. The processing shown in this figure is processing relating to a setting operation performed by an operator before the network of the user's house is opened, typically before the user moves in. The processing of S70 to S80 in this figure is the same as the processing of S10 to S20 in fig. 4, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

In response to the operation of the operator, setting unit 34 of operator apparatus 20 transmits data to be set in GW14 (e.g., information on user device 12 to be accommodated) to GW14 via mobile router 22 (S82). GW14 notifies operator apparatus 20 of the setting result (S84). In response to the operation of the operator, the setting unit 34 of the operator apparatus 20 transmits data to be set in the user device 12 (for example, information of the GW14 that accommodates the user) to the user device 12 via the mobile router 22 (S86). The user device 12 notifies the operator apparatus 20 of the setting result (S88).

The storage unit 36 of the operator apparatus 20 transmits the connection information (in other words, the two-dimensional code information) of the user device 12 to the server 24, and stores the connection information in the server 24 (S90). The storage unit 36 transmits the setting information indicating the setting contents of the GW14 and the setting information indicating the setting contents of the user device 12 to the server 24, and stores these pieces of setting information in the server 24 (S92).

Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 10 according to the second embodiment. This figure shows processing related to a setting operation performed by a user after the network of the user's house is opened, typically after the user has moved in. Before executing the processing of this figure, the server 24 notifies the user of address information (such as a URI, hereinafter also referred to as a "reading address") for accessing connection information and setting information about the user.

The processing at S94 and S96 in this figure is the same as the processing at S24 and S26 in fig. 4, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted. GW14 accesses server 24 via AP 16, and registers in server 24 with the ID and password of the user issued in advance. Using the reading address notified to the user, the reading unit 44 of the GW14 reads registration information registered by the operator, here, connection information of the user device 12, from the server 24 (S98). The setting unit 46 of the GW14 registers the user device 12 in the AP 16 based on the connection information of the user device 12 (S100).

The reading unit 44 of the GW14 reads registration information registered by the operator, here, setting information of the GW14 and setting information of the user device 12 from the server 24, using the reading address notified to the user (S102). The storage unit 48 of the GW14 stores the setting information of the GW14 and the setting information of the user device 12 read by the reading unit 44 in the user area of the server 24 (S104). The user area of the server 24 may be a storage area that is associated with the ID of the user and is accessible after the user logs in using the ID and the password.

The communication system 10 of the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the communication system 10 of the first embodiment. In communication system 10 according to the second embodiment, GW14 and user device 12 are stored in server 24 in advance, and GW14 reads the setting information after the network of the user's house is opened, so that the user can use and apply the setting information by inheriting the setting information (japanese utility する). Further, by writing the setting information of GW14 and user device 12 into the user area of server 24, it is possible to make the use and application of the setting information easier while maintaining security.

In the above, the present disclosure is explained based on the second embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made by combination of each constituent element or each process, and such modifications also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

A modification of the second embodiment will be described. The present modification will be described below mainly with respect to differences from the second embodiment, and description of common points will be omitted. The same or corresponding components as those of the second embodiment among the components of the present modification will be described with the same reference numerals.

The communication system 10 of the present modification has the same configuration as the communication system 10 of the modification of the first embodiment shown in fig. 5. The user terminal 18 of the present modification includes the camera unit 40, the receiving unit 42, the reading unit 44, the setting unit 46, and the storage unit 48, which are included in the GW14 of the second embodiment.

The operation of the communication system 10 according to the modified example will be described. The operation of the communication system 10 according to the modified example is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in fig. 9 in the processing related to the setting operation performed by the operator before the network of the user's house is opened, typically before the user moves in, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the communication system 10 according to the modification. This figure shows processing relating to a setting operation performed by a user after the network of the user's house is opened, typically after the user has moved in. The server 24 notifies the user terminal 18 of the ID, the password, and the reading address of the user (S110). The notification may be performed via a network different from the network of the user's house, such as a mobile telephone network to which the user terminal 18 is connected.

The processing of S112, S114 in fig. 11 is the same as the processing of S58, S60 shown in fig. 7, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted. The reading unit 44 of the user terminal 18 registers the server 24 with the user ID and the password input by the user, and reads the connection information of the GW14 and the connection information of the user device 12 with the reading address (S116). Setting unit 46 of user terminal 18 registers GW14 with AP 16 based on the connection information of GW14 read from server 24 (S118). The setting unit 46 registers the user device 12 with the AP 16 based on the connection information of the user device 12 read from the server 24 (S120).

The reading unit 44 of the user terminal 18 reads the setting information of the GW14 and the setting information of the user device 12 from the server 24 by using the reading address notified to the user (S122). The storage unit 48 of the user terminal 18 stores the setting information of the GW14 and the setting information of the user device 12 read by the reading unit 44 in the user area of the server 24 (S124). The communication system 10 of the present modification also achieves the same effects as the communication system 10 of the second embodiment.

The techniques described in the above embodiments and modifications can also be applied to various facilities other than houses. For example, the present invention can also be applied to setting of network connection of devices installed in offices and schools of enterprises.

Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The new embodiments resulting from the combination have the respective effects of the combined embodiments and modifications. Further, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be exerted by the respective components described in the claims are realized by the components alone or in cooperation with the components shown in the embodiments and the modifications.

The techniques described in the embodiments and the modifications may be determined by the following items.

[ item 1]

A communication system (10) is provided with:

communication devices (14, 18) and equipment (12) provided at a user's facility; and

an operator device (20) for performing an operation related to the equipment (12) before the network of the facility is opened,

wherein the operator device (20) comprises:

a receiving unit (32) that receives input of connection information, which is information required to connect the device (12) to a network; and

a storage unit (36) that stores the connection information of the device (12) received by the receiving unit in a server (24);

the communication device (14, 18) comprises:

a reading unit (44) that reads connection information of the device (12) stored in the server (24); and

and a setting unit (46) that executes processing for connecting the device (12) to the network of the facility, based on the connection information of the device (12) read by the reading unit (44).

[ item 2]

The communication system (10) of item 1, wherein,

a storage unit (36) of the operator device (20) accesses the server (24) using the ID of the operator, stores the connection information of the equipment (12) in the operator area of the server (24),

in the server (24), connection information of the device (12) is moved from the worker area to a user area,

a reading unit (44) of the communication device (14, 18) accesses the server (24) using the user ID, and reads the connection information of the device (12) from the user area of the server (24).

[ item 3]

The communication system (10) of item 1 or 2, wherein,

the storage unit (36) of the operator device (20) further stores setting information on the contents set by the operator in the equipment (12) in the server (24),

the reading unit (44) of the communication device (14, 18) also reads the setting information of the device (12) stored in the server (24).

[ item 4]

The communication system (10) of item 3, wherein,

the communication device (14, 18) further includes a storage unit (48), and the storage unit (48) stores the setting information of the device (12) read by the reading unit (44) in a user area in the server (24).

[ item 5]

An information processing device (20) which is a device (20) for an operator who performs work related to an apparatus (12) before a network of facilities in which communication devices (14, 18) and the apparatus (12) are installed are opened, the information processing device (20) comprising:

and a storage unit (36) that stores the connection information of the device (12) received by the receiving unit (32) in a server (24), thereby enabling the communication devices (14, 18) to execute processing for reading the connection information of the device (12) stored in the server (24) and processing for connecting the device (12) to the facility network based on the connection information.

[ item 6]

A connection setting method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by an apparatus (20) of an operator who performs an operation related to a device (12) before a network of a facility in which communication apparatuses (14, 18) and a user of the device (12) are installed is opened, input of connection information that is information required to connect the device (12) to the network;

the operator device (20) stores the received connection information of the equipment (12) in a server (24);

the communication device (14, 18) reads in connection information of the device (12) stored in the server (24); and

the communication means (14, 18) performs processing for connecting the device (12) to the network of the facility based on the read-in connection information of the device (12).

Industrial applicability

The technique of the present disclosure can be applied to a system and an apparatus associated with communication.

Description of the reference numerals

10: a communication system; 12: a user device; 14: GW; 18: a user terminal; 20: an operator device; 24: a server; 32: a reception unit; 34: a setting unit; 36: a storage unit; 42: a reception unit; 44: a read-in unit; 46: a setting unit; 48: a storage unit.

Claims

1. A communication system is provided with:

a communication device and equipment provided in a facility of a user; and

an operator device that is a device of an operator who performs an operation related to the equipment before the network of the facility is opened,

wherein the worker device includes:

a reception unit that receives input of connection information, which is information required to connect the device to a network; and

a storage unit that stores the connection information of the device received by the receiving unit in a server,

the communication apparatus includes:

a reading unit that reads connection information of the device stored in the server; and

and a setting unit that executes a process for connecting the device to the network of the facility, based on the connection information of the device read by the reading unit.

2. The communication system of claim 1,

the storage unit of the operator device accesses the server using the ID of the operator, stores the connection information of the device in the operator area of the server,

in the server, the connection information of the device is moved from the worker area to a user area,

the reading unit of the communication device accesses the server using the user ID, and reads the connection information of the device from the user area of the server.

3. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2,

the storage unit of the operator device further stores setting information on the contents set by the operator in the equipment in the server,

the reading unit of the communication device also reads the setting information of the device stored in the server.

4. The communication system of claim 3,

the communication device further includes a storage unit that stores the device setting information read by the reading unit in a user area in the server.

5. An information processing apparatus that is an apparatus of an operator who performs an operation related to a device before a network of a facility in which a communication apparatus and a user of the device are installed is opened, the information processing apparatus comprising:

and a storage unit that stores the connection information of the device received by the receiving unit in a server, thereby enabling the communication device to execute a process of reading the connection information of the device stored in the server and a process of connecting the device to the network of the facility based on the connection information.

6. A connection setting method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by a device of an operator who performs an operation related to a device before a network of a facility provided with a communication device and the device is opened, input of connection information that is information required to connect the device to the network;

the device of the operator stores the received connection information of the equipment in a server;

the communication device reads in the connection information of the equipment stored in the server; and

the communication means executes processing for connecting the device to the network of the facility based on the read-in connection information of the device.