JP2001306533A - Soho system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain improvement in network security through concealment of information by integrating various kinds of network connection equipment with a SOHO server for improving reliability and quality concerning a device, and a method for providing the service support of an information network. SOLUTION: Each of SOHO servers 1 installed, while being distributed, is connected via an open network, and at least one of network connecting equipment in a security supervisory and control system, facility supervisory and control system or multimedia system is connected to each of SOHO servers 1. The SOHO server 1 correspondingly registers the object name and address of the network connection equipment and when there is access with the designated object name of the network connection equipment via the open network, the object name is translated to the address and the access of the network connecting equipment is enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a SOHO (small)
More particularly, the present invention relates to an information communication network system for improving the quality of end-to-end services provided to users of small and private information communication network devices and enhancing a function of customizing network management.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Like conventional TVs and TV games, SOHO systems centered on entertainment, personal computer-based home servers, and TV-based set-top boxes are:
It is suitable for multimedia, but it is mainly equipment that is turned on only when necessary, so it is not suitable for a 24-hour infrastructure, and the use period and useful life of each device are short. Also, for the SOHO service support, separate telephone lines were required for the disaster prevention management receiver, the facility management control panel, the home PBX, and the like.

On the other hand, existing 24-hour monitoring and control systems, such as telephone lines, disaster prevention systems, and home information panels, are sometimes restricted in use due to legal regulations and the like, or have a limited transmission band. Therefore, a method has been developed in which a residential LAN is configured using a modem for high-speed transmission of about 10 Mbps using a telephone line such as HomePNA, and an IP packet is passed. Recently, the speed of wireless communication has been similarly increased.

[0004]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional SOHO system, since various information communication networks coexist, the TCO including maintenance and management is increased. Since various network connection devices are divided for each system, it is difficult to use the connection. Regardless of the user's needs and literacy, there was a problem that the usage was forced halfway.

[0005] Further, since the conventional SOHO system is connected to an open network such as the Internet, there is a possibility that even a private network connection device is remotely accessed.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in order to improve the reliability and quality of an apparatus and a method for providing service support of an information network, intelligent BA, HA, and information are provided. Control panels for various network-connected devices including home appliances
O-server integrated with Web server function, providing a platform that can remotely provide high value-added service support with the knowledge and know-how of experts via the Internet, network security by plug-and-play, integration as objects, information hiding The purpose is to improve the quality.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the SOHO system of the present invention comprises a distributed SO SO system.
Each HO server is connected via an open network, and each SOHO server is provided with a security monitoring and control system such as disaster prevention and crime prevention, a facility monitoring and control system such as lighting and air conditioning, and a multimedia system such as communication and broadcasting. It is configured by connecting at least one network connection device.

Here, the open network includes all telecommunication lines that can be accessed from a third party such as the Internet, a telephone network, and a public line such as ISDN. The SOHO server is installed in a control room or a security room of a building or an apartment. The network connection device is installed in each room of a building or condominium, or in each dwelling unit. The network connection device includes a device that cannot access the open network, and in this case, the device is connected via an accessible SOHO information panel or the like.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the SOHO server registers the object name of the network connection device and the address in association with each other, and when an access specifying the object name of the network connection device is made through the open network, the object is registered. Converts a name to an address and enables access to network-connected devices.

[0010] In the second aspect, the network connection device is W
eb server. The SOHO server registers the object name of the network connection device and the URL in association with each other, and converts the object name into a URL when there is an access specifying the object name of the network connection device through the open network. Enable access to connected devices.

[0011] In the third aspect, the network connection device includes:
Email server. The SOHO server registers the object name of the network connection device and the e-mail address in association with each other. When an access is made through the open network with the object name of the network connection device specified, the object name is changed to the e-mail address. Convert and enable access to network connected devices.

According to a fourth aspect, the network connection device comprises:
Agent server. The SOHO server registers the object name of the network connection device and the agent address in association with each other, and converts the object name into the agent address when there is access through the open network that specifies the object name of the network connection device. , Allows access to network connected equipment.

According to a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a SOHO server host is further connected to the open network connecting each of the SOHO servers, and the SOHO server host is connected to the SOHO server. It provides services and performs monitoring control of the SOHO server.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration on the remote site side of the SOHO system.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a SOHO system.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the SOHO system, the SOHO server 1 is distributed and installed at remote sites. Further, within a predetermined area such as an office that accesses the SOHO server 1 and receives the SOHO service support,
The OHO information panel 40 is installed. That is, the SOHO server 1 integrates the SOHO information panel 40, various home networks, or externally connected networks, and
Configure the HO server platform.

The SOHO information panel 40 includes a network for at least one of a security monitoring and control system for disaster prevention and crime prevention, a facility monitoring and control system for lighting and air conditioning, and a multimedia system for communication and broadcasting in a predetermined area. The connected device is connected.

Here, a fire detector 41 is connected as a network connection device of the security monitoring control system. A lighting fixture 42 is connected as a network connection device of the facility monitoring control system. As a multimedia network connection device, a television receiver 43 and a telephone 4
4. An SOHO terminal 45 such as a personal computer is connected.

The SOHO server 1 and each SOHO information panel 40
Is connected via a SOHO network N such as a LAN, and the SOHO information panel 40 receives a service provided from the SOHO server 1 to each of the connected network connection devices (41 to 45) by a gateway function. At the same time, monitoring and control of each of the network connection devices (41 to 45) from the SOHO server 1 is enabled.

In the gateway function, the data format, address, and protocol are converted between the network connection devices (41 to 45) and the SOHO server 1 in order to exchange data with each other. In this way, by interposing the SOHO information panel 40, a plurality of networks in each predetermined area are integrated, and the provision and control and monitoring of services suitable for the respective network connection devices (41 to 45) from the SOHO server 1 are performed. enable.

Between each of the network-connected devices (41 to 45) and the SOHO information panel 40, a configuration may be employed in which each device performs the original communication or a configuration in which the original communication is not performed. For example, the access to the Internet N1 by the SOHO terminal 45, the connection to the CATV of the television receiver 43, and the connection to the telephone network such as the telephone 44 are performed by the SOHO terminal.
The information panel 40 communicates via the SOHO server 1. On the other hand, the fire detector 41 is connected to the security management control panel 32 via a multiplex transmission line or the like (not shown).
Monitoring of fires, etc. The lighting fixture 42 is connected to the equipment management control panel 31 via a multiplex transmission line or the like (not shown), and the equipment management control panel 31 performs on / off control, state monitoring, and the like.

The plurality of SOHO servers 1 installed at remote sites are connected to each other via a communication network such as the Internet N1. Here, a SOHO server host 90 is further connected to the Internet N1. . The SOHO server host 90 is installed at a service support center or the like.
The terminal 91 of the service support staff is connected.

The SOHO server host 90 provides a service to the SOHO server 1 and monitors and controls the SOHO server 1. Also, the SOHO server host 90
Can access SOHO server 1 and obtain SO
The network connection device (4) to which the HO server 1 is connected
1 to 45), services can be provided collectively and monitoring control can be performed collectively.

The SOHO server 1 registers an object name of a network connection device and an address in association with each other, and when an access specifying the object name of the network connection device is made through the open network N1, the object name is registered in the address. To enable access to network connected devices.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the SOHO server 1 has a front-end Web server 1 between the open network N1 and various network connection devices.
1, a Web server dress conversion unit 12 and a Web server integration unit 13 are provided.

In this system, various network connection devices are connected to an open network N such as the Internet.
1 allows remote access from a Web browser such as the HTTP protocol.
By the Web server dress conversion unit 12 of the HO server 1, private URs of various network connection devices are provided.
L is concealed.

Here, the SOHO server 1 connects an open remote access target 50 via an open network No. as a network connection device. Also, via the private network Np,
A private remote access target 60 is connected.

In both cases, the embedded Web servers 54 and 64
In addition, various non-Web compatible network connection devices 53,
63 is also connected. These devices include the fire detector 41 and the lighting fixture 42 shown in FIG. The non-Web-compatible devices 53 and 63 are connected to the network Nos. And N via transmission units 52 and 62 by system control panels 51 and 61 having built-in embedded Web servers 51a and 61a.
connected to p.

The routing and remote access (RRAS) 10 of the SOHO server 1 is a switching control unit for general packet data and the like. Since it is common to transmit digitized voice, video and data over IP, IP packets are usually routed. In addition to IP control, streams such as video can be transmitted using protocols other than IP. There are also industry standards to use.

The application server 15 is a SOHO
Package software that provides applications running on the server 1. It provides general shared applications that support e-commerce, groupware, etc., and dedicated applications such as the use of various network service devices and service support. Applies to private access.

The front-end Web server 11 is a standard Web server component, and the HTTP communication processes an HTTP communication protocol for transmitting and receiving a hypertext Web document described in HTML, XML, or the like.

Embedded Web of Various Network Connection Devices
Server or embedded client (51a, 54, 6)
1a, 64) also include a Web document transmission / reception function similar to that of the front-end Web server 11.

The Web server integration unit 13 is basically a standard Web server similar to the front-end Web server 11.
It is a server component, and various network connection devices and the Web server integration unit 13 automatically exchange messages. The Web server integration unit 13 responds to requests from various network-connected devices and issues requests to various network-connected devices. Therefore, various network-connected devices are integrated by communicating with each other using Web documents.

The Web server address translator 12 is not a translation of an IP address such as a normal firewall, is not a translation between a name such as a name service and an IP address, and is a NAT (network address translator).
ator). Various network connection devices include a front-end Web server 11
, It is seen as one of the abstracted objects, and the UR is connected to
L, convert the front-end object and the back-end URL so that the URLs of the various network connection devices are virtually integrated into the host of the URL of the SOHO server 1, and the data contained in this server , Objects and the like, the physical URLs of various network connection devices are hidden.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a user interface screen displayed on a SOHO terminal or the like. In the figure,
i1 is the icon of the fire detector 41, i2 is the lighting equipment 42
Icon, i3 is the icon of the television receiver 43, i4
Is an icon of the telephone 44, i5 is an icon of the SOHO terminal 45, and i6 is an icon of the air conditioner.

The user operates the icons i1 to i6 as objects without being aware of the URL of each device. Then, since the setting screen is displayed, the operation can be performed in a conversation style. For various network connection devices, the host name of the URL becomes its own name (address). Therefore, different IPs are used at the level of the URL of the Web server.
It will all be changed to addresses, names, port numbers, etc.

Data and objects extracted from the Web document, and data and objects listed in the Web document are both stored and exchanged in the database server 14. The database server 14 includes various network connection device names, network addresses, various setting parameters of the configuration, and the like.
It also includes control application programs (methods) for various network-connected devices that have been uploaded from various network-connected devices by the plug-and-play function of initial settings through communication between the Web server integration unit 13 and various network-connected devices.

The method of accessing resources on a Web server includes a uniform resource locator (URL), which is said to be affected by ISO / IEC, according to RFC16.
30 and defined in a set of namespaces in which names and addresses of distributed objects are integrated, with the intention of commonly accessing them as labeled objects, and It is implemented according to a recommendation such as RFC1738 in such a syntax.

<Scheme>: <scheme-specific-part> Here, in the scheme (scheme), ftp, http, mai
There are lto, news, file, etc. Syntax (scheme-s
pecific-part) is defined as follows except for mailto and news.

// <user>: <password> @ <host>: <port> / <url-path> Here, a user name (user) and a password (password) can be optionally set, and the host Specify the domain name or IP address by the host (host), and position the scheme-dependent object (url-pat
h) is specified. RFC 1808 recommends a description to be omitted according to the definition of a relative URL.

Further, extensions to the multipurpose multimedia interface, universal plug and play, and the like have been proposed at the URL, and implementation has been carried out by leading vendors.

As an effect, various network connection devices are integrated on the Web, the URLs of the open system and the private system are concealed, and the access of the open system is enabled by the Web server address conversion, so that the Web document is relayed. However, security is enhanced by the Proxy function.

As described above, the SOHO server 1 registers the object name of the network connection device and the URL in association with each other, and through the open network N1,
When there is an access specifying the object name of the network connection device, the object name is converted into a URL, and the access of the network connection device is enabled.

Therefore, an embedded Web having a communication function with various non-Web-compatible network connecting devices 53 and 63
b server 51a, 61a (also possible with Web browser)
By exchanging a Web document with the Web server integration unit 13, the Web server address conversion unit 12
However, the URLs of the embedded Web servers 51a and 61a can be hidden.

The embedded Web server (51a, 54, 61)
a, 64) is also possible with an embedded Web browser.
In other words, a JavaScript or Java applet is operated by a Java VM (virtual machine) to access internal data of various network connection devices, monitor a control state, and execute a Web server integration unit 1
3 can be sent as an XML document, and in such a case, it functions similarly to the Web server.

The hypertext transfer protocol (HTT)
P) is a set of request and response, and is stateless and has no communication state or history.
In TTP / 1.1, a TCP connection is established and a persistent connection for sending a plurality of requests is set to one.
The server sends a status line for the request, but the server information, meta information of the requested object, and the contents of the object are sent to the client, and the server does not maintain the session state with the client. There is no delivery confirmation without sending.

For this delivery confirmation, a set cookie (SetCooki
e) The session information of the header and the identifier (Cookie ID) of the cookie information (Cookie ID) are managed between the Web server and the Web client, and RFC2109 which holds the session information is also recommended.

As is well known, there is a security problem contrary to the convenience of the remote access described above. At the same time with the use of known techniques such as encryption, the Web server address conversion unit 12 of the present invention dynamically converts the address. , The security function is enhanced.

The present invention provides the user environment including the information panel including the SOHO server 1 in order to improve the reliability and quality of application and service support while conforming to international standards such as a user interface. Can be enhanced.

International standards for the Web include I
SO SGML, WWW Consortium (W3C) X
The Web document itself including ML is an object database having many information components. Schemas such as object concepts and relations between concepts are defined, and applied to knowledge representation and knowledge databases. Advanced combined semantic interpretation is also possible.

On the Web, a style sheet is created to be shown to a person. Similarly, a style sheet language (X
SL) can be used as message style control or output control.
Various extensions have been developed and provided by vendor companies.

In an open system, a Web document is defined by a document type definition (DTD), such as an internal model and attributes, but in a private system, a unique language can be created. In the HTTP, a method such as encapsulation in an Internet mail format (such as MIME) is used.
Content other than HTML and XML can also be sent.

As described above, by replacing the communication function with the non-Web-compatible various network connection devices 53 and 63 with a Web document, the various network connection devices are integrated on the Web, and the open and private URLs are hidden. Open access can be performed by dynamically changing the contents of the address conversion table and converting the encrypted Web server address, thereby enabling remote use of various non-Web-compatible network connection devices 53 and 63. Increase security.

Next, another configuration of the SOHO system will be described. When an electronic mail server is provided as a network connection device, the SOHO server 1 registers the object name of the network connection device and the e-mail address in association with each other, and specifies the object name of the network connection device through the open network N1. When an access is made, the object name is converted into an e-mail address to enable access from the network connection device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the SOHO server 1 in this case. SOHO server 1
Between the open network N1 and various network connection devices, the front-end e-mail server 16
, An email address conversion unit 17 and an email server integration unit 18 are provided.

The e-mail address converter 17 conceals the private e-mail addresses of the various network-connected devices, and has a built-in e-mail server (client) that has a function of communicating with various network-connected devices including non-email compatible. ) And the e-mail server integration unit 18 to exchange e-mails by a simple e-mail transfer protocol (SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, etc.), thereby enabling remote use of various non-email compatible network connection devices. At the same time, the electronic mail address of the embedded electronic mail server (client) is hidden.

A description method for externally referencing from a MIME using a URL is recommended in RFC2017, and it is also possible to display an HTML file accessed by HTTP. In order to display an image or the like transmitted by MIME together with the HTML document in the HTML document, the content is extended by RFC2111 so that a content ID can be specified by a URL. It is extended so that a message ID can be specified by a URL so that an electronic mail can be referred to in an HTML document.

Further, by sending a Web document such as SGML by e-mail using a method such as encapsulation in an Internet mail format (MIME or the like), the user agent can also show it in the style of a Web browser.

As an effect, an electronic mail transport agent is built in the built-in type Web server, and the electronic mail address conversion unit 17 confirms the address of the transmission source, and changes the addresses of various network connection devices on the network. It can dynamically respond to changes in the application range. By sending a Web document such as SGML by e-mail using a method such as encapsulation in an Internet mail format (MIME or the like), the user agent can also see the Web document in the style of a Web browser.

Next, another configuration of the SOHO system will be described. When an agent server is provided as a network connection device, the SOHO server 1 registers the object name of the network connection device and the agent address in association with each other, and performs access by specifying the object name of the network connection device through the open network N1. When there is, the object name is converted into the agent address, and the access of the network connection device is enabled.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the SOHO server 1 in this case. SOHO server 1
The front-end agent server 1 is connected between the open network N1 and various network connection devices.
9, an agent address conversion unit 20, and an agent server integration unit 21.

The agent address translator 20 conceals the private agent addresses (naming) of the various network connecting devices and has a built-in agent server (client) having a communication function with various network connecting devices including non-agent correspondence. By exchanging agent classes, inter-agent messages, methods, and the like with the agent server integration unit 21 using an agent transfer protocol (HTTP, RMI, etc.), an object request broker (ORB), and the like, respectively. It enables remote use of various network-connected devices that support non-agents, and conceals the agent address (naming) of the embedded agent server (client).

In response to changes such as universal plug and play of various network connection devices, movement, addition, and deletion of offices and other layout changes, and intelligent firmware upgrades,
By cooperating with a mobile agent, an intelligent agent, and the like corresponding to the mobile function, it is possible to reduce troublesome human operations.

Next, the SOHO server 1 described above
An example of communication between the server and various network connection devices and integration of a Web message of the SOHO service unit will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the SOHO server 1
A Web server integration unit 13, a Web server address conversion unit 12, and a front-end Web server 11 are built in,
The b server integration unit 13 automatically communicates with various network connection devices at the back end.

The Web server address conversion unit 12 converts the network addresses of various network connection devices into a network address for access from the front end, and converts the network address between the front end Web server 11 and the back end Web server integration unit 13. Connect your communication.

By accessing the front-end Web server on the SOHO server 1 from the user, the URLs of the various network connection devices are virtually integrated with the URLs of the SOHO server 1 and the various network connection devices are accessed. Since the physical URL is concealed and various network connection devices can be accessed on a Web basis, different systems can be integrated for versatile uses, and the user can easily view and use the system. Also, by using it as communication between network connected devices,
Plug and play of various network connection devices can be easily performed in an open environment that does not depend on vendor standards,
Various network connection devices can be integrated into the user environment as objects or agents, and reliability and security can be significantly improved.

The routing remote access 10 has a T
Includes basic network connection processing unit such as CP / IP protocol socket, Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.
It assumes an Internet Protocol IP and a network environment derived from it.

The front-end Web server 11 is a standard Web server component, and internally has an HT
TP communication 11c, Web reading unit 11b, Web presentation unit 1
1a is included. HTTP communication 11c is HTML, X
An HTTP communication protocol for transmitting a hypertext format Web document described in ML or the like is processed. Web
The reading unit 11b performs a reception function of analyzing a Web document of a homepage (HP) of a partner Web server and extracting necessary data, objects, and the like. The Web presentation unit 11a has a transmission function of posting a Web document on a homepage.

As shown in FIG. 7, the front-end Web is also provided to the SOHO terminal, the TV system terminal, and the embedded Web server 5 of the other system control panel, which are various network connection devices.
b, includes an HTTP communication 50, a Web reading unit 54, and a Web presenting unit 52 similar to those of the server 11; the Web reading unit 54 performs a receiving function; the Web presenting unit 52 performs a transmitting function; It is connected to the control unit 53.

The Web server integration unit 13 is basically a standard Web server similar to the front-end Web server 11.
b server component, HTTP communication 13c,
A Web reading unit 13b and a Web presenting unit 13a are included.
Various network connection devices built in the embedded Web server read the contents of the Web presentation unit 13a, and the Web reading unit 13b analyzes the contents of the homepages of the various network connection devices built in the embedded Web server, so that various network connections are performed. The device and the Web server integration unit 13 automatically exchange messages, and the Web server integration unit 1
3 responds to requests from various network-connected devices from the web presenting unit 13a and issues requests to various network-connected devices.
Integrated by communicating in writing.

As described above, the Web server address conversion unit 12 does not perform conversion of an IP address as in a normal firewall, does not convert between a name and an IP address in a name service or the like, and further performs processing such as a NAT. It is not a port number translation. The Web server address conversion unit 12 changes all of the IP addresses, names, port numbers, and the like at the URL level of the Web server to different IP addresses, names, and port numbers.
By substituting it as one of the abstracted objects from the web server, the URLs of various network connection devices for exchanging Web documents are virtually integrated into the URL of the SOHO server and included in this server. When the content becomes data or an object, the physical URLs of various network connection devices are converted and hidden.

Data and objects extracted by the Web reading units 11b and 13b, and the Web presentation unit 11
The data and objects listed in a and 13a are both stored and exchanged in the database server 14.

The database server 14 includes a network connection device registration database 14a and an address conversion table 14b. The network connection device registration database 14a includes names of various network connection devices, network addresses, various setting parameters of the configuration, and the like. Plug-and-play of initial settings through communication between the Web server integration unit 13 and the various network connection devices Depending on the function, control application programs (methods) for various network connection devices uploaded from various network connection devices and the like are also included.
Also includes an address conversion table 14b referred to by the Web server address conversion unit 12.

An electronic mail is incorporated in a Web document, and it is generally possible to send a Web document by electronic mail. As shown in FIG.
Has a built-in e-mail server function (POP3, etc.)
It is recorded in the message holder 22 for registration, and the message holder 22 for registration is
Reference each other through the data reference table.

As shown in the figure, in order to partially support the reading and creation of the Web document, support the agent function on the SOHO server 1 for searching on behalf of the user, and register various settings, as shown in FIG. An integrated SOHO server agent 25 and an agent shared database 24 are included. Agent shared database 24
The agent stores the components, functions, etc. of the agent, such as the name of the agent, configuration parameters, processing rules, and processing methods, as well as the learned knowledge, rules, and internal state of each agent.
The OHO server agent 25 executes the agent function activated in the active state, and performs communication between the agents with other Web servers and various network connection devices.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an SOHO information panel 40 for mutually connecting various network connecting devices is installed in the SOHO service unit, and the SOHO server 1 sends various information via the SOHO information panel 40 to the SOHO service unit. It can be configured in a hierarchical structure connected to the network connection device.

By doing so, the building automation (BA) and the home automation (H) are stored in the SOHO information panel 40 for each SOHO service unit.
A), a factory network (FA), a field network connecting monitoring and control terminal devices such as disaster prevention equipment and security equipment, and a control unit for controlling these monitoring and control terminal devices are integrated.
Web server functions such as TP and XML are incorporated, and the operation units that display the status of these systems and give commands are distributed and arranged on a network as various terminal devices composed of Web browsers and remotely control units. W
It becomes possible to operate from the web browser.

The control section is integrated in the SOHO information panel 40,
An SOHO information unit 40, an SOHO service unit in which various home or externally connected networks are connected to the SOHO server 1, and the SOHO server 1 includes a Web server integration unit 13, a Web server address conversion unit 12, and a front-end Web server 11 As described above, the physical URLs of various network connection devices are hidden, and various network connection devices can be accessed on a Web basis, as described above.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the SOHO server host 90 is connected to the open network N1 to enable remote service support for various network connection devices and the SOHO server 1 from the service support center, and to provide services. The SOHO server platform that hides the URLs of various target network connection devices will be described.

The control status monitoring function of various network connection devices based on the information panel is integrated on the Web, enabling remote service support from a remote service support center, and hiding open and private URLs. Since the access of the open system is enabled by the Web server address conversion, the security is enhanced.

The SOHO server 1 is distributed and installed at a remote site such as a store building, a condominium, and an office building.
An SOHO information panel 40 is installed in a SOHO service unit house such as a tenant, a house, an office or the like to receive HO service support.

The SOHO information panel 40 has BA, HA, F
A, a SOHO service business platform that integrates networks that support SOHO services such as monitoring and control services such as disaster prevention and security, community services, and SOHO terminals, and centralizes support service centers to provide service support intensively Is configured.

The SOHO server 1 incorporates a Web server integration unit 13, a Web server address conversion unit 12, and a front-end Web server 11, so that the physical URLs of various network connection devices are hidden, and various network connection devices are hidden. Web-based access to
The support service center configures an SOHO service business platform that performs service support intensively.
Using the SOHO server 1 of the HO control panel (management room) as a platform, it is possible to provide various business models that provide value to customers according to their needs.

By utilizing various kinds of knowledge information on a network represented by the Internet, a virtual (virtual) company, community, etc. space is formed in cyberspace, and electronic commerce, information transmission, Alternatively, creation of valuable knowledge information is popular, but the SOHO server 1 provides a network connection, and from the maintenance of infrastructure including specific network connection devices, the above-mentioned knowledge information is mainly used. It provides a platform that provides total network service support up to the provision of applications necessary to share cyberspace, and is applied to various IT utilization business models according to the purpose of use. Create value and reduce owner ownership costs , It is possible to improve the service.

The SOHO server 1 is a platform including applications on a network infrastructure, and has a local application server function,
It has the purpose of status monitoring and control function of various network connection devices, remote service and support.

Accordingly, the SOHO server 1 provides a service support function as a SOHO service application on the SOHO server API and integrates with the general-purpose OS to configure a SOHO server that utilizes the resources of the general-purpose OS. In addition, a SOHO service support platform that can be used as a local state monitoring and control controller and provides a SOHO server application having various purposes is configured, and the SOHO server OS and the SOHO server on the SOHO server API Applications are more powerful and more reliable.

The function of the SOHO server 1 is to connect a wide area network such as a telephone network and a CATV network and a local (home) network such as a LAN with each other.
Network server functions such as DHCP server, NAT, audio / video data integration function (VoIP etc.), encryption function, firewall function, filtering function, etc.
An application server function such as a b server function can be added.

The SOHO server 1 has a telephone network, C
ATV network and wireless network (digital network such as CS and BS) are integrated, SOHO router, PBX, CA
It integrates a set-top box connected to a TV network, a wireless network converter, etc., and is able to receive various value-added services, including remote management and maintenance services and support, as an infrastructure to provide the Internet and various remote services. it can.

The Web server address conversion unit 12 of the SOHO server 1 has a built-in IP address allocation conversion server for various network connection devices, and IP addresses of various networks are allocated by plug and play. , Different IP addresses are assigned, and between the backend and frontend I
The P address is translated.

The Web server address conversion unit 12 has built-in Proxy servers for various network connecting devices, and assigns IP addresses and TCP / UDP port numbers of various networks by plug-and-play, and furthermore, to the front end. Are assigned different IP addresses and TCP / UDP port numbers, and the IP addresses and TCP / UDP port numbers are converted between the back end and the front end.

Further, the Web server address conversion unit 12 includes a database for registering a device class including an address conversion table. The device class includes, as attribute data, a name and a device number of a device to be accessed from the front end and a back number. The network address that the end accesses, ie the IP address and U
It includes a DP / TCP port number, and includes a device control method, attribute parameters, and the like. W to various network connection devices or controllers of different systems
Since an eb server is incorporated and messages can be exchanged between the systems by XML, the SOHO server 1 can integrate an existing system or a system based on a different technical standard and access it on a Web basis.

[0092]

As can be understood from the above description, in the SOHO system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the SOH
The O server hides private addresses of various network connection devices, thereby improving security.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the communication function with the various non-Web-compatible network connection devices is replaced with a Web document, whereby the various network connection devices are integrated on the Web, the open and private URLs are hidden, and the open system is hidden. Is dynamically changed by changing the contents of the address conversion table and being converted by encrypted Web server address conversion, so that remote use of various non-Web-compatible network connection devices is enabled and security is enhanced.

According to the third aspect, the SOHO server conceals the e-mail addresses of the various network-connected devices, so that the non-email-compatible various network-connected devices can be remotely used, and the sender's address is confirmed.
It is possible to dynamically cope with a change in the address of the network connection device on the network and a change in the applicable range.

According to the fourth aspect, the SOHO server conceals the private agent addresses (naming) of the various network-connected devices, thereby enabling remote use of the non-agent-compatible various network-connected devices and the various network-connected devices. In response to changes such as moving, adding, and deleting due to layout changes in offices, and intelligent firmware upgrades, such as universal plug and play for Can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect, since remote service support from the service support center to various network connection devices and the SOHO server is enabled, the control status monitoring function of various network connection devices based on the information panel is integrated on the Web. , Enabling remote service support from a remote service support center,
Since the URLs of the open system and the private system are hidden, security is enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of an SOHO system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the SOHO system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a SOHO server.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of the internal configuration of the SOHO server.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another example of the internal configuration of the SOHO server.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a network connection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 SOHO server 10 Routing remote access 11 Front-end Web server 12 Web server address conversion unit 13 Web server integration unit 14 Database server 15 Application server 16 Front-end e-mail server 17 E-mail address conversion unit 18 E-mail server integration unit 19 Front end Agent server 20 Agent address conversion unit 21 Agent server integration unit 50 Open remote access target 60 Private remote access target

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A distributed SOHO server, comprising:
Connected through an open network, each of the SOHO servers has at least one network of a security monitoring and control system such as disaster prevention and crime prevention, a facility monitoring and control system such as lighting and air conditioning, and a multimedia system such as communication and broadcasting. An SOHO system having a configuration in which connected devices are connected, wherein the SOHO server registers an object name and an address of the network connected device in association with each other,
A SOHO system characterized in that, when an access is made by specifying an object name of the network connection device through the open network, the object name is converted into an address to enable access of the network connection device. 2. The network connection device is a Web server. The SOHO server registers an object name and a URL of the network connection device in association with each other, and registers the object name of the network connection device through the open network. When there is an access specifying the object name, the object name is converted into a URL, and the access of the network connection device is enabled.
The SOHO system according to claim 1. 3. The network connection device is an electronic mail server, and the SOHO server registers an object name and an electronic mail address of the network connection device in association with each other, and stores the network name through the open network. 2. The SOHO system according to claim 1, wherein when there is an access specifying the object name of the connected device, the object name is converted into an e-mail address to enable access of the network connected device. 4. The network connection device is an agent server, and the SOHO server registers an object name and an agent address of the network connection device in association with each other, and registers the network connection device through the open network. 2. The SOH according to claim 1, wherein when there is an access specifying the object name, the object name is converted into an agent address to enable access from a network connection device.
O system. 5. An SOHO server host is further connected to the open network to which each of the SOHO servers is connected. The SOHO server host provides a service to the SOHO server and monitors and controls the SOHO server. The SOHO system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: