JP2016096421A - Beacon device, water filter, and device information notification system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a user easily of the proper time to replace consumable supplies such as filter cartridges.SOLUTION: A device information notification system is constructed comprising a beacon device 30 attached to a device 20 that uses consumable supplies and a receiver terminal 50 that receives a beacon signal B1. The beacon device 30 includes a storage that stores identification information, a use detection part that detects the use of consumable supplies by the device 20, and a transmitter that transmits a beacon signal including identification information upon detection of the use of the consumable supplies by the detection part. The receiver terminal 50 includes a receiver that receives a beacon signal and a notification part that provides information on the use of consumable supplies.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a beacon device that transmits a beacon signal, a water purification device that includes the beacon device, and a device information notification system that includes a beacon device and a receiving terminal that receives the beacon signal.

  Some products installed and used in houses and the like require replacement of consumables used in the product as needed. For example, in a water purifier installed in a water supply section of a house, it is necessary to replace the filter cartridge when the amount of purified water reaches a certain amount or when a certain period of time has elapsed since the previous replacement. In addition, it is necessary to replace the filter for devices such as an air cleaner, a ventilation fan, and a humidifier according to the usage time. These consumables that need to be replaced have a relatively long replacement period. For example, in the case of a water purifier, it is necessary to replace the filter cartridge every 6 months to 1 year in normal use. is there.

  In these devices, when the time for replacement of the filter or the like has arrived, for example, there is a device in which the user is notified of filter replacement by blinking of a pilot lamp provided in the device body.

  Further, a technology has been proposed in which a company that sells filter cartridges for water purifiers notifies the user by e-mail or the like when the replacement time of the filter cartridge is estimated based on user registration information (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2002-109304 A

  As described in Patent Document 1, when the exchange is notified by e-mail from the sales company at regular intervals, there is a problem that it can be handled only when the exchange period is a constant period. That is, when it is desired to replace the filter cartridge of the water purifier according to the amount of purified water, it is not possible to cope with it sufficiently.

  In addition, products such as water purifiers are often installed in places that are not visible to the user, such as in a sink. Therefore, even if the pilot lamp of the water purifier blinks, the pilot lamp may not be in contact with the user unless it is opened in the sink, and may not be properly notified to the user. Moreover, if the notification is continued until the filter is replaced, the battery mounted on the water purifier becomes exhausted.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a beacon device, a water purifier, and a device information notification system that can appropriately notify a user of a consumable item such as a filter cartridge attached to a water purifier with a simple configuration while suppressing battery consumption. Is to propose.

  The beacon device of the present invention is a beacon device attached to a device that uses consumables, and includes a storage unit that stores identification information, a use detection unit that detects use of the consumables, and a consumable product by the use detection unit. A transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including identification information when used.

  The water purifier of the present invention includes a replaceable filter, a detection unit that detects a flow of water passing through the filter and outputs a detection signal, and a beacon device that has identification information and is supplied with the detection signal. The beacon device transmits a beacon signal including identification information, triggered by the supply of the detection signal from the detection unit.

The device information notification system of the present invention is a device information notification system that is attached to a device that uses a consumable and has a beacon device that transmits a beacon signal and a receiving terminal that receives the beacon signal.
The beacon device includes a storage unit that stores identification information, a usage detection unit that detects the use of the device by the user, and a transmission that transmits the beacon signal including the identification information when the detection unit detects the use of the consumable by the user. A part.
The receiving terminal includes a receiving unit that receives a beacon signal, and a notification unit that notifies information related to the use of consumables when a beacon signal including identification information is received.

  According to the present invention, since the beacon device transmits a beacon signal including identification information when the consumable is used, the receiving terminal that has received the beacon signal can replace the consumable according to the use of the device. Accurate notification to the user can be performed.

1 is an overall view showing a system configuration example according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the water purifier by the 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the water flow detection part of the water purifier by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process example (Example 1) by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a timing diagram which shows the example of the transmission timing of the beacon signal by the 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display screen by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process example (example 2) by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure by the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by the 2nd Example of this invention.

<1. First Embodiment>
The device information notification system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[1-1. Example of overall system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a device information notification system according to the first embodiment.
The first embodiment is an example in which the user is notified of the replacement time of the filter cartridge of the water purifier, which is an example of the consumables provided in the equipment installed in the house.

As shown in FIG. 1, a faucet 11 is installed in a sink 10 in the house, and a water supply pipe 12 is connected to the faucet 11. A water purifier 20 is installed in the middle of the water supply pipe 12 inside the sink 10. In this water purifier 20, filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 are installed in a replaceable manner as will be described later. The water discharged from the faucet 11 becomes purified water by passing through the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 in the water purifier 20.
Each filter cartridge 21, 22, 23 has a fixed period of time (6 months here) after the previous replacement, when the amount of purified water after replacement exceeds a predetermined amount (2000 liters in this case). ) Is recommended to replace when it is reached, whichever comes first.

Beacon device 30 is attached to water purifier 20, and beacon device 30 transmits beacon signal B1 according to the use state of water purifier 20. FIG. A specific example in which the beacon device 30 transmits the beacon signal B1 will be described later.
And beacon signal B1 transmitted from beacon device 30 is received by receiving terminal 50 which user U possesses. When receiving the beacon signal B1, the receiving terminal 50 performs processing such as displaying a notification screen on the user U based on information included in the beacon signal B1. As the receiving terminal 50 possessed by the user U, for example, a portable terminal called a smartphone is used.

[1-2. Example of internal configuration of beacon device and receiving terminal]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the beacon device and the receiving terminal.
In the water purifier 20, while the water passes through the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 and the water purification process is being performed, the detection unit 24 (FIG. 3) outputs a detection signal indicating the use state. The use detection unit 31 of the beacon device 30 detects that the water purifier 20 is in use when this detection signal is supplied. When the use detector 31 detects that the water purifier 20 is in use, the use detector 31 supplies a signal indicating that the water purifier 20 is in use from the use detector 31 to the water amount measuring unit 32.

In the water amount measuring unit 32, processing for measuring the accumulated amount of purified water is performed from the time when a signal indicating that the water is being used is supplied (that is, the usage time of the water purifier). In addition, during use of the water purifier 20, the amount of purified water per fixed time is substantially constant, and the cumulative amount of water purified from the usage time of the water purifier 20 is obtained.
The measured value of the accumulated water amount obtained by the water amount measuring unit 32 is stored in the storage unit 35. The accumulated water amount measurement value stored in the storage unit 35 is updated each time a new accumulated water amount measurement value is measured by the water amount measurement unit 32. Then, the measured value of the accumulated water amount obtained by the water amount measurement unit 32 is supplied to the determination unit 33. In addition, a timer 34 is connected to the determination unit 33, and information on the elapsed time since the previous filter cartridge 21, 22, 23 was exchanged can be obtained from the timer 34.

  Then, the determination unit 33 determines that the accumulated value of the water amount has exceeded a preset threshold value, and the period after the previous replacement of the filter cartridges 21, 22, 23 exceeds the preset threshold value. If it is determined that the current amount of water has passed, the current accumulated water amount, the elapsed time since the replacement, and the filter replacement information are output to the transmission unit 36. When the cumulative amount of water does not exceed a preset threshold value, and when the period since the previous filter cartridge 21, 22, 23 has been replaced does not exceed a preset threshold value, the determination unit 33 Information on the current accumulated water amount and the elapsed time since the exchange is supplied to the transmission unit 36.

  When the use detection unit 31 detects that the water purifier 20 is in use, the transmission unit 36 transmits a beacon signal B1 triggered by the use of the water purifier 20. At this time, the identification information assigned to each beacon device 30 stored in the storage unit 35 is added to the beacon signal B1 by the transmission unit 36. Then, information such as the accumulated water amount and the period since the previous exchange is added to the beacon signal B1. When the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 need to be replaced, filter replacement information is also added to the beacon signal B1.

The transmission unit 36 transmits a beacon signal in the LE (Low Energy) mode prepared in the Bluetooth (registered trademark) 4.0 standard using, for example, a frequency band of 2.4 GHz band. The beacon signal here is a signal that notifies the surroundings of the existence of the beacon device 30 and is a signal that is repeatedly transmitted at a constant cycle (for example, every several hundred milliseconds to several seconds) within a period of transmission.
When the transmission unit 36 transmits a beacon signal, for example, the transmission unit 36 transmits the beacon signal with a strength that can be received by the receiving terminal 50 within a range of about 10 m at the maximum. It is an example that the reach distance of the beacon signal is about 10 m, and the transmission unit 36 may transmit the beacon signal with a different intensity.

  The beacon device 30 is operated by a power source supplied from the attached battery 27 (FIG. 3). The accumulated water amount value stored in the determination unit 33 and the elapsed time counted by the timer 34 are reset when the battery 27 is replaced.

Next, the configuration of the receiving terminal 50 will be described.
The receiving terminal 50 includes a receiving unit 51 that receives a beacon signal. For example, the receiving unit 51 performs a process of receiving the beacon signal B1 transmitted in the above-described Bluetooth 4.0 LE mode. When the receiving unit 51 receives the beacon signal B1, additional information such as identification information included in the beacon signal B1 is supplied to the processing unit 52.

The processing unit 52 includes an application execution unit 53a. When the application execution unit 53a executes a predetermined application program, the processing unit 52 performs a notification operation for displaying various types of information on the display unit 56 by receiving the beacon signal B1. The display unit 56 is an example of a notification unit that performs a notification operation.
Further, identification information of a beacon signal transmitted by the beacon device 30 is stored in advance in the storage unit 54 of the receiving terminal 50 by an application program executed by the application execution unit 53a. The storage operation of the identification information is performed by a user operation using the operation unit 55, for example.

  Then, when the receiving unit 51 receives the beacon signal, the processing unit 52 determines whether or not the identification information included in the received beacon signal matches the identification information stored in the storage unit 54 in advance. Judgment processing is performed. When the processing unit 52 determines that the identification information included in the received beacon signal matches the identification information stored in the storage unit 54 in advance, the processing unit 52 adds the received beacon signal to the received beacon signal based on an instruction from the application program. Perform processing according to the information included.

[1-3. Configuration example of water purifier]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the water purifier 20.
A first filter cartridge 21, a second filter cartridge 22, and a third filter cartridge 23 are attached to the water purifier 20, and each filter cartridge 21, 22, 23 includes unnecessary water contained in the passing water W. Material removal is performed. The use of three filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 is one example. For example, the water purifier 20 may have a configuration in which one or two filter cartridges are mounted.

  Moreover, the detection part 24 which detects the flow of the water W is attached to the water purifier 20, and the detection signal obtained by the detection part 24 is supplied to the beacon device 30 incorporated in the water purifier 20. The water purifier 20 is provided with a battery mounting portion 25, and a battery holder 26 is inserted into the battery mounting portion 25. A button-type battery 27 is held in the battery holder 26. When the battery holder 26 holding the battery 27 is mounted on the battery mounting portion 25, driving power is supplied from the battery 27 to the beacon device 30.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the detection unit 24 of the water purifier 20.
The detection unit 24 is disposed in the flow path of the water W. In this example, a reed switch 24c is disposed on the upper surface 24a of the flow path, and a magnet 24d is disposed on the lower surface 24b of the flow path. The magnet 24d is attached to the lower surface 24b of the flow path via the spring 28. In a situation where there is no flow of water W, the magnet 24d is located away from the reed switch 24c by the action of the spring 28. In this state, the reed switch 24c is off. When the flow of water W occurs, the magnet 24d moves to a position close to the reed switch 24c against the elastic force of the spring 28, as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. 4, and the reed switch 24c is turned on. Become. When the reed switch 24c is turned on, a detection signal having a predetermined potential is output from the detection signal output terminal 24e, and this detection signal is supplied to the use detection unit 31 (FIG. 2) of the beacon device 30. When the flow of water W disappears, the magnet 24d returns to the original position by the action of the spring 28. Although the detection unit is composed of a reed switch and a magnet here, it is only necessary to be able to detect the occurrence of water flow such as a magnetic sensor.

[1-4. Example of treatment operation using water purifier (Example 1)]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operations in the beacon device 30 and the receiving terminal 50 when the water purifier 20 is used.
First, the use detection unit 31 of the beacon device 30 determines whether or not the reed switch 24c has detected an on-state detection signal (step S11). Here, when the reed switch 24c does not detect the detection signal in the on state, the use detecting unit 31 waits until the on state is changed to the on state.

  When the use detection unit 31 detects an on-state detection signal in step S11, measurement of the use time in the water amount measurement unit 32 is started (step S12). When the measurement of the usage time is started, the water volume measuring unit 32 determines the amount of purified water from the usage time (step S13), and the measured purified water volume is added to the cumulative water volume value (step S14). Is updated.

  Then, the determination unit 33 determines whether or not the updated accumulated water amount has exceeded a preset threshold (2000 liters) (step S15). If it is determined in step S15 that the threshold value has not been exceeded, the determination unit 33 determines whether the time (elapsed time) counted by the timer 34 has exceeded a preset threshold value (6 months). (Step S16).

  When the determination unit 33 determines that the threshold value has been exceeded in any of the determinations of step S15 and step S16, the transmission unit 36 performs processing for transmitting a beacon signal (step S17). In addition to the identification information stored in the storage unit 35 being added to the beacon signal at this time, it is time to replace the filter with the accumulated water amount and elapsed time information obtained by the determination unit 33. Is added to the filter replacement information.

  When the receiving terminal 50 receives the beacon signal transmitted in step S17 (step S18), the processing unit 52 in the receiving terminal 50 displays the filter replacement information, the accumulated water amount, and the elapsed time on the display unit 56 ( Step S19). The display information is a display based on information added to the received beacon signal.

  Also, when it is determined in step S16 that the threshold value is not exceeded, the transmission unit 36 performs a process of transmitting a beacon signal (step S20). The identification information stored in the storage unit 35 and the accumulated water amount and elapsed time information obtained by the determination unit 33 are added to the beacon signal at this time.

  When the beacon signal transmitted in step S20 is received by the receiving terminal 50 (step S21), the processing unit 52 in the receiving terminal 50 accumulates in the display unit 56 based on the information added to the received beacon signal. The amount of water and the elapsed time are displayed (step S22).

  The receiving terminal 50 ends the notification process by performing the display in step S19 or step S22. Here, the display of the notification in step S19 or step S22 is terminated, for example, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 55 of the receiving terminal 50, and the display shifts to another screen display.

[1-5. Example of beacon signal transmission timing]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transmission timing of the beacon signal.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the transmission of the beacon signal is performed in response to the occurrence of running water and the reed switch 24c being turned on in step S11. As the transmission timing of the beacon signal transmitted when the reed switch 24c is turned on, any of the three examples (example 1, example 2, example 3) shown in FIG. 6 is applicable. In all three examples, it is assumed that water discharge from the faucet 11 is started at timing ta and water discharge from the faucet 11 is stopped at timing tb. In any example, the transmission interval of the beacon signal is constant.

・ Example 1
When water discharge stops at timing tb, the transmission unit 36 transmits beacon signals b11, b12, b13, and b14 for a certain period of time.
・ Example 2
When water discharge is started at timing ta, the transmission unit 36 transmits beacon signals b21, b22, b33, and b24 for a certain period of time.
・ Example 3
The beacon signals b31, b32,..., B36 are transmitted at constant intervals after the water discharge is started at the timing ta until the water discharge is stopped at the timing tb.

[1-6. Display example of receiving terminal]
FIG. 7 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 56 of the receiving terminal 50 in step S16 and step S19 in the flowchart of FIG. In this example, when six months have passed since the previous replacement of the filter cartridge, or when the amount of water used exceeds 2000 l, whichever comes first, the filter cartridge is notified to be replaced.

FIG. 7A is an example when the filter replacement information is not included in the beacon signal B1. At this time, the elapsed time since the replacement of the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 and the amount of water used in the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 are displayed based on the accumulated water amount and elapsed time information included in the beacon signal B 1. .
In the example of FIG. 7A, the current status is displayed as “elapsed time so far: 4 months, amount of water used: 1400 liters”. Further, in the receiving terminal 50, the processing unit 52 calculates the time and the amount of water until the threshold value elapses. Then, the display unit 56 displays “time until filter replacement, use time: 2 months, use water amount 600 liters!” Indicating the time and water amount until the calculated threshold value is exceeded.

FIG. 7B shows an example in which filter replacement information can be included in the beacon signal B1 due to the elapsed time exceeding the threshold (6 months). In this case, based on the filter replacement information included in the beacon signal B 1, “Please replace the filter!” To notify the filter replacement is displayed on the display unit 56. Further, the elapsed time since the replacement of the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 and the amount of water used by the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 are displayed based on the accumulated water amount and the elapsed time information included in the beacon signal B <b> 1. For example, the display unit 56 displays “Elapsed time so far: 6 months, amount of water used: 1500 liters”.
Further, a link banner “Click here to purchase a filter” is displayed at the bottom of the display unit 56. When the link banner is clicked by a user operation, the receiving terminal 50 accesses a site that sells the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 on the Internet, and the display unit 56 displays a screen of the site that sells the filter cartridge. It will be displayed.

FIG. 7C shows an example in which filter replacement information is included in the beacon signal B1 because the amount of water used has exceeded the threshold (2000 liters). Also in this case, based on the filter replacement information included in the beacon signal B1, “Replace the filter!” Is displayed on the display unit 56 to notify the filter replacement. Further, the elapsed time since the replacement of the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 and the amount of water used by the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 are displayed based on the accumulated water amount and the elapsed time information included in the beacon signal B <b> 1. For example, the display unit 56 displays “Elapsed time so far: 4 months, amount of water used: 2000 l”.
Also in the case of the display example of FIG. 7C, a link banner “Click here to purchase a filter” is displayed at the bottom of the display unit 56, and a user can access a site selling filter cartridges by clicking.

When the display as described above is performed on the receiving terminal 50, it is possible to reliably notify the user who has the receiving terminal 50 that it is time to replace the filter cartridge of the water purifier 20. Even when the filter cartridge replacement time has not been reached, the elapsed time and the amount of water used are displayed as shown in FIG. 7A, so that an indication of how much the filter cartridge replacement time will come can be seen. become.
In addition, the beacon device 30 transmits a beacon signal when the water purifier 20 performs water purification. Therefore, the beacon signal is transmitted only when the water purifier 20 is used, and the beacon device 30 transmits the beacon signal. The transmission period can be minimized. Therefore, the beacon device 30 can minimize the consumption of the attached battery 27, and the beacon device 30 can be operated with the battery 27 for a long period of time.
Further, the battery 27 is replaced at the same time when the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 are replaced. Thereby, the determination part 33 and the timer 34 in the beacon apparatus 30 are reset simultaneously with battery replacement. Therefore, when the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 are replaced, the user does not need to perform an operation for resetting the elapsed period or the amount of water to be used. It becomes like this.

[1-7. Another example of processing operation (example 2)]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of processing operations in the beacon device 30 and the receiving terminal 50 when the water purifier 20 is used.
In the example of the flowchart of FIG. 5, if the elapsed time since the replacement of the filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 does not exceed the threshold value, and the accumulated water usage amount does not exceed the threshold value, the filter is set in step S 20. A beacon signal B1 that does not include exchange information is transmitted. On the other hand, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, when the elapsed time does not exceed the threshold (6 months) in step S16, the process returns to the determination in step S11. Other processes in the flowchart of FIG. 8 are the same as the processes described in the flowchart of FIG.

When performing the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 8, the beacon device 30 transmits the beacon signal B1 only when the elapsed time exceeds the threshold value or when the accumulated water usage exceeds the threshold value. . Therefore, as a display form at the receiving terminal 50, only one of the display when the elapsed time shown in FIG. 7B is exceeded and the display when the amount of water used is shown in FIG. 7C is performed, which is shown in FIG. 7A. No display is made when the threshold is not exceeded.
When performing the process of the flowchart of FIG. 8, the beacon device 30 transmits the beacon signal B1 only when it is necessary to notify the user of the replacement of the filter cartridge. Is not sent. Therefore, the frequency with which the beacon signal B1 is transmitted is reduced, and the duration of the battery 27 can be prolonged.

<2. Second Embodiment>
The device information notification system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 for explaining the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 explained in the first embodiment, and the detailed explanation thereof is omitted. .

[2-1. Example of internal configuration of beacon device and receiving terminal]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a device information notification system according to the second embodiment. As in the case of the device information notification system shown in FIG. 1, the device information notification system of the second embodiment is an example of consumables provided in a device installed in a house. This is applied to an example of notifying the user. The configuration of the water purifier 20 is configured in the same manner as the water purifier 20 described in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the beacon device 30 ′ installed in the water purifier 20 includes a use detection unit 31, a water amount measurement unit 32, a timer 34, a storage unit 35, and a transmission unit 36.
The usage detector 31 detects that the water purifier 20 is in use by a detection signal output from the reed switch 24 c (FIG. 4) in the water purifier 20. When the use detecting unit 31 detects that the water purifier 20 is in use, the water amount measuring unit 32 is supplied with a signal indicating that the water purifier 20 is in use from the use detecting unit 31.

In the water amount measuring unit 32, processing for measuring the accumulated amount of purified water is performed from the time when the signal indicating that it is in use (that is, the usage time of the water purifier), and the measured value of the accumulated amount of water is obtained. Stored in the storage unit 35. Then, the measured value of the accumulated water amount obtained by the water amount measurement unit 32 is supplied to the transmission unit 36.
Information on the elapsed time since the previous filter cartridges 21, 22, and 23 have been replaced is supplied from the timer 34 to the transmitter 36.

  In the transmission unit 36, when the use detection unit 31 detects that the water purifier 20 is in use, the beacon signal B2 is transmitted with the use of the water purifier 20 as an opportunity. At this time, the identification information given to each beacon device 30 stored in the storage unit 35 is added to the beacon signal B2 by the transmission unit 36, and information on the accumulated water amount and the elapsed time is added to the transmission unit 36. The

Next, the configuration of the receiving terminal 50 ′ will be described.
The receiving terminal 50 ′ includes a receiving unit 51 that receives a beacon signal. In this receiving part 51, the process which receives beacon signal B2 is performed. When the receiving unit 51 receives the beacon signal B2, additional information such as identification information included in the beacon signal B2 is supplied to the processing unit 52.

  The processing unit 52 includes an application execution unit 53b. When the application execution unit 53b executes a predetermined application program, the processing unit 52 performs a notification operation for displaying various information obtained by receiving the beacon signal B2 on the display unit 56. Note that the storage unit 54 stores in advance the identification information of the beacon signal transmitted by the beacon device 30 ′ in a process based on the application program executed by the application execution unit 53 b.

  And when the receiving part 51 receives a beacon signal, the process part 52 performs the judgment process whether the identification information contained in the received beacon signal corresponds with the identification information which the memory | storage part 54 memorize | stored. Then, when the identification information included in the received beacon signal matches the identification information stored in the storage unit 54, the processing unit 52, based on the instruction of the application program, information included in the received beacon signal Process based on

[2-2. Example of treatment using water purifier]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation in the beacon device 30 ′ and the receiving terminal 50 ′ by using the water purifier 20 in FIG.
First, the use detection unit 31 of the beacon device 30 ′ determines whether or not the reed switch 24c has detected an on-state detection signal (step S31). Here, when the reed switch 24c does not detect the detection signal in the on state, the use detecting unit 31 waits until the on state is changed to the on state.

  And when the use detection part 31 detects the detection signal of an ON state by step S31, the measurement of the use time in the water quantity measurement part 32 is started (step S32). When the measurement of the usage time is started, the water quantity measuring unit 32 determines the quantity of purified water from the usage time (step S33), and the measured quantity of purified water is added to the cumulative water quantity value (step S34). Is updated. And the transmission part 36 transmits the beacon signal containing identification information, elapsed time, and accumulated water volume (step S35).

  When the receiving terminal 50 ′ receives the beacon signal transmitted in step S35 (step S36), the processing unit 52 in the receiving terminal 50 ′ sets the stored accumulated water amount to a preset threshold value (2000 liters). It is determined whether or not it has been exceeded (step S37). If it is determined in step S37 that the threshold is not exceeded, the processing unit 52 determines whether the transmitted elapsed time exceeds a preset threshold (6 months) (step S38). .

When it is determined in step S37 or step S38 that the threshold value has been exceeded, the processing unit 52 displays on the display unit 56 the filter replacement notification to the user based on the information added to the received beacon signal. And the accumulated water amount and elapsed time are displayed (step S39). At this time, for example, the display shown in FIG. 7B or 7C is performed.
If it is determined in step S38 that the threshold value is not exceeded, the processing unit 52 displays the accumulated water amount and the elapsed time on the display unit 56 based on the information added to the received beacon signal (step S38). S40). At this time, for example, the display shown in FIG. 7A is performed.

  When the display in step S39 or S40 is performed, the receiving terminal 50 ′ ends the notification process.

<3. Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, the system notifies the user of the replacement of the filter cartridge of the water purifier 20. On the other hand, it is good also as a system which notifies a user about the information about the consumables with which another apparatus (equipment used for a user) is provided. For example, when a device such as an air purifier, ventilation fan, or humidifier is equipped with consumables such as a filter that needs to be replaced periodically, it is applied to a system that notifies the user of replacement of consumables such as a filter. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, a communication terminal called a smartphone is applied as a receiving terminal used by a user. On the other hand, as a receiving terminal, you may apply to the terminal provided with the function which receives another beacon signal. For example, the present invention may be applied to a tablet terminal having a function of receiving a beacon signal, a cellular phone terminal, or the like as a receiving terminal. Alternatively, a dedicated receiving terminal may be prepared for each device to which a beacon device such as a water purifier is attached, and the dedicated receiving terminal may notify the user of replacement of a member such as a filter.

  In the above-described embodiment, the beacon signal is a signal transmitted in the LE mode of Bluetooth 4.0 standard. On the other hand, it is good also as a beacon signal which applied other communication systems.

Also, the display screen performed by the receiving terminal shown in FIG. 7 is an example, and other display screens may be used. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, a link banner for accessing a site that sells filter cartridges is displayed in a screen that displays that it is time to replace the filter cartridge. On the other hand, the guide display of the filter cartridge may be performed in a display form other than the link banner. For example, a purchase application screen for a filter of a specific model number that allows the user to directly order a filter cartridge of a type that matches the water purifier 20 being used may be displayed in the same screen (or another screen).
Also, in order to guide the purchase of the filter cartridge by the user, the details (product number, price, etc.) of the filter cartridge that needs to be replaced are displayed in a screen informing that it is time to replace the filter cartridge. Also good.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sink, 11 ... Water faucet, 12 ... Water supply pipe, 20 ... Water purifier, 21 ... 1st filter cartridge, 22 ... 2nd filter cartridge, 23 ... 3rd filter cartridge, 24 ... Detection part, 24c ... Reed switch, 24d ... Magnet, 24e ... Detection signal output terminal, 25 ... Battery mounting part, 26 ... Battery holder, 27 ... Battery, 28 ... Spring, 30, 30 '... Beacon device, 31 ... Use detection part, 32 ... Water quantity measurement part, 33 ... Determination unit, 34 ... Timer, 35 ... Storage unit, 36 ... Transmission unit, 50 ... Receiving terminal, 51 ... Reception unit, 52 ... Processing unit, 53a, 53b ... Application execution unit, 54 ... Storage unit, 55 ... Operation Part, 56 ... display part

Claims (17)

A beacon device attached to a device that uses consumables,
A storage unit for storing identification information;
A use detector for detecting the use of the consumables;
A beacon device comprising: a transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including the identification information in response to detection of use of the consumable by the use detection unit. Measuring the time of use of the consumables detected by the use detection unit, further comprising a measurement unit for outputting measurement information;
The beacon device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits a beacon signal further including the measurement information. Further measuring a time elapsed since the consumables were replaced, and a timer for outputting elapsed time information;
The beacon device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits a beacon signal further including the elapsed time information. The beacon device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission unit transmits the beacon signal after the use detection unit detects the end of use of the consumable item. The beacon device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the beacon signal after the use detection unit detects the start of use of the consumable item. The beacon device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the beacon signal while the use detection unit detects the use of the consumable item. A replaceable filter,
A usage detector that detects the flow of water passing through the filter and outputs a detection signal;
Having identification information, having a beacon device to which the detection signal is supplied,
The said beacon apparatus transmits the beacon signal containing the said identification information on the occasion of supply of the said detection signal from the said detection part, The water purifier characterized by the above-mentioned. Using the detection signal output from the detection unit, to measure the time that water has flowed through the filter, further comprising a measurement unit that outputs measurement information,
The water purifier according to claim 7, wherein the beacon device transmits a beacon signal further including the measurement information. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a timer that measures an elapsed time after the filter is replaced and outputs elapsed time information, and the beacon device transmits a beacon signal further including the elapsed time information. The water purifier according to 1. The water purifier according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the beacon device transmits the beacon signal after the use detector detects the end of use of the filter. The water purifier according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the beacon device transmits the beacon signal after the use detector detects the start of use of the filter. The water purifier according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the beacon device transmits the beacon signal while the use detection unit detects the use of the filter. A beacon device attached to a device that uses consumables and transmitting a beacon signal;
A device information notification system having a receiving terminal for receiving the beacon signal,
The beacon device
A storage unit for storing identification information;
A use detector for detecting the use of the consumables;
A transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including the identification information triggered by detection of the use of the consumable by the use detection unit;
The receiving terminal is
A device information notification system comprising: a notification unit that notifies information related to use of the consumable when the beacon signal is received. The beacon device further includes a measurement unit that measures the time of use of the consumables detected by the use detection unit and outputs measurement information, and the transmission unit transmits a beacon signal further including the measurement information The device information notification system according to claim 13. The beacon device further includes a timer that measures an elapsed time after the consumable is replaced and outputs elapsed time information, and the transmission unit transmits a beacon signal further including the elapsed time information. The device information notification system according to claim 14. The equipment using the consumables is
A replaceable filter,
A water purifier comprising a detection unit that detects a flow of water passing through the filter and outputs a detection signal;
The use detection unit is supplied with a detection signal from the detection unit, and outputs information on the amount of water flowing through the filter based on the detection signal,
The device information notification system according to claim 13, wherein the transmission unit transmits a beacon signal further including information on the amount of water flowing through the filter. The beacon device further includes a timer that measures an elapsed time after the filter is replaced and outputs elapsed time information, and the transmission unit transmits a beacon signal further including the elapsed time information. The device information notification system according to claim 16.

Images