JP2010092401A - Network device, apparatus, method of retrieving information thereof and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need for a user to transmit (register) the information on himself or herself to a manufacturer and for the manufacturer to specially prepare an inquiry-accepting server or a membership-registering server accordingly, when announcing the fault information on an apparatus to be used. <P>SOLUTION: This network device 1 transmits as search words and phrases the device information specifying the network device 1 itself at predetermined intervals by a search means 4 to a search web on the Internet and receives the results (the number of search hits) of the Internet search by the search web. A detection means 10 detects that the number of search hits gets equal to or more than a predetermined value or that the increase of the number of search hits gets equal to or more than a predetermined value and notifies it to a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention searches for information (for example, defect information and maintenance information) related to a device in a network device connectable to the Internet and notifies the user or administrator of the information.

  There are several methods for notifying device users of device information such as device failure information and maintenance information.

  For example, the device information (device part number and serial number) for identifying the device is transmitted to the manufacturer's maintenance server, and the maintenance server returns the retrieved device information to the device user based on the received device information. There is a method (paragraph 0016 and the like of Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there is a method in which the contact information of the user and the device to be used are registered in advance in a server or the like, and when there is a problem with a certain device, the user who has registered the same device is searched, extracted and notified (patent) 4 of reference 2).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, customer information is registered in advance in the product information providing server 112 from the user terminal 110 or the store terminal 111, and device malfunction information is stored in the product information providing server 112 from the manufacturer server 113. Notification to the user terminal 110.

As pointed out in the above patent document, it is important to inform as many users as possible without making the user troublesome. It is desirable to inform important information without omission to users who do not watch newspapers, users who do not watch TV commercials, users who are not interested in the devices they are using, etc. due to diverse lifestyles.
JP 2008-186347 A JP 2003-58775 A

  Although not pointed out in the above patent document, the above method has the following two problems.

  First, there is a user who does not want to send information about himself or want to register from the viewpoint of information security.

  There is a user who feels a sense of resistance against registering the user's contact information and the device to be used in advance as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, and sending a query to the manufacturer's maintenance server as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. Then, some users refrain from recording it (for example, the IP address of the sender) on the manufacturer side. A notification method that takes into account the presence of such users is desired.

  Secondly, the manufacturer must prepare a maintenance server and a member registration server for responding to inquiries. In both Patent Documents 1 and 2, as the types of devices sold by the manufacturer increase, the server must be enhanced accordingly. Also, if the number of countries where the device is sold and used increases, the server must be expanded in consideration of language differences and regional contact information.

Considering this burden, considering the joint operation of servers by third-party organizations and countries, it is not easy to construct and operate servers that cover defect information of various devices in many areas.

  The present invention solves the above two problems: (1) the presence of users who are reluctant to send their information to the manufacturer, and (2) the burden of server construction and operation on the manufacturer side. In addition, users who do not watch newspapers, users who do not watch TV commercials, users who are not interested in the equipment they are using, etc. will be notified of important information without omission.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a network device that can be connected to the Internet, and transmits device information for specifying the device at a predetermined interval as a search phrase to the Internet search WEB, and the Internet by the search WEB Search means for receiving a search result, recording means for recording the search hit count of the Internet search, the search hit count being equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or the search hit count compared to the previous search And detecting means for detecting that the increase amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  In other words, information that is desired to be notified to the user, such as device malfunction information and maintenance information, is also announced on the Internet by the manufacturer's WEB site and the media member's WEB site in addition to newspapers and television. In addition, in response to the announcement, the number of writings increases on the WEB site (for example, a comic book site, a blog site, a bulletin board site) of a user of the device or a person interested in the device.

  This is searched at a predetermined interval, and is detected and notified to the user when the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value, or when the increase in the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value. The search does not require the manufacturer to prepare a search server by using a search WEB on the Internet (not operated by the manufacturer but operated by a third party). In addition, since it is not necessary to develop and implement a search program in the network device main body, it is easier to implement than in the past.

  As a result, the present invention (1) does not need to worry about information security because user information (for example, the IP address of the transmission source) is not transmitted to the manufacturer by searching using the Internet search WEB. . (2) Since the Internet is searched at a predetermined interval and it is detected that there is a notification to the user due to an increase in the number of search hits, the manufacturer does not need to prepare a server for responding to inquiries or for member registration.

  In a first aspect of the present invention, in a network device connectable to the Internet, search means for transmitting device information for specifying a device at a predetermined interval as a search term to an Internet search WEB and receiving a result of the Internet search by the search WEB And a recording means for recording the number of search hits in the Internet search and that the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value, or that the increase in the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value compared to the previous search. And detecting means for detecting.

  As a result, Internet search is performed at predetermined intervals using the device information as a search term, and the user (or the administrator of the device) is notified when the number of search hits increases or increases. Does not send their information to the manufacturer, and the manufacturer does not need to prepare a server for responding to inquiries or registering members.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the network device includes device information storage means for storing device information for identifying the network device itself, and the search means uses the device information as a search term.

  As a result, since the device information of the network device itself is used as a search term, the user can continuously collect the failure information and maintenance information of the network device without performing any special work.

  According to a third invention, in the first invention, the network device includes a communication unit that communicates with another device to acquire device information for specifying the other device, and the search unit uses the device information as a search phrase. is there.

  As a result, since the device information acquired by the communication means is searched using the search term, the user can continuously collect information on malfunctions and maintenance information of network devices without performing any special work on other devices. it can.

  In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the search means transmits a search term to a plurality of search webs to perform an internet search, and the detection means performs a weighting operation on the number of search hits for each search web. The number of search hits is totaled, and it is detected that the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value, or that the amount of increase in the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value compared to the previous search.

  Thereby, compared with the case where only one search WEB is used, since a plurality of search WEBs are used, the influence of the search WEB can be reduced. For example, even if the number of search hits changes due to a change in the search algorithm of a certain search WEB, the number of search hits of another search WEB is added and aggregated so that it is less affected. Also, by adding the weights to the search results of a plurality of search webs, the features provided by the search webs (for example, search webs strong for news sites, search webs strong for blog sites, etc.) can be used effectively. Can do.

  In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the search means transmits a search term to three or more search webs to perform an internet search, and the detection means searches for an internet search by the plurality of search webs. By comparing the number of hits, if there is a search WEB in which the tendency of increase or decrease in the number of search hits is different from other search WEBs, the weighting of the number of search hits is reduced and detected.

  Thereby, the number of search hits of the Internet search by three or more search WEBs can be compared to detect the search WEB that seems to have changed the search algorithm, and the influence can be reduced.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the search means transmits at least a part of the device information as a search term to a plurality of search webs, and searches according to the number of search hits of each search web. The setting of WEB or weighting can be changed.

  Thus, as a part of the device information, for example, the manufacturer name or the device name is used as a search term, the number of search hits is compared among a plurality of search webs, and the weight of the search web having a large number of search hits is increased. The search WEB suitable for the search can be adjusted.

In a seventh aspect based on the first aspect, the detecting means determines that the number of search hits recorded by the recording means exceeds a predetermined value, or the amount of increase in the number of search hits is predetermined compared to the previous search. When it is detected that the value is greater than or equal to the value, a detailed search is performed by limiting the period of the Internet search target, and at least a part of the result of the detailed search is notified.

  As a result, when the number of search hits increases or increases, a detailed search is performed for a limited time period (for example, after the previous search date and time), and a part of the result (for example, an overview of the top five search results) Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of the contents with improved accuracy.

  In an eighth aspect based on the first aspect, the detecting means has the number of search hits equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or the amount of increase in the number of search hits is equal to or greater than a predetermined value compared to the previous search. When this is detected, at least the searched search phrase is written on the WEB site on the Internet.

  As a result, when the user's own network device is detected, the search term is included and written on the WEB site. Therefore, the probability of detection when the other network device searches the Internet with the same search word is increased, and the user of the invention Can cause resonance.

  In a ninth aspect based on the first aspect, in addition to the device information, the search term includes a keyword related to report on malfunction of the device such as “inspection”, “renovation”, “collection”, “recall”, “notification”, “free of charge”, etc. The search means designates a manufacturer's WEB site, a news reporter's WEB site, or a public institution's WEB site as an object of Internet search, and transmits a search phrase to the search WEB.

  As a result, in addition to the device information, it is also related to defect reports related to the manufacturer's own WEB site, the WEB site of the news reporter (newspaper company or news distribution company) and the WEB site of the public organization (country or third party organization). Since the Internet is searched using keywords, official announcements about the devices being used can be detected with high accuracy.

  In a tenth aspect based on the first aspect, the search term includes equipment failure-related keywords such as “repair”, “failure”, and “defective” in addition to the equipment information, and the search means is used as an object of Internet search. A search term is transmitted to the search WEB by designating a WEB site to be written by the user.

  This makes it possible to search the Internet using failure-related keywords in addition to device information for WEB sites written by users (such as bulletin boards, blogs, and SNS). However, it is possible to detect frequent failures.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the first aspect, in addition to the device information, the search term includes sales related keywords such as “sell”, “buy”, “auction”, “sought”, etc. A search term is transmitted to the search WEB by specifying a WEB site for sale or auction WEB site as a target.

  As a result, since the Internet search is performed using trading related keywords in addition to the device information for the buying and selling WEB site and the auction WEB site, the value in the market for the used device is fluctuating, It is possible to detect what is being talked about, including the possibility of malfunctions and failures.

  In a twelfth aspect of the invention according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the predetermined interval for searching by the search means is made different according to the device information and the search keyword.

As a result, according to device characteristics (device type, device manufacture year, device with large power consumption during operation) and search keywords (failure report-related keywords, failure-related keywords, sales-related keywords) included in the device information Different search intervals.

  For example, for a device with high power consumption such as a combustion device or a heating device, the search interval may be shortened, and the search interval may be shortened as the manufacturing year becomes older. In addition, officially reported failure-related keywords increase rapidly on the day they are announced, so search daily, and failure-related keywords including those other than official announcements will gradually increase, so search every week or month. Do. The trading-related keyword depends on the intention of the user, but is searched every holiday. Further, the search interval may be determined by combining both the device information and the search keyword.

  In a thirteenth aspect according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the predetermined interval searched by the search means is made different according to the use state of the device.

  By changing the search interval according to the usage state of the device, for example, the usage frequency, the number of times of use, the usage period, the operation time, the number of operation errors, the content of the operation error, etc. The search interval can be shortened in consideration of devices and devices that often cause operation errors.

  In a fourteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the predetermined interval searched by the search means corresponds to at least one of the use frequency and number of use of the device, the use period, the operation time, the operation error count, and the operation error content. Are different.

  This makes it possible to shorten the search interval in consideration of devices that are frequently used by users, devices that are used for a long time, and devices that frequently cause operation errors.

  In a fifteenth aspect based on the first aspect, the network device includes input means for inputting article information for specifying another article, and the search means uses the article information as a search term at a predetermined interval to search a web on the Internet. The search means records the number of search hits for the Internet search, and the detection means indicates that the search hit count exceeds a predetermined value, or the number of search hits compared to the previous search. It is detected that the amount of increase of the value exceeds a predetermined value.

  Thereby, articles other than equipment (including equipment not equipped with communication means) can be notified by inputting article information from the input means and performing an Internet search. That is, the present invention can notify defect information, maintenance information, and the like for products of other companies.

  In a sixteenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the detecting means uses the Internet search with the number of search hits in the Internet search using the device information for specifying the device itself as the search term, and the Internet using the product information unrelated to the device as the search term When the number of search hits of the search is compared and both of the search hit numbers show a large change, no detection or notification is made.

  This compares the number of search hits in the device's own Internet search with the number of search hits in the Internet search for article information that is not related to the device, detects changes in the search algorithm in the search WEB, and removes the influence. be able to.

  In a seventeenth aspect based on the sixteenth aspect, in order to select item information not related to a device from among a plurality of item information, both the item information and device information for identifying the device itself are selected. An Internet search is performed by including in a search term, and article information with a small number of search hits is employed.

  As a result, it is possible to detect the change of the search algorithm in the search WEB by selecting the item information most unrelated to the device from the plurality of item information.

  In an eighteenth aspect of the invention, in a device that communicates with the network device of the third aspect of the invention, device information storage means for storing device information for identifying the device itself, communication means for transmitting the device information to the network device, and network device As a result of performing an Internet search at a predetermined interval using the device information received in the above as a search term, the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value, or the amount of increase in the number of search hits is predetermined compared to the previous Internet search And a notifying means for receiving and notifying the detection result from the network device when it is detected that the value exceeds the value.

  As a result, the device information of the device that communicates with the network device is searched by the network device, so that the user does not perform any special work on the device that is not connected to the network (such as white goods). Information and maintenance information can be collected continuously.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information search method for a network device connectable to the Internet, wherein device information for specifying a device is transmitted at a predetermined interval as a search phrase to an Internet search WEB, and the Internet search by the search WEB is performed. A search step for receiving a result, a recording step for recording the number of search hits in the Internet search step, a search hit count exceeding a predetermined value, or an increase in the number of search hits compared to the previous search is predetermined. And a detection step for detecting that the value has been exceeded.

  As a result, Internet search is performed at predetermined intervals using the device information as a search term, and the user (or the administrator of the device) is notified when the number of search hits increases or increases. Does not send their information to the manufacturer, and the manufacturer does not need to prepare a server for responding to inquiries or registering members.

  A twentieth aspect of the invention is a software program for executing an information search method for a network device connectable to the Internet, wherein device information for specifying the device is transmitted to a search WEB on the Internet as a search phrase at a predetermined interval. A search step for receiving the result of the Internet search by the search WEB, a recording step for recording the number of search hits in the Internet search step, a search hit number exceeding a predetermined value, or a search hit compared to the previous search A software program that causes a network device to execute an information search method including a detection step of detecting that the amount of increase in number is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  As a result, the present invention can be provided to a network device capable of installing software such as a personal computer. Existing programs can be easily realized by distributing programs that take advantage of the features of network devices.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram using the network device of the present invention. The network device 1 connects to a communication network and uses a WEB site on the Internet.

The WEB site on the Internet includes, for example, the search WEB site 20, the WEB site 21 of the manufacturer of the network device 1, the WEB site 22 of newspapers, television, the media such as the media, government agencies, international organizations, industry association organizations, etc. WEB site 23 of public institution, bulletin board where Internet users write and exchange information, WEB site 24 of blog, WEB site 25 where buying and selling between sellers and purchasers, auctions of used equipment between individuals, etc. There is a WEB site 26 and the like that performs.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a description will be given using WEB browsing means 30 such as a personal computer, an Internet TV, and a portable information terminal separately from network device 1, but this is not essential, and display means (not shown) is displayed on network device 1. ).

  For example, when the network device 1 is a home appliance (such as a refrigerator or a washing machine), many people who use the home appliance are unfamiliar with information devices such as personal computers, and the present invention is complicated even for such people. Without having to do this, it is possible to collect the information about the device that is being used without any operation and to receive important information. In addition, the home appliance need not be provided with a keyboard or liquid crystal display means.

  Also, it is troublesome for a person who is used to information devices such as personal computers to regularly search for information on devices they own, and the present invention automatically and automatically responds to the usage status of devices and the status of Internet searches. Will go.

  The network device 1 according to the present invention searches the Internet for information on the network device 1 itself at a predetermined interval and notifies it. For example, assuming that the network device 1 is a clothes dryer that can be connected to the Internet, the search / notification of the defect information will be described.

  In addition, it is not limited to clothes dryers, and any network device that can be connected to the Internet may be white goods, AV devices, information devices, and portable devices. It does not matter if it is outdoors.

  If a problem occurs in the clothes dryer, the manufacturer (company A), product name (clothing dryer), equipment number, model number, serial number, Production date (device information to identify the device in question) is reported on the Internet. It will also be reported on the WEB site 23 of a public institution to protect consumers. This is detected and notified by the network device 1 as follows.

  The network device 1 has the following configuration as shown in FIG. Detailed operation will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The search means 4 transmits a search word / phrase to the search WEB 20, performs an Internet search, and receives the search result. The search WEB is preferably operated by a third party (search specialist company or news report company) that is not directly related to the manufacturer, but the search WEB operated by the manufacturer may be used.

  One of the search terms for the search means 4 to search the Internet using the search WEB 20 is device information for specifying the network device 1 itself. For example, the manufacturer (such as company A), product name (clothing dryer), device number, model number, and manufacturing number. These pieces of information are stored in the device information storage means 5 at the time of manufacture and read by the search means 4 (arrow a in FIG. 1). At this point, the serial number is fine and does not have to be included in the search term.

Another search term is a keyword for narrowing the Internet search target. For example, search keywords such as “inspection”, “renovation”, and “collection”. Further, it is a search keyword for narrowing the search target site to the manufacturer WEB21 and the news reporter WEB22. These keywords are stored in the search keyword storage means 6 at the time of manufacture and read by the search means 4 (arrow b in FIG. 1).

  Also, the URL address of the search web 20, the transmission format of the search keyword, and the reception format of the search result are stored in the search web setting storage means 7 and read by the search means 4 (arrow c in FIG. 1).

  The information stored in the device information storage means 5, the search keyword storage means 6, and the search WEB setting means 7 is convenient if it can be changed, added, or deleted by the input means 8 after shipment. The input unit 8 may be a keyboard switch or a remote controller and may be configured to be edited by the user of the network device 1. The support unit of the network device 1 performs editing using the input unit 8 as a connection unit to a communication line (telephone or the Internet). You may make it (arrow d of FIG. 1).

  Next, the search means 4 receives the search result of the Internet search from the search WEB 20 and extracts the search hit number from it. Here, the reception format of the search result stored in the search WEB setting storage means 7 is used. The number of search hits is recorded in the recording means 9 together with the search date (arrow e in FIG. 1).

  Then, the detection means 10 reads the previous search hit number and the current search hit number from the recording means 9 (arrow f in FIG. 1) and compares them.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the Internet search target is all WEB sites, and the update date (or crawled date) of the site is not used to limit the search target. That is, the number of search hits is the number of hits for all on the Internet.

  The detecting means 10 detects and notifies that the number of search hits is a predetermined value or more (for example, 100 or more). Alternatively, it is detected and notified that the amount of increase in comparison with the number of hits of the previous search has become a predetermined value or more (for example, 100 or more) (arrow g in FIG. 1). Both of them may be AND-detected.

  Various notification methods may be considered, such as providing display means (not shown) in the network device 1 to indicate search results and providing voice guidance with voice guidance means (not shown).

  In FIG. 1, using the characteristics of the network device 1, the search result is transferred to the user's WEB browsing means 30 via the communication network 2 using the transfer means 11 (transfer settings such as an email address are performed in advance. deep). Thus, without providing a display means in the clothes dryer (network device 1), the user can use the WEB browsing means 30 to see the details of the search result and to check the related information by himself / herself.

  Although the system outline has been described above, the detailed operation of the present embodiment will be described using the operation flowchart of FIG.

  In S1, the search means 4 determines the search time. In the simplest example, the search is performed once a day. However, there are several ways of thinking about the search interval, such as changing the search interval according to the usage status of the network device 1 or searching when the network device 1 is used. The method will be described later.

In S2, when the search time comes, the search means 4 prepares a search phrase. The device information is read from the device information storage unit 5, the search keyword is stored from the search keyword storage unit 6, and the setting information of the search web 20 is read from the search web setting storage unit 7. The search term may include all of the device information (manufacturer, product name, device number, model number, serial number), or may be a part of it (for example, the serial number and the production time are excluded from the search term). ).

  In S3, the search means 4 transmits a search term to the search WEB 20 and performs an Internet search. The URL and transmission format of the search WEB 20 follow the setting information of the search WEB 20 read from the search WEB setting storage means 7.

  In S <b> 4, the search unit 4 receives the result of the Internet search from the search WEB 20. The reception format from the search WEB 20 follows the setting information of the search WEB 20 read from the search WEB setting storage means 7.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the search result. This is a result of searching as “Company A NH-1111” ((x) in FIG. 3) as a search term. It can be seen that 196 hits were found ((y) in FIG. 3).

  In S <b> 5, the search unit 4 extracts the search hit number from the received search result, and records this along with the date in the recording unit 9.

  FIG. 4 shows a method for extracting the search result source and the number of search hits in FIG. From the search results, the search means 4 searches the search term “Company A NH-1111” ((x) in FIG. 4) and the search hits “search results” “in case” ((y) in FIG. 4). If the received format differs depending on the search WEB, the received format is stored for each search WEB setting storage means 7. The search hit number is extracted as described above. For example, the reception format may be decided in cooperation with the search WEB.

  In S <b> 6, the detection unit 10 detects a change in the number of search hits recorded in the recording unit 9.

  As an example, FIG. 5 shows a change in the number of search hits by performing an Internet search every day from September 8th to September 12th, 2008 at 24:00. Since the number of search hits is the number of hits for all WEB sites on the Internet, the number of search hits increases with time as shown in FIG. In the afternoon of September 9, an inspection of clothes dryers was announced, and the number of search hits in the Internet search on September 10 increased rapidly from 8 to 196 on the previous day. FIG. 5B shows the increase in the number of search hits per day.

  The detection means 10 detects that the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 100) as shown in FIG. 5A, or the increase in the number of search hits is a predetermined value as shown in FIG. 5B. It is detected that (for example, 100 cases) has been exceeded. The detecting means 10 may detect when both of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are simultaneously established (AND condition), or may be detected when only one is established (OR condition).

  Since the setting of the predetermined value depends on the search term, learning is required at the beginning of the search. Internet search is performed several times, and a value that is one or two digits larger than the number of hits is set as a predetermined value. Further, since the amount of increase in the number of search hits depends on the search time interval, Internet search is performed several times, and a value that is one or two digits larger than the amount of increase in the number of hits is set as a predetermined value. Of course, it is possible for the user to adjust by setting / changing a predetermined value from the input means 8.

In S7, when the detection means 10 detects a change in the number of search hits, the search means 4 performs a detailed search. This is to perform a re-search by narrowing down the Internet search target and inform the user of the search result. The content to be narrowed down includes limiting the search target period to new ones written within 24 hours, narrowing the search target WEB site to the manufacturer's WEB site, and the like. The search term may be the same as S2 and S3, but a search term may be added (for example, detailed information such as a production number and a production time is added to the search term).

  The transmission format to the search WEB 20 for limiting the search target period and the search target WEB site is stored in advance in the search WEB setting storage unit 7, and the search term to be added is stored in the search keyword storage unit 6 in advance.

  As an example, FIG. 6 shows a search result obtained by re-searching with the search term “Company A inspection NH-1111” with the search target period within 24 hours (after the previous search date and time) ((z) in FIG. 4). As a result, new information can be extracted especially when the number of search hits has increased.

  It should be noted that the detailed search in S7 may be omitted by narrowing the search target period within 24 hours from the beginning in the search in S2 and S3. The search target period is basically after the previous search, but it is desirable that the search period is somewhat overlapped with the previous search in consideration of the search time in the search WEB 20. For example, when the search means 4 transmits a search phrase at 24:00 every day, the search target period does not overlook steep fluctuations in the number of hits by expanding the search window within 48 hours or 72 hours.

  In S8, the result of the detailed search in S7 is notified / transferred. Here, the search result is transferred by the transfer means 11 to the WEB browsing means 30 of the user (or the manager of the device) via the communication network 2 (transfer settings such as a mail address are set in advance). The user can obtain details of information detected by the search means 4 and the detection means 10 by operating the WEB browsing means 30 and clicking the URL of the transferred search result.

  Based on this, more detailed information can be acquired, and the transfer destination is not limited to the user, but may include a family member or an acquaintance who uses the same device.

  Of course, as a notification method, the network device 1 may be provided with display means (not shown) to indicate the search result, and voice guidance means (not shown) may be provided for voice guidance.

  Further, the detailed search in S7 may be omitted, and the detailed search may be left to the user by skipping from S6 to S8.

  As described above, the Internet search by the search WEB is performed at predetermined intervals using the device information as a search term, and the user (or the administrator of the device) is notified when the number of search hits increases or increases. The user does not send his / her information to the manufacturer, and the manufacturer does not need to prepare a server for responding to inquiries or registering a member.

  In addition, by performing a detailed search, when the number of search hits increases or increases, a detailed search is performed for a limited time period (for example, after the previous search date), and a part of the result (for example, the search result) (Summary of top 5 cases) is notified, so that the accuracy can be improved and the user can be notified.

  By the way, in the above embodiment, a search including keywords related to malfunction reports of equipment such as “inspection”, “renovation”, “recovery”, “recall”, “notification”, “free of charge”, etc. is performed and The network device 1 has been described as an example in which a WEB site, a press member's WEB site, or a public organization's WEB site is designated and transmitted from the search means 4 to the Internet search WEB 20. As a result, it is possible to search and detect and notify about an important defect such as an official announcement from a manufacturer, a press, or a public institution.

In addition, there are other information on the Internet that is written by the user of the device and information that can be exchanged between users. For example, there are many occurrences of predictive failure information that can be seen before the official announcement, and information on failures that are not officially announced but are commonly seen among users. The network device of the present invention can also search and detect the Internet for these.

  The search means 4 includes an apparatus failure-related keyword such as “repair”, “failure”, “failure”, etc. in addition to device information (for example, manufacturer, product name, device number, model number) in the search term, and performs an Internet search. The WEB site written by the user is designated as the target of transmission to the Internet search WEB 20. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the detection means 10 can detect a change in the number of search hits at a mouth-come site, a bulletin board site, an SNS site, and a blog site, and can notify the user.

  At this time, if the device information included in the search phrase is moderated to the manufacturer and the product name, it is possible to search widely including devices of the same manufacturer other than the network device 1.

  This makes it possible to search the Internet using failure-related keywords in addition to device information for WEB sites written by users (such as bulletin boards, blogs, and SNS). It is possible to detect and notify a malfunction that has occurred.

  As a result, devices with many defects and failures are less popular, and conversely, good devices are more popular. The network device of the present invention can also search and detect the Internet for these.

  The search means 4 includes sales related keywords such as “sell”, “buy”, “auction”, “want”, etc. in addition to device information in the search term, and the website for sale or auction WEB site Is transmitted to the Internet search WEB 20. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example, the detection means 10 can detect the change in the number of search hits at the mouth-communicating site, the bulletin board site, the SNS site, and the blog site and notify the user. You may detect not only when the transition of the number of search hits has increased more than a predetermined value, but also when it has decreased more than a predetermined value. If the device information included in the search phrase is moderated to the product name level, it is possible to search widely including network devices by other manufacturers.

  As a result, since the Internet search is performed using trading related keywords in addition to the device information for the buying and selling WEB site and the auction WEB site, the value in the market for the used device is fluctuating, It is possible to detect and notify that something is being talked about, including the possibility of a malfunction or failure.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only information on malfunctions and failures but also network devices in general are searched on the Internet, and if there is a change in the number of search hits, the details can be re-searched and used by the user. it can.

  Note that, at the end of the first embodiment, an interval for performing an Internet search will be described.

  If the Internet search is performed too frequently, a load is applied to the communication network 2 and the search WEB 20, so an appropriate interval is good. If priority is given to the search keywords described above, the keyword search related to malfunction report is important and is performed regularly (for example, every other day or every other week). Compared to that, fewer keyword searches related to failure are required (for example, every other month). There may be fewer keywords related to buying and selling (depending on the user's values, but may be frequent when considering disposal). These search intervals can be set by the input means 8.

  Considering the type of network device 1, daily necessities (for example, water heaters and cooking devices) are highly important in the event of a failure, so seasonal devices (for example, cooling and heating devices) that shorten the search interval are Use seasons to shorten the search interval compared to other seasons. In consideration of safety, the search interval is shortened for devices that consume a large amount of power or devices that require high safety and reliability. These are determined by the search unit 4 based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit 5.

  In general, since a device that is frequently used and used frequently is used habitually, the search interval is shortened. In addition, a search is performed when the device is used (or operated) to notify the user before the device is operating or during the operation of the device.

  Similarly, since the device is consumed as the years of use and operation time increase, the search interval is shortened. In addition, during the warranty period of the device (or just before the warranty expires), the search interval is shortened to prevent early failure information from being found at an early stage or repair information being obtained after the warranty expires.

  Further, for a device having a large number of operation errors or a device having a serious content of operation error, the search interval is shortened, and other users are searched for whether the same content has increased on the Internet.

  The parameters determined by the search interval for each search content are summarized in FIG. Items for determining the above-described search interval are shown on the horizontal axis, and search keywords are shown on the horizontal axis. The search interval is determined by a combination of these conditions.

  The search results for keywords related to buying and selling are described in consideration of buying and selling equipment as used items. As the number of uses and years of use increase, the value as a second-hand product gradually decreases, so the search interval may be lengthened. However, if the user wants to sell actively, the search interval is shortened. The search interval is set by the user using the input means 8.

As described above, the search interval is as follows: (1) Device characteristics (device type, device manufacture year, device with high power consumption during operation) and search keywords (failure report related keywords, failure related) The search interval is varied according to the keywords and sales-related keywords.

  For example, for a device with high power consumption such as a combustion device or a heating device, the search interval may be shortened, and the search interval may be shortened as the manufacturing year becomes older.

  In addition, officially reported failure-related keywords increase rapidly on the day they are announced, so search daily, and failure-related keywords including those other than official announcements will gradually increase, so search every week or month. Do. The trading-related keyword depends on the intention of the user, but is searched every holiday.

  Further, the search interval may be determined by combining both the device information and the search keyword.

  (2) The predetermined interval searched by the search means is made different according to the use state of the network device.

By changing the search interval according to the usage state of the device, for example, the usage frequency, the number of times of use, the usage period, the operation time, the number of operation errors, the content of the operation error, etc. The search interval can be shortened in consideration of devices and devices that often cause operation errors.

  If the network device is not always connected, the Internet search S2 to S8 may be performed first when connected to the communication network.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, as a second embodiment, a development of the first embodiment will be described.

  The problem of the first embodiment is that the search / detection result of the network device 1 depends on the search WEB 20 operated by a third party. For example, even if the possibility that a third party stops providing the search service by the search WEB 20 is small, the search algorithm may be changed and the number of search hits may vary greatly. There is no guarantee that you will be contacted in advance of the change.

  Therefore, the dependence of a specific search WEB is reduced by using a plurality of search WEBs and counting the number of these search hits. If it is this, even if the search algorithm of one search WEB changes suddenly, the influence can be made small.

  A system configuration diagram of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 9, and an operation flowchart is shown in FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 (Embodiment 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Here, the three search webs are used, and the search means 41 simultaneously transmits the search words for the search webs “A”, “B”, and “C” (S31). Setting information (URL, transmission format, reception format) of a plurality of search webs is stored in advance in the search web setting storage unit 71 and can be edited from the input unit 8. Of course, two or four or more search webs may be used.

  In S41, the search means 41 calculates the number of search hits received from a plurality of search WEBs, and calculates the number of search hits. This is shown in FIG.

  As shown in “Current Internet Search” in FIG. 11A, a weighting count is set in advance for each search WEB (stored in the search WEB setting storage means 71), and each search is multiplied by the number of search hits. The calculated value for each WEB is obtained. Add this to get the total number of search hits. Using the total value of the number of search hits, it is detected that the value has become a predetermined value or more.

  Although FIG. 11A shows a method of counting the absolute number of search hits, a method of counting the number of changes in the number of search hits from the previous search may be used. This is shown in FIG.

  Thereby, compared with the case where only one search WEB is used, since a plurality of search WEBs are used, the influence of the search WEB can be reduced. For example, even if the number of search hits changes due to a change in the search algorithm of a certain search WEB, the number of search hits of another search WEB is added and aggregated so that it is less affected.

  Also, by adding weights to the search results of a plurality of search webs, the features of the search webs (for example, fault-related searches that heavily use search webs that are strong in the news site for search related to faulty news reports) Can effectively use a search web strong in blog sites).

In addition, it will be described below that it is possible to detect that the algorithm of the search WEB has changed by performing an Internet search using a plurality of search WEBs.

  In FIG. 11, the detecting means 10 looks at the number of search hits of a plurality of search webs side by side and detects whether there is a large variation only in a specific search web. When a large change is seen only in a specific search WEB, it is considered that some change has been made to the search algorithm in the search WEB, and the search WEB is excluded from the current count, or this time the count is reduced .

  For example, in FIG. 11B, when two search WEBs show an increase in the number of search hits but only one search WEB shows a decrease in the number of search hits, this is ignored.

  As described above, the search means transmits device information to three or more search WEBs to perform an Internet search, and the detection means compares the number of search hits of the Internet search by a plurality of search WEBs to determine the number of search hits. If there is a search WEB that has a tendency to increase or decrease from other search WEBs, the number of search hits is ignored and detected. Alternatively, detection is performed by reducing the weight.

  Thereby, by comparing the number of search hits of Internet search by three or more search WEBs and making a majority decision, it is possible to detect a search WEB that seems to have changed the search algorithm and remove the influence.

  Next, in the detailed search in S71, one of the plurality of search webs is selected and re-search is performed, but here, for example, the search web having the largest number of search hits is searched in detail separately from the weighting. Used for. Alternatively, the search WEB with the largest increase in the number of search hits may be used for the detailed search.

  In S91, the search WEB adjusting unit 12 changes (adjusts) the weight of the search WEB. It is desirable to adjust the weighting coefficient of a plurality of search webs because the Internet is advancing every day.

  This may be set from the input means 8, but it is difficult for all users to do it. Further, the input means 8 may be connected to the manufacturer of the network device 1 ′ via the communication network, and the manufacturer may perform remote setting, but this may not be desired by some users (in the first place). If it is possible, it is not difficult for the manufacturer to inform all users of the defect information).

  Therefore, a method for adjusting the weighting coefficient by the network device 1 'itself in S91 will be described.

  The search web adjustment means 12 changes the weight of the search web from the search result of the detection means 10 and stores it in the search web setting means 71 (arrows i and j in FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 10, the number of search hits can be compared among a plurality of search webs. The search means 41 increases the weight of the search WEB with a large number of search hits and reflects it in the next search hit count.

  That is, a search WEB with high search sensitivity is used heavily. In addition, the weight of the search WEB with a large increase in the number of search hits is increased and reflected in the aggregation of the next number of search hits.

  Of course, if the weighting of one search WEB is too large, the significance of using a plurality of search WEBs becomes small, so the weighting is adjusted within a predetermined range of 20 to 80%, for example.

  Although the network search is weighted at this time, it is preferable to compare with a search term having a large number of search hits compared to a search term having a small number of search hits, as an index of search sensitivity in a wide range. For example, the manufacturer name of the network device 1 ′ and “repair”, “failure”, and “defective” are searched, and the manufacturing number and model number are not included. Also, search by product name and “repair”, “failure”, “defect”.

  As described above, the search means transmits at least a part of the device information as a search term to a plurality of search webs, and can change the search web or weighting setting according to the number of search hits of each search web. And

  Thus, as a part of the device information, for example, the manufacturer name or the device name is used as a search term, the number of search hits is compared among a plurality of search webs, and the weight of the search web having a large number of search hits is increased. It is possible to adjust to a search WEB suitable for information search of network devices.

  Further, according to the characteristics of the search WEB (for example, search WEB strong against a news report site, search WEB strong against a blog site, etc.), different weights can be set for each search content, which can be used more effectively.

  As an advantage of using a plurality of search webs together, Internet search is possible even if a certain search web is stopped, and if the number of search hits for all three search webs is 0 (no search results are returned). It can be determined that there is a problem with the Internet (or communication network connection).

  Incidentally, although not related to the embodiment of the invention using the plurality of search webs, in S81, in addition to the result transfer / notification, writing is performed. The transfer to the WEB browsing means 30 by the transfer means 11 is the same as in the first embodiment. When the writing means 13 detects that the number of search hits is equal to or greater than a predetermined value or that the increase in the number of search hits is equal to or greater than a predetermined value compared to the previous search, the search means 13 Write words and phrases on the Internet's SNS (social network) and your blog's WEB site 27.

  The writing means 13 writes the search word / phrase on the WEB site 27, and then the user uses the WEB browsing means 30 to see the details of the search result, and then adds a comment on the search content to the WEB site 27. If the search contents are inappropriate when viewed by the user, deletion is performed from the WEB site 27.

  In addition, the WEB site other than SNS may be written. Although a WEB site prepared by a manufacturer may be used, for example, a blog site of an acquaintance's blog or a WEB site where enthusiasts using the same network device gather can be considered.

  In this way, the detection means detects that the number of search hits recorded by the recording means has become a predetermined value or more, or that the increase in the number of search hits has become a predetermined value or more compared to the previous search. If this is the case, at least the searched search phrase is included and written on the WEB site on the Internet.

  As a result, when the user's own network device is detected, the search term is included and written on the WEB site. Therefore, the probability of detection when the other network device searches the Internet with the same search word is increased, and the use of the network device of the present invention is used. Resonance can occur between the two.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, another embodiment of the first embodiment will be described as the third embodiment. The point of the third embodiment is that, in addition to performing an internet search for device information of the network device 1 itself, it is also possible to perform an internet search for device information of other devices owned by the user (such as devices not connected to the Internet). Is possible.

  For this purpose, the network device is provided with communication means, device information of other devices is acquired via this communication means, and the Internet is searched using this device information as a search term.

  A system configuration diagram of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. The same components as those in FIG. 1 (Embodiment 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The operation flowchart is the same as FIG. 12 of the first embodiment.

  The network device 1 ″ includes a communication unit 14, and communicates with the home appliance 40. The communication unit 14 is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN communication, or power line communication, and is not connected to the Internet. Then, device information for specifying the home appliance 40 is acquired.

  The home appliance 40 stores in advance device information for identifying the home appliance itself in the device information storage means 41, and transmits it to the network device 1 "via the communication means 42 (arrow s in FIG. 12). .

  The network device 1 ″ performs an Internet search using the device information received by the communication means 14 (that is, the device information of the home appliance 40) as a search phrase (S2 to S8 in FIG. 2). The result of the Internet search is the network device 1 ″. However, it may be transmitted from the communication means 14 to the communication means 42 of the home appliance 40 and notified to the user by the notification means 43 of the home appliance (arrow t in FIG. 12). The notification means 43 may be, for example, LED lighting or flashing, voice guidance or liquid crystal display.

  In addition to the device information acquired from the communication means 14 as a search term, “inspection”, “repair”, “collection”, “recall”, “notification”, “free”, “repair”, “failure”, “defect”, “sell”, “ Using the keywords such as “buy”, “auction”, “require”, etc., important information about the device is searched in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments.

  Thereby, devices other than the network device itself can be notified by inputting device information from the communication means and searching the Internet. As a feature of the present invention, defect information, maintenance information, etc. can be notified by Internet search for products of other companies.

  Further, for other devices not connected to the Internet, if the communication means 14 obtains the frequency of use, the number of times of use, the time of operation, the number of years of use, the operation time, the warranty period, the number of operation errors, and the details of the operation error, As shown in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, the search interval and the search keyword can be matched to the actual usage of the device.

  As a result, the device information acquired by the communication means is searched using the search terms, so that the user does not have to perform any special work on the devices that are not connected to the Internet (white goods, etc.) Maintenance information can be collected continuously.

Note that although the home appliance is described in the third embodiment, the device with which the network device communicates through the communication unit is not limited to the home appliance, and may be an AV device, an information device, or a portable device, and the place of use is a home It is not limited to offices, factories, and outdoors.

(Embodiment 4)
Finally, an application form of the present invention will be described.

  In the above-described first and second embodiments, article information for specifying another article can be input from the input unit 8.

  The input unit 8 is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a barcode reader, a wireless tag reader, or the like, and acquires device information for specifying the non-network device from another device (non-network device) not connected to the Internet.

  Other articles may be other than equipment, and article information is acquired from barcodes or wireless tags attached to foods or consumables. The product information includes manufacturer information (manufacturer name), product information (product name), and manufacturing related information (manufacturing location, manufacturing time).

  The search means performs an Internet search for detected article information (including device information of other devices) in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. The article information is transmitted as a search term at a predetermined interval to the Internet search WEB, and the result of the Internet search is received. The recording means records the number of search hits of the Internet search, and the detection means detects and notifies that the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value or that the increase in the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value. It is.

  As a search term, in addition to the article information acquired from the input means 8, if the device is "inspection" "repair" "collection" "recall" "notification" "free" "repair" "failure" "defect" "sell Similar to the first and second embodiments, important information about the device is searched using keywords such as “buy”, “auction”, and “find”. If it is a food, it includes keywords such as “safety problem”, “addiction”, “mixing”, etc., and it becomes sensitive to the food safety problem whether there is a food item that corresponds to its surroundings. Different search keywords depending on the item. Search keywords are input from the input means 8.

  Thereby, it is possible to notify the device / article other than the network equipment itself by inputting the article information from the input means and performing an Internet search. As a feature of the present invention, defect information, maintenance information, etc. can be notified by Internet search for products of other companies.

  Furthermore, if the use frequency, the number of times of use, the time of operation, the number of years of use, the operation time, the warranty period, the number of operation errors, and the contents of the operation error of the device are acquired by the input means 8 such as a wireless tag reader, FIG. Thus, the search interval and search keyword can be matched to the actual usage of the device.

  Further, by performing an Internet search for a plurality of devices and articles with different manufacturers, it is possible to detect an algorithm variation of the search WEB and reduce this influence. This will be described below.

For example, the number of search hits for Internet searches based on device information of network devices and the number of search hits for Internet searches based on food product information that is not related to network devices, both of which have changed significantly from the previous time This is considered that some change has been made to the search algorithm of the search WEB, and the detection means does not detect (store it). The detected result is not notified. This is because it is unlikely that the number of two unrelated search hits increased at the same time.

  In this way, the detecting means uses the Internet search search hit count that uses the device information that identifies the network device itself as a search term, and the Internet search that uses product information that is not related to the network device (for example, food information) as the search term. When the number of search hits shows a large change in comparison with the number of search hits, no detection or notification is made.

  This compares the number of search hits in the Internet search of the network device itself with the number of search hits in the Internet search for article information that is not related to the network device, and detects the change in the search algorithm of the search WEB. Can be removed.

  For this purpose, in order to select item information that is not related to the network device from a plurality of item information items, both the device information that identifies the network device itself and the item information are included in the search term, and an Internet search is performed. Use the item information with the fewest hits.

  For example, the number of search hits using the device information of the network device 1 and the product information of the food A as search terms. The number of search hits using the device information of the network device 1 and the product information of the food B as search words. By comparing these two search hit numbers, food with a small number of search hits can be considered as article information not related to the network device. If the article information input by the input means 8 increases, the article information not related to the network device 1 increases.

  Thereby, it is possible to detect the change of the search algorithm in the search WEB by selecting the item information most unrelated to the network device among the plurality of item information.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the network device may be a network device that omits the Internet search for the device information of the network device itself and searches only for the article information acquired from the communication unit or the input unit. For example, a search-only home server.

  Device information is acquired by connecting to white goods in a home via a wireless LAN, and article information is acquired from a food or non-electric appliance using a barcode or a wireless tag. These are detected and notified by searching the Internet at predetermined intervals. This may be, for example, a personal computer that is always connected to the network, a television, or a refrigerator connected to the Internet.

  Further, the present invention may be in the form of a software program that executes the network device of the first to fourth embodiments.

  That is, a software program for executing a method for searching for information on network devices connectable to the Internet, wherein device information for identifying the network devices themselves is transmitted to a search WEB on the Internet as a search phrase at a predetermined interval to search the Internet A search step for receiving the result of the above, a recording step for recording the number of search hits of the Internet search step, the search hit number exceeding a predetermined value, or the number of the search hits compared to the previous search A software program that causes a network device to execute an information search method including a detection step of detecting that an increase amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  Considering the nature of network equipment, hardware and software can be bought and sold in different forms like a personal computer. Since the present invention does not require the maker itself to prepare a server for inquiries and membership registration, it can be realized very easily in many devices if software is used to distribute programs utilizing the features of network devices.

  The present invention is not limited to household devices, business devices, fixed devices, and mobile devices, and any device that can be connected to the Internet can be used.

The figure which shows the system configuration | structure of Embodiment 1 of this invention. Operation flowchart of Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows the search result of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the source of the search result of Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the fluctuation | variation detection of the search hit number of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the detailed search result of Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the fluctuation | variation detection of another search hit number of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the setting of the search interval of Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the system configuration | structure of Embodiment 2 of this invention. Operation flowchart of Embodiment 2 of the present invention The figure which shows totaling and weighting of the search result of Embodiment 2 of this invention The figure which shows the system configuration | structure of Embodiment 3 of this invention. System configuration and operation flowchart of conventional patent document 2

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network equipment 4,41 Search means 5 Equipment information storage means 6 Search keyword storage means 7, 71 Search WEB setting storage means 8 Input means 9 Recording means 10 Detection means 11 Transfer means 12 Search WEB adjustment means 13 Write means 14 Communication means 20 Search WEB
21-27 Other WEB
30 WEB browsing means 40 home appliances 41 appliance information storage means for home appliances 42 communication means for home appliances 43 notification means for home appliances

Claims (20)

Search means for transmitting device information for specifying a device at a predetermined interval to a search WEB on the Internet and receiving a result of the Internet search by the search WEB in a network device connectable to the Internet, and the Internet search And a recording means for recording the number of search hits, and detecting that the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value, or that the amount of increase in the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value compared to the previous search. A network device provided with detection means. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the network device includes device information storage means for storing device information for specifying the network device itself, and the search means uses the device information as a search phrase. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the network device includes a communication unit that communicates with another device to acquire device information for specifying the other device, and the search unit uses the device information as a search term. The search means transmits the search terms to a plurality of search WEBs to perform an internet search, and the detection means performs a weighting operation on the search hit count for each search WEB, and totals the search hit counts. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the network device detects that the number of search hits is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or that the amount of increase in the number of search hits is equal to or greater than a predetermined value compared to a previous search. The search means transmits the search words to a plurality of search webs of three or more to perform an internet search, and the detection means performs a search by comparing the number of search hits of the internet search by the plurality of search webs. The network device according to claim 4, wherein when there is a search WEB in which the tendency of increase or decrease in the number of hits is different from other search WEBs, detection is performed by reducing the weight of the number of search hits. The search means transmits at least a part of the device information as a search term to a plurality of search webs, and the weighting setting of the search webs can be changed according to the number of search hits of each search web. The network device according to claim 4. When the detection means detects that the number of search hits recorded by the recording means exceeds a predetermined value or that the increase in the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value compared to the previous search The network device according to claim 1, wherein a detailed search is performed by limiting a period of the Internet search target, and at least a part of a result of the detailed search is notified. If the detection means detects that the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value or that the amount of increase in the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value compared to the previous search, at least the searched search 2. The network device according to claim 1, wherein writing is performed on a WEB site on the Internet including a phrase. In addition to the device information, the search phrase includes keywords related to device malfunction reports such as “inspection”, “repair”, “recovery”, “recall”, “notification”, “free of charge”, etc. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the search term is transmitted to the search WEB by designating a WEB site of a reporter, a WEB site of a news reporter, or a WEB site of a public institution. In addition to the device information, the search term includes device failure-related keywords such as “repair”, “failure”, “defective”, etc., and the search means specifies the WEB site written by the user for the Internet search target and The network device according to claim 1, wherein the search phrase is transmitted to a search WEB. The search terms include sales related keywords such as “sell”, “buy”, “auction”, “require”, in addition to the device information. The network device according to claim 1, wherein a site is designated and the search word / phrase is transmitted to the search WEB. The network device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a predetermined interval for the search by the search unit is changed according to the device information and a keyword of the search. The network device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the predetermined interval for the search by the search means is changed according to a use state of the device. The network device according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined interval searched by the search unit is made different according to at least one of the usage frequency and usage count, usage period, operation time, operation error count, and operation error content of the device. . The network device includes input means for inputting article information for specifying another article, and the search means transmits the article information as a search phrase to the Internet search WEB at a predetermined interval and receives an Internet search result. The recording unit records the number of search hits of the Internet search, and the detection unit determines that the number of search hits exceeds a predetermined value, or the amount of increase in the number of search hits is predetermined compared to the previous search. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the network device detects that the value exceeds a value. The detection means compares the number of search hits in the Internet search using the device information as a search term with the number of search hits in the Internet search using a search term as article information not related to the device, The network device according to claim 15, wherein when the number of hits shows a large change, no detection or notification is performed. In order to select item information that is not related to the device from a plurality of item information, the search term includes both one of the item information and device information that identifies the device itself, and performs an Internet search. The network device according to claim 16, wherein article information having a small number of hits is employed. In the apparatus which communicates with the said network apparatus of Claim 3,
Device information storage means for storing device information for identifying the device itself; communication means for transmitting the device information to the network device;
In the network device, as a result of performing an Internet search at a predetermined interval using the received device information as a search phrase, the search hit number is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or the number of search hits compared to the previous Internet search A device provided with a notification means for receiving and notifying the detection result from the network device when it is detected that the increase amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. An information search method for a network device connectable to the Internet, wherein a search step of transmitting device information for specifying a device at a predetermined interval as a search term to an Internet search WEB and receiving a result of the Internet search by the search WEB And a recording step for recording the number of search hits in the Internet search step, and that the number of search hits is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or the increase in the number of search hits is greater than or equal to a predetermined value compared to the previous search. A network device information retrieval method comprising a detection step for detecting the occurrence of a failure. A software program for executing an information search method for a network device connectable to the Internet, wherein device information for specifying a device is transmitted at a predetermined interval as a search phrase to an Internet search WEB, and the Internet search by the search WEB is performed. A search step for receiving a result, a recording step for recording the number of search hits in the Internet search step, an increase in the number of search hits compared to the previous search, or the search hit number exceeds a predetermined value A software program for causing a network device to execute an information search method including a detection step of detecting that the amount has reached a predetermined value or more.