JP7381218B2 - Product management system and product management method - Google Patents

Description

The present specification relates to a product management system that popularizes technology for connecting various "things" to the Internet (IoT (Internet of Things) technology) and appropriately manages products.

In recent years, technology for connecting not only information terminals such as computers but also various "things" such as home appliances to the Internet (IoT (Internet of Things) technology) has become widespread. Until now, information appliances such as televisions and audio players were often connected to the Internet, but in recent years, various products such as cooking appliances and health appliances have started to be connected, and IoT will continue to be applied to devices (hereinafter referred to as It is expected that the types of products (referred to as "products") will expand.

Most products are used through communication between a smartphone and a product-specific application program (hereinafter referred to as a "dedicated application") installed on the smartphone. Therefore, in addition to the cost of maintaining smartphones and communications, specialized knowledge is required to link with smartphones and install special apps when using the product, and general users, including those with limited knowledge, tend to avoid using it. As a result, market revitalization has been delayed.

In addition, with the recent development of transactions between individuals, the users of industrial products are not necessarily the purchasers, but the people to whom they are resold may also be the users, and the products are resold one after another without the user knowing. It's getting difficult. In this situation, when a problem such as a recall occurs with an industrial product, it is not known where and by whom the industrial product is being used, and in the worst-case scenario, an accident involving human life may occur.

In view of the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a product management system that facilitates the use of products that can be connected to the Internet when they are modularized and incorporated into industrial products, and that manages these products easily and appropriately. I will provide a.

A product management system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a notification device capable of communicating with a product having a wireless communication function, and an information processing server capable of communicating with the notification device, wherein the notification device , an internal communication unit that receives first transmission information including product identification information that identifies the product from the product, and a notification that identifies the product identification information included in the first transmission information and the notification device. an external transmitting unit that transmits second transmission information including device identification information to the information processing server, and the information processing server includes a notification device that associates the notification device identification information with the product identification information. - A storage unit that stores product-related information, and when the second transmission information is received, information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information is determined from the notification device/product-related information. The information processing apparatus is characterized by comprising a specifying section that specifies correspondence information, and a communication section that communicates with other information processing servers based on the correspondence information.

The identification unit acquires recall target identification information that identifies the recalled product, collates the product identification information included in the second transmission information with the recall target identification information, and determines the result of the collation. The method is characterized in that the product identification information of the recalled product is specified as the corresponding information based on the product identification information.

The internal communication unit generates distance information of the product with respect to the notification device based on the intensity of radio waves carrying the first transmission information, and transmits the second transmission information including the distance information, The specifying unit is configured to determine whether, among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received within a predetermined period, there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information, The method is characterized in that any of the second transmission information is specified based on the distance information.

The specifying unit is configured to determine whether, among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received within a predetermined period, there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information, The method is characterized in that the second transmission information including the distance information indicating that the distance between the notification device and the product is the shortest is specified.

The notification device/product related information includes user information of the notification device corresponding to the notification device identification information and installation location information of the notification device, and the communication unit is configured to communicate the specified product identification information and the second Based on the notification device identification information included in the transmission information, the user information and the installation location information are acquired from the notification device/product related information, and the acquired user information and installation location information are transmitted. It is characterized by

The notification device/product related information includes connection information indicating information regarding the communication connection between the notification device and the product, and the internal communication unit is configured to check the product identification before receiving the first transmission information. information and connection information of the product from the product, and the external communication unit receives the product identification information and the connection information included in the first connection request information and the connection information of the product. transmitting second connection request information including notification device identification information that identifies the notification device to the information processing server; The product identification information, the connection request information, and the information corresponding to the notification device identification information are checked, the verification result is notified to the notification device, and the external communication unit of the notification device receives the verification result. If received, the internal communication unit establishes pairing based on the verification result.
The product is a device that includes a function of measuring a target to be measured, the first transmission information includes measurement data obtained by the measurement, the second transmission information includes the measurement data, and the notification The device/product related information includes location information indicating the location of the other information processing server, and when the identifying section receives the second transmission information, the identifying section determines the location of the second information processing server from the notification device/product related information. The communication unit specifies the location information corresponding to the product identification information included in the transmission information as the correspondence information, and the communication unit transmits the measurement data included in the second transmission information based on the location information. It is characterized by

A product management method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a notification device capable of communicating with a product having a wireless communication function, and an information processing server capable of communicating with the notification device, the method comprising: , receiving first transmission information including product identification information that identifies the product from the product, and transmitting the product identification information included in the first transmission information and notification device identification information that identifies the notification device. When the information processing server receives the second transmission information, the notification device that associates the notification device identification information with the product identification information; From the notification device/product related information stored in the storage unit that stores product related information, identify correspondence information that is information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information, and It is characterized by communicating with other information processing servers based on the information processing server.

The information processing server acquires recall target identification information that identifies the recalled product, collates the product identification information included in the second transmitted information with the recall target identification information, and calculates the result of the collation. The method is characterized in that the product identification information of the recalled product is specified as the correspondence information based on the above-mentioned corresponding information.

The notification device generates distance information of the product with respect to the notification device based on the intensity of radio waves carrying the first transmission information, transmits the second transmission information including the distance information, and transmits the information. Among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received within a predetermined period, if there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information, the processing server determines the distance. The method is characterized in that any of the second transmission information is specified based on the information.

Among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received by the information processing server within a predetermined period, if there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information, The method is characterized in that the second transmission information including the distance information indicating that the distance between the notification device and the product is the shortest is specified.

The notification device/product related information includes user information of the notification device corresponding to the notification device identification information and installation location information of the notification device, and includes the product identification information and the product identification information specified by the information processing server. Based on the notification device identification information included in the transmission information in step 2, acquire the user information and the installation location information from the notification device/product related information, and transmit the acquired user information and installation location information. It is characterized by

The product is a device that includes a function of measuring a target to be measured, the first transmission information includes measurement data obtained by the measurement, the second transmission information includes the measurement data, and the notification The device/product related information includes location information indicating the location of the other information processing server, and when the second transmission information is received by the information processing server, the notification device/product related information includes location information indicating the location of the other information processing server. The location information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information is specified as the correspondence information, and the measurement data included in the second transmission information is transmitted based on the location information. shall be.

According to the product management system according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an environment in which products connectable to the Internet can be used safely and easily, and also to facilitate the management of the products.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a conceptual configuration of a product management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an IoT device management system in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an IoT device in a first embodiment. It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a notification device in the first embodiment. It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management server in the first embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of the data structure stored in storage part 43 in a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing related to pre-registration (registration phase) by the management server in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the IoT device management system in the usage phase in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing by a management server for pairing an IoT device and a notification device in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart about the process of the management server after pairing is established between the IoT device and the notification device in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an IoT device management system in a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of an IoT device management system in a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the notification device in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the management server in 2nd Embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a conceptual configuration of an information collection system in this embodiment. The product management system 1 includes a notification device 3 that can communicate with a product 2 having a wireless communication function, and an information processing server 4 that can communicate with the notification device 3. An example of the product management system 1 includes IoT device management systems 11 and 11a, which will be described later. An example of the product 2 is an IoT device 14, which will be described later. An example of the notification device 3 is a notification device 15 described later. An example of the information processing server 4 is a management server 16, which will be described later.

The notification device 3 includes an internal communication section 3a and an external communication section 3b. The internal communication unit 3 a receives first transmission information including product identification information for identifying the product 2 from the product 2 . An example of the internal communication section 3a is an internal communication section 33, which will be described later. The external communication unit 3b transmits the second transmission information. The second transmission information includes product identification information (for example, IoT device ID described later) included in the first transmission information, and notification device identification information that identifies the notification device 3 (for example, notification device ID described later). including.

The information processing server 4 includes a storage section 4a, a specification section 4b, and a communication section 4c. The storage unit 4a stores notification device/product related information (for example, notification device management table 52 described later) that associates notification device identification information with product identification information. An example of the storage section 4a is a storage section 43, which will be described later.

When receiving the second transmission information, the identifying unit 4b identifies correspondence information that is information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information from the notification device/product related information. An example of the specifying unit 4b is a control unit 41 that performs the processes shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, which will be described later. The communication unit 4c communicates with other information processing servers 5 (for example, a service server 17 and a recall management server 61, which will be described later) based on the correspondence information. An example of the communication section 4c is a communication section 42, which will be described later.

With this configuration, it is possible to make it easier to use a product that can be connected to the Internet, and to make it easier to manage the product.

The identification unit 4b acquires recall target identification information that identifies the recalled product, collates the product identification information included in the second transmission information with the recall target identification information, and identifies the recall target based on the result of the verification. Identify the product identification information of the product as corresponding information.

With this configuration, even if the user of the recalled product changes due to interpersonal transactions, the user of the product can be identified.

The internal communication unit 3a generates distance information of the product 2 with respect to the notification device 3 based on the intensity of the radio waves carrying the first transmission information, and transmits the second transmission information including the distance information. If there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received within a predetermined period, the identification unit 4b determines whether the second transmission information has the same product identification information and different notification device identification information based on the distance information. Identify any second transmission information.

With this configuration, even in a situation such as an apartment complex where the radio waves of the product 2 are received by the notification device 3 installed in another residence, it is possible to identify the true user of the product. can.

If there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received within a predetermined period, the identification unit 4b identifies the notification device 3 and the second transmission information with different notification device identification information. Second transmission information including distance information indicating that the distance to product 2 is the shortest is specified.

With this configuration, the transmission information transmitted from the notification device 3 closest to the product 2 can be specified.

The notification device/product related information includes user information of the notification device corresponding to the notification device identification information and installation location information of the notification device. The communication unit 4c acquires user information and installation location information from the notification device/product related information based on the specified product identification information and the notification device identification information included in the second transmission information, and the acquired user information. and send installation location information. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the recall responder of the users who are using the recalled product and the installation location.

The product 2 is, for example, a device that includes a function of measuring an object to be measured. The first transmission information includes measurement data obtained by measurement. The second transmission information includes measurement data. The notification device/product related information includes location information (for example, a URL 53b described later) indicating the location of another information processing server. When the identification unit 4b receives the second transmission information, the identification unit 4b extracts location information (for example, URL 53b described later) corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information from the notification device/product related information as correspondence information. Identify. The communication unit 4c transmits the measurement data included in the second transmission information based on the location information.

With this configuration, services using IoT devices can be easily used.

Regarding one aspect of this embodiment, a first embodiment and a second embodiment will be described below.

<First embodiment>
As mentioned above, when using IoT devices, most of them often use communication through cooperation between a smartphone and a dedicated application installed on the smartphone. Therefore, in addition to the cost of maintaining smartphones and communications, specialized knowledge is required to link with smartphones and install dedicated apps when using IoT devices, and general users, including those with limited knowledge, tend to avoid using them. As a result, market revitalization has been slower than expected.

Therefore, as a first embodiment, an IoT device management system that allows easy use of services using IoT devices will be described. In the first embodiment, by combining a communication device (for example, a notification device with communication function) that relays to the Internet, which is necessary for cooperation between IoT devices and cloud services, and a system server located on the Internet, a smartphone To enable anyone to easily use services using IoT devices without the need for computers or dedicated apps.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the IoT device management system in the first embodiment. The IoT device management system 11 includes a user terminal device (hereinafter referred to as "user terminal") 12, an IoT device 14, a notification device 15, a management server device (hereinafter referred to as "management server") 16, and a system for various services. It includes a server device (hereinafter referred to as a "service server") 17 and the Internet 18.

In the first embodiment, the user terminal 12 will be described as an example of a portable electronic device such as a tablet or a smartphone that communicates wirelessly, but is not limited to this, and may be an information processing device such as a computer that communicates by wire or wirelessly. It may also be a server. In the first embodiment, the user terminal 12 can register information to be described later in the management server 16 via a web browser installed on the user terminal 12.

The IoT device 14 is a household industrial product that has a wireless communication function. Examples of household industrial products include home appliances such as televisions, digital cameras, DVD players, water heaters, washing machines, microwave ovens, ovens, air conditioners, lighting devices, various sensors, and even blood pressure monitors and thermometers. Including healthcare products, etc.

The alarm device 15 is, for example, a device such as a fire alarm device, an earthquake alarm device, a flood alarm device, etc. that notifies (alarms) of a crisis inside the house 13 or a crisis around the house 13, and may be fixed to the house 13. However, it may be a portable notification device that can be carried around. Further, the notification device 15 may have a lighting function. The notification device 15 has a wireless communication function that performs communication using a communication method based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or a long-distance wireless communication standard such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), and an external access point. This is a notification device that has an external communication function that allows connection to the Internet by communicating with the Internet, and relays that the IoT device 14 is connected to the Internet. In the first embodiment, the notification device 15 is assumed to be placed inside the house 13 as an example, and the main body portion of the notification device 15 is a notification device that notifies information to people who are inside the house 13. . Note that depending on the specifications, the main body portion of the notification device 15 may be a lighting section that illuminates the indoor room 13.

The management server 16 is a server device (computer) that can communicate with the user terminal 12 and the notification device 15 via the Internet 18, and can communicate with the IoT device 14 via the notification device 15. Note that the Internet 18 is just one example, and various types of communication networks may be used.

The service server 17 is a server device (computer) that accumulates information sent from the management server 16 and provides a predetermined service to the user of the IoT device 14 using the accumulated information according to the purpose of the service. .

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an IoT device in the first embodiment. The IoT device 14 includes a control section 21 , a storage section 22 , a communication section 23 , a main body section 24 , and a bus 25 . The bus 25 is a signal line that electrically connects the control section 21, the storage section 22, the communication section 23, and the main body section 24.

The control unit 21 is an electronic component that controls the operation of the IoT device 14, and may be, for example, a microprocessor (MPU).

The storage unit 22 is a memory device that stores information, and may be, for example, a flash memory. The storage unit 22 stores IoT device identification information that identifies the IoT device 14 (for example, a device-specific ID such as a serial number, ie, “IoT device ID”).

The communication unit 23 is an electronic component that emits radio waves to communicate with external equipment (for example, the notification device 15), and is compatible with short-range wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), etc. A communication device that communicates using a communication method based on long-distance wireless communication standards. The communication unit 23 periodically transmits advertisement packets by broadcast communication in communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 23 periodically transmits a beacon signal including, for example, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) advertisement packet.

Note that the communication unit 23 is set not to perform pairing with a communication partner device during communication. As a result, for example, people with limited knowledge about communication devices, etc., and users who are unaccustomed to handling devices can be freed from pairing operations, and the communication between the IoT devices 14 and the notification device 15 in the house, and even the management of the IoT devices 14. Communication with the server 16 can be easily performed.

The main body 24 is a mechanical, electrical, and/or electronic mechanism for achieving the main purpose of the IoT device 14 as a product.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the notification device in the first embodiment. The notification device 15 includes a control section 31 , a storage section 32 , an internal communication section 33 , an external communication section 34 , a main body section 35 , and a bus 36 . The bus 36 is a signal line that electrically connects the control section 31, the storage section 32, the internal communication section 33, the external communication section 34, and the main body section 35.

The control unit 31 is an electronic component that controls the operation of the notification device 15, and may be, for example, a microprocessor (MPU). The storage unit 32 is a memory device that stores information, and may be, for example, a flash memory. The storage unit 32 stores notification device identification information that identifies the notification device 15 (for example, an ID unique to the notification device such as a serial number, or “notification device ID”).

The internal communication unit 33 is an electronic component that emits radio waves to communicate with external devices (for example, the IoT device 14), and is compatible with short-range wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), for example. It is a communication device that communicates using a communication method based on long-distance wireless communication standards such as . The internal communication unit 33 receives a beacon signal transmitted from the IoT device 14. That is, the internal communication unit 33 tries to discover the IoT device 14 by device scanning. For example, the IoT device 14, which is a BLE compatible device, periodically executes a process called advertising, and as described above, periodically transmits advertising packets, so the internal communication unit 33 receives them. By doing so, the IoT device 14 can be discovered.

Note that the internal communication unit 33 is set not to perform pairing with a communication partner device during communication. As a result, for example, people with limited knowledge about communication devices, etc., and users who are unaccustomed to handling devices can be freed from pairing operations, and the communication between the IoT devices 14 and the notification device 15 in the house, and even the management of the IoT devices 14. Communication with the server 16 can be easily performed.

The external communication unit 34 is a communication device into which a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card can be installed, and connects to a mobile communication network using subscriber identification information stored in the SIM card. It connects to the Internet via the Internet and communicates with the management server 16.

The main body portion 35 is a notification mechanism that primarily performs the original function of the notification device 15 to illuminate the surrounding area using a light source such as an LED (light emitting diode).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the management server in the first embodiment. The management server 16 includes a control section 41, a communication section 42, a storage section 43, and a bus 54. The control unit 41 is an electronic device that controls the operation of the management server 16, and may be a central processing unit (CPU), for example. The control unit 41 executes a program according to the first embodiment, which will be described later. The bus 44 is a signal line that electrically connects the control section 41, the communication section 42, and the storage section 43.

The communication unit 42 is a communication interface that enables communication with an external device wirelessly or by wire. The storage unit 43 is a memory device that stores information, and various types of storage devices such as a hard disk and a flash memory card can be used. The storage unit 43 stores a user management table 51, a notification device management table 52, and an IoT device management table 53, which will be explained with reference to FIG. The user management table 51 is a table for managing users. The notification device management table 52 is a table for managing the notification device 15. The IoT device management table 53 is a table for managing the IoT devices 14.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure stored in the storage unit 43 in the first embodiment. The user management table 51 includes data items of "user ID" 51a, "attribute" 51b, "notification device ID" 51c, and "IoT device ID" 51d. Identification information (user ID) for identifying a user is stored in the "user ID" 51a. The "attribute" 51b stores the user's year of birth, gender, postal code, etc. Identification information (notification device ID) for identifying the notification device 15 is stored in the “notification device ID” 51c. Identification information (IoT device ID) for identifying the IoT device 14 is stored in the "IoT device ID" 51d.

The notification device management table 52 includes data items such as “notification device ID” 52a, “installation location” 52b, “head of household” 52c, “IoT device ID” 52d, and “user data” 52f. Identification information (notification device ID) for identifying the notification device 15 is stored in the “notification device ID” 52a. The “installation location” 52b stores the installation location of the notification device 15. The "household head" 52c stores the name of the household head of the place (house) where the notification device 15 is installed. “IoT device ID” 52d stores identification information (IoT device ID) for identifying an IoT device. "User data" 52f stores user data.

The IoT device management table 53 includes data items of "IoT device ID" 53a, "advertising ID" 52b, and "URL" 53c. “IoT device ID” 53a stores identification information (IoT device ID) for identifying an IoT device. “Advertising ID” 52b stores unique information regarding communication such as a Mac address. The "URL" 53c stores information (Uniform Resource Locator (URL)) indicating the location of the service server 17 that provides the service based on the information obtained by the IoT device 14.
The IoT device manufacturer registers the IoT device ID, advertising ID (Mac address, etc.), and URL in the IoT device management table 53 in advance.

When using the first embodiment, information about the user (attribute information such as login ID, password, nickname, gender, postal code, etc.) is registered in advance in the management server 16 via a web browser, and the IoT device 14 is actually installed. When using the IoT device 14, the IoT device ID of the IoT device 14 is registered on each user page of the web browser (registration phase). This registration phase will be explained using FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of processing related to pre-registration (registration phase) by the management server in the first embodiment. Although this flow is executed by the control unit 41 of the management server 16, here, for convenience, it will be described as being executed by the management server 16. The management server 16 acquires input information input by a user via a web browser using the user terminal 12 (S1). For example, a user information input screen, a notification device information input screen, and an IoT device information input screen can be displayed on the user terminal 12 via a web browser. The user information input screen is a screen for inputting information regarding the user. The notification device/IoT device association screen is a screen for associating the IoT device 14 with the notification device 15. The user (which may be the user terminal 12 or the IoT device manufacturer) displays the notification device/IoT device relationship screen to connect the previously registered notification device to the newly purchased product. It is registered in the IoT device management table 53 in the management server 16 via the IoT device management table 53 in the management server 16.

If the input information is information (user information) input from the user information input screen ("Yes" in S2), the management server 16 registers the user information in the user management table 51 (S3).

If the input information is information input from the notification device information input screen (notification device information) (“No” in S3, “Yes” in S4), the management server 16 stores the notification device information in the notification device management table 52. (S5).

Next, the usage phase of the first embodiment will be explained. The notification device 15 is in a state where it can be connected to the IoT device 14 by a beacon signal (advertisement signal), and the IoT device ID of the IoT device 14 and the measurement data measured by the IoT device 14 are included in the beacon signal, and the notification device 15 sent to. The IoT device ID and measurement data are transmitted to the management server 16 via the notification device 15 and aggregated. Based on the IoT device ID, the management server 16 identifies the user of the IoT device indicated by the IoT device ID from the table of FIG. 6 stored in the storage unit 43. Furthermore, the management server 16 transmits the measurement data using the URL of the data transmission destination registered in advance.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of the IoT device management system in the usage phase in the first embodiment. The IoT device 14 transmits a beacon signal (advertisement signal) including its own IoT device ID and advertising ID (S11). When the notification device 15 receives the beacon signal transmitted from the IoT device 14 through the internal communication section 33, it acquires the IoT device ID and advertising ID from the beacon signal, and acquires the IoT device ID and itself from the external communication section 33. The information including the notification device ID and the advertising ID (connection request information) is transmitted to the management server 16 (S12).

When the management server 16 acquires the connection request information (IoT device ID, notification device ID, advertising ID) from the notification device 15 via the Internet 18, the connection request information is stored in the notification device management table 52 and the IoT device management table 53. Determine whether the content corresponding to is registered.
The management server 16 transmits the determination result information to the notification device 15 (S13). For example, if it is determined that the content corresponding to the connection request information is registered in the notification device management table 52 and the IoT device management table 53 as a result of the determination, the management server 16 grants connection permission to the notification device 15. Submit information. For example, if it is determined that the content corresponding to the connection request information is not registered in the notification device management table 52 and the IoT device management table 53 as a result of the determination, the management server 16 will notify the notification device 15 that the connection is not possible. Submit permission information.
The notification device 15 receives connection permission information or connection non-permission information from the management server 16, and communicates with the IoT device 14 based on the received information (S14). For example, when the notification device 15 receives the connection permission information, it allows the IoT device 14 to connect and performs pairing. On the other hand, when the notification device 15 receives the connection non-permission information, the notification device 15 disallows connection with the IoT device 14 and does not perform pairing. Thereby, the IoT device 14 can automatically perform pairing with the notification device 15.
After pairing is established, the IoT device 14 transmits information including its own IoT device ID and measurement data (S15). When the notification device 15 receives the information transmitted from the IoT device 14 through the internal communication unit 33, it acquires the IoT device ID and measurement data from the beacon signal, and transmits the IoT device ID and its own notification from the external communication unit 33. Transmission information including the device ID and measurement data is transmitted to the management server 16 (S16).
When the management server 16 acquires the transmission information (IoT device ID, notification device ID, measurement data) from the notification device 15 via the Internet 18, it acquires the URL 53b corresponding to the IoT device ID from the IoT device management table 53. Further, the management server 16 acquires the user ID (which may further include attributes) corresponding to the notification device ID and the IoT device ID from the user management table 51.

The management server 16 transmits the measurement data and the user ID (which may also include attributes) to the destination service server 17 based on the URL 53b (S13).

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing by the management server for pairing the IoT device 14 and the notification device 15 in the first embodiment. Although this flow is executed by the control unit 41 of the management server 16, here, for convenience, it will be described as being executed by the management server 16.

The management server 16 acquires the second connection request information (IoT device ID, notification device ID, advertising ID) transmitted from the notification device 15 via the Internet 18 (S21).
The management server 16 checks the content of the second connection request information with the notification device management table and the IoT device management table, and determines whether to permit pairing of the IoT device 14 and the notification device 15 (S22 ). That is, the management server 16 determines whether content corresponding to the connection request information is registered in the notification device management table 52 and the IoT device management table 53.
The management server 16 transmits the determination result information to the notification device 15 (S23). For example, if it is determined that the content corresponding to the connection request information is registered in the notification device management table 52 and the IoT device management table 53 as a result of the determination, the management server 16 grants connection permission to the notification device 15. Submit information. For example, if it is determined that the content corresponding to the connection request information is not registered in the notification device management table 52 and the IoT device management table 53 as a result of the determination, the management server 16 will notify the notification device 15 that the connection is not possible. Submit permission information.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing by the management server after pairing is established between the IoT device 14 and the notification device 15 in the first embodiment. Although this flow is executed by the control unit 41 of the management server 16, here, for convenience, it will be described as being executed by the management server 16.

After the pairing between the IoT device 14 and the notification device 15 is established, the management server 16 receives information sent from the notification device 15 via the Internet 18 (IoT device ID, advertising ID, notification device ID, measurement data). ) is obtained (S26).

The management server 16 acquires the URL of the measurement data destination from the IoT device management table 53 based on the IoT device ID (S26). Furthermore, the management server 16 acquires the user ID (which may further include attributes) corresponding to the notification device ID and the IoT device ID from the user management table 51 (S27).

The management server 51 transmits the measurement data and the user ID (which may also include attributes) to the service server 17 specified by the acquired URL (S24).

Note that in the first embodiment, the URL of the destination is registered in advance in the management server 17, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the URL of the destination may be included in the beacon signal from the IoT device 14. Good too. In this case, the notification device 15 acquires the IoT device ID, measurement data, and URL from the beacon signal from the IoT device 14, and transmits the IoT device ID, measurement data, and URL as transmission information to the management server 16. The management server 16 acquires the IoT device ID, measurement data, and URL from the received transmission information, and transmits the measurement data to the URL.

According to the first embodiment, the IoT device 14 can be easily connected to the Internet through automatic pairing, and the IoT device 14 can be compatible with the IoT device 14 without installing a dedicated application on the user terminal for each IoT device 14. Since measurement data can be transmitted to the service server, even people with limited information can easily receive the services provided by the service server.

<Second embodiment>
As mentioned above, with the recent development of interpersonal transactions, the user of industrial products is not limited to the purchaser, but the person to whom they are resold may also be the user, and the products are resold one after another. It is becoming difficult for users to understand. In this situation, when a recall problem occurs with an industrial product, it is not known where and by whom the industrial product is being used, and in the worst-case scenario, an accident involving human life may occur.

Therefore, the second embodiment provides an IoT device management system that identifies the user of a recalled product even if the user of the recalled product changes due to interpersonal transactions. In addition, in the second embodiment, the same functions, configurations, devices, etc. as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the IoT device management system in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of the IoT device management system in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the IoT device management system 11a includes an IoT device 14, a notification device 15, a management server 16, a recall management server 61, and the Internet 18. The recall management server 61 is, for example, a server device used by a company that manages recalled products.

In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the IoT device 14 for which the registration phase in the first embodiment has been completed is transferred or lent to another person (another user) through an interpersonal transaction. The IoT device that has been transferred or lent to another person (another user) after the registration phase has been completed in this way is denoted by reference numeral 14a. Moreover, in FIG. 11, the notification devices 15 installed in the houses 13a and 13b are respectively represented by symbols 15a and 15b. It is assumed that the IoT device 14a is distributed from place to place as a result of transactions between individuals and is used in the house 13a.

In FIG. 12, first, the recall management server 61 notifies the management server 16 of the IoT device ID of the product to be recalled, which is registered after being contacted by, for example, the manufacturer of the IoT device 14 (S31).

The IoT device 14a emits radio waves carrying a beacon signal including its own IoT device ID (which may also include measurement data) (S32). Since the radio waves have almost no directivity, they are radiated around the IoT device 14a in a predetermined range (for example, a distance range of several meters to several tens of meters). Therefore, if the range includes not only the notification device 15a of the house 13a but also the notification device 15b of the house 13b, the notification device 15a and the notification device 15b each receive a radio wave (beacon) emitted from the IoT device 14a. signal).

Note that the pairing setting between the IoT devices 14 (14a, 14b) and the notification device 15 (15a, 15b) is set to "pairing mode" in advance. In this case, when the IoT devices 14 (14a, 14b) and the notification device 15 (15a, 15b) communicate, pairing settings are automatically performed with the communication partner within the communicable distance. Then, a wireless connection using Bluetooth is started. As a result, for example, people with limited knowledge about communication devices, etc., and users who are unaccustomed to handling devices can be freed from pairing operations, and the IoT devices 14 (14a, 14b) in the house 13 and the notification device 15 (15a, 15b) ), and further communication between the IoT devices 14 (14a, 14b) and the management server 16 can be easily performed.
Note that, for example, depending on the specifications, the IoT devices 14 (14a, 14b) and the notification device 15 (15a, 15b) may be set not to perform pairing with a communication partner device when communicating. In this case, the IoT devices 14 (14a, 14b) and the notification device 15 (15a, 15b) may communicate with the communication partner without performing pairing.

The notification device 15a and the notification device 15b each generate information regarding the distance of the communication terminal 4 to itself (distance information) based on the strength of the received radio waves. Here, distance positioning using a beacon is performed using the property that radio waves including a beacon signal transmitted from the IoT device 14 attenuate in inverse proportion to the square of the distance.

The notification device 15a and the notification device 15b each transmit information including the generated distance information, their own notification device ID, and the IoT device ID of the IoT device 14a included in the received beacon signal to the management server 16. Send (S33).

The management server 16 receives transmission information from each of the notification device 15a and the notification device 15b. If there is a plurality of pieces of transmission information that have the same IoT device ID and different notification device IDs among the transmission information received within a predetermined time, the management server 16 determines one of the pieces of transmission information according to the distance information. The management server 16 compares the IoT device ID included in the determined transmission information with the IoT device ID notified in S31. As a result of the comparison, if the IoT device ID included in the determined transmission information matches the IoT device ID notified in S31, the management server 16 uses the notification device ID included in the determined transmission information. Then, the current user and location of the IoT device 14a are notified to the recall management server 61 (S34).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the notification device in the second embodiment. The notification device 15 (15a, 15b) receives radio waves emitted from the IoT device 14a (S41).

The notification device 15 (15a, 15b) generates distance information between itself and the IoT device 14a based on the strength of the received radio waves (S42). A stronger strength of the received radio waves indicates that the distance between the notification device 15 and the IoT device is shorter, and a weaker strength of the received radio waves indicates that the distance between the notification device 15 and the IoT device is shorter. Indicates greater distance.

The notification device 15 (15a, 15b) transmits transmission information including its own notification device ID, the IoT device ID acquired from the received radio wave, and the generated distance information to the management server 16 (S43).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the management server in the second embodiment. Although this flow is executed by the control unit 41 of the management server 16, here, for convenience, it will be described as being executed by the management server 16.

The management server 16 receives the transmission information transmitted from the notification device 15 (S51). Among the transmission information received within a predetermined time, if there is a plurality of transmission information with the same IoT device ID and different notification device IDs (Yes in S52), the management server 16 transmits the transmission information including the distance information indicating the shortest distance. Information is specified (S53).

The management server 16 compares the IoT device ID included in the specified transmission information with the IoT device notified in S31 (S54). As a result of the comparison, if the IoT device included in the determined transmission information matches the IoT device notified in S31 (Yes in S54), the management server 16 uses the notification device ID included in the specified transmission information. Based on this, the installation location and household head are acquired from the notification device management table 52 (S55).

The management server 16 notifies the recall management server 61 of the IoT device ID, installation location, and household head of the IoT device 14a (S56). Note that notification destinations may be distributed according to the format of the IoT device ID. For example, if the IoT device ID is in the format of "model number L〇〇〇〇〇〇〇", the control unit 41 may notify the recall handling company L.

According to the second embodiment, even if the user of the recalled product changes due to interpersonal transactions, the user of the product can be identified if the notification device 15 is used at the place of use. In addition, if you have the notification device 15, if a recalled product is brought into a house etc. where the notification device 15 is installed, the recalled product will be automatically sent to the recall management server via the notification device 15 through automatic pairing. 61, the user can be easily identified. As a result, it is possible to provide information about the recalled product to the user or visit the user directly to collect the recalled product, so the recalled product can be recalled before something serious happens.

According to the product management system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make it easier to use products that can be connected to the Internet, and to make it easier to manage the products. Although the notification device 15 is used in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and an electronic device having an internal communication section 33 and an external communication section 34 may be used. For example, it may be a lighting device, a radio receiver, a television receiver, a refrigerator, or a smartphone having an internal communication section 33 and an external communication section 34. Furthermore, the notification device 15 (or the electronic device having the internal communication section 33 and the external communication section 34) can exhibit the same functions and perform the same processing as in the above embodiment not only indoors but also outdoors. I can do it.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can take various configurations or embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Product management system 2 Product 3 Notification device 3a Internal communication unit 3b External communication unit 4 Information processing server 4a Storage unit 4b Specification unit 4c Communication unit 5 Other information processing servers 11, 11a IoT device management system 12 User terminal 13 House 14, 14a IoT device 15, 15a, 15b Notification device 16 Management server 17 Service server 18 Internet 21 Control unit 22 Storage unit 23 Communication unit 24 Main unit 25 Bus 31 Control unit 32 Storage unit 33 Internal communication unit 34 External communication Section 35 Main body section 36 Bus 41 Control section 42 Communication section 43 Storage section 61 Recall management server

Claims (12)

A product management system including a notification device capable of communicating with a product having a wireless communication function, and an information processing server capable of communicating with the notification device,
The notification device includes:
an internal communication unit that receives first transmission information including product identification information for identifying the product from the product;
an external transmitter that transmits second transmission information including the product identification information included in the first transmission information and notification device identification information that identifies the notification device to the information processing server,
The information processing server is
a storage unit that stores notification device/product related information that associates the notification device identification information with the product identification information;
a specifying unit that, when receiving the second transmission information, specifies correspondence information that is information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information from the notification device/product related information;
a communication unit that communicates with the recall management server based on the correspondence information;
The identification unit acquires recall target identification information that identifies the recalled product, collates the product identification information included in the second transmission information with the recall target identification information, and determines the result of the collation. identifying the product identification information of the recalled product as the corresponding information based on the
The notification device/product related information includes user information of the notification device corresponding to the notification device identification information and installation location information of the notification device,
The communication unit retrieves the user information and the above from the notification device/product related information based on the product identification information of the identified product to be recalled and the notification device identification information included in the second transmission information. A product management system comprising: acquiring installation location information and notifying the acquired user information and installation location information to the recall management server. A product management system including a notification device capable of communicating with a product having a wireless communication function, and an information processing server capable of communicating with the notification device,
The notification device includes:
an internal communication unit that receives first transmission information including product identification information for identifying the product from the product;
an external transmitter that transmits second transmission information including the product identification information included in the first transmission information and notification device identification information that identifies the notification device to the information processing server;
The information processing server is
a storage unit that stores notification device/product related information that associates the notification device identification information with the product identification information;
a specifying unit that, when receiving the second transmission information, specifies correspondence information that is information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information from the notification device/product related information;
a communication unit that communicates with another information processing server based on the correspondence information;
The internal communication unit transmits the second transmission information including distance information of the product to the notification device,
The specifying unit is configured to determine whether, among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received within a predetermined period, there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information, A product management system characterized by identifying any of the second transmission information based on distance information. The internal communication unit generates the distance information of the product with respect to the notification device based on the intensity of radio waves carrying the first transmission information, and transmits the second transmission information including the distance information. 3. The product management system according to claim 2. The specifying unit is configured to determine whether, among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received within a predetermined period, there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information, The product management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second transmission information including the distance information indicating that the distance between the notification device and the product is the shortest is specified. The notification device/product related information includes user information of the notification device corresponding to the notification device identification information and installation location information of the notification device,
The communication unit extracts the user information and the installation location information from the notification device/product related information based on the product identification information and the notification device identification information included in the specified second transmission information. The product management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the product management system acquires the user information and the installation location information that have been acquired. A product management system including a notification device capable of communicating with a product having a wireless communication function, and an information processing server capable of communicating with the notification device,
The notification device includes:
an internal communication unit that receives first transmission information including product identification information for identifying the product from the product;
an external transmitter that transmits second transmission information including the product identification information included in the first transmission information and notification device identification information that identifies the notification device to the information processing server,
The information processing server is
a storage unit that stores notification device/product related information in which the notification device identification information and the product identification information are related;
a specifying unit that, when receiving the second transmission information, specifies correspondence information that is information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information from the notification device/product related information;
a communication unit that communicates with another information processing server based on the correspondence information;
The notification device/product related information includes connection information indicating information regarding a communication connection between the notification device and the product,
Before receiving the first transmission information, the internal communication unit receives first connection request information including the product identification information and connection information of the product from the product,
The external transmission unit transmits second connection request information including the product identification information, the connection information, and notification device identification information that identifies the notification device included in the first connection request information to the information processing server. send to
The identification unit collates the product identification information included in the second connection request information, the connection information , and the information corresponding to the notification device identification information from the notification device/product related information, Notify the verification result to the notification device,
When the external transmitting unit of the notification device receives the matching result, the internal communicating unit establishes pairing based on the matching result. The product management system. A product management system including a notification device capable of communicating with a product having a wireless communication function, and an information processing server capable of communicating with the notification device,
The notification device includes:
an internal communication unit that receives first transmission information including product identification information for identifying the product from the product;
an external transmitter that transmits second transmission information including the product identification information included in the first transmission information and notification device identification information that identifies the notification device to the information processing server,
The information processing server is
a storage unit that stores notification device/product related information that associates the notification device identification information with the product identification information;
a specifying unit that, when receiving the second transmission information, specifies correspondence information that is information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information from the notification device/product related information;
a communication unit that communicates with another information processing server based on the correspondence information;
The product is a device that includes a function to measure a target to be measured,
The first transmission information includes measurement data from the measurement,
The second transmission information includes the measurement data,
The notification device/product related information includes location information indicating the location of the other information processing server,
When the second transmission information is received, the identification unit identifies the location information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information as the correspondence information from the notification device/product related information. death,
The product management system, wherein the communication unit transmits the measurement data included in the second transmission information based on the location information. A product management method comprising: a notification device capable of communicating with a product having a wireless communication function; and an information processing server capable of communicating with the notification device,
A notification device that receives, by the notification device, first transmission information including product identification information for identifying the product from the product, and identifies the product identification information included in the first transmission information and the notification device. transmitting second transmission information including identification information to the information processing server;
When the second transmission information is received by the information processing server, the notification device stored in a storage unit that stores notification device/product related information that associates the notification device identification information with the product identification information. - From the product-related information, identify correspondence information that is information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information, and communicate with the recall management server based on the correspondence information,
The information processing server acquires recall target identification information that identifies the recalled product, collates the product identification information included in the second transmitted information with the recall target identification information, and calculates the result of the collation. identifying the product identification information of the recalled product as the corresponding information based on the
The notification device/product related information includes user information of the notification device corresponding to the notification device identification information and installation location information of the notification device,
The information processing server extracts the user information and information from the notification device/product related information based on the product identification information of the identified product to be recalled and the notification device identification information included in the second transmission information. A product management method, comprising: acquiring the installation location information, and notifying the acquired user information and the installation location information to the recall management server. A product management method comprising: a notification device capable of communicating with a product having a wireless communication function; and an information processing server capable of communicating with the notification device,
A notification device that receives, by the notification device, first transmission information including product identification information for identifying the product from the product, and identifies the product identification information included in the first transmission information and the notification device. transmitting second transmission information including identification information to the information processing server;
When the second transmission information is received by the information processing server, the notification device stored in a storage unit that stores notification device/product related information that associates the notification device identification information with the product identification information. - Identify correspondence information that is information corresponding to the product identification information included in the second transmission information from the product-related information, and communicate with another information processing server based on the correspondence information,
transmitting, by the notification device, the second transmission information including distance information of the product with respect to the notification device;
The information processing server, if among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received within a predetermined period, there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information, A product management method characterized in that any one of the second transmission information is specified based on the distance information. The notification device generates distance information of the product with respect to the notification device based on the intensity of radio waves carrying the first transmission information, and transmits the second transmission information including the distance information. The product management method according to claim 9. Among the one or more pieces of second transmission information received by the information processing server within a predetermined period, if there is second transmission information with the same product identification information and different notification device identification information, The product management method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the second transmission information including the distance information indicating that the distance between the notification device and the product is the shortest is specified. The notification device/product related information includes user information of the notification device corresponding to the notification device identification information and installation location information of the notification device,
The information processing server obtains the user information and the installation location information from the notification device/product related information based on the specified product identification information and the notification device identification information included in the second transmission information. The product management method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the acquired user information and the installation location information are transmitted.

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