JP2001075888A - Adaptor device for network connecting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for allowing a user to know a service situation regardless of equipment. SOLUTION: This adaptor device for network connecting equipment is arranged between an information equipment terminal 30 and a network 10, and provided with a decoding means 22 for decoding the communication data of the network 10, a communication displaying part 25 for realizing display related with a service situation in the information equipment terminal 30, a judging means 24 for judging the service situation in the information equipment terminal 30 based on data decoded by the decoding means 22, and a display controlling means for controlling the display of the communication displaying part 25 according to judgment by the judging means 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device connected to a network and an adapter device for a network-connected device connected to the network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a system in which an electronic device or an electric device is connected to a network so as to receive a service from the network side has appeared, and a representative example thereof is information such as a personal computer or a mobile phone. It is a device terminal. As shown in FIG.
Is connected to the mail server 3 via the network 2 and can receive e-mail.

In the above-mentioned system, the information equipment terminal 1 receives a mail by either a method called a mail delivery type shown in FIG. 18 or a method called a mailbox inquiry type shown in FIG. I do.

[0004] That is, in a method called a mail distribution type shown in FIG. 18, mail is directly transferred from the mail server 3 to the mail client of the information device terminal 1. On the other hand, in a method called a mailbox inquiry type shown in FIG. 19, a mailbox corresponding to a user is provided in the mail server 3, and the mail client of the information device terminal 1 inquires whether a new mail has arrived. When a new mail has arrived, the mail is transferred from the mail server 3 to the mail client of the information device terminal 1 in response to this.

[0005] In any of the above methods,
The display of the arrival of the mail is performed by the information equipment terminal 1, for example, the display function of the information equipment terminal 1 (CRT,
Pop-up display or icon display on liquid crystal display, LED, etc.) and sound function (speaker)
To generate an alarm sound.

[0006]

However, the above-described method is based on the premise that the screen is on, and if the screen is off, it is impossible to know whether or not there is an incoming mail. Also, the display method differs depending on the client application, and may be difficult to understand. Further, when the display by sound is adopted, the information device terminal 1 needs to have a sound function.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the current situation of the above-mentioned network-connected devices, and an object thereof is to provide an adapter device for a network-connected device capable of knowing the service status regardless of the device. It is.

[0008]

An adapter device for a network connection device according to the present invention is an adapter device for a network connection device connected between a device connected to the network and the network, wherein Decoding means for decoding communication data, display means for displaying a service status in the device,
A determination unit configured to determine a service status of the device based on the data decoded by the decoding unit; and a display control unit configured to perform display control of the display unit in accordance with the determination by the determination unit. Features. Thus, the service status is displayed regardless of the devices connected to the network.

Further, the adapter device for a network connection device according to the present invention includes storage means for storing information relating to a service status, and the display means is configured to be capable of displaying in at least two different modes. The display control means switches the display on the display means in accordance with the service status based on the information stored in the storage means and the determination by the determination means. As a result, information on the service status is stored, and based on the stored information and the currently obtained determination result, the display is switched according to the service status, and the service status is appropriately displayed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an adapter device for a network connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows a communication system employing a network connection device adapter device 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This adapter device 20 for a network connection device
It is connected between the information device terminal 30 which is a device connected to the network 10 and the network 10.

Adapter device 20 for network connection equipment
Comprises a transmission / reception interface 21 branched and connected to a line between the information device terminal 30 and the network 10, a decoding unit 22, an identification unit 23, a determination unit 24, and a notification display unit (display unit) 25. . The transmission / reception interface 21 captures communication data from a line, and the decoding unit 22 decodes the captured communication data.

The identifying means 23 specifies an entity and a service related to the object to be determined by the determining means 24. Here, the entity is an identifier of the individual information device terminal itself in the network, hardware and software provided in the information device terminal, and multimedia data such as audio and images, and electronic documents in the network. Refers to what is considered an entity. Further, the service means that the above-mentioned entity is put into a state of functioning in a network or used. Determination means 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes a service status of the information equipment terminal from the network side based on the data decoded by the decoding means 22 with reference to the identification means 23. Further, the notification display unit 25 includes, for example, a liquid crystal or an LE.
A display device such as D and a sound device such as a speaker.

The identification means 23 is, for example, a memory table defined by an entity name and its communication protocol type, a service name and its communication protocol type, and the contents of this memory table are pre-written or input by the input means. The settings are changed as appropriate. Determination means 2
4 is realized by a program executed by the processor.

The operation of the network connection device adapter device 20 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the transmission / reception interface 21
To acquire a communication signal (S1), which is decoded by the decoding means 22 (S2). As a result, the decoded data is divided as shown in FIG. In other words, the result of the decoding is the header of the communication protocol shown in FIG.
The data body of the communication protocol shown in FIG.
After the communication protocol shown in FIG. Although the data body of the communication protocol shown in FIG. 3B shows only the communication protocol n, there are also communication protocols 1 to n.

Next, the judging means 24 judges whether the service to the corresponding entity has been executed by using the identifying means 23 (S3). Here, the determination means 24 is the identification means 23
The entity and the service are identified from the identifier in the communication protocol by using the information of the entity name and its communication protocol type, and the service name and its communication protocol type held in (3A). And determining means 24
As shown in FIG. 4, the determination is made by obtaining the entity name and its communication protocol type, the service name and the value specified in the protocol header corresponding to the communication protocol type, and the value of the data body of the communication protocol. (Step S3) is executed.

If the service for the corresponding entity is not executed, the process returns to step S1 to continue the processing. On the other hand, if the service for the corresponding entity is executed, the service is displayed on the notification display unit 25. Is displayed (S4 (display control means)).

FIG. 5 shows a system in which the network connection device adapter device 20 is provided as a new mail notification device 40 between the network 2 and the information device terminal 1. In other words, the configuration of the adapter device 20 for a network connection device in which a LAN card, an ISDN card, a modem card, a LAN cable, a telephone line cable, a socket, a connector, and the like are provided with a mail information decoding function and a display function, This is a new mail notification device 20 that displays when new mail information is determined to have arrived by POP3 (Post Office Protocol Version 3), which is a mail distribution type protocol.

In the above-described new mail notifying apparatus 20, each header and data body shown in FIG. 6 are obtained as a result of decoding. In the discrimination by the discriminating means 24, as shown in FIG. 7, an IP address is used to identify an entity name, a TCP port number is used to identify a service name, and the service status with mail is a mail status. And a detection of an acknowledgment for the distribution request.

According to the new mail notification device 20 having such a configuration, the notification of the mail arrival can be recognized even when the screen of the information device terminal 1 is off. In addition, display independent of the hardware configuration of the information device terminal 1, the OS, and the type of the client application can be performed.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration in which a download notification device 41 having the configuration of the network connection device adapter device 20 is interposed between each device in home networking and the network. In this system, all network information services such as audio, video, and electronic documents arriving at home are once collected and stored in the home server 4, and downloaded to a television, an air conditioner, a personal computer, a mobile phone, or the like according to the purpose of the information. An environment that can be used has been established.

In this embodiment, the download cable itself is provided with a means for decoding communication data 22 flowing on the cable, an identification means 23 for identifying the entity of the download destination, and a determination means for determining whether or not the service has been downloaded. 24 and the result of the judgment
An adapter device 20 for a network connection device having a display control means for easily informing by a display is constituted, and this is referred to as a download notification device 41 in home networking.

Here, generally, various methods are used to indicate whether or not downloading has been performed for an entity, depending on the entity. The download notification device 41 according to the present embodiment is
By using, the convenience of home networking is greatly enhanced from the following points.

That is, it is possible to notify various devices connected to the network in the same easy-to-understand format. Also, when a failure occurs in the download, it becomes a reference when determining whether the failure is due to a device or a network. Reduce the risk of accidentally disconnecting the device during data transfer. This prevents a data error from occurring when another person tries to make a call by mistake while transferring data in a dial-up environment. Others know at a glance whether to use the phone. You can see at a glance whether a secure link has been established by home banking, online shopping, or the like.

FIG. 9A shows an operation notifying device 42 including a printer, a personal computer, a digital camera, a digital video, and a network connecting device adapter device 20 between the electric device 30 and the network 1. Are shown. Here, for example, when the printer is shared on the network, the setting procedure is automatically started when the printer is connected to the network. If necessary, the device driver is downloaded from the network, and the setting of the network sharing is completed.
This means that the print service can be automatically used via the network without manual setting of the printer.

The above-described operation notification device 42 performs the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. The communication data flowing over the cable is decoded by a cable or a connector, and the initial setting processing stage is monitored (S11). A new entity is automatically connected to the network, and a service based on the entity is used from the network 1. It is detected whether a standby state has been reached (S12).
Then, when a standby state is set, it is simply displayed on the display unit 25A using an LED display or a sound to notify the user (S
13). This makes it possible to identify at a glance that the operating state has been established after the connection, so that appropriate operation can be performed.

FIG. 10A shows a power supply system from a power company to a home, lighting equipment in the home, a bath, a video,
A configuration is shown in which an outlet 43 having the configuration of the network connection device adapter device 20 is interposed between various home electric devices 31 such as an air conditioner. This system is a system that can remotely control the electric device 31 through a power line or a household power line.

The outlet 43 performs the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. At the start, while detecting control data from the power supply network,
The data is decoded, and whether or not the electric device 31 is under remote control is monitored, and the contents thereof are monitored (S21), and whether or not the electric device 31 is under remote control or is in operation. Is determined (S22). Here, the electric equipment 31
Detects that it is under remote control or operation, a corresponding display is displayed on the display 25B (S23). That is,
The notification display on the display 25B is changed depending on whether or not the home electric appliance 31 connected to the outlet 43 is under remote control.

Thus, since a control notification function is provided in a portion which is relatively easy for anyone to see and understand, such as an outlet, a cable, and a connector, each device is operated to determine whether the remote control is working smoothly or is operating. It will be obvious at a glance. That is, outlet 4
Since the remote control status of the devices connected to a plurality of distant locations connected to the location 3 can be known, it is troublesome to move to operate the devices and check the display unit of the devices to confirm the control. Can be omitted.

FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a network connection device adapter device 20A according to the second embodiment. This network connection device adapter device 20
A is the network connection device adapter device 20 of FIG.
Provided with a storage means 26. This storage means 26 stores status transition information relating to the service status. The notification display unit 25C is configured to be able to display in at least two different modes. The determination unit 24 compares the status transition information on the service status stored in the storage unit 26 with the current service status, and detects a change. The display of the notification display unit 25C is switched according to the service status based on the information stored in the storage unit 26 and the determination by the determination unit 24.

The operation of the network connection device adapter device 20A configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The basic processing is the same as the operation by the network connection device adapter device 20 of FIG. 1, but the notification display indicating the service execution is performed on the notification display unit 25C (S4 (display control unit)), and the storage unit 2
The change in service status is stored in 6 (S5). And
The value of the data body of the next communication protocol is obtained, and the determination (step S3) is executed. As a result, if there is a change, a notification display indicating a change in service execution is performed on the notification display unit 25C (S4 (display control means)).

The adapter device 20A for network connection equipment according to the configuration of the second embodiment described above
The operation when monitoring the response to the mail inquiry notification and performing the processing will be described with reference to FIG. here,
Assuming a system as shown in FIG. 5, first, in response to a mail inquiry from the information device terminal 1 to the mail server 3 connected to the network 2,
When "mail present" is returned (ST1), the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned on, and this "mail present" is stored in the storage means 26.

Then, while continuing the processing as described with reference to FIG.
If "no mail" is returned, or "read" for reading and transferring the mail in response to the mail read request is returned (ST2), the contents of the storage means 26, "mail" It is detected that the service status is different from "present", the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned off, and "no mail" or "read" is stored in the storage unit 26. In this situation, when "mail present" is returned again (ST1), the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned on,
This “mail present” is stored in the storage means 26. Hereinafter, the operation is continued similarly.

Referring to FIG. 14, the operation of the apparatus according to the second embodiment in the case of performing a process for notification of file transfer in FPT (File Transfer Protocol) or software download will be described. When “file transfer start” is sent in the notification sent from the network 2 side (ST3), the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned on to indicate “communicating”, and the “file transfer” is displayed. "Start" is stored in the storage means 26.

Then, while continuing the processing as described with reference to FIG. 12, if “file transfer end” is sent by the notification sent from the network 2 side (ST4), the storage means 26 It is detected that the service status is different from the content “file transfer start”, the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned off to indicate “communication end”, and this “file transfer end” is stored in the storage unit 26.
To memorize. From this situation, "File transfer started" again
Is returned (ST3), the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned ON, and this “file transfer start” is stored in the storage unit 26. Hereinafter, the operation is continued similarly.

With the adapter device 20A for network connection equipment according to the configuration of the second embodiment,
Referring to FIG. 15, an operation of monitoring and processing a remote login notification by a service or program, such as telnet, for remotely logging in to a computer connected by TCP / IP will be described with reference to FIG. When the “remote login start” is sent by the telnet (ST5), the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned on to indicate “communicating”, and the “remote login start” is stored in the storage unit 26. To memorize.

Then, while the processing as described with reference to FIG. 12 is continued, if "remote login end" is sent by the notice by the telnet (ST6), the contents of the storage means 26 are stored. It is detected that the service status is different from “remote login start”, the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned off to indicate “communication end”, and this “remote login end” is stored in the storage unit 26. . From this situation, "Remote login started" again
Is returned (ST5), the notification display unit 25C according to the present embodiment is turned ON, and this “remote login start” is stored in the storage unit 26. Hereinafter, the operation is continued similarly.

The operation of the apparatus according to the second embodiment in the case of performing processing for notification of a secure link using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, as a display, a notification display unit 25 showing green, red, and unlit states.
C 'is used. Here, the system detects the protocol for starting the “TCP connection” (ST7), and the notification display unit 25
C ′ is displayed in red to indicate “non-SSL communication”, and this “T
"CP connection" is stored in the storage means 26.

Further, in order to enter a stage such as when transmitting credit card information, the "SSL start" protocol is detected (ST8), and the notification display section 25C 'is displayed in green to indicate "SSL communication in progress". The "SSL start" is stored in the storage means 26. Next, a protocol of “SSL termination” for detecting the end of a stage such as transmitting credit card information and shifting to normal communication is detected (ST
9) Change the notification display section 25C 'to red display and
SL communication ", and the" SSL end "
To memorize.

Further, from the above-mentioned state, processing is performed by entering a stage such as when transmitting credit card information, and finally, when the protocol of "TCP connection end" is reached (ST10), the notification display section 25C '. Is changed to OFF to indicate "communication end", and this "TCP connection end" is stored in the storage means 26.

By utilizing the fact that the display is configured to be able to display in at least two different modes as described above, the transition of the service status is stored in the storage means 26, and the change of the service status is adjusted. Since the display mode is changed, the current situation can be clearly grasped by the display.

[0041]

As described above, according to the adapter device for a network connection device according to the present invention, the communication data with the network is decoded, and the service status of the device is determined based on the resulting data. Since the display control is performed according to the determination result, the service status is displayed regardless of the device, and the service status can be properly grasped.

Further, according to the adapter device for a network connection device according to the present invention, the transition of the service status is stored in the storage means by utilizing the fact that display is possible in at least two different modes. Since the display mode is changed in accordance with the change of the situation, the current situation can be clearly grasped by the display.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including a network connection device adapter device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the system including the network connection device adapter device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing communication data decoded by the adapter device for a network connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing data used for determining a service status in the adapter device for a network connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a mail transmission system including a network connection device adapter device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing decoded communication data in the mail transmission system including the network connection device adapter device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing data used for determining a service status in the mail transmission system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a home networking system including the network connection device adapter device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system for providing a network service availability notification including an adapter device for a network connection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and an operation flowchart thereof.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a home appliance control system including the network connection device adapter device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and an operation flowchart thereof.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a system including an adapter device for a network connection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a system including the network connection device adapter device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a mail transmission system including the network connection device adapter device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a file transfer system including an adapter device for a network connection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the operation of a system for performing remote login provided with an adapter device for a network connection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a system for performing secure communication including an adapter device for a network connection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a conventional network system.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining an operation of mail transmission performed by a mail distribution type in a conventional network system.

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining an operation of mail transmission performed by a mailbox inquiry type in a conventional network system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 30 Information equipment terminal 2, 10 Network 3 Mail server 4 Home server 20, 21A Adapter device for network connection device 21 Transmission / reception interface 22 Decoding means 23 Identification means 24 Determination means 25, 25C, 25C 'Notification display section 25A, 25
B, display 26 storage means

Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B014 EB03 GC03 GE01 5B042 GA12 GA39 GB09 MB01 MC09 MC36 NN02 NN04 5B089 GA04 JA31 JA35 KA02 KC32 KC47 KH29 LA12 LB14 5K030 HA05 JA03 KA02 LD13 MB09 MB18 5K033 DB20 EA07

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A network connection device adapter device connected between a device connected to a network and a network, comprising: decoding means for decoding communication data of the network; Display means for performing the display; determining means for determining a service status of the device based on data decoded by the decoding means; display for controlling display of the display means in accordance with the determination by the determining means An adapter device for a network connection device, comprising: a control unit. 2. The adapter device for a network connection device according to claim 1, further comprising identification means for identifying an entity and a service relating to an object to be determined by the determination means. 3. A storage unit for storing information relating to a service status, wherein the display unit is configured to be able to display in at least two different modes, and the display control unit stores the information in the storage unit. 2. The adapter device for a network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the display of the display unit is switched according to the service status based on the stored information and the determination by the determination unit. 4. The adapter device for a network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the judging means detects an incoming e-mail and displays it on a display means. 5. The adapter device for a network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the judging means detects the download from the network and displays on the display means. 6. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit detects whether or not the device has become operable after being connected to a network, and displays the display on a display unit. Adapter device.