JP2021144513A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication system capable of ensuring security when users change.SOLUTION: A communication system includes an IoT apparatus, an external server, and an information terminal that can communicate with each other via a network. The IoT apparatus has one piece of authentication information for connecting to the external server, and when receiving a request to connect to the external server using authentication information different from the one piece of authentication information, initializes the connection using the one piece of authentication information and then connects using the different authentication information. When storing apparatus information, which is information on the IoT apparatus, the external server allocates a storage area different for each piece of authentication information and stores the apparatus information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a communication system including an IoT device capable of communicating with each other via a network, an external server, and an information terminal.

Today, a water heater equipped with a bath function is connected to the Internet and uses the so-called IoT (Internet of Things) to cooperate with an information terminal such as a smartphone to improve user convenience. .. The information terminal can remotely control the water heater from outside and browse information such as the operating status and usage history of the water heater.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-097027

While convenience is enhanced by transmitting information on the water heater to an external server, there are also security issues. For example, when a resident such as a rental house is changed each time, the user of the water heater installed in the house is changed each time. If the eviction person moves out without disconnecting the connection between the information terminal and the water heater, there is a risk that the eviction person will continue to view the information on the water heater and remotely control it even though the user of the water heater has been changed. There is.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of ensuring security when a user is changed.

The communication system according to the present invention is a communication system including an IoT device capable of communicating with each other via a network, an external server, and an information terminal in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. When a request for connecting to the external server is received using the authentication information different from the one authentication information and holding one authentication information for connecting to the external server, the one authentication information is used. After initializing the connection, the external server connects using the different authentication information, and when storing the device information which is the information about the IoT device, the external server allocates and stores a different storage area for each of the authentication information.

In the communication system according to the present invention, security at the time of user change can be ensured.

The system block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the communication system which concerns on this invention. Schematic functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the bath hot water supply system. Schematic functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of an external server. Schematic functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of an information terminal. The flowchart explaining the hot water supply system side registration process executed by the remote control control part in this embodiment. A sequence diagram illustrating a process executed between a bath hot water supply system, an external server, and an information terminal as a new registration process. A sequence diagram illustrating a process executed between a bath hot water supply system, an external server, and an information terminal as an additional registration process. A sequence diagram illustrating a process executed between a bath hot water supply system, an external server, and an information terminal as a new registration process after initialization. The transition diagram which shows the display example of the remote control display part of a remote control. A flowchart illustrating the information terminal side registration process executed by the terminal control unit. The transition diagram which shows the display example of the terminal display part of an information terminal.

An embodiment of the communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the communication system according to the present invention, for example, an information communication network such as the Internet can be applied as a network. As the IoT device, for example, residential equipment such as a bath hot water supply system, an air conditioning system, and a floor heating system installed in a house can be applied. As the external server, for example, a cloud computing system located outside the home and connected to a network can be applied. Examples of the information terminal include smartphones, tablets, and personal computers that can be used inside and outside the home, and devices that can be connected to the network wirelessly or by wire can be applied.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the bath hot water supply system 10.

FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the external server 30.

FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information terminal 40.

In the following description, an example in which the IoT device is a bath hot water supply system 10 arranged in the home 5 will be particularly applied. “Inside the house 5” includes the inside of the house and the outside of the house and the inside of the premises of the house (around the outer wall of the house, etc.). "Outside the house 6" is a place other than the inside of the house 5.

The communication system 1 includes a bath hot water supply system 10 capable of communicating with each other via a network 2, an external server 30, and an information terminal 40. In the communication system 1, the bath water supply system 10 is connected to the network 2 and cooperates with the information terminal 40 by using the so-called IoT (Internet of Things). The information terminal 40 can remotely control the bath hot water supply system 10 from the inside of the house 5 or the outside of the house 6 (outside), and can browse information such as usage history.

The bath hot water supply system 10 mainly includes a hot water supply unit 11, a hot water supply circuit, a bath circulation circuit (not shown), and a remote controller 15.

The hot water supply unit 11 has a hot water storage tank and a heat pump. The hot water supply unit 11 supplies hot water to a bathroom (bath, bathtub) or kitchen via a hot water supply circuit or a bath circulation circuit, or heats hot water supplied from a bathtub via a bath circulation circuit. As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water supply unit 11 includes a hot water supply unit control unit 12, a hot water supply unit storage unit 13, and a hot water supply unit communication unit 14. The hot water supply unit control unit 12 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and electrically controls the hot water supply unit 11 according to a program stored in advance in the hot water supply unit storage unit 13. The hot water supply unit storage unit 13 has a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores various programs and data necessary for controlling the hot water supply unit control unit 12. The hot water supply unit communication unit 14 is connected to the remote control communication unit 20 and enables bidirectional communication between the hot water supply unit 11 and the remote controller 15.

The hot water supply circuit and bath circulation circuit are connected to the bathtub in the bathroom, shower, curan, kitchen curan, etc., to supply hot water from the hot water storage tank to the bathroom or kitchen, or to supply hot water from the bathtub between the bathtub and the hot water storage tank. It circulates in. The hot water supply circuit, the bath circulation circuit, and the hot water supply unit 11 include sensors such as a temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, and a water level sensor. The information obtained from these sensors is mainly supplied to the hot water supply unit control unit 12, and the information required for the display of the remote controller 15 and the information required by the external server 30 are supplied to the remote controller control unit 16.

The remote controller 15 is arranged in a bathroom or kitchen to receive various instructions from the user and display information. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control 15 includes a remote control control unit 16, a remote control storage unit 17, a remote control input unit 18, a remote control display unit 19, and a remote control communication unit 20.

The remote control control unit 16 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the remote control 15 according to a program stored in advance in the remote control storage unit 17. For example, the remote control control unit 16 controls based on a user's instruction received via the remote control input unit 18 or the information terminal 40, and executes the instruction. Specifically, the remote control control unit 16 executes hot water supply operation, automatic bath operation, bath repelling operation, and the like based on the instructed hot water supply set temperature, bath set temperature, set hot water amount, and the like. The hot water supply unit control unit 12 that receives the instruction from the remote control control unit 16 controls the operation of various valves and the like based on the information obtained from the sensors. In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplification of the description, an example in which the remote control control unit 16 comprehensively controls each part of the bath hot water supply system 10 including the hot water supply unit 11 will be described below.

The remote control storage unit 17 has a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores various programs and data necessary for controlling the remote control control unit 16. The remote control input unit 18 is, for example, buttons that receive instructions from the user. The remote control display unit 19 is, for example, a display that displays information to the user. The remote control communication unit 20 connects the remote control 15 with another device by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with each other. Specifically, the remote controller communication unit 20 connects the remote controller 15 and the hot water supply unit 11 so as to be communicable by connecting to the hot water supply unit communication unit 14 as described above. Further, the remote controller communication unit 20 connects the remote controller 15 to the network 2 via the router 3 and transmits / receives necessary information to / from other devices via the network 2.

The router 3 is arranged in the house 5 (within a range in which it can communicate with the remote controller 15), and connects the device connected to the router 3 to the network 2. The router 3 also has a function as an access point for wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication. Further, in the initial stage when the registration process is performed between the bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40, the router 3 goes through the same router 3 (and a repeater (not shown) under the router 3) to ensure security. Only allow communication.

The external server 30 is realized by using, for example, so-called cloud computing, and is connected to the remote controller 15 and the information terminal 40 via the network 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the external server 30 includes a server control unit 31, a server storage unit 32, and a server communication unit 33. The server control unit 31 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the external server 30 according to a program stored in advance in the server storage unit 32.

The server storage unit 32 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores various programs and data necessary for controlling the server control unit 31. In particular, the server storage unit 32 appropriately stores device information including operation information, usage history, etc. of the bath hot water supply system 10 transmitted from the bath hot water supply system 10. When storing the device information related to the bath hot water supply system 10, the server storage unit 32 allocates and stores a different storage area for each device authentication information (device ID, etc.) described later. That is, the server storage unit 32 (external server 30) does not set the storage area (processing area) for each bath hot water supply system 10 unit, but if the device authentication information is different even in the same bath hot water supply system 10 ( If added), set (add) a different storage area.

The server communication unit 33 connects the external server 30 to the network 2 and transmits / receives necessary information to / from the bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40 via the network 2.

The information terminal 40 is a device that can be used at any place of the user including the inside 5 and the outside 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the information terminal 40 includes a terminal control unit 41, a terminal storage unit 42, a terminal input unit 43, a terminal display unit 44, a terminal communication unit 45, and a mobile communication unit 46. Have.

The terminal control unit 41 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the information terminal 40 according to a program stored in advance in the terminal storage unit 42. The terminal storage unit 42 has a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores various programs and data necessary for controlling the terminal control unit 41. The terminal input unit 43 is, for example, a touch panel or buttons that receive instructions from the user. The terminal display unit 44 is, for example, a display that displays information to the user. The terminal communication unit 45 connects the information terminal 40 to the information terminal 40 by wire or wirelessly. Specifically, the terminal communication unit 45 connects the information terminal 40 to the network 2 via a router, and transmits / receives necessary information to / from other devices via the network 2. The router to which the terminal communication unit 45 is connected includes a router 3 arranged in the home 5 and an arbitrary router installed in the outside 6. The mobile communication unit 46 connects the information terminal 40 to the mobile communication network 4.

Next, the registration process for establishing a new connection between the bath hot water supply system 10, the external server 30, and the information terminal 40 will be described. This registration process is a process performed when the user's information terminal 40 is connected to the bath hot water supply system 10 for the first time, and after the registration process is performed, the required authentication information is used between the devices as appropriate. The connection is established with. The authentication information is device authentication information for establishing a connection between the bath hot water supply system 10 and the external server 30, and user authentication information for establishing a connection between the external server 30 and the information terminal 40. Information consisting of an ID (Identification) and a password. There are three types of registration processing.

The first process is a new registration process that is executed when there is no existing connection already established between the bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40. The new registration process is executed, for example, when establishing a connection between the so-called factory-shipped bath hot water supply system 10 newly installed in the house and the information terminal 40.

The second process is an additional registration that is executed when an existing connection exists between the bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40, and a new connection with another information terminal 40 is added to the connection. It is a process. The additional registration process is executed, for example, when adding a connection between the bath hot water supply system 10 and another information terminal 40 of the cohabitant in addition to the resident information terminal 40 for which the registration process has already been executed.

The third process is a post-initialization new registration process that is executed after an existing connection exists between the bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40 and the existing connection is initialized. In the new registration process after initialization, for example, the connection between the information terminal 40 of the past user who has moved out of the rental housing and the bath hot water supply system 10 is stored in the bath hot water supply system 10, and this is initialized. This is executed when establishing a connection between the information terminal 40 of the current user who is a resident of the rental housing and the bath / hot water supply system 10.

In the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, in order to enhance the security of the registration process, every time a new connection is established between the bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40 due to a change of user or the like, the bath hot water supply system 10 The bath hot water supply system 10 has a unique ID or the like by generating an ID and a password (hereinafter referred to as "device ID or the like") which are device authentication information used in the connection between the device and the external server 30. It is characterized in that it does not have to be. That is, the device ID and the like are generated every time the user is changed, and the bath hot water supply system 10 connects to the external server 30 using different device IDs and the like if the user is different. Further, the bath hot water supply system 10 does not possess a plurality of device IDs at the same time, that is, possesses only one device ID and the like, thereby limiting the users who can connect to the external server 30 to only the current users.

The "user" refers to a unit for establishing a connection with the external server 30 using a common device ID or the like, and the information terminal 40 used by this user includes a single information terminal 40 and a plurality of information terminals 40. Further, when the users are different, for example, it means the relationship between the past user who is a vacant person of the house where the bath hot water supply system 10 is installed and the current user who is a new resident of the same house as this house.

These registration processes are described as processes executed by the remote control unit 16 of the bath hot water supply system 10, the server control unit 31 of the external server 30, and the terminal control unit 41 of the information terminal 40, respectively. Hereinafter, these registration processes will be described in detail.

First, the registration process on the hot water supply system side, which is executed in the hot water supply system 10 of the bath, will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a hot water supply system side registration process executed by the remote controller control unit 16 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process executed between the bath hot water supply system 10, the external server 30, and the information terminal 40 as a new registration process.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process executed between the bath hot water supply system 10, the external server 30, and the information terminal 40 as the additional registration process.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process executed between the bath hot water supply system 10, the external server 30, and the information terminal 40 as a new registration process after initialization.

FIG. 9 is a transition diagram showing a display example of the remote controller display unit 19 of the remote controller 15.

In the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 7 to 9, some of the processes included in the hot water supply system side registration process of FIG. 5 and the information terminal side registration process of FIG. 10 to be described later are omitted.

In step S1, the remote control control unit 16 determines whether or not the instruction to start the registration process for establishing a new connection has been received via the remote control input unit 18. The remote control control unit 16 receives an instruction to start the registration process by receiving an instruction from the setting screen displayed on the remote control display unit 19 via the remote control input unit 18, for example. When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the instruction is not received (NO in step S1), the remote control control unit 16 waits until the instruction is received.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the instruction has been accepted (YES in step S1), the remote control control unit 16 displays, for example, the connection registration screen for selecting the new registration process or the additional registration process shown in FIG. 9A (FIG. 9). 6 step S21, FIG. 7 step S41, FIG. 8 step S61). The remote control control unit 16 receives an instruction to execute any of the registration processes via the remote control input unit 18. The remote control unit 16 may accept an instruction to initialize an existing connection here. When the instruction for initialization is received, the process proceeds to, for example, the initialization execution step S6.

In step S2, the remote control control unit 16 determines whether or not the selected registration process is an additional registration process. When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the registration is additional (YES in step S2, step S42 in FIG. 7), the remote control control unit 16 proceeds to the connection instruction determination step S12. The process proceeds as the additional registration process of FIG. 7.

When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the registration is not additional registration, that is, when the selected registration process is determined to be a new registration process (NO in step S2, step S22 in FIG. 6, step S62 in FIG. 8), In step S3, it is determined whether or not there is an existing connection. That is, when the bath hot water supply system 10 has executed the registration process with the other information terminal 40, the existing device ID and the like are stored in the remote controller storage unit 17. On the other hand, when the bath / hot water supply system 10 does not perform registration processing with the information terminal 40 or when the device ID or the like is initialized, the device ID or the like is not stored. The remote control control unit 16 refers to the remote control storage unit 17 and determines whether or not there is an existing connection depending on whether or not the device ID is stored. When the remote control control unit 16 determines that there is no existing connection (NO in step S3), the remote control control unit 16 proceeds to the connection instruction determination step S7. That is, the process proceeds as the new registration process of FIG.

On the other hand, when the remote control control unit 16 determines that there is an existing connection (YES in step S3), the process proceeds as a new registration process after the initialization of FIG. Here, when the remote control control unit 16 holds a request for connecting to the external server 30 using a device ID different from the device ID (one authentication information) used for the existing connection, that is, the existing device ID or the like, the remote control unit 16 is external. It is determined that the instruction to establish a new connection with the server 30 has been accepted.

In step S4, the remote control unit 16 requests the user to initialize the existing connection (step S63 in FIG. 8). Specifically, the remote control control unit 16 displays, for example, a screen shown in FIG. 9B, which prompts the remote control display unit 19 to initialize the connection with the information terminal 40 (application). In this initialization request step S4, if the user wants to establish a new connection but an existing connection exists, it is used by a past user of the bath water supply system 10. It is executed assuming that the connection is left. For example, the remote control control unit 16 displays a screen prompting the initialization of the existing connection on the remote control display unit 19, and then receives an instruction to initialize the connection, for example, as shown in FIG. 9C. Is displayed, and an execution instruction is received from the remote control input unit 18.

In step S5, the remote control control unit 16 determines whether or not the instruction to execute the initialization of the connection has been received. When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the instruction to execute the initialization has not been received yet (NO in step S5), the remote control control unit 16 waits until the instruction is received. In the initialization instruction determination step S5, the remote control control unit 16 ensures that the connection of the past user is disconnected by waiting without proceeding to the next process until the instruction to execute the initialization of the connection is received.

Here, the remote control control unit 16 initializes the connection using the device ID associated with the past user, and then establishes a new connection with the external server 30 and the information terminal 40. That is, the remote control unit 16 does not establish a connection using a plurality of device IDs and the like associated with a plurality of users at the same time.

When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the instruction to execute the initialization has been received (YES in step S5), the remote control control unit 16 executes the initialization in step S6 (step S64 in FIG. 8). As the initialization execution unit, the remote control control unit 16 executes initialization by erasing information about a past user (information terminal 40), including an existing device ID for connection stored in the remote control storage unit 17. do. As a result, the remote controller 15 (bath hot water supply system 10) does not have the device ID and the like necessary for connecting to the external server 30 and the information terminal 40, and until a new device ID and the like are acquired from the information terminal 40. Cannot connect to the external server 30 and the information terminal 40. The remote control control unit 16 displays, for example, a screen for notifying the completion of initialization shown in FIG. 9D on the remote control display unit 19.

Whether or not the remote control control unit 16 has received an instruction to establish a connection with the information terminal 40 in step S7 after determining that there is no existing connection (NO in step S3) or after the initialization execution step S6. To judge. For example, the remote control control unit 16 displays a screen on the remote control display unit 19 for accepting selection of whether or not to start the connection with the information terminal 40, as shown in FIG. 9E, via the remote control input unit 18. And accept instructions.

When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the instruction to start the connection has not been received yet (NO in step S7), the remote control control unit 16 waits until the instruction is received. On the other hand, when the remote control control unit 16 determines that the instruction to start the connection has been received (YES in step S7, step S23 in FIG. 6, step S65 in FIG. 8), for example, the information terminal 40 shown in FIG. 9 (f). A screen prompting an operation for executing the registration process is displayed on the remote controller display unit 19.

In step S8, the remote control control unit 16 determines whether or not the connection request and the transmission request such as the device ID (step S82 in FIG. 10) have been received from the information terminal 40. When the remote control control unit 16 determines that these requests have not been received yet (NO in step S8), the remote control control unit 16 waits until these requests are received. On the other hand, when it is determined that these requests have been received (YES in step S8, step S24 in FIG. 6, step S66 in FIG. 8, step S82 in FIG. 10), the remote control control unit 16 responds to the connection request in step S9. Then, the device ID and the like are transmitted to the information terminal 40 (step S25 in FIG. 6 and step S67 in FIG. 8). Further, the remote control control unit 16 displays on the remote control display unit 19 a screen for notifying that the information terminal 40 is being connected and the registration process is being executed, as shown in FIG. 9 (g).

At this time, the remote control control unit 16 already executes the registration process of the additional registration process of FIG. 7, and if there is an existing connection, the device ID or the like (hereinafter, referred to as “existing device ID or the like”) is already input. Since it is possessed, the existing device ID and the like are transmitted to the information terminal 40. On the other hand, in the connection response step S9, the remote control control unit 16 has no existing connection because the registration process being executed is the new registration process of FIG. 6 or the new registration process after initialization of FIG. Since the information terminal 40 does not have an existing device ID or the like, it transmits that the information terminal 40 does not have an existing device ID or the like.

In step S10, the remote control control unit 16 determines whether or not a newly generated device ID or the like has been acquired from the information terminal 40. The device ID and the like transmitted here are device IDs generated by the terminal control unit 41 in the ID generation step (step S85 of FIG. 10, step S26 of FIG. 6, step S68 of FIG. 8) of the information terminal side registration process described later. And so on. When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the device ID or the like has not been acquired (NO in step S10), the remote control control unit 16 waits until the device ID or the like is acquired. On the other hand, when the remote control control unit 16 determines that the device ID or the like has been acquired (YES in step S10, step S27 in FIG. 6, step S69 in FIG. 8), in step S11, the device ID or the like is stored in the remote control storage unit 17. Store (step S28 in FIG. 6, step S70 in FIG. 8). Further, the remote control control unit 16 responds to the information terminal 40 that the device ID and the like are registered and ready for connection (step S29 in FIG. 6 and step S71 in FIG. 8). Further, the remote control control unit 16 displays on the remote control display unit 19 a screen for notifying that the registration process is completed, as shown in FIG. 9 (h).

Here, since the new registration process is executed after the initialization in the communication system 1, the bath hot water supply system 10 always has only one device ID and the like, and does not have a plurality of device IDs and the like at the same time. That is, the bath hot water supply system 10 accepts a request for establishing a connection with the external server 30 by executing a new registration process after initialization shown in FIG. 7 using a device ID or the like different from one device ID or the like. In this case (step S62 in FIG. 8), the connection using one device ID or the like is surely initialized. As a result, the bath hot water supply system 10 can suppress the simultaneous establishment of a connection with the external server 30 by using a plurality of device IDs of different users.

When the remote control control unit 16 determines in the additional registration determination step S2 that the additional registration is performed (YES in step S2), the remote control control unit 16 determines in step S12 whether or not the instruction for establishing the connection with the information terminal 40 has been received. The remote control control unit 16 executes the same process as in the connection instruction determination step S7. When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the instruction has not been received yet (NO in step S12), the remote control control unit 16 waits until the instruction is received. On the other hand, when the remote control control unit 16 determines that the instruction to establish the connection has been received (YES in step S12, step S43 in FIG. 7), in step S13, the remote control control unit 16 requests a connection from the information terminal 40 and the device. It is determined whether or not a transmission request such as an ID (step S82 in FIG. 10) has been received.

When the remote control control unit 16 determines that these requests have not been received yet (NO in step S13), the remote control control unit 16 waits until these requests are received. On the other hand, when it is determined that these requests have been received (YES in step S13, step S44 in FIG. 7), the remote control control unit 16 responds to the connection request and transmits the device ID and the like to the information terminal 40 in step S14. (Step S45 in FIG. 7). Further, the remote control control unit 16 displays on the remote control display unit 19 a screen for notifying that the information terminal 40 is being connected and the registration process is being executed, as shown in FIG. 9 (g). In the connection response step S14, the remote control control unit 16 has the additional registration process of FIG. 7 and has the existing device ID and the like used in the existing connection, so that the information terminal 40 The existing device ID and the like are transmitted to.

In step S15, the remote control control unit 16 determines whether or not the information terminal 40 has received the notification that the additional registration has been completed. When the remote control control unit 16 determines that the notification has not been received (NO in step S15), the remote control control unit 16 waits until the notification is received. On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification has been received (YES in step S15, step S46 in FIG. 7), the remote control control unit 16 responds to the information terminal 40 that the notification has been received in step S16 (FIG. 7). Step S47).

The remote control control unit 16 completes the registration process (step S30 in FIG. 6, step S48 in FIG. 7, step S72 in FIG. 8), and ends the registration process on the hot water supply system side.

Next, the information terminal side registration process executed in the information terminal 40 will be described. The information terminal side registration process is executed under the control of the terminal control unit 41, for example, based on an operation performed by the user on the application software (application) installed in the information terminal 40.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an information terminal side registration process executed by the terminal control unit 41.

FIG. 11 is a transition diagram showing a display example of the terminal display unit 44 of the information terminal 40.

In step S81, the terminal control unit 41 determines whether or not the instruction to start the registration process for establishing a new connection has been received via the terminal input unit 43. The terminal control unit 41 receives an instruction to start the registration process by receiving an instruction from the setting screen displayed on the terminal display unit 44 via the terminal input unit 43, for example. When the terminal control unit 41 determines that the instruction is not received (NO in step S81), the terminal control unit 41 waits until the instruction is received.

On the other hand, when the terminal control unit 41 determines that the instruction has been received (YES in step S81, step S31 in FIG. 6, step S49 in FIG. 7, step S73 in FIG. 8), for example, the bath shown in FIG. 11 (a). A screen prompting the user to start an operation of starting the connection with the information terminal 40 in the hot water supply system 10 is displayed on the terminal display unit 44. Further, in step S82, the terminal control unit 41 transmits a connection request to the bath hot water supply system 10. At the same time, the terminal control unit 41 requests the bath hot water supply system 10 for an existing device ID and the like (step S24 in FIG. 6, step S44 in FIG. 7, and step S66 in FIG. 8).

In step S83, the terminal control unit 41 determines whether or not the response to the connection request and the information regarding the existing device ID and the like have been received from the bath hot water supply system 10. As described in the connection response steps S9 and S14 of the hot water supply system side registration process, the terminal control unit 41 receives the existing device ID and the like when the bath hot water supply system 10 has the existing device ID and the like. If the existing device ID or the like is not possessed, the fact that the existing device ID or the like does not exist is received. When the terminal control unit 41 determines that the response or the like has not yet been received (NO in step S83), the terminal control unit 41 waits until the response or the like is received. On the other hand, when the terminal control unit 41 determines that a response or the like has been received (YES in step S83), the screen for notifying that the bath hot water supply system 10 has been detected, as shown in FIG. 11B, and the user bath hot water supply. A screen for inputting a name for identifying the system 10 is displayed.

In step S84, the terminal control unit 41 determines whether or not the bath hot water supply system 10 has an existing device ID or the like. When the terminal control unit 41 determines that the bath hot water supply system 10 does not have the existing device ID or the like (NO in step S84), the process is as a new registration process of FIG. 6 or a new registration process after initialization of FIG. move on. In step S85, the terminal control unit 41 newly generates a device ID or the like as device authentication information (step S26 in FIG. 6 and step S68 in FIG. 8). For the device ID, for example, a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) can be used.

In step S86, the terminal control unit 41 transmits the generated device ID and the like and the user authentication information for connecting the information terminal 40 and the external server 30 to the external server 30 (steps S32 and 8 in FIG. 6). Step S74). The user authentication information is, for example, information terminal-specific identification information such as a user ID and password arbitrarily set by the user by accepting input on the application via the terminal input unit 43, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address. Is.

The server control unit 31 connects the bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40 by storing the device ID and the like acquired from the information terminal 40 and the user authentication information of the information terminal 40 in the server storage unit 32. The authentication information required for this is registered (step S33 in FIG. 6 and step S75 in FIG. 8). Further, the server control unit 31 responds to the information terminal 40 that the device ID and the like are registered and the connection is possible (step S34 in FIG. 6 and step S76 in FIG. 8).

Here, in the case of the new registration process after initialization, the server storage unit 32 already holds the existing device ID and the like in the storage area assigned to the existing device ID. Therefore, the server control unit 31 adds a storage area different from the storage area associated with the existing device ID or the like, and stores the acquired device ID or the like. Further, the server control unit 31 uses information about the existing device ID stored in the storage area assigned to the existing device ID and the like, and user authentication information about the past user's information terminal 40 linked to the existing device ID. Device information such as history is retained as it is without being initialized. That is, the server control unit 31 (external server 30) can connect to the information terminal 40 including the information terminal 40 of the past user other than the information terminal 40 of the current user connected to the bath hot water supply system 10.

Even in the information terminal 40 of the past user, the connection with the external server 30 is maintained as it is unless the past user initializes the connection with the external server 30. Therefore, the past user can continue to connect to the external server 30 using the user authentication information on the information terminal 40, and can use (view) device information such as the past usage history of the bath hot water supply system 10. Further, when the user connects to the new bath hot water supply system 10 at the new location, the past usage history and setting contents can be reused for the new bath hot water supply system 10. When the external server 30 connects to the information terminal 40 and executes processing related to the information terminal 40 such as viewing device information such as usage history, the external server 30 is assigned to a device ID or the like associated with the user of the information terminal 40. Use storage area.

In step S87, the terminal control unit 41 transmits the generated device ID and the like to the bath hot water supply system 10 (step S27 in FIG. 6 and step S69 in FIG. 8). As described in the hot water supply system side registration process of FIG. 5, the remote control control unit 16 stores the device ID and the like acquired from the information terminal 40 in the remote control storage unit 17, and responds to the information terminal 40 to that effect (FIG. 5). Step S11, steps S28 and S29 of FIG. 6, and steps S70 and S71 of FIG. 8).

After that, the external server 30 and the bath hot water supply system 10 authenticate each other's connection requests and establish a connection based on the stored device ID and the like. Further, the external server 30 and the information terminal 40 authenticate each other's connection requests based on the stored user authentication information. The bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40 are connected via an external server 30. That is, the external server 30 transmits the information transmitted from the information terminal 40 to the associated bath hot water supply system 10 by associating and storing the device ID received from the information terminal 40 and the user authentication information.

On the other hand, when the terminal control unit 41 determines in step S84 that the bath hot water supply system 10 possesses the existing device ID or the like (YES in step S84), the process proceeds as the additional registration process of FIG. 7. In step S88, the terminal control unit 41 requests the external server 30 to additionally register a new information terminal 40 in the connection established through the registration process already executed with the other information terminal 40 (. Step S50 in FIG. 7). The server control unit 31 stores the user authentication information, which is the information of the information terminal 40 required for additional registration acquired from the information terminal 40, in the server storage unit 32 in association with the existing device ID (step S51 in FIG. 7). ). Further, the server control unit 31 responds to the information terminal 40 that the information terminal 40 has been additionally registered and is ready for connection (step S52 in FIG. 7).

In step S89, the terminal control unit 41 notifies the bath hot water supply system 10 that the information terminal 40 is newly additionally registered for the existing connection (request to add the connection with the information terminal 40) (FIG. 7). Step S46). As described in the hot water supply system side registration process of FIG. 5, the remote control control unit 16 responds to the information terminal 40 that it has received the notification that the additional registration has been completed (step S16 of FIG. 5 and step S47 of FIG. 7).

When an instruction to execute the additional registration process is received from the user via the remote control input unit 18, the information terminal 40 executes such a process, so that the information terminal 40 is generated by the registration process already executed by the other information terminal 40. The bath hot water supply system 10 and the external server 30 continue to establish a connection by using the existing device ID or the like. That is, the terminal control unit 41 does not newly generate a device ID or the like. Further, the terminal control unit 41 requests the external server 30 to newly add the information terminal 40 of the same user as the already established connection, and connects the bath hot water supply system 10 with the information terminal 40. Is notified that the new information terminal 40 has been newly added, so that the new information terminal 40 is added to the existing connection (connection using the existing device ID or the like).

With the above, the terminal control unit 41 completes the registration process (step S30 in FIG. 6, step S48 in FIG. 7, step S72 in FIG. 8), and ends the information terminal side registration process.

Such a communication system 1 uses a device ID different for each user for the connection between the bath hot water supply system 10 and the external server 30. Further, the communication system 1 stores information necessary for processing related to the bath hot water supply system 10 and information acquired from the bath hot water supply system 10 in different storage areas for each device ID. As a result, security can be ensured when the user is changed.

For example, when the bath hot water supply system 10 has a unique device ID or the like, when a third party other than the resident of the house where the bath hot water supply system 10 is installed knows the unique device ID or the like, There is a risk of unintentionally or maliciously establishing a connection between the bath hot water supply system 10 and the information terminal 40. As a specific example, when the resident is replaced in a rental house or the like, the old resident knows this unique device ID, and even though the current resident is using the bath hot water supply system 10, the old resident There is a risk that the resident may be able to remotely control it or view the usage status. However, in the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, a device ID or the like is generated and associated with each user who actually uses the bath hot water supply system 10, and further, the external server 30 makes the storage area different for each device ID. .. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk that a past user other than the current user can connect to the bath hot water supply system 10 and connect to the external server 30 to browse the device information of the current user.

Further, even when the bath / hot water supply system 10 initializes the connection using the device ID or the like associated with the past user, the external server 30 keeps the information stored in the storage area assigned to the device ID or the like. Is retained without initialization. The information terminal 40 used by past users can continue to connect to the external server 30 and browse device information and the like. Therefore, users who want to view device information such as past usage history while solving security issues between current users and past users, and external servers who want to use device information for analysis and development as big data. It does not impair the usability of 30 operators.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 Communication system 2 Network 3 Router 4 Mobile communication network 10 Bath hot water supply system 11 Hot water supply unit 12 Hot water supply unit control unit 13 Hot water supply unit storage unit 14 Hot water supply unit communication unit 15 Remote control 16 Remote control unit 17 Remote control storage unit 18 Remote control input unit 19 Remote control Display 20 Remote control communication unit 30 External server 31 Server control unit 32 Server storage unit 33 Server communication unit 40 Information terminal 41 Terminal control unit 42 Terminal storage unit 43 Terminal input unit 44 Terminal display unit 45 Terminal communication unit 46 Mobile communication unit

Claims (4)

A communication system including IoT devices capable of communicating with each other via a network, an external server, and an information terminal.
When the IoT device holds one authentication information for connecting to the external server and receives a request to connect to the external server using the authentication information different from the one authentication information, the one authentication After initializing the connection using the information, connect using the different authentication information,
A communication system in which the external server allocates and stores a different storage area for each authentication information when storing device information which is information about the IoT device. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the request is an instruction to establish a new connection with the external server when the one authentication information is already possessed. The authentication information is associated with different authentication information for each user.
The information terminal includes a plurality of information terminals used by each user.
The IoT device is connected only to the information terminal used by the user, which is associated with the authentication information.
When the external server connects to the information terminal including the information terminal other than the information terminal to which the IoT device is connected and executes processing related to each information terminal, the user who uses each information terminal is used. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage area allocated for each of the authentication information associated with the above is used. The external server stores information including the usage history of the IoT device in the storage area, and stores the information including the usage history of the IoT device in the storage area.
The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the process related to each information terminal executed by the external server is a process using the usage history.

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