WO2024034167A1

WO2024034167A1 - Home-appliance cooperation device, home-appliance cooperation system, and home-appliance cooperation method

Info

Publication number: WO2024034167A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/007828
Authority: WO
Inventors: 圭吾藤原; 敦子船山; 勝青山; 亮長谷川; 賢哉笠原; 奨一加藤
Original assignee: 日立グローバルライフソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2022-08-10
Filing date: 2023-03-02
Publication date: 2024-02-15
Also published as: TW202408248A; JP2024025077A

Abstract

When a pairing code (P01) has not yet been issued with respect to a refrigerator (22), a server (11) registers cooperative information established between the predetermined user operating a given smartphone (23) and the refrigerator (22) with a storage unit, and shares the issued pairing code (P01) with the cooperative smartphone (23). When the pairing code (P01) has been issued with respect to the refrigerator (22), the server (11) requests the given smartphone (23) for the pairing code (P01). When the pairing code (P01) is transmitted from the given smartphone (23), the server (11) adds the predetermined user to the cooperative information established between the already cooperative users and the refrigerator (22). When the pairing code (P01) is not transmitted from the given smartphone (23), the server (11) rejects the cooperation between the predetermined user and the refrigerator (22).

Description

Home appliance cooperation device, home appliance cooperation system, and home appliance cooperation method

The present invention relates to a home appliance cooperation device, a home appliance cooperation system, and a home appliance cooperation method.

Systems that remotely control home appliances from smartphones are becoming popular as smart home appliances. Smart home appliances use a configuration in which cooperation information between smartphones and home appliances is registered in advance on a server, and only smartphones that have the cooperation information are allowed to remotely control the home appliances. This makes it possible to remotely control home appliances in the home from a family member's smartphone, and to appropriately prohibit remote control from other people's smartphones.
In addition, if the home appliance is a housing equipment installed in the house, the old tenant may move and the new tenant may live there. In that case, if the cooperation information between the old tenant and the housing equipment is left on the server, the old tenant will be able to remotely control the housing equipment in the house where the new tenant resides.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 states that identification information of a wireless LAN router used for each resident is included as information about the resident that cooperates with the housing equipment. This allows the server to recognize that the identification information of the wireless LAN router has been changed when communication settings are made using the identification information of the wireless LAN router. Therefore, the server can invalidate the cooperation information between the former tenant and the housing equipment.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-182452

The number of users of one home appliance, such as a refrigerator, is not limited to one person, and may be used by multiple family members in turns, as well as installed home appliances. In that case, the information of multiple people who make up the same family will be linked with each home appliance. On the other hand, information about other people who are not family members should not be linked to home appliances.
Furthermore, the user of home appliances such as refrigerators may change due to transfer, such as second-hand sales. In that case, it is necessary to initialize the cooperation information so as to invalidate the cooperation information with the user before transfer. If initialization is not performed, there is a risk that, for example, a user who has not yet transferred the appliance could illicitly manipulate the home appliance that they do not currently own or view its usage history.

Note that in the method of Patent Document 1, the cooperation information is invalidated at the time when the identification information of the wireless LAN router is changed. Therefore, if the same user switches between using multiple wireless LAN routers due to device failure of the wireless LAN routers, there is a risk that the cooperation information may be invalidated by mistake.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its main objective is to construct cooperation information with home appliances in accordance with actual users of home appliances.

In order to solve the above problems, the home appliance cooperation device of the present invention has the following features.
The present invention is a home appliance cooperation device that manages cooperation information between a home appliance and a user of the home appliance, comprising:
The home appliance cooperation device
Receiving a request for cooperation with the home appliance from a predetermined operation terminal operated by a predetermined user,
If an authentication code has not been issued to the home appliance, the cooperation information between the home appliance and the predetermined user is registered in a storage unit, and the issued authentication code is shared with the predetermined operating terminal. ,
If the authentication code has been issued to the home appliance, requesting the authentication code from the predetermined operating terminal;
When the authentication code is sent from the predetermined operating terminal, adding the predetermined user to the cooperation information of users who have already linked with the home appliance;
If the authentication code is not sent from the predetermined operation terminal, cooperation between the home appliance and the predetermined user is refused.
Other means will be described later.

According to the present invention, cooperation information with home appliances can be constructed based on the actual users of the home appliances.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a home appliance cooperation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of each device of the home appliance cooperation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a user's smartphone is linked as cooperation information in the server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the user's smartphone is linked from the state shown in FIG. 3 as cooperation information in the server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the user's smartphone is released from the state shown in FIG. 4 as cooperation information in the server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of cooperation and cancellation of cooperation using household appliance identification information permanently used for each refrigerator as cooperation information in the server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a process of linking a user's smartphone according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a process of linking the user's smartphone, which is executed after FIG. 7 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an initialization process for linking the user's smartphone, which is executed after FIG. 8 according to the present embodiment. It is a screen diagram of a user's smartphone regarding this embodiment. This is an example of a screen showing a result of linking a user's smartphone according to the present embodiment. This is an example of a screen where initialization is recommended when the user's smartphone fails to cooperate with the previous user as the third person according to the present embodiment. This is a screen prompting the user to initialize the refrigerator according to the present embodiment, which is displayed before transferring the refrigerator.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a home appliance cooperation system.
The home appliance cooperation system includes a server (home appliance cooperation device) 11, a wireless LAN router 21, a refrigerator 22, and a smartphone 23 connected through a network. Note that the Internet 12 connects the server 11, the mobile phone base station 13, and the wireless LAN router 21.
Furthermore, a wireless LAN router 21, a refrigerator 22, and a smartphone (operation terminal) 23 are present in a user's home 20 where a user who uses home appliances lives. Since the user carries the smartphone 23 with him, the smartphone 23 may exist outside the user's home 20.
Hereinafter, in the description of the home appliance cooperation system of this embodiment, the refrigerator 22 will be used as the home appliance to cooperate. On the other hand, the refrigerator 22 is an example of a home appliance, and other home appliances such as a washing machine may be used as home appliances that the home appliance cooperation system cooperates with.

The server 11 manages cooperation information between the refrigerator 22 and the user of the refrigerator 22. Then, the server 11 allows only the smartphone 23 used by the user who has the collaboration information to remotely control the refrigerator 22 or allows the smartphone 23 to view the usage history of the refrigerator 22.
The refrigerator 22 can access the server 11 via the Internet 12 by connecting to the wireless LAN router 21 via the refrigerator-router connection 24 .
The smartphone 23 can access the server 11 via the Internet 12 by connecting to the wireless LAN router 21 via the smartphone router connection 26 . Furthermore, the smartphone 23 can access the server 11 via the Internet 12 using wide area communication such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) via the mobile phone base station 13 .
Furthermore, the refrigerator 22 and the smartphone 23 are connected via the refrigerator-smartphone connection 25 to exchange information necessary for the user of the refrigerator 22 and the smartphone 23 to cooperate.

Below, various IDs and codes used in the description of this embodiment will be listed.
- A QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) is attached to the refrigerator 22 and includes information that can uniquely identify the model of the refrigerator 22. The QR code is read by the camera of the smartphone 23.
- The pairing code is an authentication code that is shared between the server 11 and the user's smartphone 23 linked with the linkage information when the server 11 registers the linkage information (registered in its own storage unit, etc.). be.
- User identification information is information unique to each user of the smartphone 23 that cooperates among the cooperation information registered in the server 11. Note that, for example, when the user of the smartphone 23 logs into a program used by the smartphone 23, the user can use the program by inputting a user ID and password pair for each user. Therefore, the user identification information is, for example, a user ID when logging in. This allows multiple smartphones 23 to use the same user ID.
- The home appliance identification information is unique information for each collaborating refrigerator 22 out of the collaboration information registered in the server 11.
- SSID (Service Set IDentifier) is an identifier for wireless LAN communication. In the refrigerator-router connection 24 and the smartphone-router connection 26, the refrigerator 22 and the smartphone 23 each acquire the SSID propagated by the wireless LAN router 21. In the refrigerator-smartphone connection 25, the smartphone 23 acquires the SSID propagated by the refrigerator 22. Note that the SSID may be a stealth SSID that is not included in the radio waves transmitted instead of being propagated.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of each device of the home appliance cooperation system.
Each device of the home appliance cooperation system is configured as a computer 900 having a CPU 901, a RAM 902, a ROM 903, an HDD 904, a communication I/F 905, an input/output I/F 906, and a media I/F 907.
Communication I/F 905 is connected to external communication device 915. The input/output I/F 906 is connected to the input/output device 916. The media I/F 907 reads and writes data from the recording medium 917. Further, the CPU 901 controls each processing unit by executing a program (also called an application or an abbreviation thereof) read into the RAM 902 . This program can also be distributed via a communication line or recorded on a recording medium 917 such as a CD-ROM.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the updating process of cooperation information in the server 11 will be described. In this explanation, the following three users are assumed.
- User UA1 is the user before the refrigerator 22 is transferred, and is the first user to cooperate with the refrigerator 22.
- User UA2 is in the same family as user UA1, and lives together in a house equipped with refrigerator 22. User UA2 performs second cooperation with refrigerator 22.
- User UB1 is a user who acquired refrigerator 22 after user UA1 transferred the refrigerator 22 to him. The transfer here is a second-hand sale at a recycle shop, and the users UA1, UA2, and UB1 are strangers who do not know each other's information.

Hereinafter, the smartphone 23 operated by the user UA1 using his user identification information "A01" will be referred to as "smartphone A01."
Similarly, the smartphone 23 operated by the user UA2 using his user identification information "A02" is referred to as "smartphone A02."
Furthermore, the smartphone 23 operated by the user UB1 using his/her user identification information "B01" is referred to as "smartphone B01."

When the server 11 receives a request for cooperation between a predetermined user who operates a predetermined smartphone 23 (user UA1, user UA2, or user UB1 at this point) and the refrigerator 22, the server 11 performs cooperation processing in the following cases. conduct.
- If the pairing code P01 has not been issued to the refrigerator 22, register the cooperation information between the user identification information "A01" of a predetermined user (user UA1 at this point) and the refrigerator 22 in the storage unit. At the same time, the issued pairing code P01 is shared with the linked smartphone 23 (of the user UA1).
- If the pairing code P01 has been issued to the refrigerator 22, a request is made to a predetermined smartphone 23 for the pairing code P01 issued to the smartphone A01. At this point, the predetermined user is user UA2 or user UB1.
- When the pairing code P01 is sent from the predetermined smartphone 23, the user identification information "A02" of the predetermined user (user UA2 at this point) is added to the cooperation information between the linked user UA1 and the refrigerator 22. Add.
- If the pairing code P01 is not sent from the predetermined smartphone 23, the cooperation between the predetermined user (user UB1 at this point) and the refrigerator 22 is refused. At this time, the server 11 notifies the predetermined smartphone 23 that has refused cooperation with the refrigerator 22 that the predetermined smartphone 23 is prompted to initialize the existing cooperation information with the refrigerator 22 with which the predetermined smartphone 23 has attempted to cooperate. It's okay.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the user UA1 is linked as cooperation information in the server 11.
State 101 is a factory-shipped state of the refrigerator 22, in which the MAC address (Media Access Control address) (R001) of the refrigerator 22 and the home appliance identification information (R001-1) correspond on a 1:1 basis. Note that the home appliance identification information is assigned information obtained by adding the number of initializations (this time, the "1st" time) to the end of the MAC address.

A state 102 is a state in which the user UA1 who newly purchased the refrigerator 22 in the state 101 has registered the first user's cooperation information in the server 11. The server 11 makes it possible to remotely control the refrigerator 22 from the smartphone A01 by associating the home appliance identification information (R001-1) of the refrigerator 22 with the user identification information (A01) assigned to the smartphone 23 of the user UA1. .
Furthermore, since the user UA1 using the smartphone A01 is the first person to register the home appliance identification information (R001-1), the server 11 also issues a new pairing code P01 to the smartphone A01. Pairing code P01 is shared between server 11 and user UA1's smartphone 23. Alternatively, the smartphone A01 may newly issue a pairing code P01 and notify the server 11 of the new pairing code P01.
The pairing code P01 may be generated by the server 11 or the smartphone A01, or may be a character string specified by the user UA1, for example. In addition, the pairing code P01 may be fixed after being issued to the smartphone A01 until an initialization or reissuance command is issued, or it may be notified to the smartphone A01 that has already been linked each time a request is made to add it to the linked information. It may also be a one-time code that is valid temporarily.

State 103 is a state in which the user UA1 uses the refrigerator 22 in state 102 for a while, and the usage history L01 notified from the refrigerator 22 to the server 11 is stored in association with the home appliance identification information (R001-1). . The smartphone A01 linked with the home appliance identification information (R001-1) can view the usage history L01.
The usage history L01 includes, for example, photos of foods stored in the refrigerator 22, text information of a list of foods stored in the refrigerator 22, sensor measurement information such as the opening/closing status of the refrigerator 22 door, and the like.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the user UA2 is linked from the state shown in FIG. 3 as cooperation information in the server 11.
State 111 is a state in which a new collaboration with user UA2 using smartphone A02 has been registered for refrigerator 22, which has already collaborated with smartphone A01 from state 103 in FIG. Therefore, the smartphone A02 acquires the pairing code P01 from the smartphone A01 or the user UA1.
For example, the user UA2 can request the user UA1 to send the pairing code P01 via the smartphone A02 or verbally, and in response, the user UA1 can convey the pairing code P01 to the user UA1. The program used by the smartphone A02 sends notifications such as push notifications to the smartphone A01 that has already linked with the refrigerator 22, requesting the sending of the pairing code P01 and adding the user UA2 to the linkage information of the smartphone A02. Functions may be included.
Then, by sending the pairing code P01 that has already been shared with the smartphone A01 from the smartphone A02, the server 11 assumes that the smartphone A01 and the smartphone A02 are in a mutually trusting relationship, and the user UA2 using the smartphone A02 uses the smartphone A02. user identification information "A02" is also added to the cooperation information. This allows the user to remotely control the refrigerator 22 with the home appliance identification information (R001-1) and view the usage history L01 from the smartphone A02.

State 112 is a state in which the refrigerator 22, which has already cooperated with smartphone A01 and smartphone A02 from state 111, is refused new cooperation with user UB1's smartphone B01. Since the user UA1 and the user UB1 are different people, the pairing code P01 is not sent from the smartphone A01 of the user UA1 to the smartphone B01 of the user UB1.
That is, since the user UB1 or the smartphone B01 does not know information about the users UA1, UA2 or the smartphones A01, A02 used by these users, the user UB1 or the smartphone B01 cannot request sending of the pairing code P01. In addition, the program used by smartphone B01 includes push notifications to send pairing code P01 to smartphones A01 and A02 that have already linked with refrigerator 22, and request them to add user UA2's smartphone A02 to the linkage information. A function for sending notifications may be incorporated. In this case, the users UA1 and UA2 who have received the push notification etc. can refuse the sending of the pairing code P01 etc. because they can understand that the sending request is from someone else.
Then, since the pairing code P01 is not sent from the smartphone B01, the server 11 does not add the user identification information "B01" of the smartphone B01 to the cooperation information. As a result, the smartphone B01 can be appropriately prohibited from performing the process of remotely controlling the refrigerator 22 of the home appliance identification information (R001-1) or viewing the usage history L01.

In addition, when initializing the cooperation information in order to invalidate the cooperation information between the linked user and the refrigerator 22, the server 11 performs repair of the refrigerator 22 in the usage history L01 of the associated refrigerator 22. Data may be deleted except for useful repair data. The repair data is, for example, information on the load applied to each component of the refrigerator 22, such as the operating time of each operation mode such as the rapid cooling mode, and the number of times the door is opened and closed. This allows maintenance personnel to efficiently perform repairs by referring to the remaining repair data and focusing on parts that have been overused and replacing them, while appropriately protecting the privacy of users. can.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing, as cooperation information in the server 11, a state in which the user UA1 and the user UA2 are released from the cooperation from the state shown in FIG.
State 121 is a state in which an initialization instruction is sent from refrigerator 22 to server 11 by inputting an initialization operation to refrigerator 22 from state 112 in FIG. Note that the initialization operation may be assigned to an operation that would not be input during normal use, such as "push and hold the refrigeration button for 10 seconds" on the control panel provided on the refrigerator 22, for example.
There are no particular restrictions on the specific type of button or the manner of pressing the button for the initialization instruction. Initialization instructions may be given from the smartphone 23. From the viewpoint of preventing an unauthorized person who does not need initialization from starting the initialization process, it is preferable to enable initialization instructions starting from an operation on the refrigerator 22.
The server 11 leaves the home appliance identification information (R001-1) used up to state 112 and the cooperation information with smartphone A01 and smartphone A02 as is, but retains the MAC address (R001) of the refrigerator 22 and the home appliance identification information (R001). -1) Cancel the cooperation with.
As a result, the smartphone A01 and the smartphone A02 are separated from the information (R001) of the refrigerator 22, and the cooperation via the home appliance identification information (R001-1) is invalidated. On the other hand, the server 11 issues new home appliance identification information (R001-2) for cooperation information to be used after initialization, and links it with the MAC address (R001) of the refrigerator 22.

State 122 is a state in which user UB1, who purchased second-hand refrigerator 22 from state 121, has registered the first user's cooperation information in server 11. The server 11 associates the home appliance identification information (R001-2) of the refrigerator 22 with the user identification information (B01) assigned to the smartphone 23 of the user UB1.
Thereby, from the smartphone B01, it is possible to remotely control the refrigerator 22 of the home appliance identification information (R001-2) and view the usage history L02 after initialization.

Above, in FIGS. 3 to 5, an example of the home appliance identification information (R001-1, R001-2, . . . ) that is temporarily issued (for each initialization) for each refrigerator 22 is shown. In this example, the server 11 registers home appliance identification information temporarily issued for each refrigerator 22 and user identification information for each smartphone 23 in the storage unit as linkage information that associates them with each other. When initializing the collaboration information, the server 11 releases the collaboration information between the user of the smartphone 23 and the refrigerator 22 that have already been linked by updating the home appliance identification information.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of cooperation and cancellation of cooperation using home appliance identification information permanently used for each refrigerator 22 as cooperation information in the server 11.
In this example, the server 11 registers home appliance identification information (MAC address (R001)) permanently used for each refrigerator 22 and user identification information for each smartphone 23 in the storage unit as cooperation information that associates them with each other. Then, when initializing the collaboration information, the server 11 deletes the association between the home appliance identification information and the user identification information for each smartphone 23 that has been linked.

Similar to state 111 in FIG. 4, state 131 is a state in which a new collaboration with user UA2 of smartphone A02 is registered for refrigerator 22 that has already collaborated with user UA1 of smartphone A01. In state 111, home appliance identification information (R001-1) was used as cooperation information with smartphone A01 and smartphone A02. In state 131, the MAC address (R001) of the refrigerator 22 is replaced as the home appliance identification information for cooperation with the smartphone A01 and the smartphone A02. The uses of other information (pairing code P01, usage history L01) are as explained in the state 111 of FIG. 4.

State 132 is a state in which an initialization instruction is sent from refrigerator 22 to server 11 by inputting an initialization operation to refrigerator 22 from state 131 . The server 11 leaves the home appliance identification information (R001) as it is, but releases the user identification information (A01 and A02) linked to the home appliance identification information (R001).
State 133 is a state in which user UB1, who purchased second-hand refrigerator 22 from state 132, has registered the first user's cooperation information in server 11. The server 11 associates the home appliance identification information (R001) of the refrigerator 22 with the user identification information (B01) assigned to the smartphone 23 of the user UB1. Thereby, from the smartphone B01, it is possible to remotely control the refrigerator 22 of the home appliance identification information (R001) and view the usage history L02 after initialization.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the process of cooperating the user UA1.
Before starting this sequence diagram, the smartphone 23 is connected to the Internet 12 via the wireless LAN router 21 via the smartphone router connection 26 (FIG. 1). Furthermore, the smartphone 23 is connected to the Internet 12 via the mobile phone base station 13 using a service provided by a communication carrier.
User UA1 sets refrigerator 22 to AP (Access Point) mode (S101). AP mode is also called pairing mode. As a result, the refrigerator 22 allows the refrigerator-smartphone connection 25 (FIG. 1) using its own SSID, which is set for each model, for example.

User UA1 selects the model of refrigerator 22 by reading the QR code printed on the surface of refrigerator 22 using the camera of smartphone 23 (S102). In this example, the QR code includes model information of the refrigerator 22. Alternatively, the user UA1 may select the model of the refrigerator 22 from the model list of the refrigerator 22 displayed on the smartphone 23 (S102).
The smartphone 23 requests connection to the refrigerator 22 based on the SSID of the refrigerator 22 that is set for each model of the refrigerator 22 selected in S102 (S103C). Since the refrigerator 22 is in the AP mode in S101, it accepts the connection in S103C (S103A). As a result, the refrigerator-smartphone connection 25 is established. Note that when the SSID of the refrigerator 22 is determined by another method, the QR code can include information necessary to specify the SSID of the refrigerator 22 determined by that method.

Here, the wireless LAN router 21 continues to propagate its own SSID (S104B). The wireless LAN router 21 has, for example, the following two types of SSIDs, and wireless connection with the wireless LAN router 21 is possible using either SSID.
・The 1st SSID for 2.4GHz connection, which is a low-speed communication but is popular.
・Second SSID for 5GHz connection, which is high-speed communication but has few compatible models.
Since the refrigerator 22 of this embodiment supports only 2.4 GHz, the first SSID is acquired from the scan result of surrounding radio waves (S104A). On the other hand, since the smartphone 23 of this embodiment is compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, the first SSID and the second SSID are acquired from the scan results of surrounding radio waves (S104C). It is assumed that the smartphone 23 has established the smartphone-router connection 26 using the second SSID for high-speed communication.

Refrigerator 22 sends its compatible first SSID acquired in S104A to smartphone 23 via refrigerator-smartphone connection 25 (S105A). The smartphone 23 allows the user UA1 to select an SSID to be used when newly establishing the refrigerator-router connection 24 (FIG. 1) from the list of SSIDs (here, only the first SSID) sent from the refrigerator 22 in S105A ( S105C).
That is, the refrigerator 22 transmits a request to initialize the cooperation information to the server 11 by communicating with the server 11 via the refrigerator-router connection 24 with the wireless LAN router 21 . Therefore, the smartphone 23 transmits to the refrigerator 22 wireless setting information that allows the refrigerator 22 to communicate, which is obtained from the scan results of surrounding radio waves, as wireless setting information for establishing the refrigerator-router connection 24. .

As a result, the second SSID, which has been acquired by the smartphone 23 in S104C but cannot be used for the refrigerator-router connection 24, can be appropriately excluded from the options. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate in advance the wasteful procedure of attempting to establish the refrigerator-router connection 24 using the second SSID for 5 GHz connection, which the refrigerator 22 does not support.
In addition, in order to have the refrigerator 22 and smartphone 23 execute the process of acquiring the SSID (S104A, S104C), if the Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark) connection of each device is off, it is necessary to turn it on. It is desirable to display a screen prompting the user UA1.

The smartphone 23 notifies the refrigerator 22 of the combination information of the first SSID used for the refrigerator-router connection 24 selected in S105C and its password as router information (S106C). Refrigerator 22 receives router information (S106A).
The refrigerator 22 notifies the wireless LAN router 21 of the request for the refrigerator-router connection 24 including the received router information (S107A). The wireless LAN router 21 establishes the refrigerator-router connection 24 by accepting the request for the refrigerator-router connection 24 (S107B).

The refrigerator 22 requests the server 11 to register the smartphone 23, which requested connection in S103C, in its cooperation information via the refrigerator-router connection 24 (S108A). When the server 11 accepts the registration in S108A (S108D), as explained in the state 102 of FIG. Register (S109D).
The server 11 notifies the smartphone 23 (smartphone A01) of registration completion notification including the user identification information "A01" of the user UA1 and the pairing code P01 as the registration result of S109D (S109C).
The server 11 may notify a notification specific to the model of the refrigerator 22 along with the notification of completion of registration. For example, if the refrigerator 22 is a model equipped with a camera, functions such as the ability to view camera image data from the smartphone 23 will be enabled by registering the cooperation information, making use of the refrigerator more smooth. For this reason, it is preferable to notify the user of matters that need to be confirmed, especially when the linkage information is added. Specifically, it is possible to send a notification to confirm that the lens cover (cap) of the camera is removed or that the camera is set in the position where it will be used.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the process of cooperating the user UA2, which is executed after FIG. 7.
It is assumed that before the start of FIG. 8, the processes of S101, S102, S103C, and S103A of FIG. 7 have also been performed on the smartphone 23 of user UA2.
The refrigerator 22 requests the server 11 to register the smartphone 23 of the user UA2, who requested connection in S103C, in its cooperation information via the refrigerator-router connection 24 (S108A). The server 11 accepts the registration in S108A (S108D).

Here, as explained in state 111 of FIG. 4, the server 11 requests the issued pairing code P01 from the smartphone 23 of the user UA2. It is assumed that users UA1 and UA2 belong to the same family and are located near each other. The user UA1's smartphone 23 displays the issued pairing code P01 (S111C), and causes the user UA2's smartphone 23 to input the pairing code P01 (S112C). The server 11 receives the pairing code P01 from the smartphone 23 of the user UA2 (S112D).

The server 11 considers that the authentication of the smartphone 23 of the user UA2 has been successful when the pairing code P01 that has been issued and stored by itself matches the pairing code P01 received in S112D. As a result, the server 11 registers the user identification information "A02" of the user UA2 as the second user (S113D). The smartphone A02 receives a notification that the registration has been completed indicating that the smartphone A02 is linked as the second user (S113C), and displays the notification on its own screen.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an initialization process for making user UB1 cooperate, which is executed after FIG. 8.
It is assumed that before the start of FIG. 9, the processes of S101, S102, S103C, and S103A of FIG. 7 have also been performed on the smartphone 23 of user UB1.
The refrigerator 22 requests the server 11 to register the smartphone 23 of the user UB1, who requested connection in S103C, in its cooperation information via the refrigerator-router connection 24 (S108A). The server 11 accepts the registration in S108A (S108D).

Here, as explained in the state 112 of FIG. 4, the pairing code P01 cannot be obtained from the smartphone 23 of the user UB1. In other words, the process up to obtaining the pairing code P01 shown in S111D→S111C→S112C→S112D in FIG. 8 requests the pairing code P01 as shown in S121D→S121C→S122C→S122D in FIG. Replaces processing that cannot be performed.
In S122C, for example, if there is no input for a predetermined period of time, if input is not possible or will not be made, or if there is an input to cancel the process of adding information to the cooperation information of user UB1's smartphone 23 that is in progress, "No input" is determined. ” can be determined.
The server 11 considers that the authentication of the smartphone 23 of the user UB1 has failed because the pairing code P01 that has been issued and stored by itself cannot be obtained from the smartphone 23 of the user UB1. As a result, the server 11 notifies the smartphone 23 of the user UB1 that the cooperation registration has failed (S123D). The smartphone 23 of the user UB1 displays a screen that recommends (prompts) initialization of the cooperation information currently registered in the refrigerator 22 (S123C).

Furthermore, as explained in state 121 of FIG. Initialization processing is started (S124D). As a result, as explained in the state 122 of FIG. 5, the smartphone A01 and smartphone A02 before the refrigerator 22 is transferred are released from cooperation, and the smartphone B01 after the transfer is newly registered for cooperation.

FIG. 10 is a screen diagram of the smartphone 23 of the user UA1 and the user UA2.
Screen 201 is an example of a screen showing the result of cooperating with user UA1 in S109C of FIG. 7.
Screen 202 is an example of a screen for confirming the pairing code from user UA1's smartphone 23 in S111C of FIG.
Screen 203 is an example of an input screen during the process of coordinating user UA2 in S112C of FIG.

FIG. 11 is an example of a screen showing the result of cooperating with user UA2 in S113C of FIG. 8.
FIG. 12 is an example of a screen where initialization is recommended when user UB1's smartphone 23 fails to cooperate as the third user of the previous user in S123C of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a screen prompting initialization that is displayed before the user UA1 transfers the refrigerator 22.
The screen of FIG. 13 is displayed on the screens of the smartphones 23 of the linked users UA1 and UA2.
In FIG. 13, as shown in the display content "The refrigerator will be powered off for a while," when the refrigerator 22 is expected to be transferred (for example, during a blank period in which no usage history is sent to the server 11 for two days), The smartphone 23 displays a screen prompting for initialization. That is, if the power has been turned off for a predetermined period in the usage history of the home appliance, the server 11 displays a screen prompting the linked operation terminal to initialize.
On the other hand, the smartphone 23 may display a screen prompting initialization as a warning for future transfers on the screen where the first user has successfully linked the refrigerator 22 by purchasing a new one or a used one (S109C).

The server 11 of this embodiment described above prohibits users UA1 and UA2 before transferring the refrigerator 22 and user UB1 after transferring the refrigerator 22 from cooperating with the refrigerator 22 at the same time. Therefore, the server 11 decided to authenticate the smartphone 23 that requested cooperation based on the pairing code P01 that can be exchanged between family members. Thereby, it is possible to construct cooperation information with home appliances in accordance with the actual users of the home appliances. In other words, user UB1 is appropriately prohibited from viewing the usage history of users UA1 and UA2. Further, users UA1 and UA2 are also appropriately prohibited from remotely controlling the refrigerator 22 after the transfer.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all the configurations described.
Furthermore, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment.
Further, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. Further, each of the above-mentioned configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be partially or entirely realized in hardware by, for example, designing an integrated circuit.
Further, each of the configurations, functions, etc. described above may be realized by software by a processor interpreting and executing programs for realizing the respective functions.

Information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each function can be stored in memory, recording devices such as hard disks, SSDs (Solid State Drives), IC (Integrated Circuit) cards, SD cards, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), etc. can be stored on a recording medium. It is also possible to utilize the cloud.
Further, the control lines and information lines are shown to be necessary for explanation purposes, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily shown in the product. In reality, almost all configurations may be considered to be interconnected.
Furthermore, the communication means for connecting each device is not limited to wireless LAN, but may be changed to wired LAN or other communication means.

11 Server (home appliance cooperation device)
12 Internet 13 Mobile phone base station 20 User's home 21 Wireless LAN router 22 Refrigerator (home appliance)
23 Smartphone (operation terminal)
24 Connection between refrigerator routers (wireless connection)
25 Connection between refrigerator and smartphone 26 Connection between smartphone and router P01 Pairing code (authentication code)

Claims

A home appliance cooperation device that manages cooperation information between a home appliance and a user of the home appliance,
The home appliance cooperation device is
Receiving a request for cooperation with the home appliance from a predetermined operation terminal operated by a predetermined user,
If an authentication code has not been issued to the home appliance, the cooperation information between the home appliance and the predetermined user is registered in a storage unit, and the issued authentication code is shared with the predetermined operating terminal. ,
If the authentication code has been issued to the home appliance, requesting the authentication code from the predetermined operating terminal;
When the authentication code is sent from the predetermined operating terminal, adding the predetermined user to the cooperation information of users who have already linked with the home appliance;
A home appliance cooperation device, characterized in that, if the authentication code is not sent from the predetermined operating terminal, cooperation between the home appliance and the predetermined user is refused.
The home appliance cooperation device is characterized in that the home appliance cooperation device notifies the predetermined operating terminal that has refused cooperation with the home appliance that it is urged to initialize the cooperation information between the home appliance and the user who has already cooperated. The home appliance cooperation device according to claim 1.
The home appliance cooperation device is
registering in the storage unit as the collaboration information that associates home appliance identification information temporarily issued for each home appliance with identification information for each user of the home appliance;
The home appliance cooperation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when initializing the cooperation information, the cooperation information between the home appliance and the user with which the cooperation has been completed is canceled by updating the home appliance identification information.
The home appliance cooperation device is
registering in the storage unit as the cooperation information that associates home appliance identification information permanently used for each home appliance with identification information for each user of the home appliance;
The home appliance cooperation device according to claim 1, characterized in that when initializing the cooperation information, the association between the home appliance identification information and the identification information for each of the linked users is deleted.
The home appliance cooperation device is
further storing a usage history of the home appliance in association with the collaboration information in the storage unit;
The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein when initializing the cooperation information, data is deleted except for repair data useful for repairing the home appliance from the usage history of the associated home appliance. Cooperation device.
The home appliance cooperation device according to claim 5, wherein when the home appliance is powered off for a predetermined period in the usage history of the home appliance, the home appliance cooperation device displays a screen prompting the linked operation terminal to initialize. .
A home appliance cooperation system comprising the home appliance cooperation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the home appliance, the operation terminal, and a wireless LAN router,
The home appliance transmits a request to initialize the cooperation information to the home appliance cooperation device by communicating with the home appliance cooperation device via a wireless connection with the wireless LAN router,
The operation terminal is characterized in that the operation terminal transmits to the home appliance wireless setting information with which the home appliance can communicate, which is obtained from a scan result of radio waves around the home appliance, as wireless setting information for establishing the wireless connection. A home appliance coordination system.
A home appliance cooperation method executed by a home appliance cooperation device that manages cooperation information between an operation terminal and a home appliance, the method comprising:
The home appliance cooperation device is
Receiving a request for cooperation with the home appliance from a predetermined operation terminal operated by a predetermined user,
If an authentication code has not been issued to the home appliance, the cooperation information between the home appliance and the predetermined user is registered in a storage unit, and the issued authentication code is shared with the predetermined operating terminal. ,
If the authentication code has been issued to the home appliance, requesting the authentication code from the predetermined operating terminal;
When the authentication code is sent from the predetermined operating terminal, adding the predetermined user to the cooperation information of users who have already linked with the home appliance;
A home appliance cooperation method, characterized in that, if the authentication code is not sent from the predetermined operating terminal, cooperation between the home appliance and the predetermined user is refused.