JP2003101564A - Network equipment control system and network interconnection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control network equipment included in a regional network with an external telephone set. SOLUTION: A phone line 2 is directly connected to a router 3 included in the region network 7 having a computer 8. A server 5 is connected to the phone line 2, and the phone line 2 is also utilized as an Internet 9. The external telephone set 4 calls the router 3 through the phone line 2. The router 3 detects the call and sends an activation packet to the computer 8 in a standby condition to activate it. After activation, the computer 8 requests connection to the Internet 9 from the server 5, acquires a network address in the Internet 9, and notifies the external telephone set 4 of the network address. After that, data is exchanged between the telephone set 4 and the computer 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention accesses a regional network by making a call from an external communication device via a telephone line to a network interconnection device connected to a regional network including network equipment,
The present invention relates to a network device control system and a network interconnection device for activating the network device and performing various controls.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art LAN (Local Area Network) which is an example of a regional network constructed in a certain area
A network system in which a router, which is a network interconnection device, is connected to each terminal of the device and a WAN (Wide Area Network), which is an example of another wide area network outside via the router, is commonly used recently. It has become. In addition, a WAN is usually a WAN.
A server of a network provider that manages the above is connected, and a network device included in the LAN can connect to the WAN by accessing the server.

Recently, a so-called home network in which a regional network such as a LAN is built in a home has attracted attention. A home network connects information devices such as computers and various electric devices existing in the home as network devices to the home network, controls one device from another device, and exchanges data between devices. This enables each device to connect to the WAN.

As described above, in the LAN, one device controls the other device so that one device activates the other device in a standby state (sleep state). This is realized by transmitting a special packet called a magic packet compatible with WOL (Wake On Lan) technology from one device to the other device via a LAN.

[0005]

In addition to controlling each device in the LAN as described above, there is a demand for externally controlling each device in the LAN using an external WAN such as the Internet. It is rising.

However, when the device in the LAN is accessed from the outside through the WAN, the device in the LAN can access the WAN.
If the server that manages the WAN does not provide a logical network that specifies the location of the device based on the WAN unless you access and connect to the device, you cannot specify the access destination to the device from outside the LAN. , There is a problem that you can not access itself. That is, the logical network address of the device in the WAN is
Since it is first given by connecting to, there is no means for knowing the logical network address in advance, and access is impossible.

Further, although the LAN and the WAN are connected via a router, a global address which is a logical network address based on the WAN and a local address which is a logical network address based on the LAN are each respectively. There are also issues that exist independently.

The global address of the device included in the WAN can be specified by the network provider that manages the WAN, but since the local address of each device included in the LAN is given by the router, the local address cannot be specified by the network provider. . As a result, there is a problem that the local address ahead of the router cannot be determined from the outside and the device in the LAN cannot be accessed from the outside via the router.

On the other hand, there is also a demand for controlling each device included in the LAN from an external communication device such as a portable or installed telephone. If the telephone has a connection function such as the Internet, it can be connected to the WAN or the like by using the Internet connection function or the like, but even if the device is started using the WOL (Wake On Lan) technology described above, From the telephone to WOL (Wake
There is a problem that the magic packet corresponding to the On Lan) technology cannot be transmitted and the device cannot be activated. In addition, if the equipment cannot be started up, the operation control of the equipment cannot be fundamentally controlled. To avoid this state, the equipment must be kept in the activated state at all times. Expensive and unrealistic.

Further, the telephone is connected to the LA through the telephone line.
It is possible to envisage connecting to N, but if the router connected to the LAN is a network router,
There is also a problem that the telephone line cannot be physically connected because it does not have a telephone line connection port, and the telephone cannot be connected to the LAN through the telephone line.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems and the like, and makes it possible to directly connect a network interconnection device such as a router connected to a regional network such as a LAN to a telephone line and to An object of the present invention is to provide a network device control system and a network interconnection device, which also enables transmission of signals related to control, and can control network equipment by calling the network interconnection device from an external telephone which is a communication device. .

Further, by using the signal as a packet for starting a network device, a network device control system and a network interconnect device which can start a network device in a standby state even from an external telephone via the network interconnect device. The purpose is to provide.

Further, when the network device is activated, the other network is accessed from the network device to obtain an address based on the other regional network, and the obtained address is notified to an external communication device. , It is an object of the present invention to provide a network device control system capable of externally specifying the address of a network device.

Further, when there are a plurality of network devices included in the regional network, the network interconnection device receives a call from the external communication device to display a selection screen of the network device to be controlled on the external communication device. The present invention aims to provide a network device control system and a network interconnection device that enable control of a predetermined network device by making a call from a telephone from the outside specific.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network device control system in which the operation of a network device included in a regional network having a network interconnection device is interconnected by a communication device outside the regional network. In the network equipment control system for controlling via a device, the network interconnection device has means for connecting to a telephone line, means for detecting a calling state from the communication device through the telephone line, and the calling state. And a means for transmitting a signal to the network device when it is detected.

In the first aspect of the invention, since the network interconnection device is provided with the means for connecting to the telephone line and the means for detecting the calling state, the telephone line of the telephone line can be directly connected, and external communication is possible. Since the device only calls the network interconnection device and the network interconnection device outputs a signal after that, the network device included in the regional network can be controlled even from an external communication device. Also, since only a telephone call can be made from an external communication device, only one telephone line can be connected to the network interconnection device.

The network equipment control system according to the second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the signal is a packet signal for activating a network equipment in a standby state. According to the second aspect of the invention, the control signal transmitted by the network interconnection device is used as the packet signal for activation, so that the network device in the standby state is activated even if the telephone itself cannot transmit the packet signal for activation. Therefore, it is possible to reliably shift to the operation control stage of the network device after the start.

In the network equipment control system according to the third invention, the network interconnection device connects the regional network and another regional network, and the other regional network includes a network management device, The network device, when in the activated state, assigns an address that identifies the location of the network device based on the other regional network,
It is characterized by further comprising means for requesting the network management device. According to the third aspect of the invention, since the activated network device accesses another regional network and requests the assignment of an address based on another regional network such as the Internet, based on the assigned address. An external communication device can realize signal transmission / reception with the network device.

In the network device control system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the network interconnection device further comprises means for notifying the network device of the assigned address from the network management device. A network device control system according to a fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the network device further includes means for transmitting the notified address to the communication device.

In the fourth and fifth inventions, since the network interconnection device notifies the network device of the assigned address, the network device surely knows its own address in the other regional network. Further, since the network device notifies the external communication device of the acquired address, the external communication device can specify the address of the network device included in the regional network. Therefore, after the address is specified, various control signals and data requests are transmitted to the specified address from an external communication device, so that the network device can be freely controlled from the outside. The communication from the network device to the external communication device can be performed by sending an e-mail, and at this time, it is preferable to encrypt the content of the address in order to prevent the leakage of the address.

In the network equipment control system according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the operation of the network equipment included in the regional network having the network interconnection device is controlled by the communication device outside the regional network via the network interconnection device. In the network equipment control system, the network interconnection device comprises:
A means for connecting to a telephone line, a means for detecting a calling state from the communication device through the telephone line, and a network device described when the calling state is detected and the network device is described. And a means for displaying a menu screen capable of selecting any one of the controlled objects on the communication device, and a means for transmitting a signal to the selected network device when the network device is selected. It is characterized by

In the sixth invention, by displaying the menu screen on the external communication device, the network device to be controlled by the external communication device can be selected.
The utility of the system according to the present invention can be further expanded. It should be noted that the device is selected by NAT (Net Addr).
This is done in conjunction with the ess Translation technology. NAT technology is the end of the address of the network interconnection device based on other regional networks,
By adding the port number of the network interconnection device to which the network device is connected, the network interconnection device can transmit a signal to a specific network device. In the present invention, when the device is selected, the network is automatically connected. The port number of the selected network device is added to the end of the address of the interconnection device, and the signal is transmitted to the selected network device. The present invention can be applied to a single network device or a plurality of network devices included in the regional network.

In a network device control system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the network interconnection device connects the regional network to another regional network, and the other regional network includes a network management device, The network interconnection device further requests the network management device, when it detects the calling state, to assign an address for identifying the location of the network interconnection device based on the other regional network. Means, means for accepting the given address from the network management device, and means for transmitting the accepted address to the communication device.

In the seventh aspect of the invention, the network interconnection device accesses another regional network and requests the assignment of its own address, so the address notification process can be simplified. Further, by transmitting the given own address to the external communication device, the external transmission device can access a specific network device by the above-mentioned NAT technology via the network interconnection device.

In the network equipment control system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the operation of the network equipment included in the regional network having the network interconnection device is controlled by a communication device outside the regional network via the network interconnection device. In the network equipment control system, the network interconnection device comprises:
Connection means for connecting to a telephone line, means for detecting a calling state from the communication device via the telephone line, means for setting a calling state, and a calling state detected by the detecting means, and It is characterized by comprising means for comparing the calling state set by the setting means, and means for transmitting a signal to the network device when the results of the comparison are the same.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the network interconnection device detects the calling state of the telephone from the external communication device, so that the instruction from the outside can be reliably received. Note that the calling state includes the number of calls related to the number of telephone calls, the interval between calls, and the number of call sounds per call. These are set in advance in the network interconnection device and used for external communication. By comparing with the calling state from the device, it is possible to distinguish the calling to the network device and reliably transmit the signal to the network device.

In the network equipment control system according to the ninth aspect, the network interconnection device connects the regional network and another regional network, and the other regional network includes a network management device. In the case where the results of the comparison are the same, the network interconnection device further assigns to the network management device an address that identifies the location of the network interconnection device based on the other regional network. It is characterized by further comprising means for requesting the address, means for accepting the assigned address from the network management apparatus, and means for transmitting the accepted address to the communication apparatus. In the ninth invention, the network interconnection device accesses another regional network, requests the assignment of the address of the network interconnection device, and finally transmits the assigned address to an external communication device. Therefore, the notification of the address can be processed promptly, and the external communication device can surely grasp the destination.

In the network equipment control system according to the tenth aspect of the invention, the network equipment is plural, and the means for setting the calling status can set the calling status for each of the network equipment. The means for transmitting the control signal, when the result of the comparison is the same,
It is characterized in that the signal is transmitted to a network device to which the same calling state is set. According to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the calling state can be set for each network device, it is only necessary to make a call from an external communication device based on the setting of the network device to be controlled, and the network is sent to the specific network device. A signal can be transmitted from the interconnection device. Therefore, even if the regional network includes a plurality of network devices, it is possible to reliably distinguish and control a specific network device.

The network device control system according to the eleventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that the network device is a computer or an electric device. In the eleventh invention, by applying a computer or an electric device having a network connection function as the network device, the system according to the present invention can be suitably introduced into various network systems such as a home network. Note that examples of the electric device include a video device, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, an electronic cooker (microwave oven), an automatic bath including a bath water filling device, a bath water heating device, and the like. In addition to the home network, the system according to the present invention can be applied to networks in OA (office automation), FA (factory automation), and the like.

A network interconnection device according to a twelfth aspect of the invention is a network interconnection device capable of connecting a plurality of networks to each other, and means for connecting to a telephone line and a call originating from the outside through the telephone line. It is characterized by comprising means for detecting a call state and means for outputting a signal to the outside through the network when the call state is detected. In the twelfth aspect of the invention, since the means for connecting to the telephone line, the means for detecting the calling state, etc. are provided, the network interconnection device can be directly connected to the telephone line, and the telephone from the outside can be connected through the telephone line. Can receive. Further, it is possible to output a signal and output the signal from the outside to a signal output destination in the network via the network interconnection device.

The network interconnection device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention further comprises means for outputting an address specifying the location of the output destination of the signal to the output destination of the signal through the network with reference to the network. Characterize. In the thirteenth aspect, the address of the network device or the like that is the output destination of the signal in the network can be notified to the output destination, so that the location of the output destination can be reliably specified from the outside.

The network interconnection device according to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, when detecting the calling state, means for requesting the network to add an address for identifying its own location based on the network, Means for receiving the assigned address from the network,
It further comprises means for outputting the accepted address to the calling source in the calling state through the network. According to the fourteenth aspect, the network interconnection device requests its own address assignment in the network, so that the process relating to the address notification can be performed quickly. After the address is acquired, the external caller is notified as in the above, but the external access to the network is handled by using the NAT technology.

In the network interconnection device according to the fifteenth aspect, when the calling state is detected, the output destination of the signal is written and it is possible to select any of the written output destinations. The means for displaying the menu screen at the calling source in the calling state and the means for outputting the signal when any of the output destinations are selected, output the signal to the selected output destination. It is characterized by According to the fifteenth aspect, even when there are a plurality of signal output destinations in the network, since the output destinations are displayed on the menu screen, the signals can be output to a specific output destination.

A network interconnection device according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is a network interconnection device capable of connecting a plurality of networks to each other, and a means for connecting to a telephone line and a calling state from the outside through the telephone line are detected. And a means for setting a calling state, a means for comparing the calling state detected by the detecting means with a calling state set by the setting means, and the result of the comparison is the same. And a means for outputting a signal to the outside through the network. In the sixteenth invention, since the calling state setting means, the comparing means and the like are provided, the network interconnection device can reliably determine the signal output destination based on the calling state from the outside. .

The network interconnection device according to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, when the results of the comparison are the same, means for requesting the network to give an address for identifying its own location with respect to the network, It is characterized by further comprising means for accepting the given address from the network and means for outputting the accepted address to a caller in the calling state through the network. According to the seventeenth invention, the network interconnection device itself requests its own address assignment in the network, so that the process relating to the address notification can be performed quickly.

In the network interconnection device according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the means for setting the calling state can set a calling state which is different for each output destination among a plurality of output destinations of the signals. The means for outputting the signal outputs the signal to an output destination to which the same calling state is set when the results of the comparison are the same. According to the eighteenth invention, even when there are a plurality of signal output destinations in the network, the signals can be reliably distinguished and the signals can be output.

[0037]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network device control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The network device control system 1 connects a telephone line 2 and a regional network 7 built in a building 6 via a router 3 which is a network interconnection device, and a telephone line from an external telephone 4 which is a communication device. The router 3 can be accessed through 2.

The telephone line 2 is used not only as a telephone line but also as another external regional network. In the present embodiment, the other regional network is
It is applied to the Internet 9 which is one of wide area networks, and the server 5 is connected to the telephone line 2 as a network management device of a network provider that manages the connection to the Internet 9. Therefore, the router 3 connects the regional network 7 and the Internet 9 as a network, and connects the telephone line 2 to the router 3.
It is also possible to receive incoming calls. In addition,
The router 3 is drawn into the building 6 from the telephone line 2 and is connected to one line 2a having a specific telephone number.

A computer 8 is connected to the regional network 7 as a network device. This computer 8 is WOL (Wake On Lan)
A model compatible with the technology is applied, and a program that is automatically executed after startup is incorporated, and based on this program, a connection request to the Internet 9 is issued to the server 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the router 3 is internally provided with a line connection unit 3a, a line monitor unit 3b, a communication control unit 3c, a central control unit 3d and a regional network control unit 3e connected to each other. ing. The line connection unit 3a connects the end of one line 2a from the outside directly from one side,
On the other side, one line 2a is branched into a network system 3f for the Internet 9 and a telephone line system 3g.

The network system 3f is a system in which various signals are transmitted and received using the network address as a clue and the telephone line 2 is used as a network. The telephone line system 3g receives various signals with the telephone number as a clue. This is a system for using the telephone line 2 for making a telephone call.

The line monitor unit 3b is connected to the telephone line system 3g, and is a part that receives an incoming call to the one line 2a from the outside, so that the router 3 can always wait for the call. Even in the stand-by state itself, only the line monitor unit 3b is activated by the standby power. Further, when the line monitor unit 3b detects a ring tone of the received call, the line monitor unit 3b transmits a signal indicating the detection to the central control unit 3d, and after transmission, stores and disconnects the telephone number. On the other hand, the communication controller 3c is connected to the network system 3f, and is a part that transmits and receives various signals based on the Internet 9 and the network address.

The central control section 3d is a section for performing various controls of the router 3 as a whole, receives signals from the line monitoring section 3b, and performs various control between the communication control section 3c and the regional network control section 3e. Send and receive signals. further,
The regional network control unit 3e is capable of connecting to the regional network 7, transmits / receives various signals to / from the regional network 7, and receives an instruction signal from the central control unit 3d to receive the instruction. A computer 8 connected to the regional network 7 with a magic packet for activation based on
I am trying to send it to.

The external telephone 4 is of a type having a function of connecting to the Internet 9, and both a fixed type telephone and a portable telephone capable of making a call through the telephone line 2 can be applied (the portable telephone in FIG. 1). Is described). In addition to the telephone, the communication device has a PDA with a communication function.
(Personal Digital Assistant
nts) and the like are also applicable.

Next, in the network equipment control system 1 according to the present invention, the control mode from the external telephone 4 to the computer 8 in the standby state included in the regional network 7 for starting up the operation is shown in FIGS. It will be described in detail according to the flowchart shown. In addition, "A" in FIG.
“B”, “C”, and “D” are the same as “A” and “B” in FIG.
It means continuous to "C" and "D".

First, a call is made from the external telephone 4 to the one line 2a to which the router 3 is connected (S1). The router 3 receives the call by the line monitor unit 3b shown in FIG. 2 and detects a ring tone of the call (S2). Line monitor unit 3
After storing the telephone number of the external telephone 4 after the detection, b disconnects the telephone and transmits a signal indicating the detection to the central control unit 3d together with the data of the telephone number.

Further, the central control unit 3 which has received the signal
The d transmits an instruction signal to the regional network control unit 3e to transmit the activation packet to the computer 8, and based on this instruction signal, the regional network control unit 3e.
WOL to computer 8 through regional network 7
A magic packet based on the (Wake On Lan) technology is transmitted together with the data of the telephone number (S3).

The computer 8 in the standby state, which has received the magic packet, is activated (S4), and is automatically routed to the server 5 on the Internet 9 by the router 3 by the program.
A connection request is made via (S5).

The server 5, which has received the connection request, accepts the connection between the computer 8 and the Internet 9 (S
6) After that, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, a network address for specifying the location of the computer 8 based on the Internet 9 is given, and the network address is once transmitted to the router 3 (S7). Upon receipt of this transmission, the router 3 notifies the computer 8 of the network address through the regional network 7 (S8). Since the network address of the computer 8 on the Internet is assigned as described above, it can be specified even if the computer 8 is located in front of the router 3 or outside the regional network 7.

Upon receipt of the notification, the computer 8 further transmits an electronic mail in which the notified network address is described based on the received telephone number data based on the automatically executed program (S9). It should be noted that this transmission is transmitted from the regional network 7 through the router 3 and also through the server 5 of the Internet 9 to the external telephone 4 having the telephone number.

By receiving this e-mail, the external telephone 4 is notified of the network address of the computer 8 on the Internet 9, and thereafter, the external telephone 4 transmits various operation signals to this network address. The computer 8 can be operated from outside with. The control contents related to the operation of the computer 8 include fetching data in the computer 8 to the telephone 4 and sending data in the telephone 4 to the computer 8.

Due to the above operation, the external telephone 4
Transmits an operation signal related to the control content of the computer 8 to the notified network address of the computer 8 (S10). This transmission is transmitted to the computer 8 of the regional network 7 via the server 5 of the Internet 9 and the router 3.

The computer 8 operates based on the received operation signal, and transmits the relevant data to the telephone 4 (S1).
1). The transmission of this data is accepted by the telephone 4 via the route opposite to the operation signal (S12). If the operation contents are complicated, etc., the operation signal transmission step (S1
The data receiving step (S12) from 0) may be performed multiple times.

The network device control system 1 according to the first embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and various modifications can be made. For example, the regional network 7 can be used in a home, an office, or a factory. It is also possible to form a system connected to other external regional networks such as the Internet 9 by building in a certain area such as. In addition to the computer 8, the network device connected to the regional network 7 has various network devices and various electric devices such as a video device, an air conditioner, and a rice cooker that support the WOL (Wake On Lan) technology. It is also possible to apply.

For example, the video device may be a local network 7
When connected to, the video device in the standby state can be activated from the external telephone 4, and after activation, the video device can be operated from the telephone 4 by notifying the telephone 4 of its own network address. It becomes possible to make recording reservations, etc.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a network device control system 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A total of two first computers 18 and a second computer as network devices are provided in a regional network 17 in a building 16. A computer 28 is connected. In terms of system configuration, the telephone line 1 used as the Internet 19 by the router 13 is the same as in the first embodiment except for the above-mentioned locations.
2 is connected and the server 15 is connected to the telephone line 12, while the external telephone 14 allows access to the router 13 through the telephone line 12.

The router 13 basically has the same internal configuration as the router 3 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but since a total of two network devices are connected, the regional network control is performed. A plurality of connection ports 13 in the part 13e
m and 13n are provided, and two signal cable lines 17a and 17b related to the regional network 17 are connected (see FIG. 5). Further, since the central control unit 13d in the router 13 needs to separately transmit the magic packet to the first computer 18 and the second computer 28, it performs different control from the case of the first embodiment.

That is, when the central control unit 13d receives an incoming signal from the external telephone 14, it requests the server 15 of the Internet 19 to connect to the Internet. In the internal storage unit of the central control unit 13d, as shown in FIG.
A program for displaying a selection screen 20 serving as a menu screen selected by the computer to be controlled is stored,
It also controls the transmission of the assigned network address and the data related to the program to the telephone set 14.

The external telephone 14 has a selection screen 20.
It is equipped with browsing software that can display information such as
If is displayed, select screen 2 by operating the telephone 14.
Either the first computer 18 or the second computer 28 displayed in 0 can be selected. When selected, a selection signal indicating which computer has been selected is transmitted from the telephone set 14 to the router 13.

When receiving the selection signal, the central control unit 13d controls the magic packet to be transmitted to the computer selected based on the signal.
The transmission to the selected side is performed by NAT (Net Add).
The first computer 18 or the second computer 28 of the router 13 is connected to the end of the numerical value of the network address (global address) of the router 13 given by the server 15 on the Internet. By transmitting the magic packet to the regional network 17 by adding the port numbers of the connection ports 13m and 13n, it is possible to distinguish and transmit to the intended computer. That is,
When the central control unit 13d receives the selection signal on the selection screen 20, the port number of the selected side is automatically added to the end of the network address of the router 13.

Next, in the network equipment control system 11 of the second embodiment, a control mode in which the external telephone 14 activates the first computer 18 of the regional network 17 separately from the second computer 28 will be described. Will be described below.

First, the telephone 14 makes a call to the one line 12a to which the router 13 is connected (S20). on the other hand,
The router 13 receives the call and detects a ring tone of the call (S21), stores the telephone number of the external telephone 4 to disconnect the call, and makes a connection request to the server 15 of the Internet 19 (S22). .

Upon receipt of the connection request, the server 15 accepts the connection of the router 13 to the Internet 19 and assigns a global network address for specifying the location of the router 13 based on the Internet 19 to the network address. To the router 13 (S2
3). After accepting the network address, the router 13 sends the network address of the router 13 by e-mail based on the telephone number stored in the external telephone 14, and also sends the program data relating to the selection screen 20 ( S24). Each transmission is performed by the server 15
7, the selection screen 20 of FIG. 7 is displayed on the display screen of the telephone 14, and the computer to be activated is selected (S25). In the present embodiment, the first computer 18 is selected.

Based on the selection of the computer, a signal indicating that the first computer 18 has been selected is transmitted to the router 13 via the server 15. In response to the selection signal, the router 13 sends a magic packet to the regional network 17 with a numerical value obtained by adding the port number of the selected first computer 18 to the end of its own global network address (S26). ). In addition,
To create the destination, for example, the global network address is "200.100.1.4" and the port number to which the first computer 18 is connected is "81".
If so, the transmission destination is "200.100.1.4:8.
It will be 1 ”.

The first computer 18 receiving the magic packet receives the WOL (Wa
By the ke On Lan) technique, the standby state is changed to the activated state (S27). The activated first computer 18 is
The fact that it has been activated is transmitted from the server 15 to the external telephone 14 via the router 13, and thereafter, as in the first embodiment, from the operation signal transmission step (S10) to the corresponding data acceptance step (S12) in the flowchart of FIG. The required operation is performed between the telephone set 14 and the first computer 18 in accordance with (4).

When activating the second computer 28 instead of the first computer 18, the selection screen 20 of FIG. 7 displayed on the telephone 14 in the activation computer selection step (S25) of the flowchart of FIG. By selecting two computers, the router 13 can send a magic packet to the second computer 28 and activate the second computer 28 in the same manner as described above.

In the network device control system 11 of the second embodiment, the number of network devices such as computers connected to the regional network 17 is not limited to two, and even if there is only one network device,
Furthermore, when there are two or more connection ports of the router 13, two or more network devices can be connected. Further, in this case, even on the selection screen of FIG. 7, any of the connected network devices is displayed in a selectable manner.

If there is only one network device connected to the regional network 17, there is no need to select a device, so the process relating to the selection screen 20 may be omitted. The network device control system 11 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration and processing as the network device control system 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the above-mentioned locations.

Further, the network equipment control system 11 of the second embodiment is configured to use NAT (Net Address).
The router 13 detects the calling state when a call is made from the external telephone 14 without using the (Translation) technology, so that a specific network device is activated from a plurality of network devices connected to the regional network 17. There are also variations.

In the modified example of the second embodiment, the system configuration itself is the same as that of the network device control system 11, but the router 13 'of the modified example applied to the system has a basic configuration as shown in FIG. The internal configuration is the same as that of the router 3 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but the central control unit 13d '
The counter 13j 'and the timer 13k' are structurally different from each other in that they are connected so that various signals can be transmitted and received. Further, the network control unit 13e 'is different from the router 3 in that the connection ports 13m' and 13n 'are provided so as to be connected to the two signal cable lines of the regional network 17', but in the second embodiment. It is similar to the router 13.

Further, the line monitor section 13b 'is different from the contents of the first embodiment and the like in terms of the operation contents, when the telephone call is made to one line 12a', that is, the telephone call state is received. The number of times of calling corresponding to the number of times, the interval of calling, and the number of times of calling sound for each calling are detected. Further, the central control unit 13d 'sets the calling state for specifying the network device to be activated, that is, the number of times of calling, the interval between calls, and the number of times of call sound per call, and stores these settings. It is possible.

The counter 13j 'stores the number of call tones for each call, and is stored via the central control unit 13d'.
The line monitor unit 13b 'receives a signal indicating the number of call tones detected and stores the number of times. Also, timer 1
3k ′ is for measuring the interval time between outgoing and outgoing calls, which is a signal related to the disconnection of the preceding outgoing call detected by the line monitoring unit 13b ′ and a signal for starting the subsequent outgoing call. I am trying to finish the measurement. In addition, the central control unit 13
d'is the timer 13k 'and the counter 13j'
It also reads out and resets the stored contents of.

Further, the central control unit 13d 'compares the set calling state with the detected calling state, and if they are the same, identifies the network device to the specified network unit 13d'.
The magic packet is transmitted from e '.
That is, since the central address of each network device of the regional network 17 'is known by the central control unit 13d', setting of the calling state of each network device,
By associating the local address of each network device with each other, transmission to a specific network device is enabled.

In the comparison step, the central control unit 13d 'makes a connection request via the server of the Internet and transmits the global network address of the router 13' given from the server to the external telephone. ing. Further, since the central control unit 13d 'compares the calling state of the telephone with the set calling state, it is necessary to preset the calling state when starting the system of the modification of the second embodiment. There is. This setting is performed from each network device of the regional network 17 'connected to the router 13'.

Next, a second network device in which the first network device and the second network device are connected to the regional network 17 '
In the system of the modification of the embodiment, a case where the first network device is activated by calling the router 13 ′ from an external telephone will be described below.

First, the calling state of the telephone for starting each of the first network device and the second network device is set in the router 13 '. For example, the first network device is set to make a call count of 2 times, the call interval before and after is set to 5 seconds or less, and the number of call sounds per call is set to 4 times or more. , Before and after the call interval 10
Set the number of call sounds per second and call to 3 times or less.

The external telephone is connected to one line 1 to which the router 13 'is connected based on the setting of the first network device.
Make the first call to 2a '. That is, in the calling state related to the first telephone call, the telephone is disconnected when the number of times the call is made is four or more. Further, the external telephone makes a second telephone call to the router 13 'within 5 seconds after disconnecting the first telephone call after making the number of call tones 4 times or more.

The router 13 'determines that the first two telephones are to be activated because the two telephone calls are in agreement with the calling state for activating the first network equipment. Connect to the Internet at to get a global network address.
Also, it sends an e-mail describing the acquired network address to an external telephone, and further sends a start magic packet to the first network device. The first network device receives the magic packet and starts up, and thereafter, similarly to the second embodiment, connects to an external telephone via the router 13 ′, a server, etc., and exchanges data etc. by a required operation. To do.

When connecting to the second network device, the second network device can be distinguished from the first network device only by making a call from an external telephone in a calling state set for starting the second network device. Can be started. It should be noted that the call origination state can be set in various ways in the system of the modified example, and is the same as the system of the second embodiment except the above.

[0080]

As described above in detail, in the network equipment control system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the telephone line is directly connected to the network interconnection device, and the external communication device is addressed to the network interconnection device. Since a signal is transmitted and output from the network interconnection device to the network device by calling, the network device included in the regional network can be controlled even from an external communication device.

In the network device control system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the network device in the standby state can be easily started by using the packet signal for starting as the signal. In the network device control system according to the third invention, the fourth invention, and the fifth invention, the network device after activation accesses another regional network and requests the assignment of an address in another regional network such as the Internet. The address of the network device included in the regional network can be specified from the outside, and data can be exchanged between the external communication device and the network device.

In the network device control system according to the sixth invention, the seventh invention, the eighth invention, the ninth invention and the tenth invention, even if the regional network includes a plurality of network devices, a certain network device can be secured. The startup control can be performed, and after the startup, various operations such as data exchange can be performed between the external communication device and the network device.

In the network equipment control system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by defining the network equipment, the regional network of this system can be suitably used as a home network or the like.

In the network interconnection device according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, since the telephone line can be directly connected to detect a telephone call from the outside, a signal is output based on the detection and the signal is included in the network. It can be used to control equipment. In the network interconnection device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the address based on the network such as the devices included in the network can be notified to the outside.

In the network interconnection device according to the fourteenth invention, the fifteenth invention, the sixteenth invention, the seventeenth invention, and the eighteenth invention, even if a plurality of signal output destinations exist in the network, the signal is output to a specific output destination. The signal can be reliably output.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the router of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart related to activation of a computer and the like.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart related to notification of a network address and the like.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a network device control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart related to booting of a computer according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a computer selection screen.

FIG. 8 is an internal configuration diagram of a router according to a modification of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Network equipment control system 2 telephone lines 3 routers 4 telephones 5 servers 6 buildings 7 area network 8 computers 9 Internet

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A network device control system for controlling the operation of a network device included in a regional network having a network interconnection device by means of a communication device outside the regional network via the network interconnection device. The interconnection device is means for connecting to a telephone line, means for detecting a calling state from the communication device through the telephone line, and means for transmitting a signal to the network device when the calling state is detected. A network device control system comprising: 2. The network device control system according to claim 1, wherein the signal is a packet signal that activates a network device in a standby state. 3. The network interconnection device connects the regional network and another regional network, the other regional network includes a network management device, and the network device is set to the activated state. The network device control according to claim 2, further comprising means for requesting the network management device to assign an address that identifies the location of the network device based on the other regional network. system. 4. The network device control system according to claim 3, wherein the network interconnection device further comprises means for notifying the network device of the assigned address from the network management device. 5. The network device control system according to claim 4, wherein the network device further comprises means for transmitting the notified address to the communication device. 6. A network device control system for controlling the operation of a network device included in a regional network having a network interconnection device by a communication device outside the regional network via the network interconnection device. The interconnection device includes a connection means for connecting to a telephone line, a means for detecting a calling state from the communication device through the telephone line, and a network device when the calling state is detected, Means for displaying on the communication device a menu screen capable of selecting one of the listed network devices as a control target, and transmitting a signal to the selected network device when the network device is selected Means for controlling network device control Stem. 7. The network interconnection device connects the regional network and another regional network, the other regional network includes a network management device, and the network interconnection device further comprises A means for requesting the network management device to assign an address for identifying the location of the network interconnection device based on the other regional network when the call state is detected, and the assigned address 7. The network device control system according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit that receives the received address from the network management device, and a unit that transmits the received address to the communication device. 8. A network device control system for controlling an operation of a network device included in a regional network having a network interconnection device by a communication device outside the regional network via the network interconnection device, The interconnection device comprises means for connecting to a telephone line, means for detecting a calling state from the communication device through the telephone line, means for setting a calling state, and a call detected by the detecting means. A network comprising: a means for comparing the state with the calling state set by the setting means; and a means for transmitting a signal to the network device when the results of the comparison are the same. Equipment control system. 9. The network interconnection device connects the regional network and another regional network, the other regional network includes a network management device, and the network interconnection device further comprises: A means for requesting the network management device to assign an address for identifying the location of the network interconnection device based on the other regional network when the comparison results are the same; 9. The network device control system according to claim 8, further comprising: a unit that receives the received address from the network management device; and a unit that transmits the received address to the communication device. 10. A plurality of the network devices, the means for setting the calling state can set different calling states for the respective network devices, and means for transmitting the signal. 10. The network device control according to claim 8 or 9, wherein when the comparison result is the same, the signal is transmitted to the network device to which the same calling state is set. system. 11. The network device control system according to claim 1, wherein the network device is a computer or an electric device. 12. A network interconnection device capable of connecting a plurality of networks to each other, means for connecting to a telephone line, means for detecting a calling state externally called through the telephone line, And a means for outputting a signal to the outside through the network when a calling state is detected. 13. The network interconnection device according to claim 12, further comprising means for outputting, to the output destination of the signal through the network, an address that specifies the location of the output destination of the signal with reference to the network. 14. A means for requesting the network to assign an address for identifying its own location with respect to the network when the calling state is detected, and the assigned address from the network. The network interconnection device according to claim 12, further comprising: a means for accepting, and a means for outputting the accepted address to a calling source in the calling state through the network. 15. When the calling state is detected, the output destination of the signal is displayed, and a menu screen allowing selection of any of the output destinations is displayed. 13. The means for displaying at the caller, and the means for outputting the signal when any one of the output destinations is selected, outputs the signal to the selected output destination. The network interconnection device according to claim 14. 16. A network interconnection device capable of connecting a plurality of networks to each other, means for connecting to a telephone line, means for detecting a calling state from the outside through the telephone line, and setting a calling state. Means for comparing the calling state detected by the detecting means with the calling state set by the setting means, and if the result of the comparison is the same, an external device through the network And a means for outputting a signal to the network interconnection device. 17. If the results of the comparison are the same, then:
Means for requesting the network to assign an address for identifying its own location based on the network; means for accepting the assigned address from the network; and calling the accepted address for the call. 17. The network interconnection device according to claim 16, further comprising: means for outputting the status to a calling source through the network. 18. The means for setting the calling state can set a calling state that is different for each output destination among a plurality of output destinations of the signals, and the means for outputting the signal. 18. The network interconnection according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, when the results of the comparison are the same, the signal is output to an output destination to which the same calling state is set. apparatus.