JP7008457B2 - Electrical equipment with remote controller - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical device with a remote controller.

In recent years, it has become possible for a plurality of electric devices installed in a home to communicate and connect to a wide area network such as the Internet. Then, depending on this communication environment, it is possible to monitor and control those electric devices from an information terminal such as a smartphone via a server or the like (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-309464).

In order to monitor and control an electric device from an information terminal device such as a smartphone via a server, a pairing process for associating the information terminal device, the server and the electric device is required. Normally, pairing information is stored on the server.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-309464 (see abstract, etc.)

By the way, recently, second-hand goods of such network-connectable electric devices may be bought and sold, or such second-hand goods may be transferred to a separated family member. If the above pairing information is maintained in such a case, the previous owner of the used item may still be able to monitor and control the used item.

An object of the present invention is that when a second-hand product of a network-connectable electric device is bought or sold, or when such a second-hand product is transferred to a separated family member, the previous owner monitors and controls the second-hand product. Is to make it impossible.

The electric device with a remote controller according to one aspect of the present invention includes the electric device and the remote controller. The electrical equipment has a communication interface and a storage unit. The communication interface can communicate with the server via the communication network. Here, the communication network is the Internet or the like, and is a wide-area network constructed by communicating and connecting a wireless LAN (WiFi (registered trademark) or the like) or a wired LAN. Identification information is stored in the storage unit. It should be noted that this identification information is for identifying the own machine to the server, and may be given by the server in the past, or may be given at the time of shipment. The remote controller is attached to an electric device and can communicate only with the electric device by using a communication method (for example, an infrared communication method, a radio wave communication method, etc.) different from the above-mentioned communication network. This communication may be one-way communication from the remote controller to the electric device, or may be bidirectional communication between the remote controller and the electric device. Then, the remote controller makes it impossible to identify the server for the electric device by performing a specific operation. Here, "the remote controller cannot identify the server to the electric device" means, for example, that the electric device deletes all or part of the identification information of the own machine in the storage unit according to the instruction of the remote controller. To do so, to overwrite (change) the identification information with other information, to initialize the identification information, to add other information to the identification information to make it another identification information, and the like.

As described above, in the electric device with a remote controller according to one aspect of the present invention, the new owner or the previous owner cannot identify the server to the electric device by performing a specific operation on the remote controller. Therefore, the new owner who purchased the second-hand goods of this electric appliance with remote controller or the new owner who took over the second-hand goods of this electric appliance with remote controller can monitor and control the second-hand goods by the previous owner. Can be disabled.

It is an image diagram which shows the whole structure and operation outline of the home appliance management system which is the premise of the explanation of the air conditioner with a remote controller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an image diagram of the user-home appliance relationship management table stored in the memory of the server constituting the home appliance management system. It is an image diagram for demonstrating one aspect of a server configuration. It is an image diagram of the user-communication terminal relationship management table stored in the memory of the server of the home appliance management system. It is an image diagram for demonstrating one aspect of the structure of the air conditioner with a remote controller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an image diagram of the home appliance terminal ID information and the user ID information stored in the memory of the air conditioner main body which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a front view of the remote controller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. In this figure, the open / close cover is closed. It is a front view of the remote controller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. In this figure, the open / close cover is in the open state. It is an image diagram for demonstrating one aspect of the structure of the smartphone which constitutes the home appliance management system. It is a table summarizing the on / off state of the wireless network adapter in the initialization process of the air conditioner with a remote controller which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, the detailed description of them will not be repeated.

-First embodiment-
<Premise>
In order to facilitate the explanation of the function of the air conditioner with a remote controller according to the present embodiment, first, an embodiment in which the air conditioner with a remote controller is communicatively connected to the server via a communication network including the Internet, a router, and the like will be described.

(1) Overall configuration and operation outline of the home appliance management system First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the premise home appliance management system 1 will be described. The home appliance management system 1 mainly includes a server 100, household electric devices 200 and 300 that can be connected to the server 100 via a communication network NTW including the Internet and a router, and a communication network NTW including the Internet and a router. It is composed of a communication terminal (portable terminal) such as a smartphone 400 that can be connected to the server 100 via the server 100. Here, the household electric appliance represented by the reference numeral 200 is an air conditioner (air conditioner), and the household electric appliance represented by the reference numeral 300 is an air purifier.

Next, an outline of the operation of the home appliance management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When the user US activates the home appliance management application on the smartphone 400, the smartphone 400 transmits the user ID information Iu (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to the server 100, and the home appliance corresponding to the user ID information Iu. A request signal requesting the terminal ID information Ih is transmitted. When the server 100 receives the user ID information Iu and the request signal, the server 100 compares the user ID information Iu with the user-home appliance relationship management table Tm1 shown in FIG. 2, and the home appliance terminal ID information corresponding to the user ID information Iu. Acquire Ih and send it to the smartphone 400. In the user-home appliance relationship management table Tm1 according to the present embodiment, the home appliance terminal ID information Ih is associated with the user ID information Iu. Further, the user-home appliance relationship management table Tm1 can perform pairing operations between the smartphone 400 and the household electric appliances 200 and 300 that can be connected to the server 100 via the communication network NTW including the Internet and a router. By being done, it is created on the server 100. Further, in the home appliance management system 1, the home appliance terminal ID information Ih is assigned from the server 100 to each home electric appliance 200, 300 at the time of the pairing operation. By the way, in the user-home appliance relation management table Tm1, what contains the character information of "ACN" in the home appliance terminal ID information Iu is the home appliance terminal ID information of the air conditioner 200, and includes the character information of "ACL". What is present is the home appliance terminal ID information of the air purifier 300.

Then, in such a home appliance management system 1, the user US can give various commands to the home electric appliances 200 and 300 by using the home appliance management application of the smartphone 400. When various commands are transmitted from the smartphone 400 to the household electric appliances 200, 300, the smartphone 400 uses the home electric appliance terminal ID information Iu to transmit the commands to the household electric appliances 200, It identifies 300.

(2) Hardware Configuration of Server With reference to FIG. 3, one aspect of the hardware configuration of the server 100 constituting the home appliance management system 1 will be described. The server 100 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory 120, a display 130, an operation unit 140, and a communication interface 160.

The CPU 110 controls each part of the server 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 120. For example, the CPU 110 executes a program stored in the memory 120 and executes various processes described later by referring to various data.

The memory 120 is realized by various RAMs (Random Access Memory), various ROMs (Read-Only Memory), and the like. The memory 120 includes a program executed by the CPU 110, data generated by executing the program by the CPU 110, input data, a user-home appliance relationship management table Tm1 (see FIG. 2), and a user-communication terminal relationship management table Tm2 (see FIG. 2). (See Fig. 4), stores tables (databases) used for other home appliance management services. Although the information such as these tables is stored in the server 100, it may be stored in another device accessible to the server 100.

FIG. 4 is an image diagram of the user-communication terminal relationship management table Tm2. In the user-communication terminal relationship management table Tm2, the user ID information Iu, the user name information In, and the communication terminal ID information Ic are mainly associated with each user US.

Returning to FIG. 3, the display 130 displays text or an image based on the signal from the CPU 110. The operation unit 140 receives an instruction from a service administrator or the like and inputs the instruction to the CPU 110.

The communication interface 160 transmits data from the CPU 110 to other devices such as household electric appliances 200 and 300 and a smartphone 400 via a communication network NTW including the Internet, a carrier network, a router and the like. On the contrary, the communication interface 160 receives data from other devices such as home electric appliances 200, 300 and a smartphone 400 via a communication network NTW including the Internet, a carrier network, a router, etc., and transfers the data to the CPU 110. ..

(3) Hardware Configuration of Air Conditioner with Remote Controller With reference to FIG. 5, one aspect of the hardware configuration of the air conditioner 200 with a remote controller constituting the home appliance management system 1 will be described. The air conditioner 200 with a remote controller according to the present embodiment is an integrated type, a separate type, a multi-indoor unit type, or the like, and is composed of an air conditioner main body 201 and a remote controller RMC. The remote controller RMC is often packed together with the air conditioner main body 201.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air conditioner main body 201 mainly includes a CPU 210, a memory 220, a display 230, an operation unit 240, a clock (timer) 250, a communication interface 260, a speaker 270, an infrared light receiving unit 280, and a device drive unit 290. It is composed of.

The CPU 210 controls each part of the air conditioner main body 201 by executing a program stored in the memory 220 or an external storage medium.

The memory 220 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, and the like. The memory 220 is a communication network including a program executed by the CPU 210, data generated by the execution of the program by the CPU 210, data input via the operation unit 240, data received from the remote controller RMC, the Internet, a router, and the like. Data and the like received from the server 100 via the NTW are stored. In the present embodiment, the memory 220 stores the home appliance terminal ID information Ih and the user ID information Iu shown in FIG. The home appliance terminal ID information Ih and the user ID information Iu are given by the server 100 at the time of the pairing operation.

The display 230 outputs characters, images, and the like based on the signal from the CPU 210. The display 230 may be simply a light, or may be a display unit including an LED or the like.

The operation unit 240 is realized by a button, a touch panel, or the like, receives a command from the user US, and inputs the command to the CPU 210. The display 230 and the operation unit 240 may form a touch panel.

The clock 250 inputs the current time to the CPU 210 and measures the elapsed time from the designated timing.

The communication interface 260 is realized by a communication module such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The communication interface 260 exchanges data with other devices by wire communication or wireless communication. That is, the CPU 210 receives various information from another device such as the server 100, and transmits various information to the other device via the communication interface 260.

The speaker 270 outputs voice, sound, melody, etc. based on the voice signal from the CPU 210.

The infrared light receiving unit 280 receives an infrared signal from the remote controller RMC, converts it into a digital signal, and inputs the digital signal to the CPU 210. For example, the CPU 210 receives a power on / off command, other control commands, various data, and the like from the remote controller RMC via the infrared light receiving unit 280.

The device drive unit 290 controls each unit (motor, heater, etc.) of the electric element based on the signal from the CPU 210. In the air conditioner main body 201 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 210 receives, for example, a control signal transmitted via the communication interface 260, and controls the device drive unit 290 based on the control signal.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the remote controller RMC according to the present embodiment is mainly composed of a main body 21, an opening / closing cover 22, a display DSP, an external button group Bop, and an internal button group Bip. .. The main body 21 contains a microcomputer, a memory, an infrared transmitter, and the like. The opening / closing cover 22 is hinged to the lower end of the main body 21. The display DSP displays the set temperature, the set wind direction, the on / off state of various functions, and the like. The external button group Bop is arranged on the exterior portion of the main body portion 21 on the upper side of the opening / closing cover 22. The internal button group Bip is arranged inside the open / close cover 22 as shown in FIG. That is, when the open / close cover 22 is in the closed state, the user US cannot press the button in the internal button group Bip. The user US can transmit a desired command to the air conditioner main body 201 by pressing a desired button in the external button group Bop and the internal button group Bip. By the way, the menu button Bm is included in the internal button group Bip. This menu button Bm is not only assigned a function of displaying an operation menu on the display DSP (hereinafter referred to as "operation menu display function"), but also has an on / off function of a communication module such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. (Hereinafter referred to as "communication module on / off function") and the function for canceling the relationship with the server (hereinafter referred to as "server relationship cancellation function") are assigned. The server-related cancellation function is for preventing the original owner from controlling or monitoring the air conditioner 200 with a remote controller when the air conditioner 200 with a remote controller is transferred to another person. The details of these functions will be described later.

(4) Hardware Configuration of Smartphone With reference to FIG. 9, one aspect of the hardware configuration of a communication terminal (mobile terminal) such as a smartphone 400 will be described. The smartphone 400 mainly includes a CPU 410, a memory 420, a display DSP, an operation unit 440, a communication interface 460, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) function 490.

The CPU 410 controls each part of the smartphone 400 by executing a program stored in the memory 420. For example, the CPU 410 executes a program stored in the memory 420 and executes various processes described later by referring to various data.

The memory 420 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, and the like. The memory 420 stores a program executed by the CPU 410, data generated by the execution of the program by the CPU 410, input data, a table (database) used for other home appliance management services, and the like.

The display DSP displays text or an image based on the signal from the CPU 410. The operation unit 440 receives an instruction from the user US or the like, and inputs the instruction to the CPU 410.

The communication interface 460 transmits data from the CPU 410 to other devices such as the server 100 and household electric appliances 200 and 300 via the communication network NTW including the Internet, carrier network, router and the like. On the contrary, the communication interface 460 receives data from the other device via the communication network NTW including the Internet, a carrier network, a router, and the like, and passes the data to the CPU 410. For example, the CPU 410 displays an image or text on the display DSP based on the data received from the server 100 via the communication interface 460, and receives an instruction from the user US via the operation unit 440 via the communication interface 460. Send to server 100.

The GPS function 490 includes a magnet, an acceleration sensor, and the like, and acquires data necessary for measuring the current position of the smartphone 400 itself and inputs it to the CPU 410. For example, the CPU 410 provides the current location information to the server 100 via the communication interface 460.

<Detailed explanation of the communication module on / off function and server-related resolution function in the remote controller RMC>
On the premise of the above description, the communication module on / off function and the server-related cancellation function in the remote controller RMC will be described in detail below. In order to give a specific explanation, the "communication module such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN" is referred to as a "wireless network adapter".

As described above, the menu button Bm of the remote controller RMC is assigned an operation menu display function, a communication module on / off function, and a server-related cancellation function. It is manifested by the operation menu display function, that the pressing is released immediately after the menu button Bm is pressed by the user US. The communication module on / off function is exhibited by the user US pressing and holding the menu button Bm for a first predetermined time (described in 3 seconds as an example in the present embodiment) or longer. Here, when the communication module on / off function is activated when the wireless network adapter is on, the wireless network adapter is turned off, and when the wireless network adapter is off, the communication module on / off function is activated. Then, the wireless network adapter is turned on. In the server-related cancellation function, the menu button Bm is described by the user US in a second predetermined time (in the present embodiment, an example and 10 seconds. The second predetermined time is the same as the first predetermined time. It may be longer than the first predetermined time, or it may be shorter than the first predetermined time.) After being pressed and held for 3 seconds or longer, the menu button Bm is pressed and held again for 3 seconds or longer. It is expressed by being done. The communication module on / off function and the server-related cancellation function can be executed even if the air conditioner main body 201 is not connected to the server 100 via the communication network NTW.

Hereinafter, the information processing when the menu button Bm is pressed and held for 10 seconds or longer and then the menu button Bm is pressed and held again for 3 seconds or longer will be described in detail.

First, 3 seconds after the menu button Bm is pressed, the communication module on / off function is activated, and the start / stop command signal is transmitted by infrared rays from the remote controller RMC to the air conditioner main body 201. If the wireless network adapter is on when the communication module on / off function is activated, a command signal for turning off the wireless network adapter is transmitted from the remote controller RMC to the air conditioner main unit 201 (that is,). When the wireless network adapter is turned off) and the wireless network adapter is in the off state, a command signal for turning on the wireless network adapter is transmitted from the remote controller RMC to the air conditioner main body 201 (that is, the wireless network adapter is turned off). Turns on). In the latter case, WPS preparation is started.

After 3 seconds have passed since the menu button Bm was pressed, when the menu button Bm was continuously pressed for 7 seconds (that is, the menu button Bm was continuously pressed for a total of 10 seconds), the remote controller RMC was pressed to the air conditioner main unit 201. The initialization confirmation mode transition command signal is transmitted by infrared rays. Upon receiving this initialization confirmation mode transition command signal, the air conditioner main body 201 shifts itself to the initialization confirmation mode. The air conditioner main unit 201 that has entered the initialization confirmation mode speaks, "Please press the menu button for 3 seconds to initialize."

After the above utterance, when the user US once releases the pressing of the menu button Bm and then presses the menu button Bm again, three seconds after the pressing, the initialization execution command signal from the remote controller RMC toward the air conditioner main body 201 is infrared rays. Will be sent. Upon receiving this initialization execution command signal, the air conditioner main body 201 initializes the home appliance terminal ID information Ih in the memory 220. (That is, the home appliance terminal ID information Ih in the memory 220 is rewritten to the initial information). At this time, the air conditioner main body 201 continues to be on when the wireless network adapter is on, and turns on the wireless network adapter when the wireless network adapter is off.

If the initialization is successful, the air conditioner main body 201 turns off the wireless network adapter and utters "Initialized." If this initialization is successful, the server 100 cannot identify the air conditioner main body 201, and then the smartphone 400 cannot monitor or control the air conditioner main body 201 at all. On the other hand, if the initialization fails, the air conditioner main body 201 continues the retry for the retry time (1 minute as an example in this embodiment), but after 1 minute, the retry is terminated and "initialization failed. ". At this time, the air conditioner main body 201 returns the on / off state of the wireless network adapter to the state before the start of the initialization operation (that is, before pressing the menu button Bm for 10 seconds) (that is, before the start of the initialization operation). If was on, it stays on, and if it is off, it turns off the wireless network adapter.)

On the other hand, when the wireless network adapter is turned off after the menu button Bm is pressed and held for 10 seconds or longer, the menu button Bm for a certain period of time (2 minutes as an example in this embodiment) or 3 seconds or longer is used. When the long press is not confirmed, the air conditioner main body 201 speaks "Initialization failed" and turns on the wireless network adapter. If the wireless network adapter is on after the menu button Bm has been pressed and held for 10 seconds or longer, and the menu button Bm has not been pressed and held for 1 minute and 53 seconds for 3 seconds or longer, the menu button Bm has not been pressed and held for 1 minute and 53 seconds. , The air conditioner main body 201 cancels the standby state of WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). Then, after that, when the long press of the menu button Bm for 7 seconds or more is not confirmed, the air conditioner main body 201 turns off the wireless network adapter.

The on / off states of the wireless network adapter in each of the above situations are as shown in the table in FIG.

-Second embodiment-
The server relationship cancellation function according to the second embodiment is different from the server relationship cancellation function according to the first embodiment only by the operation method of the menu button Bm until the initialization execution command signal is transmitted. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

In the server-related cancellation function according to the present embodiment, when the menu button Bm is pressed and held for 5 seconds or longer, the initialization confirmation mode transition command signal is transmitted by infrared rays from the remote controller RMC to the air conditioner main body 201, and the menu button Bm is transmitted. When the menu button Bm is pressed and held for another 2 seconds or longer after the pressing of is released once, the initialization execution command signal is transmitted by infrared rays from the remote controller RMC to the air conditioner main body 201.

The lower limit time for pressing the menu button Bm and its pattern are not particularly limited. For example, the lower limit time for pressing the first menu button Bm may be shorter than the lower limit time for pressing the later menu button Bm, or the lower limit time for pressing the later menu button Bm may be the same.

-Third embodiment-
The server relationship cancellation function according to the third embodiment is different from the server relationship cancellation function according to the first embodiment only by the operation method of the menu button Bm until the initialization execution command signal is transmitted. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

In the server-related cancellation function according to the present embodiment, when the menu button Bm is pressed and held for 10 seconds or longer, an initialization execution command signal is sent from the remote controller RMC toward the air conditioner main body 201 instead of the initialization confirmation mode transition command signal. Infrared transmission. That is, initialization is executed only by pressing and holding the menu button Bm for 10 seconds or longer.

The lower limit time for pressing the menu button Bm is not particularly limited. For example, the lower limit time for pressing the menu button Bm may be 4 seconds or 17 seconds.

-Fourth Embodiment-
The server relationship cancellation function according to the fourth embodiment is different from the server relationship cancellation function according to the first embodiment only by the operation method of the menu button Bm until the initialization execution command signal is transmitted. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

In the server-related cancellation function according to the present embodiment, after the menu button Bm is pressed and held for 10 seconds or longer, the first initialization confirmation mode transition command signal is transmitted from the remote controller RMC to the air conditioner main body 201. Next, when the user US once releases the pressing of the menu button Bm and then presses the menu button Bm again, three seconds after the pressing, the remote controller RMC shifts to the second initialization confirmation mode from the remote controller RMC toward the air conditioner main body 201. The command signal is transmitted by infrared rays. Then, the air conditioner main body 201 that has received the second initialization confirmation mode transition command signal shifts itself to the initialization confirmation mode. Then, when the user US once releases the pressing of the menu button Bm and then presses the menu button Bm again, three seconds after the pressing, the initialization execution command signal is transmitted by infrared rays from the remote controller RMC toward the air conditioner main body 201. Will be done. That is, it is necessary to press and hold the menu button Bm for 10 seconds or longer, hold down the menu button Bm for 3 seconds or longer, and press and hold the menu button Bm for 3 seconds or longer before the initialization is executed.

The lower limit time for pressing the menu button Bm and its pattern are not particularly limited. For example, the lower limit time for pressing the first menu button Bm may be shortened or the lower limit time for pressing the second menu button Bm may be set to the same time. Further, for example, the lower limit time for pressing the second menu button Bm may be shortened or longer than the lower limit time for pressing the third menu button Bm.

-Fifth Embodiment-
The server-related elimination function according to the fifth embodiment is different from the server-related elimination function according to the first embodiment only in the processing method for the home appliance terminal ID information Ih. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

In the server-related cancellation function according to the present embodiment, when the user US once releases the pressing of the menu button Bm for 10 seconds or longer and then keeps pressing the menu button Bm for 3 seconds again, the remote controller RMC presses the air conditioner main body 201. The deletion execution signal is transmitted by infrared rays. Upon receiving this deletion execution signal, the air conditioner main body 201 deletes the home appliance terminal ID information Ih in the memory 220. It should be noted that this deletion process may be a partial deletion process of information or a complete deletion process.

The example of the server-related resolution function according to the second to fourth embodiments may be applied to the server-related resolution function according to the present embodiment.

-Sixth Embodiment-
The server-related resolution function according to the sixth embodiment is different from the server-related resolution function according to the first embodiment only in the processing method for the home appliance terminal ID information Ih. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

In the server-related cancellation function according to the present embodiment, when the user US once releases the pressing of the menu button Bm for 10 seconds or longer and then keeps pressing the menu button Bm for 3 seconds again, the remote controller RMC presses the air conditioner main body 201. The overwrite execution signal is transmitted by infrared rays toward the direction. Upon receiving this overwrite execution signal, the air conditioner main body 201 overwrites the home appliance terminal ID information Ih in the memory 220 with other information. In addition, this overwriting process may be a partial overwriting process of information or a whole overwriting process. The information to be overwritten may be information indicating that the relationship with the server has been canceled or information including such information, or information required for the next pairing operation or such information. It may be information to be included.

The example of the server-related resolution function according to the second to fourth embodiments may be applied to the server-related resolution function according to the present embodiment.

-Seventh Embodiment-
The server-related resolution function according to the seventh embodiment is different from the server-related resolution function according to the first embodiment only in the processing method for the home appliance terminal ID information Ih. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

In the server-related cancellation function according to the present embodiment, when the user US once releases the pressing of the menu button Bm for 10 seconds or longer and then keeps pressing the menu button Bm for 3 seconds again, the remote controller RMC presses the air conditioner main body 201. The information addition execution signal is transmitted by infrared rays toward the direction. Upon receiving this information addition execution signal, the air conditioner main body 201 adds other information to the home appliance terminal ID information Ih in the memory 220. The information to be added may be information indicating that the relationship with the server has been canceled or information including such information, or information required for the next pairing operation or such information. It may be information to be included.

The example of the server-related resolution function according to the second to fourth embodiments may be applied to the server-related resolution function according to the present embodiment.

-Eighth Embodiment-
The server relationship cancellation function according to the eighth embodiment is different from the server relationship cancellation function according to the first embodiment only by the button to be used. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

A slide button is used in the server-related cancellation function according to the present embodiment. Specifically, when the slide button is held in a state of being moved in a specific direction for 10 seconds or more (for example, when it is prolonged or pressed for a long time), the initialization confirmation mode is shifted from the remote controller RMC toward the air conditioner main body 201. When the command signal is transmitted by infrared rays and the slide button Bm is once returned to its original position and then held in a state of being moved in a specific direction for another 3 seconds or more, initialization is executed from the remote controller RMC toward the air conditioner main body 201. The command signal is transmitted by infrared rays.

The lower limit of holding time of the slide button and its pattern are not particularly limited. For example, the holding lower limit time of the first slide button may be shorter than the holding lower limit time of the later slide button, or may be the same time as the holding lower limit time of the later slide button.

Further, the example of the server-related resolution function according to the second to seventh embodiments may be applied to the server-related resolution function according to the present embodiment.

-Ninth embodiment-
The server relationship cancellation function according to the ninth embodiment is different from the server relationship cancellation function according to the first embodiment only by the button to be used. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

In the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment, buttons other than the menu button Bm button are used alone or in combination with the menu button Bm button. Specifically, a button with a hole (a button arranged behind a hole through which only a thin stick can be inserted), an initialization button, or the like is used instead of the menu button Bm. Further, a plurality of buttons including the menu button Bm may be combined. If the menu button does not exist, a plurality of buttons may be combined to replace the menu button.

There are no particular restrictions on the button pressing lower limit time or its pattern. For example, the lower limit time for pressing the first button may be shorter than the lower limit time for pressing the latter button, or may be the same as the lower limit time for pressing the latter button.

Further, the example of the server-related resolution function according to the second to eighth embodiments may be applied to the server-related resolution function according to the present embodiment.

-Fifth Embodiment-
The server relationship cancellation function according to the tenth embodiment is different from the server relationship cancellation function according to the first embodiment only by the button to be used. Therefore, the server-related elimination function according to the present embodiment will be described only on this point.

In the server-related cancellation function according to the present embodiment, a software button is used instead of a hardware button.

The example of the server-related resolution function according to the second to ninth embodiments may be applied to the server-related resolution function according to the present embodiment.

-Other application examples-
It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. For example, in the embodiment, the air conditioner 200 with a remote controller has been described as an example of the electric device with a remote controller, but the present invention can be applied to other network-compatible electric devices to which the remote controller is attached. .. Further, as an example of the air conditioner and the remote controller, the one that performs infrared communication is mentioned, but the one that performs wireless communication can also be mentioned. Further, in the present embodiment, the success or failure of the initialization is notified to the user US by voice, but the user US may be notified by sound or melody, or the user US may be notified by displaying some information on the display unit. You may inform.

<Summary>
The electric device with a remote controller (air conditioner 200 with a remote controller) according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an electric device (air conditioner main body 201) and a remote controller (remote controller RMC). The electrical device has a communication interface (communication interface 260) and a storage unit (memory 220). The communication interface can communicate with the server (server 100) via the communication network (communication network NTW). Identification information (home appliance terminal ID information Ih) is stored in the storage unit. It should be noted that this identification information is for identifying the own machine to the server, and may be given by the server in the past, or may be given at the time of shipment. The remote controller is attached to an electric device and can communicate only with the electric device by using a communication method (for example, an infrared communication method, a radio wave communication method, etc.) different from the above-mentioned communication network. Then, the remote controller makes it impossible to identify the server for the electric device by performing a specific operation.

As described above, in the electric device with a remote controller according to the first aspect of the present invention, the new owner (user US) or the previous owner (user US) or the like performs a specific operation on the remote controller to perform the electric device. Disables identification of the server for. Therefore, the new owner who purchased the second-hand goods of this electric appliance with remote controller or the new owner who took over the second-hand goods of this electric appliance with remote controller can monitor and control the second-hand goods by the previous owner. Can be disabled.

The electric device with a remote controller according to the second aspect of the present invention is the electric device with a remote controller according to the first aspect, and the remote controller has a button (menu button Bm). And the specific operation is a long press or a long press of the button. Here, the "button" may be a hardware button or a software button. Further, this button is not particularly limited, and may be a push button, a slide button, or the like.

As described above, in the electric device with a remote controller according to the second aspect of the present invention, the new owner or the previous owner or the like can identify the server for the electric device by long-pressing or prolonging the button on the remote controller. It is impossible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the owner or the like cannot identify the server for the electric device due to an unintended operation of the remote controller.

The electric device with a remote controller according to the third aspect of the present invention is the electric device with a remote controller according to the second aspect, and the remote controller further has an open / close cover (open / close cover 22). The button can be covered with an open / close cover.

As described above, in the electric device with a remote controller according to the third aspect of the present invention, the button can be covered with the open / close cover. Therefore, if the button is covered with a cover in normal times, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the server cannot be identified to the electric device by a person who does not understand the meaning of the operation, such as an infant.

The electric device with a remote controller according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the electric device with the remote controller according to the second or third aspect, and a specific operation is a plurality of lengths of buttons having different push times or pull times. Push or prolong. For example, the specific operation refers to an operation in which the button is pressed for t1 seconds, the button is released once, and the button is pressed again for t2 seconds.

As described above, in the electric device with a remote controller according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a new owner or a previous owner or the like presses or prolongs a button having a different pressing time or pulling time a plurality of times on the remote controller. This makes it impossible to identify the server for electrical equipment. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the owner or the like cannot identify the server for the electric device due to an unintended operation of the remote controller.

The electric device with a remote controller according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the electric device with a remote controller according to the fourth aspect, and the communication interface is a wireless network adapter. Then, in this electric device with a remote controller, when the wireless network adapter is on before a specific operation, the wireless network adapter is turned off during the long press before the last long press or during the long press before the last long press. Will be done. On the other hand, when the wireless network adapter is in the off state before a specific operation, the wireless network adapter is turned on during the long press before the last long press or during the long press before the last long press. That is, the long press operation before the last long press or the long press operation before the last long press has both an on / off switching operation of the wireless network adapter and a confirmation operation that makes it impossible to identify the server for the electric device.

As described above, in the electric device with a remote controller according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the long press operation before the last long press or the long press operation before the last long press is the on / off switching operation of the wireless network adapter and the electric. It also serves as a confirmation operation that makes it impossible to identify the server for the device. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the number of buttons unnecessarily in the remote controller.

The electric device with a remote controller according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the electric device with a remote controller according to the fifth aspect, and in this electric device with a remote controller, the wireless network adapter is in the off state before a specific operation. After the wireless network adapter is turned on, the connection setting communication between the wireless network adapter and the wireless router is started. Then, the connection setting communication is continuously executed even during the final long press. Here, when the process of disabling the identification of the server for the electric device is completed, the connection setting communication between the wireless network adapter and the wireless router is disconnected.

As described above, in the electric device with a remote controller according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the wireless network adapter is in the off state before a specific operation, after the wireless network adapter is turned on, the wireless network adapter and the wireless device are used. The connection setting communication with the router is started, and the connection setting communication is continuously executed even during the last long press. Therefore, in this electric device with a remote controller, it is possible to make it impossible to identify the server for the electric device, and at the same time, set the connection between the wireless network adapter and the wireless router.

100 Server 200 Air conditioner (electrical equipment, electric equipment with remote controller)
220 memory (storage unit)
260 communication interface (communication interface, wireless network adapter)
22 Open / close cover Bm Menu button Ih Home appliance terminal ID information (identification information)
NTW Communication Network RMC Remote Controller

Claims (6)

An electric device having a communication interface capable of communicating with a server via a communication network and a storage unit for storing identification information for identifying the own device in the server.
With the remote controller attached to the electrical equipment ,
With a display that displays the on / off status of the wireless network adapter
Equipped with
The communication interface is a wireless network adapter.
The remote controller has a button and
The remote controller makes it impossible to identify the server to the electric device by performing a specific operation.
The specific operation is a plurality of long presses or prolongations of the button.
When the wireless network adapter is on before the specific operation, the wireless network adapter is turned off during the long press before the last long press or during the long press before the last long press, and the wireless network adapter is turned off before the specific operation. In an electric device with a remote controller, when the wireless network adapter is in the off state, the wireless network adapter is turned on during the long press before the last long press or during the long press before the last long press. The remote controller further has an open / close cover.
The electric device with a remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the button can be covered by the opening / closing cover. When the wireless network adapter is in the off state before the specific operation, after the wireless network adapter is turned on, the connection setting communication between the wireless network adapter and the wireless router is started.
The electric device with a remote controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection setting communication is continuously executed even during the last long press. An electric device having a communication interface capable of communicating with a server via a communication network and a storage unit for storing identification information for identifying the own device in the server.
With the remote controller attached to the electrical equipment
Equipped with
The communication interface is a wireless network adapter.
The remote controller has a button and
The remote controller makes it impossible to identify the server to the electric device by performing a specific operation.
The specific operation is a plurality of long presses or prolongations of the button.
When the wireless network adapter is in the off state before the specific operation, the wireless network adapter is turned on during the long press before the last long press or during the long press before the last long press, and then the wireless network. Connection setting communication between the adapter and the wireless router is started, and communication is started.
An electric device with a remote controller, in which the connection setting communication is continuously executed even during the last long press or the last long press. Further, when the remote controller executes the last long press operation or the last long press operation , if the wireless network adapter is on, the wireless network adapter is kept on, and if the wireless network adapter is off. Turns on the wireless network adapter during the last operation,
The electrical device with a remote controller according to claim 4. Further, when the remote controller makes it impossible to identify the server, the wireless network adapter is turned off.
The electrical device with a remote controller according to claim 5.

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