JP2020080482A - Network system, information processing method, communication terminal, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of safely and easily controlling an electric device from a communication terminal.SOLUTION: A network system 1 includes a first server 300B that receives registration of a usage condition regarding an electric device 100, a second server 300A that controls the electric device, and a communication terminal 200 that requests an authentication key for controlling the electric device from the first server, obtains the authentication key from the first server when the usage condition is met, and controls the electric device through the second server by using the authentication key.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an electric device from a communication terminal.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique of registering electric devices to various services via a network is known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-32917 (Patent Document 1) discloses a network system, an information processing method, a server, electric equipment, a communication terminal, and a program. According to Patent Document 1, at least one electrical device connected to a LAN, a communication terminal for selectively displaying at least one electrical device connected to the LAN, and selection of at least one electrical device for the communication terminal A network system is provided that includes a server for performing a predetermined process relating to a selected electric device and a communication terminal based on an instruction.

JP, 2008-32917, A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a person who is not a device owner to safely and easily control an electric device from a communication terminal.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a first server for accepting registration of usage conditions regarding an electric device, a second server for controlling the electric device, and an authentication key for controlling the electric device as a first server. A communication terminal for requesting the server, obtaining an authentication key from the first server when the usage conditions are satisfied, and controlling the electric device via the second server using the authentication key. A network system is provided that comprises:

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a technique by which a person who is not a device owner can safely and easily control an electric device from a communication terminal.

It is an image figure showing the whole network system 1 composition concerning a 1st embodiment. It is an image figure which shows the operation|movement outline|summary of the network system 1 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the electric device 100 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication terminal 200 according to the first exemplary embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing information processing of the communication terminal 200 according to the first embodiment. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server 300 according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. It is an image figure which shows the use condition data 321 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows the use condition data 321B concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows the whole structure of the network system 1 concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows the group data 322 concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows the use condition data 321C concerning 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
<First Embodiment>
<Overall configuration of network system>

  First, a simple overall configuration of a network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The network system 1 mainly owns an electric device 100 arranged in an accommodation facility, a conference room for rent, an office, a home, etc., a communication terminal 200A owned by a user who intends to use the electric device 100, and the electric device 100. A communication terminal 200B owned by an owner who manages and manages the device, a device control server 300A for controlling the electric device 100 in accordance with an instruction from the communication terminal 200A, and reception and control of registration of a use condition of the electric device 100. An authorization server 300B for issuing a token for use is included.

  Note that the electric equipment is not limited to the robot 100A, the cleaner 100B, the microwave oven 100C, and the air conditioner 100D as shown in FIG. It may be an AV (audio/visual) device, a solar power generator, an intercom, a housing facility such as a water heater, or the like. These devices are also collectively referred to as an electric device 100.

Further, the communication terminal is not limited to the smartphones 200A and 200B as shown in FIG. 2, but may be a tablet, a personal computer, a speaker, a wearable terminal, a robot, a game machine, an electronic book terminal, or the like. Also collectively referred to as communication terminal 200.
<Outline of network system operation>

  Next, an outline of the operation of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. First, the owner of the electric device 100 uses the communication terminal 200B to register the usage conditions for the target electric device 100 in the authorization server 300B. The same steps in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate the same processing.

  First, the owners of the plurality of electric devices 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D arranged in a room use the communication terminal 200B to register the usage conditions of each of the plurality of electric devices 100 in the authorization server 300B (step S1). The usage conditions include, for example, a usable time zone for each of the plurality of electric devices 100, a usable deadline, a usable control command, a usable mode, usable setting information, and usable user attributes. Register etc.

  Next, when the user enters the room or the like, the user inputs information regarding the electric device 100 to be used this time into the communication terminal 200A (step S2). For example, the user uses the communication terminal 200A to search for the electric device 100 placed in the room via the WiFi (registered trademark) router 400 to obtain information on the electric device 100, or the electric device 100. The information described on the sticker attached to the label or the information described in the instruction manual of the electric device 100 is input to the communication terminal 200A, the beacon transmitted by the electric device 100 is received by the communication terminal 200A, or the communication terminal 200A By reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the sticker attached to the electric device 100 by using the information, the communication terminal 200 can obtain information about the electric device 100 to be controlled this time, for example, the ID or the product of the electric device 100. Names, model numbers, types of control commands, usage conditions set by the device owner, etc. are input.

  The communication terminal 200A accesses the device control server 300A for controlling the electric device 100 based on the address included in the acquired information, and acquires the information for remotely controlling the electric device 100. Alternatively, communication terminal 200 downloads an application program for controlling electric device 100 based on the acquired information. Alternatively, in step S2, the communication terminal 200A also directly acquires information for remotely controlling the electric device 100 from the electric device 100.

  The communication terminal 200A transmits information for controlling the electric device 100 to the device control server 300A based on an instruction from the user (step S3). The device control server 300A requests the communication terminal 200A for a token for controlling the electric device 100. It should be noted that this token may be valid only for the current control command, or may be valid for a plurality of control commands for the electric device 100 over a predetermined period.

  Further, at this time, the device control server 300A requests the authorization server 300B for identification information corresponding to the control command, for example, information necessary for the authorization server 300B to specify the usage condition of the electric device 100, The identification information may be provided to the communication terminal 200A.

  The communication terminal 200A transmits the identification information and requests the authorization server 300B for a token for controlling the electric device 100 (step S4). The authorization server 300B determines whether or not the registered use condition is satisfied, based on the combination of the electric device 100 to be controlled and the current control command. When the registered use condition is satisfied, the authorization server 300B provides the communication terminal 200A with a token that allows the communication terminal 200A to perform control. If the usage conditions are not satisfied, the communication terminal 200A is requested to satisfy additional information, such as a login ID and password for the authentication system, answers to questionnaires, and information necessary for the billing system. Such steps may be included. If the request cannot be satisfied, the authorization server 300B returns to the communication terminal 200A an error notification that the current control command for the electric device 100 is not accepted.

  When the communication terminal 200A normally receives the token from the authorization server 300B, the communication terminal 200A transmits the token to the device control server 300A (step S5). The device control server 300A controls the electric device 100 based on the token and the control command from the user. The device control server 300A may confirm with the authorization server 300B whether the token is valid.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the owner of electric device 100 can set the use condition of electric device 100, so that the remote control of electric device 100 is safe, and the use of electric device 100 is safe. Since the person can easily control the electric device 100 by using the communication terminal 200A, remote control of the electric device 100 becomes easier than ever before. Hereinafter, a configuration for realizing such a function will be described in detail.
<Structure of electric device 100>

  Next, the configuration of the electric device 100 that constitutes the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 3, electric device 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment has a CPU 110, a memory 120, a display 130, an operation unit 140, a communication interface 160, a speaker 170, and a microphone 180 as main components. , And a device driving unit 190.

  The CPU 110 controls each unit of the electric device 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 120 or an external storage medium.

  The memory 120 may be realized by various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), various types of ROM (Read-Only Memory), etc., and may be included in the electric device 100, or may be used as various interfaces of the electric device 100. The recording medium may be removable or may be a recording medium of another device accessible from the electric device 100. The memory 120 is a program executed by the CPU 110, data generated by the execution of the program by the CPU 110, data input via the operation unit 140, data received from a remote controller, and from the server 300 via the router 400 or the Internet. The received data, the information such as the address of the server corresponding to the electric device 100, and other information necessary for using various services are stored.

  The display 130 outputs characters, images, and the like based on the signal from the CPU 210. The display 130 may simply be an LED light or the like.

  The operation unit 140 is realized by buttons, a touch panel, and the like, receives an instruction from the user, and inputs the instruction to the CPU 110. The display 130 and the operation unit 140 may form the touch panel 150.

  The communication interface 160 is realized by a communication module such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The communication interface 160 exchanges data with other devices such as the device control server 300A and the router 400 by wire communication or wireless communication. That is, the CPU 110 transmits various kinds of information to other devices via the communication interface 160, and conversely receives various kinds of information from other devices.

  The speaker 170 outputs a voice message or the like based on the voice data from the CPU 110. The microphone 180 acquires a user's voice or the like and inputs voice data to the CPU 110.

The device drive unit 190 controls each unit (motor, heater, antenna, etc.) of the electric device 100 based on a signal from the CPU 110. For example, with respect to the microwave oven 100C, the device driving unit 190 may be an antenna or a rotary table for cooking, and with respect to the air conditioner 100D, it may be a compressor or a wind direction changing mechanism.
<Structure of communication terminal 200>

  Next, the configuration of the communication terminal 200 configuring the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 4, communication terminal 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment has, as main components, CPU 210, memory 220, display 230, operation unit 240, communication interface 260, speaker 270, and microphone 280. Including and

  The CPU 210 controls each unit of the communication terminal 200 by executing the program stored in the memory 220. For example, the CPU 210 executes the processing shown in FIG.

  The memory 220 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, and the like. The memory 220 identifies an application program for various services, data generated by execution of programs by the CPU 210, data received from the server 300, data input via the operation unit 240, and a user of the communication terminal 200. Information for storing the information.

  The display 230 displays an image or text based on the data from the CPU 210. The operation unit 240 includes a pointing device, a switch, and the like, and inputs various commands from the user to the CPU 210. The user terminal may have the touch panel 250 including the display 230 and the operation unit 240.

  The communication interface 260 transmits/receives data to/from other devices such as the server 300 and the electric device 100 via the Internet, a carrier network, the router 400, or the like.

The speaker 270 outputs sound based on the signal from the CPU 210. The microphone 280 acquires a voice and inputs a voice signal to the CPU 210.
<Information processing by communication terminal 200>

  Next, information processing in the communication terminal 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 210 of communication terminal 200 executes the following processing according to the control program of memory 220. It is preferable that the communication terminal 200 can download and install the control program via the Internet or the like.

  First, when the CPU 210 receives a search command for the electric device 100 from the user via the operation unit 240, the CPU 210 searches for the electric device 100 using the WiFi (registered trademark) communication via the communication interface 260 (step). S102). At this time, the CPU 210 preferably acquires the address of the device control server 300A for each electric device 100.

  The CPU 210 displays the detected electric device 100 in a selectable manner (step S104).

  When CPU 210 receives the selection command for electric device 100 (step S106), CPU 210 downloads an application program for operating electric device 100 via communication interface 260 (step S108). However, the CPU 210 may obtain information regarding an operation on the electric device 100 from the electric device 100 or the device control server 300A via the communication interface 260, and display the operation screen by the control program.

  The CPU 210 displays an operation screen on the display 230 and receives an operation command from the user (step S110). The CPU 210 transmits a control command corresponding to the current operation command to the device control server 300A via the communication interface 260 (step S112).

  When the device control server 300A requests the token for the control command from the device control server 300A (YES in step S114), the CPU 210 requests the authorization server 300B via the communication interface 260 for the token indicating the permission of the remote control. Yes (step S116).

  When the authorization server 300B confirms that the control command, the usage time, and the like satisfy the previously registered usage conditions, the CPU 210 can receive the token from the authorization server 300B (YES in step S118). If). The CPU 210 transmits the token related to the control command to the device control server 300A via the communication interface 260 (step S120).

  When it is not confirmed that the usage condition is satisfied, the CPU 210 receives the disapproval notice from the authorization server 300B (in the case of NO in step S118), and the operation command of this time is normally displayed on the display 230. An error notification indicating that the request has not been accepted is sent (step S122).

CPU210 complete|finishes this process, when operation with respect to the selected electric equipment 100 is complete|finished (when it is YES in step S124), and when that is not right (when it is NO in step S124), step The process from S104 is repeated. If not (NO in step S124), the CPU 210 may repeat the process from another step such as step S110, not limited to the process from step S104.
<Hardware configuration of server 300>

  Next, one aspect of the configurations of the device control server 300A and the authorization server 300B that configure the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 6, server 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310, a memory 320, an operation unit 340, and a communication interface 360 as main components.

  The CPU 310 controls each unit of the server 300 by executing a program stored in the memory 320.

  The memory 320 is realized by various types of RAM, various types of ROM, and the like, and may be included in the server 300, removable from various interfaces of the server 300, or the server 300. It may be a recording medium of another device accessible from. The memory 320 stores a program executed by the CPU 310, data generated by execution of the program by the CPU 310, input data, and a database used for other processes and services according to the present embodiment.

  For example, as to the authorization server 300B, usage condition data 321 is stored as shown in FIG. The usage condition data 321 stores, for each registered usage condition, a correspondence relationship between a condition ID, identification information of the target electric device 100, and detailed contents of the usage condition, and the like.

  The operation unit 340 receives an instruction from a service administrator or the like and inputs the instruction to the CPU 310.

  The communication interface 360 transmits the data from the CPU 310 to other devices such as the electric device 100, the communication terminal 200, and other servers via the Internet, the carrier network, the router 400, and the like. Conversely, the communication interface 360 receives data from the electric device 100, the communication terminal 200, and other devices such as other servers via the Internet, a carrier network, a router, and the like, and transfers the data to the CPU 310.

  As a result, regarding the device control server 300A, the CPU 310 transmits a control command to the target electric device 100 via the communication interface 360 based on a control command or a token from the user's communication terminal 200A.

Regarding the authorization server 300B, the CPU 310 accepts the usage condition for each electric device 100 from the communication terminal 200B of the owner of the electric device 100 via the communication interface 360, and registers the usage condition data 321 in the memory 320. To do. Then, the CPU 310 accepts a control command or identification information for each electric device 100 from the user's communication terminal 200A via the communication interface 360, and refers to the usage condition data 321 of the memory 320 to use the control command. It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied. When the usage condition is satisfied, the CPU 310 returns the token corresponding to the control command to the communication terminal 200A of the user. When the usage condition is not satisfied, the CPU 310 returns an error notification to the communication terminal 200A of the user.
<Second Embodiment>

  The usage condition is not limited to the content of the control command, the expiration date, and the like, but may be the attribute of the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, in the use condition data 321B used by the authorization server 300B, for each use condition registered, a condition ID, identification information of the target electric device 100, and a user attribute. And the correspondence between the usage conditions and the contents of the usage conditions may be stored.

In this case, in step S4 of FIG. 1 or step S112 of FIG. 5, the communication terminal 200A of the user determines the attribute of the user, the information for identifying the service to which the user subscribes, and the like, the authorization server 300B. Send to. Then, the CPU 310 of the authorization server 300B refers to the usage condition data 321B or makes an inquiry to the server of another service, and the like, and information for identifying the attribute of the user and the service to which the user subscribes. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the usage condition is satisfied.
<Third Embodiment>

  When the network system 1 is used for accommodation services, rental conference room services, etc., it is convenient if the owner can set usage conditions for each room in step S1 or the like.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, an accommodation service server 300C or the like may be prepared. As shown in FIG. 10, in the server 300C, group data 322 storing the identification information of the group for specifying the accommodation room, the facility used, and the like, and the correspondence relationship between the plurality of electric devices 100 arranged therein. Is memorized. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, in the use condition data 321C used in the authorization server 300B, the condition ID and the target accommodation room or use facility are specified for each use condition registered. Correspondence between the identification information of the group and the content of the usage condition may be stored.

  In this case, in step S4 of FIG. 1 or step S112 of FIG. 5, the communication terminal 200A of the user, the control command for the electric device 100, and the identification information for specifying the accommodation room or the facility used by the user. And are transmitted to the authorization server 300B. Then, the CPU 310 of the authorization server 300B refers to the use condition data 321C and determines whether or not the use condition associated with each accommodation room or each use facility is satisfied.

Thereby, the manager of the accommodation facility or the like can easily set the expiration date and the usage level of the plurality of electric devices 100 for each room.
<Fourth Embodiment>

Other devices may perform part or all of the roles of the respective devices of the network system 1 of the above embodiment. For example, even if another device plays a part or all of each role of the electric device 100, the communication terminal 200, the server 300, and the router 400, or a part or all of each role is played by a plurality of devices. Good.
<Summary>

  In the above-described embodiment, the first server for accepting registration of the usage condition of the electric device, the second server for controlling the electric device, and the first authentication key for controlling the electric device are the first server. A communication terminal for requesting the server, obtaining an authentication key from the first server when the usage conditions are satisfied, and controlling the electric device via the second server using the authentication key. A network system is provided that comprises:

  Preferably, the communication terminal obtains information about the electric device from the electric device, and accesses the first and second servers based on the information.

  Preferably, the usage condition includes a period during which the electric device can be controlled.

  Preferably, the network system includes a plurality of electric devices. The plurality of electric devices are associated with the facility or room in which they are arranged. Usage conditions are set for each facility or room.

  Preferably, when the usage condition is not satisfied, the first server provides the communication terminal with the authentication key by receiving a predetermined input.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first server receives the registration of the usage conditions for the electric device, the communication terminal requests the first server for an authentication key for controlling the electric device, When the usage conditions are satisfied, the first server provides the communication terminal with the authentication key, and the communication terminal uses the authentication key to control the electric device via the second server. An information processing method including:

  In the above-described embodiment, a communication interface for communicating with the first and second servers, and a request for an authentication key for controlling an electric device from the first server by using the communication interface, There is provided a communication terminal, comprising: a processor for obtaining an authentication key from a first server when the usage condition is satisfied, and controlling the electric device via the second server using the authentication key. It

  In the above embodiment, a program for a communication terminal including a communication interface and a processor is provided. The program uses the communication interface to request the authentication key for controlling the electric device from the first server, and to obtain the authentication key from the first server when the usage condition is satisfied. And a step of controlling the electric device via the second server using the authentication key.

  The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1: Network system 100: Electric device 100A: Robot 100B: Vacuum cleaner 100C: Microwave oven 100D: Air conditioner 110: CPU
120: Memory 130: Display 140: Operation part 150: Touch panel 160: Communication interface 170: Speaker 180: Microphone 190: Device drive part 200: Communication terminal 200A: Smartphone 200B: Smartphone 210: CPU
220: Memory 230: Display 240: Operation part 250: Touch panel 260: Communication interface 270: Speaker 280: Microphone 300: Server 300A: Device control server 300B: Authorization server 300C: Server 310: CPU
320: Memory 321: Usage condition data 321B: Usage condition data 321C: Usage condition data 322: Group data 340: Operation unit 360: Communication interface 400: Router

Claims (8)

A first server for accepting registration of conditions of use for electrical equipment;
A second server for controlling the electric device;
An authentication key for controlling the electric device is requested from the first server, the authentication key is acquired from the first server when the usage condition is satisfied, and the authentication key is used to acquire the authentication key. And a communication terminal for controlling the electric device via a second server.   The network system according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal accesses the second server based on the information by obtaining information about the electric device from the electric device.   The network system according to claim 1, wherein the usage condition includes a period during which the electric device can be controlled. Including multiple electrical devices,
The plurality of electric devices are associated with a facility or room in which they are arranged,
The network system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the use condition is set for each facility or room.   The network according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first server provides the authentication key to the communication terminal by accepting a predetermined operation when the usage condition is not satisfied. system. A step in which the first server accepts registration of usage conditions regarding the electric device;
A communication terminal requesting an authentication key for controlling the electric device from the first server;
The first server providing the authentication key to the communication terminal when the usage condition is satisfied;
The communication terminal controls the electric device via the second server using the authentication key. A communication interface for communicating with the first and second servers,
By using the communication interface, the authentication key for controlling the electric device is requested to the first server, and when the usage condition is satisfied, the authentication key is acquired from the first server, A processor for controlling the electric device via the second server using the authentication key, and a communication terminal. A program for a communication terminal having a communication interface and a processor,
Requesting an authentication key for controlling an electric device from the first server by using the communication interface;
Obtaining an authentication key from the first server when the usage condition is satisfied,
Controlling the electric device via the second server using the authentication key, and a program for causing the processor to execute.