WO2022138112A1

WO2022138112A1 - Authentication system, computer program, electric device, and mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2022138112A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/044737
Authority: WO
Inventors: 浩行加納
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2020-12-25
Filing date: 2021-12-06
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Also published as: JPWO2022138112A1

Abstract

An authentication system (100) according to the present disclosure has an electric device (10) and a mobile terminal (16), said authentication system (100) being provided with: a storage unit for storing a device ID of the electric device (10); an authentication unit for determining a match between destination of the electric device (10) identified by the device ID and a user-affiliated area, which is an area in which a user of the mobile terminal (16) belongs; and a function limitation unit for changing control from the mobile terminal (16) with respect to a function provided by the electric device (10) depending on whether the destination of the electric device (10) and the user-affiliated area match, or the destination of the electric device (10) and the user-affiliated area do not match.

Description

Authentication systems, computer programs, electrical equipment and mobile terminals

This disclosure relates to authentication systems, computer programs, electrical equipment and mobile terminals.

A ceiling fan that is attached to the ceiling of a room to circulate the air in the room and is equipped with an illuminator has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In recent years, a ceiling fan that can be remotely controlled from a mobile terminal has been provided by registering it in a dedicated application for the mobile terminal.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-109580

Electrical equipment sold as a model for a certain first country may be sold as a model for a second country that is different from the first country with a different part number. In this case, due to the difference in distribution cost, a difference occurs between the selling price in the first country and the selling price in the second country. In recent years, there has been a problem that non-authorized dealers import models for the first country into the second country and sell them at low prices (so-called "inflow problem"). For this reason, the sales of models for second countries imported into second countries by regular routes are greatly affected.

The purpose of the present disclosure is to limit the control of the electric device by the mobile terminal other than the original destination of the electric device, thereby providing a deterrent to the sale of the electric device other than the original destination. do.

The authentication system of the present disclosure is an authentication system having an electric device and a mobile terminal, in which a storage unit for storing the device ID of the electric device, a destination of the electric device identified by the device ID, and a user of the mobile terminal are used. The authentication unit that determines the consistency with the user's affiliation, which is the area to which the electric device belongs, and the control from the mobile terminal for the functions provided by the electric device, when the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation do not match, and electricity It is provided with a function limiting unit that makes a difference between the case where the destination of the device and the place to which the user belongs match.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a computer program. This computer program includes a step of acquiring the device ID of the electric device, a step of acquiring information on the user's place of affiliation, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal belongs, and a destination of the electric device identified by the device ID. The step of determining the consistency with the user's affiliation, the case where the control from the mobile terminal for the function provided by the electric device does not match the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation, and the destination of the electric device and the user Have the computer perform the steps that make it different from the case where it matches the place of affiliation.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is electrical equipment. This electrical device provides a predetermined function based on an instruction transmitted in connection with an authentication system having the electrical device and a mobile terminal, and the authentication system has a storage unit for storing the device ID of the electrical device and the device. The authentication unit that determines the consistency between the destination of the electrical device identified by the ID and the user's affiliation, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal belongs, and the control from the mobile terminal for the functions provided by the electrical device. It is provided with a function limiting unit that makes a difference between the case where the destination of the electric device and the place of affiliation of the user do not match and the case where the destination of the electric device and the place of affiliation of the user match.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a mobile terminal. This mobile terminal is a mobile terminal capable of controlling an electric device, and receives a device ID from the electric device, transmits the received device ID and user information to the outside, and communicates with a communication unit that receives an authentication result. It is provided with a display unit that changes the content to be displayed according to the authentication result received by the unit.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a computer program. This computer program differs in the step of receiving the device ID from the electrical device, the step of transmitting the received device ID and the user information, the step of receiving the authentication result, and the content to be displayed according to the received authentication result. Let the computer perform the steps to make it.

According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a deterrent to the sale of electrical equipment other than the original destination.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an authentication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a ceiling fan according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the Application screen of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the Application screen of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the Application screen of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a functional comparison of embodiments. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional block of each device of the authentication system of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an authentication operation in the authentication system of the embodiment.

The subject of the device or method in this disclosure is equipped with a computer. By executing the program by this computer, the function of the subject of the device or method in the present disclosure is realized.

The computer is equipped with a processor that operates according to the program as the main hardware configuration. The type of processor does not matter as long as the function can be realized by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor IC (Integrated Circuit) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Although the processor is referred to as an IC or an LSI in the present disclosure, the term may be changed depending on the degree of integration, and may be a system LSI, a VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) or a ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). A field programmable gate array (FPGA) programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a reconfigurable logic device that can reconfigure the junction relationships inside the LSI or set up the circuit partitions inside the LSI. Can be used for the same purpose.

A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or may be provided on a plurality of chips. A plurality of chips may be integrated into one device, or may be provided in a plurality of devices. The program is recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM (Read Only Memory), an optical disk, or a hard disk drive. The program may be stored in a recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet or the like.

Each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps (processes), order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples and limit the present disclosure. It is not the purpose of doing it. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept of the present disclosure are described as arbitrary components. Further, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations will be omitted or simplified.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the authentication system 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The authentication system 100 includes a ceiling fan 10, a remote controller 12, a router 14, a mobile terminal 16, a user management server 20, and a device management server 22. The router 14, the mobile terminal 16, the user management server 20, and the device management server 22 are connected to the Internet 28.

The ceiling fan 10, the remote controller 12, and the router 14 are installed in the user's house (user's house). The ceiling fan 10 is a ceiling fan attached to the ceiling of the user's house, and is an electric device to be remotely controlled in the present embodiment. The ceiling fan 10 provides a predetermined function based on an instruction transmitted in connection with the authentication system 100. In the present embodiment, the command transmitted in connection with the authentication system 100 is the authentication of the ceiling fan 10 in the authentication system 100 (authentication of whether or not the product was sold at a regular destination, and the details will be described later. ) Is a success, it is a command (also called an instruction signal) transmitted from the mobile terminal 16. In the present embodiment, the ceiling fan 10 is subject to remote control from the mobile terminal 16 when the authentication in the authentication system 100 is successful.

The remote controller 12 is a remote controller dedicated to the ceiling fan 10, and controls the operation of the ceiling fan 10 according to the user's operation independently of the mobile terminal 16 (device control App described later). Since the remote controller 12 and the ceiling fan 10 perform infrared communication, the communicable range between the two is within a line-of-sight range of several meters. The router 14 performs Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication with the device in the user's home. The ceiling fan 10 is connected to the mobile terminal 16 and the device management server 22 via the router 14.

The mobile terminal 16 is a mobile terminal operated by a user, and is capable of mobile data communication (3G / 4G / 5G communication) and Wi-Fi communication. The mobile terminal 16 may be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The mobile terminal 16 may be arranged inside the user's house (that is, within the Wi-Fi communication area with the router 14), or may be arranged outside the user's house (that is, outside the Wi-Fi communication area with the router 14). be.

When the mobile terminal 16 is placed in the user's home (that is, within the range of Wi-Fi communication with the router 14), it performs Wi-Fi communication. Further, when the mobile terminal 16 is arranged outside the user's home (that is, outside the range of Wi-Fi communication with the router 14), the mobile terminal 16 performs mobile data communication. When the mobile terminal 16 is arranged outside the user's home (that is, outside the range of Wi-Fi communication with the router 14), the mobile terminal 16 is connected to a router other than the router 14 outside the user's home to connect with a router other than the router 14. Wi-Fi communication may be performed.

The App providing server 26 is an information processing device that provides various mobile applications. In the present embodiment, the App providing server 26 provides a mobile application for remotely controlling the ceiling fan 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as “device control App”). The device control application provided by the application providing server 26 is installed in the mobile terminal 16.

The user management server 20 is an information processing device that manages users of the device control application. The device management server 22 is an information processing device that manages the ceiling fan 10. The functions of the user management server 20 and the device management server 22 may be provided by a single server, and the user management server 20 and the device management server 22 can be collectively regarded as the authentication server 24.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the ceiling fan 10. The ceiling fan 10 includes a shaft 2, a motor 3, blades 4, a motor shaft 5, a control unit 6, a lighting unit 7, a communication unit 8, and a storage unit 9.

The ceiling fan 10 is fixed to the ceiling 1 while being pivotally supported by the shaft 2. The motor 3 built in the ceiling fan 10 is, for example, a DC motor, and a stator of the motor 3 is fixed to a cylindrical motor shaft 5 extending downward to the shaft 2. On the other hand, the rotor of the motor 3 is rotatably attached to the motor shaft 5 via a bearing (not shown). The blade 4 is fixed to the outer periphery of the motor 3.

The communication unit 8 performs Wi-Fi communication with the router 14 and also performs infrared communication with the remote controller 12. The control unit 6 receives instruction signals from the remote controller 12 and the mobile terminal 16 via the communication unit 8, and rotates the motor 3 according to the instructions indicated by the instruction signals. Since a known technique may be used for controlling the motor 3 by the control unit 6, description thereof will be omitted here. Further, the control unit 6 turns on and off the lighting unit 7 and adjusts the brightness of the lighting according to the instruction indicated by the instruction signal.

The storage unit 9 stores device information that can identify the country or region (hereinafter referred to as "destination") to which the ceiling fan 10 is originally to be sold. The device information of this embodiment includes a device ID. The device ID includes the model number of the ceiling fan 10, the identification information of the destination that can uniquely identify the destination, and the serial number (serial number). The destination identification information may be, for example, a country code, “MY” in Malaysia, or “SG” in Singapore.

Next, the device control application installed on the mobile terminal 16 will be described. 3 to 5 show a screen of the device control application displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 16 (hereinafter, also referred to as “App screen 30”).

FIG. 3 shows the home screen 32 in the application screen 30. The home screen 32 has a group icon 41 for grouping a plurality of devices, a batch control icon 42 for collectively remotely controlling a plurality of devices in the group, and a target device name 43 indicating a device to be remotely controlled. The speed adjustment area 44 for adjusting the rotation speed (also referred to as “fan speed”) of the blade 4 of the ceiling fan 10 and the brightness of the lighting unit 7 of the ceiling fan 10 are adjusted (also referred to as “dimming”). ) Includes a dimming area 45.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed setting screen 34 in the App screen 30. The detailed setting screen 34 shows a detailed setting screen regarding the operation of the blade 4 (fan). The detailed setting screen 34 has a target device name 43, a speed adjustment area 44, a timer icon 46 for setting a timer function, a fluctuation switch 47 for instructing fluctuations in wind speed, an inversion switch 48 for instructing reversal of wind direction, and a schedule. Includes a schedule icon 49 for setting the operation.

FIG. 5 shows the schedule editing screen 36 in the App screen 30. The schedule edit screen 36 has a day and time setting area (day day setting area 50 and time setting area 51) related to the start or stop of operation of the ceiling fan 10, a fan setting area 52 for setting the operation mode of the blade 4, and a lighting unit. The lighting setting area 53 for setting the lighting mode of 7 and the melody setting area 54 for setting the mode of the output sound are included.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a functional comparison. FIG. 6 shows the function of the ceiling fan 10 that can be controlled by the device control App of the mobile terminal 16 and the function of the ceiling fan 10 that can be controlled by the remote controller 12. The number of functions of the ceiling fan 10 that can be controlled by the device control App is larger than the number of functions of the ceiling fan 10 that can be controlled by the remote controller 12, and in the present embodiment, all the functions provided by the ceiling fan 10 are controlled by the device. It can be controlled from App.

Of the plurality of functions provided by the ceiling fan 10, a function that can be controlled from any of the remote controller 12 and the device control application is called a "basic function". The basic functions of the ceiling fan 10 in this embodiment are an on / off function (on / off switching function) for operation, a stepwise fan speed change function, a rotation direction switching function, and a stepwise dimming control function. Includes toning control function.

On the other hand, the function of the ceiling fan 10 that cannot be controlled from the remote controller 12 and can be controlled only from the device control application is called an "applied function". The applied functions of the ceiling fan 10 in this embodiment are remote control, fan speed change function at an arbitrary level, schedule operation function, fan 1 / f fluctuation function, scene memory function, and dimming control at an arbitrary level. Includes functions and toning control function, schedule setting failure notification function, melody function at the start of operation, timer operation function, sleep mode function, abnormality notification function, and grouping function.

The mobile terminal 16 (device control application) can use (controllable) both the basic function and the applied function of the ceiling fan 10. On the other hand, the remote controller 12 can use (controllable) only the basic functions of the ceiling fan 10. Although the details will be described later, the use of the applied function of the ceiling fan 10 is restricted according to the authentication result of the device management server 22 (authentication unit). On the other hand, the basic function of the ceiling fan 10 is not restricted in use regardless of the authentication result of the device management server 22 (authentication unit).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional block of each device of the authentication system 100. Each block shown in the block diagram of the present disclosure can be realized by an element or a mechanical device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory of a computer in terms of hardware, and can be realized by a computer program or the like in terms of software. However, here, the functional blocks realized by their cooperation are drawn. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by a combination of hardware and software.

As described above, the ceiling fan 10 includes a communication unit 8 and a storage unit 9. The remote controller 12 includes a communication unit 60 and an operation unit 61. The operation unit 61 includes an input means such as a button, and accepts an operation input by the user to the input means. The communication unit 60 transmits an instruction signal for controlling the operation (basic function) of the ceiling fan 10 to the ceiling fan 10 by infrared communication in response to the user's operation input to the operation unit 61.

The mobile terminal 16 includes a communication unit 70, a display unit 71, a user registration unit 72, a device registration unit 73, an application screen control unit 74, a remote control unit 75, and a control target storage unit 76. The communication unit 70 connects to the router 14 by Wi-Fi communication and also connects to the Internet 28 by mobile data communication. The display unit 71 is a touch screen display that displays various information and accepts a user's touch operation.

The functions of the user registration unit 72, the device registration unit 73, the application screen control unit 74, the remote control unit 75, and the control target storage unit 76 may be implemented in the device control application. The CPU of the mobile terminal 16 may exert the functions of these functional blocks by executing the device control application. Details of the functions of these functional blocks will be described later.

The user management server 20 includes a communication unit 80, a registration screen providing unit 81, and a user information storage unit 82. The communication unit 80 communicates with the device on the user side via the Internet 28, and also communicates with the device management server 22 via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. The registration screen providing unit 81 provides a screen for user registration (hereinafter referred to as “user registration screen”) to the mobile terminal 16. The user information storage unit 82 stores information about the user registered from the mobile terminal 16 (hereinafter referred to as “user information”).

The device management server 22 includes a communication unit 90, an authentication unit 91, a function restriction unit 92, an instruction signal relay unit 93, and a correspondence storage unit 94. The communication unit 90 communicates with the device on the user side via the Internet 28, and also communicates with the user management server 20 via a LAN or the like. The correspondence storage unit 94 stores the ID (device ID) of the ceiling fan 10 successfully authenticated by the authentication unit 91 and the ID (user ID) of the user who registered the ceiling fan 10 in association with each other. Details of the functions of other functional blocks will be described later.

A computer program that implements a plurality of functional blocks of the user management server 20 may be installed on the user management server 20. The CPU of the user management server 20 may exert the function of each functional block by executing the computer program. Similarly, a computer program that implements a plurality of functional blocks of the device management server 22 may be installed in the device management server 22. The CPU of the device management server 22 may exert the function of each functional block by executing the computer program. As described above, the functions of the user management server 20 and the device management server 22 may be implemented in a single authentication server 24.

The operation of the authentication system 100 with the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an authentication operation in the authentication system 100.

The user connects the mobile terminal 16 to the router 14. The mobile terminal 16 downloads the device control application from the application providing server 26 according to the operation of the user, and installs the device control application in the own terminal. When the user activates the device control App on the mobile terminal 16, the user registration unit 72, the device registration unit 73, the App screen control unit 74, the remote control unit 75, and the control target storage unit 76 are deployed on the mobile terminal 16.

The user registration unit 72 of the mobile terminal 16 accesses the user management server 20 via the router 14 and requests data on the user registration screen. The registration screen providing unit 81 of the user management server 20 transmits the data of the user registration screen to the mobile terminal 16. The user registration unit 72 of the mobile terminal 16 causes the display unit 71 to display the data on the user registration screen. The user registration screen has (1) a user ID input area, (2) a password input area, (3) a name input area, and (4) a country or region to which the user belongs or resides (hereinafter referred to as "user affiliation place"). ) Includes the input area.

The user registration unit 72 of the mobile terminal 16 transmits the user information including the user ID, password, name, and user affiliation location entered by the user on the user registration screen to the user management server 20. The user information storage unit 82 of the user management server 20 stores user information associated with a user ID, password, name, and user affiliation transmitted from the mobile terminal 16. The user ID registered by the user in the user management server 20 is also stored in the mobile terminal 16. The user ID in this embodiment may be a user's e-mail address. Further, the user may register the user ID, password, name, and user affiliation in the user management server 20 in advance via an Internet browser or the like. When registered in advance, the user inputs the user ID and password on the user registration screen, and the "entered user ID and password" and the "user ID and password stored in the user information storage unit 82" match. The user ID registered by the user in the user management server 20 is also stored in the mobile terminal 16.

Subsequently, the user operates the remote controller 12 to shift the ceiling fan 10 to the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) mode. The communication unit 8 of the ceiling fan 10 searches for a router 14 capable of Wi-Fi communication and connects to the router 14. The user inputs a device search instruction to the device control application of the mobile terminal 16. The device registration unit 73 of the mobile terminal 16 searches for an electric device under the router 14, and detects a ceiling fan 10 connected to the router 14 via Wi-Fi. The device registration unit 73 of the mobile terminal 16 requests the ceiling fan 10 to provide device information. The ceiling fan 10 transmits the device information (device ID in the present embodiment) stored in the storage unit 9 to the mobile terminal 16.

If the router 14 does not support the WPS mode, the ceiling fan 10 and the router 14 may be connected in a mode other than the WPS mode. For example, the user operates the remote controller 12 to activate the ceiling fan 10 as an access point. After that, the user operates the mobile terminal 16 to connect to the ceiling fan 10. Further, the user operates the mobile terminal 16 to transmit information necessary for connection with the router 14 (Service Set Identifier of the router 14, encryption key, etc.) to the ceiling fan 10. The ceiling fan 10 can be connected to the router 14 by using the information necessary for the connection to the router 14 obtained via the mobile terminal 16.

The device registration unit 73 of the mobile terminal 16 transmits a device registration request including the device ID and the user ID of the ceiling fan 10 to the device management server 22. The authentication unit 91 of the device management server 22 originally has the ceiling fan 10 to be registered based on the device registration request (including the device ID acquired from the storage unit 9 of the ceiling fan 10) transmitted from the mobile terminal 16. It authenticates whether or not it was sold at the destination, in other words, whether or not the ceiling fan 10 is used at the original destination.

Specifically, the authentication unit 91 of the device management server 22 reads the data of the user affiliation location associated with the user ID included in the device registration request from the user information storage unit 82 of the user management server 20. The authentication unit 91 determines the consistency between the user affiliation location acquired from the user management server 20 and the destination location of the ceiling fan 10 identified by the device ID included in the device registration request. For example, if the destination of the ceiling fan 10 is Malaysia (MY), if the user's affiliation is Malaysia (MY), it is determined that they match (authentication successful), while if the user's affiliation is Singapore (SG). Judged as inconsistent (authentication failure).

Note that the authentication unit 91 may determine that the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation are not exactly the same but have an inclusion relationship, and that they match (authentication success). For example, the authentication unit 91 may determine that the destination of the ceiling fan 10 is consistent (authentication successful) if the destination of the ceiling fan 10 is Japan and the user's affiliation is Tokyo.

When the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation do not match, the function limiting unit 92 of the device management server 22 controls the function provided by the ceiling fan 10 from the mobile terminal 16 (device control application). It is more restricted than when the destination of 10 and the user's affiliation match. In the present embodiment, the function limiting unit 92 enables control of all the functions provided by the ceiling fan 10 from the mobile terminal 16 when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation location match. On the other hand, when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation do not match, the function limiting unit 92 limits the control of the function provided by the ceiling fan 10 from the mobile terminal 16 (prohibited in the present embodiment). ..

Hereinafter, the operation when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation location match will be described. The function limiting unit 92 of the device management server 22 stores the device ID included in the device registration request and the user ID included in the device registration request in the correspondence storage unit 94 in association with each other. Further, the function limiting unit 92 transmits information indicating successful authentication to the mobile terminal 16 in response to the device registration request. When the device management server 22 notifies the device registration unit 73 of the mobile terminal 16, the device ID of the ceiling fan 10 to be registered is stored in the control target storage unit 76.

The application screen control unit 74 of the mobile terminal 16 causes the display unit 71 to display the application screen 30 (for example, the screens of FIGS. 3 to 5) according to the operation of the user. The App screen control unit 74 is an electric device stored in the controlled target storage unit 76, in other words, an electric device (ceiling fan 10 in the present embodiment) successfully authenticated by the device management server 22 is displayed on the App screen 30. Display. The user specifies the ceiling fan 10 to be remotely controlled on the Application screen 30, and also specifies the operation (control function and its setting) of the ceiling fan 10.

The remote control unit 75 of the mobile terminal 16 transmits an instruction signal indicating the operation specified on the application screen 30 to the ceiling fan 10 designated on the application screen 30. When the mobile terminal 16 is Wi-Fi connected to the router 14, for example, when the mobile terminal 16 is arranged in the user's house, the remote control unit 75 sends an instruction signal to the ceiling fan 10 via the router 14. Send directly. The control unit 6 of the ceiling fan 10 controls the operations of the blade 4 and the lighting unit 7 according to the received instruction signal.

On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 16 is not connected to the router 14, for example, when the mobile terminal 16 is arranged outside the user's home, the remote control unit 75 of the mobile terminal 16 communicates with the Internet 28 via the Internet 28. Then, the instruction signal is transmitted to the device management server 22. This instruction signal includes, for example, the user ID of the transmission source, the device ID of the ceiling fan 10 to be controlled specified on the Application screen 30, and the content instructing the operation specified on the Application screen 30. In the instruction signal relay unit 93 of the device management server 22, when the user ID included in the instruction signal and the device ID are associated with each other in the correspondence storage unit 94, that is, the ceiling fan 10 to be controlled has been successfully authenticated. If it is confirmed, the instruction signal is transferred to the ceiling fan 10. The control unit 6 of the ceiling fan 10 controls the operations of the blade 4 and the lighting unit 7 according to the received instruction signal.

Next, the operation when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation location are inconsistent will be described. The function limiting unit 92 of the device management server 22 suppresses storing the device ID included in the device registration request and the user ID included in the device registration request in the correspondence storage unit 94 in association with each other. That is, the function limiting unit 92 rejects the registration of the ceiling fan 10 specified in the device registration request. Further, the function limiting unit 92 transmits information indicating an authentication failure to the mobile terminal 16 in response to the device registration request. When the device management server 22 notifies the device registration unit 73 of the authentication failure, the device registration unit 73 of the mobile terminal 16 suppresses the storage of the device ID of the ceiling fan 10 to be registered in the control target storage unit 76. That is, the device registration unit 73 does not register the ceiling fan 10 as a device to be controlled by the device control application.

As a result, the ceiling fan 10 is not displayed on the App screen 30 of the mobile terminal 16, and the ceiling fan 10 cannot be selected as the control target device. Therefore, the user cannot control the operation (basic function + applied function) of the ceiling fan 10 by using the mobile terminal 16. It is possible to control the operation (basic function only) of the ceiling fan 10 by using the remote controller 12 regardless of the success or failure of the authentication of the ceiling fan 10 by the device management server 22.

In this way, the function limiting unit 92 of the device management server 22 makes it possible to control the ceiling fan 10 from both the remote controller 12 and the mobile terminal 16 when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation location match. If the destination of 10 and the place to which the user belongs do not match, the ceiling fan 10 can be controlled only from the remote controller 12. In other words, the function limiting unit 92 of the device management server 22 restricts the use of the applied functions of the ceiling fan 10 according to the authentication result by the authentication unit 91, but the ceiling fan 10 is restricted regardless of the authentication result by the authentication unit 91. Do not limit the use of the basic functions of.

In the present embodiment, when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation do not match, the use (control) of all the applied functions of the ceiling fan 10 from the mobile terminal 16 is prohibited, but as a modification. Even when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the place to which the user belongs do not match, the use (control) of some of the applied functions from the mobile terminal 16 may be permitted. In other words, the function limiting unit 92 of the device management server 22 may limit the use of some of the applied functions of the ceiling fan 10 when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation location do not match. Further, when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation do not match, the use (control) of the function different from the case where the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation match is permitted from the mobile terminal 16. You may. In other words, the function limiting unit 92 of the device management server 22 permits the use (control) of a function different from the basic function and the applied function of the ceiling fan 10 when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation location do not match. You may.

According to the authentication system 100 of the present embodiment, when the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation are inconsistent, the control of the function provided by the ceiling fan 10 from the mobile terminal 16 is restricted to the ceiling fan. Limit the use of 10 applied functions. As a result, it is possible to provide a deterrent to the sale of the ceiling fan 10 in a place other than the original destination. On the other hand, even if the destination of the electric device and the place to which the user belongs are inconsistent, the basic function of the ceiling fan 10 can be used by enabling the control of the ceiling fan 10 from the remote controller 12. As a result, it is possible to prevent the disadvantage of the user who purchased the ceiling fan 10 sold at a place other than the original destination from becoming excessively large.

The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiment. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is exemplary and that various modifications are possible for each component or combination of processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

A modified example will be explained. In the above embodiment, the device ID, which is the device information of the ceiling fan 10 stored in the ceiling fan 10, includes information indicating the destination of the ceiling fan 10 (for example, a country code). As a modification, the device ID includes device-specific data (for example, a model number and a serial number), but may not include information that directly indicates the destination of the ceiling fan 10. In this case, the authentication server 24 (device management server 22) may further include a destination storage unit that stores the device ID of the ceiling fan 10 in association with the destination of the ceiling fan 10. The authentication unit 91 of the authentication server 24 (device management server 22) searches the destination storage unit using the device ID of the ceiling fan 10 transmitted from the mobile terminal 16 as a key, and determines the destination associated with the device ID. It may be identified as the destination of the ceiling fan 10.

Explain another modification example. In the above embodiment, the authentication server 24 (device management server 22) includes the authentication unit 91 and the function restriction unit 92, but as a modification, the mobile terminal 16 (device control application) has the authentication unit 91 and the function restriction unit 92. May be provided. The authentication system 100 of this modification may be configured not to include the authentication server 24. Further, in this modification, the authentication unit 91 of the mobile terminal 16 uses the device information (device ID) acquired from the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation location input from the user and stored in the mobile terminal 16. The ceiling fan 10 may be certified (consistency with the destination is determined). Further, the function limiting unit 92 of the mobile terminal 16 stores the device information of the ceiling fan 10 in the control target storage unit 76 according to the authentication result by the authentication unit 91, so that the function limiting unit 92 can respond to the authentication result by the authentication unit 91. Whether or not the ceiling fan 10 can be controlled may be set.

Another modification example will be explained. In the above embodiment, the ceiling fan 10 is provided with the remote controller 12, but the remote controller 12 may not be provided. At that time, the method of activating the ceiling fan 10 in the WPS mode or as an access point does not matter as long as the activation can be realized. For example, by providing a button or switch on the ceiling fan 10 and operating the button or switch, the ceiling fan 10 is activated as a WPS mode or as an access point. If the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation do not match, the function limiting unit 92 enables only the basic functions to be used from the mobile terminal 16, and the destination of the ceiling fan 10 and the user's affiliation match. In this case, the function limiting unit 92 enables all functions (basic function + applied function) to be used from the mobile terminal 16.

Another modification example will be explained. In the above embodiment, the ceiling fan 10 is exemplified as a target of remote control by the mobile terminal 16 (device control App), but the technique of the embodiment is the technique of the embodiment using another electric device (for example, the device control App). It can also be applied to remote control of air conditioners, lighting fixtures, recorders, etc.). The basic function (that is, the function whose use is not restricted by the authentication result) in these electric devices may include at least the operation on / off function. Further, the applied function (that is, the function whose use is restricted by the authentication result) in these electric devices may include at least one of a schedule operation function, a timer function, an abnormality notification function, and a grouping function.

Any combination of the embodiments and modifications described above is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The new embodiments resulting from the combination have the effects of the combined embodiments and variants. It is also understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be fulfilled by each of the constituent elements described in the claims are realized by a single component or a cooperation thereof shown in the embodiments and modifications. ..

The outline of one aspect of this disclosure is as follows. The authentication system (100) of a certain aspect of the present disclosure is an authentication system (100) having an electric device (10) and a mobile terminal (16), and device information capable of identifying the destination of the electric device (10). The destination of the electric device (10) identified by the device information acquired from the storage unit (9) and the user affiliation which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal (16) belongs. The authentication unit (91) that determines the consistency with the ground and the control from the mobile terminal (16) for the functions provided by the electrical equipment (10) are matched between the destination of the electrical equipment (10) and the user's affiliation. It is provided with a function limiting unit (92) that makes a difference between the case where the electric device (10) is not used and the case where the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation match.

According to this aspect, when the destination of the electric device and the place of affiliation of the user do not match, the electric device is sold in a place other than the original destination by limiting the control from the mobile terminal to the function provided by the electric device. A deterrent to things can be provided.

In addition, limiting the control of the function provided by the electric device (10) from the mobile terminal (16) may mean that only a part of the function provided by the electric device (10) can be controlled, and the electric device (10) may be controlled. The control of all the functions provided by 10) may be prohibited.

The authentication system (100) may further have an authentication server (24). The authentication server (24) may further include a user information storage unit (82) that stores the user ID and the user affiliation location in association with each other, an authentication unit (91), and a function restriction unit (92). The authentication unit (91) has a destination of the electric device (10) identified by the device information acquired from the storage unit (9) and a user affiliation area associated with the user ID acquired from the mobile terminal (16). You may judge the consistency with.

The electric device (10) may have an application function that limits according to the authentication result of the authentication unit (91) and a basic function that does not limit regardless of the authentication result of the authentication unit (91). The function limiting unit (92) may limit only the applied functions according to the authentication result of the authentication unit (91).

According to this aspect, by limiting the applied functions, the basic functions are not restricted regardless of the certification result, while providing a deterrent to the sale of electrical equipment other than the original destination. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the disadvantage of the user who purchased the electric device from becoming excessively large.

The applied function may include at least one of a schedule operation function, a timer function, an abnormality notification function, and a grouping function of the electric device (10).

According to this aspect, when the destination of the electric device and the place to which the user belongs match, the convenience of the electric device can be enhanced.

The basic function may include at least an ON / OFF function for the operation of the electric device (10).

According to this aspect, even if the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation are inconsistent, the minimum benefit can be provided to the user.

The electric device (10) may include a remote controller (12) that controls the electric device (10) independently of the mobile terminal (16). The function limiting unit (92) enables the electric device (10) to be controlled from both the remote controller (12) and the mobile terminal (16) when the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation match. If the destination of the electric device (10) and the place to which the user belongs do not match, the electric device (10) may be controllable only from the remote controller (12).

According to this aspect, when the destination of the electric device and the place of affiliation of the user do not match, the control of the electric device from the mobile terminal is restricted to prevent the electric device from being sold at a place other than the original destination. Forces can be provided. On the other hand, even if the destination of the electric device and the place to which the user belongs are inconsistent, it is possible to control the electric device from the remote controller. As a result, it is possible to prevent the disadvantage of the user who purchased the electric device from becoming excessively large.

The electric device (10) may include a remote controller (12) that controls the electric device (10) independently of the mobile terminal (16). The function limiting unit (92) enables the electric device (10) to be controlled from both the remote controller (12) and the mobile terminal (16) when the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation match. If the destination of the electric device (10) and the place to which the user belongs do not match, the electric device (10) may be controllable only from the remote controller (12). The mobile terminal (16) may be able to use the applied functions and the basic functions, and the remote controller (12) may be able to use only the basic functions.

According to this aspect, when the destination of the electric device and the place to which the user belongs do not match, the use of the applied function is restricted by limiting the control of the electric device from the mobile terminal, and the electric device is used in a place other than the original destination. A deterrent to being sold can be provided. On the other hand, even if the destination of the electrical equipment and the user's affiliation are inconsistent, the basic functions can be used by enabling the control of the electrical equipment from the remote controller, which is disadvantageous to the user who purchased the electrical equipment. Can be prevented from becoming excessively large.

The electrical device (10) may be a ceiling fan. The applied functions are the schedule operation function of the electric device (10), the 1 / f fluctuation function of the fan, the scene memory function, the arbitrary dimming and toning control function, the schedule setting failure notification function, the melody function at the start of operation, and the timer. It may include at least one of an operation function, a sleep mode function, an abnormality notification function, and a grouping function.

The electrical device (10) may be a ceiling fan. The basic function may include at least one of an ON / OFF function for the operation of the electric device (10), a fan speed changing function, a rotation direction switching function, and a stepwise dimming and toning control function.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a computer program. This computer program includes a step of acquiring device information that can identify the destination of the electrical device (10), a step of acquiring information on the user's affiliation, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal (16) belongs, and the device. The step of determining the consistency between the destination of the electric device (10) identified by the information and the place to which the user belongs, and the control from the mobile terminal (16) to the function provided by the electric device (10) are performed by the electric device. The computer is made to perform a step of making the difference between the case where the destination of (10) and the place of affiliation of the user do not match and the case where the destination of the electric device (10) and the place of affiliation of the user match.

According to this aspect, when the destination of the electric device and the place to which the user belongs do not match, the control from the mobile terminal to the function provided by the electric device is restricted. As a result, it is possible to provide a deterrent to the sale of electrical equipment other than the original destination.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is electrical equipment (10). The electrical device (10) provides a predetermined function based on an instruction transmitted in connection with an authentication system (100) having the electrical device (10) and a mobile terminal (16). The authentication system (100) has a storage unit (9) that stores device information that can identify the destination of the electrical device (10), and an electrical device (10) that is identified by the device information acquired from the storage unit (9). ), The authentication unit (91) that determines the consistency between the destination of the mobile terminal (16) and the user's affiliation that is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal (16) belongs, and the mobile terminal (16) for the function provided by the electric device (10). ) Is different between the case where the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation do not match and the case where the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation match. A unit (92) is provided.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a mobile terminal (16). The mobile terminal (16) is a mobile terminal (16) capable of controlling an electric device (10). The mobile terminal (16) receives a device ID from the electric device (10), transmits the received device ID and user information to the outside, and receives an authentication result in a communication unit (70) and a communication unit (70). It is provided with a display unit (71) that changes the content to be displayed according to the authentication result received by the user.

Further, in the mobile terminal (16) of the present disclosure, it is shown that the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation place, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal (16) identified by the user information belongs, are matched. It may include at least one of the authentication success information or the authentication failure information indicating that the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation are inconsistent.

Further, in the mobile terminal (16) of the present disclosure, the display unit (71) displays the electric device (10) in a selectable manner after the communication unit (70) receives the authentication success information, and the communication unit (70). May be configured so that the electrical device (10) is not selectively displayed after receiving the authentication failure information.

Yet another aspect of this disclosure is a computer program. This computer program has a step of receiving a device ID from an electric device (10), a step of transmitting the received device ID and user information to the outside, a step of receiving an authentication result, and a step according to the received authentication result. Have the computer perform steps that make the display different.

Further, in the computer program of the present disclosure, the authentication result is consistent with the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal (16) identified by the user information belongs. It may include at least one of the authentication success information shown or the authentication failure information indicating that the destination of the electric device (10) and the user's affiliation are inconsistent.

Further, the computer program of the present disclosure does not display the electric device (10) selectably after receiving the authentication success information and the step of displaying the electric device (10) selectably after receiving the authentication failure information. And may further have.

1 Ceiling 2 Shaft 3 Motor 4 Blades 5 Motor Shaft 6 Control Unit 7 Lighting Unit 8 Communication Unit 9 Storage Unit 10 Ceiling Fan 12 Remote Control 14 Router 16 Mobile Terminal 20 User Management Server 22 Equipment Management Server 24 Authentication Server 26 App Providing Server 28 Internet 30 App screen 32 Home screen 41 Group icon 42 Collective control icon 43 Target device name 44 Speed adjustment area 45 Dimming area 46 Timer icon 47 Fluctuation switch 48 Reverse switch 49 Schedule icon 50 Day setting area 51 Time setting area 52 Fan setting area 53 Lighting setting area 54 Melody setting area 60 Communication unit 61 Operation unit 70 Communication unit 71 Display unit 72 User registration unit 73 Device registration unit 74 App screen control unit 75 Remote control unit 76 Controlled storage unit 80 Communication unit 81 Registration screen provision unit 82 User information storage unit 90 Communication unit 91 Authentication unit 92 Function restriction unit 93 Instruction signal relay unit 94 Correspondence relationship storage unit 100 Authentication system

Claims

An authentication system that has electrical equipment and mobile terminals.
A storage unit that stores the device ID of the electrical device,
An authentication unit that determines the consistency between the destination of the electric device identified by the device ID and the user's affiliation, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal belongs.
The control from the mobile terminal for the function provided by the electric device is matched when the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation do not match, and when the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation match. The function restriction part that makes it different from the case of
Authentication system with.
Has more authentication servers,
The authentication server is
A user information storage unit that stores a user ID in association with the user's affiliation location,
With the certification unit
Further equipped with the above-mentioned function limiting unit,
The authentication unit determines the consistency between the destination of the electric device identified by the device ID and the user's affiliation associated with the user ID acquired from the mobile terminal.
The authentication system according to claim 1.
The electric device includes an application function that limits according to the authentication result of the authentication unit and a basic function that does not limit regardless of the authentication result of the authentication unit.
The function limiting unit limits only the applied function according to the authentication result of the authentication unit.
The authentication system according to claim 1 or 2.
The applied function includes at least one of a scheduled operation function, a timer function, an abnormality notification function, and a grouping function of the electric device.
The authentication system according to claim 3.
The basic function includes at least an ON / OFF function for operating the electric device.
The authentication system according to claim 3.
The electric device includes a remote controller that controls the electric device independently of the mobile terminal.
The function limiting part is
When the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation match, the electric device can be controlled from both the remote controller and the mobile terminal.
When the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation do not match, the electric device can be controlled only by the remote controller.
The authentication system according to claim 1 or 2.
The electric device includes a remote controller that controls the electric device independently of the mobile terminal.
The function limiting part is
When the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation match, the electric device can be controlled from both the remote controller and the mobile terminal.
When the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation do not match, the electric device can be controlled only from the remote controller.
The mobile terminal can use the applied function and the basic function.
The remote controller can use only the basic functions.
The authentication system according to claim 3.
The electric device is a ceiling fan.
The applied functions include a schedule operation function of the electric device, a fan 1 / f fluctuation function, a scene memory function, an arbitrary dimming and toning control function, a schedule setting failure notification function, a melody function at the start of operation, and a timer operation. Includes at least one of function, sleep mode function, abnormality notification function, grouping function,
The authentication system according to claim 3.
The electric device is a ceiling fan.
The basic function includes at least one of an ON / OFF function for operating the electric device, a fan speed changing function, a rotation direction switching function, and a stepwise dimming and toning control function.
The authentication system according to claim 3.
Steps to acquire the device ID of electrical equipment and
The step to acquire the information of the user's affiliation, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal belongs,
A step of determining the consistency between the destination of the electric device identified by the device ID and the user's affiliation.
The control from the mobile terminal for the function provided by the electric device matches the case where the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation do not match, and the case where the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation match. Steps that make it different from the case,
A computer program that lets your computer run.
It ’s an electrical device,
Provide a predetermined function based on an instruction transmitted in connection with an authentication system having the electric device and a mobile terminal.
The authentication system is
A storage unit that stores the device ID of the electrical device,
An authentication unit that determines the consistency between the destination of the electric device identified by the device ID and the user's affiliation, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal belongs.
The control from the mobile terminal for the function provided by the electric device is matched when the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation do not match, and when the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation match. It is equipped with a function limiting part that makes it different from the case of
Electrical equipment.
A mobile terminal that can control electrical equipment
A communication unit that receives a device ID from the electrical device, transmits the received device ID and user information to the outside, and receives an authentication result.
A display unit that changes the display content according to the authentication result received by the communication unit is provided.
Mobile terminal.
The authentication result is authentication success information indicating that the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation area, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal identified by the user information belongs, are matched, or the authentication success information of the electric device. Includes at least one of the authentication failure information indicating that the destination and the user's affiliation are inconsistent.
The mobile terminal according to claim 12.
The display unit displays the electric device in a selectable manner after the communication unit receives the authentication success information, and does not display the electric device in a selectable manner after the communication unit receives the authentication failure information. Is configured to
The mobile terminal according to claim 13.
The step of receiving the device ID from the electrical device,
The step of transmitting the received device ID and user information, and
The step to receive the authentication result and
The steps to display different contents according to the received authentication result, and
A computer program that lets your computer run.
The authentication result is authentication success information indicating that the destination of the electric device and the user's affiliation area, which is the area to which the user of the mobile terminal identified by the user information belongs, are matched, or the said of the electric device. Includes at least one of the authentication failure information indicating that the destination and the user's affiliation are inconsistent.
The computer program according to claim 15.
After receiving the authentication success information, the step of displaying the electric device in a selectable manner and
Further comprising, after receiving the authentication failure information, a step of not selectively displaying the electrical device.
The computer program according to claim 16.