JP7365762B2 - Information processing equipment, systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing device, a system, and a program.

Many home appliances that can be connected to a network connect to the network via an access point installed in the home. Conventional home appliances require a user to input an SSID or the like in order to connect to an access point, which may require a lot of effort on the part of the user.

Patent No. 5396863

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing device, a system, and a program that reduce the user's effort to connect home appliances to an access point.

The information processing device of the embodiment includes a wireless connection section, a holding section, and a transmitting section. The wireless connection unit is capable of wirelessly connecting to a predetermined home appliance using home appliance connection information for wirelessly connecting to the home appliance, and providing AP connection information for connecting to the wireless access point to the wireless access point. Wireless connection is possible using . The holding unit is a holding unit that holds the home appliance connection information in advance, and when an operation for registering the home appliance as a home appliance to be remotely controlled is performed, the holding unit stores the home appliance connection information and the wireless connection unit. The AP connection information being connected is displayed, and the AP connection information regarding the wireless access point being connected to the wireless connection unit is held in accordance with the operation. The transmission unit is configured to cause the wireless connection unit to switch the wireless connection destination from the wireless access point to the home appliance in a situation where the AP connection information is held, and to transmit the AP connection information held in the holding unit. The information is transmitted to the home appliance.

The figure which shows the example of the whole structure including the smart phone 30 of embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a structure of the refrigerator 10. The figure which shows the example of a structure of the smart phone 30. 3 is a diagram showing an example of transition of screens displayed on the display unit 302. FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing. Flowchart showing the flow of processing of the smartphone 30. Flowchart showing the flow of processing of the smartphone 30. Flowchart showing the process flow of the refrigerator 10.

Hereinafter, an information processing device, a system, and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration including a smartphone 30 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a server 40, a network 50, and a home communication system 100. Home communication system 100 includes a refrigerator 10, an access point 20, and a smartphone 30. The smartphone 30 is an example of an information processing device. Refrigerator 10 is an example of a home appliance.

The access point 20 has a function as a home gateway for connecting to the network 50 and a function as a router for a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). In order to wirelessly connect to the access point 20 as a client, an SSID (Service Set Identifier) and an encryption key are required. The network 50 includes the Internet, general telephone lines, mobile phone lines, and the like. The server 40 stores information regarding users who can remotely control the refrigerator 10 and the like.

The refrigerator 10 of the embodiment can operate in a station mode and an access point mode. When operating in the station mode, the refrigerator 10 can operate as a client of the access point 20 using the SSID and encryption key of the access point 20. Furthermore, when operating in access point mode, the refrigerator 10 can use the smartphone 30 as a client. In the following description, the SSID and encryption key of the access point 20 may be expressed as AP connection information.

An application for operating as a client of the refrigerator 10 or as a client of the access point 20 is installed on the smartphone 30. The application holds home appliance connection information for wirelessly connecting to the refrigerator 10 as a client. The application holds the SSID and encryption key of the refrigerator 10 designated by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 10 as application data. Therefore, the user of the smartphone 30 does not need to input the SSID and encryption key of the refrigerator 10. In the following description, the SSID and encryption key of the refrigerator 10 may be expressed as home appliance connection information.

Next, a configuration example of the refrigerator 10 will be explained. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the refrigerator 10. Refrigerator 10 includes a control section 101. The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112, and a timer 113. CPU 110 controls refrigerator 10 as a whole. The ROM 111 stores programs executed by the CPU 110 and various data necessary for control. The RAM 112 temporarily stores programs and data.

Refrigerator 10 includes an operation panel 102. The operation panel 102 accepts settings by the user and displays various information regarding the refrigerator 10 to the user according to instructions from the control unit 101. The operation panel 102 outputs information indicating the accepted settings to the control unit 101. Refrigerator 10 includes a temperature sensor 103. The temperature sensor 103 detects the temperature inside the refrigerator and outputs the detected temperature to the control unit 101. Refrigerator 10 includes a door opening sensor 104. The door opening sensor 104 detects the open/closed state of the door and outputs the detected open/closed state to the control unit 101.

Refrigerator 10 includes a communication module 105. The communication module 105 controls wireless connections with the access point 20 and the smartphone 30 in accordance with wireless LAN standards. The communication module 105 operates in the above-described station mode or access point mode according to instructions from the control unit 101. The communication module 105 is an example of a second wireless connection unit and a reception unit.

The refrigerator 10 includes a cooling mechanism 106 for refrigeration and a cooling mechanism 107 for freezing. The refrigerator cooling mechanism 106 cools the refrigerator compartment according to instructions from the control unit 101. The freezing mechanism 107 cools the freezer compartment according to instructions from the control unit 101 . Refrigerator 10 includes a dehumidifier 108. The dehumidifying device 108 is a device that removes frost generated in the cooler of the refrigeration cycle according to instructions from the control unit 101, and includes a heater that generates heat when energized. Refrigerator 10 includes an ice making device 109. The ice making device 109 makes ice by freezing water supplied to an ice making tray according to instructions from the control unit 101 .

Next, a configuration example of the smartphone 30 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the smartphone 30. The smartphone 30 includes a control section 301. The control unit 301 includes a CPU 305, a ROM 306, and a RAM 307. In addition to these components, the smartphone 30 includes a camera and the like, but these are omitted in FIG. 3. CPU 305 controls the entire smartphone 30. The ROM 306 stores programs executed by the CPU 305 and various data necessary for control (for example, AP connection information, home appliance connection information, etc.). The RAM 307 temporarily stores programs and various data.

The display unit 302 displays various information to the user according to instructions from the control unit 301. The display section 302 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal or an organic EL. The operation unit 303 accepts operations by the user. The operation unit 303 outputs information indicating the accepted operation to the control unit 301. The operation unit 303 includes a touch panel superimposed on the display unit 302, hard keys, and the like.

The communication unit 304 controls wireless connections with the access point 20 and the refrigerator 10 in accordance with each wireless LAN standard. The communication unit 304 performs control regarding wireless connection of a mobile phone line in accordance with each standard of 4G (for example, LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc.). The communication unit 304 is an example of a wireless connection unit or a first wireless connection unit.

With the above-described configuration, in this embodiment, the refrigerator 10 can be wirelessly connected to the access point 20 without the user inputting AP connection information. First, the screen displayed on the display unit 302 of the smartphone 30 will be described. The following description assumes that the smartphone 30 is operating as a client of the access point 20 and that the refrigerator 10 has never operated as a client of the access point 20.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of transition of screens displayed on the display unit 302 of the smartphone 30. In the application installed on the smartphone 30, the user can register the refrigerator 10 as a home appliance to be remotely controlled. When registering the refrigerator 10 in the application, the user sets the operation panel 102 of the refrigerator 10 to operate in the access point mode.

Screen 401 is a screen for registering a refrigerator. On the screen 401, an “Add Refrigerator” button 430 is displayed. When the user touches button 430 after operating refrigerator 10 in the access point mode, the screen changes to screen 402. Screen 402 is a screen that displays the SSID and encryption key of access point 20. On this screen 402, the SSID (XXXXXX in the figure) and encryption key (YYYYYY in the figure) of the access point 20 currently connected wirelessly are automatically displayed. Therefore, the user does not need to input AP connection information.

When the user touches the "Next" button 431 on the screen 402, a screen 403 is displayed. Screen 403 is a screen that displays the SSID and encryption key of refrigerator 10. On this screen 403, the SSID (ZZZZZZZZ in the figure) and encryption key (WWWWWW in the figure) of the refrigerator 10 are automatically displayed. Therefore, the user does not need to input home appliance connection information. Note that although the SSID and encryption key are automatically displayed on the screens 402 and 403, they can be edited by the user.

When the user touches the "Next" button 431 on the screen 403, a screen 404 is displayed. Screen 404 is a screen that indicates that wireless connection with refrigerator 10 is in progress. When the smartphone 30 wirelessly connects to the refrigerator 10 and transmits the SSID and encryption key of the access point 20 to the refrigerator 10, a screen 405 is displayed. Screen 405 is a connection completion screen indicating that the wireless connection with refrigerator 10 has been completed. The screen 405 disappears after a certain period of time (for example, 500 ms) has passed since it was displayed, and a screen 406 is displayed.

Screen 406 is a screen that shows that wireless connection with access point 20 is in progress. When the wireless connection with the access point 20 is completed (for example, when the association is completed), a screen 407 is displayed. Screen 407 is a connection completion screen that indicates that the wireless connection with access point 20 has been completed. The screen 407 disappears after a certain period of time (for example, 500 ms) has passed since it was displayed, and the screen 401 is displayed.

Thereby, the refrigerator 10 can be wirelessly connected to the access point 20 using the AP connection information transmitted from the smartphone 30. Further, since the user only needs to touch the button 431 twice, the user's effort can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional technology.

Screen 410 is a connection failure screen that is displayed when wireless connection with refrigerator 10 fails. A message is displayed on the screen 410 informing that the wireless connection with the refrigerator 10 could not be made and prompting the user to confirm whether the refrigerator 10 is operating in the access point mode. When the reconnection button 432 is touched, a screen 404 is displayed. Note that a message may be displayed on the screen 410, for example, prompting the user to move to a range where wireless communication with the refrigerator 10 is possible.

Screen 420 is a connection failure screen that is displayed when wireless connection with access point 20 fails. On the screen 420, a message indicating that wireless connection with the access point 20 could not be established and prompting for settings is displayed. When the settings button 433 is touched, a screen 402 is displayed. In screen 402, the user resets AP connection information. Instead of the screen 402, the application may display a settings screen for wirelessly connecting to the access point 20 provided by the OS (Operating System).

The above-mentioned screen 402 displays the held AP connection information of the access point 20. Further, the held home appliance connection information of the refrigerator 10 is displayed on the screen 403. This allows the user to confirm the wireless connection destination. Furthermore, the wireless connection state with the refrigerator 10 is displayed on the screen 404. Screen 406 displays the state of wireless connection with access point 20. This allows the user to check the status of the wireless connection process.

The above-mentioned screen 410 indicates that the wireless connection destination was not successfully switched from the access point 20 to the refrigerator 10 (could not connect to the refrigerator), and what to do to successfully switch (the refrigerator was Please check if it is operating in "Access Point Mode") is displayed.

In addition, the screen 420 displays a message indicating that the wireless connection destination was not successfully switched from the refrigerator 10 to the access point 20 (failed to connect to the access point), and how to do so in order to successfully switch the wireless connection destination (setting screen ) will be displayed.

In this way, the smartphone 30 can notify that the wireless connection destination has not been successfully switched. Furthermore, the smartphone 30 displays a countermeasure method for normally performing the switching, so that the user can take countermeasures.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing by the refrigerator 10, the access point 20, and the smartphone 30. First, since the smartphone 30 has already been wirelessly connected to the access point 20, the AP connection information is held. Furthermore, the home appliance connection information is already held by the application.

The user makes settings on the operation panel 102 of the refrigerator 10 to operate in the access point mode. Thereby, the refrigerator 10 operates in the access point mode (step S101). When the user selects to add a refrigerator by touching button 430 on screen 401 (step S102), smartphone 30 displays AP connection information on screen 402 (step S103). When the user touches button 431 on screen 402, smartphone 30 displays home appliance connection information on screen 403 (step S104).

The smartphone 30 wirelessly connects to the refrigerator 10 (step S105). At this time, the smartphone 30 displays the wireless connection state with the refrigerator 10 on the screen 404. When the smartphone 30 establishes a wireless connection with the refrigerator 10, it transmits AP connection information to the refrigerator 10 (step S106). When the refrigerator 10 receives the AP connection information, it operates in station mode (step S107). The refrigerator 10 wirelessly connects to the access point 20 using the AP connection information (step S108).

On the other hand, when the smartphone 30 transmits the AP connection information to the refrigerator 10, it displays the connection completion screen of the screen 405 (step S109). When the smartphone 30 detects disconnection from the refrigerator 10 (step S110), it wirelessly connects to the access point 20 (step S111). At this time, the smartphone 30 displays the wireless connection state with the access point 20 on the screen 406. When the wireless connection with the access point 20 is completed, the smartphone 30 displays a connection completion screen of screen 407 (step S112).

Thereby, the smartphone 30 and the refrigerator 10 will exist in the network within the same subnet. Therefore, in order to communicate with the refrigerator 10, the smartphone 30 broadcasts a search request requesting a response from the refrigerator 10 (step S113). The search request is transmitted to the refrigerator 10 via the access point 20 (step S114). When the refrigerator 10 receives the search request, it sends a search response using the source IP address as the destination (step S115). The search response is transmitted to the smartphone 30 via the access point 20 (step S116). Thereby, the smartphone 30 and the refrigerator 10 can acquire the IP address of the other party, so that they can communicate with each other. Note that since the search request is a message unique to the manufacturer of the home appliance, other devices do not respond to the search request transmitted by broadcast.

Next, the processing flow of the smartphone 30 and the refrigerator 10 will be explained. In the flowcharts below, the access point 20 is abbreviated as AP. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the smartphone 30. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 shows the flow of processing that starts when the button 430 is touched on the screen 401 shown in FIG. 4.

The control unit 301 of the smartphone 30 acquires the AP connection information of the access point 20 currently connected wirelessly (step S201), and holds the acquired AP connection information (step S202). The AP connection information is obtained using, for example, a system call. Furthermore, since the AP connection information includes an encryption key, the control unit 301 holds the encryption key. The control unit 301 displays the held AP connection information as shown on the screen 402 (step S203). When the "Next" button 431 is touched on the screen 402 (step S204: YES), the control unit 301 acquires the home appliance connection information (step S205), and displays the home appliance connection information as shown on the screen 403. (Step S206). The home appliance connection information is held in advance by the application as described above.

When the "next" button 431 is touched on the screen 403 (step S207: YES), the control unit 301 starts wireless connection to the refrigerator 10 (step S208). That is, the wireless connection destination is switched from the access point 20 to the refrigerator 10. The control unit 301 displays the state of wireless connection with the refrigerator 10, as shown on the screen 404 (step S209). The control unit 301 determines whether the wireless connection with the refrigerator 10 is successful (step S210). If the wireless connection fails (step S210: NO), the control unit 301 displays the connection failure screen of screen 410 (step S211). Thereafter, the user sets the refrigerator 10 to operate in the access point mode, and then touches the reconnection button 432 on the screen 410. When the reconnection button 432 is touched (step S212: YES), the control unit 301 starts the wireless connection to the refrigerator 10 again in step S208 (step S208).

In step S210, if the wireless connection is successful (step S210: YES), the control unit 301 proceeds to step S301 in FIG. In step S301, the control unit 301 transmits AP connection information to the refrigerator 10 (step S301). That is, the held AP connection information is transmitted to the refrigerator 10. The control unit 301 displays a connection completion screen on the screen 405 (step S302). When the control unit 301 detects disconnection from the refrigerator 10 (step S303: YES), it starts wireless connection to the access point 20 (step S304). The control unit 301 displays the wireless connection state with the access point 20, as shown on the screen 408 (step S305).

The control unit 301 determines whether the wireless connection with the refrigerator 10 is successful (step S306). If the wireless connection is successful (step S306: YES), the control unit 301 displays the connection completion screen of screen 407 (step S307), and ends the process. If the wireless connection fails (step S306: NO), the control unit 301 displays the connection failure screen of screen 420 (step S308). The control unit 301 displays an AP connection information input screen for allowing the user to input correct AP connection information for the access point 20 (step S310). This AP connection information input screen is screen 402. As described above, since the screen 402 can be edited by the user, the user can input AP connection information.

When the "next" button 431 is touched on the AP connection information input screen (step S310: YES), the control unit 301 proceeds to step S304 and starts wireless connection to the access point 20 again (step S304). .

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the refrigerator 10. The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing that starts when the refrigerator 10 shifts to the access point mode. The control unit 101 of the refrigerator 10 wirelessly connects with the smartphone 30 (step S401) and receives AP connection information (step S402). The control unit 101 uses the received AP connection information to wirelessly connect to the access point 20 (step S403). After that, the control unit 101 receives the search request sent by the smartphone 30 (step S404), sends a search response (step S405), and ends the process.

In the embodiment described above, the SSID and encryption key of the refrigerator 10 are held in the smartphone 30, but at least one of the SSID and the encryption key may be held. Further, although the smartphone 30 in this embodiment holds home appliance connection information in advance, the home appliance connection information may be acquired from another device (for example, a manufacturer's server).

Although the smartphone 30 is used as an example of the information processing device, the information processing device may be any device that can wirelessly communicate with home appliances, such as a tablet terminal or a personal computer. Furthermore, although a device with a home gateway function and a router function is used as an example of an access point, it may be a wireless LAN router without a home gateway function.

This embodiment assumes that the user uses the smartphone 30 by wirelessly connecting it to the access point 20. Therefore, if the user is using a mobile phone line even though there is an access point in the home, the application may prompt the user to wirelessly connect to the access point.

In this embodiment, in order to wirelessly connect the refrigerator 10 to the access point 20, the refrigerator 10 is operated in the access point mode. The operating time in this access point mode is the time until AP connection information is received, so there is almost no problem in terms of security. Therefore, the same home appliance connection information may be used for the refrigerator 10 instead of making it different for each refrigerator. In this case, since the home appliance connection information can be recorded in the same procedure on the home appliance manufacturing line, it is possible to reduce the number of man-hours and the associated cost. Alternatively, communication with the home appliance may be set not to be encrypted without setting an encryption key for the home appliance.

In this embodiment, as explained in FIG. 5, the smartphone 30 transmits the AP connection information of the access point 20 with which it was communicating until immediately before transmitting the AP connection information to the refrigerator 10. Can be sent. Specifically, for example, when transmitting AP connection information stored in a smartphone as in the prior art, if there is a plurality of stored AP connection information (in addition to the home access point, for example, frequently used (e.g., AP connection information of the access point 20 outside the home), there is a possibility that inappropriate AP connection information may be transmitted.

On the other hand, the smartphone 30 in this embodiment wirelessly connects to an access point and holds AP connection information. That is, the AP connection information of the currently connected access point 20 is held. At this time, since the user is at home in order to operate the refrigerator 10 in the access point mode, the AP connection information of the access point 20 used at home is held. Then, when the smartphone 30 switches the wireless connection destination from the access point to the home appliance, the smartphone 30 transmits the held AP connection information to the home appliance, so it is possible to send accurate AP connection information. Generally, in wireless LAN, it is not possible to connect to two or more access points at the same time, so the AP connection information of the connected access point is unique, so multiple AP connection information is not retained. .

According to the information processing device of the embodiment described above, it is possible to reduce the user's effort for wirelessly connecting a home appliance to an access point.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Refrigerator, 20... Access point, 30... Smartphone, 101, 301... Control part, 110, 305... CPU, 111, 306... ROM, 112, 307... RAM

Claims (9)

to the computer,
It is possible to wirelessly connect to a predetermined home appliance using home appliance connection information for wirelessly connecting to the home appliance, and to wirelessly connect to a wireless access point using AP connection information for connecting to the wireless access point. a wireless connection that is possible;
The holding unit stores the home appliance connection information in advance, and when an operation for registering the home appliance as a home appliance to be remotely controlled is performed, the holding unit stores the home appliance connection information and the home appliance connected to the wireless connection unit. a holding unit that displays AP connection information and holds the AP connection information regarding the wireless access point that is connected to the wireless connection unit in response to the operation;
In a situation where the AP connection information is held, the wireless connection unit switches the wireless connection destination from the wireless access point to the home appliance, and transfers the AP connection information held in the holding unit to the home appliance. a transmitter for transmitting;
A program to make this happen. The wireless connection unit is capable of wirelessly connecting to the home appliance using home appliance connection information including an SSID,
the home appliance connection information is the same for a plurality of individual home appliances;
The program according to claim 1. The program according to claim 1 or 2, which displays the AP connection information held by the holding unit. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holding unit holds at least a part of home appliance connection information for the wireless connection unit to connect to the home appliance. The program according to claim 4, which displays the home appliance connection information held by the holding unit. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which displays a connection state of the wireless connection unit with the home appliance or the wireless access point. A request for displaying, when the wireless connection destination of the wireless connection unit does not switch normally from the wireless access point to the home appliance, the fact that the switch was not performed normally and the countermeasures to be taken to perform the switch normally. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A system including home appliances and information processing equipment,
The information processing device includes:
It is possible to wirelessly connect to a predetermined home appliance using home appliance connection information for wirelessly connecting to the home appliance, and to wirelessly connect to a wireless access point using AP connection information for connecting to the wireless access point. a first wireless connection capable of;
The holding unit stores the home appliance connection information in advance, and when an operation for registering the home appliance as a home appliance to be remotely controlled is performed, the holding unit stores the home appliance connection information and the home appliance connected to the wireless connection unit. a holding unit that displays AP connection information and holds the AP connection information regarding the wireless access point that is connected to the first wireless connection unit in response to the operation;
In a situation where the AP connection information is held, the first wireless connection unit switches the wireless connection destination from the wireless access point to the home appliance, and transfers the AP connection information held in the holding unit to the home appliance. a transmitter that transmits to the device;
Equipped with
The home appliances include:
a receiving unit that receives the AP connection information;
a second wireless connection unit that connects to the wireless access point using the AP connection information received by the reception unit;
system with. It is possible to wirelessly connect to a predetermined home appliance using home appliance connection information for wirelessly connecting to the home appliance, and to wirelessly connect to a wireless access point using AP connection information for connecting to the wireless access point. a wireless connection that is possible;
The holding unit stores the home appliance connection information in advance, and when an operation for registering the home appliance as a home appliance to be remotely controlled is performed, the holding unit stores the home appliance connection information and the home appliance connected to the wireless connection unit. a holding unit that displays AP connection information and holds the AP connection information regarding the wireless access point that is connected to the wireless connection unit in response to the operation;
In a situation where the AP connection information is held, the wireless connection unit switches the wireless connection destination from the wireless access point to the home appliance, and transfers the AP connection information held in the holding unit to the home appliance. a transmitter for transmitting;
An information processing device comprising:

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