JP2006155285A - Electronic equipment customized service system using communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic equipment customized service system using a communication network for customizing the functions of the electronic equipment to be used by a user himself or herself by performing access through a communication apparatus to a home page, and selectively adding/erasing desired functions. <P>SOLUTION: User registration is operated (S302), and a server is logged in by using an ID number and password which have been acquired this time or in the past (S304). A user selects desired functions in a display screen (S307). When installation is possible (S308; Yes), the selected functions are installed (S310). Also, at the time of erasing functions, the user selects desired functions in the display screen (S321), and uninstalls the selected functions (S322). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device customization service system using a communication network that can easily add and delete functions of an electronic device installed in a customer's house or the like using a communication network such as the Internet.

  Conventionally, in home appliances purchased by users, the functions of the devices are of a specified specification, and once purchased, the functions of the devices cannot be changed and developed and cannot be customized by the user. It was like that.

  A high-priced health appliance or nursing equipment applicable to rental is connected to a service server installed on a communication network via a communication device, and an operation program suitable for the user's needs is distributed from the service server to the user side. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-16983 A

  By the way, when the customized service system proposed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 tries to receive a user-desired service, a service is provided by connecting a health appliance and a service server installed on a communication network with a communication device. An operation program suitable for the user's needs is distributed from the server. In addition, it is configured to communicate user information to the program distribution source via the service server, and there is a problem that a desired function cannot be obtained unless the service server is connected to the service server by a communication device. .

  In addition, the operation program suitable for the user's needs is distributed from the service server and customized to the user's desired function, but the menu display on the health appliance side only exists from the program distribution source, There has been a problem that it cannot be changed according to the function desired by the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and customizes the functions of an electronic device used by a user by accessing a homepage via a communication device, and selecting and adding and deleting a desired function. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device customization service system using a communication network.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises means described in the following 1) to 2).
That is,
1) An electronic device customization service system using a communication network configured by connecting an electronic device having a communication device connectable to a communication network and a service server via the communication network,
The service server stores in advance a function selection page for selecting a function that can be provided by the electronic device, and an operation program for operating the function that can be provided.
The electronic device uses the communication device to connect to the service server via the communication network, selects a desired function from the function selection page, and installs or uninstalls an operation program for the selected function. To customize the function,
When the customization is performed, the service server detects the operating program storage capacity of the electronic device in advance, and stops the installation if the capacity of the operating program corresponding to the selected function is larger than the storage capacity. An electronic device customization service system using a communication network having a function of distributing a warning display page to the electronic device.
2) In the electronic device customization service system using the communication network described in 1), the electronic device customization service system further includes a fee collection return unit that collects a fee when installing and refunds a fee when uninstalling. An electronic equipment customization service system using a featured communication network.

According to the “electronic device customization service system using a communication network” of the present invention, an electronic device used by the user himself / herself can be obtained by accessing a home page via a communication device and selecting and deleting a desired function. The function can be customized, and a highly convenient electronic device with high originality can be provided.
In addition, when a desired function is added after purchasing an electronic device and when an unnecessary function is deleted, the system is not only purchased but also refunded, so that an economical electronic device can be provided.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the invention of an electronic device customization service system using a communication network according to the present invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device customization service system using a communication network applied to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, it has a server 14 configured to connect various home appliances 10 in a home and a communication device 11 that can be connected to a communication network 12 and holds information on additional functions of various home appliances. It has the structure which connects to the homepage 13 of each manufacturer via a communication network.
Here, a DVD recorder is taken as an example. However, any device may be used as long as it is a home appliance having a communication function that can be connected to each manufacturer's website via the above-described network.

  The manufacturer's home page 13 is accessed from the user's communication device 11, and an additional function suitable for the user's needs can be selected for installation and unnecessary functions can be selected and deleted. Each time a connection is made to the manufacturer's home page 13, information on the home appliance 10 is transmitted to the server 14, and the usage status, history, etc. are updated.

  FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of the processing capacity of the software of the home appliance 10 at the time of shipment. Basic functions are functions that cannot be deleted, and parts that can be customized are convenient functions, special functions, other functions, and empty areas.

  Functions that can be customized include convenient functions, special functions, and other functions. Functions that can be customized by home appliances may be freely set as long as even basic functions are not infringed, editing material collection, operation menu screen materials (colors, fonts, motifs), sound effects, etc. In addition, the display screen may be customized.

When a user tries to install an additional function, a warning is issued from the server 14 when the processing capacity exceeds 100% as will be described later. The communication device 11 may be configured by any terminal as long as it is a communication device having a function of connecting to the Internet and a video display function. Therefore, it may be composed of a mobile phone, PDA, PC or the like.
Further, although the communication device 11 is described as an independent device, it may be configured as a home appliance that has a built-in communication function that can be connected to each manufacturer's website via a network.

  Next, a procedure for the user to change the device function will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart until the user completes the device function update. When the user starts changing the device function, a login screen is displayed (S300), and user registration is requested for the first time (S301 Yes). The user performs user registration (S302), acquires an ID number, and registers a password (S303). Login to the server is performed using the ID number and password obtained in this way or previously obtained (S304).

  After login, a screen for selecting customization is displayed, and the user selects the displayed function (S305). When the function addition is selected, a function addition display screen is displayed (S306). The user selects a desired function on the display screen (S307). It is detected whether or not the added function item can be installed with respect to the software processing capability of the current home appliance (S308). If installation is possible (S308 Yes), the selected function is installed (S310).

  If the capacity is not installable (No in S308), a warning to that effect is displayed (S309), and the process proceeds to a step of selecting whether to delete an existing function in order to perform the installation (S312). If the existing function is to be deleted (S312 Yes), the process proceeds to a deletion function selection step (S321). If the function to be added is selected again without deleting the existing function (S312 Yes), the process proceeds to an additional function selection step (S307).

  When the installation of the selected function is completed, a display for determining whether or not to continue the function addition is performed (S311). When the function addition is continued (S311 Yes), the process returns to the step of selecting a desired function (S307). When the function addition is not continued (No in S311), the process proceeds to the next step.

  Next, a procedure for deleting a function will be described. When the function deletion is selected in the function selection step (S305), a function deletion display screen is displayed (S320). The user selects a desired function on the display screen (S321), and uninstalls the selected function (S322).

  Further, when the uninstallation of the selected function is completed, a display for determining whether or not to continue the function deletion is performed (S323). When the function deletion is continued (S323 Yes), the process returns to the step of selecting a desired function (S321). When the function deletion is not continued (No in S323), the process proceeds to the next step.

  If the function deletion is not continued (No in S323), or if the function addition is not continued (No in S311), a display for selecting whether to continue the customization is performed (S340), and whether the customization is continued or finished is selected. When the customization is continued (S340 Yes), the process returns to the step of selecting the customization (S305). When customization is not continued (S340 No), logout is performed (S305), and the operation for changing the device function is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the exchange of information between the communication device 11 and the server 14 of the above-described home appliance function customization system. As shown in the figure, each time the communication device 11 and the server 14 log in, the server 14 obtains information on the home appliance 10 and updates the usage status of the function of the home appliance 10. A home page 13 for each individual user is transmitted based on the information of the server 14. When the function is installed or uninstalled, the history of the individual user information of the server 14 is rewritten.

  Below, the example of the display screen in each step is shown. FIG. 5 is a top screen (S301) of the home appliance function customization system using the Internet 12. For the first time, the first user is selected for user registration, and the screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (S302). From the second time onward, the member is selected, the ID number and the password are input, and the process proceeds to the customization selection screen (S305) shown in FIG.

  When connecting to the customization selection, information specific to the user ID is obtained from the server 14, past installation / uninstallation history is updated, and a list of functions with low usage frequency of the connected home appliance 10 is also updated.

  Enter the address, name, phone number, e-mail address, name of the model to receive the update and its guarantee number, payment account number on the user registration screen in Fig. 6, and the password and user ID number will be sent to the user. Issued. Receive notifications about future updates.

  The user performs additional function update and function deletion from the customization item selection screen of FIG. When connecting to this screen, information on home appliances 10 connected to the communication device 11 is also sent at the same time, user-specific information is obtained from the server 14, past installation / uninstallation history is updated, and connection is established. The list of functions with low usage frequency of the home appliance 10 is also updated. If selected, past installation / uninstallation records can be viewed. If function deletion is selected (S320), the process proceeds to FIG. 8, and if function addition is selected (S306), the process proceeds to FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a function deletion selection screen (S321). If you delete a function that was in place at the time of purchase, you will be refunded accordingly. It is also possible to purchase new additional features from the refunded money. Since past usage frequencies are displayed, it is possible to easily distinguish between functions that are really necessary and those that are not.

  If you check the cookie of the item to be deleted, the processing capacity graph of the software after deletion will change, and you can grasp the free space. Click the uninstall button to uninstall.

  FIG. 9 shows a function addition selection screen (S307). Even if the functions that were in place at the time of purchase are deleted, they can be obtained again. Check the cookie of the item to be added and click the install execution button to install. If you check the cookie of the item to be added, the processing capacity graph of the software after the addition changes, you can grasp the free space.

  When the software processing capacity is exceeded, the cookie cannot be checked and the warning screen (S309) of FIG. 10 is displayed.

  If the customization is continued after the installation / uninstallation, the screen returns to the screen of FIG.

It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the electronic device customization service system using the communication network applied to a present Example. It is the figure which graphed an example of the processing capacity of the software of the household appliances at the time of shipment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure which changes an apparatus function. It is a figure for demonstrating communication with a communication apparatus and a server. It is a figure which shows an example of the top screen display of the household appliance function customization system applied to a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the user registration screen display applied to a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the customization item selection screen display applied to a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen display of the function deletion applied to a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen display of the function addition applied to a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning screen display at the time of the function addition applied to a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Home appliance 11 ... Communication apparatus 12 ... Network 13 ... Homepage 14 ... Server

Claims (2)

An electronic device customization service system using a communication network configured by connecting an electronic device having a communication device connectable to a communication network and a service server via the communication network,
The service server stores in advance a function selection page for selecting a function that can be provided by the electronic device, and an operation program for operating the function that can be provided.
The electronic device uses the communication device to connect to the service server via the communication network, selects a desired function from the function selection page, and installs or uninstalls an operation program for the selected function. To customize the function,
When the customization is performed, the service server detects the operating program storage capacity of the electronic device in advance, and stops the installation if the capacity of the operating program corresponding to the selected function is larger than the storage capacity. An electronic device customization service system using a communication network having a function of distributing a warning display page to the electronic device. 2. The electronic device customization service system using a communication network according to claim 1, further comprising fee collection return means for collecting a fee at the time of installation and refunding a fee at the time of uninstallation. Electronic device customization service system using a communication network.

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