JP2022158440A - Device service providing system, communication device, remote server, and device service providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide advantageous services related to devices while securing user anonymity.SOLUTION: A communication device 2 includes a device data acquisition unit 200 configured to acquire device data from a device 3, a device data transmission unit 201 configured to transmit the acquired device data to a remote server 5, a local information acquisition unit 203 configured to acquire local information from a local information server 6, a local information transmission unit 204 configured to transmit the acquired local information to the remote server 5, a control command generation unit 206 configured to generate a control command based on service data received from the remote server 5, and a control command transmission unit 207 configured to transmit the generated control command to the device 3. The remote server 5 includes a service data generation unit 504 configured to generate the service data on the basis of the device data received from the communication device 2 and the local information received from the communication device 2, and a service data transmission unit 505 configured to transmit the generated service data to the communication device 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to an equipment service providing system, a communication device, a remote server, and an equipment service providing method.

A remote server periodically acquires device data related to the device from the device installed in the house, acquires regional information related to the region where the device is installed from an external information providing server, and acquires the acquired device data A technology has been proposed for providing a user with a service related to the device based on the area information obtained from the device (for example, Patent Document 1).

In the home appliance management system described in Patent Document 1, the management server acquires information on the power consumption of the home appliance from the home appliance at regular time intervals, and is linked with the time from the information providing server (the region where the home appliance is installed, the Get electricity bill information (on contract). Then, the management server determines whether it is necessary to restrict the operation of the home appliance based on the acquired power consumption information and the acquired electricity bill information, and determines that it is necessary to restrict the operation. If it determines, control of suppressing the power consumption of the said household appliance, etc. will be performed.

JP 2016-39590 A

In the home appliance management system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the management server needs to hold in advance information about the installation locations or regions of home appliances to which services are to be provided. For this reason, a user who wants to receive the service needs to register in the management server in advance information regarding the installation location of the home appliance, such as an address and postal code. In other words, when the user subscribes to the service, the user is required to register information regarding the location of the home.

Information about home location can be personally identifiable information. For this reason, there are quite a few users who give up subscribing to the service for fear of information leakage, or register information about their home locations in order to subscribe to the service, feeling dissatisfied and suspicious. is assumed.

In view of the above, the actual situation is that there is a demand for proposals of techniques that can provide users with advantageous services related to equipment while ensuring the anonymity of the users.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a device service providing system, a communication device, a remote server, and a device capable of providing users with advantageous services related to devices while ensuring user anonymity. The purpose is to provide a service delivery method.

In order to achieve the above object, the equipment service providing system according to the present disclosure includes:
comprising a communication device and a remote server;
The communication device
a device data acquisition means for acquiring device data relating to the device from the device;
equipment data transmission means for transmitting the acquired equipment data to the remote server;
local information acquisition means for acquiring local information corresponding to the location area of the device from a local information server;
local information transmitting means for transmitting the acquired local information to the remote server;
service data receiving means for receiving service data from the remote server;
a service execution means for executing processing based on the received service data;
The remote server is
equipment data receiving means for receiving the equipment data from the communication device;
equipment data storage means for storing the received equipment data;
local information receiving means for receiving the local information from the communication device;
local information storage means for storing the received local information;
service data generation means for generating service data for providing a user with a service related to the device based on the device data and the local information;
service data transmission means for transmitting the generated service data to the communication device.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a user with advantageous services related to equipment while ensuring the anonymity of the user.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the device service providing system according to Embodiment 1 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the communication device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal according to Embodiment 1; 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a remote server according to Embodiment 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of a communication device and a remote server according to Embodiment 1; A diagram showing an example of a device DB according to Embodiment 1 A diagram showing an example of a business operator designation screen in Embodiment 1 A diagram showing an example of a local information DB according to Embodiment 1 A diagram showing an example of a power consumption table according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the operation procedure of the communication device according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the operation procedure of the remote server in Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the procedure of service data generation processing according to Embodiment 1 A diagram showing the overall configuration of a device service providing system according to Embodiment 2 Block diagram showing functional configurations of a communication device and a remote server according to Embodiment 2 A diagram showing an example of a device DB according to the second embodiment A diagram showing an example of a local information DB according to the second embodiment Flowchart showing the procedure of service data generation processing in Embodiment 2 A diagram showing the overall configuration of a device service providing system according to Embodiment 3 Block diagram showing functional configurations of a communication device and a remote server according to Embodiment 3 A diagram showing an example of a device DB according to Embodiment 3 A diagram showing an example of a local information DB according to Embodiment 3 Flowchart showing the procedure of service data generation processing in Embodiment 3 A diagram showing an example of a recipe table according to the third embodiment Diagram for explaining cost points in the third embodiment A diagram showing the overall configuration of a device service providing system according to Embodiment 4 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a communication device according to Embodiment 4; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a communication device according to Embodiment 4; A diagram showing an example of a business operator designation screen in Embodiment 4 FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a remote server according to Embodiment 4;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an equipment service providing system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The device service providing system 1 is a system that provides services related to the devices 3 installed in the homes H of each customer. The equipment service providing system 1 includes a communication device 2 and equipment 3 installed in each house H, a user terminal 4 possessed by a user of each house H, a remote server 5, and a plurality of local information servers 6. .

<Communication device 2>
The communication device 2 is an example of a communication device according to the present disclosure. The communication device 2 is a communication adapter for communicatively connecting the corresponding device 3 to a network N, which is a wide area network such as a WAN (Wide Area Network) and the Internet. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 2 includes a first communication interface 20, a second communication interface 21, a third communication interface 22, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 23, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24 , RAM (Random Access Memory) 25 , and auxiliary storage device 26 . These components are interconnected via a bus 27 .

The first communication interface 20 is hardware for electrically connecting to the device 3 so as to be communicable. In this embodiment, the first communication interface 20 is a serial communication device such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter). The second communication interface 21 is hardware for a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) for connecting to the network N and communicating with other devices such as the remote server 5 and the local information server 6, or hardware for mobile data communication. Hardware.

The third communication interface 22 is hardware for short-range wireless communication with the user terminal 4 . For example, the third communication interface 22 is hardware compatible with BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

The CPU 23 comprehensively controls the communication device 2 . Details of the functions of the communication device 2 implemented by the CPU 23 will be described later. The ROM 24 stores BIOS (Basic Input Output System), firmware, and data used when executing these programs. A RAM 25 is used as a work area for the CPU 23 . The auxiliary storage device 26 is composed of, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or the like. The auxiliary storage device 26 stores a device communication program for communicating with the device 3 to exchange data, a service execution program for receiving service data from the remote server 5 and executing processing based on the received service data, Data used during execution of these programs are stored.

The above equipment communication program and service execution program can be downloaded to the communication device 2 via the network N from the remote server 5 or other servers. Further, the communication device 2 may acquire the device communication program and the service execution program from the user terminal 4 or another device through the short-range wireless communication.

In addition, the above device communication program and service execution program can be used for CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), It can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or memory card and distributed.

<Equipment 3>
Each device 3 is a target device of the service provided by the remote server 5, and is installed in each customer's house (that is, each house H) subscribing to the service. In this embodiment, the device 3 is an air conditioner. Each device 3 periodically (for example, every hour) transmits device data related to the device 3 to the communication device 2 connected to the device 3 . The device data transmitted by each device 3 includes the operation mode, set temperature, control temperature, outside temperature, and power consumption.

The operation mode is a mode during air conditioning operation set by the user, and indicates, for example, one of cooling, heating, ventilation, dehumidification, and stop. The set temperature is the target room temperature set by the user. The control temperature is the target room temperature that the device 3 actually uses during air conditioning. In normal times, the set temperature and the control temperature are the same value. However, during energy saving control by the remote server 5, which will be described later, the control temperature is set to be lower than the set temperature during heating and is set to be higher than the set temperature during cooling. The outside air temperature is the outside air temperature of the place where the equipment 3 is installed, and is detected by a temperature sensor provided in the outdoor unit of the equipment 3 . The power consumption is the actual value (Wh) of the power consumption required for the operation of the device 3, and specifically indicates the integrated value of the power consumption from midnight every day.

<User terminal 4>
The user terminal 4 is an electronic device that interfaces with the user in the device service providing system 1, and is a smart device such as a smart phone or a tablet terminal, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 4 includes a display 40, an operation reception unit 41, a first communication interface 42, a second communication interface 43, a CPU 44, a ROM 45, a RAM 46, and an auxiliary storage device 47. Prepare. These components are interconnected via bus 48 .

The display 40 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display 40 displays various screens and the like according to user operations under the control of the CPU 44 .

The operation reception unit 41 includes one or more input devices such as a push button, a touch panel, and a touch pad, receives operation input from the user, and outputs a signal related to the received operation to the CPU 44 .

The first communication interface 42 is hardware for short-range wireless communication with the communication device 2 . For example, the first communication interface 42 is hardware compatible with BLE. The second communication interface 43 is hardware for wireless LAN or hardware for mobile data communication for communicating with other devices such as the remote server 5 via the network N.

The CPU 44 comprehensively controls the user terminal 4 . The ROM 45 stores BIOS, firmware, and data used during execution of these programs. RAM 46 is used as a work area for CPU 44 . The auxiliary storage device 47 includes a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as EEPROM and flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 47 stores various programs including application programs for receiving services related to the equipment 3 provided by the remote server 5 (hereinafter referred to as equipment service applications), and data used when these programs are executed. are stored.

The device service app can be downloaded to the user terminal 4 via the network N from a remote server 5 or another server. Also, the user terminal 4 may acquire the device service application from another device through the short-range wireless communication described above. Also, by connecting a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, or memory card in which the device service application is recorded to the user terminal 4, can also incorporate device service apps.

<Remote Server 5>
Remote server 5 is an example of a remote server according to the present disclosure. The remote server 5 is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the communication device 2 and the device 3, and is connected to the network N. As shown in FIG. 4, the remote server 5 comprises a communication interface 50, a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and an auxiliary storage device . These components are interconnected via bus 55 .

The communication interface 50 is hardware for wired or wireless LAN for connecting to the network N and communicating with other devices such as each communication device 2 . The CPU 51 comprehensively controls the remote server 5 . The details of the functions of the remote server 5 implemented by the CPU 51 will be described later. The ROM 52 stores BIOS, firmware, and data used during execution of these programs. A RAM 53 is used as a work area for the CPU 51 .

The auxiliary storage device 54 is composed of a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, HDD, or the like. The readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory is, for example, EEPROM, flash memory, or the like. The auxiliary storage device 54 stores various programs including programs for realizing cloud computing services (hereinafter referred to as cloud programs), and data used when these programs are executed.

The above cloud programs can be downloaded to the remote server 5 via the network N from other servers. In addition, by connecting a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, HDD, SSD, or memory card in which the cloud program is stored to the remote server 5, the remote server 5 can It is also possible to incorporate cloud programs.

<Local Information Server 6>
Each local information server 6 is a server that provides information about the area where the local information server 6 is installed (hereinafter referred to as local information), and is operated by a business operator different from the business operator related to the equipment service providing system 1. server. In this embodiment, the local information server 6 is a weather server operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency, a weather service provider, etc., and provides weather information of the area concerned as local information for general use. The local information provided by the local information server 6, ie, the weather information, includes information regarding forecasts of future outside temperatures.

<Functional configuration of communication device 2 and remote server 5>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the communication device 2 and the remote server 5. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication device 2 includes a device data acquisition unit 200, a device data transmission unit 201, a business operator designation reception unit 202, a local information acquisition unit 203, a local information transmission unit 204, service data It includes a receiver 205 , a control command generator 206 , and a control command transmitter 207 . These functional units of the communication device 2 are implemented by the CPU 23 executing the device communication program and service execution program described above stored in the auxiliary storage device 26 .

The remote server 5 comprises an equipment data reception section 500 , an equipment data storage section 501 , a local information reception section 502 , a local information storage section 503 , a service data generation section 504 and a service data transmission section 505 . These functional units of the remote server 5 are implemented by the CPU 51 executing the above cloud program stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 .

In the communication device 2, the device data acquisition unit 200 is an example of device data acquisition means according to the present disclosure. The device data acquisition unit 200 periodically (for example, every hour) acquires device data from the connected device 3 . As described above, the equipment data includes the operation mode, set temperature, control temperature, outside temperature, and power consumption. The device data acquisition unit 200 adds a time stamp indicating the current date and time (year/month/day and time) to the acquired device data, and supplies the acquired device data to the device data transmission unit 201 . The device data transmission unit 201 is an example of device data transmission means according to the present disclosure. The equipment data transmission unit 201 transmits the equipment data supplied from the equipment data acquisition unit 200 to the remote server 5 .

The equipment data receiving unit 500 of the remote server 5 receives the equipment data sent from the communication device 2 of each house H. FIG. The device data storage unit 501 stores the device data received by the device data reception unit 500 in the device DB 540 . The device DB 540 is an example of device data storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the device DB 540 is a database that sequentially stores device data sent from each communication device 2 and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 . In the device DB 540, history of device data for a predetermined period (for example, one year) is managed for each customer.

In the present embodiment, in the device DB 540, the history of device data is managed for each device ID (identification) of the communication device 2, thereby realizing management for each customer. The device ID is the serial number of the communication device 2, for example. In the device DB 540, the device data history may be managed by the device ID of the device 3, or may be managed by the customer ID given to each customer at the time of user registration.

In the communication device 2, the business operator designation reception unit 202 receives the designation of the business operator, which is the operator of the local information server 6, from the user. When the user receives the service related to the device 3, the user needs to specify the service provider to be used for the communication device 2 in advance. The operator is designated via the user terminal 4 . Specifically, the user activates the above-described device service application installed in the user terminal 4, and designates a business operator via the business operator designation screen shown in FIG. For example, the user enters the location of his or her home on the operator designation screen, executes a search, and selects and designates a desired operator from the list of operators displayed as the search results.

When the user completes the designation of the business operator, the information (hereinafter referred to as business operator information) regarding the business operator specified by the user ("Business operator A" in the example of FIG. 7) is sent from the user terminal 4 to the communication device 2. sent. The business operator information is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing a resource indicating local information provided by the local information server 6 corresponding to the business operator.

The operator designation reception unit 202 receives and accepts the operator information sent from the user terminal 4, and notifies the local information acquisition unit 203 of the accepted operator information. The local information acquisition unit 203 is an example of local information acquisition means according to the present disclosure, and acquires local information corresponding to the location area of the device 3 from any local information server 6 . More specifically, when the local information acquisition unit 203 receives the notification of the business operator information from the business operator designation reception unit 202, the local information acquisition unit 203 periodically (for example, every hour) acquires the local information specified by the business operator information. The server 6 is accessed and local information (that is, weather information) is acquired from the local information server 6 .

The local information transmission unit 204 is an example of local information transmission means according to the present disclosure. The local information transmission section 204 transmits the local information acquired by the local information acquisition section 203 to the remote server 5 .

The local information receiving unit 502 of the remote server 5 is an example of local information receiving means according to the present disclosure, and receives local information sent from the communication device 2 of each house H. The local information storage section 503 stores the local information received by the local information reception section 502 in the local information DB 541 . The local information DB 541 is an example of local information storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8 , the local information DB 541 is a database that stores local information sent from each communication device 2 and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 . The local information DB 541 manages the latest local information for each customer.

In this embodiment, in the local information DB 541, the local information is managed by device ID of the communication device 2, similarly to the management in the device DB 540. FIG. In the device DB 540, if the device data history is managed by the device ID of the device 3 or by the customer ID, the local information is also managed in the local information DB 541 in the same manner as in the device DB 540. and

FIG. 8 shows an example of local information corresponding to one customer. In the present embodiment, the local information is weather information, which is information indicating the prediction of the future outside temperature. In FIG. 8, the year, month, day and time zone are the year, month, day and time zone corresponding to the predicted outside temperature.

The service data generation unit 504 is an example of service data generation means according to the present disclosure. The service data generation unit 504 generates service data, which is data for providing the customer with services related to the device 3 . In this embodiment, the remote server 5 provides an energy-saving control service for keeping the daily power consumption of the equipment 3 (that is, the air conditioner) in each customer's home within a preset target value. Target values are preset by each customer using the Device Service App.

The service data generation unit 504 executes service data generation processing for each customer each time the device data from the communication device 2 corresponding to the customer is stored in the device DB 540 . In the service data generation process, first, the service data generation unit 504 calculates the expected value of today's power consumption of the device 3 of the customer. Specifically, the service data generation unit 504 reads the latest device data of the device 3 corresponding to the customer from the device DB 540, and also reads the latest local information (that is, Weather information) is read, and a power consumption table (see FIG. 9) corresponding to the customer is read from the auxiliary storage device 54 .

As shown in FIG. 9, the power consumption table is a table showing the relationship between the outside temperature, the set temperature, and the power consumption per hour (Wh), and is generated by the remote server 5 for each device 3. It is saved in the auxiliary storage device 54 . The remote server 5 generates power consumption tables for winter and summer corresponding to the device 3 from the history of the device data of the device 3 . FIG. 9 shows an example of a power consumption table for winter.

The service data generation unit 504 displays the set temperature included in the latest equipment data, that is, the total power consumption in the case of operating at the current set temperature until the air conditioning end time, as shown in FIG. 9 with the read weather information. It is calculated by referring to the power consumption table. The air-conditioning end time is the time set by the customer in advance at which the air conditioning by the device 3 ends, in other words, the time at which the device 3 stops operating. The customer can use the device service app to set the desired air conditioning end time.

For example, if the contents of the device DB 540 shown in FIG. 6, the contents of the local information DB 541 shown in FIG. 8, and the power consumption table shown in FIG. 9 correspond to the same customer, and the air conditioning end time is 20:00, If the device 3 is operated from the current time (15:00 in this example) to 20:00 at the current set temperature (22° C. in this example), the future total power consumption will be 700 Wh + 720 Wh + 740 Wh + 760 Wh + 780 Wh = 3700 Wh. The service data generation unit 504 adds the calculated future total power consumption to the power consumption (in this example, 6320 Wh) included in the latest device data of the customer, thereby calculating the current day of the customer's device 3. Calculate the estimated power consumption of In this example, today's expected power consumption of the device 3 is 10020 Wh.

Next, the service data generation unit 504 compares the calculated expected value of power consumption with a preset target value, and determines whether the expected value is equal to or less than the target value. If the expected value is equal to or less than the target value, the service data generation unit 504 determines that there is no need for energy saving control for the device 3, that is, there is no need to generate service data. On the other hand, when the expected value is greater than the target value, the service data generation unit 504 determines that energy saving control for the device 3 is necessary, that is, it is necessary to generate service data. For example, if the expected value is 10020 Wh and the target value is 10 kWh, the service data generation unit 504 determines that energy saving control for the device 3 is necessary.

If it is determined that energy saving control for the device 3 is necessary, the service data generation unit 504 refers to the weather information (see FIG. 8) and the power consumption table (see FIG. 9), and in the future time period, The time zone in which the energy saving effect is the highest when the current set temperature of the device 3 is lowered by 1° C., that is, the time zone for energy saving is acquired. For example, if the current set temperature is 22°C, referring to the weather information in FIG. 8 and the power consumption table in FIG. When the temperature is lowered from 22° C. to 21° C., the power consumption is reduced by 25 Wh, and it can be seen that the energy saving control in this time period has the highest energy saving effect compared to other time periods. Therefore, the service data generation unit 504 acquires the time period from 19:00 to 20:00 as the energy saving target time period.

Note that in summer, the service data generation unit 504 refers to the weather information and the power consumption table, and in the future time zone, if the current set temperature of the device 3 is raised by 1° C., the energy saving effect will be the highest. Acquire the time period in which the energy consumption is high as the time period for energy saving.

The service data generation unit 504 updates the expected value of power consumption by subtracting the reduced power consumption from the previously calculated expected value of power consumption. Then, the updated probability value is compared with the target value, and it is determined whether or not the probability value is equal to or less than the target value. For example, if the initial expected value is 10020 Wh and the energy saving control reduces it by 25 Wh, the updated expected value is 9995 Wh. Here, assuming that the target value is 10 kWh, the expected value is equal to or less than the target value, and the service data generation unit 504 determines that no further energy saving control is necessary.

Then, the service data generation unit 504 generates service data for instructing energy saving operation during the acquired energy saving target time zone, and supplies the generated service data to the service data transmission unit 505 . Specifically, the service data includes a code indicating the setting of the control temperature, the time zone for energy saving, and the value of the control temperature. For example, in winter (that is, during heating), the value of the control temperature is the current set temperature -1°C.

Note that even if energy saving control is performed in one time period acquired as an energy saving target time period, if the expected value of today's power consumption does not fall below the target value, the service data generation unit 504 After the acquired energy saving target time zone, the time zone with the highest energy saving effect (for example, the time zone from 18:00 to 19:00) is acquired as the energy saving target time zone. Then, the service data generating unit 504 updates the expected value of the power consumption and determines whether or not it becomes equal to or less than the target value in the same manner as described above. The service data generation unit 504 repeats the above process until the estimated value of power consumption becomes equal to or less than the target value.

In addition, when there are multiple time periods in which the reduction value during energy saving control is the same (for example, the time period from 15:00 to 16:00 and the time period from 16:00 to 17:00), the service data generation unit 504 increases consumption. The time period in which the amount of electric power is large (in this example, the time period from 16:00 to 17:00) is acquired as the energy saving target time period.

When a plurality of time periods are acquired as energy-saving target time periods, the service data generation unit 504 generates service data for instructing energy-saving operation in each time period, and transmits the generated service data to the service data transmission unit 505. supply. In this case, the service data includes a code indicating the setting of the control temperature, the time period for each energy saving target, and the value of the control temperature.

If the service data generated this time has the same contents as the service data generated previously, the service data generation unit 504 discards the service data generated this time without supplying it to the service data transmission unit 505 .

The service data transmission unit 505 is an example of service data transmission means according to the present disclosure. The service data transmission unit 505 transmits the service data supplied from the service data generation unit 504 to the corresponding communication device 2 .

The service data receiving unit 205 of the communication device 2 is an example of service data receiving means according to the present disclosure, and receives service data sent from the remote server 5 . The service data receiver 205 supplies the received service data to the control command generator 206 . The control command generator 206 generates control commands for controlling the device 3 based on the service data sent from the remote server 5 . Then, the control command generation unit 206 instructs the control command transmission unit 207 to transmit the generated control command to the device 3 at the specified time.

For example, if the service data sets the control temperature to "21° C." from 19:00 to 20:00, the control command generator 206 sets the control temperature to 21° C. for one hour. The control command transmitting unit 207 is instructed to generate a control command and transmit the generated control command to the device 3 at 19:00. The control command transmission unit 207 having received such an instruction transmits the control command to the connected device 3 at 19:00. The control command generation unit 206 and the control command transmission unit 207 are examples of service execution means according to the present disclosure.

The device 3 (that is, the air conditioner) that receives the control command from the communication device 2 sets the room temperature of the room in which the device 3 is installed to the control temperature indicated by the control command instead of the set temperature set by the user. air conditioning (heating operation or cooling operation).

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the communication device 2. As shown in FIG.
(Step S101)
The communication device 2 acquires device data from the connected device 3 . As described above, the equipment data includes the operation mode, set temperature, control temperature, outside temperature, and power consumption. After that, the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S102.

(Step S102)
The communication device 2 accesses the local information server 6 specified by the business operator information received from the user and acquires local information (that is, weather information). As described above, the weather information includes information regarding prediction of the future outside temperature. After that, the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S103.

(Step S103)
The communication device 2 transmits the acquired device data and local information to the remote server 5 . After that, the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S104.

(Step S104)
The communication device 2 determines whether or not service data has been received from the remote server 5 . When the service data is received (step S104; YES), the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S105. On the other hand, if the service data has not been received (step S104; NO), the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S106.

(Step S105)
The communication device 2 generates a control command for controlling the device 3 based on the contents of the received service data. After that, the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S106.

(Step S106)
The communication device 2 determines whether or not the time to send the control command has arrived, that is, whether or not the time to send the generated control command to the device 3 has arrived. When the transmission time of the control command has arrived (step S106; YES), the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S107. On the other hand, if the transmission time of the control command has not arrived (step S106; NO), the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S108.

(Step S107)
The communication device 2 transmits the control command to the connected device 3 . After that, the processing of the communication device 2 transitions to step S108.

(Step S108)
The communication device 2 waits for operation for a certain period of time (for example, one hour). After that, the processing of the communication device 2 returns to step S101.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the remote server 5. As shown in FIG.
(Step S201)
The remote server 5 determines whether or not the device data and local information have been received from any communication device 2 . If the device data and local information have not been received from any communication device 2 (step S201; NO), the remote server 5 continues the process of step S201. On the other hand, if the device data and local information have been received from any communication device 2 (step S201; YES), the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S202.

(Step S202)
The remote server 5 saves the received device data in the device DB 540 and saves the received local information in the local information DB 541 . After that, the processing of the remote server 5 transitions to step S203.

(Step S203)
The remote server 5 executes service data generation processing. After that, the processing of the remote server 5 transitions to step S204.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of service data generation processing.
(Step S301)
The remote server 5 calculates the expected power consumption of the customer's equipment 3 for the day as described above. After that, the processing of the remote server 5 transitions to step S302.

(Step S302)
The remote server 5 determines whether or not the expected value of power consumption is equal to or less than a preset target value. If the expected value of power consumption is not equal to or less than the target value (step S302; NO), the processing of the remote server 5 transitions to step S303. On the other hand, if the expected value of power consumption is equal to or less than the target value (step S302; YES), the processing of the remote server 5 transitions to step S305.

(Step S303)
The remote server 5 acquires the energy saving target time period as described above. After that, the processing of the remote server 5 transitions to step S304.

(Step S304)
The remote server 5 updates the estimated value by subtracting from the current estimated value the amount of power consumption that can be reduced when energy saving control is performed during the acquired energy saving target time period. Thereafter, the processing of remote server 5 returns to step S302.

(Step S305)
The remote server 5 determines whether or not the energy saving target time period has been acquired, in other words, whether or not the process of step S303 has been executed. When the time zone for energy saving is acquired (step S305; YES), the process of the remote server 5 transitions to step S306. On the other hand, if the time zone for energy saving has not been acquired (step S305; NO), the remote server 5 terminates the service data generation process.

(Step S306)
The remote server 5 generates service data instructing energy-saving operation during the obtained time zone for energy-saving, and ends the service data generation process.

(Step S204 in FIG. 11)
The remote server 5 determines whether service data has been generated in the service data generation process. If no service data has been generated (step S204; NO), the processing of the remote server 5 returns to step S201. On the other hand, if service data has been generated (step S204; YES), the processing of the remote server 5 transitions to step S205.

(Step S205)
The remote server 5 transmits the generated service data to the corresponding communication device 2 . Thereafter, the processing of remote server 5 returns to step S201.

As described above, in the device service providing system 1 of the first embodiment, the communication device 2 receives local information corresponding to the location of the device 3 from the local information server 6 corresponding to the operator specified by the user. It acquires weather information and transmits it to the remote server 5 . Therefore, the remote server 5 does not need to manage information regarding the location of each device 3, and the user does not need to register information regarding the location of his or her home in the remote server 5. FIG. This makes it possible to provide the user with advantageous services related to the device 3 while ensuring the user's anonymity.

As a result, users can subscribe to the service with peace of mind, so that the number of subscribers to the service can be increased, and sales promotion of the device 3 can be expected.

In addition, for the operator of the remote server 5, the workload for paying attention to domestic and foreign laws and regulations regarding personal information is greatly reduced.

In addition, since the remote server 5 does not need to communicate with each local information server 6, a high load is not applied and stable system operation can be realized.

In addition, since the remote server 5 provides an energy saving control service for keeping the daily power consumption of the equipment 3 within a preset target value, each customer can effectively save electricity charges. Become.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the components and the like that are common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an equipment service providing system 1a according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. The equipment service providing system 1a is a system that provides services related to the equipment 3a installed in the home H of each customer. The equipment service providing system 1a includes a communication device 2a and equipment 3a installed in each house H, a user terminal 4 possessed by a user of each house H, a remote server 5a, and a plurality of local information servers 6a. .

<Communication device 2a>
The communication device 2a is an example of a communication device according to the present disclosure. The communication device 2a is a communication adapter for communicatively connecting the corresponding device 3a to a network N, which is a wide area network such as WAN and the Internet. The hardware configuration of the communication device 2a is the same as that of the communication device 2 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2). Details of the functions of the communication device 2a will be described later.

<Equipment 3a>
Each device 3a is a target device of the service provided by the remote server 5a, and is installed in each customer's house (that is, each house H) subscribing to the service. In this embodiment, the device 3a is a storage hot water heater. Each device 3a periodically (for example, every hour) transmits device data to the communication device 2a connected to the device 3a. The device data transmitted by each device 3a includes the tank capacity (L) and the amount of usable hot water (L).

The tank capacity is the capacity of the hot water storage tank included in the device 3a. The usable amount of hot water is the amount of hot water that can be used by the user, that is, the amount of hot water that the user can use through a hot water supply terminal such as a shower or faucet. The amount of usable hot water also includes the amount of city water mixed with high-temperature hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank. Therefore, the amount of hot water that can be used is greater than the amount of hot water stored, and may be greater than the capacity of the tank.

<Remote Server 5a>
Remote server 5a is an example of a remote server according to the present disclosure. The remote server 5a is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the communication device 2a and the device 3a, and is connected to the network N. The hardware configuration of the remote server 5a is the same as that of the remote server 5 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 4). Details of the functions of the remote server 5a will be described later.

<Local Information Server 6a>
Each local information server 6a is a server that provides local information, which is information about the area where the local information server 6a is installed, and is a server operated by a business operator different from the business operator related to the equipment service providing system 1a. be. In the present embodiment, the local information server 6a is a server operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency, other public organizations, meteorological operators, etc., and provides disaster prevention information for the area as local information for general use. The local information provided by the local information server 6a, that is, the disaster prevention information, includes the date and time of notification (date and time) and the content of the notification (for example, heavy rain warning, heavy snow emergency warning, etc.). .

<Functional configuration of communication device 2a and remote server 5a>
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the communication device 2a and the remote server 5a. As shown in FIG. 14, the communication device 2a includes a device data acquisition unit 200, a device data transmission unit 201, a business operator designation reception unit 202, a local information acquisition unit 203a, a local information transmission unit 204, service data It includes a receiver 205 , a control command generator 206 a and a control command transmitter 207 . These functional units of the communication device 2a receive service data from the remote server 5a and the device communication program stored in the auxiliary storage device 26 for communicating with the device 3a and exchanging data. , and a service execution program that executes processing based on the received service data.

The remote server 5a includes an equipment data reception unit 500, an equipment data storage unit 501, a local information reception unit 502, a local information storage unit 503, a service data generation unit 504a, and a service data transmission unit 505. These functional units of the remote server 5a are implemented by the CPU 51 executing a cloud program stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 for implementing cloud computing services.

In the communication device 2a, the device data acquisition unit 200 acquires device data periodically (for example, every hour) from the connected device 3a. As described above, the equipment data includes the tank capacity and the amount of usable hot water. The device data acquisition unit 200 adds a time stamp indicating the current date and time (year/month/day and time) to the acquired device data, and supplies the acquired device data to the device data transmission unit 201 . The equipment data transmission unit 201 transmits the equipment data supplied from the equipment data acquisition unit 200 to the remote server 5a.

The equipment data receiving unit 500 of the remote server 5a is an example of equipment data receiving means according to the present disclosure, and receives equipment data sent from the communication device 2a of each house H. The device data storage unit 501 stores the device data received by the device data reception unit 500 in the device DB 540a. The device DB 540a is an example of device data storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 15, the device DB 540a is a database that sequentially stores device data sent from each communication device 2a, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device . In the device DB 540a, history of device data for a predetermined period (for example, one day) is managed for each customer.

In this embodiment, in the device DB 540a, the history of device data is managed for each device ID of the communication device 2a, thereby realizing management for each customer. The device ID is, for example, the serial number of the communication device 2a. In the device DB 540a, the device data history may be managed by the device ID of the device 3a, or may be managed by the customer ID given to each customer at the time of user registration.

In the communication device 2a, the business operator designation reception unit 202 receives the business operator designation from the user, as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the operator designation receiving unit 202 receives and accepts the operator information regarding the operator specified by the user, sent from the user terminal 4 . The operator designation reception unit 202 notifies the local information acquisition unit 203a of the received operator information.

The local information acquisition unit 203a is an example of local information acquisition means according to the present disclosure. When the local information acquisition unit 203a receives the notification of the business operator information from the business operator designation receiving unit 202, the local information acquisition unit 203a accesses the local information server 6a specified by the business operator information on a regular basis (for example, every hour). Then, when disaster prevention information has been issued, the information is acquired as local information. The local information transmission unit 204 transmits the local information acquired by the local information acquisition unit 203a to the remote server 5a.

The local information receiving unit 502 of the remote server 5a receives the local information sent from the communication device 2a of each house H. FIG. The local information storage unit 503 stores the local information received by the local information reception unit 502 in the local information DB 541a. The local information DB 541a is an example of local information storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 16, the local information DB 541a is a database that stores local information sent from each communication device 2a, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device . The local information DB 541a stores the latest local information for each customer.

In this embodiment, in the local information DB 541a, the local information is managed according to the device ID of the communication device 2a, similarly to the management in the device DB 540a. In the device DB 540a, if the device data history is managed by the device ID of the device 3a or by the customer ID, the local information is managed in the local information DB 541a in the same manner as the device DB 540a. and

FIG. 16 shows an example of local information corresponding to one customer. In the present embodiment, the local information is disaster prevention information, and is information indicating notification regarding disaster prevention. In FIG. 16, the date and time are the date and time when the disaster prevention information was issued, and the notification content is the content of the notification.

The service data generation unit 504a is an example of a service data generation unit according to the present disclosure, and generates service data for providing a customer with a service related to the device 3a. In this embodiment, the remote server 5a provides a heating control service for securing a sufficient amount of usable hot water in advance in preparation for a power outage. The service data generation unit 504a executes service data generation processing for each customer each time the local information from the communication device 2a corresponding to the customer is stored in the local information DB 541a, that is, each time the disaster prevention information is updated. . FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of service data generation processing executed by the service data generation unit 504a.

(Step S401)
The service data generator 504a checks the updated disaster prevention information to determine whether there is a possibility of a power outage. The service data generator 504a determines whether or not there is a possibility of a power outage based on the notification content in the disaster prevention information. For example, the service data generation unit 504a determines that there is a possibility of a power outage if the notification content corresponds to a special warning, and if the notification content does not correspond to a special warning (for example, a warning, etc.), it determines that there is a power outage. Decide that it is not possible. If there is a possibility of power failure (step S401; YES), the process of the service data generation unit 504a transitions to step S402. On the other hand, if there is no possibility of power outage (step S401; NO), the service data generation unit 504a terminates the service data generation processing based on the latest update of the disaster prevention information of the customer.

(Step S402)
The service data generation unit 504a reads the latest device data of the device 3a installed in the customer's house from the device DB 540a, and acquires the tank capacity and the amount of hot water available for use. After that, the processing of the service data generation unit 504a transitions to step S403.

(Step S403)
The service data generator 504a calculates a reference value from the tank capacity. The reference value is calculated by multiplying the tank capacity by a constant (eg, 1.6). After that, the processing of the service data generation unit 504a transitions to step S404.

(Step S404)
The service data generation unit 504a determines whether or not the amount of usable hot water is less than the reference value. If the amount of usable hot water is less than the reference value (step S404; YES), the processing of the service data generation unit 504a transitions to step S405. On the other hand, if the amount of hot water available for use is equal to or greater than the reference value (step S404; NO), a sufficient amount of hot water is already secured for use. End the service data generation process.

For example, if the latest device data of the device 3a at the customer's home is the device data at 16:00 on January 27, 2021 shown in FIG. 15, and the constant for calculating the reference value is 1.6, the reference value is , 460L×1.6=736L, so the usable hot water amount (720L) is less than the reference value. In this case, it means that a sufficient amount of usable hot water is not secured in preparation for a power outage.

(Step S405)
The service data generation unit 504a generates service data for instructing the device 3a to start the heating operation, and ends the service data generation processing based on the latest update of the disaster prevention information of the customer.

The service data transmission unit 505 transmits the service data generated by the service data generation unit 504a to the corresponding communication device 2a.

The service data receiving section 205 of the communication device 2a receives the service data sent from the remote server 5a. The service data reception unit 205 supplies the received service data to the control command generation unit 206a. Based on the service data sent from the remote server 5a, the control command generation unit 206a generates a control command for controlling the device 3a, that is, a control command for instructing the start of the boiling operation.

The control command transmission unit 207 transmits the control command generated by the control command generation unit 206a to the connected device 3a. The device 3a that has received such a control command starts the boiling operation. The control command generation unit 206a and the control command transmission unit 207 are examples of service execution means according to the present disclosure.

As described above, in the device service providing system 1a of the second embodiment, the communication device 2a receives local information corresponding to the location of the device 3a from the local information server 6a corresponding to the operator specified by the user. It acquires disaster prevention information and transmits it to the remote server 5a. Therefore, the remote server 5a does not need to manage information about the location of each device 3a, and the user does not need to register information about the location of his/her home in the remote server 5a. This makes it possible to provide the user with advantageous services related to the device 3a while ensuring the user's anonymity.

As a result, users can subscribe to the service with peace of mind, so that the number of subscribers to the service can be increased, and sales promotion of the device 3a can be expected.

In addition, for the operator of the remote server 5a, the workload for paying attention to domestic and foreign laws and regulations regarding personal information is greatly reduced.

In addition, since the remote server 5a does not need to communicate with each local information server 6a, a high load is not applied and stable system operation can be realized.

In addition, since the remote server 5a provides a heating control service in preparation for a power failure, it is possible to avoid, as much as possible, the situation in which the amount of hot water that can be used in each house H is exhausted during a power failure.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the components and the like that are common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an equipment service providing system 1b according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. The equipment service providing system 1b is a system that provides services related to the equipment 3b installed in each customer's house H. FIG. The equipment service providing system 1b includes a communication device 2b and equipment 3b installed in each house H, a user terminal 4 possessed by a user of each house H, a remote server 5b, and a plurality of local information servers 6b. .

<Communication device 2b>
The communication device 2b is an example of a communication device according to the present disclosure. The communication device 2b is a communication adapter for communicatively connecting the corresponding device 3b to a network N, which is a wide area network such as WAN and the Internet. The hardware configuration of the communication device 2b is the same as that of the communication device 2 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2). Details of the functions of the communication device 2b will be described later.

<Equipment 3b>
Each device 3b is a target device of the service provided by the remote server 5b, and is installed in each customer's house (that is, each house H) subscribing to the service. In this embodiment, the device 3b is a refrigerator. Each device 3b periodically (for example, every hour) transmits device data to the communication device 2b connected to the device 3b. Each device 3b is provided with a visible camera (not shown) composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and shows an image of the interior taken by the visible camera. The device data containing the image data is transmitted to the communication device 2b.

<Remote Server 5b>
Remote server 5b is an example of a remote server according to the present disclosure. The remote server 5b is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the communication device 2b and the device 3b, and is connected to the network N. The hardware configuration of the remote server 5b is the same as that of the remote server 5 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 4). Details of the functions of the remote server 5b will be described later.

<Local Information Server 6b>
Each local information server 6b is a server that provides local information, which is information about the area where the local information server 6b is installed, and is a server operated by a third party different from the operator of the equipment service providing system 1b. be. In the present embodiment, the local information server 6b is a server operated by a company that operates a retail store such as a supermarket that stocks various food items, and generally uses product information of the retail store as local information. provide as possible. The local information provided by the local information server 6b, that is, the product information includes the date of provision of the product information (year/month/day) and information regarding whether or not there is a bargain sale for each main product handled.

<Functional configuration of communication device 2b and remote server 5b>
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the communication device 2b and the remote server 5b. As shown in FIG. 19, the communication device 2b includes a device data acquisition unit 200, a device data transmission unit 201, a business operator designation reception unit 202, a local information acquisition unit 203, a local information transmission unit 204, service data It has a receiver 205 and a notification unit 208 . These functional units of the communication device 2b receive service data from the remote server 5b and the device communication program stored in the auxiliary storage device 26 for communicating with the device 3b and exchanging data. , and a service execution program that executes processing based on the received service data.

The remote server 5b includes an equipment data reception unit 500, an equipment data storage unit 501a, a local information reception unit 502, a local information storage unit 503, a service data generation unit 504b, and a service data transmission unit 505. These functional units of the remote server 5b are realized by the CPU 51 executing a cloud program for realizing cloud computing services stored in the auxiliary storage device 54. FIG.

In the communication device 2b, the device data acquisition unit 200 acquires device data periodically (for example, every hour) from the connected device 3b. As described above, the device data includes image data representing an image of the interior of the device 3 (that is, the refrigerator). The equipment data transmission section 201 transmits the equipment data acquired by the equipment data acquisition section 200 to the remote server 5b.

The equipment data receiving unit 500 of the remote server 5b receives the equipment data sent from the communication device 2b of each house H. FIG. The device data storage unit 501a recognizes the image data included in the device data received by the device data reception unit 500 by AI (Artificial Intelligence), thereby determining the ingredients stored in the device 3b. Then, the device data storage unit 501a stores the data including the current date and time (date and time) and the information indicating each discriminated ingredient in the device DB 540b as the device data sent from the communication device 2b. . The device DB 540b is an example of device data storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 20, the device DB 540b is a database that sequentially stores device data sent from each communication device 2b, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device . In the device DB 540b, history of device data for a predetermined period (for example, one day) is managed for each customer.

In this embodiment, in the device DB 540b, the history of device data is managed for each device ID of the communication device 2b, thereby realizing management for each customer. The device ID is, for example, the serial number of the communication device 2b. In the device DB 540b, the device data history may be managed by the device ID of the device 3b, or may be managed by the customer ID given to each customer at the time of user registration.

In the communication device 2b, the business operator designation reception unit 202 receives the business operator designation from the user, as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the operator designation receiving unit 202 receives and accepts the operator information regarding the operator specified by the user, sent from the user terminal 4 . The operator designation reception unit 202 notifies the local information acquisition unit 203 of the received operator information.

When the local information acquisition unit 203 receives notification of the business operator information from the business operator designation reception unit 202, the local information acquisition unit 203 receives the information from the local information server 6b specified by the business operator information at a predetermined time (for example, 10:00 a.m.). It accesses and acquires product information provided by the local information server 6b as local information. The local information transmission section 204 transmits the local information acquired by the local information acquisition section 203 to the remote server 5b.

The local information receiving unit 502 of the remote server 5b receives the local information sent from the communication device 2b of each house H. FIG. The local information storage unit 503 stores the local information received by the local information reception unit 502 in the local information DB 541b. The local information DB 541b is an example of local information storage means according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 21, the local information DB 541b is a database that stores local information sent from each communication device 2b, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device . The local information DB 541b manages the latest local information for each customer.

In this embodiment, in the local information DB 541b, the local information is managed according to the device ID of the communication device 2b, similarly to the management in the device DB 540b. In the device DB 540b, if the device data history is managed by the device ID of the device 3b or by the customer ID, then the local information is managed in the local information DB 541b in the same manner as in the device DB 540b. and

FIG. 21 shows an example of local information corresponding to one customer. In the present embodiment, the local information is product information, and is information regarding whether or not there is a bargain sale for each main product. In FIG. 21, the date is the date on which the product information was provided by the local information server 6b. 21, "name" is the name of the product, and "bargain flag" indicates whether or not the product is on sale. flag to indicate In the "bargain sale flag", "1" indicates that the product is on sale, and "0" indicates that it is not on sale.

The service data generation unit 504b is an example of a service data generation unit according to the present disclosure, and generates service data for providing a customer with a service related to the device 3b. In the present embodiment, the remote server 5b generates a list of recommended menus (hereinafter referred to as a recommended menu list) based on ingredients stored in the equipment 3b (that is, a refrigerator) at the customer's home and product information that is local information. ) to the customer. The service data generation unit 504b executes service data generation processing for each customer at a time preset by the customer (hereinafter referred to as service provision time). Each customer can use the device service app to set desired service delivery times (eg, 11:00 am, 5:00 pm, etc.). FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure of service data generation processing executed by the service data generation unit 504b.

(Step S501)
The service data generation unit 504b reads out the latest equipment data of the customer from the equipment DB 540b, and acquires information on all ingredients from the read equipment data. After that, the processing of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S502.

(Step S502)
The service data generation unit 504b acquires a recommended menu. More specifically, the service data generating unit 504b acquires the menu to be recommended by referring to the recipe table shown in FIG. 23 based on the acquired information on the ingredients. The recipe table is a table in which menus are associated with ingredients to be used, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 in advance.

For each menu in the recipe table, the service data generation unit 504b determines if a certain percentage (for example, 50%) or more of the ingredients used in the menu is already stored (that is, if it is already stored in the device 3b). if it is), it is determined that the menu is recommended. The service data generation unit 504b refers to the recipe table and acquires menus to be recommended one by one in descending order of the ratio of the ingredients held. After that, the processing of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S503.

(Step S503)
The service data generation unit 504b acquires information as to whether or not each of the missing ingredients in the acquired recommendation target menu is a bargain item. Specifically, the local information corresponding to the customer, that is, the product information is read from the local information DB 541b. For each ingredient, information is acquired as to whether or not the ingredient is a bargain. After that, the processing of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S504.

(Step S504)
The service data generation unit 504b aggregates the cost points for each ingredient of the recommended menu. After that, the processing of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S505. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, cost points are determined according to the condition of the ingredients. For example, if the menu to be recommended is "curry", the ingredients to be used are "curry roux", "onion", "carrot", "potato", and "pork", and "curry roux", "onion", "carrot"", but "Potato" is a bargain item and "Pork" is a non-bargain item, the aggregate value of cost points is 0 points (curry roux) + 0 points (onion) + 0 points (carrot) +1 point (potato) +2 points (pork) = 3 points.

(Step S505)
The service data generation unit 504b determines whether or not all recommended menu items have been acquired from the recipe table. If all recommended menus have not been acquired (step S505; NO), the processing of the service data generation unit 504b returns to step S502. On the other hand, if all recommended menus have been acquired (step S505; YES), the processing of the service data generation unit 504b transitions to step S506.

(Step S506)
The service data generation unit 504b generates service data including a recommended menu list ranked in descending order of the total cost point value for all of the obtained menus to be recommended, and End the service data generation process.

The service data transmission unit 505 transmits the service data generated by the service data generation unit 504b to the corresponding communication device 2b.

The service data receiving section 205 of the communication device 2b receives the service data sent from the remote server 5b. The service data receiving section 205 supplies the received service data to the reporting section 208 . The notification unit 208 is an example of service execution means according to the present disclosure. The notification unit 208 notifies the user of the device 3b of information based on the service data sent from the remote server 5b. More specifically, notification information for displaying the recommended menu list included in the service data on the user terminal 4 is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 4 of the user. The user terminal 4 that has received such notification information displays the recommended menu list on the display 40 under the operation of the device service application.

As described above, in the device service providing system 1b of the third embodiment, the communication device 2b receives local information corresponding to the location of the device 3b from the local information server 6b corresponding to the operator specified by the user. It acquires product information and transmits it to the remote server 5b. Therefore, the remote server 5b does not need to manage the information about the location of each device 3b, and the user does not need to register the information about the location of the home in the remote server 5b. This makes it possible to provide the user with advantageous services related to the device 3b while ensuring the user's anonymity.

As a result, users can subscribe to the service with peace of mind, so that the number of subscribers to the service can be increased, and sales promotion of the device 3b can be expected.

Further, for the operator of the remote server 5b, the workload for paying attention to domestic and foreign laws and regulations regarding personal information is greatly reduced.

In addition, since the remote server 5b does not need to communicate with each local information server 6b, a high load is not applied, and stable system operation can be realized.

Further, the remote server 5b provides a service of presenting a recommended menu list based on the ingredients stored in the device 3b and product information regarding whether or not there is a bargain for each product, which is very convenient for customers.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the components and the like that are common to the first to third embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an equipment service providing system 1c according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. The equipment service providing system 1c is a system that provides services related to one or a plurality of equipment 8 installed in each customer's house H. FIG. The equipment service providing system 1c includes a communication device 7 and one or more equipment 8 installed in each house H, a user terminal 4 possessed by a user of each house H, a remote server 5c, and a plurality of local information servers. 9.

<Communication Device 7>
The communication device 7 is an example of a communication device according to the present disclosure. The communication device 7 is a home gateway for connecting each device 8 connected via a home network built in the home to a network N, which is a wide area network such as a WAN and the Internet. As shown in FIG. 26, the communication device 7 includes a first communication interface 70, a second communication interface 71, a CPU 72, a ROM 73, a RAM 74, and an auxiliary storage device 75 as a hardware configuration. These components are interconnected via bus 76 .

The first communication interface 70 is hardware for connecting to the home network and communicating with each device 8 and the user terminal 4 . The second communication interface 71 is hardware for connecting to the network N and communicating with other devices such as the remote server 5c and the local information server 9. FIG.

The CPU 72 comprehensively controls the communication device 7 . Details of the functions of the communication device 7 implemented by the CPU 72 will be described later. The ROM 73 stores BIOS, firmware, and data used during execution of these programs. A RAM 74 is used as a work area for the CPU 72 . The auxiliary storage device 75 is composed of a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, HDD, or the like. The readable/writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory is, for example, EEPROM, flash memory, or the like. The auxiliary storage device 75 contains a device communication program for communicating with the device 8 to exchange data, a service execution program for receiving service data from the remote server 5c and executing processing based on the received service data, Data used during execution of these programs are stored.

The above equipment communication program and service execution program can be downloaded to the communication device 7 via the network N from the remote server 5c or another server. Further, the communication device 2 may acquire the device communication program and the service execution program from the user terminal 4 or another device via the home network.

In addition, the above device communication program and service execution program can be recorded and distributed on computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical discs, USB memories, HDDs, SSDs, and memory cards. be.

<Equipment 8>
Each device 8 is a target device of the service provided by the remote server 5c, and is installed in each customer's house (that is, each house H) subscribing to the service. In the present embodiment, each device 8 is the device 3 of Embodiment 1 (ie, air conditioner), the device 3a of Embodiment 2 (ie, water heater), and the device 3b of Embodiment 3 (ie, refrigerator). is any of For example, when the device 8 is the device 3, the device 8 periodically (for example, every hour) includes the operation mode, the set temperature, the control temperature, the outside temperature, and the power consumption. The received equipment data is transmitted to the communication device 7 .

If the device 8 is the device 3a, the device 8 periodically (for example, every hour) communicates device data containing the tank capacity (L) and the amount of hot water available (L). Send to device 7 . Further, when the device 8 is the device 3b, the device 8 periodically (for example, every hour) transmits device data including image data representing an image of the inside of the refrigerator to the communication device 7 .

<remote server 5c>
Remote server 5c is an example of a remote server according to the present disclosure. The remote server 5c is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the communication device 7 and the device 8, and is connected to the network N. The hardware configuration of the remote server 5c is the same as that of the remote server 5 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 4). Details of the functions of the remote server 5c will be described later.

<Local Information Server 9>
Each local information server 9 is a server that provides information on the area where the local information server 9 is installed (hereinafter referred to as local information), and is operated by a third party different from the operator of the equipment service providing system 1c. server. In this embodiment, each local information server 9 is one of the local information server 6 of the first embodiment, the local information server 6a of the second embodiment, and the local information server 6b of the third embodiment. For example, if the local information server 9 is the local information server 6, the local information server 9 provides weather information for the area as local information for general use.

Moreover, when the said local information server 9 is the local information server 6a, the said local information server 9 provides the disaster-prevention information of the said area generally available as local information. Also, when the local information server 9 is the local information server 6b, the local information server 9 provides product information of retail stores such as supermarkets in the area for general use.

<Functional Configuration of Communication Device 7>
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device 7. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 27, the communication device 7 includes an equipment data acquisition unit 700, an equipment data transmission unit 701, a business operator designation acceptance unit 702, a local information acquisition unit 703, a local information transmission unit 704, and service data It comprises a receiving unit 705 , a service data analyzing unit 706 , a control command generating unit 707 , a control command transmitting unit 708 and a notification unit 709 . These functional units of the communication device 7 are realized by the CPU 72 executing the above-described device communication program and service execution program stored in the auxiliary storage device 75 .

The device data acquisition unit 700 is an example of device data acquisition means according to the present disclosure. The device data acquisition unit 700 acquires device data periodically (for example, every hour) from each device 8 connected via the home network. The device data acquisition unit 700 adds a code (hereinafter referred to as a device code) indicating the type of the device 8 (air conditioner, water heater, refrigerator) and the device ID of the device 8 to the acquired device data. Furthermore, when the device 8 is an air conditioner or water heater, the device data acquisition unit 700 adds a time stamp indicating the current date and time (year, month, day and time) to the device data. The device data transmission unit 701 transmits the device data acquired by the device data acquisition unit 700 and to which the device code, the device ID and, if necessary, the time stamp are added, to the remote server 5c. The device data transmission unit 701 is an example of device data transmission means according to the present disclosure.

A business operator designation reception unit 702 receives a business operator designation from the user. When the user receives the service related to the device 8, the user needs to specify the business operator to be used for the communication device 7 in advance. The operator is designated via the user terminal 4 . Specifically, the user activates the device service application, which is an application program installed in the user terminal 4 for receiving services related to the device 8 provided by the remote server 5c, and displays the operator designation screen shown in FIG. Designate a business operator through For example, the user enters the type of information (for example, weather, disaster prevention, food ingredients, etc.) that the user wishes to receive on the operator designation screen, and the location of the home, executes a search, and the search results are displayed. A desired business operator is selected and designated from the list of business operators.

When the user completes the designation of the business operator, the information (hereinafter referred to as business information) regarding the business operator specified by the user ("Business A" in the example of FIG. 28) is sent from the user terminal 4 to the communication device 7. sent. The business operator information includes a code (hereinafter referred to as a local information code) indicating the type of local information (weather information, disaster prevention information, product information) provided by the local information server 9 corresponding to the business operator, and the local information. and a URL for accessing the resource indicating the . The user designates the business operators to be used for all devices 8 connected to the communication device 7 .

The business operator designation reception unit 702 receives and accepts each business information sent from the user terminal 4, and notifies the local information acquisition unit 703 of the received business information. The local information acquisition unit 703 is an example of local information acquisition means according to the present disclosure. After receiving notification of the operator information from the operator designation reception part 702, the local information acquisition part 703 periodically accesses the local information server 9 specified by the operator information to acquire the local information. For example, when the local information server 9 provides weather information, the local information acquisition unit 703 accesses the local information server 9 every hour, for example, and acquires the weather information as local information.

Further, when the local information server 9 provides disaster prevention information, the local information acquisition unit 703 accesses the local information server 9 every hour, for example, and when the disaster prevention information is issued, as local information. When the local information server 9 provides product information, the local information acquisition unit 703 accesses the local information server 9 at a predetermined time (for example, 10:00 am) and acquires product information as local information. do.

The local information acquisition unit 703 adds a local information code corresponding to the local information to the acquired local information, and supplies the acquired local information to the local information transmission unit 704 . The local information transmission unit 704 is an example of local information transmission means according to the present disclosure. The local information transmission unit 704 transmits the local information supplied from the local information acquisition unit 703 to the remote server 5c.

The service data receiving unit 705 is an example of service data receiving means according to the present disclosure, and receives service data sent from the remote server 5c. The service data receiving section 705 supplies the received service data to the service data analyzing section 706 . The service data analysis unit 706 analyzes the service data supplied from the service data reception unit 705, determines whether the service data indicates control or information presentation, and acquires the content thereof.

If the service data indicates control, the service data analysis unit 706 supplies the content of control indicated by the service data to the control command generation unit 707 . On the other hand, if the service data indicates information presentation, the service data analysis unit 706 supplies the content of the information presentation indicated by the service data to the notification unit 709 .

The control command generation unit 707 generates a control command for controlling the device 8 based on the content of control supplied from the service data analysis unit 706 . The control command generator 707 then instructs the control command transmitter 708 to transmit the generated control command. At this time, if the device 8 is the device 3 (that is, an air conditioner), the control command generation unit 707 sends the generated control command to the device 8 at the specified time, similarly to the control command generation unit 206 of the first embodiment. The control command transmission unit 708 is instructed to transmit. The control command transmitter 708 transmits the control command generated by the control command generator 707 to the corresponding device 8 .

The notification unit 709 notifies the user of the device 8 of information based on the content of the information presentation supplied from the service data analysis unit 706 . More specifically, notification information for displaying the recommended menu list included in the service data on the user terminal 4 is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 4 of the user. The user terminal 4 that has received such notification information displays the recommended menu list on the display 40 under the operation of the device service application. The service data analysis unit 706, the control command generation unit 707, the control command transmission unit 708, and the notification unit 709 are examples of service execution means according to the present disclosure.

<Functional Configuration of Remote Server 5c>
FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the remote server 5c. As shown in FIG. 29, the remote server 5c includes an equipment data reception unit 500, an equipment data storage unit 501b, a local information reception unit 502, a local information storage unit 503a, a service data generation unit 504c, and a service data transmission unit. 505. These functional units of the remote server 5c are realized by the CPU 51 executing a cloud program stored in the auxiliary storage device 54 for realizing cloud computing services.

The equipment data receiving unit 500 receives the equipment data transmitted from the communication device 7 of each house H. FIG. The device data storage unit 501b sorts the device data received by the device data reception unit 500 into one of the device DB 540, the device DB 540a, and the device DB 540b according to the device code included in the device data, and stores the data. For example, when the device code indicates an air conditioner, the device data storage unit 501b stores the device data in the device DB 540. FIG. Also, when the device code indicates a water heater, the device data storage unit 501b stores the device data in the device DB 540a.

Further, when the device code indicates a refrigerator, the device data storage unit 501b recognizes the image data included in the device data and determines the ingredients stored in the device 8. FIG. Then, the device data storage unit 501b stores data including the current date and time (date and time) and information indicating each discriminated ingredient in the device DB 540b as the device data sent from the communication device 7. .

The local information receiving unit 502 receives local information sent from the communication device 7 of each house H. FIG. The local information storage unit 503a sorts the local information received by the local information receiving unit 502 into one of the local information DB 541, the local information DB 541a, and the local information DB 541b according to the local information code included in the local information, and stores the information.

For example, when the local information code indicates weather information, the local information storage unit 503 a stores the local information in the local information DB 541 . Also, when the local information code indicates disaster prevention information, the local information storage unit 503a stores the local information in the local information DB 541a. Also, when the local information code indicates product information, the local information storage unit 503a stores the local information in the local information DB 541b.

The service data generation unit 504c is an example of a service data generation means according to the present disclosure, and generates service data that is data for providing a service related to the device 8 to the customer. In this embodiment, the remote server 5c provides the same services as those in the first to third embodiments, depending on the type of equipment 8 in each customer's home. For example, if the device 8 is an air conditioner, the remote server 5c provides an energy saving control service for keeping the daily power consumption within a preset target value. Also, if the device 8 is a water heater, the remote server 5c provides a heating control service in preparation for a power outage. Further, when the device 8 is a refrigerator, the remote server 5c provides a service of presenting a recommended menu list, which is a list of recommended menus, to the customer.

The service data generation unit 504c performs the same service data generation processing (see FIG. 12) as in the first embodiment every time the device data from the communication device 7 corresponding to each customer is stored in the device DB 540. Run. In addition, the service data generation unit 504c, for each customer, every time the local information from the communication device 7 corresponding to the customer is stored in the local information DB 541a, that is, every time the disaster prevention information is updated, the service data generation unit 504c according to the second embodiment The same service data generation processing (see FIG. 17) is executed. Further, the service data generation unit 504c executes the same service data generation processing (see FIG. 22) as in Embodiment 3 at the service providing time, which is the time preset by the customer, for each customer.

The service data generation unit 504c adds the device ID of the device 8 to the generated service data, and supplies the service data transmission unit 505 with the device ID. The service data transmission unit 505 transmits the service data supplied from the service data generation unit 504c to the corresponding communication device 7. FIG.

As described above, in the device service providing system 1c of the fourth embodiment, the communication device 7 acquires local information corresponding to the location of the device 8 from the local information server 9 corresponding to the operator specified by the user. and send it to the remote server 5c. Therefore, the remote server 5c does not need to manage information about the location of each device 8, and the user does not need to register information about the location of his/her home in the remote server 5c. This makes it possible to provide the user with advantageous services related to the device 8 while ensuring the user's anonymity.

As a result, the user can subscribe to the service with peace of mind, so that the number of subscribers to the service can be increased, and sales promotion of the device 8 can be expected.

In addition, for the operator of the remote server 5c, the workload for paying attention to domestic and foreign laws and regulations regarding personal information is greatly reduced.

In addition, since the remote server 5c does not need to communicate with each local information server 9, a high load is not applied, and stable system operation can be realized.

In addition, the remote server 5c provides the same services as in the first to third embodiments, depending on the type of equipment 8 in each customer's home. Further, the communication device 7 is communicably connected to a plurality of devices 8 of various kinds, and can execute the same processing as in the first to third embodiments according to the contents of the service data received from the remote server 5c. . Therefore, by installing one communication device 7 in the house H, the user can receive services related to a plurality of devices 8 of various kinds.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are of course possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

(Modification 1)
In Embodiment 1, the user may be allowed to designate a business operator via a dedicated remote controller (not shown) of the device 3 . In this case, the operator information about the operator specified by the user may be transmitted from the dedicated remote controller to the communication device 2, or may be transmitted to the communication device 2 via the device 3. good too.

(Modification 2)
In Embodiment 1, the communication device 2 does not individually transmit the device data and the local information to the remote server 5, but periodically transmits data in which the device data and the local information are stored to the remote server 5. You may In this case, the remote server 5 may extract device data and local information from the received data, store the extracted device data in the device DB 540 , and store the extracted local information in the local information DB 541 .

(Modification 3)
In the first embodiment, the timing at which the communication device 2 acquires device data from the device 3 and transmits it to the remote server 5 and the timing at which it acquires local information from the local information server 6 and transmits it to the remote server 5 are the same. The time interval for acquiring the device data from the device 3 and the time interval for acquiring the local information from the local information server 6 do not have to match.

(Modification 4)
In the first embodiment, the communication device 2 may acquire the device data from the device 3 and transmit the acquired device data to the remote server 5 when receiving a device data transmission request from the remote server 5. . Further, when receiving a transmission request for local information from the remote server 5, the communication device 2 accesses the local information server 6, acquires the local information, and transmits the acquired local information to the remote server 5. good.

(Modification 5)
In the first embodiment, the remote server 5 provides the customer with a service related to the control of the device 3, more specifically, an energy-saving control service as a service related to the device 3. Further, the remote server 5 provides a service of presenting information related to the operation of the device 3. may be provided to the customer. For example, the service data generation unit 504 of the remote server 5 generates service data for presenting information such as energy saving advice and energy saving control results to the customer based on the device data history and local information. and transmits the generated service data to the corresponding communication device 2 .

The communication device 2 of this modified example has the functional configuration of the communication device 2 of the first embodiment, and also has the same functions as the service data analysis unit 706 and the notification unit 709 of the communication device 7 of the fourth embodiment. have a department.

(Modification 6)
In Embodiment 1, the remote server 5 may be capable of providing various services related to control of the device 3 in addition to the energy saving control service. In this case, the customer may use the device service application to specify the desired service in advance.

(Modification 7)
In the first embodiment, the remote server 5 does not immediately transmit the generated service data to the communication device 2, but when the start time of the time period to be subjected to energy saving control comes, or 10 seconds after the start time. It may be transmitted to the corresponding communication device 2 up to 60 seconds before. In this case, when the communication device 2 receives the service data, it immediately transmits control data based on the service data to the connected device 3 .

(Modification 8)
In Embodiment 1, a house H may have a plurality of sets of communication devices 2 and devices 3 installed therein. In this case, for example, each set of communication device 2 and device 3 is installed in each room of house H. FIG.

(Modification 9)
In Embodiment 2, the user may be allowed to designate a business via a dedicated remote controller (not shown) of the device 3a. In this case, the business operator information about the business operator specified by the user may be transmitted from the dedicated remote controller to the communication device 2a, or may be transmitted to the communication device 2a via the device 3a. good too.

(Modification 10)
In the second embodiment, the communication device 2a may acquire the device data from the device 3a and transmit the acquired device data to the remote server 5a when receiving a transmission request for the device data from the remote server 5a. . Further, when the communication device 2a receives a transmission request for local information from the remote server 5a, the communication device 2a accesses the local information server 6a. If it is not possible to obtain the information, information to that effect may be sent to the remote server 5a.

(Modification 11)
In the second embodiment, the remote server 5a provides customers with a heating control service in preparation for a power failure as a service related to the equipment 3a. good too. The communication device 2a in this case has the functional configuration of the communication device 2a of the second embodiment, and also has functional units similar to the service data analysis unit 706 and the notification unit 709 in the communication device 7 of the fourth embodiment. Prepare.

(Modification 12)
In Embodiment 2, the remote server 5a may be capable of providing various services related to the control of the device 3a in addition to the heating control service in preparation for a power failure. In this case, the customer may use the device service application to specify the desired service in advance.

(Modification 13)
In Embodiment 3, the user may be allowed to designate a business via a dedicated remote controller (not shown) of the device 3b. In this case, the operator information about the operator specified by the user may be transmitted from the dedicated remote controller to the communication device 2b, or may be transmitted to the communication device 2b via the device 3b. good too.

(Modification 14)
In the third embodiment, the device 3b (that is, the refrigerator) does not periodically transmit device data to the communication device 2b, but photographs the inside of the refrigerator at the timing when the door is closed. may be transmitted to the communication device 2b. That is, in this case, the communication device 2b transmits the device data acquired from the device 3b to the remote server 5 every time the door of the device 3b is closed.

(Modification 15)
In Embodiment 3, the communication device 2b may acquire the device data from the device 3b and transmit the acquired device data to the remote server 5b when receiving a transmission request for the device data from the remote server 5b. . Further, when receiving a transmission request for local information from the remote server 5b, the communication device 2b may access the local information server 6b to acquire the local information and transmit the acquired local information to the remote server 5b. .

(Modification 16)
In Embodiment 3, the notification unit 208 may transmit notification information to the dedicated remote controller of the device 3b, and the dedicated remote controller may display a screen based on the notification information.

(Modification 17)
In Embodiment 3, the remote server 5b may be capable of providing various services of presenting information about the device 3b in addition to the service of presenting the recommended menu list. In this case, the customer may use the device service application to specify the desired service in advance.

(Modification 18)
In Embodiment 4, communication between the communication device 7 and the user terminal 4 may be performed using a short-range wireless communication method such as BLE.

(Modification 19)
In Embodiment 4, multiple devices 8 of the same type (for example, air conditioners) may be connected to the communication device 7 .

(Modification 20)
The technical ideas according to Modifications 1 to 17 can be applied as modifications of the fourth embodiment.

(Modification 21)
All or part of the functional units (see FIG. 5) of the communication device 2 of the first embodiment may be realized by dedicated hardware, or the functional units of the communication device 2a of the second embodiment ( 14) may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units (see FIG. 19) of the communication device 2b of Embodiment 3 may be implemented by dedicated hardware. Alternatively, all or part of the functional units (see FIG. 27) of the communication device 7 of Embodiment 4 may be implemented by dedicated hardware. .

Also, all or part of the functional units (see FIG. 5) of the remote server 5 of the first embodiment may be realized by dedicated hardware, or the functions of the remote server 5a of the second embodiment may be realized by dedicated hardware. All or part of the unit (see FIG. 14) may be realized by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional unit (see FIG. 19) of the remote server 5b of Embodiment 3 may be , may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units (see FIG. 29) of the remote server 5c of Embodiment 4 may be implemented by dedicated hardware. good too.

The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

(Modification 22)
Devices for which services are provided in the device service providing system according to the present disclosure are not limited to air conditioners, water heaters, and refrigerators. For example, various home appliances such as televisions, lighting devices, IH (Induction Heating) cookers, etc. can be the targets of service provision in the device service providing system according to the present disclosure. Equipment installed in buildings such as buildings and shops can also be subject to service provision in the equipment service providing system according to the present disclosure.

The technical ideas according to each of the modifications described above may be implemented independently, or may be implemented in combination as appropriate.

1, 1a, 1b, 1c equipment service providing system, 2, 2a, 2b, 7 communication device, 3, 3a, 3b, 8 equipment, 4 user terminal, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c remote server, 6, 6a, 6b , 9 local information server, 20, 42, 70 first communication interface, 21, 43, 71 second communication interface, 22 third communication interface, 23, 44, 51, 72 CPU, 24, 45, 52, 73 ROM, 25, 46, 53, 74 RAM 26, 47, 54, 75 Auxiliary storage device 27, 48, 55, 76 Bus 40 Display 41 Operation reception unit 50 Communication interface 200, 700 Equipment data acquisition unit 201 , 701 device data transmission unit, 202, 702 operator designation reception unit, 203, 203a, 703 local information acquisition unit, 204, 704 local information transmission unit, 205, 705 service data reception unit, 206, 206a, 707 control command generation 207, 708 control command transmission unit 208, 709 notification unit 500 equipment data reception unit 501, 501a, 501b equipment data storage unit 502 local information reception unit 503, 503a local information storage unit 504, 504a, 504b, 504c service data generation unit, 505 service data transmission unit, 540, 540a, 540b device DB, 541, 541a, 541b local information DB, 706 service data analysis unit

Claims (8)

comprising a communication device and a remote server;
The communication device
a device data acquisition means for acquiring device data relating to the device from the device;
equipment data transmission means for transmitting the acquired equipment data to the remote server;
local information acquisition means for acquiring local information corresponding to the location area of the device from a local information server;
local information transmitting means for transmitting the acquired local information to the remote server;
service data receiving means for receiving service data from the remote server;
a service execution means for executing processing based on the received service data;
The remote server is
equipment data receiving means for receiving the equipment data from the communication device;
equipment data storage means for storing the received equipment data;
local information receiving means for receiving the local information from the communication device;
local information storage means for storing the received local information;
service data generation means for generating service data for providing a user with a service related to the device based on the device data and the local information;
and service data transmission means for transmitting the generated service data to the communication device. the service data generating means of the remote server generates service data relating to control of the device;
2. The device service providing system according to claim 1, wherein said service executing means of said communication device controls said device based on said service data. the service data generating means of the remote server generates service data indicating information about the device;
3. The device service providing system according to claim 1, wherein said service executing means of said communication device notifies a user of information based on said service data. a device data acquisition means for acquiring device data relating to the device from the device;
equipment data transmission means for transmitting the acquired equipment data to a remote server;
local information acquisition means for acquiring local information corresponding to the location area of the device from a local information server;
local information transmitting means for transmitting the acquired local information to the remote server;
service data receiving means for receiving service data for providing a user with a service related to the equipment from the remote server;
and service execution means for executing processing based on the received service data. 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein said service executing means controls said device based on said service data. 6. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein said service executing means notifies a user of information based on said service data. a device data receiving means for receiving device data related to the device from the communication device;
equipment data storage means for storing the received equipment data;
local information receiving means for receiving local information corresponding to the location area of the device from the communication device;
local information storage means for storing the received local information;
service data generation means for generating service data for providing a user with a service related to the device based on the device data and the local information;
service data transmission means for transmitting the generated service data to the communication device. the communication device
obtaining device data about the device from the device;
transmitting the acquired device data to a remote server;
obtaining local information corresponding to the location of the device from a local information server;
transmitting the obtained local information to the remote server;
the remote server
receiving the device data from the communication device, storing the received device data in device data storage means;
receiving the local information from the communication device, storing the received local information in local information storage means;
generating service data for providing a user with a service related to the device based on the device data and the local information;
transmitting the generated service data to the communication device;
The communication device
receiving the service data from the remote server;
A device service providing method for executing processing based on the received service data.

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