JP2004158982A - Information terminal, and communication management program and communication management method for the information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information terminal for making communication with apparatuses on a home network configured in compliance with the IPv6 through a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: The information terminal includes a searching means for searching information required for communication including an IP address of an apparatus on the home network configured in compliance with the IPv6; a means for cross-referencing a user operation to an identifier of the network; a means for activating the searching means on the opportunity of the user operation; and a means for cross-referencing a searching result to the identifier and registering the result, and is configured to externally access the apparatus on the home network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information terminal technology for performing information communication with a device on a home network, and particularly to a technology for accessing the device from outside.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional technology of an information terminal that accesses a device on a home network, for example, a user registers address information of a device on a home network in the information terminal, moves the information terminal with the user, and moves to the home network. When connecting to a home network from a location remote from the information terminal, connect the information terminal to an external network, access a home device from the external network, or obtain address information of a device on the external network. After performing communication within the external network, there is a method of returning to the home network again and communicating with the home device. In such a case, when connecting to the home network again, the configuration of other devices connected to the home network may have changed. In this case, the information terminal updates the address information when the user manually updates the addition / decrease of the address information of another device, or when the user inputs that the user has returned home. In this case, since the user is forced to perform a troublesome operation, it is desired that the address information of the information terminal be automatically updated without being aware that the user has returned home. For that purpose, the information terminal needs to automatically detect that the user has returned home. As a method of detecting that the user has returned home, Mobile IP uses a prefix of a network address for comparison.
When the user carries the information terminal, the user moves from the home network to the external network to use the terminal as described above. Another use is to access devices on the network. In this case, for each external network to which the information terminal is connected, the address information of the device on the network is acquired and registered, and then the address information of the device on the connected network is transferred to another external network. It accumulates.
[0003]
There are no patent documents or non-patent documents specified as prior art in the present invention.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the address information of the device on the home network of the home is registered in the information terminal and used outside the home as in the above-described conventional technology, which network the user uses as the home network depends on the intention of the user. . In addition, when accessing a device on the home or another external network from an external network, it is necessary to store and take out the address information of the device on the external network to be accessed. A means for registering the address information of the devices on the network in the information terminal is required. Further, when comparing prefixes of network addresses as a method of detecting that the information terminal has connected to the home, a router on the network needs to operate to obtain the prefix. However, in a home network, the power of the router may be easily turned off. Therefore, means for detecting connection to the home network without using a prefix is required. Further, when the information terminal moves through an external network, if the address information of the devices on each external network is registered, the address information may be mixed and the operation of the user may be confused.
[0005]
As a new technology, a technology that uses a communication method of IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) with a large amount of information and forms a home network on top of this is conceivable. In this technology, when an information terminal connected to a network outside the home accesses devices on the home network, the IP addresses of those devices or a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) registered in a DNS (Domain Name Server) are used. ) Must be specified. However, in IPv6, since one information device has a plurality of IP addresses, if the user manually manages the IP addresses, complicated operations are involved, and there is a high risk of making mistakes in the operations. In addition, regarding DNS registration, when all devices at home are registered in DNS, complicated operations are required, and the host names of the devices at home are disclosed to the outside. Occurs.
An object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal technology capable of performing communication with a device on a home network configured on IPv6 by simple operation without any problems such as security in view of the above-described state of the art. It is to be.
An object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal technology capable of solving such a problem.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention basically stores information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a home network configured on IPv6 (hereinafter, referred to as address information) in an information terminal. And register it so that it can be taken out and used. Specifically, in the information terminal, (1) a search unit for searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a home network configured on IPv6, a unit for associating a user operation with a network identifier, Means for operating the search means in response to the user's operation, and means for registering the search result in association with the identifier, so that the device on the home network can be accessed from outside based on the registration result. Configuration. (2) When connected to a specific home network configured on IPv6, search for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on the home network, and register a link local address among the IP addresses. Means for performing the above operation, once away from the connection to the specific home network, when connected to the same home network or a different network again, transmits information to the registered link local address, and if there is a reply, Connection detecting means for determining that the connection has been made to a specific home network. (3) When connected to a specific home network configured on IPv6, search for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on the home network, and register a link local address among the IP addresses. Means for once, once leaving the connection to the specific home network, and again connected to the same home network or a different network, obtains a link local address from a device on the network, and And a connection detecting means for judging that the connection has been reconnected to the specific home network when the numbers match by a predetermined number or more. (4) In the above (1), (2) or (3), information including an IP address of a device on a home network at home and information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a first external network. And a means for registering, when connected to a home network at home, or when connected to a second external network different from the first external network, detecting that the network has been changed, Means for automatically deleting or not displaying the registered information on the device on the first external network.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an information terminal. The information terminal 1000 is connected to a home network configured over IPv6, and performs network information communication with other devices connected to the home network. Address information searching means 1004 for searching for address information of all devices which can communicate, user operation recognizing means 1001 for recognizing user operation and operating address information searching means 1004, user operation for associating user operation with network identifier -It comprises a network identifier associating means 1002 and a storage registering means 1003 for associating and storing the search result of the address information searching means 1004 with the network identifier. FIG. 2 shows an example of pressing a button as a specific user operation recognized by the user operation recognition means 1001 in the information terminal 1000 shown in FIG. The information terminal 1000 has buttons 2001, 2002, and 2003 as user operation means, and has a list 2004 in which each button is associated with a network identifier. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a home network address information list, which is stored and registered in the information terminal when the button 2001 is pressed. Reference numeral 2006 denotes an address information list of an external network outside the home, which is stored and registered in the information terminal when the button 2002 is pressed.
[0008]
First, an operation in the case where address information of a device on the home network is stored and registered in the information terminal 1000 in order to take the information terminal 1000 out of the home and communicate with a device on the home network will be described. In the information terminal 1000, the button 2001 is associated with an identifier of the home network in advance, the button 2002 is associated with the identifier of the external network 1, the button 2003 is associated with the identifier of the external network 2, and their association is a list 2004. It shall be described in. Here, the identifiers “external network 1” and “external network 2” mean an external network with which the user frequently connects the information terminal 1000 or an external network that is important to the user. When the user presses the button 2001 with the information terminal 1000 connected to the home network in order to register address information on the home network, the user operation recognizing unit 1001 recognizes this and activates the address information searching unit 1004. . The user operation recognizing unit 1001 notifies the user operation / network identifier associating unit 1002 that the button 2001 has been pressed. The address information search unit 1004 acquires address information of a device on the home network via the network connection unit 1005. On the other hand, the user operation / network identifier associating unit 1002 recognizes that the button 2001 is associated with the home network using the list 2004, and stores the address information obtained by the address information searching unit 1004 as the home network identifier. And passed to the storage registration unit 1003. In response to this, the storage registration unit 1003 creates and stores an address information list 2005 such as global addresses of devices on the home network.
[0009]
Next, in order to communicate with a device on the first external network other than the home from the information terminal 1000 connected to the network other than the first external network, the address information of the device on the first external network is changed. The case of storing and registering in the information terminal 1000 will be described. When the user presses the button 2002 with the information terminal 1000 connected to the first external network, the user operation recognizing unit 1001 recognizes this and activates the address information searching unit 1004. The user operation recognizing unit 1001 notifies the user operation / network identifier associating unit 1002 that the button 2002 has been pressed. The address information search means 1004 acquires, via the network connection means 1005, address information of a device on the first external network. On the other hand, the user operation / network identifier associating unit 1002 recognizes that the button 2002 is associated with the external network 1 using the list 2004, and converts the address information obtained by the address information searching unit 1004 into “external network 1”. To the storage registration unit 1003 in association with the identifier "." In response to this, the storage registration unit 1003 creates and stores an address information list 2006 such as global addresses of devices on the first external network. Similarly, when the button 2003 is pressed while the information terminal 1000 is connected to a second external network other than the home network and the first external network, an address information list 2007 of devices on the second external network is displayed. Is created and stored.
[0010]
FIG. 3 shows an example of menu selection as a specific user operation of the user operation recognition means 1001 in the information terminal 1000 shown in FIG. When a menu 3001 is displayed on the screen 3000 of the information terminal 1000 and an address registration menu 3002 is selected, a menu 3003 for selecting a home network, a menu 3004 for selecting “external network 1”, and a menu 3005 for selecting “external network 2” Is displayed. Here, the identifiers “external network 1” and “external network 2” mean an external network with which the user frequently connects the information terminal 1000 or an external network that is important to the user. When the user selects the home network menu 3003 with the information terminal 1000 connected to the home network in order to register the address information on the home network, the address information search unit 1004 operates. At the same time, the association is made by the user operation / network identifier association means 2002. The address information search unit 1004 acquires address information of a device on the home network via the network connection unit 1005. On the other hand, the user operation / network identifier associating means 1002 recognizes that the home network menu 3003 is associated with the home network, and associates the address information obtained by the address information searching means 1004 with the home network identifier. And passes it to the storage registration means 1003. In response to this, the storage registration unit 1003 creates and stores an address information list 2005 such as global addresses of devices on the home network. The same applies to the case where the address information of the device on the external network is stored and registered.
[0011]
In the first embodiment, the case where the address information of the desired network device is stored and registered for the first time has been described. However, when this operation is repeated, the address information to be stored and registered is overwritten or overwritten. Whether or not to prohibit it is determined by the user, and the control can be realized by the storage registration unit 1003. The number of network identifiers can be increased or decreased according to the needs of the user, and can be easily realized in a menu. Further, the buttons can be easily realized not by hardware buttons but also by soft buttons. In the first embodiment, the hard button, the soft button, and the menu operation are described as examples of the user operation. In addition, the user operation by inserting the IC card and the network identifier as information in the IC card are provided. In some cases, a user operation by inserting a memory card such as an SD / MMC / SMMC card is associated with a network identifier and each memory card. The address information is information necessary for communication including an IP address. In the information, in addition to an IP address such as a global address and a link local address, information for identifying a device such as a device name or an ID is included. And information such as functions, operation methods, and contents of the device.
[0012]
According to the first embodiment, it is possible for a user to store and register address information of a device on a home or an external network in an information terminal at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily select which network is stored and registered in the information terminal as the home network. It is also possible to store and register external network to be connected and address information of devices on the external network that are important to the user.
[0013]
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information terminal 4000. The information terminal 1000 shown in FIG. 1 has a home network connection detecting means 4001 for detecting reconnection to a specific network and address information of devices on the network. The configuration is such that an address information updating means 4002 for updating is added. FIG. 5 shows a processing flow of the home network connection detecting means 4001 of FIG.
[0014]
In the second embodiment, taking the home network as an example, when the information terminal 4000 that has stored and registered the address information of the devices on the home network connects to the external network away from the home network and connects to the home network again Next, an operation of automatically updating address information of a device on a home network will be described. The network (I) in FIG. 5 is described as a home network. It is assumed that the information terminal 4000 stores and registers the address information of the device on the home network by the method described in the first embodiment, and the address information includes the link local address. The link local address information is stored and registered in the information terminal 4000 as a list a (data D56) shown in FIG. When the information terminal 4000 is separated from the home and connected to the external network, and is again connected to the home network, the network connection detecting means 4001 refers to the home network address information list a (data D56) from the storage and registration means 1003. Then, a message is transmitted to the link local address in the list a (step S51). Next, it is determined whether there is a response to this message from the device (step S52). If there is a reply, it is recognized that it has been connected to the home network again (step S53), and if there is no reply, it is recognized that it has been connected to a network other than the home network (step S55). As described above, when the network connection detecting unit 4001 recognizes that the home network has been reconnected, the address information updating unit 4002 uses the address information searching unit 1002 to acquire the current address information of the home network constituent devices. Then, the previously acquired address information and network component device information are updated and stored and registered in the information terminal 4000 by the storage registration unit 1003.
[0015]
According to the second embodiment, the information terminal reconnects to this network even in the home network where the router is not operating, without being conscious of the prefix of the network which cannot be obtained unless the router is operating. It is possible to automatically detect that the operation has been performed.
In the configuration of the second embodiment, the method of storing and registering the address information of the devices on the home network in advance is the same as the method of the first embodiment, but other methods are used. You may. The same applies to the case where the address information of the devices on the home network is stored and registered in advance by the method shown in the present embodiment, and the home network is connected again.
[0016]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a processing flow of the home network connection detecting means 4001 in FIG. 4 described above, and the network connection detecting means 4001 is realized by a method different from the method of the second embodiment described in FIG. It has become.
[0017]
The information terminal 1000 that stores and registers the address information including the link local address of the device on the network (I) as the list b (data D66) illustrated in FIG. 6 by the method described in the first embodiment. When connected to a certain network, address information including a link local address of a device on the network is obtained (step S61). Next, these link local addresses are compared with the link local addresses in the list b (step S62), and if a predetermined number, for example, five devices on the network, three of the link local addresses are one. It is determined whether or not they match (step S63). If they match, it is recognized that they have been reconnected to the network (I) (step S65). If they do not match, they are connected to a network other than the network (I). Is recognized (step S64). The predetermined number determined in step S63 can be set arbitrarily based on the status of the network to which the information terminal 1000 is connected.
[0018]
According to the third embodiment, it is possible to automatically detect that the information terminal has been reconnected to the home network in which the router is not operating, by using the link local address. Become.
In the third embodiment, the same method as that in the first embodiment is described as a method for storing and registering the address information of the devices on the home network in advance. Is also good. The same applies to the case where the address information of the devices on the home network is stored and registered in advance by the method shown in the present embodiment, and the home network is connected again.
[0019]
7 and 8 are views showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a configuration example diagram of the information terminal 7000. When the information terminal 1000 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the network detecting means 4001 shown in FIG. An example of a configuration in which an external network address information non-display unit 7001 having a function of not displaying address information of a device on a network connected to a network is shown. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow when the information terminal 7000 leaves the home network, is connected to an external network, and is then connected to the home network again.
[0020]
An operation when the information terminal 7000 leaves the home network, is connected to an external network, and is then connected to the home network again will be described with reference to FIGS. The information terminal 7000 is connected to the home network (step S81), communicates with other devices on the home network (step S82), and uses the method described in the first embodiment to address information of the devices on the home network. Is stored and registered as a list a (step S81), separated from the home network (step S84), and connected to the first external network (step S85). The first external network communicates with devices on the network or communicates with devices on the home network using the list a (step S86). Here, in the process of communicating with devices on the first external network, address information of these devices is stored and registered in the information terminal 7000 (step S87). The means for storing and registering is realized in various home network protocols, and unlike the means described in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the user does not intentionally register. Such an information terminal 7000 separates from the first external network (step S88) and is again connected to the home network (S89). Here, the information terminal 7000 automatically detects that it has been reconnected to the home network by the method of the second embodiment, the method of the third embodiment, or another method (step S90). If it is determined in step S90 that the device is connected to the home network, the external network address information non-display unit 7001 recognizes address information other than the address information list a of devices on the home network as external address information, and recognizes them. It is not displayed on the user interface of the information terminal 7000 (step S91). Thereafter, the user communicates with another device at home (step S92).
[0021]
According to the fourth embodiment, when an information terminal is used around a home network at home, it is possible to automatically hide unnecessary address information of devices on an external network in a home network environment. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the address information of the device on the home network from being mixed with the address information of the device on the external network that is not necessary, thereby improving the operability of the user.
[0022]
FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows that the information terminal 7000 shown in FIG. 7 leaves the home network, is connected to the first external network, and further leaves the first external network to be connected to the home network and the first external network. It is a figure showing the processing flow at the time of connecting to a different 2nd external network.
In FIG. 9, steps S81 to S88 are the same as the flow in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The information terminal 7000 leaves the first external network (Step S88) and is connected to the second external network (Step S93). Here, the information terminal 7000 automatically detects that it is connected to a network other than the home by the method of the second embodiment, the method of the third embodiment, or another method (step S94). If it is determined in step S94 that connection has been made to a network other than the home network, the external network address information non-display means 7001 recognizes address information other than the address information list a of the device on the home network as external address information, and recognizes them as information. It is not displayed on the user interface of the terminal 7000 (step S95). Thereafter, the user communicates with a device on the second external network or a device at home (step S96).
[0023]
According to the fifth embodiment, when an information terminal is used around a home network at home, even if connection to an external network is repeated, unnecessary external information other than address information of devices on the home network is obtained. It is possible to automatically hide the address information of the devices on the network. Therefore, the operability of the user can be improved without mixing the address information of the device on the home network and the address information of the device on the unnecessary external network.
[0024]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a configuration example of the information terminal 1100, which is an example in which the external network address information non-display unit 7001 of the information terminal 7000 shown in FIG. The information terminal 1100 deletes the operation of hiding the external network address information from the operations described in the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment.
[0025]
According to the sixth embodiment, when an information terminal is used around a home network at home, a device on an external network that is unnecessary even in a home network environment even if connection to an external network is repeated. Address information can be automatically deleted. Therefore, the operability of the user can be improved without mixing the address information of the device on the external network with the address information of the device on the home network. Further, since unnecessary information is not accumulated, the memory of the information terminal is not pressed.
[0026]
According to the first to sixth embodiments, the user can arbitrarily select which network is stored and registered in the information terminal as the home network. In addition, it is possible to easily store and register the address information of a device on an external network that is frequently connected other than the home or an external network that is important to the user. In addition, automatically detect when an information terminal is reconnected to this network even in a home network where the router is not operating, without being aware of the prefix of the network that cannot be obtained unless the router is operating. It becomes possible. Also, when using an information terminal centering on a home network at home, even if connection to an external network is repeated in the home network environment, address information of devices on unnecessary external networks is automatically hidden. This makes it possible to improve the operability of the user by eliminating the mixture of the address information of the devices on the home network and the unnecessary address information of the devices on the external network.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in an information terminal, the operability of the user regarding address management and communication with another apparatus can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a user operation recognition unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the user operation recognition means in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a network connection detecting means in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the information terminal in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1000, 4000, 7000: information terminal, 1001: user operation recognition means, 1002, 2002: user operation / network identifier association means, 1003: storage registration means, 1004: address information search means, 1005: network connection means, 1101: external Network address information erasing means, 2001, 2002, 2003 ... button, 2004 ... button / network identifier association list, 2005, 2006, 2007 ... address information list, 4001 ... network connection detecting means, 4002 ... address information updating means, 7001 ... external Network address information non-display means.

Claims (12)

An information terminal capable of communicating with devices on a home network,
Searching means for searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a home network configured on IPv6;
Means for associating the user operation with the network identifier;
Means for operating the search means in response to the user operation;
Means for registering the search result in association with the identifier,
An information terminal, characterized in that the information terminal further comprises a device on the home network that can be accessed from outside based on the registration result. An information terminal capable of communicating with devices on a home network,
Means for searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on the home network when connected to a specific home network configured on IPv6, and registering a link local address among the IP addresses; ,
Once away from the connection to the specific home network, and when connected to the same home network or a different network again, transmits information to the registered link local address, and if there is a reply, returns to the specific home network. Connection detection means for determining that the connection has been re-established;
An information terminal comprising: An information terminal capable of communicating with devices on a home network,
Means for searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on the home network when connected to a specific home network configured on IPv6, and registering a link local address among the IP addresses; ,
When once separated from the connection to the specific home network and connected to the same home network or a different network again, a link local address is obtained from a device on the network and compared with the registered link local address, and Connection detection means for judging that it has been reconnected to the specific home network when the number of matches is more than one,
An information terminal comprising: Means for registering information including an IP address of a device on a home network at home and information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a first external network;
When reconnected to the home network at home or when connected to a second external network different from the first external network, it is detected that the network has been changed, and the registered first external network is detected. Means to automatically erase or hide information about devices on the network;
4. The information terminal according to claim 1, comprising: A communication management program used for an information terminal capable of communicating with a device on a home network,
To the computer in the above information terminal,
A procedure for searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a home network configured on IPv6;
Associating a user operation with a network identifier;
Activating the search means in response to the user operation;
Registering the search result in association with the identifier,
A communication management program for causing the information terminal to access the device on the home network by using the information terminal from outside. A communication management program used for an information terminal capable of communicating with a device on a home network,
To the computer in the above information terminal,
A procedure for searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on the home network when the information terminal is connected to a specific home network configured on IPv6;
Registering a link local address among the IP addresses;
A procedure for once leaving the connection to the specific home network and transmitting information to the registered link local address when connected to the same home network or a different network again;
A step of determining, when a response is received, that the user has been reconnected to the specific home network;
A communication management program characterized by executing the following. A communication management program used for an information terminal capable of communicating with a device on a home network,
To the computer in the above information terminal,
A procedure for searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on the home network when the information terminal is connected to a specific home network configured on IPv6;
Registering a link local address among the IP addresses;
When once separated from the connection to the specific home network and connected to the same home network or a different network again, a link local address is obtained from a device on the network and compared with the registered link local address, and A step of determining that the user has been reconnected to the specific home network when the number of matches matches,
A communication management program characterized by executing the following. To the computer in the above information terminal,
Registering information including an IP address of a device on a home network at home and information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a first external network;
When reconnected to the home network at home or when connected to a second external network different from the first external network, it is detected that the network has been changed, and the registered first external network is detected. Steps to automatically clear or hide information about devices on your network,
The communication management program according to claim 5, wherein the program is executed. A communication management method in an information terminal capable of communicating with a device on a home network,
Searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a home network configured on IPv6;
Associating a user operation with an identifier of the network;
Actuating the search means in response to the user operation;
Registering the search result and the identifier in association with each other;
A communication management method, wherein the information terminal externally accesses a device on the home network via the information terminal. A communication management method in an information terminal capable of communicating with a device on a home network,
When the information terminal is connected to a specific home network configured on IPv6, searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on the home network;
Registering a link local address of the IP addresses;
Once leaving the connection to the specific home network, and when connected to the same home network or a different network again, transmitting information to the registered link local address;
Judging, when there is a reply, reconnection to the specific home network;
A communication management method comprising: A communication management method in an information terminal capable of communicating with a device on a home network,
When the information terminal is connected to a specific home network configured on IPv6, searching for information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on the home network;
Registering a link local address of the IP addresses;
When once separated from the connection to the specific home network and connected to the same home network or a different network again, a link local address is obtained from a device on the network and compared with the registered link local address, and Judging that it has been reconnected to the specific home network when the number of matches exceeds the number,
A communication management method comprising: Registering information including an IP address of a device on a home network at home and information necessary for communication including an IP address of a device on a first external network;
When reconnected to the home network at home or when connected to a second external network different from the first external network, it is detected that the network has been changed, and the registered first external network is detected. Automatically clearing or hiding information about devices on the network;
The communication management method according to claim 9, 10 or 11, comprising:

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