JP2005149456A - Group management system and service providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a group management system and a service providing apparatus that enable a service using apparatus to use a desired service by a service providing apparatus even if it does not necessarily know information specifying the service providing apparatus for providing the service. <P>SOLUTION: In the group management system, the service providing apparatus 20 comprises a use side service table storage part 2061, an object routing storage part 2062, an object router address storage part 2063 and an object routing part 2012. When a communication signal including information about an object is received, if the object information in the communication signal is not stored in the providing side service table storage part 2061, the object routing part 2012 transfers the communication signal to another object routing part 2012 according to the storage content of the object routing storage part 2062. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a group management system including a plurality of service providing apparatuses and a service using apparatus, and the service providing apparatus.

  A group management system that collectively manages a plurality of device control systems installed in a relatively large-scale building such as an office building, an apartment house, and a factory is known. This group management system is provided in accordance with a plurality of device control systems that monitor and / or control a plurality of devices in a distributed or centralized manner using a local communication network and the functions of the devices in the device control system. When a service using apparatus requests a predetermined service, a device in the device control system executes the predetermined service.

  As such a group management system, for example, there is conventionally a center server system in which a service use device and a device control system are managed by a center server. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the configuration of a center server type group management system.

  26, the center server group management system 900 includes a plurality of service utilization devices 901 (service utilization devices A901-A, service utilization devices B901-B, service utilization devices C901-C,...) And a plurality of service utilization devices A901-A. One or a plurality of device control systems 903 (device control system A 903-A, device control system B 903-B, etc.) installed in each of the buildings 921 (building A 921-A, building B 921-B, building C 921-C,...) Device control system C903-C,..., And a plurality of service use devices 901 and a center server 902 that manages a plurality of device control systems 903, and the plurality of service use devices 901 and center server 902. And a plurality of device control systems 903 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 910. It is.

  In the example shown in FIG. 26, the equipment control system A903-A installed in the building A921-A includes an elevator control system A911-A, a lighting control system A912-A, and an air conditioner control system A911-A. Is done. The equipment control system B903-B installed in the building B921-B includes an elevator control system B911-B and a lighting control system B912-B. And equipment control system C903-C installed in building C921-C is provided with lighting control system C912-C.

  The elevator control system 911 (elevator control system A911-A, elevator control system B911-B) is a subsystem that monitors and controls a plurality of elevators in a distributed or centralized manner using a local communication network. The lighting control system 912 (lighting control system A 912-A, lighting control system B 912-B, lighting control system C 912-C) monitors and controls a plurality of lighting devices in a distributed or centralized manner using a local communication network. It is a subsystem. The air conditioner control system 913 (air conditioner control system A913-A) is a subsystem that monitors and controls a plurality of air conditioners in a distributed or centralized manner using a local communication network.

  The service use device A901-A is a device operated by a lighting management company that manages lighting equipment, and is a device that uses the service of the lighting control system 912. The service use device B901-B is a device operated by an elevator management company that manages elevators, and is a device that uses the service of the elevator control system 911. The service use device C901-C is a device operated by an air conditioner management company that manages an air conditioner (abbreviated as “air conditioner”), and uses the service of the air conditioner control system 913.

  In the center server type group management system 900, information necessary for managing a plurality of service use devices 901 and a plurality of device control systems 903 in the center server 902, for example, an identifier for specifying the service use device 901 , An address that is an identifier for specifying the device control system 903 and the devices in the device, a service provided by the device in the device control system 903, a service usage range that can be used by the service using device 901, The operation state of the devices in the device control system 903 is stored, and the center server 902 operates as follows based on these information. The center server 902 responds to polling every predetermined time from the center server 902, or transmits each device within each device control system 903 (such as in FIG. In the example shown, the operating state of the elevator, lighting equipment, and air conditioner) and the electrical quantities associated with the operation are collected, and the operating state and electrical quantities are notified according to the equipment managed by the service utilization device 901. To do. That is, the center server 902 notifies the service use device A 901-A of the operating state of the lighting equipment, electrical quantities, etc., and the service use device B 901-B, of the elevator operating state, electrical quantities, etc. And notifies the service utilization device C901-C of the operating state of the air conditioner and various electrical quantities. The various electrical quantities associated with the operation are drive voltage, drive current, power consumption, power consumption, and the like. On the other hand, each service using device 901 specifies a target device and service and notifies the center server 902 of the target value to control the operation state of the device, and the center server 902 monitors the target device for these information. The device control system 903 that is controlling is notified. The device control system 903 controls the target device to have the target value based on these pieces of information.

  As described above, in the center server type group management system 900, the center server 902 manages a plurality of service use devices 901 and a plurality of device control systems 903, and each service use device 901 receives each device via the center server 902. Information such as the operating state and various electrical quantities of each device in the control system 903 is collected, and the operating state is controlled.

  Further, for example, as such a group management system, a system using a standard called a BACnet standard that is a protocol for managing a device control system such as an office building is known. In the BACnet standard, a service called a BACnet object of the same format determined by the standard is prepared for each of the devices installed in a distributed manner, and a service using apparatus provides a predetermined service by accessing the device using the BACnet protocol. This is the method to use.

In the group management system of the above-mentioned center server system or the system based on the BACnet standard, it is necessary to recognize the address of the service using device and the address of the device control system or the device in the system. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a service using apparatus can use a service provided by a device in the device control system even if the device is not used.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-181814

  By the way, in the group management system of the above-described center server system or the system based on the BACnet standard, when a new service utilization device is added to the group management system once constructed (for example, as shown by the broken line in FIG. When adding a service utilization device D901-D to be operated), when adding a new device control system (for example, adding an air conditioner control system C912-C installed in a building C921-C as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 26) In the case of a service management device or device control system being moved in the group management system (the address has been changed) It is necessary to re-set various settings such as registration and address settings for services provided by the device control system. There is a problem in that that. In particular, in the group management system, since a large number of service using devices and device control systems are managed, the setting information is enormous and re-setting is not easy.

  The center server group management system described above naturally requires a center server because of the system. Further, in the group management system based on the BACnet standard described above, the service is used using an address, so that the usage range of the service using device can be set on a device basis, but cannot be set on a service basis. .

  In the system described in Patent Document 1 described above, the functioning portion called the object area manager needs to recognize all the information related to the address of the object in the system after all. For this reason, a storage area for storing information related to the address of the object according to the number of objects is required. In particular, in the group management system, the number of objects is expected to be enormous, and it is necessary to prepare a large-capacity storage device, which hinders downsizing and cost reduction of the device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and can easily add or move a service using device or a device control system, and relates to an address with a relatively small capacity storage device (storage element). It is an object of the present invention to provide a group management system and a service providing apparatus that can use a service provided by a device in a device control system even if all information is not recognized by the service using device.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first means according to the present invention manages one or a plurality of device control systems that monitor and / or control a plurality of devices and uses the executable function of the devices as a service. A plurality of service providing devices to be provided and a communication signal including information on an object in which one or a plurality of logical expressions logically expressing the function of the device are collected are transmitted from the service providing device to the service providing device. In a group management system comprising a plurality of service utilization devices that receive provision of a service corresponding to the object, the service providing device includes a first service storage unit, a first object routing storage unit, and a first object router address storage. And a first object routing unit, wherein the first service storage unit Information relating to a service that can be provided is stored as information relating to an object, and the first object routing storage unit identifies information relating to an object and a first object routing unit of a service providing apparatus that provides a service corresponding to the object. Storing the relationship with the information, and when receiving a communication signal including information on the object, storing information on the destination when the information on the object that matches the information on the object of the communication signal is not in the relationship, The first object router address storage unit stores information for specifying the first object routing unit, and the first object routing unit receives the communication signal including information about the object, and the communication signal Objects If the information is not stored in the first service storage unit relates, it is to transfer the communication signal to the first object routing unit of the other in accordance with the stored contents of the first object routing storage unit.

  The group management system according to the first means further comprises an object routing device comprising a second object routing storage unit, a second object router address storage unit, and a second object routing unit, wherein the second object routing The storage unit stores a relationship between information about the object and information for specifying the first object routing unit of the service providing apparatus that provides a service corresponding to the object, and has received a communication signal including information about the object In this case, the second object router address storage unit specifies the second object routing unit when the information on the object that matches the information on the object of the communication signal does not exist in the relationship. When the second object routing unit receives a communication signal including information about the object, the second object routing unit transmits the communication signal to the other first according to the storage content of the second object routing storage unit. Alternatively, the data is transferred to the second object routing unit.

  In the group management system described above, the object routing device further includes a second service storage unit that stores information about services that can be provided by the service providing device as information about objects.

  Furthermore, the group management system described above further includes a service management device that manages the storage contents of the second service storage unit of the object routing device.

  In the group management system described above, the service using device includes a third object routing storage unit, a third object router address storage unit, and a third object routing unit, and the third object routing storage unit includes: Stores the relationship between the information about the object and the information for specifying the first object routing unit of the service providing apparatus that provides the service corresponding to the object, and the communication when the communication signal including the information about the object is received Stores information on a transfer destination when information on an object that matches information on an object of the signal is not in the relationship, and the third object router address storage unit stores information for specifying the third object routing unit And the third When the object routing unit receives a communication signal including information about an object, the object routing unit transmits the communication signal to any one of the first to third object routing units according to the storage contents of the third object routing storage unit. Forward to.

  Further, in the group management system described above, the use of information related to services stored in the first service storage unit, the use of information related to services stored in the second service storage unit, and the first service storage unit At least one of distribution of information on the service to be stored, distribution of information on the service to be stored in the second service storage unit, and transfer of the communication signal to the service using apparatus or the service providing apparatus. A billing server for billing is further provided.

  The second means according to the present invention manages one or a plurality of device control systems for monitoring and / or controlling a plurality of devices and logically expresses the functions of the devices from the service using device. In a service providing apparatus that provides, as a service, an executable function of the device corresponding to the object when receiving a communication signal including information on an object in which one or more logical expressions are collected, the service providing apparatus includes: A first service storage unit, a first object routing storage unit, a first object router address storage unit, and a first object routing unit, wherein the first service storage unit provides information on services that can be provided Information stored in the first object routing storage unit The communication signal is stored when a communication signal including information related to the object is received and the relationship between the information to be specified and the information for specifying the first object routing unit of the service providing apparatus that provides the service corresponding to the object is stored. The information about the transfer destination when the information about the object that matches the information about the object is not in the relationship is stored, and the first object router address storage unit stores the information for specifying the first object routing unit The first object routing unit receives the communication signal when the communication signal including information about the object is received and the information about the object of the communication signal is not stored in the first service storage unit. Memory of the first object routing storage unit Transferred to another object routing unit according to volume.

  In the group management system and the service providing apparatus configured as described above, the first object routing storage unit includes information on the object and information for specifying the object routing unit of the service providing apparatus that provides a service corresponding to the object. Storing a relationship, and when receiving a communication signal including information related to the object, storing information on an object that matches the information related to the object of the communication signal when the information related to the object does not exist in the aforementioned relationship; The routing unit stores the communication signal in the first object routing storage unit when the communication signal including the information on the object is received and the information on the object of the communication signal is not stored in the first service storage unit. Depending on the content Objects transferred to the routing unit of. As described above, since the communication signal including the information related to the object is transferred to the service providing apparatus that provides the service corresponding to the object, the service using apparatus of the group management system according to the present invention provides the service corresponding to the object. The service provided by the device in the device control system can be used even if all the information for specifying the object routing unit of the service providing device is not recognized. Therefore, the storage device (storage element) for storing information for specifying the object routing unit of the service providing apparatus that provides the service corresponding to the object may have a relatively small capacity.

  Further, since the service using device does not need to recognize all the information for specifying the object routing unit of the service providing device that provides the service corresponding to the object, the service using device can be easily added or moved. be able to. The functions that can be executed by the devices in the device control system are grasped by the service providing device. Therefore, the contents stored in the service storage unit and the object routing storage unit of the service providing device that manages the device control system to be added or moved are stored. Since only the resetting is performed, the device control system can be easily added or moved.

  Therefore, a company that conducts business using the service utilization device or a company that conducts business using the device control system can easily enter the business using the group management system.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted.
(Configuration of the first embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a group management system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a group management system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of service use devices 10 (service use devices A10-A, service use devices B10-B, service use devices C10-C,...). , One or more device control systems 50 (device control system A50-A, device control system B50) installed in each of a plurality of buildings 60 (building A60-A, building B60-B, building C60-C,...). -B, device control system C50-C,...) And a plurality of services provided to mediate objects between the device control system 50 and the service using device 10 installed in each device control system 50. Device 20 (service providing device A20-A, service providing device B20-B, service providing device C20-C,...) -Bis utilization device 10 and a plurality of service providing apparatus 20 is communicatively connected to each other by a communication network 54.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, a building A60-A includes an appliance control system A50-A including an elevator control system A51-A, a lighting control system A52-A, and an air conditioner control system A53-A, and A service providing apparatus A20-A that mediates objects is installed. These elevator control system A51-A, lighting control system A52-A, air conditioner control system A53-A, and service providing apparatus A20-A are communicably connected via a local communication network. In the building B60-B, a device control system B50-B configured to include an elevator control system B51-B and a lighting control system B52-B, and a service providing device B20-B that mediates objects are installed. . The elevator control system B51-B, the lighting control system B52-B, and the service providing apparatus B20-B are connected to be communicable with each other via a local communication network. In the building C60-C, a device control system C50-C configured to include a lighting control system C52-C and a service providing device C20-C that mediates objects are installed. The lighting control system C52-C and the service providing device C20-C are connected to each other via a local communication network so as to be able to communicate with each other.

  An object is a further collection of one or more sub-objects that combine one or more logical expressions of functions that can be executed by the device. The objects, sub-objects, and logical expressions are hierarchically structured in this order with the object as the highest layer.

  For example, when the device is a lighting device, and the functions that can be performed by the lighting device are blinking (turning on and off), adjusting the illuminance, and detecting the illuminance, A logical expression for identifying each function is assigned by logically expressing the detection of illuminance. For example, Lightswitchfunction (ID, SWNO, target value) is assigned as a logical expression for lighting blinking. In addition, this () is an argument of Lightswitchfunction, “ID” is an identifier for specifying the lighting device to be blinked, and “SWNO” is for blinking the lighting device to be blinked. This is an identifier for specifying a switch to be operated, and the “target value” is a target value for on / off control in the lighting device to be blinked, and is ON (ON) or OFF (OFF). As a logical expression for the adjustment of illuminance, LightLevelfunction (ID, illuminance target value) is assigned. In addition, the inside of () is an argument of Lightlevelfunction, “ID” is an identifier for specifying the lighting device whose illuminance is to be adjusted, and “illuminance target value” is light emission in the lighting device whose illuminance is to be adjusted. Output target value, which is a numerical value. As logical expressions for the detection of illuminance, there are Lightevent (reporting threshold) and Lightvalue. “Lightevent” is assigned as a logical expression representing a function of notifying that when the detection result of the illuminance is equal to or greater than the notification threshold, and “Lightvalue” is a logical expression representing the current value of the illuminance of the lighting device. Assigned. A collection of such logical expressions of Lightswitchfunction, Lightlevelfunction, Lightevent, and Lightvalue is a sub-object of lighting equipment and an object.

  In addition, for example, when the device is a lighting device with a fire alarm function, and the functions that can be performed by the lighting device with a fire alarm function are lighting blinking, adjustment of illuminance, detection of illuminance, detection of smoke, A logical expression for identifying each function is assigned by logically expressing lighting blinking, adjustment of illuminance, detection of illuminance, and detection of smoke. For example, logical expressions similar to those described above are assigned as logical expressions in lighting blinking, adjustment of illuminance, and detection of illuminance, and there are Firearm (fire threshold) and Firevalue as logical expressions for smoke detection. The Firearm event is assigned as a logical expression representing the function of notifying the occurrence of a fire when the smoke detection result is equal to or greater than the alarm threshold, and Firevalue is a logic representing the current value of the smoke level. Assigned as a visual expression. A combination of such logical expressions of Lightswitchfunction, Lightlevelfunction, Lightevent, and Lightvalue is the first sub-object of the lighting device with a fire alarm function, and a plurality of logical expressions of Firearmament and Firevalue are combined. The second sub-object of the lighting device with a reporting function, and the one that combines the first and second sub-objects is an object. The first sub-object also summarizes logical expressions for each function of the lighting device, and the second sub-object also summarizes logical expressions for each function of the fire alarm.

  The utility provided by the device executing the contents of the object is called a service. The service using apparatus 10 communicates information related to the object to the service providing apparatus 20, and the service providing apparatus 20 interprets the information related to the object by a control program that controls the service providing apparatus 20. Information such as the operating state and various electrical quantities of the device is notified to the service using apparatus 10, and the device is controlled to a predetermined operating state. In this way, the service using device 10 uses the service provided by the service providing device 20.

  The equipment is a device that operates using electricity as an energy source. For example, a device that adjusts an office environment or a dwelling unit environment such as a lighting fixture or an air conditioner, a movement auxiliary facility that assists the movement of a person such as an elevator or an escalator, and a smoke sensor. , Sensors such as temperature sensors and humidity sensors, dwelling equipment such as electronic lock devices, televisions, video tape recorders, home appliances such as DVD recorders and washing machines, information processing devices such as computers, communication equipment such as telephones and facsimile machines And medical devices such as a pulse meter, a thermometer, a blood oximeter, and an electrocardiograph.

  The elevator control system 51 (elevator control system A51-A, elevator control system B51-B) is a subsystem that monitors and controls a plurality of elevators in a distributed or centralized manner using a local communication network. The lighting control system 52 (lighting control system A52-A, lighting control system B52-B, lighting control system C52-C) monitors and controls a plurality of lighting devices in a distributed or centralized manner using a local communication network. It is a subsystem. The air conditioner control system 53 (air conditioner control system C53-C) is a subsystem that monitors and controls a plurality of air conditioners in a distributed or centralized manner using a local communication network.

  The service use device A10-A is a device operated by a lighting management company and a device that uses the service of the lighting control system 52. The service use device B10-B is a device operated by an elevator management company and a device that uses the service of the elevator control system 51. The service use device C10-C is a device that is operated by an air conditioner management company and that uses the service of the air conditioner control system 53.

  The communication network 54 is a transmission path such as a telephone network, a digital communication network, and a wireless communication network, and data is transmitted using a predetermined communication protocol.

  Next, the configuration of the service using device 10 and the service providing device 20 will be described in more detail. First, the configuration of the service using device 10 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the service using device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the service providing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the service table. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another configuration of the service table. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the object routing table.

  The service using apparatus 10 is an apparatus that uses a service provided by the service providing apparatus 20 by transmitting a communication signal (object signal) including information about the object to the service providing apparatus 20. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the service using device 10 includes a central processing unit 101, an input unit 102, a display unit 103, an internal storage unit 104, an external storage unit 105, an auxiliary storage unit 106, a communication interface 107, and a bus 108. It is prepared for.

  The central processing unit 101 includes, for example, a microprocessor and functionally includes a table management unit 1011 that manages a service table and an object routing table described later, and an object routing unit 1012 that routes an object signal described later according to the object routing table. And the input unit 102, the display unit 103, the internal storage unit 104, the external storage unit 105, the auxiliary storage unit 106, and the communication interface 107 are controlled according to the control program.

  The input unit 102 inputs various commands and various data to the service utilization apparatus 10 such as a start instruction of the service utilization apparatus 10, an instruction to collect information such as an operation state and various electrical quantities, and an instruction to control the operation state of the device. For example, a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 103 is a device that displays the command, data, information collected from the input unit 102 such as the operation status and various electrical quantities of the collected device, the control result, and the operation status of the service using device 10. For example, a CRT display, LCD, organic EL display, plasma display, or the like.

  The internal storage unit 104 is a RAM (Random Access Memory) that reads a control program executed by the central processing unit 101 from the auxiliary storage unit 106 and temporarily stores each data during execution of the control program. The external storage unit 105 stores data with a storage medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), and a DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc ReWritable). An apparatus that performs reading and / or writing, such as a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-R drive, and a DVD-R drive.

  The auxiliary storage unit 106 is a device that stores data such as a hard disk, for example. The auxiliary storage unit 106 includes a user-side service table storage unit 1061 that stores a service table and an object routing table storage unit 1062 that stores an object routing table. Each program (not shown) such as a control program for operating 10, and data (not shown) during and after execution of each program are stored. When each program is not stored, it is installed in the auxiliary storage unit 106 via the external storage unit 105 from the recording medium on which these programs are recorded. Note that each program may be downloaded from a server computer (not shown) that manages these programs via the communication network 54 and the communication interface 107.

  The service table is a database that registers services used by the service using apparatus 10 among services that can be provided by functions executable by the devices in the device control system 50. The service table in the use side service table storage unit 1061 of the service use device 10 is read by the table management unit 1011 from the service providing device 20 via the communication interface 107 and the communication network 54 and used by the service use device 10. Extract and register the service. The service table may be configured so that a company that delivers the service using device 10 or a company that operates the service using device 10 inputs the service table via the input unit 102 and stores it in the use side service table storage unit 1061. .

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the service table 601 includes a logical expression ID registration unit 613 that registers a logical expression ID that is an identifier for specifying a logical expression, and an identifier for specifying a sub-object. A sub-object ID registration unit 612 for registering a certain sub-object ID and an object ID registration unit 611 for registering an object ID that is an identifier for identifying the object are configured. The object ID registration unit 611, the sub-object The ID registration unit 612 and the logical expression ID registration unit 613 have a nested structure from the upper layer object ID registration unit 611 to the lower layer logical expression ID registration unit 613 in accordance with the above-described hierarchical structure. . Such a service table 601 is created for each object (object ID).

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the service table 601 includes a plurality of service tables 601 including a service table A601-A, a service table B601-B, a service table C601-C,. The service table A601-A is a service table that registers, for example, an object ID, a sub-object ID, and a logical expression ID of a lighting device with a fire alarm. In this case, the logical expression ID registration unit 613 of the service table A601-A includes an LSF_ID registration unit 613-11 that registers an LSF_ID that is an identifier for specifying a Lightswitchfunction, and an LLF_ID that is an identifier for specifying a Lightlevelfunction. LLF_ID registration unit 613-12 for registering, LET_ID registration unit 613-13 for registering LET_ID that is an identifier for specifying Lightevent, and LVE_ID registration unit 613 for registering LVE_ID that is an identifier for specifying Lightvalue 14, an FAE_ID registration unit 613-21 that is an identifier for specifying the Firearm event, and an F that is an identifier for specifying the Firevalue. Constructed and a FVE_ID registration unit 613-22 to register E_ID.

  “Aa” is registered as the LSF_ID in the LSF_ID registration unit 613-11, “ba” is registered as the LLF_ID in the LLF_ID registration unit 613-12, and “ca” is registered as the LET_ID in the LET_ID registration unit 613-13. In the LVE_ID registration unit 613-14, “da” is registered as the LVE_ID, “ab” is registered as the LAE_ID in the FAE_ID registration unit 613-21, and “bb” is registered as the FVE_ID in the FVE_ID registration unit 613-22. Is registered.

  Also, “ya” is registered as the first sub-object ID in the sub-object ID registration unit 612-1, and “yb” is registered as the second sub-object ID in the sub-object ID registration unit 612-2. . In the object ID registration unit 611, “xa” is registered as the object ID. In this example, a combination of alphabets is used as an identifier, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the identifier may be an arbitrary code.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the service table 601 is created for each object from the viewpoint of ease of search, quickness, and the like. However, as shown in FIG. An enumerated simple table format table may be used, or a table format table in which logical expressions are grouped in units of sub-objects as shown in FIG.

  5A includes an object ID field 611 for registering an object ID, a sub-object ID field 612 for registering a sub-object ID, and a logical expression ID field 613 for registering a logical expression ID. And a record is created for each logical expression ID.

  5B includes an object ID field 611, a sub-object ID field 612, and a logical expression ID field 613 ′ for registering a plurality of logical expression IDs. 5B, in the example shown in FIG. 5B, the logical expression ID field 613 ′ has four ID fields because four logical expression IDs can be registered. (ID-a field 613′-a, ID-b field 613′-b, ID-c field 613′-c, ID-d field 613′-d), and each of the sub-objects The logical expression ID corresponding to the function is registered, for example, “ya” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612. In the record, “aa” is registered in the ID-a field 613′-a, “ba” is registered in the ID-b field 613′-b, and “ca” is registered in the ID-c field 613′-c. Then, “da” is registered in the ID-d field 613′-d. In a record in which “yb” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612, “ab” is registered in the ID-a field 613′-a, and “bb” is registered in the ID-b field 613′-b. In the ID-c field 613′-c and the ID-d field 613′-d, a code indicating that there is no more logical expression collected in the sub-object indicated by the sub-object ID “yb”, for example, “VAC” is registered. That is, the sub-object indicated by the sub-object ID “yb” has only two functions, that is, the function represented by the logical expression ID “ab” and the function represented by the logical expression ID “bb”. The number of ID fields may be arbitrary, and is designed according to the number of functions that can be assumed by a device.

  The object routing table is a table referred to when routing an object signal. The object routing table is a table that shows at least a relationship between an object and information for specifying the routing destination of the object, and includes at least a routing destination for an object that is not registered in the object routing table itself.

  6, the object routing table 602 includes an object ID field 621 for registering an object ID, an object router address field 622 for registering an object router address, a hop number field 623 for registering a hop number, and an authentication for registering authentication information. An information field 624 is provided, and a record is created for each object ID. The object routing table 602 includes at least a record in which a routing destination object router address is registered for an object ID that is not registered in the object routing table 602 itself. The object router address is an identifier for specifying the object routing unit 2012 that routes the object signal in the service providing apparatus 20. The number of hops is a limit value of the number of times the object routing unit 2012 passes. The authentication information is information for determining whether or not the object signal can be routed to the object routing unit 2012 that is the routing destination of the object signal.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, in the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 621, “Adada” is registered in the object router address field 622, and “HPa” (HPa is optional) Positive authentication integer), and “authentication information a” is registered in the authentication information field 624. In order to identify a record for registering a routing destination object router address (default router address) for an object ID not registered in its own object routing table 602 itself, this record is identified in the object ID field 621. In the example shown in FIG. 6, “***” is registered. In this record, “Addxx” is registered in the object router address field 622, “HPx” (HPx is an arbitrary positive integer) is registered in the hop number field 623, and “authentication information x” is registered in the authentication information field 624. Is registered.

  In this embodiment, “***” is used as an identifier for identifying a record in which a default router address is registered. However, an arbitrary code such as “default”, “wildcard”, or “alrightty” may be used. . Further, a record for registering the default router address may be identified by specifying the position of the record, such as the first record and the last record of the object routing table 602. Further, one or a plurality of default router addresses may be used. In the case of a plurality of default router addresses, the default router addresses may be selected randomly or sequentially from the top of the record.

  The communication interface 107 is connected to the communication network 54 and is a device for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the service providing apparatus 20 via the communication network 54. The central processing unit 101, the input unit 102, the display unit 103, the internal storage unit 104, the external storage unit 105, the auxiliary storage unit 106, and the communication interface 107 are connected to the bus 108 so that data can be exchanged with each other. Each is connected.

  Next, the configuration of the service providing apparatus 20 will be described.

  The service providing device 20 manages one or a plurality of device control systems 50, provides a function that can be executed by the devices in the device control system 50 to the service using device 10 as a service, and routes an object signal. It is. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the service providing apparatus 20 includes a central processing unit 201, an internal storage unit 204, an auxiliary storage unit 206, a communication interface 207, a bus 208, and a device communication interface 209.

  The central processing unit 201 includes, for example, a microprocessor and functionally includes a table management unit 2011 that manages a service table and an object routing table, an object routing unit 2012 that routes an object signal according to the object routing table, and a device A subsystem control unit 2013 that monitors and / or controls a plurality of devices that are communicably connected via a communication interface 209 via a local communication network is provided, and an internal storage unit 204, an auxiliary storage unit 206, and a communication according to a control program The interface 207 and the device communication interface 209 are controlled.

  Like the internal storage unit 104 shown in FIG. 2, the internal storage unit 204 reads a control program executed by the central processing unit 201 from the auxiliary storage unit 206 and temporarily stores each data during execution of the control program. (Random Access Memory).

  The auxiliary storage unit 206 is a device that stores data such as a hard disk, for example, and provides a service table storage unit 2061 that stores a service table, an object routing table storage unit 2062 that stores an object routing table, and an object routing unit 2012. In addition to the object router address storage unit 2063 that stores an object router address that is an identifier for identifying the program, each program (not shown) such as a control program for operating the service providing apparatus 20 and execution of each program Stores data during and after execution (not shown).

  The service table is a database for registering services that can be provided by functions executable by devices in the device control system 50. The service table in the providing service table storage unit 2061 of the service providing apparatus 20 reads, for example, information related to functions that can be executed by the device from the devices in the device control system 50 and registers the information. Further, for example, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3, an input unit 202 for inputting data is further provided in the service providing apparatus 20, and input / storage is performed via the input unit 202 by a company that delivers the service providing apparatus 20. Here, the service table stored in the provider-side service table storage unit 2061 of the service providing apparatus 20 is also different in specific information to be registered, but the storage format will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Since the service table is similar in format to the service table stored in the user service table storage unit 1061 of the service using apparatus 10 described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  The object routing table is a table that is referred to when routing an object signal, and is similar to the object routing table 602 stored in the object routing table storage unit 2062 of the service using apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. To do.

  The communication interface 207 is connected to the communication network 54 and is a device for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the service using apparatus 10 via the communication network 54. The device communication interface 209 is connected to a local communication network, and is a device for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the device via this communication network. The central processing unit 201, the internal storage unit 204, the auxiliary storage unit 206, the communication interface 207, and the device communication interface 109 are connected to the bus 208 so that data can be exchanged with each other.

  Note that an input unit 202, a display unit 203, and an external storage unit 205 indicated by broken lines in FIG. 3 may be provided, which are similar to the input unit 102, display unit 103, and external storage unit 105 shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
(Operation of the first embodiment)
When a certain service using device 10 transmits an object signal to use a desired service, the object routing unit 2012 in the central processing unit 201 of the service providing device 20 processes the object signal so that the object signal becomes the object. How to transmit to the service providing apparatus 20 that executes is described below. The object signal is a communication signal including an object ID of an object corresponding to a desired service, the number of hops, and authentication information. In the present embodiment, since an object is represented by an object ID, information related to the object corresponds to the object ID. Here, in the following description, it is assumed that the group management system 1 is constructed in a communicable state below the layer that routes the object signal. For example, when the group management system 1 uses an Internet protocol group typified by TCP / IP, the routing of the object signal is performed in a layer higher than the IP layer, and the group is in a state where communication is possible in the IP layer and below. A management system 1 is constructed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the object routing unit in the central processing unit of the service providing apparatus.

  In FIG. 7, when an object signal is received via the communication network 54 and the communication interface 207, the object routing unit 2012 in the central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus 20 is accommodated in the received object signal (received object signal). By searching whether the object ID is registered in the service table stored in the providing-side service table storage unit 2061 of the auxiliary storage unit 206, the service corresponding to the object ID accommodated in the received object signal is obtained. It is determined whether the service can be provided (S11).

  If it is determined that the service is a service that can be provided (Yes), the object routing unit 2012 executes the process S17. If the service is not a service that can be provided (No), the object routing unit 2012 performs the process S12. Do.

  In process S12, the object routing unit 2012 searches the object routing table stored in the object routing table storage unit 2062 of the auxiliary storage unit 206 for a record for registering the object ID accommodated in the received object signal. The routing destination of the received object signal is searched. Here, if there is no record for registering the object ID contained in the received object signal in the object routing table, as described above, the object router address for the object ID not registered in its own object routing table itself Is the routing destination of the received object signal.

  Next, the object routing unit 2012 increments the hop count by adding 1 to the hop count accommodated in the received object signal to obtain a new hop count (S13).

  Next, the object routing unit 2012 determines whether or not the received object signal can be hopped by determining whether or not the incremented hop count is equal to or less than the hop count in the record searched in the process S12 (S14). . That is, it is determined whether the received object signal can be transferred to another object routing unit 2012.

  As a result of the determination, the object routing unit 2012 executes the process S15 when hopping is possible (Yes), and executes the process S18 when hopping is not possible (No).

  In process S15, the object routing unit 2012 collates the authentication information of the received object signal with the authentication information in the record searched in process S12, so that the object routing unit 2012 of the object router address searched in process S12 for the received object signal. It is determined whether or not routing is possible. As a result of the collation, the object routing unit 2012 executes the process of the process S16 when the authentication information of the received object signal is satisfied with the authentication information in the record searched in the process S12 (Yes), and when not satisfied (No). Performs the process S18.

  In process S16, the object routing unit 2012 routes the received object signal using the object router address searched in process S12 as the routing destination, instead of the hop number incremented by the hop number of the received object signal. Then, the object routing unit 2012 ends the process.

  On the other hand, in process S17, the object routing unit 2012 notifies the subsystem control unit 2013 of the information contained in the received object signal in order to provide a service corresponding to the object ID contained in the received object signal. The process ends. Then, the subsystem control unit 2013 monitors and / or controls the device control system 50 according to the notified information.

  In process S18, the object routing unit 2012 discards the received object signal and ends the process.

  When the object routing unit 2012 in the central processing unit 201 of each service providing apparatus 20 executes such an operation, a service corresponding to the object ID accommodated in the received object signal can be provided. When the function corresponding to the ID is executed and the service cannot be provided, the received object signal is routed to the object routing unit 2012 of the other service providing apparatus 20. As a result, the object signal is finally transmitted to the service providing apparatus 20 that can provide a service corresponding to the object ID accommodated in the received object signal, and the service is executed. For this reason, the service using device 10 of the group management system 1 according to the present embodiment does not recognize all the object router addresses of the service providing device 20 that provides the service corresponding to the object, but the devices in the device control system 50 You can use services provided by.

  Then, when routing the received object signal, it is determined whether or not it is possible to hop to another service providing apparatus 20 based on the number of hops in the process S14, thereby avoiding the situation where the object signal is unnecessarily routed. It is possible to prevent the object signal from circulating around the group management system 1. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the received object signal can be hopped by incrementing the hop count in the processing S13 and the processing S14, but the service using apparatus 10 transmits the object signal with the specified hop count, The object routing unit 2012 may decrement the number of hops of the received object signal by one and do not perform hopping when the number of hops reaches zero.

  Further, when routing the received object signal, it is determined whether or not the received object signal can be routed based on the authentication information in step S15. Therefore, the service providing devices 20 that can be used by the service using device 10 are limited. Can do.

  Here, the routing of the object signal in the group management system 1 will be described more specifically.

  For example, the service providing apparatus A20-A can provide the service w and the service x, the service providing apparatus B20-B can provide the service y, and the service providing apparatus C20-C can provide the service z. To do. It is assumed that an object routing address is registered for each object ID of each service w and x in the object routing table of the service using device A10-A. When the service using device A10-A uses the service w, the service providing device 20 to which the object corresponding to the desired service should be transmitted can be recognized by referring to the object routing table. An object signal including an object corresponding to the service is directly transmitted to the service providing apparatus 20. That is, the object routing unit (reference numeral “1012-A”) of the service use apparatus A10-A refers to the object routing table based on the object ID of the object corresponding to the service w, and the routing destination object router address Search for. Then, the object routing unit 1012 -A transmits an object signal including an object corresponding to the service w with the searched object router address as a transmission destination. This object signal is transmitted directly to the service providing apparatus A20-A without going through the object routing unit 2012 of the other service providing apparatus 20. The service providing device A20-A that has received the object signal executes the service according to the information contained in the object signal.

  Further, for example, the service providing apparatus A20-A can provide the service w and the service x, the service providing apparatus B20-B can provide the service y, and the service providing apparatus C20-C can provide the service z. And In the object routing table of the service using apparatus A10-A, object routing addresses are registered for the object IDs of the services w and x, and the service is provided for the object IDs of other services. The object router address of the object routing unit 2012-A is registered so as to route to the object routing unit (reference numeral “2012-A”) of the device A20-A. In the object routing table of the service providing apparatus A20-A, an object routing address is registered for the object ID of the service y, and for the object IDs of other services, the object routing of the service providing apparatus B20-B is registered. The object router address of the object routing unit 2012-B is registered so as to be routed to the unit (reference numeral “2012-B”). In the object routing table of the service providing apparatus B20-B, an object routing address is registered for the object ID of the service z, and for the object IDs of other services, the object routing of the service providing apparatus C20-C is registered. The object router address of the object routing unit 2012-C is registered so as to be routed to the unit (reference numeral “2012-C”).

  In such a case, when the service using apparatus A10-A uses the service z, referring to the object routing table, the object ID of the object corresponding to the service z is not registered. An object signal including an object corresponding to the service z is routed to the object routing unit 2012-A of a certain service providing apparatus A20-A. This object signal is received by the service providing apparatus A20-A. The object routing unit 2012-A in the central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus A20-A executes the processes S11 to S16 shown in FIG. If the object ID of the object corresponding to the service z is not registered when the object routing table is referred to, the received object is stored in the object routing unit 2012-B of the service providing apparatus B20-B which is the routing destination in that case. Route the signal. It is assumed that the requirements for the number of hops and authentication information are satisfied. This object signal is received by the service providing apparatus B20-B. The object routing unit 2012-B in the central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus B20-B executes the processes S11 to S16 shown in FIG. If the object routing table is referred to and the object ID of the object corresponding to the service z is not registered, the received object is sent to the object routing unit 2012-C of the service providing apparatus C20-C as the routing destination in that case. Route the signal. It is assumed that the requirements for the number of hops and authentication information are satisfied. This object signal is received by the service providing apparatus C20-C. The object routing unit 2012-C in the central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus C20-C executes the processes S11 and S17 shown in FIG. Therefore, the service is executed according to the information contained in the object signal.

  As described above, the service use apparatus A10-A does not directly recognize the service providing apparatus C20-C that can provide the service z, that is, corresponds to the service z in the object routing table of the service use apparatus A10-A. Even if the object ID of the object is not registered, an object signal including an object corresponding to the service z is sequentially transferred to the service providing apparatus 20, so that the service providing apparatus C 20-that can finally provide the service z is provided. The service z is provided to the service using device A10-A by the service providing device C20-C.

  That is, in the first embodiment described above, the object signal includes not only information for routing the object signal (object signal routing information) but also the object ID, sub-object ID, and logical expression ID of the object signal. Also including information (service execution information) for executing the corresponding service, as shown in FIG. 8, the service using apparatus 10 selects a desired service (C11) and causes the service providing apparatus 20 to execute the selected service. When the object signal is transmitted (C12), the object routing unit 2012 of the service using apparatus 10 routes the object signal one after another as necessary (C13), and the service providing apparatus 20 capable of providing the object signal service receives the service. (C 4).

  For this reason, since the service using apparatus 10 and the service providing apparatus 20 do not directly connect, the network connection can be reduced. Further, communication is possible even in the case of the same IP address in a network having different IP addresses or a different local network, such as a combination of a global IP address and a local IP address.

  Next, the case where the new service utilization apparatus 10 is incorporated in the group management system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the table management unit in the central processing unit of the service using apparatus. In FIG. 9, when a new service utilization apparatus 10 is connected to the group management system 1, the table management apparatus 1011 of the new service utilization apparatus 10 stores the service table in all the service providing apparatuses 20 in the group management system 1. A communication signal (service table request signal) containing information requesting transmission is transmitted by unicast or broadcast (S21).

  Each service providing device 20 that has received this service table request signal newly sends a communication signal (service table request reply signal) containing the service table stored in the providing side service table storage unit 2061 of the auxiliary storage unit 206. A reply is sent to each service using device 10.

  Next, when each service table request reply signal is received (S22), the table management unit 1011 of the new service using device 10 receives the new service from the service table accommodated in each service table request reply signal. Each service used by the utilization apparatus 10 is extracted (S23). This extraction can be executed, for example, by searching an object ID that matches the object ID corresponding to the service to be used from the service table accommodated in the service table request reply signal.

  Next, the table management unit 1011 of the new service using apparatus 10 creates a service table by registering the extracted service, and stores this in the use side service table storage unit 1061 (S24). And the new service utilization apparatus 10 receives provision of service from the service provision apparatus 20 based on this created service table.

  By operating in this way, for example, the setting contents (stored contents) of the auxiliary storage unit 106 of the service using device 10 (10-A, 10-B, 10-C,...) In the existing group management system 1 ) And the existing contents of the auxiliary storage unit 206 of the service providing apparatus 20 (20-A, 20-B, 20-C,...) In the existing group management system 1 are not changed. A new service utilization device D10-D indicated by a broken line in FIG. The service utilization device D10-D monitors and collects the operating state of the equipment in the building 60 and various electrical quantities consumed by the building 60, and analyzes the collected electrical quantities from the viewpoint of energy saving. The apparatus is operated by an energy saving management company that presents a method for realizing energy saving. Therefore, the energy-saving management company which is going to operate service utilization apparatus D10-D can enter the existing group management system 1 easily, and can develop a new business easily.

  Next, a case where a new device control system 50 is incorporated in the group management system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the table management unit in the central processing unit of the service providing apparatus. In FIG. 10, the table management unit 2011 in the central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus 20 recognizes that the new device control system 50 has been incorporated by notification from the new device control system 50, and the new device control system Information on services that can be provided from 50 is collected (S31). Note that collection of service-related information may be performed when the table management unit 2011 of the service providing apparatus 20 requests provision of service-related information by broadcast communication at predetermined time intervals.

  Next, the table management unit 2011 of the service providing apparatus 20 updates the service table of the providing side service table storage unit 2061 in the auxiliary storage unit 206 based on the collected information about the service (S32). The information regarding the service is information necessary for updating the service table. In this embodiment, since the service table shown in FIG. 4 or 5 is updated, the information about the service is an object ID, a sub-object ID, and a logical expression ID.

  Then, the table management unit 2011 of the service providing apparatus 20 transmits the communication signal (service table notification signal) including the updated service table and the object router address to the other service providing apparatuses 20 and the service using apparatuses 10 in the group management system 1. The broadcast is transmitted (S33).

  The table management unit 2011 of the service providing apparatus 20 that has received this service table notification signal updates the object routing table based on the service table and the object router address accommodated in the received service table notification signal. As a result, when the newly incorporated device control system 50 is recognized by the other service providing apparatus 20 and an object signal related to the service provided by the newly incorporated device control system 50 is received, another service provision is provided. The device 20 can route this object signal to the service providing device 20 of the newly incorporated device control system 50.

  Further, the table management unit 1011 of the service using device 10 that has received this service table notification signal obtains the object ID corresponding to the service used by the service using device 10 from the service table accommodated in the service table notification signal. Extract. Then, the table management unit 1011 of the service using device 10 creates a service table by registering the extracted object ID and the like, and stores this in the use side service table storage unit 1061. Thereby, the service using apparatus 10 can use the service provided by the new device control system 50 based on the created service table.

  By operating in this way, for example, the air conditioner control system C53-C indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 can be incorporated into the existing group management system 1.

  Here, the case where the device control system 50 is incorporated has been described above. However, when the service providing apparatus 20 itself is incorporated into the existing group management system 1, the table management unit 2011 of the service providing apparatus 20 is provided on the providing side. A communication signal including the service table stored in the service table storage unit 2061 and the object router address stored in the object router address storage unit 2063 is transmitted to the other service providing devices 20 and the service using devices 10 in the group management system 1. By transmitting by broadcast, the service providing apparatus 20 can be newly incorporated into the existing group management system 1.

  If the communication protocol of the newly incorporated device control system 50 is different from the communication protocol of the communication network 54, a subsystem protocol conversion unit that converts the communication protocol between each other is provided as a central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus 20. It may be further provided.

  In addition, when the service table is updated in the above-described process S32, the notation method of information related to the service collected from the newly added device control system 50 is registered in the service table stored in the providing service table storage unit 2061. If it is consistent with the notation of the information about the service being provided, it may be registered as it is, but if not, the notation of the information about the service collected from the newly added device control system 50 is used. It is necessary to match the notation of the information regarding the service registered in the service table stored in the table storage unit 2061.

  For this purpose, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 3, the notation of information related to the service collected from the newly added device control system 50 and the service table stored in the providing-side service table storage unit 2061 are registered. A subsystem conversion table storage unit 2065 for storing a subsystem conversion table indicating a correspondence relationship with a notation method of information about the service being provided, and further, based on the subsystem conversion table The sub-method for converting the notation of the information about the service collected from the newly added device control system 50 into the notation of the information about the service registered in the service table stored in the providing-side service table storage unit 2061. The system conversion unit 2017 is connected to the central processing unit of the service providing apparatus 20. It may further allowed provided the parts 201.

  By further including the subsystem conversion table storage unit 2065 and the subsystem conversion unit 2017, the service providing apparatus 20 can flexibly cope with the type of the device control system 50 to be newly added.

  Here, the subsystem conversion table may be configured to be stored in advance in the service providing apparatus 20 itself. In addition, from the viewpoint of reducing the storage capacity of the subsystem conversion table storage unit 2065 and flexibly responding to the type of the device control system 50, the device is stored in the device control system 50 and the service providing apparatus together with information on the service. You may comprise so that it may transmit to 20. Further, from the viewpoint of collectively managing the subsystem conversion table, the group management system 1 is further provided with a server computer that manages the subsystem conversion table, and the service providing apparatus 20 downloads from the server computer as necessary. It may be configured.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
(Second Embodiment)
The group management system according to the second embodiment (reference numeral “1 ′”) is a system that further includes an object routing device 30 that specializes in object routing, as indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an object routing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, the object routing apparatus 30 includes, for example, a central processing unit 301, an internal storage unit 304, an auxiliary storage unit 306, a communication interface 307, and a bus 308.

  The central processing unit 301 includes, for example, a microprocessor, and includes a table management unit 3011 that manages a service table and an object routing table, and an object routing unit 3012 that routes objects according to the object routing table, and according to a control program. It controls the internal storage unit 304, the auxiliary storage unit 306, and the communication interface 307.

  Similar to the internal storage unit 104 shown in FIG. 2, the internal storage unit 304 reads a control program executed by the central processing unit 301 from the auxiliary storage unit 306 and temporarily stores each data during execution of the control program. (Random Access Memory).

  The auxiliary storage unit 306 is a device that stores data such as a hard disk, for example, and identifies a service table storage unit 3061 that stores a service table, an object routing table storage unit 3062 that stores an object routing table, and an object routing unit 3012 In addition to an object router address storage unit 3063 that stores an object router address that is an identifier for performing, each program (not shown) such as a control program for operating the object routing device 30, and during execution of each program Data after execution (not shown) and the like are stored.

  The service table is the same as the service table stored in the providing service table storage unit 2061 of the service providing apparatus 20, and the devices in the apparatus control system 50 in the service providing apparatus 20 managed by the object routing apparatus 30 can be executed. It is a database that registers services that can be provided by various functions. The service table in the service table storage unit 3061 of the object routing apparatus 30 reads and registers the service table stored in the service providing apparatus 20 from the service providing apparatus 20, for example. Further, for example, an input unit 302 for inputting data is further provided in the object routing device 30, and input / storage is performed via the input unit 302 by a company that delivers the object routing device 30.

  The object routing table is a table that is referred to when routing an object signal, and is similar to the object routing table 602 stored in the object routing table storage unit 2062 of the service using apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. To do.

  The communication interface 307 is connected to the communication network 54 and is a device for transmitting and receiving communication signals between the service using apparatus 10 and the service providing apparatus 20 via the communication network 54. The central processing unit 301, the internal storage unit 304, the auxiliary storage unit 306, and the communication interface 307 are respectively connected to the bus 308 so that data can be exchanged with each other.

  Note that an input unit 202, a display unit 203, and an external storage unit 205 indicated by broken lines in FIG. 3 may be provided, which are similar to the input unit 102, display unit 103, and external storage unit 105 shown in FIG.

  When the object routing device 30 configured as described above receives the object signal, the object routing device 30 executes the processing S12, processing S13, processing S14, processing S15, processing S16, and processing S18 shown in FIG. Route. Here, in the group management system in which the object routing device 30 and the service providing device 20 coexist, the object routing table of the object routing device 30 contains the received object signal in its own object routing table itself. The object router address of the object routing unit 3012 in the other object routing device 30 or the object router address of the object routing unit 2012 in the service providing device 20 is registered as a routing destination for the unregistered object ID, and In this case, the object routing device 30 sends the received object signal to another object routing device 30. Transferring the object routing unit 2012 in the object routing unit 3012 or the service providing apparatus 20.

  In the group management system 1 according to the first embodiment, the service using device 10 can collect service tables from all the service providing devices 20 in the group management system 1. By providing the device 30 in the group management system 1 ′ and limiting the service table collection destination of the service use device 10 to the object routing device 30, the service tables that can be collected by the service use device 10 can be limited. For this reason, the service which the service utilization apparatus 10 can utilize can be limited.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a group management system according to the second embodiment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the group management system 2 includes a service use device X10-X, a service use device Y10-Y, a service providing device W20-W, a service providing device X20-X, a service providing device Y20-Y, The service providing device Z20-Z, the object routing device X30-X, and the object routing device Y30-Y are configured. The service using device X10-X is configured to collect the service table only from the object routing device X30-X, and the service using device Y10-Y can collect the service table only from the object routing device X30-X. Configured to be. The object routing device X30-X stores the service table of the service providing device X20-X and the service table of the service providing device Y20-Y, and the object routing device Y30-Y includes the service providing device W20-W. The service table and the service table of the service providing device Z20-Z are stored.

  In such a case, the service using device X10-X can collect only the service table of the service providing device X20-X and the service table of the service providing device Y20-Y from the object routing device X30-X. Only the service of the providing device X20-X and the service of the service providing device Y20-Y can be used. Since the service using device Y10-Y can collect only the service table of the service providing device W20-W and the service table of the service providing device Z20-Z from the object routing device Y30-Y, the service providing device W20-Y can be collected. Only the service of W and the service of the service providing device Z20-Z can be used. Therefore, the services that can be used by the service using device X10-X are limited to the services of the service providing device X20-X and the services of the service providing device Y20-Y, and the services that can be used by the service using device Y10-Y are provided. The service is limited to the service of the device W20-W and the service of the service providing device Z20-Z.

  In FIG. 1, in the group management system 1 ′ according to the second embodiment, the service use device A <b> 10 -A is configured to be able to read the service table only from the object routing device 30, and the object routing device 30. Is configured to store the service table of the service providing device A20-A and the service table of the service providing device B20-B in the service table storage unit 3061 of the auxiliary storage unit 306, and the other service using device 10 ( The service use device B10-B, the service use device C10-C,...) Collect service tables from all the service providing devices 20 in the group management system 1 ′ as described in the first embodiment. Configured to be able to. In this way, it is also possible to mix service use devices 10 with limited collection of service tables and service use devices 10 with no collection restrictions.

  As described above, the service table stored in the service table storage unit 3061 of the object routing device 30 is used for the purpose of limiting the services that can be used by the service using device 10 and is not related to the routing of the object signal. When the object routing device 30 performs only the routing of the object signal, the service table storage unit 3061 may not be provided.

  Here, in the above description, the object routing device 30 has been described as limiting the service table passed to the service using device 10. However, when the group management system 1 ′ includes a plurality of object routing devices 30, the routing of object signals is performed. A service table may be exchanged between the object routing apparatuses by establishing a one-to-one connection at a lower layer and performing communication. With this configuration, substantially the same service table is stored in the service table storage unit 3061 in all the object routing devices 30, and the service using device 10 is connected to any one of the object routing devices 30. Services that can be provided in the group management system 1 ′ can be recognized. Note that when one object routing device 30 does not recognize the information of the other object routing device that should establish a one-to-one connection, for example, the IP address of the other object routing device 30, such 1 For example, information for establishing a connection in one-to-one relationship is necessary for establishing a connection in one object routing device 30 (more specifically, the IP address of one object routing device 30) and the other object routing device 30. In the group management system 1 ′, a connection information management server that manages information required for establishing a connection in the table (more specifically, the IP address of the other object routing device 30) is prepared in the group management system 1 ′. object By computing device 30 queries the connection information management server transmits the required information in the connection information management server in its connection, it is possible to acquire information necessary for connection of the other object routing device 30. When there are multiple group management systems and this connection information management server manages connection information in multiple group management systems, or when one group management system is divided into multiple groups to manage connection information The information for identifying each group management system (for example, the name of the group management system) or the information for identifying each divided system (for example, the name of the divided system) The object routing device 30 may make an inquiry.

  In the second embodiment described above, a table management device that manages the service table of the service table storage unit 3061 of the object routing device 30 and the object routing table of the object routing table storage unit 3062 may be further provided. In this case, the object routing device 30 is configured by deleting the table management unit 3011. Alternatively, the management of the table management device is configured to have priority over the management of the table management unit 3011.

  By configuring in this way, the table management device manages the registered contents of the service table stored in the service table storage unit 3061 in the auxiliary storage unit 306 of the object routing device 30, so that the service table only from the object routing device. It is possible to control services that can be selected by the service using apparatus 10 that can collect the information. In particular, when there are a plurality of object routing devices 30, by providing a table management device, it is possible to centrally control services that can be selected by the service using device 10.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a group management system according to a modification of the second embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the modified group management system 3 includes a service use device X10-X, a service providing device W20-W, a service providing device X20-X, a service providing device Y20-Y, and a service providing device Z20. -Z, an object routing device 'X30-X' and an object routing device 'Y30-Y. The service using device X10-X is configured to be able to collect service tables only from the object routing device X30-X. The object routing device 'X30-X stores a service table of the service providing device X20-X and a service table of the service providing device Y20-Y under the management of the table management device 40, and the object routing device Y30. -Y stores the service table of the service providing apparatus W20-W and the service table of the service providing apparatus Z20-Z under the management of the table management apparatus 40.

  In such a case, the service using device X10-X can collect only the service table of the service providing device X20-X and the service table of the service providing device Y20-Y from the object routing device 'X30-X. Only the service of the service providing device X20-X and the service of the service providing device Y20-Y can be used. For this reason, the services that can be used by the service use device X10-X are limited to the service of the service providing device X20-X and the service of the service providing device Y20-Y.

  If the object routing device X30-X and the object routing device Y30-Y are connected to the communication network 54 (not shown in FIG. 12) of the same communication protocol in the case shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, a service using device X10-X, a service providing device X20-X, a service providing device Y20-Y, an object routing device X30-X, a service using device Y10-Y, The service providing device Z20-Z, the service providing device W20-W, and the object routing device Y30-Y transmit and receive communication signals using the first communication protocol, and the object routing device X30-X and the object routing device Y30-Y. Is different from the first communication protocol. In the case of connection via a communication network 55 that transmits and receives communication signals using a protocol, the first communication protocol and the object routing device X30-X and the object routing device Y30-Y are connected to the object routing device X30-X and the object routing device Y30-Y as shown by the broken line in FIG. The central processing unit 301 needs to further include a communication protocol conversion unit 3013 that converts the communication protocol with the second communication protocol.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the communication frame formats of the first and second communication protocols and the operation of the communication protocol conversion unit.

  FIG. 15A is a diagram for explaining a communication frame format of the first communication protocol. As shown in FIG. 15A, a communication frame 310 of the first communication protocol includes a header part 311 that contains information such as a transmission destination address and a transmission source address, and a payload part 312 that contains information to be transmitted. It is prepared for.

  FIG. 15B is a diagram for explaining a communication frame format of the second communication protocol. As shown in FIG. 15B, the communication frame 320 of the second communication protocol includes a header part 321 that contains information such as a transmission destination address and a transmission source address, and a payload part 322 that contains information to be transmitted. It is prepared for.

  FIG. 15C is a diagram for explaining the operation of the communication protocol conversion unit. In FIG. 15C, when the object routing device 30 transmits a communication signal, the communication protocol conversion unit 3013 accommodates the communication frame 310 of the first communication protocol in the payload unit 322 of the second communication protocol. A header part 321 of the second communication protocol is added to the payload part 322 to generate a communication frame 320 of the second communication protocol. As a result, the first communication protocol is converted to the second communication protocol. On the other hand, when the object routing apparatus 30 receives a communication signal, the communication protocol conversion unit 3013 receives the communication frame 310 of the first communication protocol from the payload portion 322 of the second communication protocol in the communication frame 320 of the second communication protocol. Take out. As a result, the second communication protocol is converted to the first communication protocol. For example, the first communication protocol is HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Security), and the second communication protocol is SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol).

  By operating the communication protocol conversion unit 3013 in this way, communication signals can be transmitted and received even if there is a communication network with a different communication protocol between the object routing devices 30.

  Furthermore, the situation of being connected via a communication network of such a different communication protocol also occurs between the service using device 10 and the object routing device 30 and between the service providing device 20 and the object routing device 30. obtain. Therefore, as indicated by the broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, the communication protocol conversion units 1013 and 2014 that perform the same operation as the communication protocol conversion unit 3013 on the service using device 10 and the service providing device 20 are provided in the center as necessary. The processing unit 101 and the central processing unit 201 may be provided.

  By providing such communication protocol converters 1013, 2014, and 3013 in the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 as necessary, the total number of devices is relatively large. A large number of group management systems 1 'can be constructed. Since communication networks of different communication protocols can intervene, it is possible to construct a group management system 1 in which each device is remotely separated. In addition, the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 can be easily added to the existing group management system 1 '.

  In the above description, the communication protocol conversion units 1013, 2014, and 3013 are provided in the central processing units 101, 201, and 301. However, the communication protocol conversion units 1013, 2014, and 3013 may be provided in the communication interfaces 107, 207, and 307.

  Further, in the above description, when the communication protocol is converted, the communication frame in one communication protocol is accommodated as it is in the payload in the other communication protocol, but the communication frame in one communication protocol is divided into a plurality of pieces and the other May be accommodated in the payloads of the communication protocol, and restored on the receiving side.

  In the above description, the group management system 1 has two communication protocols, the first and second communication protocols, in the group management system 1 ′. However, any number of communication protocols can be used in the group management system 1 ′. May be present.

  Here, for example, the registration contents of the service table 601 stored in the service use apparatus 10 are controlled by the object routing apparatus 30 in the case shown in FIG. 12 and by the table management apparatus 40 in the case shown in FIG. The providing device 20 stores information (registration permission information) as to whether or not to register the service of the service providing device 20 in the service table of the service using device 10, and selectively selects the service of the service providing device 20 as the service using device 10. May be configured to be registered.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the service table 630 of the service providing apparatus 20 includes the object ID of the record, the sub-object ID field 632, the logical expression ID field 633, A registration permission information field 634 for registering information (registration permission information) for determining whether or not the service using apparatus 10 can register the sub-object ID and the logical expression ID is further provided. The registerable information is composed of, for example, a code string, and may also be used as an identifier for identifying the service using device 10 such as a MAC address or an IP address. In the example shown in FIG. 16, “RQID_A” and “RQ” are registered as registration permission information in the registration permission information field 634 of a record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 631 and “ya” is registered in the sub object ID field 632. RQID_B "is registered. In the registration permission information field 634 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 631 and “yb” is registered in the sub-object ID field 632, “RQID_A”, “RQID_B”, and “RQID_C” are registered as registration permission information. It is registered. Then, “RQID_B” and “RQID_C” are registered as registration permission information in the registration permission information field 634 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 631 and “yc” is registered in the sub object ID field 632. ing.

  When the service using device 10 is added to the group management system 1, when the service providing device 20 is added to the group management system 1, and when the device control system 50 is added to the service providing device 20, When the service providing apparatus 20 transmits a service table request signal including registration permission information given in advance to the service using apparatus 10 and the service providing apparatus 20 receives the communication signal, the service providing apparatus 20 receives the received communication. The service table 630 is searched based on the signal registration permission information, and the object ID, sub-object ID, and logic registered in the object ID field 631, sub-object ID field 632, and logical expression ID field 633 of the searched record, respectively. Service ID To reply to the device 10.

  For example, the service providing apparatus 20 that stores the service table 630 illustrated in FIG. 16 in the providing-side service table storage unit 2061 of the auxiliary storage unit 206 receives a communication signal that requests a service table including “RQID_C” as registration permission information. In this case, the object ID is “xa”, the sub-object ID is “yb”, the logical expression ID is “ba”, and the object ID is “xa” and the sub-object ID is “yc”. Information with the ID “ca” is returned to the service using apparatus 10 as a service table.

  With this configuration, the registration contents registered in the service table of the service using apparatus 10 can be controlled not only in the service table unit of the service providing apparatus 20 but also in object units or sub-object units.

  In the above description, the registration permission information field in the service table of the service using apparatus 10 is controlled by further adding the registration permission information field to the service table of the service providing apparatus 20, but the registration permission information field is added to the service table of the table management apparatus 40. Further, the table management device 40 may be configured to control the registered contents in the service table of the service using device 10 by adding. With this configuration, the registration contents registered in the service table of the service using device 10 can be controlled not only in the service table unit of the service providing device 20 but also in object units or sub-object units. Content control can be managed collectively.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the service using device 10 may also be configured to route the object signal. The service using apparatus 10 ′ having such a configuration further includes an object router address storage unit that stores an object router address that is an identifier for specifying the object routing unit 1012, and the object routing unit 1012 is in accordance with the object routing table 602. In addition to routing the object signal, that is, in addition to processing S12 and processing S16 shown in FIG. 7, processing S12, processing S13, processing S14, processing S15, processing S16 and processing S18 are executed. The object routing unit for routing such object signals is denoted by 1012 '.

  Here, in the group management system configured to include the service using device 10 ′ and the service providing device 20 that also perform routing of the object signal, the object routing table of the service using device 10 ′ is the case when the object signal is received. As a routing destination for an object ID that is not registered in its own object routing table itself, the object router address of the object routing unit 1012 ′ in the other service using device 10 ′ or the object of the object routing unit 2012 in the service providing device 20 The router address is configured to be registered, and in this case, the service using device 10 ′ transmits the received object signal to the object in the other service using device 10 ′. Transferring the object routing unit 2012 in the transfected routing unit 1012 'or the service providing apparatus 20. Further, in the group management system in which the service using device 10 ′, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 are mixed, the object routing table of the service using device 10 ′ includes the object object received when the object signal is received. As a routing destination for an object ID that is not registered in the routing table itself, the object router address of the object routing unit 1012 ′ in the other service using device 10 ′, the object router address of the object routing unit 2012 in the service providing device 20, or The object router address of the object routing unit 3012 in the object routing providing apparatus 30 is configured to be registered, and In this case, the service using device 10 ′ sends the received object signal to the object routing unit 1012 ′ in the other service using device 10 ′, the object routing unit 2012 in the service providing device 20, or the object routing unit 3012 in the object routing device 30. Forward to.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the service using device 10 may be configured to limit the users that can be used for each object or sub-object. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 17A, the object or sub-object corresponding to the object ID and sub-object ID of the record can be used in the service table 601 ′ shown in FIG. 5A. The service table 603 of the service using apparatus 10 may be configured by further providing a use permission information field 614 for registering information (use permission information) for determining whether or not the service is used. The usage permission information is constituted by, for example, a code string, and may also be used as, for example, a user ID that is an identifier for identifying a user. In the example shown in FIG. 17A, the user ID is also used as the user ID, and the user IDs of the user A, the user B, and the user C are ID_A, ID_B, and ID_C, respectively.

  In the example shown in FIG. 17A, “ID_A” is used as usage permission information in the usage permission information field 614 of a record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “ya” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612. And “ID_B” are registered. In the usage permission information field 614 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “yb” is registered in the sub object ID field 612, “ID_A”, “ID_B”, and “ID_C” are used as usage permission information. It is registered. Then, “ID_B” and “ID_C” are registered as usage permission information in the usage permission information field 614 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “yc” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612. ing.

  In FIG. 17B, the service use device 10 stores the service table 603 shown in FIG. 17A in the use-side service table storage unit 1061 of the auxiliary storage unit 106. A terminal device of a communicable computer in which a user directly connects to the terminal device A11-A via the communication network 54 after logging in to the terminal device A11-A, for example, from the input unit 102 of the service utilization device 10 in order to receive service provision using the service utilization device 10 Corresponds to services that are provided by logging in to the service using device 10 from the A11-A or from a communicable computer terminal device B11-B connected via the local communication network 56 after logging in to the terminal device B11-B. When the object ID, the sub-object ID, the logical expression ID, and the use permission information are input, the service using device 10 searches the service table 603 in the use-side service table storage unit 1061 based on the object ID and the sub-object ID. Usage permission information fee for the retrieved record Compare the usage permission information registered in the password 614 with the usage permission information entered by the user. If they match, the service is provided to the user, whereas if they do not match, the service is not provided to the user. .

  For example, when the user inputs “xa” as the object ID, “ya” as the sub-object ID, “aa” as the logical expression ID, and “ID_A” as the usage permission information, the service using device 10 provides the service specified by these to the user, but the user sets “xa” as the object ID, “yc” as the sub-object ID, “ca” as the logical expression ID, and usage permission information When “ID_A” is entered as “”, the service specified by these is not provided to the user.

  Here, in the above description, the usage permission information is input every time the service is received. However, when the user logs in to the service usage device 10, the usage permission information is input only once, and the service usage device 10. The service use device 10 is configured to determine whether or not to provide the service desired by the user based on the stored use permission information each time the user receives the provision of the service. May be.

  By configuring the service using device 10 as described above, the services available for each user can be finely limited in units of objects or sub-objects.

  In the above description, the service use device 10 is configured to determine whether or not the service use is permitted. However, the service providing device 20 may be configured to determine whether or not the service use is permitted.

  In this case, the service table stored in the providing-side service table storage unit 2061 in the auxiliary storage unit 206 of the service providing apparatus 20 is further provided with a use permission information field, like the service table 603 shown in FIG. . Then, the service use device 10 further accommodates the use permission information from the user in the object signal, and the service providing device 20 that has received this object signal uses the service table in the use side service table storage unit 2061 as the object ID of the object signal. And the search is made based on the sub-object ID, and the use permission information registered in the use permission information field of the searched record is compared with the use permission information of the object signal, and if they match, the service is provided to the user. On the other hand, in the case of mismatch, the service is not provided to the user.

  Even in this case, it is not only configured to transmit the usage permission information for each object signal, but also when the service usage device 10 and the service provision device 20 are connected, the usage permission information is transmitted only once, and the service provision device. The service providing device 20 may be configured to store this, and the service providing device 20 may be configured to determine whether or not to provide the service based on the stored use permission information each time an object signal is received.

  By configuring the service providing apparatus 20 in this way, it is also possible to finely limit the services that can be used for each user in units of objects or sub-objects.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17B, the service use device 10 or the service providing device 20 does not determine whether or not the service is permitted, but as shown in FIG. May be provided so as to be connected to the communication network 54.

  In this case, the service use permission determination server stores a service table similar to the service table 603 shown in FIG.

  For example, when providing a service to a user, the service using device 10 first transmits an object ID, a sub-object ID, a logical expression ID, and use permission information to the service use permission determination server 12 to determine whether the service use is permitted or not. The determination server 12 searches the stored service table based on the received object ID and sub-object ID, and compares the usage permission information registered in the usage permission information field of the retrieved record with the received usage permission information. If they match, a reply permitting the provision of the service is sent, whereas if they do not match, a reply rejecting the provision of the service is sent. Further, for example, the service use device 10 transmits the use permission information from the user to the service use permission determination server 12, and the service use permission determination server 12 searches the stored service table based on the received use permission information. The object ID, sub-object ID, and logical expression ID registered in the object ID field, sub-object ID field, and logical expression ID field of the retrieved record are returned. The service using device 10 stores the object ID, the sub-object ID, and the logical expression ID in association with the use permission information from the user, and determines to reject the use when providing the service to the user.

  On the other hand, for example, when providing a service to the service using device 10, the service providing device 20 first transmits an object ID, a sub-object ID, a logical expression ID, and use permission information to the service use permission determination server 12, The service use permission determination server 12 searches the stored service table based on the received object ID and sub-object ID, uses permission information registered in the use permission information field of the searched record, and the received use permission. If they match with the information, a reply permitting the provision of the service is sent if they match, whereas if they do not match, a reply rejecting the provision of the service is sent. Further, for example, the service providing apparatus 20 transmits the use permission information from the service use apparatus 10 to the service use permission determination server 12, and the service use permission determination server 12 adds the stored service table to the received use permission information. Based on the search, the object ID, sub-object ID, and logical expression ID registered in the object ID field, sub-object ID field, and logical expression ID field of the searched record are returned. The service providing device 20 stores these object ID, sub-object ID, and logical expression ID in association with the use permission information from the service using device 10, and rejects the use when providing the service to the service using device 10. Judging.

  By configuring in this way, not only can a service that can be used for each user be restricted finely in units of objects or sub-objects, but such restriction can be collectively managed by the service use permission determination server 12.

  Further, in the group management system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the notation of the objects of the respective device control systems 50-A, 50-B, 50-C,... Is, for example, these device control systems 50-A, 50-B. , 50-C,... In order to cope with such a case, in the first embodiment, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 3, the object conversion unit 2015 that converts the object notation to the service providing apparatus 20 and the conversion source object Service providing apparatus so that the central processing unit 201 and the auxiliary storage unit 206 further include an object conversion table storage unit 2064 for storing an object conversion table, which is a table showing a correspondence relationship between a notation method and a conversion destination object notation. 20 may be configured. The object conversion table is referred to in order to convert the object notation.

  For example, device control system A50-A employs a first type of notation, device control system B50-B employs a second type of notation, and device control system C50-C uses a third type of notation. When the object ID and the sub-object ID are described using the method, the object conversion table is configured as shown in FIG. 18, for example.

  In FIG. 18, the object conversion table 640 includes an object ID conversion table 641 and a sub-object ID conversion table 642. The object ID conversion table 641 is a table showing a correspondence relationship between the object ID based on the first type notation, the object ID based on the second type notation, and the object ID based on the third type notation. For example, an object ID that is “Aa” in the first type of notation is represented as “lighting” in the second type of notation, and “Xa” in the third type of notation. The sub-object ID conversion table 642 shows a correspondence relationship between the sub-object ID based on the first type of notation, the sub-object ID based on the second type of notation, and the sub-object ID based on the third type of notation. It is a table. For example, a sub-object ID that is “Aaa” in the first type notation is represented as “ON / OFF control” in the second type notation, and “Xaa” in the third type notation. .

  When the service providing apparatus 20 including such an object conversion unit 2015 receives the object signal and executes the process S17 of FIG. 7, the service providing apparatus 20 determines the object notation, and the object notation in the service providing apparatus 20 If not, the object conversion unit 2015 converts the object notation into the object notation in the service providing apparatus 20 by referring to the object conversion table in the object conversion table storage unit 2064, and executes the object. To do. For example, the service providing apparatus B20-B receives the object signal of the object ID and the sub-object ID according to the first type of notation, more specifically, for example, the object signal of the object ID “Ab” and the sub-object ID “Aac”. Upon reception, the object conversion unit (reference numeral “2015-B”) in the service providing apparatus B20-B refers to the object conversion table 640 of the object conversion table storage section (reference numeral “2064-B”). The object signal of the object ID and sub-object ID according to the first type notation is set to the object ID and sub-object ID according to the second type notation, more specifically, the object ID is set to “air conditioner”, and the sub-object ID is set to Convert to `` Failure status acquisition '' To run-objects.

  With this configuration, the device control systems 50 having different object notations can be constructed as one group management system 1.

  In the above description, the service providing apparatus 20 that receives the object signal converts the object notation. However, when the service using apparatus 10, the service providing apparatus 20, and the object routing apparatus 30 route the object signal, the object notation is changed. You may comprise so that it may convert. In this case, for example, the object routing table 604 configured to further include an object notation field 625 for registering the notation of the object at the routing destination shown in FIG. 19 in the object routing table 602 shown in FIG. The object routing table storage unit 1062 in the device 10, the object routing table storage unit 2062 in the service providing device 20, and the object routing table storage unit 3062 in the object routing device 30 are provided respectively. The central processing unit 101 further includes an object conversion unit 1014. As shown by a broken line in FIG. 3, the central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus 20 has an object. Further comprising a section 2015, and further configured with an object conversion section 3014 to the central processing unit 301 of the object routing device 30 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 11. When routing the object signal, the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 search the notation of the object at the routing destination by referring to the object routing table for the notation of the object, respectively. The object signal including the object ID and the sub-object ID according to the converted notation may be routed by converting the object notation using the object conversion table.

  More specifically, for example, when the object routing device 30 searches for a routing destination, the object routing unit 3012 searches for “Addbb” as the object router address of the routing destination in step S12 of FIG. As a method, “second type” is also searched, the object routing unit 3012 notifies the object conversion unit 3014 of the search result “second type”, and the object conversion unit 3014 refers to the object conversion table 640 so that the object ID and The notation of the sub-object ID is converted to the second type, and the object conversion unit 3014 notifies the conversion result to the object routing unit 3012. The object routing unit 3012 receives this notification before executing the process 16 of FIG. 7, and routes the object signal including the converted object ID and sub-object ID in process S16.

  With this configuration, the device control systems 50 having different object notations can be constructed as one group management system 1.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, when the service providing apparatus 20 receives a plurality of object signals and the service providing apparatus 20 needs to execute a plurality of objects or sub-objects, The objects or sub-objects may be executed in the order in which the object signals are received. However, priority may be given to the objects and sub-objects, and the objects or sub-objects may be executed according to the priorities.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 20A, the priority of execution in the object or sub-object corresponding to the object ID and sub-object ID of the record is added to the service table 601 ′ shown in FIG. The service table 605 of the service providing apparatus 20 may be configured by further providing a priority field 615 for registering information indicating priority (priority information). The priority order information is represented, for example, by a number indicating the priority order, and the lower the numerical value, the higher the priority order. The higher the numerical value, the higher the priority may be.

  In the example shown in FIG. 20A, the priority information field 615 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “ya” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612 is “2” as priority information. ”(Indicating priority). The priority information field 615 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “yb” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612 is “1” (indicating the highest priority). Is registered. In the priority information field 615 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “yc” is registered in the sub object ID field 612, “3” (indicating normal) is set as priority information. It is registered. Then, “2” is registered as priority information in the priority information field 615 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “yd” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612.

  When the subsystem control unit 2013 in the central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus 20 receives a plurality of object signals and executes the plurality of objects or sub-objects, first, the providing side service table storage unit of the auxiliary storage unit 206 By referring to the service table 605 in 2061, the priority order of a plurality of objects or sub-objects is searched based on the object ID or sub-object ID accommodated in each object signal, and a plurality of priority levels are searched based on the searched priority order. The execution order of the objects or sub-objects is determined respectively, and a plurality of objects or sub-objects are executed according to the determined execution order. In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise so that it may be performed in order of reception of an object signal, for example, when a priority order is the same order.

  In the above description, the priority order is given according to the type of the object or sub-object. However, the priority order may be given to each user who uses the service.

  In this case, the service using apparatus 10 is configured to request the input of a user ID when the user logs in, and to transmit the input user ID further included in the object signal. For example, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the service table 601 ′ shown in FIG. 5A, information indicating the priority of execution in the object or sub-object corresponding to the object ID and sub-object ID of the record for each user (priority by user) The service table 605 ′ of the service providing apparatus 20 may be configured by further providing a user priority field 616 for registering information). The priority order information for each user is represented by, for example, the order of user IDs registered in the priority order field 616 for each user, and the higher the priority order, the higher the priority order.

  In the example shown in FIG. 20B, the priority order by user in the priority order information field 616 by user of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “ya” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612 is shown. “ID_B” and “ID_A” are registered as information, and the priority order is expressed in this order. That is, “ID_B” has priority over “ID_A”. In the priority order information field 616 for each user in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “yb” is registered in the sub-object ID field 612, “ID_C”, “ID_B”, and “ID_A” is registered, and the priority order is expressed in this order. Then, “ID_B” and “ID_C” are assigned as user priority information in the user priority information field 616 of the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 611 and “yc” is registered in the sub object ID field 612. Are registered, and the priority order is expressed in this order.

  When the subsystem control unit 2013 in the central processing unit 201 of the service providing apparatus 20 receives a plurality of object signals and executes the plurality of objects or sub-objects, first, the providing side service table storage unit of the auxiliary storage unit 206 By referring to the service table 605 ′ in 2061, the priority of a plurality of objects or sub-objects is searched based on the user ID accommodated in each object signal, and the plurality of objects or sub-objects are searched based on the searched priority. The execution order of the objects is determined, and a plurality of objects or sub-objects are executed according to the determined execution order.

  Note that the user priority field 616 shown in FIG. 20B may also be used as the usage permission information field 614 shown in FIG. That is, the service table 603 is used instead of the service table 605 ′, and the priority order is determined in the order of the usage permission information registered in the usage permission information field 614.

  By setting the priority order in this way, it is possible to cause the service providing apparatus 20 to preferentially execute a more important or more urgent object or sub-object, such as a fire occurrence report or an emergency request report.

  On the other hand, a priority information field for registering priority information in the object routing table and a priority information field for each user for registering priority information for each user are further provided, and the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 are provided. When routing object signals, they may be routed according to priority.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 21A, information (routing priority information) indicating the priority for routing the object signal containing the object ID of the record in the object routing table 602 shown in FIG. The object routing table 606 may be configured by further providing a routing priority field 626 for registering. The routing priority information is represented by, for example, a number indicating the priority for executing routing, and the smaller the numerical value, the higher the priority. The higher the numerical value, the higher the priority may be.

  In the example shown in FIG. 21A, “3” (indicating normal) is registered as priority information in the routing priority information field 626 of a record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 621. Has been. In the routing priority information field 626 of the record in which “xb” is registered in the object ID field 621, “2” (indicating that priority is given) is registered as routing priority information. In the routing priority information field 626 of the record in which “xc” is registered in the object ID field 621, “1” (indicating that it is the highest priority) is registered as priority information. In the routing priority information field 626 of the record in which “xd” is registered in the object ID field 621, “2” is registered as priority information. The routing priority information field 626 of the record in which the object router address of the routing destination for the object ID not registered in its own object routing table 606 itself is set to “1” (highest priority) as priority information. Is registered).

  When a plurality of object signals are received and the object routing units 1012, 2012, 3012 in the central processing units 101, 201, 301 of the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 route a plurality of object signals. In addition, by referring to the object routing table 606 in the object routing table storage units 1062, 2062, and 3062 of the auxiliary storage units 106, 206, and 306, a plurality of object signals can be stored based on the object IDs contained in each object signal. The priority for routing is searched, the routing order of the plurality of object signals is determined based on the searched priority, and the plurality of routings are determined according to the determined routing order. Routing object signal. In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise so that it may be performed in order of reception of an object signal, for example, when a priority order is the same order.

  In the above description, the priority order is given according to the type of the object. However, the priority order may be given to each user who uses the service.

  In this case, the service using apparatus 10 is configured to request an input of a user ID when the user logs in, and further transmit the input user ID included in the object signal. For example, FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, user-specific routing for registering information (user-specific routing priority information) indicating the priority for routing the object signal containing the object ID of the record in the object routing table 602 shown in FIG. 6. The object routing table 607 may be configured by further providing a priority field 627. The user-specific routing priority information is represented by, for example, the order of user IDs registered in the user-specific routing priority field 627, and the higher the priority is registered, the higher the priority is registered. In the case where it is not registered in the routing priority order field 627 for each user, the priority order is handled lower than that of the registered user.

  In the example shown in FIG. 21B, “ID_A” and “ID_C” are stored as routing priority information for each user in the routing priority information field 627 for each user in the record in which “xa” is registered in the object ID field 621. They are registered and their priorities are displayed in this order. That is, “ID_A” has priority over “ID_C”. “ID_B” and “ID_A” are registered as routing priority information for each user in the routing priority information field 627 for each user in the record in which “xb” is registered in the object ID field 621, and the priority is expressed in this order. The “ID_C”, “ID_A”, and “ID_B” are registered as the routing priority information for each user in the routing priority information field 627 for each user in the record in which “xc” is registered in the object ID field 621, and are given priority in this order. The rank is expressed. Then, nothing is registered as priority information in the routing priority information field 627 of the record in which the routing destination object router address for the object ID not registered in its own object routing table 607 itself is registered. That is, all users are treated equally and routed in the order in which the object signals are received.

  When a plurality of object signals are received and the object routing units 1012, 2012, 3012 in the central processing units 101, 201, 301 of the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 route a plurality of object signals. In addition, by referring to the object routing table 607 in the object routing table storage units 1062, 2062, and 3062 of the auxiliary storage units 106, 206, and 306, a plurality of object signals can be stored based on the object IDs contained in each object signal. The priority for routing is searched, the routing order of the plurality of object signals is determined based on the searched priority, and the plurality of routings are determined according to the determined routing order. Routing object signal. In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise so that it may be performed in order of reception of an object signal, for example, when a priority order is the same order.

  By setting priorities in this way, it is possible to preferentially route more important or more urgent objects, such as fire occurrence reports and emergency request reports.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, in order to charge for the use and distribution of the service table and the routing of the object signal, for example, as shown by a broken line in FIG. The group management systems 1 and 1 ′ may further include a billing server 80 that is a server computer that performs authentication and billing by executing the billing program. In the following description, the accounting server 80 is configured by an independent server computer. However, the function of the accounting server 80 may be incorporated into the service using device 10, the service providing device, or the object routing device 30.

  First, charging for use of the service table will be described below. In this case, the charging server 80 charges the service using apparatus 10 with an authentication table for registering information for authenticating the service using apparatus 10 for each service using apparatus 10 in order to authenticate the service using apparatus 10. Therefore, a charge table for each service table (hereinafter abbreviated as “charge table for each ST”) for registering a charge for using the service table for each service using device 10 and a single use charge for the service table are provided for each service table. A registered service table fee table (hereinafter abbreviated as “ST fee table”). Then, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, the service using device 10 further includes an authentication / billing processing unit 1015 that performs authentication and charging processing in the central processing unit 101, and identifies the service using device 10 in the auxiliary storage unit 106. The service use device ID, which is an identifier for the service use, and the password of the service use device 10 are stored.

  The authentication table is a table showing the correspondence between the service using device ID and the password of the service using device 10 for each service using device ID.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of the accounting table for each service table and the configuration of the service table fee table. FIG. 22A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a service table-specific charging table. FIG. 22B is a diagram showing the configuration of the service table fee table.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 22A, the ST-specific billing table 801 includes a service utilization apparatus ID field 811 for registering a service utilization apparatus ID and a service provision apparatus ID that is an identifier for identifying the service provision apparatus 20. Service providing apparatus ID field 812 for registering service, service table ID field 813 for registering a service table ID that is an identifier for identifying the service table, and service corresponding to the service table ID registered in the service table ID field 813 And a fee field 814 for registering a fee for using the table, and a record is created each time the service using device 10 uses the service table. The service using device ID, the service providing device ID, and the service table ID are code strings. For example, an IP address or a MAC address may be used for the service using device ID and the service providing device ID.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 22B, the ST fee table 802 includes a service table ID field 821 for registering a service table ID and a service table ID corresponding to the service table ID registered in the service table ID field 821. And a fee field 822 for registering a fee for one use, and a record is created for each service table ID.

  Then, when using the service, the service using device 10 first uses the authentication / billing processing unit 1015 to use the service table ID corresponding to the service table of the service to be used and the service use of the service using device 10. A communication signal (service table charging signal, hereinafter abbreviated as “ST charging signal”) including the device ID and the password of the service using device 10 is transmitted to the charging server 80 via the communication interface 107 and the communication network 54. .

  When the charging server 80 receives the ST charging signal, the charging server 80 extracts the service using device ID, the password, and the service table ID from the received ST charging signal. Next, the accounting server 80 searches the authentication table based on the extracted service using device ID, and searches for a password corresponding to the service using device ID. Next, charging server 80 determines whether or not the searched password matches the password of the ST charging signal. If they do not match, the service utilization apparatus 10 is notified of the disapproval of use of the group management system 1 and the fact that there is an ST charging signal that could not be authenticated is notified to, for example, a system administrator who manages the charging server 80. A warning is output as much as possible.

  On the other hand, if they match, charging server 80 searches ST fee table 802 based on the extracted service table ID to search for a fee corresponding to the service table ID in order to perform charging processing. Next, the accounting server 80 additionally creates a record in the accounting table for each ST 801 with the extracted service using device ID, and registers the retrieved fee in the fee field 814 for the retrieved service table ID in the service table ID field 813. . Next, the billing server 80 completes the billing process, and a communication signal (service table use permission signal, hereinafter referred to as “accept permission information”) that contains information (use permission information) for permitting use of the service table corresponding to the service table ID. Abbreviated as “ST use permission signal”).

  When the service use device 10 receives the ST use permission signal, the service use device 10 creates an object signal including the service use device ID using the service table, and transmits the created object signal to the communication network 54 via the communication interface 107. The transmitted object signal is routed by the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 in the group management system 1, and reaches the service providing device 20 that should execute the object of the object signal. The service providing apparatus 20 extracts the service using apparatus ID from the object signal, and transmits a communication signal (ID notification signal) including the service providing apparatus ID of the service providing apparatus 20 and the extracted service using apparatus ID to the accounting server 80. In addition, a service corresponding to the object ID or sub-object ID of the object signal is executed.

  Upon receiving the ID notification signal, the charging server 80 extracts the service using device ID and the service providing device ID from the ID notification signal, searches the ST-specific charging table 801 based on the extracted service using device ID, and searches for the record The service providing apparatus ID extracted in the service providing apparatus ID field 812 is registered.

  Then, the billing server 80 adds charges for each service use device ID in units of a predetermined period, for example, monthly, and charges the user of the service use device 10 corresponding to the service use device ID.

  Here, in the above description, the ST-specific charging table 801 for registering the service table ID and the service providing device ID is used. Instead of the ST-specific charging table 801, as shown in FIG. And an ST-specific billing table 801 ′ including a cumulative fee field 815 for registering a cumulative fee may be used.

  The accounting server 80 in this case will be described. The accounting server 80 searches the ST fee table 802 based on the extracted service table ID, and searches for a fee corresponding to the service table ID. Next, the billing server 80 searches the bill-by-ST billing table 801 ′ using the extracted service utilization device ID, adds the retrieved fee to the accumulated fee registered in the accumulated fee field 815 of the retrieved record, and creates a new The accumulated fee is registered in the accumulated fee field 815. Next, billing server 80 returns an ST use permission signal to service utilization device 10. The billing server 80 charges the user of the service using apparatus 10 corresponding to the service using apparatus ID for the accumulated charge registered in the accumulated charge field 815 after the elapse of a predetermined period.

  When the charge table by ST 801 shown in FIG. 22 is used, the use history of the service table of the service use device 10 can be kept, while a relatively large capacity storage device for storing the charge table by ST 801 is provided. is necessary. When the charge table by ST 801 ′ shown in FIG. 23 is used, the service table use history of the service use device 10 cannot be kept, but only the number of service use device IDs can be recorded, so the charge table by ST. The storage capacity for storing 801 'is relatively small.

  In any of the cases described above, the use permission information is determined in common in the group management system 1 and the use permission information is stored in the service providing apparatus 20 in advance. It may be configured to further include use permission information. With this configuration, the service providing apparatus 20 that has received the object signal uses the use permission information and the object signal to store in advance whether or not the object is the object signal by the service using apparatus 10 that has been properly authorized to use. It can be confirmed by judging the coincidence with the permission information, and unauthorized use such as impersonation can be suppressed. Further, from the viewpoint of further suppressing unauthorized use, the use permission information is stored only in the billing server 80, and before the service providing apparatus 20 provides the service, the object signal use permission information is transmitted to the billing server 80. You may comprise so that the provision of a service may be obtained from the accounting server 80. Further, from the viewpoint of further suppressing unauthorized use, every time the billing server 80 grants use permission to the service utilization device 10, the use permission information is issued, and the billing server 80 transmits the use permission information transmitted from the service providing device 20. You may comprise so that it may be determined whether the issued use permission information corresponds.

  Further, in any of the above cases, the charging server 80 is configured to perform authentication and charging processing by receiving the ST charging signal from the service utilization apparatus 10, but the authentication / charging processing is performed as shown by a broken line in FIG. The service providing apparatus 20 is further provided with a unit 2016, and the service use apparatus 10 further stores the information accommodated in the ST billing signal in the object signal and transmits the object signal, and the object ID accommodated in the object signal Alternatively, the service providing apparatus 20 that provides the service corresponding to the sub-object ID transmits an ST charging signal to the charging server 80 before providing the service, and the service providing apparatus 20 performs the authentication and charging processing by the charging server 80. You may comprise so that a service may be provided. On the other hand, in this case, the service using apparatus 10 is charged. From the viewpoint that the service providing apparatus 20 provides a service using the group management system 1, the service providing apparatus 20 is charged with the same configuration. It may be configured.

  In the above description, charging is performed for each service table used. However, the charging server 80 may be configured to charge according to the usage time of the group management system 1.

  In this case, the charging server 80 charges the service using apparatus 10 with an authentication table for registering information for authenticating the service using apparatus 10 for each service using apparatus 10 in order to authenticate the service using apparatus 10. Therefore, it is configured to include a billing table for each use time for registering a charge for the use time for each service use device 10.

  The billing table by use time includes, for example, a service use device ID field for registering a service use device ID, a use start time field for registering a use start time, and a use end time field for registering a use end time. Then, a record is created each time the service using device 10 starts using.

  When using the service, the service using device 10 first uses the authentication / billing processing unit 1015 to indicate that the use of the group management system 1 is started and the service using device ID of the service using device 10. And a communication signal (use start signal) including the password of the service using apparatus 10 is transmitted to the accounting server 80 via the communication interface 107 and the communication network 54.

  When receiving the usage start signal, the billing server 80 extracts the service usage device ID and password from the received usage start signal. Next, the accounting server 80 searches the authentication table based on the extracted service using device ID, and searches for a password corresponding to the service using device ID. Next, charging server 80 determines whether or not the searched password matches the password of the ST charging signal. If they do not match, the service utilization apparatus 10 is notified of the disapproval of use of the group management system 1 and the fact that there is an ST charging signal that could not be authenticated is notified to, for example, a system administrator who manages the charging server 80. A warning is output as much as possible.

  On the other hand, if they match, in order to perform the charging process, the charging server 80 additionally creates a record in the charging table for each usage time with the extracted service usage device ID, and registers the time in the usage start time field. Next, the accounting server 80 returns a communication signal (use permission signal) containing information (use permission information) indicating that the start of use has been completed after completion of the billing process to the service using device 10.

  When the service utilization apparatus 10 receives the use permission signal, the service utilization apparatus 10 creates an object signal using the service table, and transmits the created object signal to the communication network 54 via the communication interface 107. The transmitted object signal is routed by the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30 in the group management system 1, and reaches the service providing device 20 that should execute the object of the object signal. The service providing apparatus 20 executes a service. When the use of the service is finished, the service using device 10 uses the authentication / billing processing unit 1015 to perform communication including information indicating that the use of the group management system 1 is finished and the service using device ID of the service using device 10. A signal (use end signal) is transmitted to the accounting server 80 via the communication interface 107 and the communication network 54.

  When the billing server 80 receives the use end signal, the billing server 80 extracts the service use device ID from the received use end signal. Next, in order to terminate the billing, the billing server 80 searches the billing table by use time with the extracted service using device ID, and registers the time in the use end time field of the retrieved record.

  Then, the billing server 80 adds charges for each service use device ID in units of a predetermined period, for example, monthly, and charges the user of the service use device 10 corresponding to the service use device ID.

  Here, in the above description, the billing server 80 is configured to store the usage time according to the usage start time and the usage end time, but may be configured to store the cumulative usage time.

  In the above description, the service use device 10 is configured to transmit the use start signal and the use end signal to the billing server 80. However, the service use device further includes an authentication / billing processing unit 2016 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 10 may be configured to first transmit an object signal to a predetermined object routing device 30, and the object routing device 30 may be configured to transmit a use start signal and a use end signal to the accounting server 80. On the other hand, in this case, the service using apparatus 10 is charged. From the viewpoint that the service providing apparatus 20 provides a service using the group management system 1, the service providing apparatus 20 is charged with the same configuration. It may be configured.

  In the above description, charging is performed according to the number of service tables used and the usage time of the group management system 1. However, charging may be performed according to usage of objects or sub-objects.

  In this case, the billing server 80 registers an authentication table for authenticating the service using device 10 and a charge for using the object or sub-object for each service using device 10 in order to charge the service using device 10 ( A sub-object charging table (hereinafter abbreviated as “Ob-based charging table”) and an object or sub-object usage fee registered for each object and sub-object (sub) object fee table (hereinafter “sub-object charging table”). Abbreviated as “Ob fee table”). The service using device 10 stores a service using device ID that is an identifier for identifying the service using device 10 and a password of the service using device 10 in the auxiliary storage unit 106, and the service using device 10 first performs predetermined object routing. It is configured to send an object signal to the device 30. The object routing device 30 further includes an authentication / billing processing unit 3015 that performs authentication and billing processing in the central processing unit 301, as indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the configuration of the (sub) object-specific charging table and the configuration of the (sub) object fee table. FIG. 24A is a diagram showing a configuration of the (sub) object-specific charging table. FIG. 24B is a diagram showing the configuration of the (sub) object fee table.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 24A, the Ob-based charging table 803 includes a service using device ID field 831 for registering a service using device ID, a service providing device ID field 832 for registering a service providing device ID, a service The (sub) object ID field 833 for registering the object ID or subobject ID included in the object signal from the utilization device 10 and the object corresponding to the object ID or subobject ID registered in the (sub) object ID field 833, or A fee field 834 for registering a fee for using the sub-object, and a record is created each time the service using device 10 uses the object or sub-object.

  Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 24B, the Ob fee table 804 includes an object ID registered in the (sub) object ID field 841 and the (sub) object ID field 841 for registering an object ID or sub-object ID. Or a fee field 842 for registering a fee for one use of the object or sub-object corresponding to the sub-object ID, and a record is created for each object ID or sub-object ID.

  Then, the service using device 10 makes a connection request to the object routing device 30 when using the service, and a communication signal (authentication request) including the service using device ID of the service using device 10 and the password of the service using device 10. Signal) is transmitted to the object routing apparatus 30 via the communication interface 107 and the communication network 54.

  When the object routing device 30 receives the authentication request signal, the object routing device 30 transfers the authentication request signal to the accounting server 80.

  When the accounting server 80 receives the authentication request signal, the accounting server 80 extracts the service using device ID and the password from the received authentication request signal. Next, the accounting server 80 searches the authentication table based on the extracted service using device ID, and searches for a password corresponding to the service using device ID. Next, the accounting server 80 determines whether or not the searched password matches the password of the authentication request signal. If they do not match, the object routing device 30 is notified of the non-permission of use of the group management system 1, and the system manager or the like that manages the accounting server 80 is notified that there has been an authentication request signal that could not be authenticated. A warning is output as much as possible.

  On the other hand, if they match, the accounting server 80 returns a communication signal (authentication result signal) containing information indicating that the authenticated service using device 10 is a legitimate user to the object routing device 30.

  When the object routing device 30 receives the authentication result signal, the object routing device 30 receives the object signal (including the service using device ID) from the service using device 10, routes the object signal, and sets the number of the routed object signals to the object ID or the sub Store by object ID.

  When the use of the service is completed, the service using device 10 issues a disconnection request to the object routing device 30, and in response to this disconnection request, the object routing device 30 determines the number of object signals stored for each object ID or sub-object ID and the service using device. 10 service utilization device IDs and a communication signal (accounting information signal) to be accommodated are transmitted to the accounting server 80.

  When the charging information signal is received, the charging server 80 extracts the service using device ID and the number of object signals for each object ID or sub-object ID from the charging information signal in order to perform the charging process. Next, the accounting server 80 searches the Ob fee table 804 based on the extracted object ID or sub-object ID, and searches for a fee corresponding to the object ID or sub-object ID. Next, the billing server 80 calculates the fee by multiplying the retrieved fee by the number. Next, the billing server 80 additionally creates a record in the Ob-based billing table 803 with the retrieved service using device ID, and calculates the object ID or sub-object ID retrieved in the (sub) object ID field 833 in the fee field 834. To register the charges.

  On the other hand, the object signal is routed in the group management system 1 by the service using device 10, the service providing device 20, and the object routing device 30, and reaches the service providing device 20 that should execute the object of the object signal. The service providing apparatus 20 extracts the service using apparatus ID from the object signal, and transmits a communication signal (ID notification signal) including the service providing apparatus ID of the service providing apparatus 20 and the extracted service using apparatus ID to the accounting server 80. In addition, a service corresponding to the object ID or sub-object ID of the object signal is executed.

  Upon receiving the ID notification signal, the charging server 80 extracts the service using device ID and the service providing device ID from the ID notification signal, searches the Ob-based charging table 803 based on the extracted service using device ID, and searches the searched records The service providing apparatus ID extracted in the service providing apparatus ID field 832 is registered.

  Then, the billing server 80 adds charges for each service use device ID in units of a predetermined period, for example, monthly, and charges the user of the service use device 10 corresponding to the service use device ID.

  Here, in the above description, the service using apparatus 10 is charged. From the viewpoint that the service providing apparatus 20 provides a service using the group management system 1, the service providing apparatus 20 is charged with the same configuration. It may be configured.

  In the above description, the billing server 80 is configured to add a record to the Ob-based billing table 803 and register a charge each time the service using device 10 connects to the object routing device 30, but for each service using device ID, It may be configured to store the accumulated fee.

  In the above-described case, the billing server 80 performs authentication and billing processing by receiving the authentication request signal and the billing information signal from the object routing device 30, but the service using device 10 accommodates the authentication request signal. The object information is further accommodated in the object signal, the object signal is transmitted, and the service providing apparatus 20 that provides the service corresponding to the object ID or the sub-object ID accommodated in the object signal requests the authentication before providing the service. The service providing apparatus 20 stores the number of object signals for each object ID or sub-object ID and transmits the authentication information signal to the accounting server 80 after providing all the services. You may comprise so that it may transmit. On the other hand, in this case, the service using apparatus 10 is charged. From the viewpoint that the service providing apparatus 20 provides a service using the group management system 1, the service providing apparatus 20 is charged with the same configuration. It may be configured.

  Further, in the above description, the case of charging the service use apparatus 10 has been described. In any case, the user is configured to charge for each user who uses the group management system 1 via the service use apparatus 10. Also good. In this case, a user ID may be used instead of the service using device ID.

  In the second embodiment, the service table is distributed to the service using device 10 by the object routing device 30 (FIG. 12) or the table management device 40 (FIG. 13). It may be configured to charge for distribution.

  In this case, the accounting server 80 registers an authentication table for authenticating the service using device 10 and a service table for registering a fee for distribution of the service table for each service using device 10 in order to charge the service using device 10. A distribution charge table (hereinafter abbreviated as “ST distribution charge table”) and a service table distribution charge table (hereinafter abbreviated as “ST distribution charge table”) in which the distribution charges of the service table are registered for each service table; Is provided. Then, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, the service using device 10 further includes an authentication / billing processing unit 1015 that performs authentication and charging processing in the central processing unit 101, and identifies the service using device 10 in the auxiliary storage unit 106. It is assumed that the service use device ID and the password of the service use device 10 that are identifiers for the service are stored, and the service table ID of the service table for requesting distribution is also stored. For example, a system administrator who manages the group management system 1 stores the information.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the structure of the service table distribution charge table and the structure of the service table distribution charge table. FIG. 25A shows the structure of the service table distribution billing table. FIG. 25B is a diagram showing the configuration of the service table distribution fee table.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 25A, the ST distribution billing table 805 includes a service use device ID field 851 for registering a service use device ID, a service table ID field 852 for registering a service table ID, and a service table ID. A fee field 853 for registering a fee for distribution of a service table corresponding to the service table ID registered in the field 852 is configured, and a record is created each time a service table is distributed to the service using apparatus 10.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 25B, the ST distribution fee table 806 includes a service table ID field 861 for registering a service table ID and a service table corresponding to a service table ID registered in the service table ID field 861. A distribution fee field 862 for registering a distribution fee is created, and a record is created for each service table ID.

  When requesting a service table, the service using device 10 first uses the authentication / billing processing unit 1015 to use the service table ID corresponding to the service table requesting distribution and the service using device of the service using device 10. A communication signal (service table distribution request signal, hereinafter abbreviated as “ST distribution request signal”) including the ID and the password of the service utilization apparatus 10 is transmitted to the accounting server 80 via the communication interface 107 and the communication network 54. To do.

  Upon receiving the ST distribution request signal, billing server 80 extracts the service using device ID, password, and service table ID from the received ST distribution request signal. Next, the accounting server 80 searches the authentication table based on the extracted service using device ID, and searches for a password corresponding to the service using device ID. Next, charging server 80 determines whether or not the searched password matches the password of the ST charging signal. If they do not match, the service utilization apparatus 10 is notified that the service table is not distributed.

  On the other hand, if they match, charging server 80 searches ST distribution fee table 806 based on the extracted service table ID to search for a distribution fee corresponding to the service table ID in order to perform charging processing. Next, billing server 80 additionally creates a record in ST distribution billing table 805 with the retrieved service utilization device ID, and registers the retrieved fee in fee field 853 for the retrieved service table ID in service table ID field 852. . Next, the accounting server 80 completes the accounting process, and a service signal (service table distribution signal, hereinafter abbreviated as “ST distribution signal”) containing a service table corresponding to the service table ID is used as the service utilization device. Reply to 10.

  Upon receiving the ST distribution signal, the service using device 10 extracts the service table from the ST distribution signal and stores it in the use side service table storage unit 1061.

  Then, the billing server 80 adds charges for each service use device ID in units of a predetermined period, for example, monthly, and charges the user of the service use device 10 corresponding to the service use device ID.

  Here, in the above description, the ST distribution charging table 805 for registering the service table ID is used. Instead of this ST distribution charging table 805, an ST distribution charging table for registering the cumulative distribution fee for each service using device ID is used. Also good.

  On the other hand, in this case, the service using apparatus 10 is charged. However, the service providing apparatus 20 has the same configuration from the viewpoint that the service providing apparatus 20 distributes the service table using the object routing apparatus 30 of the group management system 1. 20 may be charged.

  In the above description, the case where the accounting server 80 also performs authentication has been described. However, in any of the above cases, the accounting server and the authentication server may be separated. In this case, the server that performs authentication notifies the server that performs charging that the service using apparatus 10 has been authenticated, and the server that performs the charging performs the above-described processing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the group management system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the service utilization apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the service provision apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a service table. It is a figure which shows the other structure of a service table. It is a figure which shows the structure of an object routing table. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the object routing part in the central processing part of a service provision apparatus. It is a figure which shows the sequence from selection of a service to execution of a service. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which shows operation | movement of the table management part in the central processing part of a service utilization apparatus. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which shows operation | movement of the table management part in the central processing part of a service provision apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the object routing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the group management system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the group management system which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the condition where the object routing apparatuses are connected via the communication network of a different communication protocol. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication frame format of 1st and 2nd communication protocol, and the operation | movement of a communication protocol conversion part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the service table with registration permission information. It is a figure which shows the structure of a service table with use permission information, and the other structure of a group management system. It is a figure which shows the structure of an object conversion table. It is a figure which shows the structure of the object routing table with object notation information. It is a figure which shows the structure of the service table with priority information. It is a figure which shows the structure of the object routing table with priority information. It is a figure which shows the structure of the accounting table classified by service table, and the structure of a service table charge table. It is a figure which shows the other structure of the accounting table classified by service table. It is a figure which shows the structure of the charging table classified by (sub) object, and the structure of a (sub) object fee table. It is a figure which shows the structure of a service table distribution charge table, and the structure of a service table distribution charge table. It is a figure which shows the structure in the group management system of a center server system.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1 ′, 2, 3 Group management system 10 Service utilization device 11 Terminal device 12 Service utilization permission determination server 20 Service provision device 30 Object routing device 50 Device control system 51 Elevator control system 52 Lighting control system 53 Air conditioner control system 80 Billing Server 101, 201, 301 Central processing unit 106, 206, 306 Auxiliary storage unit 107, 207, 307 Communication interface 209 Device communication interface 601, 601 ', 601 ", 603, 605, 605' Service table 602, 606, 607 Object Routing table 611 Object ID registration unit 612 Sub object ID registration unit 613, 613 ′ Logical expression ID registration unit 621 Object ID field 622 Object router Less field 623 Hop number field 624 Authentication information field 1011, 2011, 3011 Table management unit 1012, 2012, 3012 Object routing unit 1013, 2014, 3013 Communication protocol conversion unit 1014, 2015, 3014 Object conversion unit 1015, 2016, 3015 Accounting processing unit 1061 User side service table storage units 1062, 2062, 3062 Object routing table storage units 1064, 2064, 3064 Object conversion table storage unit 2017 Subsystem conversion unit 2061 Provider side service table storage units 2063, 3063 Object router address storage Unit 2065 Subsystem conversion table storage unit 3061 Service table storage unit

Claims (7)

A plurality of service providing devices that manage one or a plurality of device control systems that monitor and / or control a plurality of devices and that provide executable functions of the devices as services, and logically represent the functions of the devices A group comprising a plurality of service using devices that receive a service corresponding to the object from the service providing device by transmitting a communication signal including information relating to the object including one or more logical expressions to the service providing device; In the management system,
The service providing apparatus includes a first service storage unit, a first object routing storage unit, a first object router address storage unit, and a first object routing unit,
The first service storage unit stores information on services that can be provided as information on objects,
The first object routing storage unit stores information on an object and information on the object and stores a relationship between information for specifying a first object routing unit of a service providing apparatus that provides a service corresponding to the object. When the communication signal is received, information on the transfer destination when the information on the object that matches the information on the object of the communication signal is not in the relationship is stored,
The first object router address storage unit stores information for specifying the first object routing unit,
The first object routing unit receives the communication signal when the communication signal including the information about the object is received and the information about the object of the communication signal is not stored in the first service storage unit. A group management system, wherein the data is transferred to another first object routing unit according to the storage contents of the one object routing storage unit. In the group management system according to claim 1,
An object routing device comprising a second object routing storage unit, a second object router address storage unit, and a second object routing unit;
The second object routing storage unit stores information on an object and stores a relationship between information on the object and information for specifying the first object routing unit of the service providing apparatus that provides a service corresponding to the object. When the communication signal is received, information on the transfer destination when the information on the object that matches the information on the object of the communication signal is not in the relationship is stored,
The second object router address storage unit stores information for specifying the second object routing unit,
When the second object routing unit receives a communication signal including information related to an object, the second object routing unit sends the communication signal to the other first or second object routing unit according to the storage content of the second object routing storage unit. A group management system characterized by transferring. In the group management system according to claim 2,
The object routing device further includes a second service storage unit that stores information related to a service that can be provided by the service providing device as information related to an object. In the group management system according to claim 3,
A group management system, further comprising: a service management device that manages storage contents of a second service storage unit of the object routing device. In the group management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The service using device includes a third object routing storage unit, a third object router address storage unit, and a third object routing unit,
The third object routing storage unit stores information on an object, and stores a relationship between information on the object and information for specifying the first object routing unit of the service providing apparatus that provides a service corresponding to the object. When the communication signal is received, information on the transfer destination when the information on the object that matches the information on the object of the communication signal is not in the relationship is stored,
The third object router address storage unit stores information for specifying the third object routing unit,
When the third object routing unit receives a communication signal including information about an object, the third object routing unit transmits the communication signal to any one of the other first to third according to the storage contents of the third object routing storage unit. A group management system characterized by forwarding to the object routing section. In the group management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Use of information related to services stored in the first service storage unit, use of information related to services stored in the second service storage unit, distribution of information related to services to be stored in the first service storage unit, A billing server for billing the service using device or the service providing device for at least one of distribution of information on the service to be stored in the second service storage unit and transfer of the communication signal; A group management system characterized by comprising. Information related to an object that manages one or a plurality of device control systems that monitor and / or control a plurality of devices and that combines one or more logical expressions that logically represent the functions of the devices from a service using device. In a service providing apparatus that provides an executable function of the device corresponding to the object as a service when a communication signal including:
The service providing apparatus includes a first service storage unit, a first object routing storage unit, a first object router address storage unit, and a first object routing unit,
The first service storage unit stores information on services that can be provided as information on objects,
The first object routing storage unit stores information on an object and information on the object and stores a relationship between information for specifying a first object routing unit of a service providing apparatus that provides a service corresponding to the object. When the communication signal is received, information on the transfer destination when the information on the object that matches the information on the object of the communication signal is not in the relationship is stored,
The first object router address storage unit stores information for specifying the first object routing unit,
The first object routing unit receives the communication signal when the communication signal including the information about the object is received and the information about the object of the communication signal is not stored in the first service storage unit. A service providing apparatus for transferring to another object routing unit according to the stored contents of one object routing storage unit.

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