JP5908573B1 - Equipment management system - Google Patents

Abstract

A device management system capable of easily registering a device owned by a user is provided. An apparatus management system 1 includes a management server 11 having a database capable of registering user data and apparatus data in association with each other, an image data transmitting means for transmitting image data to the management server 11, and user data User data transmission means for transmitting to the management server 11, and device inquiry means for analyzing the image data when the image data is input and outputting the device data of the device included in the image data, Data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device, image data input means for inputting image data to the device inquiry means, and device data for registering device data output from the device inquiry means in the database in association with user data Registration means. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a device management system for managing information and data of electrical devices owned by a user, which can be suitably used for consulting related to the use of electricity.

  Equipment owned by the user to provide consulting services such as proposals for optimal electricity price menus, advice on how to use electricity, and proposals for replacement of energy-saving equipment for users who are electricity consumers. There is a movement to collect information and register it in the management server.

  Device registration is performed by the user who owns the device, but information such as the product number of the device is required at this time. Information such as the part number of the device is written on the nameplate and instruction manual, but if the nameplate cannot be read or the instruction manual has been lost, the information such as the part number will be unknown. Registration has become difficult. Also, the device registration work is performed manually by the user, and it cannot be said that the device information is correctly registered.

  As a method of managing devices owned by users, a two-dimensional barcode or IC tag in which device information is stored is pasted on the device in advance, and the pasted two-dimensional barcode or IC tag is read with a dedicated reader. There has been proposed a method of registering or querying a device to a management server by reading (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2000-194751 A JP2011-40961A

  According to the device management systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the device can be registered and inquired by simply reading a two-dimensional barcode or IC tag attached to the device with a reader, it is a burden on the user. Can be reduced and information can be registered accurately

  However, when using the device management systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to attach a two-dimensional barcode or IC tag in which device information is stored in advance to the device, and information such as the product number is unknown. It is still difficult to register and query new devices.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a device management system capable of easily registering information and data of an electric device held by a user, which can be suitably used for consulting related to the use of electricity.

The present invention is a device management system comprising a management server having a database that can be registered by associating user data, which is unique information for each user, and device data, which is device information held by each user, with image data Is transmitted to the management server, user data transmission means for transmitting the user data to the management server, and when image data is input, the image data is analyzed and included in the image data. Device inquiry means for outputting device data of the device, wherein the management server transmits / receives data to / from an external device, image data input means for inputting image data to the device inquiry means, The device data output from the device inquiry means is associated with the user data in the database And a device data registration means for recording, the device query means includes a page specifying means for specifying a page information of the device included in the image data by visited Web site is published, the page specification Device data acquisition means for acquiring device data from a page specified by the means, and when the image data transmission means transmits image data to the management server, the user data transmission means transmits the user data to the management server. The data transmission / reception unit of the management server receives the image data and the user data, the image data input unit inputs the received image data to the device inquiry unit, and the device inquiry unit is input. wherein analyzing the image data, the information of the device included in the image data by visited Web sites Identify the page that is loading, acquires the device data from the specified page, and outputs the device data of the device contained in the image data, the user of the device data, wherein the device data registration means is outputted The device management system is characterized in that it is registered in the database in association with data.

In the device management system of the present invention, the device inquiry means includes OCR means for extracting characters from the image data, and the page specifying means circulates a Web site using the characters extracted by the OCR means. Then, a page on which information about the device included in the image data is posted is specified .

The device management system of the present invention further includes a repeater that is held by each user and communicates with the management server, and a dedicated network that is used only for communication between the repeater and the management server. The transmission means and / or the user data transmission means transmits data to the management server via the repeater and the dedicated network .

The device management system of the present invention further includes a digital camera and a memory card that can be attached to the digital camera. The memory card includes the image data transmission unit, and the image data captured by the digital camera The image data transmitting means of the memory card transmits to the management server .

The device management system of the present invention further includes an electricity usage measuring means for measuring electricity usage, and electricity usage data transmitting means for sending electricity usage data, which is information relating to the measured electricity usage, to the management server. The management server further comprises electricity usage data registration means for registering the electricity usage data in a database in association with the user data, and when the user data transmission means sends the user data to the management server, the electricity usage The data transmission means transmits the electricity usage data to the management server, the data transmission / reception means of the management server receives the user data and the electricity usage data, and the electricity usage data registration means receives the electricity usage. Associate data with the user data into the database Characterized in that it.

  According to the device management system of the present invention, the image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the management server, the user data transmitting means for transmitting the user data to the management server, and the image data is analyzed when the image data is input. Since the apparatus includes a device inquiry unit that outputs device data of the device included in the image data, and a device data registration unit that registers the device data output from the device inquiry unit in the database in association with the user data, Device data can be registered simply by transmitting image data obtained by imaging the device to be registered to the management server. Such a device management system can be suitably used for consulting regarding the use of electricity.

It is a lineblock diagram of device management system 1 of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the management server 11 which comprises a part of apparatus management system 1 of FIG. It is a function block diagram of the display terminal 13 which comprises a part of apparatus management system 1 of FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the memory card 16 which comprises a part of apparatus management system 1 of FIG. It is a function block diagram of the apparatus inquiry server 17 which comprises some apparatus management systems 1 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which registers apparatus data in the management server 11 of the apparatus management system 1 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which displays information on the display terminal 13 of the apparatus management system 1 of FIG. It is an example of the display image displayed on the display terminal 13 of the apparatus management system 1 of FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a device management system 1 according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the management server 11 constituting a part of the device management system 1 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the display terminal 13 constituting a part of the device management system 1 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the memory card 16 constituting a part of the device management system 1 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the device inquiry server 17 constituting a part of the device management system 1 of FIG.

  The device management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a device management system that is used by an electric power company 91 to manage information on a user 92 who is an electricity consumer, and is managed by the electric power company 91. Each user includes a management server 11, a watt-hour meter 12, a display terminal 13, a repeater 14, a digital camera 15, a memory card 16, and a device inquiry server 17 connected to the Internet 96. User data that is data relating to basic information such as the address, name, contract number, etc. of 92, electricity usage data that is data relating to the electricity usage status of each user 92, refrigerator 81, microwave oven 82, etc. possessed by each user 92 Device data, which is data related to the device, is registered and managed in the management server 11.

  Note that user data, electricity usage data, and device data are not limited to specific information, and select, register, and manage optimal information as appropriate according to the purpose of use and the content of services provided to the user 92. do it.

  As the management server 11, for example, a known server computer including an arithmetic device, a storage device, a display screen, and an input device such as a keyboard can be used. The management server 11 inputs (transmits) image data to a user database in which user data, electricity usage data, and device data are stored, data transmission / reception means 21 that transmits / receives data to / from external devices, and a device inquiry server 17. Image data input means 22 for performing, device data registration means 23 for associating the device data output from the device inquiry means 52 with the user data and registering it in the user database, and registering the electricity usage data with the user data in the user database. Electric usage data registration means 24, display data creation means 25 for creating display data, which is the basis of the display image displayed on the display terminal 13, and database editing means 26 for editing the user database. Dedicated network for communication with repeater 14 A click 95, it is connected to the Internet 96.

  The dedicated network 95 is a dedicated network used only for communication between the management server 11 and the repeater 14, and for example, a closed network used in HEMS (Home Energy Management System) can be used. In the device management system of the present invention, for example, the Internet 96 can be used instead of the dedicated network 95.

  The data transmission / reception means 21 transmits / receives data to / from the repeater 14 and the device inquiry server 17 via the dedicated network 95 and the Internet 96.

  The image data input means 22 receives the image data transmitted from the image data transmission means 42 of the memory card 16 to be described later via the repeater 14 and the dedicated network 95, and the device inquiry means 52 of the apparatus inquiry server 17 to be described later. Is input (transmitted) via the Internet 96.

  The device data registration unit 23 registers the device data received from the device inquiry server 52 of the device inquiry server 17 received via the Internet 96 in the user database in association with the user data.

  The electricity usage data registration means 24 receives electricity usage data transmitted from the electricity usage data transmission means 32 of the display terminal 13 to be described later via the repeater 14 and the dedicated network 95, and associates it with the user data in the user database. sign up.

  The display data creation means 25 includes information on the usage status of electricity to be displayed on the display terminal 13 held by the user 92, proposal of an optimal electricity price menu, advice on how to use electricity, suggestion of replacement for energy-saving equipment, etc. Display data used as a basis for display images such as information related to consulting is created using user data, electricity usage data and / or equipment data stored in the user database, and via the dedicated network 95 and the repeater 14. To the display data acquisition means 34 of the display terminal 13 to be described later.

  The database editing unit 26 registers data in the user database and corrects or deletes data stored in the user database based on input from an input device or an external device.

  The configuration and functions of the management server 11 are not limited to this.

  The watt-hour meter 12 is a known watt-hour meter provided with an electricity usage measuring means (not shown) for measuring the electricity usage, and is installed for each user 92 and acquires the electricity usage data measured by the display terminal 13. Connected as possible.

  As the display terminal 13, for example, a known display terminal or control terminal used for HEMS or the like including an arithmetic device, a storage device, a display screen 30 and an input device such as a touch panel can be used. The display terminal 13 is installed for each user 92 and is connected so as to be communicable with the watt-hour meter 12, the repeater 14, and devices owned by the user 92.

  The display terminal 13 transmits electricity usage data acquisition means 31 that acquires electricity usage data from the watt-hour meter 12, electricity usage data transmission means 32 that transmits electricity usage data to the management server 11, and transmits user data to the management server 11. User data transmission means 33 that performs display data acquisition means 34 that acquires display data from the management server 11, display image creation means 35 that creates a display image to be output to the display screen 30, and display image on the display screen 30 Display image output means 36 for outputting information on the electricity usage data and user data to the management server 11, information on the electricity usage status of the user 92, and an optimal electricity bill menu from the power company 91. Information on proposals, advice on how to use electricity, proposals for replacement of energy-saving devices, etc. are displayed on the display screen 30. It has a function and that.

  The electricity usage data acquisition unit 31 acquires electricity usage data from the watt-hour meter 12.

  The electricity usage data transmission unit 32 transmits the electricity usage data acquired from the watt-hour meter 12 to the management server 11 via the repeater 14 and the dedicated network 95.

  The user data transmission unit 33 transmits user data registered in advance to the management server 11 via the relay device 14 and the dedicated network 95.

  The display data acquisition unit 34 acquires the display data created by the display data creation unit 25 of the management server 11 from the management server 11 via the dedicated network 95 and the relay device 14.

  The display image creation unit 35 creates a display image to be displayed on the display screen 30 based on the display data received from the management server 11.

  The display image output unit 36 displays the display image created by the display image creation unit 35 on the display screen 30.

  The configuration and function of the display terminal 13 are not limited to this. For example, by adding the functions of the watt hour meter 12 and the repeater 14 to the display terminal 13, it is possible to construct the device management system of the present invention without using the watt hour meter 12 and the repeater 14.

  As the repeater 14, for example, a known communication device such as a router or a gateway can be used. The repeater 14 includes data relay means (not shown) for relaying data transmission / reception between the management server 11 and other devices, and is installed for each user 92 so as to be able to communicate with the display terminal 13 and the memory card 16. They are connected wirelessly and are communicably connected to the management server 11 via the dedicated network 95. The connection between the repeater 14, the display terminal 13, and the memory card 16 may be wired.

  The digital camera 15 is a known digital camera that records captured images as digital data (image data), and is not limited to a specific one.

  As the memory card 16, for example, a memory card with a known communication function that can be attached to the digital camera 15 and includes a storage element (not shown) that can store digital data can be used. The memory card 16 includes an image data storage unit 41 that stores image data, and an image data transmission unit 42 that transmits image data. The memory card 16 is used by being attached to the digital camera 15.

  The image data storage unit 41 stores the image data captured by the digital camera 15 in the storage element of the memory card 16.

  The image data transmission unit 42 transmits the image data stored by the image data storage unit 41 to the management server 11 via the relay device 14 and the dedicated network 95.

  The configuration and function of the memory card 16 are not limited to this. The image data that can be transmitted by the image data transmission means 42 is not limited to the image data captured by the digital camera 15. For example, image data downloaded from the Internet 96 and stored in the memory card 16 is transmitted. It is also possible to do.

  As the device inquiry server 17, for example, a known server computer including an arithmetic device and a storage device can be used. The device inquiry server 17 includes a device database in which device data such as image data and product numbers of commercially available devices are stored, a data transmission / reception means 51 for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device, and input image data. Device inquiry means 52 for outputting device data of the included devices and database editing means 53 for editing the device database are provided, and are connected to the Internet 96 so as to be communicable with the management server 11.

  The data transmission / reception means 51 transmits / receives data to / from the management server 11 via the Internet 96.

  When the image data is input, the device inquiry unit 52 analyzes the shape and characters included in the input image data, specifies the device using the device database, and outputs the device data of the specified device. A well-known device inquiry means can be used. As such known device inquiry means, for example, an image recognition service “GAZIRU (registered trademark)” provided by NEC Corporation (Internet <URL: http://jpn.nec.com/solution/cloud) / Gazou />) and the like.

  The database editing unit 53 registers data in the device database and corrects or deletes data stored in the device database based on input from an external device.

  The configuration and function of the device inquiry server 17 are not limited to this. The device inquiry server 17 may be connected to the dedicated network 95 instead of the Internet 96, or may be directly connected to the management server 11 via a LAN cable or the like.

  Next, a procedure for registering device data in the user database of the management server 11 in the device management system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering device data in the management server 11 of the device management system 1 of FIG.

  For example, the user 92 photographs a device to be registered such as the refrigerator 81 and the microwave oven 82 with the digital camera 15 (step S1). The captured image data is stored in the memory card 16 by the image data storage means 41 of the memory card 16 (step S2), and the image data transmission means 42 of the memory card 16 transmits the management server via the repeater 14 and the dedicated network 95. 11 is transmitted. At the same time as the image data is transmitted, the electricity usage data acquisition means 31 of the display terminal 13 obtains electricity usage data from the watt hour meter 12, and the electricity usage data transmission means 32 sends the electricity usage data to the repeater 14 and the dedicated network. The user data transmitting means 33 transmits user data to the management server 11 via the relay 14 and the dedicated network 95 (step S3).

  The transmission of the image data may be automatically executed when the image data is stored in the memory card 16 or may be executed by the operation of the user 92. Similarly, the acquisition of electricity usage data, the transmission of electricity usage data, and the transmission of user data may be executed automatically when image data is sent, or may be executed by the operation of the user 92. It may be. It is sufficient that at least the management server 11 can recognize that the image data, the user data, and the electricity usage data are transmitted from the same user 92. Further, at the time of registering the device data, it is sufficient that at least the device data is associated with the user data and can be registered in the user database. Therefore, the electricity usage data does not necessarily have to be transmitted to the management server 11 simultaneously with the transmission of the image data.

  When the data transmission / reception means 21 of the management server 11 receives the image data, the user data, and the electricity usage data (step S4), the image data received by the image data input means 22 is sent to the device inquiry of the device inquiry server 17 via the Internet 96. Input (transmit) to the means 52 (step S5).

  When the data transmission / reception means 51 of the device inquiry server 17 receives the image data from the management server 11 (step S6) and the image data is input to the device inquiry means 52, the device inquiry means 52 is included in the input image data. The device is specified (step S7), and the device data of the specified device is output (transmitted) to the management server 11 via the Internet 96 (step S8).

  When the data transmitting / receiving means 21 of the management server 11 receives the equipment data from the equipment inquiry server 17 (step S9), the equipment data received by the equipment data registration means 23 is registered in the user database in association with the user data, and the electricity usage data The registration means 24 associates the electricity usage data with the user data and stores it in the user database (step S10).

  Next, a procedure for displaying information on the display terminal 13 using the device management system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying information on the display terminal 13 of the device management system 1 of FIG. FIG. 8 is an example of a display image displayed on the display terminal 13 of the device management system 1 of FIG.

  In response to a request from the electric power company 91 or the user 92, the display data creation means 25 of the management server 11 creates display data based on the user data, electricity usage data, and device data stored in the user database (step S21). ), To the display data acquisition means 34 of the display terminal 13 via the dedicated network 95 and the repeater 14 (step S22).

  When the display data acquisition unit 34 of the display terminal 13 acquires (receives) display data from the management server 11 (step S23), a display image displayed on the display screen 30 by the display image creation unit 35 is displayed based on the display data. Then, the display image output means 36 outputs the display image (FIG. 8) to the display screen 30 (step S25). FIG. 8 is a display example of a display image in which a more energy-saving device is proposed for the device owned by the user 92.

  As described above, in the device management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the device data of the photographed device can be registered in the management server 11 simply by photographing the device owned by the user 92 with the digital camera 15. For this reason, the user 92 can easily and accurately perform the registration work of the owned device to the management server 11.

  Further, in the device management system 1 of the present embodiment, the electric power company 91 can collectively manage user data, electricity usage data, and device data of each user 92, and based on these data, use of electricity Information related to the situation, proposal of optimal electricity price menu, advice on how to use electricity, consulting information such as proposals for replacement of energy-saving equipment are created as display images and displayed on the display terminal 13 owned by the user 92 Can do.

  Further, when the user 92 registers the device, the image data, the user data, and the electricity usage data are transmitted via the dedicated network 95, so the safety during communication is high. Further, in order to further enhance the safety during communication, the transmission destination of the image data from the memory card 16 may be set to be limited to only the repeater 14 owned by the user 92.

  In addition, the device management system 1 of the present embodiment includes a management server 11, a watt hour meter 12, a display terminal 13, and a repeater 14 that are used in an existing HEMS, a power usage management system, and the like. Since it can be constructed simply by adding functions such as the memory card 16, the device inquiry server 17, and the image data input means 22, it can be introduced at low cost.

  As mentioned above, although the apparatus management system of this invention was demonstrated using the apparatus management system 1 of 1st Embodiment, the apparatus management system of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not change a summary. It can be deformed. For example, the timing of transmitting user data and electricity usage data to the management server 11 is not limited to the timing of transmitting image data. For example, user data and electricity usage data are sent to the management server 11 every hour. You may make it transmit and register.

  An electricity usage measuring means (not shown) may be added to the display terminal 13 instead of the watt hour meter 12, and the display terminal 13 may measure the electricity usage. As a result, it is also possible to directly measure the amount of electricity used by the devices connected to the display terminal 13 and register individual electricity usage data for each device in the management server 11.

  The electricity usage data acquisition unit 31, the user data transmission unit 33, and the electricity usage data transmission unit 32 are added to the repeater 14 instead of the display terminal 13, and the image data, user data, and electricity usage data are transmitted from the repeater 14 to the management server. 11 may be transmitted. Accordingly, it is possible to register the image data, user data, and electricity usage data in the management server 11 without using the display terminal 13.

  Further, the user data transmission means 33, the electricity usage data transmission means 32 and the data relay means are added to the watt hour meter 12 instead of the display terminal 13 and the repeater 14, and the image data, user data and electricity usage are obtained from the watt hour meter 12. Data may be transmitted directly to the management server 11. Thereby, it is also possible to register image data, user data, and electricity usage data in the management server 11 without using the display terminal 13 and the repeater 14.

  The display image creating means 35 is added to the management server 11 instead of the display terminal 13, and the management server 11 creates a display image based on the data registered in the user database and transmits it to the display terminal 13. 13 may output the display image received to the display screen 30.

  The image data transmission means 42 is added to the display terminal 13 or the repeater 14 instead of the memory card 16, and the image stored in the memory card 16 is attached to the display terminal 13 or the repeater 14. Data may be transmitted from the display terminal 13 or the repeater 14.

  By adding the device database and the device inquiry means 52 to the management server 11 instead of the device inquiry server 17, it is possible to construct the device management system of the present invention without using the device inquiry server 17.

  Further, the device inquiry means 52 is not limited to the one using the device database. For example, the OCR means for extracting characters such as the product number from the image data of the device, the Web such as the device manufacturer where the device information is posted, etc. A site specifying unit that circulates the site and specifies a page related to the character read by the OCR unit, and a device data acquiring unit that acquires device data from the page specified by the page specifying unit are provided. Characters are input from the input image data. It may be configured to extract, specify a page on which information on the device related to the extracted character is posted from a website, and acquire and output device data posted on the page.

  Furthermore, in the device management system of the present invention, the method of registering the device owned by the user 92 in the management server 11 is not limited to the above method using the image data of the device. It is also possible to use a method in which the user 92 manually inputs a method, a method using a two-dimensional barcode or an IC tag described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-194751 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-40961, and the like. .

  As described above, the preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand various changes and modifications within the obvious scope by looking at the present specification. Therefore, such changes and modifications are interpreted as being within the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Device management system 11 Management server 13 Display terminal 14 Repeater 15 Digital camera 16 Memory card 21 Data transmission / reception means 22 Image data input means 23 Equipment data registration means 24 Electricity usage data registration means 32 Electricity usage data transmission means 33 User data transmission means 35 Display image creation means 36 Display image output means 42 Image data transmission means 52 Device inquiry means 81 Refrigerator 82 Microwave oven 92 User 95 Dedicated network

Claims (5)

A device management system comprising a management server having a database that can be registered by associating user data, which is information unique to each user, and device data, which is device information held by each user,
Image data transmitting means for transmitting image data to the management server;
User data transmission means for transmitting the user data to the management server;
Device inquiry means for analyzing the image data when the image data is input and outputting device data of the device included in the image data;
The management server includes a data transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from an external device, an image data input unit that inputs image data to the device inquiry unit, and the device data output from the device inquiry unit as the user data Device data registration means for registering in the database in association with
The device inquiry unit circulates a website to specify a page on which device information included in the image data is posted, and acquires device data from the page specified by the page specification unit Device data acquisition means
When the image data transmission means transmits image data to the management server, the user data transmission means transmits the user data to the management server, and the data transmission / reception means of the management server transmits the image data, the user data, and The image data input means receives the image data received by the device inquiry means, the device inquiry means analyzes the input image data, and circulates a website to include the image data. Identifies the page on which the information of the device is posted, obtains device data from the identified page , outputs the device data of the device included in the image data, and outputs the device data registration means And registering the device data in the database in association with the user data. Stem. The device inquiry means includes OCR means for extracting characters from the image data,
The page specifying means uses a character extracted by the OCR means to circulate a Web site and specify a page on which device information included in the image data is posted. Item 2. The device management system according to Item 1. Further, each user possesses a repeater that communicates with the management server,
A dedicated network used only for communication between the repeater and the management server,
It said image data transmission means and / or the user data transmitting means, device management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to transmit the data via the repeater and the private network to the management server. And a digital camera,
A memory card attachable to the digital camera,
The memory card includes the image data transmission unit,
The device management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image data transmission unit of the memory card transmits image data captured by the digital camera to the management server. Furthermore, an electricity usage measuring means for measuring electricity usage,
An electricity usage data transmitting means for transmitting electricity usage data, which is information relating to the measured electricity usage, to the management server,
The management server further comprises electricity usage data registration means for registering the electricity usage data in a database in association with the user data,
When the user data transmission unit transmits the user data to the management server, the electricity usage data transmission unit transmits the electricity usage data to the management server, and the data transmission / reception unit of the management server transmits the user data and the user data. It receives the electrical usage data, according to any one of 4 to the electricity usage data to which the electricity usage data registration unit receives from claim 1, characterized in that registered in the database in association with the user data Equipment management system.

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