JP7649968B2 - Control terminal, information terminal, and device registration method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device registration system and a device registration method.

Technology has been proposed for registering devices in a home gateway such as a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller and controlling the registered devices through the home gateway. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a gateway device that can register information about terminal devices in the gateway device in a simple manner.

JP 2014-225812 A

The present invention provides a device registration system and a device registration method that can prevent devices from being erroneously registered.

A device registration system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first identification information of a device read by an information terminal, a second acquisition unit that acquires second identification information of the device transmitted by the device, and a comparison unit that compares the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device as a device to be controlled by the control terminal.

A device registration method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first acquisition step of acquiring first identification information of a device read by an information terminal, a second acquisition step of acquiring second identification information of the device transmitted by the device, and a comparison step of comparing the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device as a device to be controlled by the control terminal.

A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the device registration method.

The device registration system and device registration method of the present invention can prevent devices from being erroneously registered.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a device registration system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of a first operation example of the device registration system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for photographing a two-dimensional code. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a name information input screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the notification screen. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of an operation example 2 of the device registration system according to the embodiment.

The following describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim are described as optional components.

Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[composition]
First, the configuration of a device registration system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a device registration system according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device registration system 10 includes a control terminal 20, multiple devices 30, an information terminal 40, and a router 50. The control terminal 20, multiple devices 30, and router 50 are installed, for example, in the same facility (for example, in a private area of an apartment building), and when the devices 30 are registered, the information terminal 40 is also located in the facility. It is sufficient for the device registration system 10 to include at least one device 30.

The device registration system 10 is a system for registering a device 30 in a control terminal 20. The control terminal 20 can remotely control the registered device 30 via wireless communication.

Here, when registering a typical device 30, the control terminal 20 extracts devices 30 that are capable of wireless communication with the control terminal 20 (i.e., located within the range of the control terminal 20's radio waves) and registers the extracted devices 30 as devices to be controlled by the control terminal 20.

However, with this method, devices that are capable of wireless communication with the control terminal 20 (i.e., located within the range of the control terminal 20's radio waves) and that are not intended to be registered may end up being registered. For example, if the control terminal 20 is installed in a private area of an apartment building, only the devices 30 installed in that private area should be registered, but there is a possibility that devices installed in an adjacent private area may end up being registered.

Therefore, the device registration system 10 employs a mechanism that allows a user to register only the device 30 that the user wishes to register. Specifically, the user reads the two-dimensional code attached to the device 30 that the user wishes to register using the information terminal 40. The device registration system 10 registers the device 30 on the condition that the two-dimensional code has been read. In other words, the user can selectively register only the device 30 by reading the two-dimensional code of the device 30 using the information terminal 40.

Each device included in the device registration system 10 will be described in detail below. First, the control terminal 20 will be described. The control terminal 20 is an information terminal that is fixedly installed in the facility where the device 30 is used. The control terminal 20 controls the registered device 30 and acquires information from the registered device 30. Control of the device 30 includes, for example, starting the operation of the device 30, stopping the operation of the device 30, and changing the operating state of the device 30. The device 30 is controlled by transmitting a control signal from the control terminal 20 (second communication unit 26) to the device 30.

The control terminal 20 is, for example, an EMS (Energy Management System) controller with an energy management function, and can also manage the power consumption of the registered devices 30. The control terminal 20 is not limited to an EMS controller, and may be another home controller without an energy management function, or a gateway device. The control terminal 20 includes an operation reception unit 21, a display unit 22, a control unit 23, a memory unit 24, a first communication unit 25, and a second communication unit 26.

The operation reception unit 21 receives user operations. The operation reception unit 21 is realized, for example, by a touch panel, but may also be realized by hardware keys, etc.

The display unit 22 displays an image. The display unit 22 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel.

The control unit 23 performs information processing related to the control of the device 30 and information processing related to the registration of the device 30. The control unit 23 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The control unit 23 has, as functional components, a first acquisition unit 23a, a second acquisition unit 23b, an authentication unit 23c, a matching unit 23d, a registration unit 23e, and a setting unit 23f. The functions of the first acquisition unit 23a, the second acquisition unit 23b, the authentication unit 23c, the matching unit 23d, the registration unit 23e, and the setting unit 23f are realized, for example, by a microcomputer or a processor constituting the control unit 23 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 24. The detailed functions of the first acquisition unit 23a, the second acquisition unit 23b, the authentication unit 23c, the matching unit 23d, the registration unit 23e, and the setting unit 23f will be described later.

The memory unit 24 is a storage device that stores information about the registered device 30 (registration information including a communication ID, etc.) and computer programs executed by the control unit 23. The memory unit 24 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

The first communication unit 25 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the control terminal 20 to communicate with the information terminal 40 (communication unit 45) via the router 50. The first communication unit 25 performs wireless communication using, for example, a 2.4 GHz frequency band, but may also perform wireless communication using a 5.0 GHz frequency band. The first communication unit 25 performs wireless communication that complies with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that in the following embodiment, the wireless communication performed by the first communication unit 25 is also described as wireless communication via the first communication network 61.

The second communication unit 26 is a communication circuit (communication module) that allows the control terminal 20 to communicate with the device 30. The second communication unit 26 performs wireless communication, for example, using a frequency band of 920 MHz. The second communication unit 26 performs wireless communication that complies with a communication standard such as ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). Note that in the following embodiment, the wireless communication performed by the second communication unit 26 is also described as wireless communication via the second communication network 62.

The first communication network 61 and the second communication network 62 are both local wireless communication networks, but have different frequency bands. Different frequency bands here means that the frequency bands are significantly different, and the reference frequency of the frequency band of the first communication network 61 (2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz) is more than twice the reference frequency of the frequency band of the second communication network 62 (920 MHz). In general, the frequency band of the second communication network 62 (920 MHz band) has a wider range of radio waves (longer communication distance) than the frequency band of the first communication network 61 (2.4 GHz band or 5.0 GHz band).

Next, the device 30 will be described. The device 30 is registered in the control terminal 20 as a device to be controlled, and is thereby remotely controlled by the control terminal 20. The device 30 has, for example, a communication circuit (communication module) for communicating with the control terminal 20 (second communication unit 26). Specifically, the device 30 is a lighting device, a lighting switch (wiring device), an air conditioner, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a delivery box, a power storage system, a heat pump water heater, and a range hood.

A two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) is provided on the main body of device 30. This two-dimensional code is a code indicating first identification information for identifying device 30, and information terminal 40 can read the first identification information from the two-dimensional code. Device 30 also includes a memory unit 31. Memory unit 31 is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like. Memory unit 31 stores second identification information for distinguishing device 30 from other devices.

Here, the first identification information read from the two-dimensional code of the device 30 and the second identification information stored in the memory unit 31 of the device 30 are configured to match. For example, the first identification information and the second identification information indicate the same number (character string). This allows the device registration system 10 to register the device 30 on the condition that the two-dimensional code has been read (details will be described later).

Next, the information terminal 40 will be described. The information terminal 40 is an information terminal used to register the device 30 to the control terminal 20. The information terminal 40 is, for example, a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, but may also be a dedicated terminal for the device registration system 10. When the information terminal 40 is a general-purpose mobile terminal, an application program for registration is installed. The information terminal 40 includes an operation reception unit 41, a display unit 42, an information processing unit 43, a memory unit 44, a communication unit 45, and a camera 46.

The operation reception unit 41 receives user operations. The operation reception unit 41 is realized, for example, by a touch panel.

The display unit 42 displays an image. The display unit 42 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

The information processing unit 43 performs information processing related to the registration of the device 30. The information processing unit 43 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The information processing unit 43 has, as functional components, a first acquisition unit 43a, a second acquisition unit 43b, a matching unit 43c, an output unit 43d, and a reading unit 43e. The functions of the first acquisition unit 43a, the second acquisition unit 43b, the matching unit 43c, the output unit 43d, and the reading unit 43e are realized, for example, by a microcomputer or a processor constituting the information processing unit 43 executing a computer program stored in the memory unit 44. The detailed functions of the first acquisition unit 43a, the second acquisition unit 43b, the matching unit 43c, the output unit 43d, and the reading unit 43e will be described later.

The storage unit 44 is a storage device that stores computer programs executed by the information processing unit 43. The storage unit 44 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

The communication unit 45 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the information terminal 40 to communicate with the control terminal 20 (first communication unit 25) via the router 50. The communication unit 45 performs wireless communication using, for example, a 2.4 GHz frequency band, but may also perform wireless communication using a 5.0 GHz frequency band. The communication unit 45 performs wireless communication that complies with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that in the following embodiment, the wireless communication performed by the communication unit 45 is also described as wireless communication via the first communication network 61.

Although not shown, the information terminal 40 also includes a communication unit (communication circuit, communication module) for communicating via a wide area communication network such as the Internet.

The camera 46 is a device that captures video (still images and video images). The camera 46 captures, for example, a two-dimensional code attached to the device 30. The two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The camera 46 is realized by an image sensor or the like.

Next, the router 50 will be described. The router 50 is a communication device that relays communication between the control terminal 20 and the information terminal 40. Specifically, the router 50 is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router or the like.

[Operation example 1]
Next, an operation example 1 of the device registration system 10 will be described. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation example 1 of the device registration system 10. In addition, in the operation example 1, for the sake of simplicity, an example in which only one device 30 is registered will be described. In addition, although a router 50 is actually involved in the communication between the control terminal 20 and the information terminal 40, the router 50 is omitted from Fig. 2.

First, the user causes the information terminal 40 to execute an application program for registering the device 30 (hereinafter also referred to as the registration app). The user here may be a contractor (professional user) belonging to the contractor of the control terminal 20 and the device 30, or a general user. While executing the registration app, the information terminal 40 uses the camera 46 to capture the two-dimensional code assigned to the device 30 based on the user's operation, etc. (S10). At this time, a display screen for capturing the two-dimensional code as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 42. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen for capturing the two-dimensional code. The reader 43e reads the first identification information from the two-dimensional code captured by the camera 46 (S11).

The two-dimensional code is attached to the outer surface of the main body of the device 30 (at a position where it is easy to photograph with the information terminal 40) by, for example, a sticker bearing the two-dimensional code, but it may also be attached to the packaging box of the device 30, or to a piece of paper (such as an instruction manual) or card included with the device 30. The first identification information is, for example, the serial number (manufacturing number) of the device 30, but it may be any unique information that can uniquely identify the device 30.

In addition, second identification information indicating the same serial number as the first identification information is stored in the memory unit 31 of the device 30. In other words, the first identification information read from the two-dimensional code of the device 30 and the second identification information stored in the memory unit 31 of the device 30 match.

Next, the operation reception unit 41 receives an input operation for inputting name information from the user (S12). At this time, the display unit 42 displays an input screen for name information as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the input screen for name information.

The input screen of FIG. 4 includes an input field for the name the user wants to give to the device 30, and an input field for the name of the installation location. By inputting information into these two input fields, the name information indicates both the name the user wants to give to the device 30 and the name of the installation location. Note that it is sufficient for the input screen to include at least one of an input field for the name the user wants to give to the device 30 and an input field for the name of the installation location, and it is sufficient for the name information to indicate at least one of the name the user wants to give to the device 30 and the name of the installation location.

When the input of the name information is completed, the information processing unit 43 causes the communication unit 45 to transmit a mode transition command to the registration mode to the control terminal 20 (S13). The mode transition command includes the first identification information read in step S11 and the name information input in step S13. The mode transition command is transmitted to the control terminal 20 via the first communication network 61.

The first communication unit 25 of the control terminal 20 receives the mode transition command. The first acquisition unit 23a acquires the first identification information and name information contained in the received mode transition command, associates them, and stores them in the storage unit 24 (S14). In other words, the first acquisition unit 23a acquires the first identification information and name information from the information terminal 40 via the first communication network 61. This first identification information is identification information read by the information terminal 40, and the name information is information input by the user to the information terminal 40. The control unit 23 transitions to the registration mode based on the received mode transition command (S15).

Next, the user performs a predetermined operation on the device 30 to transition the device 30 to the registration mode (S16). The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation on a button provided on the device 30 (such as a long press operation), or an operation on a dedicated remote controller for the device 30.

When the device 30 and the control terminal 20 each transition to the registration mode, communication authentication is performed via the second communication network 62 (S17). The communication authentication is an authentication process for establishing wireless communication between the control terminal 20 and the device 30 via the second communication network 62, and is performed by the authentication unit 23c of the device 30 and the control terminal 20.

In communication authentication, the control terminal 20 operating in the registration mode, for example, selects a frequency channel and waits in a state in which it can receive signals on the selected frequency channel. Meanwhile, the device 30 searches for the control terminal 20 operating in the registration mode, and when it identifies the control terminal 20 (frequency channel), it transmits the communication ID of the device 30 to the control terminal 20 using the identified frequency channel. The second communication unit 26 of the control terminal 20 receives the communication ID, and the authentication unit 23c stores the communication ID of the device 30 in the storage unit 24. As a result, from this point on, communication between the control terminal 20 and the device 30 is performed using the selected channel. The communication ID is, for example, the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the device 30.

In step S17, other devices (devices other than device 30) that have transitioned to the registration mode are also searched for by the control terminal 20. Therefore, in step S17, the communication IDs of other devices that have transitioned to the registration mode and are capable of wireless communication with the control terminal 20 via the second communication network 62 are also stored in the storage unit 24. In this case, the communication IDs of devices other than device 30 that are not intended to be registered may also be stored in the storage unit 24. For example, if registration work is being performed in adjacent private areas in an apartment building at the same time, a communication ID may be transmitted from a device that has transitioned to the registration mode in the adjacent private area and is not intended to be registered, and stored in the storage unit 24. However, as described below, such devices are not registered as controlled devices because their two-dimensional codes have not been read (in step S14, the first identification information of such devices is not stored in the storage unit 24).

Next, the second acquisition unit 23b causes the second communication unit 26 to transmit a request to send the second identification information to the device 30 (S18). The second acquisition unit 23b specifies the communication ID stored in the memory unit 24 in step S17 and transmits a request to send the second identification information to the device 30 corresponding to the communication ID. The device 30 that has received the transmission request transmits the second identification information stored in the memory unit 31 of the device 30 to the control terminal 20 based on the transmission request (S19). The second communication unit 26 of the control terminal 20 receives the second identification information.

When the communication IDs of multiple devices including device 30 are stored in the memory unit 24 in step S17, the second communication unit 26 transmits a transmission request to each of the multiple devices in step S18, and receives second identification information from each of the multiple devices in step S19. The transmission request and second identification information are transmitted via the second communication network 62.

Next, the second acquisition unit 23b acquires the received second identification information, associates the acquired second identification information with the communication ID specified in step S18, and stores the information in the storage unit 24 (S20). In other words, the second acquisition unit 23b acquires the second identification information from the device 30 via the second communication network 62 after communication authentication has been performed.

The matching unit 23d matches the first identification information acquired in step S14 with the second identification information acquired (stored) in step S20 (S21). As described above, the first identification information read from the two-dimensional code of the device 30 matches the second identification information stored in the memory unit 31 of the device 30. Therefore, as a result of the matching by the matching unit 23d in step S21, the first identification information matches the second identification information, and the registration unit 23e registers the device 30 as a controlled device (S22). Specifically, the registration unit 23e registers the communication ID (i.e., the communication ID of the device 30) that was stored in association with the second identification information in step S20 as the communication ID of the controlled device.

The setting unit 23f also sets the name indicated by the name information (the name to be given to the device 30 and the name of the location where the device 30 is installed) as the name of the registered device 30 based on the name information (the name information acquired by the first acquisition unit 23a) stored in association with the first identification information in step S14 (S23). This allows the control unit 23 to display the name set by the user on the display unit 22 when the user operates the operation acceptance unit 21 of the control terminal 20 to control the device 30. The control unit 23 then causes the first communication unit 25 to transmit notification information to the information terminal 40 to notify the user that registration (and name setting) has been completed (S24).

The communication unit 45 of the information terminal 40 receives the notification information. The information processing unit 43 displays a notification screen on the display unit 42 based on the received notification information to notify the user that registration of the device 30 has been completed (S25). Figure 5 shows an example of a notification screen for notifying the user that registration of the device 30 has been completed.

On the other hand, if the communication ID of a device other than device 30 is stored in storage unit 24 in step S17, and second identification information is acquired from the device having that communication ID through the processes of steps S18 to S20, the first identification information that matches this second identification information is not stored in storage unit 24 in step S14. In other words, as a result of the comparison by comparison unit 23d in step S21, the first identification information and the second identification information do not match, and the device is not registered as a controlled device.

As described above, in the device registration system 10, the first identification information read from the two-dimensional code of the device 30 matches the second identification information stored in the memory unit 31 of the device 30. Using this, the device registration system 10 registers the device 30 as a controlled device when the first identification information read by the information terminal 40 matches the second identification information transmitted from the device 30. This prevents other devices from being erroneously registered.

Furthermore, the name of the device 30 is generally set based on a user's operation on the operation reception unit 21 of the control terminal 20, but in the device registration system 10, the user can easily set the name of the device 30 by inputting name information into the information terminal 40 when registering the device 30. Note that in the operation example 1, the name information is included in the mode transition command, but the name information may be transmitted at a different timing from the mode transition command. Similarly, there is no particular limitation on the input timing of the name information. Note that it is not essential that the name is set in conjunction with the registration of the device 30, and transmission and reception of name information may not be performed in the operation example 1.

In addition, the device registration system 10 does not need to connect to a wide area communication network such as the Internet when registering the device 30. In other words, the device registration system 10 does not need a cloud server when registering the device 30. The device registration system 10 can register the device 30 using a local communication network (short-range wireless communication network).

In the operation example 1, an example in which only one device 30 is registered has been described, but it is also possible to register multiple devices 30 together. Specifically, the multiple devices 30 are transitioned to registration mode in step S10, the first identification information of each of the multiple devices 30 is read in step S11, and name information of each of the multiple devices 30 is input in step S12. In this way, the communication IDs of the multiple devices 30 are stored in the memory unit 24 in step S17, and second identification information is obtained from the multiple devices 30 through the processes of steps S18 to S20, and it is possible to perform multiple comparisons corresponding to the multiple devices 30 in step S21. As a result, it is possible to register the multiple devices 30 in step S22.

[Operation example 2]
In the first operation example, the first identification information and the second identification information are matched by the control terminal 20, but may be matched by the information terminal 40. Hereinafter, such an operation example 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of the second operation example of the device registration system 10. In the second operation example, for the sake of simplicity, an example in which only one device 30 is registered will be described. In addition, in the following description of the second operation example, detailed descriptions of the matters described in the first operation example may be omitted.

While the dedicated app is running, the information terminal 40 uses the camera 46 to capture an image of the two-dimensional code provided to the device 30 based on a user's operation or the like (S30). At this time, a display screen for capturing an image of the two-dimensional code as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 42. The reading unit 43e reads the first identification information from the two-dimensional code captured by the camera 46 (S31).

Next, the operation reception unit 41 receives an input operation of the name information from the user (S32). At this time, the display unit 42 displays an input screen for the name information as shown in FIG. 4. The first acquisition unit 43a acquires the first identification information read by the reading unit 43e and the name information input to the operation reception unit 41, and stores them in association with each other in the memory unit 44 (S33).

Next, the information processing unit 43 causes the communication unit 45 to transmit a mode transition command to the registration mode to the control terminal 20 (S34). Unlike the first operation example, the mode transition command does not include the first identification information and the name information.

The first communication unit 25 of the control terminal 20 receives the mode transition command via the first communication network 61. The control unit 23 transitions to the registration mode based on the received mode transition command (S35).

Next, the user performs a predetermined operation on the device 30 to transition the device 30 to registration mode (S36).

When the device 30 and the control terminal 20 transition to the registration mode, communication authentication is performed via the second communication network 62 (S37). The communication authentication is an authentication process for establishing wireless communication between the control terminal 20 and the device 30 via the second communication network 62, and is performed by the authentication unit 23c of the device 30 and the control terminal 20. Establishing wireless communication here does not have a strict meaning, but means, for example, that the control terminal 20 is in a state where it can specify the device 30 and communicate with it.

In communication authentication, for example, the device 30 performs a process of searching for the control terminal 20 that has transitioned to the registration mode, and when it finds the control terminal 20, it transmits the communication ID of the device 30 to the discovered control terminal 20. The second communication unit 26 of the control terminal 20 receives the communication ID, and the authentication unit 23c stores the communication ID of the device 30 in the memory unit 24.

Next, the second acquisition unit 23b causes the second communication unit 26 to transmit a request to send the second identification information to the device 30 (S38). The second acquisition unit 23b specifies the communication ID stored in the memory unit 24 in step S37, and transmits a request to send the second identification information to the device 30 corresponding to the communication ID. The device 30 that has received the transmission request transmits the second identification information stored in the memory unit 31 of the device 30 to the control terminal 20 based on the transmission request (S39). The second communication unit 26 of the control terminal 20 receives the second identification information.

Next, the second acquisition unit 23b acquires the received second identification information, associates the acquired second identification information with the communication ID specified in step S38, and stores the information in the storage unit 24 (S40). Next, the control unit 23 causes the first communication unit 25 to transmit a matching command including the acquired (stored) second identification information to the information terminal 40 (S41). The matching command is transmitted via the first communication network 61.

The communication unit 45 of the information terminal 40 receives the matching command. The second acquisition unit 43b acquires the received second identification information (S42). That is, the second acquisition unit 43b acquires the second identification information from the control terminal 20 via the first communication network 61 (wireless communication network). This second identification information is the identification information transmitted by the device 30 (the identification information stored in the memory unit 31).

The matching unit 43c matches the first identification information acquired (stored) in step S33 with the second identification information acquired in step S42 (S43). As described above, the first identification information read from the two-dimensional code of the device 30 matches the second identification information stored in the memory unit 31 of the device 30. Therefore, as a result of the matching by the matching unit 43c in step S43, the first identification information matches the second identification information, and the output unit 43d outputs a registration command (S44).

The registration command is information that commands the control terminal 20 to register the device 30 as a controlled device. The registration command includes the name information acquired (stored) in step S33. The output unit 43d causes the communication unit 45 to transmit the output registration command to the control terminal 20 (S45).

The first communication unit 25 of the control terminal 20 receives the registration command. The registration unit 23e registers the device 30 as a controlled device based on the received registration command (S46). Specifically, the registration unit 23e registers the communication ID (i.e., the communication ID of the device 30) that was associated with the second identification information and stored in step S40 as the communication ID of the controlled device.

The setting unit 23f also sets the name indicated by the name information included in the received registration command (the name information acquired by the first acquisition unit 43a) as the name of the registered device 30 based on the name information (S47). After that, the control unit 23 causes the first communication unit 25 to transmit notification information to the information terminal 40 to notify the user that the registration (and name setting) has been completed (S48).

The communication unit 45 of the information terminal 40 receives the notification information. The information processing unit 43 causes the display unit 42 to display a notification screen as shown in FIG. 5 based on the received notification information (S49).

On the other hand, if the communication ID of a device other than device 30 is stored in memory unit 24 in step S37, and second identification information of the device is acquired through the processes of steps S38 to S42, the first identification information that matches this second identification information is not stored in memory unit 44 in step S33. In other words, as a result of the comparison by comparison unit 43c in step S43, the first identification information and the second identification information do not match, and the device is not registered as a controlled device.

As described above, the first identification information may be matched with the second identification information by the information terminal 40. As in the first operation example, in the second operation example, multiple devices 30 can be registered together.

In the second operational example, the name information is included in the registration command, but it may not be included in the registration command and may be transmitted at a different timing than the registration command. For example, the name information may be included in the mode transition command.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the first identification information and the second identification information are serial numbers, which are identification information different from the communication ID (identification information of the device 30 used in communication authentication; specifically, the MAC address). However, the first identification information and the second identification information may be the same as the communication ID (specifically, the MAC address). In this way, if the communication ID is used as the first identification information and the second identification information, the identification information is centralized into the communication ID, and therefore the process of linking the second identification information and the communication ID in steps S20 and S40 is not necessary. In other words, the amount of information processing is reduced.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the reader 43e reads the first identification information from the two-dimensional code. However, the means for reading the first identification information is not particularly limited.

For example, the information terminal 40 may include a wireless tag reader such as an RFID reader, and the reading unit 43e may read the first identification information by short-range wireless communication using the wireless tag reader. In this case, a wireless tag on which the first identification information is recorded is embedded in the main body of the device 30 or in a card or the like included with the device 30, and the reading unit 43e reads the first identification information from the wireless tag.

Also, for example, the information terminal 40 may include a magnetic card reader, and the reading unit 43e may read the first identification information using the magnetic card reader. In this case, a magnetic card on which the first identification information is recorded is included with the device 30, and the reading unit 43e reads the first identification information from the magnetic card.

[Modification 3]
In the above-described operation example 1 of the embodiment, the processes (S10 to S15) performed before the control terminal 20 is switched to the registration mode are performed prior to the process (S16) for switching the device 30 to the registration mode. This allows the device 30 to identify the control terminal 20 (frequency channel) early after starting a search, allowing the device 30 to efficiently search for the control terminal 20.

However, the process (S10 to S15) for transitioning the device 30 to the registration mode may be performed before the process (S16) for transitioning the control terminal 20 to the registration mode. In this case, the device 30 can identify the control terminal 20 (frequency channel) by repeating the search.

The same applies to operation example 2, where the processes (S30 to S35) performed before transitioning the device 30 to the registration mode may be performed prior to the process (S36) for transitioning the control terminal 20 to the registration mode.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, in the operation example 1, the device registration system 10 includes a first acquisition unit 23a that acquires first identification information of the device 30 read by the information terminal 40, a second acquisition unit 23b that acquires second identification information of the device 30 transmitted by the device 30, and a matching unit 23d that matches the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device 30 as a device to be controlled by the control terminal 20. The first acquisition unit 23a, the second acquisition unit 23b, and the matching unit 23d are included in the control terminal 20, and the first acquisition unit 23a acquires the first identification information from the information terminal 40 via a first communication network 61, and the second acquisition unit 23b acquires the second identification information from the device 30 via a second communication network 62 different from the first communication network 61.

Such a device registration system 10 can prevent other devices from being erroneously registered by making it a requirement for registration that the first identification information and the second identification information obtained through different routes match.

For example, the device registration system 10 further includes a registration unit 23e that registers the device 30 as a controlled device when the acquired first identification information and the acquired second identification information match as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 23d.

Such a device registration system 10 can register the device 30 as a device to be controlled by the control terminal 20, provided that the first identification information and the second identification information match.

For example, the first acquisition unit 23a further acquires name information from the information terminal 40 via the first communication network 61. The device registration system 10 further includes a setting unit 23f that sets a name to the device 30 registered as a controlled device based on the acquired name information.

Such a device registration system 10 can set a name for the device 30 using the information terminal 40.

Also, for example, the setting unit 23f sets the name indicated by the name information as the name of the device 30.

Such a device registration system 10 can set a name for the device 30 using the information terminal 40.

Also, for example, the setting unit 23f sets the name indicated by the name information as the name of the installation location of the device 30.

Such a device registration system 10 can use the information terminal 40 to set the name of the installation location for the device 30.

Furthermore, for example, the frequency band of wireless communication via the first communication network 61 is a higher frequency band than the frequency band of wireless communication via the second communication network 62.

Such a device registration system 10 can prevent other devices from being mistakenly registered by making it a requirement for registration that the first identification information and the second identification information obtained through communication networks with different frequency bands match.

For example, the device further includes an authentication unit 23c that performs communication authentication to establish wireless communication with the device 30 via the second communication network 62. The second acquisition unit 23b acquires second identification information from the device 30 via the second communication network 62 after communication authentication has been performed.

Such a device registration system 10 can obtain second identification information after communication authentication is performed.

Also, for example, the second identification information is different from the identification information of the device 30 used in communication authentication. In the above embodiment, the identification information of the device 30 used in communication authentication is the communication ID.

Such a device registration system 10 can use the identification information of the device 30 used in communication authentication as the second identification information.

Also, for example, the second identification information is the same as the identification information of the device 30 used in communication authentication. In the above embodiment, the identification information of the device 30 used in communication authentication is the communication ID.

Such a device registration system 10 can use identification information different from the identification information of the device 30 used in communication authentication as the second identification information.

In the second operation example, the device registration system 10 includes a first acquisition unit 43a that acquires the first identification information of the device 30 read by the information terminal 40, a second acquisition unit 43b that acquires the second identification information of the device 30 transmitted by the device 30, and a matching unit 43c that matches the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device 30 as a device to be controlled by the control terminal 20. The first acquisition unit 43a, the second acquisition unit 43b, and the matching unit 43c are included in the information terminal 40, and the information terminal 40 includes a reading unit 43e that reads the first identification information from the device 30. The first acquisition unit 43a acquires the first identification information read by the reading unit 43e, and the second acquisition unit 43b acquires the second identification information from the control terminal 20 via a wireless communication network (first communication network 61).

Such a device registration system 10 can prevent other devices from being erroneously registered by making it a requirement for registration that the first identification information and the second identification information obtained through different routes match.

For example, the device registration system 10 further includes an output unit 43d that outputs a registration command to instruct the control terminal 20 to register the device 30 as a controlled device when the acquired first identification information and the acquired second identification information match as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 43c.

Such a device registration system 10 can instruct the control terminal 20 to register the device 30 as a device to be controlled by the control terminal 20, provided that the first identification information and the second identification information match.

Also, for example, the reading unit 43e reads the first identification information from a two-dimensional code attached to the device 30.

Such a device registration system 10 can read the first identification information from the two-dimensional code.

The device registration method executed by a computer such as the device registration system 10 includes a first acquisition step S14 (or S33) of acquiring first identification information of the device 30 read by the information terminal 40, a second acquisition step S20 (or S42) of acquiring second identification information of the device 30 transmitted by the device 30, and a comparison step S21 (or S43) of comparing the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device 30 as a device to be controlled by the control terminal 20.

This type of device registration method can prevent erroneous registration of device 30 by making it a requirement for registration that the first identification information and the second identification information obtained through different routes match.

Other Embodiments
Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the device registration system is realized by multiple devices, but it may be realized as a single device. For example, the device registration system may be realized as a single device corresponding to a control terminal, or as a single device corresponding to an information terminal. When the device registration system is realized by multiple devices, the components of the device registration system may be distributed in any manner among the multiple devices.

For example, the method of communication between the devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. In addition, a relay device (not shown) may be used in the communication between the devices.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, and multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

In addition, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

The general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The present invention may also be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

For example, the present invention may be realized as a control terminal or an information terminal. The present invention may be realized as a device registration method executed by a computer such as a device registration system, a control terminal, or an information terminal. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a device registration method. Such a program includes the registration app executed by the information terminal in the above embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Device registration system 20 Control terminal 23a, 43a First acquisition unit 23b, 43b Second acquisition unit 23c Authentication unit 23d, 43c Collation unit 23e Registration unit 23f Setting unit 30 Device 40 Information terminal 43 Information processing unit 43d Output unit 43e Reading unit 61 First communication network 62 Second communication network

Claims (14)

a first acquisition unit that acquires first identification information of the device read by the information terminal from the information terminal via a first communication network;
an authentication unit that performs communication authentication to establish wireless communication with the device via a second communication network different from the first communication network;
a second acquisition unit that acquires second identification information of the device transmitted by the device from the device via the second communication network after the communication authentication is performed;
a comparison unit that compares the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device as a device to be controlled by the control terminal. The control terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising a registration unit that registers the device as the controlled device when the acquired first identification information and the acquired second identification information match as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit. The first acquisition unit further acquires name information from the information terminal via a first communication network;
The control terminal according to claim 2 , further comprising a setting unit that sets a name to the device registered as the controlled device based on the acquired name information. The control terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the setting unit sets the name indicated by the name information as the name of the device. The control terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the setting unit sets the name indicated by the name information as a name of an installation location of the device. The control terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a frequency band for wireless communication via the first communication network is a higher frequency band than a frequency band for wireless communication via the second communication network. The control terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second identification information is different from the identification information of the device used in the communication authentication. The control terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second identification information is identical to identification information of the device used in the communication authentication. a reading unit that reads first identification information from the device;
a first acquisition unit that acquires the first identification information read by the reading unit;
a second acquisition unit that acquires the second identification information of the device transmitted by the device from a control terminal via a wireless communication network;
an information terminal comprising: a matching unit that matches the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device as a control target device of the control terminal. The information terminal according to claim 9, further comprising an output unit that outputs a registration command to instruct the control terminal to register the device as the controlled device when the acquired first identification information and the acquired second identification information match as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit. The information terminal according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the reading unit reads the first identification information from a two-dimensional code attached to the device. A device registration method executed by a control terminal, comprising:
a first acquisition step of acquiring first identification information of the device read by the information terminal from the information terminal via a first communication network;
an authentication step of performing communication authentication for establishing wireless communication with the device via a second communication network different from the first communication network;
a second acquisition step of acquiring second identification information of the device, the second identification information having been transmitted by the device, from the device via the second communication network after the communication authentication has been performed;
a matching step of matching the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device as a device to be controlled by a control terminal. A device registration method executed by an information terminal , comprising:
a reading step of reading first identification information from the device;
a first acquisition step of acquiring the first identification information that has been read;
a second acquisition step of acquiring the second identification information of the device transmitted by the device from a control terminal via a wireless communication network;
a matching step of matching the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information in order to register the device as a device to be controlled by the control terminal. A program for causing a computer to execute the device registration method according to claim 12 or 13.

Images