JP2011142603A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a method of effectively and surely notifying information to a consumer in a device closely related to everyday life is required and it is necessary to promptly and efficiently respond to and deal with consumers. <P>SOLUTION: A communication system includes: a device 3 storing therein at least a manufacturer code, a serial number, a machine type code and a manufacturing country; a device adapter 6 having a detection means for detecting radio waves transmitted from a plurality of base stations 1 and a transmitting/receiving means for wirelessly communicating information; a base station transmitting/receiving means 7; and a server 9, wherein the device adapter has a determination means 10 for determining, when control request information of a recall target device from the base station transmitting/receiving means of a control terminal is received, whether to execute an information notification to the device in accordance with the control request information and when a consumer operates the device, the information notification to the recall target device is controlled by the determination means. The system notifies at least a serial number, a contact home page, a barcode and information for dealing with recall reception to a notification section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for distributing information by a device adapter having transmission / reception means for detecting radio waves transmitted from a plurality of base stations connected to each device and wirelessly communicating information.

  In recent years, products shipped from manufacturers have experienced product safety problems due to deterioration over time, and manufacturers are required to respond quickly to consumers and to notify and collect information on the use of such products. It is coming. At present, as a method to deal with this, communication from the store where the device was sold, commercial broadcast of the mass media, and the owner of the personal computer are done by the WEB technology of the Internet or a notification method using newspaper magazines, etc. .

  In addition, for devices compatible with the network, a method of notifying via the Internet from a manufacturer's dedicated server is also provided. Devices equipped with such functions connected to the Internet are standard on devices with a large amount of information transmission, such as televisions and personal computers. However, devices that are close to daily life such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners are connected to the Internet. Communication means such as are not incorporated.

  The reason for this is that these close-to-life devices have a large-scale, high-priced, and cumbersome system, such as a personal computer or dedicated information terminal device installed in the house, and contracts with Internet service providers. However, the spread of cost-effectiveness did not progress.

  In addition, networks that connect devices directly to the Internet have traditionally started with ADSL lines and telephone lines as communication media. With the evolution of ADSL lines, cable TV, optical lines, and media technologies, The need to purchase and set up devices and routers was not appropriate for life-oriented devices.

  Thus, as a management of electrical equipment, a method is shown in which an IC tag is provided in the equipment and the equipment is managed from the time of installation instead of the management of paper information. And what manages the maintenance, repair, maintenance, etc. of an apparatus by the information from the IC tag provided in the apparatus is also disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2008-102696 A

  However, once a consumer-oriented device is once sold and installed to a consumer, when that device becomes a device subject to product safety, it requires considerable effort to grasp it. The customer information from the warranty card attached to the device cannot be grasped entirely. The IC tag attached to the device is based on the magnetic field coupling technology, and the tag reader for reading is not brought into contact with the device. The information from the device cannot be read, and it is troublesome to read the tag reader when it is installed near the ceiling such as an air conditioner. In addition, when notifying the product safety problem target to devices connected directly to the network via the Internet network or wireless networks such as mobile phones, Depending on the time of day, there are issues that cannot be effectively notified when it becomes annoying or when the consumer is absent. Even if you notify the consumer of product safety issues through mass media and accept calls from consumers via toll-free numbers, the serial number attached to the device itself must be used for confirmation to the consumer. The model label is located in an extremely difficult place on the installed device body, which is extremely troublesome for consumers, and there is also a problem that it takes time to confirm the product safety target device on the manufacturer side. In addition, when the manufacturer announces the recall target device with mass media, etc., the consumer is most likely to contact the manufacturer's recall center by telephone, and it is difficult to connect to the recall center's telephone line at the notification stage. However, there was a problem that consumer dissatisfaction increased.

  In addition, after contacting the manufacturer's recall center, consumers sometimes want to know the status of repairs, and there were issues with calling the recall center many times, such as when to perform repairs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and includes at least a maker code, a serial number, a model code, and a country of manufacture, and a plurality of base stations connected to the device. Device adapter having detection means for detecting transmitted radio waves and transmission / reception means for wirelessly communicating information, control terminal connected to base station and having base station transmission / reception means, location of base station and control terminal and associated string When the device adapter receives the control request information of the recall target device from the base station transmission / reception means of the control terminal, the device adapter notifies the recall target device whether the control request information matches the device. Control unit that controls whether to recall information on the device based on the determination unit when the consumer operates the device. In a communication system that, at least serial number to the notification unit, contact home page address, which is a system for notifying a two-dimensional bar code.

  As a result, the control request information from the base station matches the information held by the device by the device adapter determination means, and when the consumer performs some operation on the device, the device is notified of the recall target device information, The notification unit is notified of the contact number of the contact center of the recall center, the URL, and the contact information by a two-dimensional barcode that can be read by a mobile phone.

  In addition, after the consumer contacts the contact point notified to the notification unit, the notification unit is notified of the progress of the reception status for the recall and the repair date of the recall target device.

  In this way, according to the present invention, if the control request information from the base station matches the information held by the device by the device adapter determination means, the information is notified to the device. If it is an applicable device, the consumer will be notified directly of the recall information when operating the device itself, so it is possible to communicate information reliably without giving an unpleasant impression compared to the notification through mass media that has never existed before. This makes it possible to speed up the collection of devices, eliminates unnecessary inquiries from consumers to the recall center, and provides a sense of security for repairing the recalled devices.

The block diagram which shows an example which comprised the communication system in Embodiment 1 which becomes an example of this invention The flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement sequence of the communication system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the air-conditioner in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows an example of the television in Embodiment 1 of this invention The block diagram which shows an example which comprised the communication system in Embodiment 1 which becomes an example of this invention The flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement sequence of the communication system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the television in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows an example of the television in Embodiment 1 of this invention

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device that stores at least a manufacturer code, a serial number, a model code, and a country of manufacture, a detection unit that is connected to the device and detects radio waves transmitted from a plurality of base stations, and information by wireless communication A device adapter having a transmission / reception means for controlling, a control terminal connected to the base station and having a base station transmission / reception means, and a server connected in association with the location of the base station and the control terminal. When receiving the control request information of the recall target device from the base station transmission / reception means, it has a determination means that determines whether the control request information matches the device or performs information notification of the recall target device. When a person performs some operation on the device, the device is configured to execute control of the recall target device based on the determination means. Thus, if the control request information from the base station matches the information held by the device by the device adapter determination means, the device is notified of the recall information when the consumer performs some operation on the device.

  Then, after the control of the information notification to the recall target device is performed by the device, the information about the recall target device is notified from the device when the consumer performs some operation on the device. The contact number of the contact center of the recall center, the URL, and the contact information by a two-dimensional barcode that can be read by a mobile phone are notified. As a result, the consumer can select a plurality of access methods to the manufacturer's recall center, and the manufacturer can easily confirm the recall target device when contacting the consumer.

  In the second aspect of the invention, the consumer contacts the manufacturer's contact information notified to the notification unit, and after the registration processing by the manufacturer's recall reception registration means, the recall reception registration means notifies the reception status and the recall handling processing date. It is set as the structure alert | reported to a part.

  Thus, after the consumer contacts the contact point notified to the notification unit, the notification unit is notified of the progress of the reception status for the recall and the repair date of the recall target device, and the recall reception status and repair The date and time of correspondence can be grasped.

  The third invention is a program for executing at least a part of the functions of the communication system by a computer. Accordingly, since it is a program, at least a part of the communication system of the present invention can be easily realized by cooperating hardware resources such as an electric / information device, a computer, and a server. In addition, the program can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the communication system in the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1a to 1c are base stations, 2 is a consumer building, 3 is equipment, 4 is detection means for detecting radio waves transmitted from the base station, 5 is transmission / reception means for wirelessly communicating information, 6 Is a device adapter composed of 4 to 5, 7a to 7c are base station transmission / reception means connected to the base stations 1a to 1c, 8a to 8c are control terminals for controlling the base station transmission / reception means 7a to 7c, and 9a to 9c Is a server connected to each control terminal, 10 is provided in the device adapter 6, and when control request information of the recall target device is received from the base station transmitting / receiving means 7a to 7c of the control terminals 8a to 8c, Determining means for determining whether the information matches the device or the information notification of the recall target device is executed, 11 is a control unit of the device adapter, 12 is a notification unit provided in the device adapter, 13 is the device adapter 6 and the device 3 A communication I / F unit that communicates information between them, 14 is a device control unit that performs information notification from the device adapter 6 and controls the device 3, and 15 is at least the manufacturer code, serial number, and model code of the device 3 Reference numeral 16 denotes a storage unit that stores the country of manufacture, and 16 is a notification unit provided in the device 3. Reference numerals 18a to 18c denote a manufacturer code, a manufacturing number, a model code, a manufacturing country, a device ID number, a power value of a radio wave received at a plurality of base stations, an ID code of a device adapter of a transmission / reception means, and a wireless identification code The database storage means for storing the registered time stamp, and 19a to 19c are communication means capable of accessing each server via the Internet. As for the frequency band of wireless communication, specific low-power radios in the 280 MHz band, 400 MHz, and 950 MHz band that can propagate with a low power consumption and a line-of-sight distance of Km are effective, and the communication I / F unit 13 is optimal for it. The antenna is configured.

  First, an example in which information (for example, notification of device recall information) is transmitted from the base station to the device will be described. In this case, information is transmitted from a plurality of base stations 1a to 1c by adding a manufacturer code, a manufacturing number, a model code, and a manufacturing country, which are information on the corresponding device. By transmitting from the plurality of base stations 1a to 1c, the certainty of reception of the device adapter 6 mounted on the corresponding device is improved.

  In addition, the device adapter 6 checks the manufacturer code, the serial number, the model code, the country of manufacture, etc. stored in the storage unit 15 of the device 3 with respect to the recall target device information from a plurality of base stations. If the determination unit 10 matches the device, the control unit 11 of the device adapter 6 communicates information notification of the device to be recalled (device recall information) to the device 3, and the consumer Is notified by the notification unit 16 of the device 3. As a method of the notification unit 16, the device 3 is provided with an LED and blinks, an alarm is notified by a buzzer, a character is displayed by a dot liquid crystal, and a voice synthesis IC “the life of the device is approaching. Please give me a notice. As a result, compared with the notification by the conventional mass media, it is possible to improve the effectiveness and certainty to consumers.

  Next, an operation flow will be described with reference to FIG. First, recall target device information is distributed from the server (S21), and transmitted through a route of information terminal → a plurality of base stations → base station transmission / reception means.

  The detection means 4 of the transmission / reception means 5 of the device adapter 6 intermittently senses the radio wave (S22), and after receiving the radio wave, inquires the device 3 of the recall target device information (S23), the base station It is determined by the determination means 10 whether the device information (for example, the manufacturing number) matches the recall target device information (manufacturer code, manufacturing number, model code, manufacturing country, etc.) (S24). In step S24, if there is a match, the recall target device information is transmitted to the device (S25). After the consumer triggers some operation on the device (S26), the notification is provided on the notification unit 16 provided in the device 3 (S27). . In addition, you may alert | report by the alerting | reporting part 12 of the apparatus adapter 6 instead of the alerting | reporting part 16 provided in the apparatus 3. FIG.

  Then, after the device performs control of information notification to the recall target device, the notification unit notifies the contact number by the serial number that can be read by the manufacturing number, the contact number of the recall center, the URL, and the mobile phone. I have. As a result, the consumer can select a plurality of access methods to the manufacturer's recall center, and the manufacturer can easily confirm the recall target device when contacting the consumer.

  As an example of the device 3, a mode suitable for an air conditioner or a television will be described.

  In FIG. 3, the serial number is shown on the notification unit on the remote controller 30 of the air conditioner communicating with the air conditioner 3. When the consumer operates the air conditioner remote control, if the air conditioner is a recall target device, it is displayed on the notification unit screen of the air conditioner remote control 30. In the case of confirmation from the manufacturer, the consumer can simply confirm by reporting the serial number displayed on the remote controller of the air conditioner. Further, a contact number, URL, and two-dimensional barcode are switched and displayed on the air conditioner remote control using the air conditioner remote control button after the serial number to display a plurality of contacts.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a television. The serial number is indicated on the TV notification unit (screen) by the TV remote control 32 communicating with the TV 31. When the consumer operates the television remote control 32, if the television is a device to be recalled, it is displayed on the television screen. In the case of confirmation from the manufacturer, the consumer can simply confirm by reporting the serial number displayed on the screen of the television.

  In addition, a production number, a contact phone number, a URL, and a two-dimensional bar code are displayed on a television screen to display a plurality of contacts.

  Therefore, when the consumer cannot make a telephone contact, the consumer can make a plurality of accesses by reading the two-dimensional barcode with a personal computer or a mobile phone, and can make a quick contact.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the communication system in the second embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. In FIG. 5, the consumer accepts the recall of the manufacturer or the like via the Internet by reading the manufacturer's contact information notified to the notification unit, the URL of the personal computer 19a to 19c, or the two-dimensional barcode reading of the mobile phone. When registration processing is performed by the registration means 20a to 20c, the recall reception registration means, in response to personnel at the repair service center (not shown) of the manufacturer, accepts the reception status and the recall response via the base station transmission / reception means 7a to 7C. The processing date is notified to the notification unit.

  Next, an operation flow will be described with reference to FIGS. First, recall acceptance information is distributed from the server (S31), and is transmitted through a route of information terminal → a plurality of base stations → base station transmission / reception means.

  The detection means 4 of the transmission / reception means 5 of the device adapter 6 intermittently senses the radio wave (S32), and after receiving the radio wave, inquires the device 3 of the recall target device information (S33), the base station The determination means 10 determines whether the device information (for example, the manufacturing number) matches the recall target device information (manufacturer code, manufacturing number, model code, manufacturing country, etc.) (S34). In step S34, if it matches, the recall target device information is transmitted to the device (S35), and after the consumer triggers some operation on the device (S36), the notification unit 16 provided in the device 3 notifies the device (S37). . In addition, you may alert | report by the alerting | reporting part 12 of the apparatus adapter 6 instead of the alerting | reporting part 16 provided in the apparatus 3. FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows that the manufacturer is in the process of arranging a service person on the television screen as a notification unit, and FIG. 8 shows the day of visiting the manufacturer's service person. When specifying the visit date and time, if the consumer contacts the manufacturer via phone, the URL of the personal computer, or the mobile phone, if the consumer's desired date is notified in advance, the desired date will be handled. It becomes possible to confirm that.

  In this way, after the consumer has contacted the manufacturer, it will be possible to check the reception status of the recall as appropriate to the notification unit, giving consumers a sense of security, and for inquiries regarding the date and time of recall support. It is possible to save unnecessary communication.

  As described above, according to the present invention, if the recall notification control information from the base station matches the information held by the device by the device adapter determination means, the information is notified to the device. If the device is an applicable device, the device itself directly notifies the consumer of the information, so that the collection of the device can be made much faster compared to the notification through the mass media that has never existed before. Since it is configured to notify when it is operated, it is possible to achieve a communication system that can effectively and reliably improve the consumer and can respond to various information notification requests.

  In addition, the present invention attaches to the main body of the device when confirming with the consumer, even if the consumer is notified by telephone toll-free after notifying the consumer of the product safety problem model through mass media. By displaying the serial number that is currently displayed on the notification unit, it is possible to confirm without any troublesome work for the consumer, and it is possible to speed up the response to the quality problem of the device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to recover the device far more quickly than the notification through the mass media that has not been used in the past, and various kinds of devices that do not make consumers feel uncomfortable effectively and reliably. A communication system that provides information notification and a sense of security to consumers can be realized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a-1c Base station 3 Equipment 4 Detection means 5 Transmission / reception means 6 Equipment adapter 7a-7c Base station transmission / reception means 8a-8c Control terminal 9a-9c Server 10 Judgment means 12 Reporting part
13 Communication I / F unit 16 Notification unit 19a to 19c Communication unit 20a to 20c Recall reception registration unit

Claims (3)

A device storing at least a manufacturer code, a serial number, a model code, and a country of manufacture; a detecting unit connected to the device for detecting radio waves transmitted from a plurality of base stations; and a transmitting / receiving unit for wirelessly communicating information A control terminal connected to the base station and having a base station transmission / reception means, and a server connected in association with the location of the base station and the control terminal, the device adapter being a base of the control terminal When receiving control request information of recall target information from a station transmission / reception means, the control request information has a determination means for determining whether the control request information matches the device or to perform information notification of the recall target device, In a communication system that executes control of information notification of a recall target device based on the determination means when a consumer operates the device, Equipment, after the control execution information notification to recall the target device, at least the manufacturing number to the notification unit, contacts homepage address, a communication system for notifying a two-dimensional bar code. The consumer contacts the contact information of the manufacturer notified to the notification unit, and after the registration process by the recall reception registration unit of the manufacturer, the previous-year recall reception registration unit notifies the notification unit of the reception status and the recall handling processing date. The communication system according to claim 1. A program for causing a computer to execute part or all of the functions of the communication system according to claim 1.

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