JP2013026813A - Apparatus information acquisition system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus information acquisition system which, for a plurality of electronic apparatuses incorporating a non-contact charging function, can manage the apparatus information thereof on a network and also can identify the existing location thereof.SOLUTION: An apparatus information acquisition system comprises chargers (wireless chargers 3a, 3b) for electronic apparatuses (information apparatuses 2a, 2b) and a server (charge information server 4) connected to a plurality of chargers via a network (Internet N). The chargers or the electronic apparatuses each include an acquisition unit which acquires their own position information from a GPS satellite. When one of the electronic apparatuses is set in one of the chargers for charging, the charger (or the electronic apparatus) concerned transmits position information on the charger or the electronic apparatus to the server via the network, and the charger receives apparatus information on the electronic apparatus concerned from the electronic apparatus concerned via radio communication and then transmits it to the server via the network. The server stores the received apparatus information and the position information on the charger or the electronic apparatus after correlating them with each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to a device information acquisition system that acquires device information of an electronic device.

  Conventionally, a system for managing an article by attaching an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag storing ID (Identification) information to the article has been used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The system described in Patent Document 1 attaches an IC tag to an article, writes attribute information about the article to the IC tag by a writer device, and reads from each IC tag by a reader device arranged in the article storage shelf. By reading the attribute information and the storage location information relating to the storage location of the article and transferring them to the management server, the storage location information of the article can be retrieved from the terminal device connected to this server using the attribute information as a key. It is configured.

  By the way, there are devices equipped with a rechargeable battery, such as a mobile phone, among electronic devices, but there are also devices that employ a technology for charging the battery in a non-contact manner. Among such techniques, Patent Document 2 discloses a non-contact charging apparatus capable of performing charging suitable for an electronic device using an ID.

  This non-contact charging device includes a wireless communication unit that performs radio communication with a portable device using electromagnetic waves, and a non-contact charging unit that charges the portable device non-contact using other electromagnetic waves, and charging conditions for the portable device Is stored in association with the ID of the portable device, and for the ID transmitted from the portable device by the wireless communication means, the charging condition corresponding to the ID is read and set, and contactless charging is executed according to the setting .

JP 2007-133771 A JP 2009-213295 A

  With the technique described in Patent Document 1, the storage location of an electronic device can be managed by attaching an IC tag that stores the attribute information and storage location information of the electronic device as an article. However, in such a system, it is not only necessary to attach an IC tag to an electronic device or to register attribute information of the electronic device in the IC tag by a writer device, but a transmission device is separately provided on the storage shelf. There is a need.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, since it is sufficient that the charger can acquire the ID of the portable device that is the device to be charged, information such as the ID of the portable device read by the charger and the location information of the device to be charged is included. It is not considered at all to manage the information collectively, and it is not possible to effectively utilize such information on the network.

  Furthermore, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the device to be charged is always charged by setting the device to be charged to the charger connected to the AC power source, the operation of prohibiting charging can be performed only on the spot. Cannot be done remotely. In addition, with the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is not possible to remotely limit the use of a device to be charged for a device to be charged that does not have a function of connecting to a network such as the Internet.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to manage the device information on a network for a plurality of electronic devices having a non-contact charging function, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a device information acquisition system capable of specifying the location of those locations.
Another object of the present invention is to set permission / prohibition of charging for these electronic devices and / or use restriction of electronic devices having no network connection function in such a device information acquisition system. It is to be possible to perform by remote control.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a device information acquisition system that acquires device information about a plurality of electronic devices, a battery charger that charges a battery mounted on the electronic device in a contactless manner, and a plurality of devices. And a server connected to the charger of the base via a network, and the charger or the electronic device has an acquisition unit that acquires position information of the own device from a GPS satellite, and the charger or the electronic device When the electronic device is set in the charger for charging the battery, the electronic device transmits position information of the charger or the electronic device to the server via the network, and The charger receives the device information of the electronic device from the electronic device by wireless communication and transmits the device information to the server via the network, and the server receives the received device information. Be stored the charger or in association with position information for the electronic device is obtained characterized by.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to manage those apparatus information on a network with respect to several electronic devices provided with the non-contact charge function, and to specify those locations.
In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform a remote operation to set charging permission / prohibition for these electronic devices and / or to restrict use of electronic devices that do not have a network connection function.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system of Example 1 and Example 2 which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the wireless charger in Example 1, and the power receiving function part of information equipment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a flow when the wireless charger starts power transmission to the information device in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a flow when a charge information server receives information from a wireless charger in Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the concept of the database which a charge information server manages in Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a flow when the charge information server receives ID of information equipment from PC in Example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of the wireless charger in Example 1, and the receiving function part of information equipment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the power charger function part of the wireless charger and information apparatus in Example 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a flow when the wireless charger starts power transmission to the information device in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the concept of the database which a charge information server manages in Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow when a charge information server receives information from a wireless charger in Example 2. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a flow when the charge information server receives the search command from PC in Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a flow when a charge information server receives the power transmission prohibition flag inquiry command from PC in Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a flow when a charge information server receives the power transmission prohibition flag ON command from PC in Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow when a charge information server receives the power transmission prohibition flag off command from PC in Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system of Example 3 which concerns on this invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless charger and an information device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a flow when the wireless charger starts power transmission to the information device in the third embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow when a charge information server receives information from an information device in Example 3. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow when a charge information server receives information from a wireless charger in Example 3.

  The device information acquisition system according to the present invention is a system that acquires device information about a plurality of electronic devices that can be charged in a contactless manner (wireless charging) with a server on a network. Therefore, this system includes a charger that charges a battery mounted on an electronic device in a contactless manner, and a server that is connected to a plurality of chargers via a network. Since this electronic device is a device that charges a built-in battery with a separately-prepared charger, a portable type such as a mobile phone (including a so-called smartphone), a portable information terminal, a mobile PC (Personal Computer), etc. Applicable to equipment. Hereinafter, various embodiments of the system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1a, 1b and 1c are GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, 2a and 2b are portable information devices which are examples of electronic devices, 3a and 3b are wireless chargers which are non-contact chargers, Reference numeral 4 denotes a charging information server which is an example of the server, 5 denotes a PC which is an example of a client terminal, and N denotes the Internet which is a worldwide network as an example of a network.

  The wireless chargers 3a and 3b are connected to the Internet N, and can communicate with the charging information server 4 that is also connected to the Internet N. Further, the wireless chargers 3a, 3b can acquire their positions by receiving GPS signals from the GPS satellites 1a, 1b, 1c and the like. As described above, the wireless chargers 3a and 3b in the present embodiment include an acquisition unit that acquires position information (information indicating latitude and longitude) of the own device from the GPS satellite, that is, a GPS reception unit. This GPS receiver actually calculates position information based on GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites 1a and the like.

  The PC 5 is connected to the Internet N and can communicate with the charging information server 4 that is also connected to the Internet N. In addition, you may employ | adopt power line communications (PLC: Power Line Communications) for some or all of network communications. In particular, it is preferable to employ a PLC in the immediate vicinity of the wireless chargers 3a and 3b, because energization and network communication can be performed simply by plugging into the AC power source. Also, the number of wireless chargers and information devices is not limited to two, and it is not necessary that these numbers be the same.

  In this configuration, the information device 2a will be described as an example. The wireless charger 3a in the present embodiment is set by the wireless charger 3a to charge the battery mounted on the information device 2a. If it is, device information about the information device 2a (hereinafter referred to as ID) is received from the information device 2a by wireless communication, and the ID and position information of the wireless charger 3a are transmitted to the charging information server 4. . Then, the charging information server 4 stores the ID received from the wireless charger 3a in association with the position information (position information of the wireless charger 3a).

  With such a configuration, it becomes possible to manage their IDs on a network and specify their location for a plurality of information devices having a non-contact charging function. In this embodiment, the position information of the wireless charger that has been charged is used as the location of the information device.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described more specifically.
Similarly, the information device 2a will be described, but the same applies to other information devices such as the information device 2b. The information device 2a which is a device to be charged includes a power receiving function, and charging is started by being set on the wireless charger 3a. When the information device 2a is set on the wireless charger 3a, the wireless charger 3a starts power feeding and reads the ID of the information device 2a by wireless communication.

  Here, the wireless charger 3a, for example, attaches an RF (Radio Frequency) tag such as an IC tag storing an ID to the information device 2a, and performs wireless communication by an RFID (RF Identification) method in which it is read by a reader device equipped with the tag. Just do it. The tag type may be any of a passive tag, an active tag, and a semi-active tag, and a radio wave transmission method may be either an electromagnetic induction method or a radio wave method. In the following description, the RFID method is adopted, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other short-range wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and NFC (Near Field Communication) can also be used.

  The wireless charger 3a communicates with the charging information server 4 via the Internet N in a wired or wireless manner, and includes the ID of the information device 2a and the information device 2a together with time information indicating the position of the wireless charger 3a and the current time. Informs that is set. The charging information server 4 stores the received information in association with each other.

  When the charging information server 4 storing these pieces of information receives an inquiry specifying an ID from the PC 5 connected to the Internet N, in response to the inquiry, as the location information of the information device 2a corresponding to the ID, It is configured to present position information associated with the ID (that is, position information about the wireless charger 3a corresponding to the ID).

  When the location of the information device 2a or the information device 2b is not known by adopting such a configuration for presenting, the user uses the PC 5 to make an inquiry to the charging information server 4 via the Internet N. Thus, as long as the information devices 2a and 2b are registered in the charging information server 4, the registered time and position can be known. As described above, the time information does not have to be registered as long as the position information is present, but knowing the time indicates that the information device exists at the position indicated by the position information at least at that time. In this embodiment, an example is given in which time information is acquired by the wireless chargers 3 a and 3 b and transmitted to the charging information server 4.

  Next, a configuration example of the power receiving function unit 21 of the wireless chargers 3a and 3b and the information devices 2a and 2b will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the wireless chargers 3 a and 3 b of FIG. 1 are shown as the wireless charger 3. The wireless charger 3 includes an ID reading unit 31, a power transmission unit 32, a storage unit 33, a control unit 34, a power conversion unit 35, a position detection unit 36, and a network IF (interface) unit 37.

  The ID reading unit 31 reads the ID of a power receiving device (information devices 2a, 2b, etc.) by the RFID method. The power transmission unit 32 transmits power to the power receiving device by an electromagnetic induction method. The power conversion unit 35 converts a commercial AC power source into power that can be used by the power transmission unit 32. The network IF unit 37 communicates with the charging information server 4 connected to the Internet N. The position detector 36 receives the GPS signal and acquires position information and the current time of the wireless chargers 3a and 3b. The storage unit 33 stores the received ID, position information, and time information (current time information).

  The control unit 34 controls each unit of the wireless charger 3. The control unit 34 may be configured by hardware and a program. Examples of the hardware include general-purpose integrated circuits / chip sets such as microcomputers and programmable IC chips. The program corresponds to a program for causing the hardware to execute the processes of the units 31 to 33 and 35 to 37. Further, the control unit 34 may be configured only by hardware. In this case, a general-purpose charger is equipped with a dedicated microcomputer for performing the processing according to the present invention or a dedicated integrated circuit / chip set. That's fine.

  The information devices 2a and 2b in FIG. 1 have a power receiving function, and a functional block for the power receiving function is shown as a power receiving function unit 21 in FIG. The power reception function unit 21 includes an ID transmission unit 21a, a power reception unit 21b, and a power conversion unit 21c. The ID transmission unit 21a transmits the IDs of the information devices 2a and 2b to the wireless charger 3 by the RFID method. The power receiving unit 21 b is an electromagnetic induction method, and receives power transmitted from the power transmitting unit 32 of the wireless charger 3. The power conversion unit 21c converts the received power into power that can be used by the information devices 2a and 2b, and supplies the converted power to necessary portions.

  Next, an example of a flow when the wireless charger 3a starts power transmission to the information device 2a will be described with reference to FIG. The same applies when the wireless charger 3a starts transmitting power to the information device 2b, when the wireless charger 3b starts transmitting power to the information device 2a or 2b, and the like.

  When the information device 2a is set in the wireless charger 3a, the wireless charger 3a detects that the information device 2a is set by a mechanical switch provided (in the case of YES in step S1), and determines the ID of the information device 2a. Reading is performed by the ID reading unit 31 (step S2). The read ID is stored in the storage unit 33 (step S3). In addition, when starting charging, the wireless charger 3a detects position information in advance by the position detection unit 36 and stores it in the storage unit 33, or detects and stores it at this time, along with the ID obtained in step S3. The position information and time information indicating the current time are transmitted to the charging information server 4 via the network IF unit 37 (step S4). Thereafter, power is transmitted from the power transmission unit 32 of the wireless charger 3a to the information device 2a (step S5). Note that the process of step S5 may be executed at any stage as long as it is determined as YES in step S1, and may be executed before step S2, for example.

  Next, an example of the flow when the charging information server 4 receives information from the wireless charger 3a will be described with reference to FIG. The charging information server 4 receives the information transmitted in step S4 of FIG. 3, that is, the ID, position information, and time information of the information device 2a from the wireless charger 3a via the Internet N (step S11). Then, the charging information server 4 searches the database using the ID of the information device 2a as a search keyword (step S12). If there is no registration (NO in step S13), the ID, position information, and time information of the information device 2a. Is registered in the database (step S14). If registered (YES in step S13), the ID of the information device 2a, the position information of the set, and the time information are updated (step S15).

  Here, the concept of the database managed by the charging information server 4 will be described with reference to FIG. This database is stored in the storage unit 40 of the charging information server 4. The database is managed by setting (associated with) the position information 42 corresponding to the ID 41 of the information device 2a and the information device 2b as a search keyword and the time 43 as time information.

  Next, an example of the flow when the charging information server 4 receives the ID of the information device 2a from the PC 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Although the information device 2a will be described, when the ID of the information device 2b is received, the processing is similarly performed on the ID. First, when the location of the information device 2a is not known as described above, the user of the information device 2a makes an inquiry to the charging information server 4 via the Internet N using the PC 5. For this inquiry, it is necessary to input the ID of the information device that is no longer understood on the PC 5, and this ID is transmitted to the charging information server 4.

  When the charging information server 4 receives the ID of the information device 2a from the PC 5 via the Internet N (step S21), the charging information server 4 searches the ID of the information device 2a, the set position information, and the time information using the ID as a search keyword (step S21). Step S22). As a result of the search, if there is no such information (NO in step S23), the fact that the information does not exist is transmitted to PC 5 (step S24), and if there is such information (in the case of YES in step S23), these Is sent to the PC 5 (step S25). As long as the information device 2a is registered in the charging information server 4, the registered time and position can be known by such processing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the wireless chargers 3a and 3b have the function of communicating with the charging information server 4, and the information devices 2a and 2b are set to be charged by the wireless chargers 3a and 3b. As a result, the wireless chargers 3 a and 3 b can automatically acquire information about the information devices 2 a and 2 b, transmit the information to the charging information server 4, and store the information in the charging information server 4. And even if the information devices 2a and 2b are lost or the location is unknown, the registered time and location (location) can be confirmed from the PC 5.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the information device 2a, 2b is detected by the mechanical switch as to whether or not the information device 2a, 2b is set in the wireless charger 3a, 3b is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a method using the detection result may be used. For example, an optical sensor provided for other purposes may be used as the other detection unit without providing it exclusively.

  In this embodiment, the ID, position information, and time information of the information device 2a are transmitted to the charging information server 4. However, when the information device 2a is removed from the wireless charger 3a, information indicating that the information device 2a has been removed ( Or the information and the ID of the information device 2a) are preferably transmitted. The charging information server 4 that has received this information may delete the position information and the time information about the wireless charger 3a as the transmission source (or the information device 2a with the transmitted ID). At the same time as this erasure, the corresponding ID may be erased.

  Here, even if the ID of the information device 2a is not received when the information device 2a is removed, information indicating the wireless charger 3a of the transmission source (wireless charging) is included in the received information (that is, information transmitted from the wireless charger 3a). In this case, the position information corresponding to the wireless charger 3a can be searched for updating such as erasure in the database. On the other hand, when adding the ID of the information device 2a, for example, the ID may be acquired again when the radio wave is weaker than a predetermined intensity, or the ID acquired at the time of setting may be held.

  Although an example of deleting the position information and the time information has been given, the present invention is not limited to this. When the charging information server 4 receives the information indicating that it has been removed, at least the position information is based on the received information. What is necessary is just to perform the process to update. As this process, it is sufficient to perform a process of rewriting the position information so as to indicate that at least the information device 2a with the ID is not currently set in the wireless charger 3a as the transmission source. At this time, the information before the update may be left for a predetermined number of times as a history, and even when the information is removed, it is possible to know where it was in the nearest past. Here, invalid position information (for example, information on a fictitious latitude and longitude that does not exist) may be transmitted as information indicating that it has been removed.

  By such a database update process, the charging information server 4 can store the latest set state (that is, the latest location) of the information devices 2a and 2b, and the user can know the latest set state. In this case, it may be determined whether there is valid position information (as the latest information) in the database instead of the branch condition in step S23 of FIG. When the corresponding ID is also deleted, this determination may be performed in addition to the branch condition in step S23. It is different when deleting the corresponding ID, but by updating the database when the corresponding ID is removed, whether the information device 2a is being charged and is present at the installation position of the wireless charger 3a right now, It is possible to manage whether it is the installation position of the wireless charger 3a that has finally been identified.

  When the information device 2a is removed from the wireless charger 3a, the method of transmitting information indicating that the information device 2a has been removed has been described. However, even if this method is not employed, registration is performed as described in FIG. You only need to update it. That is, when new position information and time information relating to an ID stored in the database are received, the database only needs to be updated with the new position information and time information.

  In any method, since the ID is associated with the latest position information and time information for each information device, a plurality of information devices (for example, information devices 2a and 2b) are used with one wireless charger (for example, wireless charger 3a). It is possible to cope with a case where a plurality of information devices are simultaneously charged in a configuration in which a plurality of charging ports are provided in one wireless charger.

  In this embodiment, the method of notifying the user of the presentation of location information (location information) by browsing the database of the charging information server 4 is employed. However, the charging information server 4 is registered in advance in association with the ID of the information device. The location information of the information device may be notified to the e-mail address or the like. More specifically, by adopting this notification for the position information and time information in step S25 of FIG. 6, the user can search for the information device 2a while holding the information in another mobile phone or the like. This notification may be executed every time the position information is changed, or may be notified in response to an inquiry from the PC 5.

  In the present embodiment, the PC 5 is used as a device for inquiring the information device 2a, 2b to the charging information server 4 via the Internet N. However, the present invention is not limited to the PC 5, and any device that can connect to the Internet N is used. Good.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the information device 2a is further removed from the wireless charger 3a or the charging of the information device 2a is completed (becomes fully charged), You may comprise so that the wireless charger 3a may transmit the information regarding charging result (henceforth charging information) via the internet. The charging information server 4 may be configured to manage each ID by storing the received charging information in association with the ID. In addition, although charging information gives an example of obtaining and managing charging information when charging is completed, charging information may be periodically transmitted, updated or sequentially accumulated and managed. The charging information at the time (or immediately before) when charging is finally ended may be managed at least.

  As the charging information, the wireless charger 3a may transmit information obtained by itself such as charging time and power consumption (power consumption) by charging, or instead, charging by the current charging from the information device 2a. The charging information such as the amount of increase and the charging rate for the entire capacity may be received together with the ID and transmitted, or the charging information received from the information device 2a may be transmitted together with the information obtained by itself. Also good.

  By managing the information related to the result of charging in this way, the user of the information device 2a can, for example, calculate the amount of charge within a predetermined period (for example, the charge amount per day) within the predetermined period of the information device 2a. You can know the amount of power consumption and promote energy saving. The power consumption amount or the like may be configured so that the user can browse from the PC 5, or the charging information server 4 may voluntarily transmit it to the PC 5 or the information device 2a by e-mail or the like. As for information devices managed by a company or the like, the administrator of the devices such as the information devices 2a and 2b accesses the charging information server 4 from the PC, so that the administrator uses each user's usage frequency and power consumption. The amount can be managed. Even in this case, the charging information server 4 may periodically transmit the charging information to the administrator by e-mail or the like.

  When power supply is prohibited, the association between the ID and the position information triggered by the removal of the information device 2a may not be updated. However, by performing the update, only the set date of the information device 2a is obtained. The removal date can also be managed. Therefore, for example, even when the original user of the information device is lost or stolen, it is useful because the location of the information device can be traced until it is removed. Further, in the form of storing information related to the result of charging, when power supply is prohibited, it is not necessary to store the information, or information indicating that power supply is prohibited may be stored.

  In the present embodiment, the time information is acquired by the wireless charger 3a and transmitted to the charging information server 4. However, when the charging information server 4 receives the ID and position information of the information device 2a. The time information may be read out and registered in the database.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless chargers 3a and 3b acquire the location information. However, the information devices 2a and 2b may acquire the location information. Such a configuration example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example different from the configuration example of FIG.

  The difference between the configuration example of FIG. 7 and the configuration example of FIG. 2 is that the position detection unit 21d is in the power receiving function unit 21 of the information devices 2a and 2b, and ID that can transmit location information instead of the ID transmission unit 21a of FIG. And a position transmission unit 21e, and the position detection unit 21d is connected to the ID and position transmission unit 21e. That is, in this configuration example, the position detector 21d is provided in the information devices 2a and 2b, and the position information is transmitted to the wireless chargers 3a and 3b together with the IDs of the information devices 2a and 2b. Further, by providing an ID that can also read position information and the position reading unit 38 instead of the ID reading unit 31 of FIG. 2, information similar to the configuration example of FIG. 2 can be stored in the charging information server 4.

  As described above, the information devices 2a and 2b according to the present embodiment may include an acquisition unit that acquires the position information of the own device from the GPS satellite, that is, a GPS reception unit. When the information device 2a is set for charging the battery mounted on the information device 2a by the wireless charger 3a, the wireless charger 3a obtains the ID and position information about the information device 2a from the information device 2a. Received by wireless communication, the ID and the location information of the information device 2 a are transmitted to the charging information server 4. The charging information server 4 may store the ID, the position information (position information about the information device 2a) and the time information received from the wireless charger 3a in association with each other. Also in this case, the time information may be acquired by the wireless charger 3a from the information device 2a, the time when the position information was received may be read by the wireless charger 3a itself, or the position information was received. The charging time may be read by the charging information server 4 itself. Similarly, in the presentation of the position information and the like, the charging information server 4 responds to the inquiry specifying the ID, as the location information of the information device 2a corresponding to the ID, the position information associated with the ID (that is, the ID (Position information about the information device 2a corresponding to) may be presented.

[Example 2]
FIG. 1 is also a diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and details of the system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The system according to the second embodiment is the same as the system according to the first embodiment, except that an authentication function is added to the charging information server 4 and a remote operation function for charging control (setting of charging permission / prohibition) of the information devices 2a and 2b is added. It is. The authentication function added here is a function for performing a user authentication process for authenticating a user who uses the information devices 2a and 2b. When the PC 5 inquires the charging information server 4 about the positions of the information devices 2a and 2b, Authentication is required when remotely controlling charging control (charging permission / prohibition setting). However, the charging information server 4 may be configured such that a user authentication process is required for any request for access from the PC 5.

  The outline of the charging control will be described first by taking the wireless charger 3a in which the information device 2a is set as an example. When the charging information server 4 receives the ID of the information device 2a from the wireless charger 3a, the charging information server 4 determines whether to transmit an instruction to prohibit the power supply to the information device 2a to the wireless charger 3a according to the ID. To do. When the wireless charger 3a receives an instruction to prohibit, the wireless charger 3a prohibits power supply to the set information device 2a. For this reason, the wireless chargers 3a and 3b have a switch for switching between the case where power feeding is performed and the case where power is stopped according to an instruction from the charging information server 4.

  Here, when an instruction for prohibiting power supply is not transmitted, there are a case where an instruction for prohibiting power supply is not transmitted and a case where an instruction for permission is transmitted. In the latter case, every time an ID is received, an instruction corresponding to the ID is sent back to the wireless charger 3a, so there is no problem. In the former case, even if power supply to the information device 2a is prohibited by the wireless charger 3a, the same processing may be performed when the information device is set again. Accordingly, when the new information device 2b is set, the power supply is not prohibited from being set, and even when the new information device is the information device 2a, the instruction for prohibiting is received again, so that there is no problem. .

  Then, the charging information server 4 performs user authentication processing for access from the PC 5, and if successful, permits power supply to the information device (in this example, the information device 2a) owned by the user. Or prohibition setting is permitted to be changed from the PC 5.

  As a result, the user can set charging permission / prohibition for the information device by remote control. In particular, even in the prior art, if the information device is a device (for example, a mobile phone) that has a separate communication unit for performing communication other than communication with the wireless charger, the ID can be changed by using the communication unit. Can be communicated to other devices, or the use of information devices can be restricted by remote control in the case of loss / disappearance, etc., but such processing cannot be performed with information devices that do not have such a communication unit . On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even if the information devices 2a and 2b are devices having such a communication unit, the information is transmitted to the charging information server 4 or lost / unknown. However, by setting whether to allow or prohibit charging with the charger by remote control, the information devices 2a and 2b, which are to-be-charged devices, may become unusable as soon as the batteries of the information devices 2a and 2b are exhausted. it can.

Next, details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, a configuration example of the power receiving function unit 21 of the wireless chargers 3a and 3b and the information devices 2a and 2b will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration example of FIG. 8 is a configuration in which a display unit 39 is added to the configuration example of FIG. The added display unit 39 has a function of notifying the user of the power transmission state under the control of the control unit 34.

  Next, an example of a flow when the wireless charger 3a starts transmitting power to the information device 2a will be described with reference to FIG. The same applies to the case where the wireless charger 3a starts transmitting power to the information device 2b, the case where the wireless charger 3b starts transmitting power to the information device 2a or 2b, and the like as described in the processing of FIG.

  When the information device 2a is set in the wireless charger 3a, the wireless charger 3a detects that the information device 2a has been set by a detection unit such as a mechanical switch or an optical sensor provided (in the case of YES in step S31). The ID of the information device 2a is read by the ID reading unit 31 (step S32). The read ID is stored in the storage unit 33 (step S33). In addition, when starting charging, the wireless charger 3a detects the position information in advance by the position detection unit 36 and stores it in the storage unit 33, or detects and stores it at this time, along with the ID obtained in step S33. The position information and time information indicating the current time are transmitted to the charging information server 4 via the network IF unit 37 (step S34). The processes of steps S34 to S38 may be performed when charging is necessary and may not be performed when unnecessary. Whether or not charging is necessary may be detected by detecting the remaining amount of the battery. Note that whether or not charging is necessary may be determined after actually starting charging (that is, after step S38).

  When the wireless charger 3a receives information prohibiting power transmission from the charging information server 4 (NO in step S35), the wireless charger 3a displays "power transmission prohibited" on the display unit 39 to notify the user (step S36). On the other hand, if the wireless charger 3a receives information permitting power transmission from the charging information server 4 (in the case of YES in step S35), the wireless charging device 3a displays "power transmission" on the display unit 39 to notify the user (step S37). Then, power is sent from the power transmission unit 32 to the information device 2a (step S38).

  Here, the concept of the database managed by the charging information server 4 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 in relation to the information for prohibiting / permitting power transmission in step S35. This database is stored in the storage unit 40 of the charging information server 4. This database uses the ID 41 of the information device 2a or the information device 2b as a search keyword, the corresponding position information 42, the time 43 as time information, the authentication code 44 for access, and the information for prohibiting / permitting power transmission. The power transmission prohibition flag 45, which is an example, is set (associated) and managed.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the IDs of the information devices 2a and 2b are registered in advance in the database, and invalid values are set for the position information and the time information in the first stage. The authentication code 44 is set in advance and is distributed to the user along with the information devices 2a and 2b. The initial value of the power transmission prohibition flag is set to off.

  Next, an example of the flow when the charging information server 4 receives information from the wireless charger 3a will be described with reference to FIG. First, the charging information server 4 receives the information transmitted in step S34 of FIG. 9, that is, the ID, position information, and time information of the information device 2a from the wireless charger 3a via the Internet N (step S41). Then, the charging information server 4 searches the database using the ID of the information device 2a as a search keyword (step S42), and updates the ID of the information device 2a, the position information of the set, and the time information (step S43). The flow up to this point is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 4 except that an invalid value is set as described above.

  Next, the charging information server 4 refers to the power transmission prohibition flag associated with the ID (step S44), and as a result, determines whether or not the power transmission prohibition flag is on (step S45). If the power transmission prohibition flag is off (in the case of NO in step S45), the charging information server 4 transmits information permitting power transmission to the wireless charger 3a (step S46), and if the power transmission prohibition flag is on ( In the case of YES in step S45), an instruction to prohibit power transmission is transmitted to the wireless charger 3a (step S47).

  On the other hand, when the charging information server 4 receives an inquiry about the location specifying the ID from the PC 5, in response to the inquiry request, the charging information server 4 uses the ID as the location information of the information device 2a corresponding to the ID. The associated position information (position information about the wireless charger 3a in this example) is presented to the PC 5. The inquiry can be made when the user authentication process is successful in response to an access request from the PC 5, or the user authentication process is performed at the time of the inquiry.

  Such processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a flow when the charging information server 4 receives a location location search command from the PC 5. This processing in this embodiment corresponds to an example in which the charging information server 4 is provided with a user authentication function for access from the PC 5 in the processing of FIG.

  First, the charging information server 4 receives the ID and authentication code of the information device 2a from the PC 5 via the Internet N (step S51). The authentication code is used together with the ID for user authentication processing. When receiving these, the charging information server 4 searches the set authentication code, position information, and time information using the ID of the information device 2a as a search keyword (step S52).

  If the ID is not found as a result of the search (NO in step S53), the fact that no information is present is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S54). On the other hand, if the ID is found as a result of the search (YES in step S53), the authentication code is first compared with the received authentication code (step S55). If the comparison results are the same (YES in step S55), the validity of the position information and time information is confirmed (step S56), and if valid (YES in step S56), the position information and time information. Is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S57). If it is invalid (NO in step S56), the fact that no information exists is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S54). If the comparison results in a difference, that is, if authentication fails (NO in step S55), a message to that effect is sent to PC 5 (step S58). As described above, as long as the user authentication process is successful and the information device 2a is registered in the charging information server 4, the user can know the latest position and time.

  In the present embodiment, the user can also check and change the power transmission prohibition flag from the PC 5. An example of checking and changing the power transmission prohibition flag for the information device 2a will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, an example of a flow when the charging information server 4 receives a power transmission prohibition flag inquiry command from the PC 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The charging information server 4 receives the ID and authentication code of the information device 2a from the PC 5 via the Internet N (step S61). When receiving these, the charging information server 4 searches the authentication code and the power transmission prohibition flag using the ID of the information device 2a as a search keyword (step S62).

  If the ID is not found as a result of the search (NO in step S63), the fact that no information exists is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S64). On the other hand, if the ID is found as a result of the search (YES in step S63), the authentication code is first compared with the received authentication code (step S65). If the result of comparison is the same (YES in step S65), information on the power transmission prohibition flag (information on on or off) is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S66). If the comparison results in a difference, that is, if the authentication fails (NO in step S65), the fact that the authentication has failed is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S67). As described above, as long as the user authentication process is successful and the information device 2a is registered in the charging information server 4, the user can check the information of the power transmission prohibition flag.

  Next, an example of a flow when the charging information server 4 receives a power transmission prohibition flag on command from the PC 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The charging information server 4 receives the ID and authentication code of the information device 2a from the PC 5 via the Internet N (step S71). When receiving these, the charging information server 4 searches the authentication code and the power transmission prohibition flag using the ID of the information device 2a as a search keyword (step S72).

  If the ID is not found as a result of the search (NO in step S73), the fact that no information exists is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S74). On the other hand, if the ID is found as a result of the search (YES in step S73), the authentication code is first compared with the received authentication code (step S75). If the comparison results are the same (YES in step S75), the power transmission prohibition flag in the database is changed to ON (step S76), and the information on the changed power transmission prohibition flag is transmitted to PC 5 (step S77). If it was originally on, that state should be maintained. If they are different as a result of the comparison, that is, if the authentication fails (NO in step S75), the fact that the authentication has failed is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S78). As described above, as long as the user authentication process is successful and the information device 2a is registered in the charging information server 4, the user can change the information of the power transmission prohibition flag from off to on.

  Next, an example of a flow when the charging information server 4 receives a power transmission prohibition flag off command from the PC 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The charging information server 4 receives the ID and authentication code of the information device 2a from the PC 5 via the Internet N (step S81). When receiving these, the charging information server 4 searches the authentication code and the power transmission prohibition flag using the ID of the information device 2a as a search keyword (step S82).

  If the ID is not found as a result of the search (NO in step S83), the fact that no information exists is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S84). On the other hand, if the ID is found as a result of the search (YES in step S83), the authentication code is first compared with the received authentication code (step S85). If the comparison result is the same (YES in step S85), the power transmission prohibition flag in the database is changed to off (step S86), and the information on the changed power transmission prohibition flag is transmitted to PC 5 (step S87). If it was originally off, it should be kept. If the comparison results in a difference, that is, if the authentication fails (NO in step S85), the fact that the authentication has failed is transmitted to the PC 5 (step S88). As described above, as long as the user authentication process is successful and the information device 2a is registered in the charging information server 4, the user can change the information of the power transmission prohibition flag from off to on.

  As described above, in this embodiment, if the information devices 2a and 2b are registered in the charging information server 4 as in the first embodiment, even if the information devices 2a and 2b are lost or missing, Not only can the registered time and location (location) be known, but also the charging operation can be permitted / prohibited remotely. Moreover, security can be improved by requiring user authentication processing for these operations.

  In the present embodiment, the ID, position information, and time information of the information device 2a are transmitted to the charging information server 4, but when the information device 2a is removed from the wireless charger 3a as in the preferred example of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the information indicating that it has been removed (or the information and the ID of the information device 2a) may be transmitted, and a similar database update process may be performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, a method of returning various information to the PC 5 and presenting it in response to a request from the PC 5 is adopted. However, the information is an e-mail address registered in advance by the charging information server 4 in association with the ID of the information device. Etc. may be notified. In particular, by adopting this notification for the position information and time information in step S57 of FIG. 12, the user can search for the information device 2a while holding the information in another mobile phone or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the PC 5 is used as a device for inquiring the information device 2a, 2b to the charging information server 4 via the Internet N. However, the present invention is not limited to the PC 5, and any device that can connect to the Internet N is used. Good.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the application example described in the first embodiment, when charging of the information device 2a is completed, the wireless charger 3a transmits charging information via the Internet, and the charging information server 4 charges the charging information. You may comprise so that it may manage.

  In this embodiment, the time information is acquired by the wireless charger 3a and transmitted to the charging information server 4. However, as in the application example described in the first embodiment, the charging information server 4 The time information when the device 2a ID and position information are received may be read out and registered in the database.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless chargers 3a and 3b acquire the location information. However, the information devices 2a and 2b may acquire the location information. That is, also in the present embodiment, as described in the first embodiment with the difference from the configuration example of FIG. 7, the position detection unit is provided on the power reception function unit 21 side in the configuration example of FIG. A configuration in which the charging information server 4 finally stores the ID received from the wireless charger 3a and the positional information (the positional information about the information device 2a) in association with each other may be employed. Also in this case, the time information may be acquired by the wireless charger 3a from the information device 2a, the time when the position information was received may be read by the wireless charger 3a itself, or the position information was received. The charging time may be read by the charging information server 4 itself. Similarly, in the presentation of the position information and the like, the charging information server 4 responds to the inquiry specifying the ID, as the location information of the information device 2a corresponding to the ID, the position information associated with the ID (that is, the ID (Position information about the information device 2a corresponding to) may be presented. In addition, the confirmation and change of the power transmission prohibition flag may be similarly performed according to the confirmation or change request in which the charging information server 4 designates the ID.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the wireless charger 3a inquires the power transmission prohibition flag when the information device 2a is set and starts charging in FIG. 9 is provided, but the timer is provided and the information device 2a is set from the state where the information device 2a is set. For example, a method may be employed in which the wireless charger 3a inquires the charging information server 4 about the power transmission prohibition flag every minute.

  Further, in this embodiment, the display unit 39 for notifying the user of the power transmission state is provided in the wireless chargers 3a and 3b. However, a method of notifying the power transmission state using the display unit provided in the information devices 2a and 2b may be adopted. I do not care.

  In this embodiment, the power supply prohibition has been described on the premise of the user authentication process and the setting change from the PC 5, but it goes without saying that the setting change can be made from the PC 5 without the user authentication process. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure power supply prohibition or permission setting without performing user authentication processing and accepting no setting change from the PC 5.

  To that end, when the charging information server 4 receives the ID of the information device 2a from the wireless charger 3a, according to the ID (that is, according to the information of the power transmission prohibition flag registered in the database for the ID). Then, it may be determined whether or not to transmit an instruction to prohibit power supply to the information device 2a to the wireless charger 3a. Then, the wireless charger 3a only has to prohibit power supply to the information device 2a that is set when the instruction to prohibit is received. For example, the administrator may rewrite the charging permission / prohibition setting for the information device 2a and the information device 2b in the database. By changing the setting associated with this rewriting, the remote control can be performed by the administrator instead of being performed from the PC 5 by the user of the information device.

[Example 3]
The system described in the third embodiment is a system configuration example in a case where the information devices 2a and 2b have a communication function via the Internet N. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system according to the third embodiment.

  The wireless chargers 3a and 3b are connected to the Internet N, and the information devices 2a and 2b are connected to the Internet N via APs (Access Points) 6a and 6b, respectively. The information devices 2a and 2b and the wireless chargers 3a and 3b are in a state where they can communicate with the charging information server 4 that is also connected to the Internet N. Also, the information devices 2a and 2b can acquire their positions by receiving GPS signals from the GPS satellites 1a, 1b, and 1c. The PC 5 is connected to the Internet N and can communicate with the charging information server 4 that is also connected to the Internet N.

  In this embodiment, when the information device 2a is set for charging the battery, instead of the wireless charger 3a transmitting the position information of the wireless charger 3a or the position information of the information device 2a to the charging information server 4, The information device 2a transmits the location information of the information device 2a to the charging information server 4 via the AP 6a and the Internet N. The wireless charger 3a receives the ID of the set information device 2a by wireless communication from the information device 2a and transmits it to the charging information server 4 via the Internet N. Then, the charging information server 4 stores the ID received from the wireless charger 3a and the location information about the information device 2a in association with each other. Thus, in the present embodiment, the location information acquired by the information device 2a itself is directly transmitted to the charging information server 4 and used as the location of the information device 2a.

  In the present embodiment, only the case where the information device 2a, 2b has a communication function via the Internet N is applied to the process as in the second embodiment, and is applied to the process as in the first embodiment. The case is not explained, but it goes without saying that it is applicable. That is, even in the configuration utilizing the communication function of the information devices 2a and 2b, as in the first embodiment, for a plurality of information devices having a non-contact charging function, their IDs are managed on the network, and those It becomes possible to specify the location of

  In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, an example is described in which user authentication processing is required when the charge information server 4 is inquired about the position of the information device 2a and when the charge control is remotely operated. In the second embodiment, the ID, position information, and time information of the information device 2a are transmitted from the wireless charger 3a to the charging information server 4. However, in the present embodiment, such information is transmitted from the information device 2a. However, the ID of the information device 2a is also transmitted from the wireless charger 3a in which the information device 2a is set in order to determine whether power supply is possible.

  Next, a configuration example of the wireless chargers 3a and 3b and the information devices 2a and 2b will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 17, the information devices 2 a and 2 b in FIG. 16 are shown as the information device 2, and the wireless chargers 3 a and 3 b in FIG. 16 are shown as the wireless charger 3.

  The wireless charger 3 includes an ID reading unit 31, a power transmission unit 32, a storage unit 33, a control unit 34, a power conversion unit 35, a network IF unit 37, and a display unit 39. On the other hand, the information device 2 includes an ID transmission unit 21a, a power reception unit 21b, a power conversion unit 21c, a position detection unit 21d, a control unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The ID transmission unit 21a, the power reception unit 21b, the power conversion unit 21c, and the position detection unit 21d function as the power reception function unit 21. Since parts similar to those shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8 in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted except for different parts.

  The ID transmission unit 21a transmits the ID of the information device 2 to the wireless charger 3 by wireless communication such as an RFID method, but detects that the information device 2 is set in the wireless charger 3 by transmitting the ID. Therefore, it can also serve as a set detection unit.

  The communication unit 23 communicates with the APs 6a and 6b by, for example, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11g system based on a wireless local area network (LAN) standard, and is connected to the Internet N via the APs 6a and 6b. It communicates with the information server 4. The control unit 22 has a function of controlling them.

  When the wireless charger 3 detects that the information device 2 is set in the wireless charger 3, the ID reading unit 31 reads the ID of the information device 2, but the ID transmission unit 21a of the information device 2 transmits the ID. As a result, it is detected that the information device 2 is set in the wireless charger 3. When the information device 2 detects that it is set in the wireless charger 3, the ID is detected by the position detection unit 21 d in advance and stored in a storage unit (not shown) together with the current time information and the AP via the communication unit 23. And it transmits to the charging information server 4 via the Internet N.

  Next, an example of a flow when the wireless charger 3a starts power transmission to the information device 2a will be described with reference to FIG. The same applies when the wireless charger 3a starts transmitting power to the information device 2b, when the wireless charger 3b starts transmitting power to the information device 2a or 2b, and the like.

  When the information device 2a is set in the wireless charger 3a, the wireless charger 3a detects that the information device 2a has been set by a detection unit such as a mechanical switch or an optical sensor provided (in the case of YES in step S91). Then, the ID of the information device 2a is read by the ID reading unit 31 (step S92). The read ID is stored in the storage unit 33 (step S93). When starting charging, the ID of the information device 2a is transmitted to the charging information server 4 via the network IF unit 37 (step S94). The processes in steps S94 to S98 may be performed when charging is necessary and may not be performed when unnecessary. Whether or not charging is necessary may be detected by detecting the remaining amount of the battery. Note that whether or not charging is necessary may be determined after actually starting charging (that is, after step S98).

  When the wireless charger 3a receives information prohibiting power transmission from the charging information server 4 (NO in step S95), the wireless charger 3a displays "power transmission prohibited" on the display unit 39 to notify the user (step S96). On the other hand, if the wireless charger 3a receives information permitting power transmission from the charging information server 4 (in the case of YES at step S95), the wireless charger 3a displays "power transmission" on the display unit 39 to notify the user (step S97). Then, power is sent from the power transmission unit 32 to the information device 2a (step S98).

  In addition, the application example regarding the method of inquiring the power transmission prohibition flag and the method of notifying the power transmission state described in the second embodiment, that is, the example of providing a timer and the example of notifying the power transmission state on the display unit provided in the information devices 2a and 2b are as follows: The same applies to this embodiment.

  Next, an example of the flow when the charging information server 4 receives information from the information device 2a will be described with reference to FIG. First, the charging information server 4 receives the ID, position information, and time information of the information device 2a from the information device 2a via the Internet N (step S101). Transmission of such information from the information device 2a is as described above. Next, the charging information server 4 searches the database using the ID of the information device 2a as a search keyword (step S102), and updates the ID, the set position information, and the time information of the information device 2a (step S103).

  Also in this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 12 in the second embodiment, the location is confirmed by accessing the charging information server 4 of the information device 2a from the PC 5. It should be noted that application examples relating to the location confirmation request from the PC 5, for example, notification to an e-mail address, etc., and application examples to devices that can be connected to the Internet N other than the PC 5 can also be applied to this embodiment.

  Next, an example of the flow when the charging information server 4 receives information from the wireless charger 3a will be described with reference to FIG. First, the charging information server 4 receives the ID of the information device 2a from the wireless charger 3a via the Internet N (step S111). Then, the charging information server 4 searches the database using the ID of the information device 2a as a search keyword (step S112). Next, the charging information server 4 refers to the power transmission prohibition flag (step S113). As a result, it is determined whether or not the power transmission prohibition flag is on (step S114). If the power transmission prohibition flag is off (NO in step S114), an instruction to permit power transmission to the wireless charger 3a is issued. If it is on (YES in step S114), an instruction to prohibit power transmission is transmitted to the wireless charger 3a (step S116).

  Also in the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15 in the second embodiment, the charging information server 4 can check and change the information on the power transmission prohibition flag from the PC 5 in the same manner. In the present embodiment, the application example of the second embodiment can be applied to these confirmations and changes. That is, even in this embodiment, the setting change can be made from the PC 5 without the user authentication process, and the prohibition of power supply or the permission setting is performed without performing the user authentication process and accepting the setting change from the PC 5. It can also be configured as follows.

  As described above, in this embodiment, if the information devices 2a and 2b are registered in the charging information server 4 as in the second embodiment, even if the information devices 2a and 2b are lost or missing, The registered time and location (location) can be known, and the charging operation can be permitted / prohibited remotely. Moreover, security can be improved by comprising so that a user authentication process may be required for these operations.

  In the present embodiment, the ID, position information, and time information of the information device 2a are transmitted to the charging information server 4, but when the information device 2a is removed from the wireless charger 3a as in the preferred example of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the information indicating that it has been removed (or the information and the ID of the information device 2a) may be transmitted, and a similar database update process may be performed. In the present embodiment, the information device 2a can transmit information indicating that it has been removed to the charging information server 4 via the AP 6a and the Internet N.

  Also in this embodiment, similarly to the application example described in the first embodiment, when the information device 2a is removed or the charging is completed, the wireless charger 3a transmits the charging information via the Internet, and the charging information server 4 You may enable it to manage charge information.

  Instead, in this embodiment, the charging information can be transmitted from the information device 2a to the charging information server 4 via the AP 6a and the Internet N. As the charging information, the information device 2a may transmit charging information obtained by itself such as an increase in charging amount due to the current charging and a charging rate with respect to the total capacity together with the ID, or instead, the wireless charger 3a. Charging information such as charging time and power consumption (power consumption) due to charging may be received and transmitted together with the ID, or the charging information received from the wireless charger 3a may be transmitted together with information obtained by itself. May be. If the information device 2a has the communication unit 23 as in the present embodiment, the information device 2a transmits the charging information to the charging information server 4 even in the first and second embodiments and the fourth embodiment described later. Can be configured to.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the information device 2a obtains the time information and transmits it to the charging information server 4 has been described. However, as in the application example described in the first embodiment, the charging information server 4 includes the information device 2a. The time information when the ID and the position information are received may be registered in the database.

  In the present embodiment, the position information acquired by the information device 2a itself is directly transmitted to the charging information server 4 and used as the location of the information device 2a. However, the wireless charger 3a uses its own position. The information may be acquired and wirelessly transmitted to the information device 2a, and the information device 2a may transmit the position information to the charging information server 4. The wireless transmission enables information transmission from the information device 2a to the wireless charger 3a. Such wireless communication is already separate from, for example, the ID transmission unit 21a and the ID reading unit 31 in FIG. This can be realized by providing a pair of RFID-type transmission / reception units, that is, by providing the information device 2 with an ID reading unit and the wireless charger 3 with an ID transmission unit for communication.

  That is, also in the present embodiment, as in the configuration examples of FIGS. 2 and 8, the position detector is provided on the wireless chargers 3a and 3b side, and the ID finally received by the charging information server 4 from the information device 2a You may employ | adopt the structure which links | relates and stores position information (in this case position information about the wireless charger 3a). In this case as well, the time information may be read by the information device 2a itself and transmitted to the charging information server 4 when the position information is received, but the time when the position information is received by the charging information server 4 itself. You may read. The time information may be acquired by the information device 2a from the wireless charger 3a together with the position information through the wireless communication and transmitted to the charging information server 4. Similarly, in the presentation of the position information and the like, the charging information server 4 responds to the inquiry specifying the ID, as the location information of the information device 2a corresponding to the ID, the position information associated with the ID (that is, the ID The position information about the wireless charger 3a in which the information device 2a corresponding to the information device 2a is set may be presented. In addition, the confirmation and change of the power transmission prohibition flag may be similarly performed according to the confirmation or change request in which the charging information server 4 designates the ID.

[Example 4]
The system of the fourth embodiment restricts the use to information devices in addition to the system of the second embodiment or instead of the system of the second embodiment. This restriction on use is different from the case where the battery of the information device, which is the device to be charged indirectly, is lost as described above, and the use is restricted by a direct instruction. The following description is applicable not only to the system of the second embodiment but also to the systems of the first and third embodiments. Further, in the system of the fourth embodiment, other configurations and application examples are basically the same as those of the first to third embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

  This method of restricting use will be described. When the wireless charger 3a receives the prohibition instruction (that is, the instruction to prohibit power supply), the wireless charger 3a performs control for restricting the use of the set information apparatus 2a to the information apparatus 2a. Of course, the information apparatus 2a has a configuration that can be used in accordance with this control. The restriction may be restriction of all functions or restriction of a part of functions, and in any case, the use of the function can be locked by remote operation.

  Further, instead of performing the use restriction control by the power supply prohibition instruction, a configuration may be employed in which the use restriction (lock) control is performed by the use restriction instruction separately from the power supply prohibition instruction. Therefore, when the charging information server 4 receives an ID from the wireless charger 3a, the charging information server 4 determines whether to transmit an instruction to restrict the use of the information device to the wireless charger 3a according to the ID. In the case of transmission, the instruction is transmitted. When the wireless charger 3a receives the restriction instruction, the wireless charger 3a controls the information device 2a to restrict use of the set information device 2a.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the user can change the setting of the use restriction control from the charging information server 4. Therefore, assuming that the charging information server 4 can perform user authentication processing, the charging information server 4 uses the information device 2a of the user when the user authentication processing is successful for access from the PC 5. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may permit changing the setting of whether to restrict | limit from PC5.

  Regardless of which use restriction method is employed, use restriction of an information device that does not have a function of connecting to a network such as the Internet N such as a digital camera can be restricted by remote operation via a charging information server. In addition, by restricting the use via a charger such as a wireless charger, information devices that do not have a network connection function and information devices that have such a function such as a mobile phone can be handled in a unified manner. become.

[About Example 1-4]
As described in Example 1-4, the device information acquisition system according to the present invention can be configured by any of the following first to tenth technical means.

  The first technical means of the present invention is a device information acquisition system for acquiring device information about a plurality of electronic devices, a charger for charging a battery mounted on the electronic device in a contactless manner, and a plurality of devices A server connected to the charger via a network, and the charger or the electronic device has an acquisition unit that acquires position information of the own device from a GPS satellite, and the charger or the electronic device Transmits the position information of the charger or the electronic device to the server via the network when the electronic device is set in the charger for charging the battery, and the charger Receives the device information of the electronic device from the electronic device by wireless communication and transmits the device information to the server via the network, and the server transmits the received device information and the charging information. It is obtained by and storing in association with positional information about the vessel or the electronic device.

  According to a second technical means of the present invention, in the first technical means, the charger or the electronic device is information indicating that the electronic device is removed when the electronic device is removed from the charger. Is transmitted to the server via the network, and the server updates the association between the device information and the position information about the charger or the electronic device based on the received information indicating the removal. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a third technical means of the present invention, in the first or second technical means, the charger or the electronic device is charged when the electronic device is removed from the charger or when charging is completed. Information on the result is transmitted to the server via the network, and the server stores the received information on the charged result in association with the device information.

  According to a fourth technical means of the present invention, in any one of the first to third technical means, when the server receives the device information from the charger, the charger determines the charger according to the device information. Determining whether or not to transmit an instruction to prohibit power supply to the electronic device, and when the charger receives the instruction to prohibit, the charger prohibits power supply to the set electronic device. It is a feature.

  According to a fifth technical means of the present invention, in any one of the first to third technical means, the server uses the electronic device for access from a client terminal connected to the network. It is characterized by performing a user authentication process for authenticating.

  According to a sixth technical means of the present invention, in the fifth technical means, when the server receives the device information from the charger, the server supplies power to the electronic device according to the device information. Determining whether to transmit an instruction for prohibiting, and when the charger receives the prohibiting instruction, the charger prohibits power supply to the electronic device that has been set. When the user authentication process is successful for the access, it is permitted to change the setting of whether to permit or prohibit the power supply to the electronic device from the client terminal. is there.

  According to a seventh technical means of the present invention, in the fourth or sixth technical means, when the charger receives the prohibiting instruction, the charger restricts use of the set electronic device. It is characterized by being performed on an electronic device.

  According to an eighth technical means of the present invention, in any one of the first to third technical means, when the server receives the device information from the charger, the charger determines the charger according to the device information. To determine whether or not to transmit an instruction to restrict the use of the electronic device, and when the charger receives the instruction to restrict, the control to restrict the use of the set electronic device Is performed on the electronic device.

  According to a ninth technical means of the present invention, in the fifth technical means, when the server receives the device information from the charger, the server is connected to the charger according to the device information. It is determined whether or not an instruction to restrict use is transmitted, and when the charger receives the instruction to restrict, the charger controls the electronic device to restrict use of the set electronic device. And when the user authentication process is successful for access from the client terminal, the server permits the client terminal to change the setting as to whether or not to restrict use of the electronic device. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a tenth technical means of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth technical means, the server inquires about a location specifying the device information by access from a client terminal connected to the network. In response to the inquiry request, as the location information of the electronic device corresponding to the device information, position information about the charger or the electronic device associated with the device information is sent to the client terminal. It is characterized by presenting.

[Other forms of the present invention]
Although the device information acquisition system according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention can also adopt a form as a device information acquisition method for acquiring device information for a plurality of electronic devices in the above-described system. The method and application example are as described for the device information acquisition system, and the description thereof is omitted. Further, the present invention provides a form as a program for causing the computer in the charger to execute processing on the charger side in such a device information acquisition method, and a program for causing the server computer to execute processing on the server side. Forms can also be taken. As the computer in the charger, various types of computers such as a microcomputer and a programmable general-purpose integrated circuit / chip set as described above can be applied. A general-purpose computer can also be applied as the server computer. These programs can be distributed via a network such as the Internet, via a broadcast wave, and further via a portable recording medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b, 1c ... GPS satellite, 2, 2a, 2b ... Information equipment, 3, 3a, 3b ... Wireless charger, 4 ... Charging information server, 5 ... PC, 6a, 6b ... AP, 21 ... Power receiving function part, 21a ... ID transmitter, 21b ... power receiver, 21c ... power converter, 21d ... position detector, 21e ... ID and position transmitter, 22 ... information equipment controller, 23 ... communication unit, 31 ... ID reader, 32 ... Power transmission unit, 33 ... Storage unit, 34 ... Control unit, 35 ... Power conversion unit, 36 ... Position detection unit, 37 ... Network IF unit, 38 ... ID and position reading unit, 39 ... Display unit, 40 ... Charging information Server storage unit 41 ... ID, 42 ... position information, 43 ... time (time information), 44 ... authentication code, 45 ... power transmission prohibition flag, N ... Internet.

Claims (4)

A device information acquisition system for acquiring device information about a plurality of electronic devices,
A battery charger for charging a battery mounted on the electronic device in a contactless manner, and a server connected to the plurality of battery chargers via a network,
The charger or the electronic device has an acquisition unit that acquires position information of the own device from a GPS satellite,
When the electronic device is set in the charger for charging the battery, the charger or the electronic device transmits position information of the charger or the electronic device to the server via the network. And, the charger receives device information of the electronic device from the electronic device by wireless communication and transmits it to the server via the network,
The server stores the received device information and location information about the charger or the electronic device in association with each other, and stores the device information. When the electronic device is removed from the charger, the charger or the electronic device transmits information indicating that the electronic device has been removed to the server via the network,
The device according to claim 1, wherein the server updates an association between the device information and position information about the charger or the electronic device based on the received information indicating that the device has been removed. Information acquisition system. When the server receives the device information from the charger, the server determines whether to send an instruction to prohibit power supply to the electronic device to the charger according to the device information;
3. The device information acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein the charger prohibits power supply to the set electronic device when the prohibit instruction is received.   When the server receives an inquiry about a location specifying the device information by access from a client terminal connected to the network, the server locates the electronic device corresponding to the device information in response to the inquiry request. The apparatus information acquisition system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein as information, position information about the charger or the electronic apparatus associated with the apparatus information is presented to the client terminal. .

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