WO2024090028A1

WO2024090028A1 - Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2024090028A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/031770
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雅貴木幡; 修福田; 白枝直子古山
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2022-10-27
Filing date: 2023-08-31
Publication date: 2024-05-02
Also published as: JP2024064264A

Abstract

The present disclosure improves the convenience of sharing equipment data with other users.　An information processing system according to the present disclosure comprises: a communication unit; a storage unit that stores equipment data of external equipment and viewing permission information in which data identification information identifying the equipment data of the external equipment is associated with a shared key that indicates permission to view the equipment data; and a control unit that permits viewing of the equipment data indicated by the data identification information included in the viewing permission information if a shared key received from an information processing device matches the shared key included in the viewing permission information, and does not permit viewing of the equipment data if the shared key received from the information processing device does not match the shared key included in the viewing permission information.

Description

Information processing system, information processing method, and program

This disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a remote monitoring device that ensures operation as expected by a user even if communication with an external device is interrupted.
This remote monitoring device includes a monitoring-side line communication section, a monitoring-side dedicated line communication section, a monitoring-side data storage section, and a monitoring-side control section.
The monitoring line communication unit communicates with an external device via a public communication line.
The monitoring-side dedicated line communication unit communicates with the air conditioning apparatus via a dedicated communication line.
The monitoring data storage unit stores air conditioning operation data, which is data set by a user of the air conditioning apparatus and indicates the operation details of the air conditioning apparatus at the time of communication interruption.
When the monitoring control unit determines that communication with an external device via a public communication line has been interrupted, it creates and processes an operation instruction signal based on the air conditioning operation data, and sends the operation instruction signal to the air conditioning device from the monitoring dedicated line communication unit.

International Publication No. 2020/202295

The present disclosure provides an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that improve the convenience of sharing device data with other users.

This specification includes the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-172720, filed on October 27, 2022.
The information processing system of the present disclosure includes a communication unit, a memory unit that stores viewing permission information that matches data identification information that identifies device data of an external device with a shared key indicating that viewing of the device data is permitted, and the device data of the external device, and a control unit that, when the shared key received from an information processing device matches the shared key included in the viewing permission information, permits viewing of the device data indicated by the data identification information included in the viewing permission information, and does not permit viewing of the device data when the shared key received from the information processing device does not match the shared key included in the viewing permission information.

The information processing method disclosed herein includes the steps of receiving a shared key from an information processing device, determining whether viewing permission information that associates data identification information that identifies device data of an external device with a shared key indicating that viewing of the device data is permitted includes a shared key that matches the received shared key, permitting viewing of the device data indicated by the data identification information included in the viewing permission information when it is determined that there is viewing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key, and not permitting viewing of the device data when it is determined that there is no viewing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key.

The program disclosed herein causes a computer to execute the steps of receiving a shared key from an information processing device, determining whether viewing permission information that associates data identification information that identifies device data of an external device with a shared key indicating that viewing of the device data is permitted includes a shared key that matches the received shared key, permitting viewing of the device data indicated by the data identification information included in the viewing permission information when it is determined that there is viewing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key, and not permitting viewing of the device data when it is determined that there is no viewing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key.

The information processing system, information processing method, and program disclosed herein can determine whether or not to permit viewing of device data based on a shared key. Therefore, when sharing device data with other users, the device data can be shared with other users without changing the configuration of the information processing system. This improves convenience when sharing device data with other users.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an information processing system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user database. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device data database. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a shared management database. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a condition input screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a list screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an equipment data display screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an ID input screen. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device during authentication. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device when a search request for device data is received. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device when a sharing request is received.

(Knowledge and other information that forms the basis of this disclosure)
The present inventors have discovered a problem that, when inspecting or repairing an air conditioner, which is an external device, the worker may want to make the device data of the air conditioner viewable by an authorized third party and obtain advice from the third party. However, in order to make the device data of the air conditioner registered in the server device viewable by a third party, it is necessary to change the settings of the server device, and a simple configuration that allows authorized third parties to view the device data is required.
Therefore, the inventors have come up with the subject matter of the present disclosure in order to improve the convenience when sharing device data with other users.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system that improves convenience when sharing device data with other users.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanations than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted.
It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment)
An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[1. System configuration of information processing system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an information processing system 1. As shown in FIG.
The information processing system 1 includes a communication device 50, a plurality of information processing devices 100, and a server device 300. Each of the plurality of information processing devices 100 and the server device 300 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate data with each other via a network 70. The information processing devices 100 are connected to the network 70 by wireless communication, and the server device 300 is connected to the network 70 by wired communication.

FIG. 1 shows two information processing devices 100, information processing device 100A and information processing device 100B, but the information processing system 1 may include any number of information processing devices 100. Hereinafter, when the information processing device 100A and the information processing device 100B are collectively referred to, they will be referred to as information processing device 100.

The information processing device 100 is a notebook or tablet personal computer, or may be a smartphone.
The information processing device 100A is a device carried by a worker who inspects and repairs the air conditioner 10. The information processing device 100B is a device carried by a manager who manages and supervises the workers.

The server device 300 stores device data uploaded by the information processing device 100A. The device data is data received by the information processing device 100A from the communication device 50.
When the server device 300 receives a viewing request from an administrator who has been authorized to view the equipment data by the operator of the information processing device 100A that uploaded the equipment data, the server device 300 transmits the corresponding equipment data to the information processing device 100B, making the data available for viewing by the administrator who owns the information processing device 100B.

The server device 300 also generates a shared key. This shared key is data indicating that viewing of the device data is permitted. A validity period is also set for the shared key.
If the server device 300 receives a request to view the device data within the validity period of the shared key, it permits viewing of the device data, and if the request to view the device data is received after the validity period has elapsed, it does not permit viewing of the device data. The server device 300 transmits the generated shared key to the information processing device 100A owned by the worker who registered the device data.

2. Configuration of communication device
The communication device 50 is connected to a communication wiring 40 that connects the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 of the air conditioner 10. The communication device 50 may be permanently attached to the communication wiring 40, or may be configured so that a worker connects the communication device 50 to the communication wiring 40 when the worker visits the installation site of the air conditioner 10. The air conditioner 10 corresponds to an external device.

The communication device 50 includes an interface, a wireless communication unit, and a control unit (not shown).
The interface includes a connection terminal that is connected to the communication wiring 40, and an interface circuit. Data transmitted from the indoor unit 20 to the outdoor unit 30 via the communication wiring 40 is input to the control unit by the interface.

The control unit acquires operation data of the air conditioner 10 from the data input from the interface. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the control unit acquires operation data will be described, but the control unit may also be configured to acquire data designated by an operator of the information processing device 100A.
When the control unit acquires the driving data, the control unit transmits the acquired driving data to the information processing device 100A via the wireless communication unit.
The wireless communication unit is a wireless communication device that includes an interface circuit that supports short-range wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth and ZigBee. Bluetooth and ZigBee are registered trademarks.

In addition, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the communication device 50 is provided separately has been described, but a configuration in which the remote control that controls the air conditioner 10 has the functionality of the communication device 50 may also be used.

3. Configuration of information processing device
Next, the configurations of the

information processing devices

100A and 100B will be described. Since the

information processing devices

100A and 100B have the same configuration, the configuration of the information processing device 100A will be described below. In the following description, the configuration of the information processing device 100A will be denoted by the symbol "A" and the configuration of the information processing device 100B will be denoted by the symbol "B".

The information processing device 100A includes a first wireless I/F 110A, a second wireless I/F 120A, a touch panel 130A, and a first control unit 150A.

The first wireless I/F 110A is a wireless communication device equipped with an interface circuit compatible with a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth or ZigBee.

The second wireless I/F 120A is equipped with a communication module including an antenna and an interface circuit, and performs data communication with the server device 300 via the network 70. The communication method of the second wireless I/F 120A employs, for example, a communication standard using a mobile communication network such as 4G (Generation), 5G, or LTE (Long Term Evolution), or a wireless communication standard such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark.

Touch panel 130A includes a display panel and a touch sensor. The display panel and touch sensor are not shown in the drawings. For example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel is used for the display panel. The touch sensor detects a touch operation on touch panel 130A. The touch sensor detects the position on touch panel 130A that is touched by a pointing device such as an electronic pen or an operator's finger as a touch operation. The touch sensor outputs an operation signal including coordinate information indicating the position on the touch panel where the touch operation was detected to first control unit 150A.

The first control unit 150A is a computer device that includes a first memory unit 160A and a first processor 170A.

The first storage unit 160A includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The first storage unit 160A may include an auxiliary storage device such as an SD card.
The RAM is used as a calculation area for the first processor 170 A. The ROM stores the OS 161 and application programs 163 executed by the first processor 170 A. Hereinafter, the application programs 163 will be abbreviated as APP163.

The first processor 170A is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit). The first processor 170A may be composed of a single processor or multiple processors.

4. Server Device Configuration
The server device 300 includes a first wired I/F 310 and a second control unit 330 .

The first wired I/F 310 includes a network adapter such as a NIC (Network Interface Card). The first wired I/F 310 communicates data with the

information processing devices

100A and 100B connected to the network 70. The first wired I/F 310 corresponds to a communication unit.

The second control unit 330 is a computer device that includes a second storage unit 340 and a second processor 350. The second storage unit 340 corresponds to a storage unit. The second control unit 330 corresponds to a control unit.

The second storage unit 340 includes a RAM, a ROM, and an auxiliary storage device. The RAM is used as a calculation area for the second processor 350. The ROM stores a control program 341 executed by the second processor 350. The auxiliary storage device is composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores a user database 343, a device data database 345, and a shared management database 347. Hereinafter, database is abbreviated as DB.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user DB 343. As shown in FIG.
The user DB 343 is a database that registers user information of users who use the services provided by the server device 300, and one record in the user DB 343 includes a user name, a user ID, a password, an email address, a terminal ID, and affiliation information.

The terminal ID is identification information for identifying the information processing device 100 owned by the user having the username.
The affiliation information is information such as the name of the corporation to which the user of the user name belongs and the department to which the user belongs.
If the user with the username is an external user who does not belong to the corporation, external information is registered as attribute information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the device data DB 345. As shown in FIG.
The device data DB 345 is a database that registers device data and the like received from the information processing device 100A.
One record in the device data DB 345 includes a device ID, a device data ID, a registration date and time, type data, an alarm code, a symptom code, and device data.
The device ID is identification information for identifying the air conditioning device 10 .
The device data ID is identification information for identifying the device data.
The registration date and time is information indicating the date and time when the device data was registered in the device data DB 345 .
The warning code is information indicating the type of warning that the air conditioner 10 outputs based on the measurement data of the sensor mounted on the air conditioner 10 .
The symptom code is information that indicates the type of abnormality detected by the air conditioner 10 .

The equipment data includes an equipment ID, historical data, operation data, and basic repair data. The type data is information indicating whether the equipment data corresponds to an equipment ID, historical data, operation data, or basic repair data.
The device ID is identification information for identifying the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30. A product number or a manufacturing ID is used as the device ID. The device ID corresponds to device identification information for identifying an external device.
The past history data is data such as operation data stored in the memory of the air conditioner 10 during a test run of the air conditioner 10 or when an alarm occurs. When an alarm occurs, it means when the air conditioner 10 detects an abnormality and issues an alarm.
The operating data is real-time data acquired at the installation location of the air conditioner 10, and includes measurement data from sensors mounted on the air conditioner 10, code information indicating the type of alarm, and the like.
The basic repair data includes symptoms of the air conditioner 10 reported by the owner of the air conditioner 10 and a work code indicating the repair work performed by the worker.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sharing management DB 347. As shown in FIG.
The sharing management DB 347 is a database that manages users who share registered device data. One record in the sharing management DB 347 includes the user ID of the user who registered the device data, a device data ID that identifies the device data, a user ID of a user who is permitted to share the device data, a sharing key, and the expiration date of the sharing key. The user ID of the user who registered the device data is called a registered user ID. Also, the user ID of a user who is permitted to share the device data is called an authorized user ID. The device data ID corresponds to data identification information that identifies the device data. The sharing management DB 347 corresponds to viewing permission information. The authorized user ID corresponds to user identification information.

The second processor 350 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit). The second processor 350 may be configured with a single processor or multiple processors. The second processor 350 may also be configured with a SoC (System on a chip) integrated with part or all of the second storage unit 340 or other circuits. The second processor 350 may also be configured with a combination of a CPU that executes a program and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that executes a specified arithmetic process.

5. Operation of Information Processing System
When the operator selects APP163, the first control unit 150A of the information processing device 100A accesses the server device 300 and is authenticated by the server device 300. The first control unit 150A displays an input screen for a user ID and a password, which are authentication information, and accepts input of the user ID and password. The input screen is not shown.

When the worker inputs a user ID and password, the first control unit 150A transmits the input user ID and password to the server device 300 and receives authentication from the server device 300. The server device 300 performs authentication by determining whether the user ID and password received from the information processing device 100A match the user ID and password registered in the user DB 343.

5 to 9 are diagrams showing the APP screen 200. The APP screen 200 is a screen that is displayed on the touch panel 130A by the first control unit 150A executing the APP 163.
5 is a diagram showing a home screen 210 displayed on the touch panel 130A of the information processing device 100A. The home screen 210 is an example of the APP screen 200.
When the first control unit 150A is successful in the authentication with the server device 300, the first control unit 150A causes the home screen 210 shown in FIG.

On the home screen 210, an acquire button 211, an upload button 213, and a search button 215 are displayed.
The obtain button 211 is a button for obtaining device data of the air conditioning device 10 from the communication device 50. When the obtain button 211 is pressed, the device data obtained by the information processing device 100A is uploaded to the server device 300 as needed.
The upload button 213 is a button for uploading the acquired device data of the air conditioner 10 to the server device 300 .
Basically, the device data acquired by the information processing device 100A is uploaded to the server device 300 at any time, but there are cases where uploading fails due to being out of range when working in underground facilities, or due to a communication error. In such cases, by using the upload button 213, the device data that failed to be uploaded can be uploaded to the server device 300 later.
The search button 215 is a button for searching for device data registered in the server device 300 .

When the acquire button 211 is pressed, the first control unit 150A wirelessly connects to the communication device 50 and transmits an equipment data acquisition request to the communication device 50. The communication device 50 acquires the equipment data transmitted between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 via the communication wiring 40, and transmits the acquired equipment data to the information processing device 100A. The first control unit 150A stores the equipment data received from the communication device 50 in the first storage unit 160A.

Next, the operation when the upload button 213 is pressed will be described.
When the upload button 213 is pressed, the first control unit 150A displays a list of the device data stored in the first storage unit 160A, and accepts the selection of the device data to be uploaded to the server device 300.

When the worker selects the device data to be uploaded, the first control unit 150A sends an upload request to the server device 300, and when it receives a permission notification from the server device 300, it uploads the selected device data to the server device 300.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a condition input screen 230 for inputting search conditions for searching for device data registered in the server device 300. The condition input screen 230 is an example of the APP screen 200.
Next, the operation when the search button 215 is pressed will be described.
When the search button 215 is pressed, the first control unit 150A displays a condition input screen 230 shown in FIG. 6 for accepting input of search conditions.
The condition input screen 230 displays a plurality of search items for searching for device data.
The search items include an input field 231 for inputting the device ID of the air conditioning device 10, an input field 232 for inputting an alarm code, an input field 233 for inputting the symptom that has occurred or a code indicating the symptom, an input field 234 for inputting the registration date when the device data was registered in the server device 300, and an input field 235 for inputting a shared key.
The search conditions to be input on the condition input screen 230 do not need to be input into all of the input fields 231 to 235, but it is sufficient that the search conditions are input into at least one of the input fields 231 to 235.

When search conditions are entered into at least one of the input fields 231 to 235 and the Confirm button 237 is pressed, the first control unit 150A transmits the entered search conditions to the server device 300.

7 is a diagram showing a list screen 250. The list screen 250 is an example of the APP screen 200.
3 based on the received search conditions, and transmits device data that meets the search conditions and attribute information of the device data to the information processing device 100 A. The attribute information includes the registration date when the device data was registered, the device ID, and the device data ID.
The first control unit 150A displays a list screen 250 that displays a list of attribute information of each device data received from the server device 300. On the list screen 250, a date 251 when the device data was registered, a device ID 253, and a device data ID 255 are displayed as display items, as shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram showing a device data display screen 270. The device data display screen 270 is an example of the APP screen 200.
When any one of the attribute information displayed on the list screen 250 is selected, the first control unit 150A displays the device data display screen 270 displaying the device data corresponding to the selected attribute information.

FIG. 9 shows an ID input screen 290. As shown in FIG.
A share button 271 is displayed on the device data display screen 270 .
When the share button 271 is pressed, the first control unit 150A displays an ID input screen 290 for inputting information for identifying a user with whom the data is to be shared. An input field 291 for a user ID and a confirm button 293 are displayed on the ID input screen 290. The worker inputs the user ID of the user with whom the data is to be shared into this input field 291. When the user ID is input into the input field 291 and the confirm button 293 is pressed, the first control unit 150A transmits to the server device 300 the input user ID and a sharing request that requests the server device 300 to issue a shared key.
Here, the first control unit 150A may request the worker to set a valid period during which viewing of the device data is permitted. When the first control unit 150A accepts the setting of the valid period, the first control unit 150A transmits a sharing request, the user ID, and information on the valid period to the server device 300.

When the server device 300 receives the sharing request and the user ID, the server device 300 generates a shared key. After generating the shared key, the server device 300 registers the generated shared key in the sharing management DB 347 together with the registered user ID, the device data ID, the authorized user ID, the validity period, etc.
When the server device 300 receives the validity period from the information processing device 100 , the server device 300 registers the validity period received from the information processing device 100 in the sharing management DB 347 .
In addition, if the server device 300 does not receive a validity period from the information processing device 100, it sets the expiration date to a predetermined period from the date on which the shared key was set, and registers the set expiration date information in the sharing management DB 347.

Next, the server device 300 transmits the generated shared key to the information processing device 100A. The server device 300 may also transmit a device data ID for identifying device data to the information processing device 100A together with the shared key.
If the worker who uploaded the equipment data to the server device 300 and the administrator who views the equipment data belong to the same corporation, the administrator who views the equipment data can view the equipment data without using a shared key. If the administrator who belongs to the same corporation as the worker does not use a shared key, he or she can use the equipment data ID to search for equipment data registered in the server device 300 and view the searched equipment data on the information processing device 100B.

The server device 300 obtains the email address of the logged-in user from the user DB 343, and sends the shared key and device data ID by email to the obtained email address. The shared key and device data ID may be written in the body of the email, or a text file containing the shared key and device data ID may be attached to the email.

Alternatively, the server device 300 may transmit the shared key and the device data ID to the information processing device 100 , and the first control unit 150</b>A may display the received shared key and device data ID on the APP screen 200 .
When the first control unit 150A receives the shared key and the device data ID from the server device 300, it causes the APP screen 200 to display that the shared key and the device data ID have been received.

When the worker receives the shared key and device data ID from the server device 300, the worker sends an email containing the received shared key and device data ID to the email address of the worker or administrator who is authorized to view the data. Here, it is assumed that the email is sent to the administrator. The worker may also notify the administrator by phone, messenger application, etc.

When the administrator receives an email including the shared key and the device data ID from the worker, the administrator taps and selects APP 163 installed in the information processing device 100B.
When APP163 is selected, the first control unit 150B accesses the server device 300, transmits the user ID and password, which are the authentication information input by the administrator, to the server device 300, and is authenticated by the server device 300.

When the authentication with the server device 300 is successful, the first control unit 150B causes the home screen 210 shown in FIG. 5 to be displayed.
Next, when the search button 215 displayed on the home screen 210 is pressed, the first control unit 150B causes the condition input screen 230 shown in FIG. 6 to be displayed on the touch panel 130B.

If the administrator belongs to the same corporation as the worker, the administrator can view the device data uploaded by the worker to the server device 300 without using a shared key. The administrator who belongs to the same corporation as the worker enters the device data ID stated in the received email into the condition input screen 230. The information processing device 100B transmits the entered device data ID to the server device 300.

When the server device 300 receives the device data ID from the information processing device 100B, the server device 300 refers to the shared management DB 347 to acquire the registered user ID who registered the device data corresponding to the device data ID. The server device 300 refers to the user DB 343 to determine whether the user of the registered user ID and the logged-in user belong to the same corporation.
If the server device 300 determines that the user of the registered user ID and the logged-in user belong to the same corporation, it sends the equipment data corresponding to the equipment data ID and its attribute information to the information processing device 100B and allows the administrator to view the equipment data.

There are cases where a worker wishes to ask for advice from another worker of a different corporation regarding work or inspection of the air conditioning unit 10. In the following explanation, there are cases where the user who holds the information processing device 100B is not the administrator but another worker of a different corporation (hereinafter, other workers of a different corporation may be referred to as a work assistant). When specifying the user ID of the user with whom the information is to be shared, the worker specifies the user ID of the work assistant.

The work assistant can view the equipment data by using the shared key, but cannot view the equipment data without using the shared key, for example by searching for the equipment data by specifying the equipment ID on the condition input screen 230. This is because the work assistant, who is a separate corporation from the worker, does not generally have the authority to view the equipment data saved by the worker. On the other hand, if the worker wants to ask the work assistant for advice regarding work or inspection, the worker can temporarily grant the work assistant the authority to view the data by using the shared key.

The work assistant inputs the shared key contained in the received email into the condition input screen 230. The information processing device 100B transmits the input shared key to the server device 300.

When the server device 300 receives the shared key from the information processing device 100B, it determines whether the user ID of the logged-in user and the shared key are registered in the shared management DB 347. The server device 300 also determines whether the date and time when the shared key was received is within the validity period of the shared key registered in the shared management DB 347.

If the user ID of the logged-in work assistant is registered as an authorized user ID, the shared key matches a shared key registered in the shared management DB 347, and the shared key has not expired, the server device 300 permits viewing of the corresponding device data. The server device 300 acquires a device data ID registered in the same record as the authorized user ID and shared key, and acquires device data corresponding to the acquired device data ID from the device data DB 345. The server device 300 transmits the acquired device data to the information processing device 100B.
In addition, the server device 300 will not allow viewing of the equipment data if the user ID of the logged-in work assistant is not registered as an authorized user ID, if the shared key does not match the shared key registered in the shared management DB 347, or if the shared key has expired.

When users and administrators belonging to the same corporation search for equipment data registered in the server device 300, they can search by inputting the equipment ID of the air conditioning device 10, an alarm code, a code indicating the symptom that has occurred, etc. into the condition input screen 230.
When the server device 300 receives the shared key together with the device ID of the air conditioner 10, the alarm code, and the code indicating the symptom that has occurred, it ignores the device ID of the air conditioner 10, the alarm code, and the code indicating the symptom that has occurred, and searches the shared management DB 347 using the shared key. The server device 300 then detects the device data ID associated with the shared key.
Furthermore, when the server device 300 receives the device ID of the air conditioning device 10, an alarm code, or a code indicating the symptom that has occurred, but does not receive a shared key, it searches the device data DB 345 based on the received device ID, alarm code, or code indicating the symptom. The server device 300 then detects device data associated with the device ID, alarm code, or code indicating the symptom.

Furthermore, the first control unit 150B of the information processing device 100B may transmit only the shared key to the server device 300 when the shared key and at least one of the device ID, alarm code, symptom code, and registration date are input on the condition input screen 230 shown in FIG. 6. In other words, the first control unit 150B transmits only the shared key to the server device 300, without transmitting the input device ID, alarm code, symptom code, or registration date to the server device 300.

6. Operation of Server Device
Next, the operation of the server device 300 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device 300 during authentication.
The operation of the server device 300 when accessed by the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

The second control unit 330 determines whether or not it has been accessed by the information processing device 100 (step S1). If it has not been accessed by the information processing device 100 (step S1/NO), the second control unit 330 waits until it is accessed.
When the second control unit 330 is accessed by the information processing device 100 (step S1/YES), the second control unit 330 transmits an acquisition request for authentication information to the information processing device 100 (step S2).
Next, the second control unit 330 determines whether or not the authentication information, ie, the user ID and password, has been received from the information processing device 100 (step S3).

When the second control unit 330 has not received the authentication information from the information processing device 100 (step S3/NO), the second control unit 330 waits until the authentication information is received.
When the second control unit 330 receives authentication information from the information processing device 100 (step S3/YES), it determines whether the received authentication information matches the user ID and password registered in the user DB 343, and authenticates the authentication information (step S4).

If the received authentication information does not match the user ID and password registered in the user DB 343, the second control unit 330 determines that the authentication has failed (step S5/NO), returns to step S2, and again sends a request to obtain authentication information to the information processing device 100.
Furthermore, if the received authentication information matches the user ID and password registered in the user DB 343, the second control unit 330 determines that the authentication is successful (step S5/YES) and ends the authentication process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device 300 when a search request for device data is received from the information processing device 100 operated by a logged-in user.
The operation of the server device 300 when a device data search request is received will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the second control unit 330 has not received a search request for device data from the information processing device 100 (step S11/NO), the second control unit 330 waits until a search request is received.
When a search request is received from the second control unit 330 (step S11/YES), it is determined whether or not the search conditions include a shared key (step S12). The search request received from the information processing device 100 includes search conditions used when searching for device data. The search conditions include a shared key, a device ID, an alarm code, a symptom code, a registration date and time, etc., as shown in the condition input screen 230 of FIG. 6.

If the search criteria includes a shared key (step S12/YES), the second control unit 330 determines whether the received shared key is registered in the shared management DB 347 (step S13). If the received shared key is not registered in the shared management DB 347 (step S13/NO), the second control unit 330 transmits an error notification to the information processing device 100 notifying that the corresponding device data does not exist (step S14), and ends this process.

If the received shared key is registered in the shared management DB 347 (step S13/YES), the second control unit 330 determines whether the user ID of the logged-in user matches the authorized user ID registered in the shared management DB 347 (step S15).
If the user ID of the logged-in user does not match the authorized user ID (step S15/NO), the second control unit 330 sends an error notification to the information processing device 100 informing that the corresponding device data does not exist (step S14), and terminates this processing.

If the user ID of the logged-in user matches the authorized user ID (step S15/YES), the second control unit 330 determines whether the shared key is valid or expired (step S16). If the second control unit 330 determines that the shared key is not valid and has expired (step S16/NO), it sends an error notification to the information processing device 100 (step S14) and ends this process.

When the second control unit 330 determines that the expiration date of the shared key is valid (step S16/YES), the second control unit 330 acquires the device data ID corresponding to the shared key from the sharing management DB 347 (step S17).
Next, the second control unit 330 acquires device data corresponding to the acquired device data ID and its attribute information from the device data DB 345. The second control unit 330 transmits the acquired device data and its attribute information to the information processing device 100 (step S18), and ends the process.

In addition, if the search criteria do not include a shared key (step S12/NO), the second control unit 330 searches the device data DB 345 based on other search criteria such as the device ID, alarm code, symptom code, and registration date and time, and detects device data that meets the search criteria (step S19).

If the second control unit 330 detects equipment data that meets other search criteria from the equipment data DB 345 (step S19/YES), it determines whether the user who registered the equipment data and the user of the information processing device 100 who accessed the server device 300 are users who belong to the same corporation (step S20).
If the user who registered the equipment data and the user of the information processing device 100 who accessed the server device 300 are not users belonging to the same corporation (step S20/NO), the second control unit 330 sends an error notification to the information processing device 100 (step S21) and terminates this process.

If the user who registered the device data and the user of the information processing device 100 who accessed the server device 300 belong to the same corporation (step S20/YES), the second control unit 330 acquires the corresponding device data and its attribute information, and transmits the acquired device data and attribute information to the information processing device 100 (step S18).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device 300 when a sharing request is received from the information processing device 100 operated by a logged-in user.
The operation of the server device 300 when a sharing request is received will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The second control unit 330 determines whether or not a sharing request has been received from the information processing device 100 (step S21). If the second control unit 330 has not received a sharing request from the information processing device 100 (step S21/NO), the second control unit 330 waits until a sharing request is received.

When the second control unit 330 receives a sharing request from the information processing device 100 (step S21/YES), it generates a shared key (step S22). The second control unit 330 registers the generated shared key in the sharing management DB 347 together with the registered user ID, device data ID, authorized user ID, validity period, etc. (step S23). Next, the second control unit 330 transmits the generated shared key to the information processing device 100 that received the sharing request (step S24). The second control unit 330 acquires the user's email address from the user DB 343, and transmits the shared key by email to the acquired email address. When the second control unit 330 has sent the email containing the shared key, this processing flow ends.

7. Other embodiments
(Additional Note)
The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

(Technique 1)
The Communications Department and
a storage unit that stores access permission information that associates data identification information that identifies device data of an external device with a shared key that indicates that access to the device data is permitted, and the device data of the external device;
permitting viewing of the device data indicated by data identification information included in the browsing permission information when the shared key received from the information processing device matches the shared key included in the browsing permission information;
a control unit that does not permit viewing of the device data when the shared key received from the information processing device does not match the shared key included in the viewing permission information;
An information processing system comprising:

With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not to permit viewing of device data based on the shared key. Therefore, when sharing device data with other users, the device data can be shared with other users without changing the configuration of the information processing system. This improves the convenience of sharing device data with other users.

(Technique 2)
The browsing permission information stored in the storage unit includes user identification information for identifying a user,
The control unit is
permitting viewing of the device data indicated by data identification information included in the browsing permission information when the shared key and the user identification information received from the information processing device match the shared key and the user identification information included in the browsing permission information;
An information processing system as described in Technology 1, which does not permit viewing of the equipment data if the shared key and user identification information received from the information processing device do not match the shared key and user identification information included in the viewing permission information.

With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not to permit viewing of device data based on the shared key and user identification information. Viewing of device data can be permitted only when there is a viewing request from a user with user identification information registered in the viewing permission information.

(Technique 3)
the storage unit stores information indicating a validity period of the shared key;
The control unit is
permitting access to the device data if the date of receipt of the shared key is within the validity period;
The information processing system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention is configured to not permit access to the device data if the date of receipt of the shared key is not included within the validity period.

With this configuration, viewing of device data can be permitted only if a viewing request including the shared key is received within the validity period set for the shared key.

(Technique 4)
the viewing permission information includes a date on which the device data was registered and device identification information for identifying the external device;
The control unit is
when receiving from the information processing device at least one of the registration date of the device data and the device identification information, the shared key, and the user identification information, detecting the shared key that matches the received shared key, and transmitting to the information processing device the device data indicated by the data identification information of the browsing permission information including the detected shared key;
When receiving at least one of the registration date of the device data and the device identification information and the user identification information from the information processing device,
An information processing system according to technology 2 or 3, in which the device data, in which at least one of the registration date of the device data and the device identification information matches, and in which the user identification information is registered in the viewing permission information, is transmitted to the information processing device.

With this configuration, when a viewing request including a shared key and user identification information is received from an information processing device, the device data associated with the shared key can be detected, and the detected device data can be displayed on the information processing device.

(Technique 5)
The device data is operation data of an air conditioner which is the external device,
The information processing system according to Technology 4, wherein the equipment identification information received from the information processing device includes a product number or a serial number of an indoor unit equipped in the air conditioner.

This configuration allows air conditioner operating data to be shared.

(Technique 6)
receiving a shared key from an information processing device;
determining whether or not browsing permission information that associates data identification information that identifies device data of the external device with a shared key indicating that browsing of the device data is permitted includes a shared key that matches the received shared key;
when it is determined that there is browsing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key, permitting browsing of the device data indicated by data identification information included in the browsing permission information;
a step of not permitting viewing of the device data when it is determined that there is no viewing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key;
An information processing method comprising:

(Technique 7)
On the computer,
receiving a shared key from an information processing device;
a step of determining whether or not browsing permission information that associates data identification information that identifies device data of the external device with a shared key indicating that browsing of the device data is permitted includes the shared key that matches the received shared key;
a step of permitting viewing of the device data indicated by data identification information included in the viewing permission information when it is determined that the viewing permission information includes the shared key that matches the received shared key;
a step of not permitting viewing of the device data when it is determined that there is no viewing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key;
A program that executes the following.

As described above, the above embodiments have been described as examples disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. have been made. It is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments.

For example, corporate identification information that identifies the corporation to which the user and the administrator belong may be registered in the server device 300 .
If a user and an administrator belong to the same corporation, the shared key can also be used when the user and the administrator wish to share device data. If the administrator permitted to view the data belongs to the same corporation as the user, the permitted user ID does not need to be registered in the sharing management DB 347. When the server device 300 receives a request to view device data using a shared key from a user or administrator who belongs to the same corporation as the user who registered the device data, the server device 300 permits the user or administrator to view the device data.

Furthermore, the configuration of the server device 300 shown in FIG. 1 is one example, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to implement hardware that corresponds to each unit individually, and it is also possible to implement a configuration in which one processor executes a program to realize the functions of each unit. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiment may be hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be software.

The step units of the operation shown in FIG. 8 are divided according to the main processing content in order to make the operation easier to understand, and the operation is not limited by the way in which the processing units are divided or their names. The operation may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so as to include even more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of this disclosure.

In the above embodiment, the processing is performed by a single server device 300, but it is also possible to distribute the processing to an information processing system made up of multiple server devices.

The above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology disclosed herein, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

As described above, the information processing system 1 according to the present invention can be used to share device data of an external device with a third party in a remote location.

Reference Signs List 1 Information processing system 10 Air conditioner 20 Indoor unit 30 Outdoor unit 40 Communication wiring 50 Communication device 70

Network

100, 100A, 100B Information processing device 110A First wireless I/F
120A Second wireless I/F
130

Touch panel

130A,

130B Touch panel

150A, 150B First control unit 160A First storage unit 161 OS
163 AP
170A First processor 200 Server device 210 APP screen 211 Acquire button 213 Upload button 215 Search button 230

Condition input screen

231, 232, 233, 234, 235 Input field 237 Confirm button 240 Second storage unit 243 User DB
250 List screen 250 Second processor 251 Date 253 Device ID
255 Device Data ID
257 Share button 300 Server device 310 First wired I/F
330 Second control unit 340 Second storage unit 341 Control program 343 User DB
345 Equipment data database 347 Shared management database 350 Second processor DB 345 Equipment data 347 Shared management DB

Claims

The Communications Department and
a storage unit that stores access permission information that associates data identification information that identifies device data of an external device with a shared key that indicates that access to the device data is permitted, and the device data of the external device;
permitting viewing of the device data indicated by data identification information included in the browsing permission information when the shared key received from the information processing device matches the shared key included in the browsing permission information;
a control unit that does not permit viewing of the device data when the shared key received from the information processing device does not match the shared key included in the viewing permission information;
An information processing system comprising:
The browsing permission information stored in the storage unit includes user identification information for identifying a user,
The control unit is
permitting viewing of the device data indicated by data identification information included in the browsing permission information when the shared key and the user identification information received from the information processing device match the shared key and the user identification information included in the browsing permission information;
An information processing system as described in claim 1 , wherein viewing of the device data is not permitted if the shared key and the user identification information received from the information processing device do not match the shared key and the user identification information included in the viewing permission information.
the storage unit stores information indicating a validity period of the shared key;
The control unit is
permitting access to the device data if the date of receipt of the shared key is within the validity period;
The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein if the reception date of the shared key is not included within the validity period, viewing of the device data is not permitted.
the viewing permission information includes a date on which the device data was registered and device identification information for identifying the external device;
The control unit is
when receiving from the information processing device at least one of the registration date of the device data and the device identification information, the shared key, and the user identification information, detecting the shared key that matches the received shared key, and transmitting to the information processing device the device data indicated by the data identification information of the browsing permission information including the detected shared key;
When receiving at least one of the registration date of the device data and the device identification information and the user identification information from the information processing device,
3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the device data in which at least one of the registration date of the device data and the device identification information is identical and in which the user identification information is registered in the browsing permission information is transmitted to the information processing device.
The device data is operation data of an air conditioner which is the external device,
The information processing system according to claim 4 , wherein the device identification information received from the information processing device includes a product number or a serial number of an indoor unit included in the air conditioner.
receiving a shared key from an information processing device;
determining whether or not browsing permission information that associates data identification information that identifies device data of the external device with a shared key indicating that browsing of the device data is permitted includes a shared key that matches the received shared key;
when it is determined that there is browsing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key, permitting browsing of the device data indicated by data identification information included in the browsing permission information;
a step of not permitting viewing of the device data when it is determined that there is no viewing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key;
An information processing method comprising:
On the computer,
receiving a shared key from an information processing device;
a step of determining whether or not browsing permission information that associates data identification information that identifies device data of the external device with a shared key indicating that browsing of the device data is permitted includes the shared key that matches the received shared key;
a step of permitting viewing of the device data indicated by data identification information included in the viewing permission information when it is determined that the viewing permission information includes the shared key that matches the received shared key;
a step of not permitting viewing of the device data when it is determined that there is no viewing permission information including the shared key that matches the received shared key;
A program that executes the following.