JP2002073965A - Electrical equipment remote control system, electrical equipment remote control method, electrical equipment, electrical equipment management server, electrical equipment failure information collection system, and electrical equipment failure handling system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To find out optimum operating conditions according to a user's electric equipment, distribute the information through an information network, and remotely control the information. SOLUTION: An electrical equipment management server 6 assigns a different product URL address to each article 11 to be processed, and has a page of each product URL address on an information network 7,
The operating condition information is registered for each page. In the electric device 2, a bar code card linked to the article 11 to be processed
The bar code number for article identification attached to it is read from 12 and the bar code conversion server 3 of the URL address for the specific server is accessed and the bar code number is transmitted. To a product URL address that is assigned in advance to
The electric device 2 is made to access the page of the corresponding product URL address, and is operated based on the operating conditions registered on the page.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention utilizes barcode information such as a barcode card to defrost a commercially available food product under appropriate conditions according to its type and the type of microwave oven to be used. Distribute the operating conditions of the microwave oven through the information network to warm and warm it, or operate the fully automatic washing machine to wash delicate textiles in the automatic washing machine under appropriate conditions. Remote operation of electrical equipment installed in homes and offices through the information network, such as remote control of electrical equipment installed in homes and offices. The present invention relates to a remote operation method, an electric device, and an electric device management server.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a failure information collection system for electrical equipment, which collects operating conditions of electrical equipment periodically by using barcode information, predicts occurrence of failure, and responds to the failure.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a failure handling system for electrical equipment which receives a notification when a failure occurs in electrical equipment using bar code information and automatically responds to the failure.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, users can purchase commercially available bento and frozen foods,
When trying to thaw or warm retort foods in a microwave oven at home, if it is a special food, refer to the instruction manual or look at the display on the operation panel of the microwave oven, Usage conditions, such as "thaw for 5 minutes with a high range and then warm for 2 minutes with a low range," are determined and operated.

[0005] In addition, when a user attempts to wash delicate or special textile products in a fully automatic washing machine, the user can refer to the instruction manual or look at the operation panel display of the washing machine to see if the user himself or herself. Are suitable for use, for example, "put laundry in a net and put in, 15 g of detergent, 10 softeners
In g, the operating conditions such as "washing for 2 minutes, rinsing twice, spin-drying for 1 minute, and drying for 10 minutes with weak rotation" are determined and operated.

[0006] Further, it is not easy for a user to know when a failure of an electric device will occur, and only when a failure occurs, a telephone call to a call center or a handling electric store is made.

[0007]

As described above, conventionally, a user performs some processing on a product to be treated such as a food to be cooked, a textile to be washed, or the like by using a certain electric appliance. In the case of trying to do so, it is up to the user to determine the conditions of use of the electric device, and especially when special foods are thawed or heated in a microwave oven, depending on the type of the food and the microwave oven used. Since the processing time and processing conditions differ depending on the model, there is a problem that the user cannot always set and use the optimum processing conditions. Similarly, when washing special textiles and delicate textiles with a fully automatic washing machine, the processing time and processing conditions vary depending on the type of textiles and the type of washing machine used. There has been a problem that it is not always possible to set and use optimal processing conditions.

[0008] Further, when a failure occurs in an electric device, a user contacts a handling electric store or a call center in a hurry and requests a repair. However, the store or the center is not necessarily open. In many cases, it is difficult to know where such a store or call center is located, and even if contact is made, if the customer is informed of the product number, model number, and date of manufacture of the electrical equipment, There was a problem that labels were attached to places that were difficult to see, making it difficult to read.

[0009] In addition, since signs of failure occur in electrical equipment, it is normal. Manufacturers and call centers predict the occurrence of failure if there is daily operation history data of electrical equipment, and take preventive measures. However, it is not possible to accumulate the operation history data of the product used for many users, and for the user, it is necessary to contact a handling electronics store or a call center immediately after a failure occurs and request a repair. And there is an inconvenience that the product cannot be used until the repair is completed.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and finds optimal operating conditions for electrical equipment installed in homes and offices according to the articles to be processed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control system for electrical equipment which is distributed and remotely operated through an information network, a remote control method for electrical equipment, an electrical equipment, and an electrical equipment management server.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a failure information of an electric device which can detect a sign of occurrence of a failure in an electric device used by each user in advance by using barcode information and take a necessary countermeasure quickly. The purpose is to provide a collection system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a failure handling system for electrical equipment that can receive a failure report immediately when a failure occurs in electrical equipment using bar code information and can perform repairs. .

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barcode reader for reading an article identification barcode number from barcode information associated with an article to be processed. An electrical device connected to the barcode reader and the information network, for transmitting the barcode number read by the barcode reader to a specific server URL address, and having the server URL address and connected to the information network. A bar code conversion server that converts a bar code number received at the server URL address into a product URL address that is assigned in advance for each bar code number and accesses the product URL address; A different URL address for the product,
It has a page of each product URL address on the information network, downloads operating condition information registered on the page for each accessed product URL address to the electric device, and, based on the operating conditions, And an electrical device management server to be processed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the electrical apparatus reads a barcode number for identifying an article from the barcode information associated with the article to be processed and sends the barcode number to the barcode conversion server of the URL address for a specific server. The present invention is characterized in that the bar code number is transmitted by accessing, a driving condition downloaded from a page of a specific product URL address is received, and automatic driving is performed based on the driving condition.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric device management server,
Assign a different product URL address for each article to be processed,
A page of each product URL address is provided on the information network, operating condition information is registered for each page, and when an electric device accesses any product URL address page, the URL is registered on the page. The operating condition information is downloaded to the electric device, and a process based on the operating condition is started.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device management server, the electrical device management server assigns a different product URL address to each article to be processed, and has a page of each product URL address on the information network. The operating condition information is registered for each page, and in the electric device, the barcode number for identifying the article is read from the barcode information associated with the article to be processed, and the barcode of the URL address for the specific server is read. Access the conversion server and transmit the barcode number, and in the barcode conversion server, convert the barcode number sent from the electric device to the product URL address assigned in advance for each barcode number. Converting the electric device into the UR for the product in the electric device management server
An L address page is accessed, and in the electric device management server, operating condition information registered in the accessed page is downloaded to the electric device and processed based on the operating condition. Is what you do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote control system for an electrical device according to the first aspect or the remote control method for the electrical device according to the fourth aspect, the electrical device is a microwave oven and the operating condition information is stored. Are heating operation conditions for each food.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the remote control system for an electric appliance according to the first aspect or the remote operation method for the electric appliance according to the fourth aspect, wherein the electric appliance is a fully automatic washing machine, The condition is a washing operation condition for each garment.

A fault information collecting system for an electric device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a bar code reader for reading a bar code number attached to the operating condition notification bar code information associated with the electric device, and the bar code reader. An electrical device connected to the information network and transmitting the barcode number read by the barcode reader to a specific server URL address; and the server URL having the server URL address and connected to the information network, A barcode conversion server that converts the barcode number received by the address into a pre-assigned product URL address of the electrical device management server and accesses the product URL address; and a product URL from the electrical device. The access to the electrical equipment Collects operating status data from the system and determines the possibility of failure. When it is determined that the possibility of failure is high, automatically sends failure occurrence prediction information identifying the electrical device to the call center at the specified center URL address. And an electrical device management server.

According to the present invention, there is provided a failure handling system for electrical equipment, comprising: a bar code reader for reading a bar code number attached to the failure notification bar code information associated with the electrical equipment; An electrical device connected to a network and transmitting the bar code number read by the bar code reader to a specific server URL address, and an electronic device having the specific server URL address and connected to the information network, The product U of the electrical equipment management server to which the barcode number received by the address is assigned in advance.
A bar code conversion server that converts the URL to an RL address and accesses the URL address for the product; and collects failure data from the electrical device in response to access from the electrical device by the URL address for the product, and collects failure data for a specific center. And an electrical equipment management server for automatically transmitting the URL address to the call center.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a remote control system for a microwave oven according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a microwave oven 2 used by a user 1 as an individual or a business, a barcode conversion service site 4 having a barcode conversion server 3, a cooking appliance management server 6 managed by a home appliance manufacturer or a food manufacturer 5. And the Internet 7 as an information network connecting them.

Foods sold at a food store 10 such as a convenience store, a supermarket or a department store (here, the inside lunch box 11 of the curtain) are printed on a bar code card 12 on which bar code data for identifying the food 11 is printed. Is attached.

The bar code card 12 is as shown in FIG. Advertising information and design information 12A are printed on the barcode card 12, and a barcode 12B for identifying the food 11 is printed at a predetermined position.

The microwave oven 2 is provided with a bar code reader 8 and a modem (not shown) built in or externally. The bar code card 12 is inserted into the microwave oven 2 to print on the bar code card 12. The barcode data D1 is read from the obtained barcode 12B, and the URL of the barcode conversion server 3 pre-installed in the device is accessed via the Internet 7,
The barcode data D1 and the IP address D2 of the device are transmitted.

The barcode conversion server 3 refers to the conversion table registered in advance with respect to the transmitted barcode data D1 to a specific URL assigned to the page of the food 11 managed by the cooking appliance management server 6. The data is converted into data D3, and the link destination of the microwave oven 2 on the Internet 7 is jumped to the page of the URL.

The cooking appliance management server 6 has correspondence data D4 between the IP address and the model of the microwave oven, and specifies the model of the microwave oven 2 from the IP address D2 of the microwave oven 2 sent from the barcode conversion server 3. . The cooking appliance management server 6 also manages pages D5 for various types of commercially available foods 11. This cooking appliance management server 6
In the page for each food item 11, microwave operation control data D6 for each type of the food item is registered. When the IP address D2 and the URL data D3 specifying the food are sent from the barcode conversion server 3, the model of the microwave oven 2 is specified based on the IP address D2, and the microwave of the model is displayed on the food 11 page. The operation control data D6 for the user 2 is extracted, and the microwave oven 2 of the user 1 is extracted.
It is designed to be downloaded to.

Next, the operation of the electric device remote control system having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, in the case where the user 1 purchases the curtain lunch 11 as a food item at the convenience store 10 and brings it home to cook with the microwave oven 2, the microwave oven 2 manages cooking equipment via the Internet 7. Receiving the operation control data D6 downloaded from the server 6, starting the warming operation based on the control data D6, heating and cooking in an optimal state for the inner lunch box 11 of the curtain,
A series of operations in the case where the user 1 feeds the food will be described.

The user 1 puts the purchased inner lunch box 11 into the microwave oven 2, passes the bar code card 12 attached to the inner lunch box 11 through the bar code reader 8 provided in the microwave oven 2, and outputs the bar code data. Read D1.

When the bar code reader 8 reads the unique bar code data D1 corresponding to the type of the inner lunch box 11 of the curtain, the bar code reader 8 itself or the microwave oven 2 reads the bar code data D1.
Transmits the URL address D7 of the barcode conversion server 3 via the Internet 7, and automatically connects to the barcode conversion server 3. When the connection is approved, the barcode data D1 and the model of the microwave oven 2 are incorporated in advance in order to identify the type of the read barcode data (when the barcode reader 8 is externally attached, the barcode data D1 and the electronic An IP address D2 (built-in at the time of factory shipment when incorporated in the range 2) is transmitted to the barcode conversion server 3 (step S1).

The barcode conversion server 3 converts the barcode data D1 received from the microwave oven 2 into the URL address D3 of the cooking page of the inner lunch box 11 of the curtain (step S).
2) Connect to the corresponding page of the cooking appliance management server 6 (step S3).

In the cooking appliance management server 6, the microwave oven 2
Of the microwave oven from the IP address D2 of the
From the RL address D3 to the page of the inner lunch box 11 of the curtain, the operation control data D6 corresponding to the corresponding microwave oven
Is taken out (steps S4, S5, S6).

The operation control data D corresponding to the microwave oven 2 corresponding to the inner lunch 11 of a certain type of curtain in this way.
If 6 is selected, it is downloaded to the microwave oven 2 together with the start permission data D8 (step S7).

When the microwave oven 2 receives the operation control data D6 and the start permission data D8, the microwave oven 2 writes the operation control data D6 and, based on the operation control data D6, sets the inner lunch box 11 of the curtain as a condition for heating by the microwave oven 2. A warming operation is performed under optimal conditions (step S8).

In the above embodiment, the commercially available food 11
As an example, we explained the example of a curtain lunch box sold at a convenience store, but not limited to this, for lunch boxes, retort foods, frozen foods widely sold at food stores, department stores and supermarkets The most suitable thawing operation data and warming operation data for each microwave oven to be used are registered in the cooking appliance management server 6, and a bar code card 12 on which a bar code 12B for identifying each food sold is printed is attached. Then, upon receiving the operation control data D6 by the above-described method, the food can be automatically thawed and cooked under the optimal operation conditions.

In the above-described embodiment, the microwave oven 2 used by the user 1 at home has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to warm lunch boxes sold at convenience stores and other food stores. In the case where the sales form is given to the purchaser, the microwave oven provided in the convenience store can have the same function.

In order to establish the above-described cooking appliance remote control system as a business, the barcode conversion service site 4 provides a service for converting the barcode data D1 into the URL data D3 of the page of the food 11. The user 1 obtains a price from the manufacturer 5 that uses the information, receives information on the most suitable cooking method, and pays for the service using the microwave 2 to the store 10 in addition to the price for the food 11. Pay, food store 1
0 may pay the price to the food maker 5 in a form that is added to the price of the food purchase as a price for using such a service.

Next, a remote control system for electric equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is managed by a fully automatic washing machine 22 used by a user 21 who is an individual or a business, a barcode conversion service site 24 having a barcode conversion server 23, and a home appliance manufacturer or a clothing manufacturer 25. It comprises a laundry equipment management server 26 and the Internet 27 as an information network connecting these.

The clothing (here, the silk shirt 31) which is sold at the clothing store 30 such as a supermarket or department store has the silk shirt 3
1 is attached with a barcode card 32 on which barcode data for identifying 1 is printed.

The bar code card 32 is as shown in FIG. 2, as in the first embodiment. Advertising information and design information are printed on the barcode card 32, and a barcode (for example, fiber type, total weight, strength, use, etc.) for identifying the clothing 31 is printed at a predetermined position. .

The fully automatic washing machine 22 has a barcode reader 2
8, and a modem (not shown) is provided internally or externally, and by inserting the bar code card 32, the bar code data D11 is read from the bar code printed on the bar code card 32. The user accesses the URL of the barcode conversion server 23 incorporated in the device through the Internet 27, and transmits the barcode data D11 and the IP address D22 of the device.

The barcode conversion server 23 refers to the barcode data D11 sent to the laundry equipment management server 26 with reference to a conversion table registered in advance.
Is converted into the specific URL data D13 assigned to the page of the clothes 31 managed by the user, and the link destination on the Internet 27 of the fully automatic washing machine 22 is jumped to the page of the URL.

The laundry device management server 26 stores correspondence data D14 between the IP address and the model of the fully automatic washing machine 22.
And identifies the model of the fully automatic washing machine 22 from the IP address D12 of the fully automatic washing machine 22 sent from the barcode conversion server 23. Laundry equipment management server 26
Manages a page D15 for each type of clothing 31. Furthermore, the clothes 31 of the laundry equipment management server 26
In each page, operation control data D16 for each type of clothing is registered. Then, the IP address D12 and the URL for specifying the clothing from the barcode conversion server 23.
When the data D13 is sent, the model of the fully automatic washing machine 22 is specified based on the IP address D12, the operation control data D16 for the washing machine 22 of this model is extracted on the page of the clothing 31, and the user 11 Automatic washing machine 22
It is designed to be downloaded to.

Next, the operation of the remote control system for electric equipment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, when the user 11 uses the fully automatic washing machine 22 to wash the silk shirt 31 as the clothing purchased at the superstore 30, the fully automatic washing machine 22 is connected to the laundry equipment management server through the Internet 27. Operation control data D1 downloaded from 26
6, a series of operations in the case of washing under the optimum operating conditions based on the control data D16 will be described.

The user 21 puts the silk shirt 31 into the fully automatic washing machine 22 and passes the barcode card 32 attached to the silk shirt 31 through the card reader 28 to read the barcode data D11.

The bar code reader 28 has unique bar code data D11 corresponding to the type and strength of the fiber of the shirt 31.
Is read, the barcode reader 28 itself or the fully automatic washing machine 22 transmits the URL address D17 of the barcode conversion server 23 via the Internet 27,
It automatically connects to the barcode conversion server 23. When the connection is approved, the read barcode data D1
1 and is pre-installed to identify the model of the fully automatic washing machine 22 (when the bar code reader 28 is attached externally, when the bar code reader 28 is attached externally, and when the Is transmitted to the barcode conversion server 23 (step S21).

The barcode conversion server 23 converts the barcode data D11 received from the fully automatic washing machine 22 into the URL address D13 of the page for the method of washing the silk shirt 31.
(Step S22), and connects to the corresponding page of the laundry equipment management server 26 (step S2).
3).

The laundry machine management server 26 specifies the model from the IP address D12 of the fully automatic washing machine 22, connects to the page of the silk shirt 31 from the URL address D13, and corresponds to the corresponding fully automatic washing machine 22. The operation control data D16 is extracted (steps S24, S2
5, S26).

Thus, for a certain kind of clothing 31, the operation control data D1 corresponding to the corresponding fully automatic washing machine 22
If "6" is selected, this is downloaded to the fully automatic washing machine 22 together with the start permission data D18 (step S2).
7).

The fully automatic washing machine 22 receives the operation control data D
16 and the start permission data D18, the operation control data D16 is written, and the operation control data D16
Based on the above, the silk shirt 31 is washed under optimal operating conditions (step S28).

In the above embodiment, a silk shirt sold in a superstore has been described as an example of the garment 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the optimal operation data for each type of washing machine is registered in the laundry equipment management server 26, and a barcode card 32 on which a barcode for identifying each type of clothing to be sold is printed is attached. In addition, the purchaser can receive the operation control data D16 in the above-described manner, and can automatically wash delicate clothes under the optimum operation conditions automatically.

In the above embodiment, the user 21
Described the fully automatic washing machine 22 used at home. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is anticipated that a coin laundry or a laundry shop will receive a request in advance using the barcode card 32 brought by the customer or to the shop. If a bar code card prepared for each garment is used, a delicate textile garment can be washed under optimal conditions by a fully automatic washing machine installed in the shop.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine has been described, but this includes a washing machine having functions of washing, rinsing and dehydrating, and a washing machine having a drying function in addition to these. . Also as laundry equipment,
Even if a fully automatic washing machine with washing, rinsing, and dehydrating functions and a clothes dryer are separately installed, the functions described above should be incorporated separately into the fully automatic washing machine and the clothes dryer. Can be.

Further, in order to establish the above-mentioned remote control system for laundry equipment as a business,
The bar code conversion service site 24 asks the manufacturer 25 that uses the bar code data D 11 for converting the bar code data D 11 into the URL data D 13 of the page of the clothes 31, receives the optimum washing conditions, and receives a fully automatic washing machine. 2
2 for the service using the service 2
Is paid in addition to the price for the clothing 31, and the dealer 30 adds the price to the purchase of the garment as a price for using such a service.
What is necessary is to pay 5 for consideration.

Next, a failure information collection system for an electric device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The hardware configuration of this system is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, but here, in particular, the second embodiment shown in FIG. A description will be given as a configuration common to the embodiment. Various electric devices 22 used by the user 21 at home or in the office,
For example, a bar code reader 28 and the Internet 2 are installed in a washing machine, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a television, a VCR, and the like.
A modem (not shown) for connecting to the barcode conversion server 23 and the electric device management server 26 through the device 7 is provided as an internal or external device. In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the electric device 22 has a function of collecting data for failure diagnosis, for example, operation history data such as a current value, a voltage value, the number of operations, a torque fluctuation, and the number of switches.
It is assumed that such a function is provided together with the remote control function of each of the above-described embodiments.

When the user 21 purchases the electric device 22,
The electric device 22 has a bar code card 3 for automatic communication.
2 is attached, and it is assumed that barcode data D31 of information necessary for product identification such as a model name, a model, and a manufacturing date is printed in advance.

Next, automatic communication and self-diagnosis processing by the electrical equipment failure information collection system according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The user 21 periodically inserts the barcode card 32 into the card reader 28 and reads the barcode data D21, so that the electric device 22 automatically accesses the URL address D27 via the Internet 27 and converts the barcode. Server 24
(Step S41).

When the connection is confirmed, the barcode conversion server 23 transmits the transmitted barcode data D21 to the URL.
The URL is converted to an address D23 and connected to the URL address D23. Since the URL address D23 is assigned to the automatic communication reception page of the electric device management server 26, the electric device 22 is thereby connected to the automatic communication reception page of the electric device management server 26 (step S42, S43, S44).

In the electric equipment management server 26, the electric equipment 2
When there is a connection from the device 2, the device and the user are identified from the IP address D22 of the electric device 22 (that is, the type of the electric device such as whether it is a washing machine, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, or the like). And information on the model, model, manufacturing date, etc., and also information on registered users (steps S44 and S45). If the user information cannot be read from the barcode card, the user information is registered in a form corresponding to the device number at the time of user registration. This may be registered online using the Internet.

If the access is the first access from the specified electric device, the electric device management server 26 creates a regular communication data area D28 for the electric device (step S46). The initial setting data is sent to the electric device 22 in order to obtain the operation status data (step S47). The initial setting data D30 includes a device IP address D22 and operation control data D26 for controlling an operation status data recording operation.

In the electric equipment 22, the operation control data D
Upon receiving the command 26, the operation status data of the device (for example, current value, voltage value, number of operations, torque fluctuation, number of switches, etc.) is started to be recorded (step S48).

During this time, the electric appliance management server 26 performs period management, and when the data transmission collection time comes for the electric appliance 22 having a certain IP address (step S49), an operation status transmission request is sent to the corresponding appliance IP address D22. The data transmission control data D26 is sent out onto the Internet 27 (step S50).

The electric device 2 of the corresponding IP address D22
2 receives the operation status data D31 from the device I
It is transmitted to the electric equipment management server 26 together with the P address D22 (step S51). On the electrical equipment management server 26 side, the operation status data D31 is periodically stored in a corresponding column of the operation status data area D28 of the automatic contact reception page based on the IP address D22 (step S5).
2).

In addition to the regular communication, the self-diagnosis function of the electric device 22 compares the operation status data D31 with the control specified value data D29, and when an abnormality having a high possibility of failure is found ( Step S53),
The operation status data D31 is taken out, the URL address D23 of the automatic communication reception page is accessed, and the operation status data D31 is transmitted together with the device IP address D22,
It informs that "the possibility of failure is high" (step S5)
4, S55).

When the electric equipment management server 26 receives the abnormality report, the electric equipment management server 26 informs the call center 35 of the electric equipment 22 of the name, the model name, the model number, the serial number, the manufacturing date, and the registered user of the electrical equipment 22. Data D33 such as the address, name, telephone number, and the status of the failure are transmitted as an e-mail (step S56).

With this, when the call center 35 receives the abnormality report, the technician can go to the user's home to check the equipment, and sooner or later, when a request for repair of the failure is received from the user, the technician will be notified of the relevant electric equipment. Repairs can be made with reference to the email.

Next, a failure handling system for electric equipment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, when the user 21 purchases the electric device 22, a bar code card 32 for communication at the time of failure is attached, and when the electric device 22 fails, the bar code card 32 is attached. By causing the barcode reader 28 to read the data, it is connected to the electrical equipment management server 26 via the barcode conversion server 23, so that a repair request due to a failure can be made, and failure handling can be automatically performed. Features the system.

The hardware configuration of this system is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, but also here, in particular, the second embodiment shown in FIG. Description will be made as a configuration common to the second embodiment. User 2
1 is a variety of electrical equipment used at home or in business
2. For example, in a washing machine, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a television, a VCR, etc., a bar code reader 28 and a modem (not shown) for connecting to a bar code conversion server 23 and an electric equipment management server 26 through the Internet 27 are provided. Provided internally or externally.

When the user 21 purchases the electric device 22,
A bar code card 32 for communication at the time of failure is attached to the electric device 22, and includes bar code data D41 of information necessary for product identification such as a model name, a model, and a manufacturing date.
Is printed in advance. Further, as described later, since it is necessary to associate the IP address of the device 22 with the user information, the IP address of the device 22 and the user information are associated with each other and registered in the management server by user registration.

Next, failure notification and response processing by the electrical device failure response system according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When a failure occurs in the electric device 22, the user 21 communicates with the failure time bar code card 32.
Is inserted into the card reader 28 and the barcode data D41
, The electrical device 22 automatically accesses the URL address D27 via the Internet 27 and connects to the barcode conversion server 24 (step S61).

When the connection is confirmed, the barcode conversion server 23 converts the transmitted barcode data D41 into a URL.
The URL is converted to an address D43 and connected to the URL address D43. Since the URL address D43 is assigned to the failure notification reception page of the electric device management server 26, the electric device 22 is thereby connected to the failure notification reception page of the electric device management server 26 (step S62, S63, S64).

In the electrical equipment management server 26, the electrical equipment 2
When there is a connection from the device 2, the device and the user are specified from the IP address D42 of the electric device 22 (that is, the type of the electric device such as a washing machine, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, etc.). And information on the model, model, date of manufacture, etc., and also information on the registered user (steps S65 and S66).

When the electrical equipment management server 26 identifies the electrical equipment 22 in which the failure has occurred, the electrical equipment management server 26 informs the call center 35 of the name, the model name, the model number, the serial number, the manufacturing date, and the registered user of the electrical equipment 22. The data D45 such as the address, name, telephone number, and the status of the failure are transmitted as an e-mail (step S66).

As a result, if the call center 35 receives a failure report, a technician will repair it.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when a failure occurs in the electric equipment, the user simply inserts the bar code card for communication at the time of failure into the card reader and reads it, thereby automatically reporting the failure to the call center. Is not necessary, and the user does not need to contact the dealer or the call center by himself, reducing the effort to find the contact telephone number at the time of breakdown, and in the time when those stores are not open. Also, failure notification can be made reliably.

In any of the above embodiments, the bar code card can be replaced with a sticker, a tag, or the like to which bar code information is attached, and the card reader can be replaced with a handy scanner or another bar code reader. can do.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, the optimum operating conditions according to the articles to be processed are found for the electric equipment installed in the home or office, and distributed via the information network. Can be operated.

According to the present invention, it is also possible to detect in advance the signs of the occurrence of a failure in the electric equipment used by each user, and quickly take necessary measures.

According to the present invention, it is also possible to immediately receive a failure report when a failure occurs in an electric device and to perform repair.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a barcode card used in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 User 2 Electric equipment (microwave oven) 3 Barcode conversion server 6 Microwave oven management server 7 Internet 8 Barcode reader 11 Food (curtain lunch) 12 Barcode card 21 User 22 Electric equipment (fully automatic washing machine) 23 Barcode conversion Server 26 Electrical equipment (laundry equipment) management server 27 Internet 28 Barcode reader 31 Clothing (silk shirt) 32 Barcode card

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuka Yoda 1-1-1, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Corporation Head Office (72) Inventor Shigeo Hirahara 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka Inside the Toshiba Osaka Plant (72) Inventor Takuya Kishimoto 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Mitsuo Takahashi 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki City, Osaka Stock FOC term in company OC (reference) 5B049 CC00 CC48 DD02 EE05 GG00

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A bar code reader for reading an article identification bar code number attached to bar code information associated with an article to be processed, the bar code reader being connected to the bar code reader and an information network. An electrical device that transmits the read barcode number to a specific server URL address; and a barcode number that has the server URL address, is connected to the information network, and is received at the server URL address for each barcode number. Convert to a pre-assigned product URL address,
A bar code conversion server for accessing an RL address; a URL address for the product which is different for each article to be processed; a page for the URL address for each product on the information network; An electric device remote control system comprising: an electric device management server that downloads operating condition information registered on the page to the electric device and causes the electric device to perform processing based on the operating condition. 2. A bar code number for article identification attached to the bar code information associated with the article to be processed is read, and a bar code conversion server of a URL address for a specific server is accessed to change the bar code number. An electric device which transmits and receives operating conditions downloaded from a specific product URL address page, and performs automatic operation based on the operating conditions. 3. A different product URL address is assigned to each article to be processed, a page of each product URL address is provided on an information network, operating condition information is registered for each page, and any one of An electric device, wherein when a page of a product URL address is accessed, operating condition information registered on the page is downloaded to the electric device and a process based on the operating condition is started. Management server. 4. The electrical equipment management server assigns a different product URL address to each article to be processed, has a page of each product URL address on an information network, and registers operating condition information for each page. In the electric device, the barcode number for the article identification attached to the article to be processed is read from the barcode information linked to the article to be processed, and the barcode conversion server of the URL address for the specific server is accessed to transmit the barcode number. In the barcode conversion server, the barcode number sent from the electric device is converted into the product URL address assigned in advance for each barcode number, and the electric device is converted to the electric device management server. Access to the product URL address page in the electronic device management server , A method for remotely operating an electric device, wherein operating condition information registered in the accessed page is downloaded to the electric device and processed based on the operating condition. 5. The remote control system for electric equipment according to claim 1, wherein the electric equipment is a microwave oven, and the operation condition information is a heating operation condition for each food. Remote control method of electrical equipment. 6. The remote control system for electric equipment according to claim 1, wherein the electric equipment is a fully automatic washing machine, and the operating condition is a washing operation condition for each garment. A remote control method for the electric device according to the above. 7. A bar code reader for reading a bar code number attached to the operating status notification bar code information associated with an electric device, and a bar code reader connected to the bar code reader and an information network for reading the bar code reader. An electronic device that transmits the barcode number to a specific server URL address, the server device has the server URL address, is connected to the information network, and is assigned the barcode number received at the server URL address in advance. A bar code conversion server that converts the URL to a product URL address of an electrical device management server and accesses the URL address for the product; and an operation status from the electrical device in response to access from the electrical device by the product URL address. Collect data to determine possible failures And an electrical equipment management server for automatically transmitting failure occurrence prediction information specifying the electrical equipment to a call center at a specific center URL address when it is determined that the possibility of occurrence of a failure is high. system. 8. A bar code reader for reading a bar code number attached to the failure notification bar code information associated with an electric device, the bar code reader being connected to the bar code reader and an information network and reading by the bar code reader. An electrical device that transmits a barcode number to a specific server URL address; and the device has the specific server URL address, is connected to the information network, and is assigned in advance the barcode number received at the server URL address. A barcode conversion server that converts the URL to a product URL address of the electrical device management server and accesses the URL address for the product; and a failure from the electrical device in response to access from the electrical device by the product URL address. Collects data and URLs for specific centers A failure handling system for electrical equipment comprising an electrical equipment management server that automatically sends addresses to a call center.