JP2005086503A - Information integrating system, information integrating unit and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information integrating system, an information integrating unit and a program capable of facilitating name resolution of a terminal connectable with a network and grasp of attribute information of the terminal by employing a plurality of DNS server groups. <P>SOLUTION: Attribute information of a terminal is set, as DNS set information, in a plurality of DNS servers and stored in a memory. The DNS set information thus stored is read out from the memory and a management terminal accesses a DNS server group based on the DNS set information thus read out. The attribute information of a terminal set in the DNS server group is received and stored in a memory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information integration system, an information integration apparatus, and a program for acquiring terminal attribute information by accessing a DNS server group in which attribute information of terminals connectable to a network is set.

Conventionally, when grasping attribute information of a terminal that can be connected to a network, an individual database and a database management system for storing attribute information are required, and it is necessary to access the database and the database management system. . It is also necessary to communicate directly with the terminal using a separate protocol. Also, DNS is used to convert a host name of a terminal connected to a network into an IP address (resolve the name) (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-198997.

  However, with such a configuration, separate means must be taken to use DNS for resolving the names of the terminals connected to the network and grasp the attribute information of the terminals. In addition, the individual means may not be a universal format, and it is not easy to construct a system.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information integration system, an information integration device, and a program capable of easily resolving names of terminals connectable to a network and grasping attribute information of terminals by using a plurality of DNS server groups. provide.

  The present invention solves such a problem. A terminal that can be connected to a network, a plurality of DNS server groups in which attribute information of the terminals is set, the plurality of DNS server groups are accessed, and the attributes of the terminals are accessed. An information integration system in which a management terminal for acquiring information is connected via the network, wherein the management terminal sets attribute information of the terminal as DNS setting information in the plurality of DNS server groups and stores the information in a memory DNS setting information storage means to be read out, and the DNS setting information stored in the DNS setting information storage means is read from the memory, and the DNS server group is accessed based on the read DNS setting information and set in the DNS server group Receiving attribute information of the terminal being stored and storing the attribute information in the memory. Boric integrated system.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, terminal attribute information is set as DNS setting information in a plurality of DNS servers and stored in a memory. The stored DNS setting information is read from the memory, the DNS server group is accessed by the management terminal based on the read DNS setting information, and the attribute information of the terminal set in the DNS server group is received, Stored in memory. Therefore, it is possible to easily resolve the names of terminals that can be connected to the network and grasp the attribute information of the terminals.

  According to the present invention, by using a plurality of DNS server groups, an information integration system, an information integration apparatus, and a program capable of easily resolving names of terminals connectable to a network and grasping attribute information of the terminals are provided. Can be provided.

(First embodiment)
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an information integration system to which an information integration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This information integration system includes, for example, a terminal 12 that is a home appliance or an electronic device that can be connected to the Internet 10 such as a communication line, and DNS server groups 14 and 16 that are connected to the Internet 10 and have a plurality of DNS servers. And a management terminal 20 that can access the terminal 12 and the DNS server groups 14 and 16 via the Internet 10. In the present embodiment, two DNS server groups are described as the DNS server group, but an information integration system including three or more DNS server groups is also possible. In this embodiment, the configuration of the information integration system including one each of the terminal 12 and the management terminal 20 will be described, but an information integration system including a plurality of terminals 12 and / or management terminals 20 is also possible. It is.

  The DNS server groups 14 and 16 include DNS response function units 14a and 16a and terminal information storage areas 14b and 16b, respectively. The DNS response function units 14a and 16a respond by returning the accessed DNS to the access source. The terminal information storage areas 14b and 16b store unique names (for example, terminal 12, terminal A, terminal B, etc.) of the terminals registered and set in each of a plurality of DNS servers. The above description is a logical explanation. For example, when a DNS implementation (product) currently widely used is used as it is, the actual configuration is the same as the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to be described later. Become.

  For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the DNS server groups 14 and 16 include the DNS servers 501 to 50N and the DNS servers 801 to 80N as the plurality of DNS servers described above. In this case, DNS servers 501 to 50N and 801 to 80N have (physically) independent DNS response function units and terminal information storage areas. Among them, the DNS server group 14 is assigned location information of the terminal 12, for example, and as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the DNS server 501 is assigned to Tokyo, and the DNS server 502 is assigned to Chiba. , With a logical configuration. For example, FIG. 5 shows a set of regions, such as “Kanto” and “Tohoku” as domains under “Region, org”, and “Tokyo” and “Chiba” as domains under “Kanto”. Exists. The DNS server 501 is a DNS representing the domain of “Tokyo. Kanto. Region org”.

  The DNS server group 16 is assigned function information of the terminal 12, for example. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the DNS server 801 is assigned a refrigerator, and the DNS server 802 is assigned an air conditioner.

  FIG. 6 shows a set of home appliances, where “Company A” and the like exist as a domain under “Home Appliance org”, and “Refrigerator” and “Air Conditioner” exist as domains under “Company A”. The DNS server group 16 represents the domain of “refrigerator. Company A. home appliance org”.

  In addition, the DNS server group 14 has a DNS to be registered for each area where the terminal 12 is installed. In this case, the DNS server group 14 is a set of “areas”. It does not matter if it is a set. Similarly, although the DNS server group 16 is a set of “functions”, other types of sets may be used. It is not necessary for the DNS server itself to have the allocation information such as location and function described above, and these allocation information is provided in the terminal 12 and the management terminal 20 described later, respectively. A commonly used DNS server can be used.

  The terminal 12 includes, for example, a control unit 17 and a storage unit 18 as shown in FIG. The control unit 17 determines the assignment of the DNS server group registration unit 17a for registering and setting the attribute information such as the location and function of the terminal 12 in the DNS server groups 14 and 16, and the address (DNS) of the terminal 12 itself. An address determination unit 17b is included. The address determination unit 17b is given the address of the terminal 12 itself by the address determination unit 17b when the terminal 12 is connected to the Internet 10. The means for specifically giving an address may be, for example, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), RA (Router Advertisement), or manual setting. The storage unit 18 includes an address information storage area 18a for storing the address information of the terminal 12 given by the address determination unit 17b and a unique name of the terminal 12 itself (such as the terminal 12 and the terminal A), and attribute information of the terminal 12 A DNS information storage area 18b for storing DNS information, which is information indicating which DNS server group is assigned. The DNS information is stored as table information, for example, as shown in FIGS.

  The DNS server group registration unit 17a has a dedicated registration function in the DNS server group registration unit 17a depending on the number of DNS server groups. For example, the DNS server group 14 and 16 are configured as two DNS server groups. In the case of registering in the DNS server group, each DNS server group 14 and 16 has a dedicated registration function. The same applies to the case where the number of DNS server groups is three or more, and there are dedicated registration functions corresponding to the number of DNS server groups.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the management terminal 20 includes a control unit 22 including an attribute determination unit 22a and a storage unit 24 including a DNS information storage area 24a. The attribute determination unit 22a can resolve the name of the terminal 12 using the DNS server groups 14 and 16, for example. Further, for example, the location and function where the terminal 12 is installed can be grasped depending on which DNS server (501 to 50N, 801 to 80N) can resolve the name. The DNS information storage area 24a stores the table information shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the attribute determination unit 22a reads the table information from the DNS information storage area 24a and determines the access destination of the DNS server groups 14 and 16. Use when doing.

  Next, attribute information registration processing of the terminal 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The address determination unit 17b included in the control unit 17 of the terminal 12 determines whether or not it is connected to a network such as the Internet 10 in step S1. If it is determined in step S1 that the address determination unit 17b is connected to the network, the DNS server group registration unit 17 stores DNS information (table information) from the DNS information storage area 18b of the storage unit 18 in step S2. : FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) are read out, and a predetermined DNS server group is accessed with reference to this DNS information. For example, when the terminal 12 is located in Tokyo, the DNS server group for registering the location information is the DNS server group 14, and therefore the DNS server group 14 is accessed. In step S 3, the DNS server group registration unit 17 that has accessed the DNS server group 14 has the DNS server 501 assigned to Tokyo in the DNS server group 14. 12 pieces of attribute information “Tokyo” are registered. Here, the method of knowing the location of the terminal 12 may use a wireless position extraction system, or may be set manually.

  On the other hand, the DNS server group registration unit 17 refers to the DNS information read from the DNS information storage area 18b and accesses a predetermined DNS server group. For example, when the terminal 12 is a refrigerator, the DNS server group 16 for registering function information is the DNS server group 16, and therefore the DNS server group 16 is accessed. In step S3, the DNS server group registration unit 17 that has accessed the DNS server group 16 determines that the DNS server assigned to the refrigerator is the DNS server 801 in the DNS server group 16, and the DNS server 801 is connected to the terminal. Information of “refrigerator” which is 12 attribute information is registered. In this way, the attribute information of the terminal 12 is registered. This registration may be performed by the terminal 12 itself, or may be manually registered in advance. Here, the method of knowing the function of the terminal 12 may be set when the terminal 12 is manufactured, or may be set manually at the time of installation.

  Further, for example, when the terminal B is located in Chiba, the DNS server group for registering the location information is the DNS server group 14, and therefore the DNS server group 14 is accessed. In step S3, the DNS server group registration unit 17 that has accessed the DNS server group 14 determines that the DNS server assigned to Chiba in the DNS server group 14 is the DNS server 502. 12 pieces of attribute information “Chiba” is registered. For example, when the terminal 12 is an air conditioner, the DNS server group 16 for registering the function information is the DNS server group 16, and therefore the DNS server group 16 is accessed. In step S3, the DNS server group registration unit 17 that has accessed the DNS server group 16 determines that the DNS server assigned to the air conditioner in the DNS server group 16 is the DNS server 802. The 12 attribute information “air conditioner” is registered.

  Next, the operation of the information integration apparatus to which the information integration program according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S10, the attribute determination unit 22a included in the control unit 22 of the management terminal 20 reads out the DNS information from the DNS information storage area 24a of the storage unit 24, and based on the DNS information (table information: FIGS. 7 and 8). The DNS server groups 14 and 16 in which the attribute information is registered are specified, and the specified DNS server groups 14 and 16 are accessed. In step S11, the attribute determination unit 22a simultaneously accesses and accesses the DNS servers (501 to 50N, 801 to 80N) included in each of the DNS server groups 14 and 16 that are accessed, for example. , 801 to 80N), the attribute information corresponding to the terminal 12 is acquired. For example, the attribute information “Tokyo” is acquired from the DNS server 501 of the DNS server group 14, and the attribute information “refrigerator” is acquired from the DNS server 801 of the DNS server group 16. In step S <b> 13, the attribute determination unit 22 a stores the acquired attribute information of the terminal 12 in a storage area (not shown) of the storage unit 24.

  Moreover, the attribute information of the acquired terminal 12 can also be made into a list as needed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a list of terminal regions and functions is created. In this list, the names (domain names) of unique devices such as the terminal 12 and the terminal A, and the class, type, and address (DNS) information corresponding to the domain names are listed.

  With the above configuration, in addition to the function of resolving the name of the terminal (device), the DNS server assigns the terminal attribute information to a plurality of DNS servers, registers and sets the information, and is assigned to the DNS server that can resolve the name. By discriminating information, it is possible to grasp the attribute information such as the function and location of the terminal. In addition, by using DNS, which is an Internet standard technology for obtaining terminal attribute information, a terminal can be easily managed without using a special protocol, and a system that is highly compatible and less likely to fail Can be built.

  Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, a form using a reverse lookup function possessed by DNS can be used. The terminal 12 registers the attribute information in such a form that the reverse lookup function can be used when registering its own attribute information. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the zone names, names, types, and data (DNS) of the terminal 12 and the terminal A are registered. Here, a list display is provided for easy understanding.

  As described above, the terminal 12 (or terminal A) registers its own attribute information in the DNS server groups 14 and 16. Then, the management terminal 20 refers to, for example, the name of the terminal 12 instead of the DNS. Since the name of the terminal 12 is “terminal 12. Tokyo. Kanto. Area org”, it is understood that the terminal 12 is located in Tokyo. Further, by referring to the name of the terminal 12 shown in FIG. 14, it is understood that the function of the terminal 12 is a refrigerator because “terminal 12 is a refrigerator. Company A. home appliance org”. Note that the IP address used for reverse lookup may be fixed and given to the terminal 12 from the beginning, or may be registered by some method such as manual registration.

In this way, by using the reverse lookup function of DNS and discriminating the name, for example, information such as the location of the terminal 12 can be grasped. Further, since the name of the terminal 12 is “terminal 12. refrigerator. Toshiba. Home appliance org”, it is understood that the function of the terminal 12 is a refrigerator. In the modification, both DNS server groups 14 and 16 use reverse lookup, but one may use forward lookup (first embodiment). Also,
In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of DNS servers (501 to 50N, 801 to 80N) included in each of the DNS server groups 14 and 16 are accessed at the same time. The method is not limited.

  Note that the apparatus described in the above embodiment can be realized by causing a computer to read a program stored in a storage medium.

  Here, as a storage medium in the present invention, a program such as a magnetic disk, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), magneto-optical disk (MO, etc.), semiconductor memory, etc. can be stored and can be read by a computer. As long as it is a simple storage medium, the storage format may be any form.

  In addition, an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of a program installed in the computer from the storage medium, MW (middleware) such as database management software, network software, and the like implement the present embodiment. A part of each process may be executed.

  Furthermore, the storage medium in the present invention is not limited to a medium independent of a computer, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted via a LAN or the Internet is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

  Further, the number of storage media is not limited to one, and the case where the processing in the present embodiment is executed from a plurality of media is also included in the storage media in the present invention, and the media configuration may be any configuration.

  The computer according to the present invention executes each process according to the present embodiment based on a program stored in a storage medium, and includes a single device such as a personal computer or a system in which a plurality of devices are connected to a network. Any configuration may be used.

  In addition, the computer in the present invention is not limited to a personal computer, but includes an arithmetic processing device, a microcomputer, and the like included in an information processing device, and is a generic term for devices and devices that can realize the functions of the present invention by a program. .

1 is a block diagram showing an information integration system to which an information integration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The block diagram which showed one terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed the structure of the DNS server group which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed the structure of the DNS server group which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed the hierarchical structure of the DNS server group which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed the hierarchical structure of the DNS server group which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed the table information of the DNS information which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed the table information of the DNS information which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which showed one management terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention of this invention. The flowchart which showed the registration process of the attribute information of the terminal which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which showed the acquisition process of the attribute information of the terminal which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed one form of the list display of the acquired attribute information which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed one form of the list display of the acquired attribute information which concerns on the modification of 1st embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which showed one form of the list display of the acquired attribute information which concerns on the modification of 1st embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Internet, 12 ... Terminal, 14 ... DNS server group, 14a ... DNS response function part, 14b ... Terminal information storage area, 16 ... DNS server group, 20 ... Management terminal

Claims (7)

A terminal that can be connected to the network, a plurality of DNS server groups in which attribute information of the terminals is set, and a management terminal that accesses the plurality of DNS server groups and acquires the attribute information of the terminals via the network. Connected information integration system,
The management terminal
DNS setting information storage means for setting the attribute information of the terminal as DNS setting information in the plurality of DNS server groups and storing it in the memory, and reading out the DNS setting information stored in the DNS setting information storage means from the memory, Accessing the DNS server group based on the read DNS setting information, receiving attribute information of the terminal set in the DNS server group and storing the attribute information in the memory. A featured information integration system. The information integration system according to claim 1,
A plurality of DNS servers included in the plurality of DNS server groups are classified for each attribute information set. The information integration system according to claim 1,
The said terminal sets the attribute information of the said terminal itself to the said DNS server group, The information integration system characterized by the above-mentioned. An information integration device connectable via a network to a terminal connectable to a network and a plurality of DNS server groups in which attribute information of the terminal is set,
DNS setting information storage means for setting the attribute information of the terminal as DNS setting information in the plurality of DNS server groups, and storing the DNS setting information in a memory;
Receiving means for reading out the DNS setting information stored in the DNS setting information storage means from the memory, accessing the plurality of DNS server groups based on the read DNS setting information, and receiving the attribute information of the terminal;
Attribute information storage means for storing the received attribute information in the memory;
An information integration device comprising: The information integration device according to claim 4, wherein
The plurality of DNS servers included in the plurality of DNS server groups are classified for each attribute information set. The information integration device according to claim 4, wherein
The said terminal sets the attribute information of the said terminal to the said DNS server group itself, The information integration apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. There is a program used in an information integration apparatus connectable via a network to a terminal connectable to a network and a plurality of DNS servers set with attribute information of the terminal,
DNS setting information storage procedure for setting the attribute information of the terminal as DNS setting information in the plurality of DNS server groups and storing it in a memory;
An access procedure for reading out the DNS setting information stored in the memory by the DNS setting information storing procedure from the memory and accessing the plurality of DNS server groups based on the read DNS setting information;
A receiving procedure for receiving attribute information of the terminal set in the DNS server group from the DNS server group accessed by the access procedure;
An attribute information storage procedure for storing the received attribute information in the memory;
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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