JP2007272736A - Connection device and device control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly construct a system by obtaining a driving state of a device even when the device cannot transmit the state information to the outside. <P>SOLUTION: A connection device 1-1 is disposed between a device control server SV and a device D-1. A common command transmitted from the device control server SV is received at a common command receiving part 12 of the connection apparatus 1-1, and transmitted to the device D-1 after converted into an instruction command unique to the device by a device command conversion part 14. The device command conversion part 14 generates predicted device driving state information by predicting the operation state of a device D-2 from the instruction command. Since the operation state of the device D-1 cannot be acquired, a device information acquiring part 16 creates the state information on the basis of the predicted device driving state information to return to the device control server SV. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection device and a device control system for controlling a device from a server device via a communication line.

  Conventionally, a method has been proposed in which devices such as robots and sensors are connected to a network, and status information transmitted from these various devices is collected in real time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this method, information is exchanged with each device via a device-specific connection interface.

JP 2000-39910 A

However, in the above method, when the device itself does not have a function of transmitting state information, the state of the device cannot be grasped.
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and the purpose of this invention is to make it possible to grasp the driving state of the device even when the device cannot transmit the state information to the outside, and to make a flexible system construction possible. To provide a connection apparatus and a device control system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is used in a device control system including a server device and a device driven according to command information representing instruction content coming from the server device via a communication line, and the device and the device A connection device for connecting to a server device, the receiving device receiving command information sent from the server device via the communication line, and the command information received by the receiving device to the device Command information transmitting means for transmitting, estimating means for estimating the driving state of the device based on the command information, creating means for creating state information representing the estimated driving state, and the created state information Is transmitted to the server device via the communication line.

  In the above configuration, a connection device is provided between the server device and the device, and command information transmitted from the server device is transmitted to the device via the connection device. The connection apparatus estimates the driving state of the device from the command information, creates state information based on the estimated driving state, and returns it to the server apparatus. Thereby, even a device that cannot transmit state information to the outside can grasp and control the driving state of the device.

The present invention is also characterized by having the following various configurations.
The first configuration acquires the state information from the device when it is determined by the determination unit that determines whether the state information can be acquired from the device and the determination unit can acquire the state information. A status information acquisition unit, and when the determination unit determines that the status information can be acquired from the device by the determination unit, the status information acquisition unit displays the status information acquired by the status information acquisition unit. When the determination means determines that the status information cannot be acquired from the device via the communication line, the server apparatus transmits the status information generated by the generation means via the communication line. It is characterized by transmitting to.
With this configuration, when the state information can be acquired from the device, the state information actually acquired from the device is transmitted to the server device, so that the accurate driving state of the device can be grasped. .

In the second configuration, the receiving unit receives command information including information specifying the drive time of the device, and the estimating unit determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device by the determining unit In addition, the drive state of the device is estimated based on the drive time included in the command information.
As a result, since the drive state of the device is estimated based on the drive time included in the command information, the drive state of the device with higher certainty can be grasped.

  In a third configuration, the receiving means receives command information including information for specifying data to be executed by the device, and obtains the driving time of the device from the data specified by the command information The estimation unit estimates the drive state of the device based on the drive time acquired by the drive time acquisition unit when the determination unit determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device. It is characterized by doing.

  For example, when the file name of an audio file to be played back by the device is given as information for specifying data to be executed by the device, the connection device acquires the length of the audio data from the file, and how many seconds it takes to play back Get the playback time that represents. Then, the driving state of the device is estimated based on the acquired reproduction time. In this way, it becomes possible to grasp the driving state according to the data to be executed by the device.

The fourth configuration further includes storage means for storing information specifying the drive time of the device in association with the command information, and the estimation means is configured to acquire state information from the device by the determination means. When it is determined, information specifying the corresponding driving time is read from the storage means based on the received command information, and the driving state of the device is estimated based on the information specifying the driving time. It is characterized by.
With this configuration, the driving time stored in advance in association with the command information is read, and the driving state of the device is estimated based on the read driving time. Even in this case, it is possible to grasp the driving state of the device with high reliability.

  In short, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection apparatus and a device control system that allow a device to grasp the driving state of the device even when the device cannot transmit the state information to the outside, thereby enabling a flexible system construction.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a device control system using a connection apparatus according to the present invention.
This system includes a device control server SV, a network NW, connection devices 1-1 to 4, and devices D-1 to D-4. The device control server SV transmits command information for controlling the devices D-1 to D-4 via the network NW. The connection apparatuses 1-1 to 4 are respectively provided between the devices D-1 to D-4 and the device control server SV, and are connected to the network NW. The devices D-1 to D-4 are devices that are not capable of transmitting state information indicating the driving state of the device, such as devices D-1 and D2, and devices that are capable of transmitting state information such as the devices D-3 and D4. And exist.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the connection device of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the device D-3 capable of transmitting state information is connected to the device control server SV via the connection device 1-3.
The connection device 1-3 includes a network interface (network I / F) 11, a common command reception unit 12, a response table 13, a device command conversion unit 14, a device connection interface (device connection I / F) 15, A device information acquisition unit 16, a timer 17, and a common data generation unit 18 are provided.

  The network I / F 11 communicates with the device control server SV via the network NW. The common command reception unit 12 receives the common command transmitted from the device control server SV and sends it to the device command conversion unit 14. The device command conversion unit 14 converts the common command into an instruction command for the device D-3. The converted instruction command is transmitted to the device D-3 via the device connection I / F 15.

  The device D-3 starts operating according to this instruction command, and when receiving a status information acquisition request from the device information acquisition unit 16, transmits the status information indicating the current driving state of the device to the connection device 1-3. When the device information acquisition unit 16 receives the state information from the device D-3 via the device connection I / F 15 at the end timing of the timer 17, the device information acquisition unit 16 sends the received state information to the common data generation unit 18. The common data generation unit 18 converts the state information acquired from the device D-3 into a common return value, and transmits it to the device control server SV via the network I / F 11.

  By the way, the device command conversion unit 14 converts the common command into an instruction command, estimates the driving state of the device D-3 from the instruction command, and generates device driving state estimation information. When the state information cannot be acquired from the device D-3, the device information acquisition unit 16 creates the state information of the device D-3 based on the device driving state estimation information.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a device D-1 that cannot transmit state information to the outside is connected to the connection device. In this case, since the device information acquisition unit 16 cannot acquire the state information from the device D-1, the device information acquisition unit 16 creates the state information of the device D-3 based on the device drive state estimation information estimated by the device command conversion unit 14. To the common data generation unit 18. Therefore, the driving state of the device D-1 estimated based on the common command is transmitted from the connection device 1-2 to the device control server SV.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the response table 13. The response table 13 stores the device operation time, the status reply type, the return value of the common command, and the like in association with the common command. When the common command receiving unit 12 receives the common command from the device control server SV, the common command receiving unit 12 reads the corresponding operation time, status return type, and the like from the response table 13 based on the received common command, and supplies the read operation command to the device command conversion unit 14.

Next, the operation of the connection device configured as described above will be described.
(1) When the device operation time is specified by a common command and status return type Y (ACK is sent at start and completion)
FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure and processing contents in the connection device in this case. Note that a common command “Speak (xx.wav, 10, Y)” with the content “Play an audio file of xx.wav for 10 seconds” is transmitted from the device control server SV to the device D-2. To do.

  When receiving the common command, the common command receiving unit 12 of the connection device 1-2 acquires the status reply type Y (transmits ACK at the start and completion) with reference to the response table 13, and the device command conversion unit 14 Send a status reply type with a common command. The device command conversion unit 14 converts the received common command into a device-specific command, and reproduces a command (xx.wav audio file for 10 seconds) that instructs the device D-2 to drive through the device connection I / F 15. ). At the same time, the device command conversion unit 14 sends a status reply type to the device information acquisition unit 16.

  Further, the device command conversion unit 14 considers the command transfer time from the connection device 1-2 to the device D-2, the preparation time until the start of reproduction, and the like, and the completion after 10 seconds from the start time t0 and the start time t0. Time t1 is estimated, and device drive state estimation information (driving from start time t0 to completion time t1) is created.

  Device D-2 starts operation according to the received command. That is, xx. Play a wav audio file for 10 seconds. Since the device information acquisition unit 16 cannot acquire state information from the device D-2, the device information acquisition unit 16 acquires device drive state estimation information from the device command conversion unit 14. Then, based on this device drive state estimation information, information indicating the start of operation is sent to the common data generation unit 18 at the start time t0. The common data generation unit 18 generates ACK indicating the start of operation and state information (Speaking) indicating that the operation is in progress, and returns it to the device control server SV as a return value of the common command.

Further, the device information acquisition unit 16 counts up to the operation completion time t1 of the device D-2 with the timer 17, and when the timer 17 ends, transmits information indicating the operation completion to the common data generation unit 18. The common data generation unit 18 generates ACK indicating completion of the operation and state information (Idling) indicating standby, and returns it to the device control server SV.
As described above, the device control server SV receives the state information (Speaking) indicating that the device D-2 is in operation from the connection device 1-2 when the operation starts, and the state information (Idling) that indicates that the device D-2 is in standby when the operation is completed. It is possible to grasp the operating state of the device D-2.

(2) When operating time is acquired from a file to be executed by the device, and status reply type X (sends status information every α seconds)
FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure and processing contents in the connection device in this case. It is assumed that a common command “Speak (xx.wav, X)” “Play audio file of xx.wav” is transmitted from the device control server SV to the device D-2.

  When the common command receiving unit 12 of the connection device 1-2 receives the common command, the common command receiving unit 12 acquires the length of the audio data from the audio file specified by the common command, and represents a reproduction time (for example, how many seconds it takes to reproduce) 10 seconds) is obtained as the operation time. Further, the common command receiving unit 12 refers to the response table 13 to acquire the status reply type X (sends status information every α seconds) and uses the common command, the status reply type, and the acquired operation time as a device. The data is sent to the command conversion unit 14. The device command conversion unit 14 converts the received common command and operation time into a command unique to the device, and instructs the device D-2 to drive the device D-2 via the device connection I / F 15 (10. Play for seconds). At the same time, the device command conversion unit 14 sends a status reply type to the device information acquisition unit 16.

  Further, the device command conversion unit 14 considers the command transfer time from the connection device 1-2 to the device D-2, the preparation time until the start of reproduction, and the like, and the completion after 10 seconds from the start time t0 and the start time t0. Time t1 is estimated, and device drive state estimation information (driving from start time t0 to completion time t1) is created.

  Device D-2 follows xx. Playback of wav audio file is started. Since the device information acquisition unit 16 cannot acquire state information from the device D-2, the device information acquisition unit 16 acquires device drive state estimation information from the device command conversion unit 14. Then, based on this device drive state estimation information, information indicating the start of operation is sent to the common data generation unit 18 at the start time t0. The common data generation unit 18 generates state information (Speaking) indicating that the operation is in progress based on the information indicating the start of the operation, and returns it to the device control server SV as a return value of the common command.

In addition, the device information acquisition unit 16 starts the count of the timer 17 at the operation start time t0 of the device D-2, and sends information representing the driving state of the device D-2 to the common data generation unit 18 every α seconds. Each time the common data generation unit 18 receives information indicating the driving state from the device information acquisition unit 16, the common data generation unit 18 returns the received information indicating the driving state to the device control server SV as a return value of the common command. And device information acquisition part 16 will stop transmission of information showing a drive state, if operation completion of device D-2 is detected by timer 17.
As described above, the device control server SV receives the state information (Speaking) indicating that the device D-2 is operating every α seconds from the start to the completion of the operation of the device D-2. -2 can be grasped.

(3) When the operation time stored in the response table is acquired and the status reply type Z (sends status information when inquiring from the server)
FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure and processing contents in the connection device in this case. Note that the common command “Speak (xx.wav, Z)” “Reproduce the xx.wav audio file for the operation time described in the response table” is transmitted from the device control server SV to the device D-2. Shall.

  When receiving the common command, the common command receiving unit 12 of the connection device 1-2 refers to the response table 13, and the operation time (for example, 10 seconds) and the status reply type Z (send status information when inquiring from the server) And the operation time and the status reply type are sent to the device command conversion unit 14 together with the common command. The device command conversion unit 14 converts the received common command and operation time into a command unique to the device, and instructs the device D-2 to drive the device D-2 via the device connection I / F 15 (10. Play for seconds). At the same time, the device command conversion unit 14 sends a status reply type to the device information acquisition unit 16.

  Further, the device command conversion unit 14 considers the command transfer time from the connection device 1-2 to the device D-2, the preparation time until the start of reproduction, and the like, and the completion after 10 seconds from the start time t0 and the start time t0. Time t1 is estimated, and device drive state estimation information (driving from start time t0 to completion time t1) is created.

  Device D-2 follows xx. Play a wav audio file for 10 seconds. Since the device information acquisition unit 16 cannot acquire state information from the device D-2, the device information acquisition unit 16 acquires device drive state estimation information from the device command conversion unit 14. Then, based on this device drive state estimation information, information indicating the start of operation is sent to the common data generation unit 18 at the start time t0. The common data generation unit 18 generates state information (Speaking) indicating that the operation is in progress based on the information indicating the start of the operation, and returns it to the device control server SV as a return value of the common command.

  Further, the device information acquisition unit 16 counts up to the completion time t1 of the operation of the device D-2 with the timer 17. During this time, when an inquiry about the operating state of the device D-2 is made from the device control server SV, the device information acquisition unit 16 is notified via the network I / F 11, the common command reception unit 12, and the device command conversion unit 14. The With this notification, the device information acquisition unit 16 sends information indicating that the device D-2 is operating to the common data generation unit 18. The common data generation unit 18 generates state information (Speaking) indicating that the device is operating, and transmits the state information (Speaking) to the device control server SV via the network I / F 11.

  On the other hand, when the connection device 1-2 receives an inquiry about the operation state from the device control server SV after the timer 17 finishes counting, the device information acquisition unit 16 sends information indicating the operation completion to the common data generation unit 18. The common data generation unit 18 generates state information (Idling) indicating standby based on the information indicating the completion of the operation, and returns it to the device control server SV.

  As described above, when the device control server SV makes an inquiry about the operation state between the start of operation and the completion of the operation of the device D-2, the device control server SV receives the state information (Speaking) indicating the operation from the connection device 1-2. Receive. In addition, when an inquiry about the operation state is made after the operation is completed, the state information (Idling) indicating waiting is received. As a result, it is possible to grasp the operating state of the device D-2.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, the connection device 1-2 is provided between the device control server SV and the device D-2. The common command transmitted from the device control server SV is received by the common command receiving unit 12 of the connection device 1-2, converted into a device-specific instruction command by the device command converting unit 14, and then transmitted to the device. Further, the device command conversion unit 14 estimates the operation state of the device D-2 from the instruction command, and generates device drive state estimation information. When the operation state cannot be acquired from the device D-2, the device information acquisition unit 16 creates state information based on the device drive state estimation information and sends it back to the device control server SV.

  Therefore, according to the embodiment, it is possible to grasp and control the state of a device that cannot transmit the current state to the outside. This makes it easy to connect to a network using a common interface even when connecting an inexpensive device that cannot transmit status information to the outside, thus reducing the cost burden for system construction and easily increasing the number of connected devices. You can increase it.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the device command conversion unit 14 is configured to estimate the device state. However, the device command conversion unit 14 sends the command itself to the device information acquisition unit 16, and the device information acquisition unit 16 drives the device. It can also be configured to create state estimation information. In the above-described embodiment, the device driving state is estimated based on the device driving time. In addition to this, for example, when command information that causes a predetermined state is sent to the device, the following is performed. It is also possible to estimate the drive state that the predetermined state is continued until the command is sent.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the connection apparatus and the device were comprised separately, it is also possible to integrate so that a device may have a connection apparatus, for example by comprising a connection apparatus in a network card type. The device control server SV may not be a so-called server device but may be a simple personal computer, a data logger, a robot, or the like, and has a function of transmitting a command to the device and receiving a return value from the device. It doesn't matter. In addition, the device type, the configuration and operation procedure of the connection apparatus, and the contents thereof can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

The schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the device control system using the connection apparatus concerning this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the connection apparatus concerning this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the connection apparatus concerning this invention. The figure which shows the structure of a response table. The figure for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement procedure of the connection apparatus concerning this invention. The figure for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement procedure of the connection apparatus concerning this invention. The figure for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement procedure of the connection apparatus concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  SV ... Device control server, NW ... Network, 1-1-4 ... Connection device, D-1-4 ... Device, 11 ... Network I / F, 12 ... Common command receiver, 13 ... Response table, 14 ... Device command Conversion unit, 15 ... device connection I / F, 16 ... device information acquisition unit, 17 ... timer, 18 ... common data generation unit.

Claims (10)

A connection device that is used in a device control system that includes a server device and a device that is driven according to command information that represents instruction content coming from the server device via a communication line, and that connects the device and the server device. There,
Receiving means for receiving command information sent from the server device via the communication line;
Command information transmitting means for transmitting command information received by the receiving means to the device;
Estimating means for estimating a driving state of the device based on the command information;
Creating means for creating state information representing the estimated driving state;
A connection device comprising: status information transmission means for transmitting the created status information to a server device via the communication line. A determination unit that determines whether or not the state information can be acquired from the device; and a state information acquisition unit that acquires the state information from the device when the determination unit determines that the state information can be acquired. In addition,
The state information transmission unit transmits the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit to the server device via the communication line when the determination unit determines that the state information can be acquired from the device. When the determination unit determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device, the state information generated by the generation unit is transmitted to the server device via the communication line. Item 1. The connection device according to Item 1. The receiving means receives command information including information specifying a drive time of the device;
The said estimation means estimates the drive state of the said device based on the drive time contained in the said command information, when it determines with state information being unobtainable from the said device by the said determination means. The connection device according to 1. The receiving means receives command information including information for specifying data to be executed by the device;
Further comprising drive time acquisition means for acquiring the drive time of the device from the data specified by the command information;
The estimation unit estimates the drive state of the device based on the drive time acquired by the drive time acquisition unit when the determination unit determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device. The connection device according to claim 1. Further comprising storage means for storing information specifying the drive time of the device in association with the command information;
The estimation means reads information specifying the corresponding drive time from the storage means based on the received command information when the determination means determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device, The connection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving state of the device is estimated based on information designating a driving time. A device control system comprising: a server device; and a device that is driven according to command information representing instruction content coming from the server device via a communication line,
Comprising a connection device for connecting between the device and the server device;
The connecting device is
Receiving means for receiving command information sent from the server device via the communication line;
Command information transmitting means for transmitting command information received by the receiving means to the device;
Estimating means for estimating a driving state of the device based on the command information;
Creating means for creating state information representing the estimated driving state;
A connection system comprising: status information transmitting means for transmitting the created status information to the server device via the communication line. The connecting device is
Determination means for determining whether or not the state information can be acquired from the device;
When it is determined by the determination means that the state information can be acquired, the apparatus further comprises state information acquisition means for acquiring the state information from the device,
The state information transmission unit of the connection apparatus, when the determination unit determines that the state information can be acquired from the device, transmits the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit to the server via the communication line. When the determination unit determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device, the state information generated by the generation unit is transmitted to the server device via the communication line. The connection system according to claim 6, wherein: The receiving means of the connection apparatus receives command information including information specifying a driving time of the device;
The estimation unit of the connection apparatus estimates a driving state of the device based on a driving time included in the command information when the determination unit determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device. The connection system according to claim 6. In the connection device,
The receiving means receives command information including information for specifying data to be executed by the device;
Further comprising drive time acquisition means for acquiring the drive time of the device from the data specified by the command information;
The estimation unit estimates the drive state of the device based on the drive time acquired by the drive time acquisition unit when the determination unit determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device. The connection system according to claim 6. The connection device further includes storage means for storing information specifying the drive time of the device in association with the command information,
The estimation unit of the connection device specifies information corresponding to the driving time from the storage unit based on the received command information when the determination unit determines that the state information cannot be acquired from the device. 7. The connection system according to claim 6, wherein the driving state of the device is estimated based on information specifying the driving time.

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