JP2005258834A - User interface configuration method, device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide service suitable for a connection state of a terminal device or equipment when the connection state of the equipment or the terminal device requiring the service related to the connected equipment is changed. <P>SOLUTION: This user interface configuration method providing a user interface of the connected equipment has steps: for receiving identification information for identifying the service related to the connected equipment and equipment information about the terminal device requiring the service; for reading a service correspondence table storing information showing a service program providing the user interface of the connected equipment from a storage means, and specifying the service program corresponding to the received identification information; and for reading specification information about the specified service program from the storage means, executing the service program wherein the specification information fits the specification of the terminal device shown inside the received equipment information, and providing the user interface of the equipment to the terminal device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a service providing mode for operating connected devices and outputting status information, and more particularly, to a user interface configuration technique that enables comprehensive operation of network devices in buildings, apartment buildings, or ordinary houses. Is.

  Conventionally, air conditioners, water heaters, lighting equipment and various home appliances installed in general houses, hotels, apartment buildings such as condominiums, etc., are turned on and off by residents of the households that use them It was controlled directly by manpower.

  However, with the development of network technology, these devices are also connected to each other via a network and can be centrally managed. In such a system, these home appliances and other devices are connected to a network built in the house, and are centrally managed by a server device (hereinafter referred to as a home server) connected to the network. It is. Connection between the home server and each device in such a system is performed by serial connection such as RS-232C, ECHONET (Energy Conservation and Homecare Network) standard, and Ethernet work.

  In addition, the home server as a network device as described above can connect a home network and an external network such as the Internet, and also plays a role of a gateway for protocol conversion. By connecting the home network and the external network, it is possible to control home devices from outside the home.

  In this way, the user can operate each device both inside and outside the home by accessing the home server instead of directly accessing each device. At that time, there are a wide variety of devices that access the home server, and it is necessary to provide an operation screen suitable for these devices.

  As a prior art of a system for constructing a screen configuration suitable for a client connected to a server, means for changing the screen layout according to the type of client and providing a service is described in Patent Document 1 and the like. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-351781

The home server in the prior art for providing the network device operation service in each room such as an apartment house provides the operation service according to the layout of the operation screen registered in advance, and is connected to the home server. When the clients to be changed vary widely, an operation screen suitable for the clients cannot be provided. In addition, since the program that provides the operation service is executed on the home server, when there is a change in the operated device or a change in the service content, it is not possible to cope with only a predetermined layout by the program. have.
The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a service suitable for the connection state of the terminal device or device when the connection state of the terminal device or device that requests a service related to the connected device is changed. It is to provide a technique that can be done.

  The present invention changes a user interface to be provided according to device information of a terminal device and a connection state of a device in a user interface configuration system that provides a user interface of a connected device.

  The user interface configuration system of the present invention is a device control apparatus that provides a service (function realized by executing a project or an object) for controlling connected devices, and a home server installed in each room such as a condominium An electronic lock, a card reader, a home appliance, and other devices controlled by the home server, a browser device having a network connection function and a screen display function, and a center-side processing device that holds a service program that provides the service A center server outside a room is provided, and each device is connected via a network. Here, the service is to provide a user with a function that enables operation of a device such as a home appliance or a function that acquires / registers information from another server device. The browser device is, for example, a terminal device that accesses the home server and requests an operation service for the connected device.

  When a new device connects to the home server and starts up, the home server of the present invention receives the connected device information including the device type, manufacturer name, model, and protocol of the device, and then acquires the home server. The service table storing the corresponding device information of the service program being read is read from the storage device, the corresponding device information in the read service table is compared with the received connected device information of the new device, and the service table It is checked whether the corresponding device information includes information corresponding to the connected device information of the new device.

  If there is no information corresponding to the connected device information of the new device in the corresponding device information of the service table as a result of the comparison, a service package including a service program corresponding to the new device is selected as the package of the center server. After obtaining from a database (hereinafter, database is abbreviated as DB) and storing it in the storage device, the service name, service program name, and storage location of the service program in the storage device are shown as information of the service program. Corresponding URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) are stored in the service correspondence table.

  When the user of the home server instructs control of a device connected to the home server, a URI that is identification information for identifying a service related to the connected device, and a service indicating the operation content Enter the operation information on the browser device.

  After the browser device receives the URI and service operation information input by the user, the browser device type, OS (Operating System), browser type, browser version, screen resolution, CPU, CPU frequency The device information indicating the specifications, etc. is read from the storage device, and the URI, service operation information, and device information are transmitted to the home server by the communication device.

  When the home server receives the URI, service operation information, and device information transmitted from the browser device by the communication device, the home server stores information indicating a service program that provides a user interface of the device connected to the home server. The table is read from the storage device, the corresponding URI in the service correspondence table is compared with the received URI, and the service program corresponding to the received URI is specified.

  Next, after reading the specification information in the service package of the identified service program from the storage device, the read specification information and the browser device specification shown in the received device information is compared, If the service program specification information conforms to the browser device specification, the browser displays a user interface for executing the service program and outputting the status information and operating the device connected to the home server. Provide to equipment. Here, the user interface is, for example, a GUI (graphical user interface) having links, images, buttons, and the like in a screen displayed on the browser device. The service program provides the GUI to the browser, and the user can use the service by operating the link, image, button, or the like. For example, the device can be operated.

  As described above, in the present invention, when a device is connected to the home server, a service program that provides a user interface of the device is acquired from the center server, and the information is stored in the service correspondence table. Since the user interface is provided by specifying the service program from the service correspondence table at the time of service request, even if there is a change in the connection state or service content of the device, a service corresponding to the change can be provided . In the present invention, since the service program conforming to the specifications of the browser device is executed, an appropriate user interface can be provided to various browser devices, such as providing an appropriate screen configuration to each browser device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the connection state of the terminal device and apparatus which requests | requires the service regarding the connected apparatus changes, it is possible to provide the service suitable for the connection state of the terminal apparatus or device. is there.

  Hereinafter, a user interface configuration system according to an embodiment that controls a device by providing a user interface of the device connected to the home server will be described.

  The present embodiment described below is an example in which the present invention is applied to a home server provided in each room of an apartment, devices connected thereto, and a center server that is a host-side processing device that manages the home server. is there.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a user interface configuration system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the user interface configuration system of this embodiment includes a home server 110, a browser device 120, a center server 130, a local network 140, a global network 150, and a device 161.

  The home server 110 receives a service request from the browser device 120 and provides a user interface that is an interface for operating the device 161 connected to the home server 110 and outputting the state of the device 161. This is a device control device that controls the operation.

  The browser device 120 uses a communication device to transmit the URI for identifying the service for operating the device 161 and outputting the status information, the service operation information indicating the operation content, and the device information of the browser device 120 requesting the service to the home server 110. This is a terminal device that requests the operation service of the device 161 by transmitting to.

  The center server 130 is a center-side processing device that holds customer customer information that instructs a request for the service, a service program 114 that is a program that provides the service, and content 115. The local network 140 is a network that connects the home server 110 and the browser device 120.

  The global network 150 is a network that connects the home server 110 and the center server 130. The device 161 transmits connected device information including the device type, manufacturer name, model, and protocol to the home server 110 at the time of activation, and devices such as electronic locks, card readers, and home appliances that operate under the control of the home server 110 It is.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home server 110 includes a device management unit 111, an HTTP server 112, and a service management unit 113.
The device management unit 111 manages the device I / F 116 that is a device operation program, receives the activation notification from the device 161 connected to the home server 110, acquires the connected device information, and registers it in the device table. It is a means to perform.

  The HTTP server 112 is a service request accepting unit that receives the URI, service operation information, and device information from the browser device 120 by a communication device. The service management unit 113 manages the service program 114 and the content 115, executes the service program 114 corresponding to the received URI and the specifications in the device information, and operates the device 161 and outputs status information. A means for providing a user interface to the browser device 120.

  A program for causing the home server 110 to function as the device management unit 111, the HTTP server 112, and the service management unit 113 is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and stored in a magnetic disk or the like, and then loaded into a memory. Shall be executed. The recording medium for recording the program may be a recording medium other than the CD-ROM. The program may be used by installing it from the recording medium into the information processing apparatus, or the program may be used by accessing the recording medium through a network.

  The home server 110 also includes a service program 114, content 115, and a device I / F 116. The service program 114 is a program that provides the browser device 120 with a service for operating the device 161 connected to the home server 110 and outputting status information. The content 115 is data used by the service program 114. The device I / F 116 is a program for performing processing such as reception of a broadcast when the device 161 is activated.

  The browser device 120 has device information 121. The device information 121 is information indicating specifications such as the type of the browser device 120, the OS, the type of browser, the browser version, the screen resolution, the CPU, and the CPU frequency.

  The center server 130 includes a customer information DB 131, a package DB 132, and a content DB 133. The customer information DB 131 is a DB that stores customer information of a user who instructs a request for the service. The package DB 132 is a DB that stores a service package including the service program 114 and the content 115. The content DB 133 is a DB that stores the content 115.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the network system of this embodiment includes a home server 110 in each room as a network device in an apartment, a browser device 120 that accesses the home server 110, and a center server 130 as a device outside the room. The home server 110 and the browser device 120 are connected via a local network 140 such as Ethernet, and the home server 110 and the center server 130 are global networks such as the Internet. 150 is connected.

  The home server 110 includes a device management unit 111, an HTTP server 112, and a service management unit 113. The device management unit 111 manages a device I / F 116, which is a device operation program, and the service management unit 113 The service program 114 and the content 115 are managed. Further, the center server 130 is provided with a customer information DB 131, a service package DB 132, and a content DB 133.

  In FIG. 1, the center server 130 is connected via the global network 150, but a configuration in which the center server 130 is connected to the network in the apartment is also possible. The browser device 120 is connected to the HTTP server 112 on the home server 110 via the local network 140, but may be configured to be connected via the global network 150. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protocol used when the browser device 120 connects to the home server 110 is described in HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), but the present invention is not limited to this protocol.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the home server according to the present embodiment. As will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2, the home server 110 controls devices 161 such as electronic locks, card readers, and home appliances in each room via an indoor network. Control is performed via the device I / F 116.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the home server 110 includes a nonvolatile storage device 205 including a CPU 201, an EPROM 202, a main memory 203, a peripheral control device 204, a magnetic disk device, a flash ROM, and the like. Composed. The CPU 201, EPROM 202, main memory 203, and peripheral control device 204 are connected via a bus 211, and the nonvolatile storage device 205 is connected via a peripheral control device 204.

  When the home server 110 is powered on, the CPU 201 is activated. The CPU 201 executes a boot program recorded in the EPROM 202 and starts up the OS. Thereafter, the OS loads a program stored in the nonvolatile storage device 205 to the main memory 203, and includes a task for realizing the device management unit 111, a task for the HTTP server 112, and a task for realizing the service management unit 113. Start the task execution.

  The home server 110 also includes a WAN I / F 206, a LAN I / F 207, an ECHONET I / F 208, a contact I / F 209, and a serial I / F 210, which are connected via a peripheral control device 204. ing. The WAN I / F 206 is a WAN (Wide Area Network) interface for connecting the home server 110 and the global network 150, and the LAN I / F 207 is a LAN (Local Area Network) for connecting the home server 110 and the local network 140. It is an interface for. ECHONET I / F 208 is an interface for performing ECHONET communication, which is a standard for home appliance control networks, and contact I / F 209 is an interface for inputting and outputting simple electrical signals for operating electronic locks, etc. The I / F 210 is an interface for connecting a general-purpose serial device such as a card reader.

  In FIG. 2, WANI / F 206, LAN I / F 207, ECHONET I / F 208, contact I / F 209, and serial I / F 210 are shown as interfaces for connecting to the outside. However, the present invention is not limited to these. Rather, other interfaces are applicable.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mutual relationship between software operating on the home server 110 and the center server 130 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, on the home server 110, the device management unit 111, the HTTP server 112, and the service management unit 113 are executed along with other tasks, and a plurality of service packages 301 are stored on the nonvolatile storage device 205. Has been. The service package 301 includes a plurality of service programs 114 which are programs for providing services to the browser device 120 and a plurality of contents 115 used by the service program 114, and basically one package corresponds to one service. It is supposed to do.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table used by the device management unit 111 according to the present embodiment to manage information on connected devices. The device management unit 111 has a device table 401 on a storage device such as the main memory 203 and the non-volatile storage device 205 and manages devices currently connected to the home server 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the device table 401 is a table composed of a set of device type, manufacturer name, model, protocol, device driver, etc., where the device type is a name indicating the type of connected device, and the manufacturer name is a device name. The name of the manufacturer that provided the device, the model indicates the product classification of the device, the protocol indicates the name of the protocol that connects the device to the home server 110, and the device driver indicates the name of the program required to operate the device Yes.

  Upon receiving the activation notification from the device 161, the device management unit 111 acquires information on the connected device 161, registers it in the device table 401, and installs a device driver. In the device notification, for example, in the case of ECHONET, a start-up broadcast is performed when the device is turned on. Upon receiving this, the device management unit 111 requests the device that performed the start-up broadcast to acquire information about the device, and acquires connected device information from the device as information unique to the device. When the device management unit 111 acquires the connected device information of the device, the device management unit 111 acquires a device driver corresponding to the device, enables the device driver, stores the acquired connected device information, and updates the device table 401.

  The device driver may be acquired by searching from the nonvolatile storage device 205 of the home server 110 or by transmitting device information to the center server 130 and requesting acquisition of the device driver. When the device driver is acquired from the center server 130, the device management unit 111 writes this device driver in the nonvolatile storage device 205.

  The device management unit 111 receives the activation notification from the device 161, updates the device table 401, installs the device driver, and then transmits a device list indicating the updated contents of the device table 401 to the service management unit 113. To do. In addition, when the device management unit 111 receives a request for a device list from the service management unit 113, the device management unit 111 transmits the device list to the service management unit 113.

  When receiving a request from the browser device 120, the HTTP server 112 returns a file and starts a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program in response to the request. In this embodiment, the request from the browser device 120 is made in accordance with general HTTP. The HTTP server 112 determines a file to be returned or a program to be executed by a URI specified in the request line of the HTTP request. The device information 121 of the browser device 120 is described in the request header portion of the HTTP request, and the control information of the device 161 and the service is described in the request line portion or body portion of the HTTP request. Here, the HTTP server 112 uses a service correspondence table on a storage device such as the main memory 203 or the nonvolatile storage device 205, and executes a service program 114 corresponding to a specific URI specified.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a table indicating the correspondence between services and service programs used by the HTTP server 112 and the service management unit 113 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the service correspondence table 601 is a table composed of a service name, a service program, and a corresponding URI. The service name indicates the name of the service, and the service program indicates the object of the program that executes the service. The corresponding URI indicates a URI for designating execution of the service program.

  In the case of the present embodiment, when the URI corresponding to the service program is designated, the HTTP server 112 does not directly execute the service program but requests the service management unit 113 to execute the service program.

  The browser device 120 is a device that provides a user interface for a service to a user. In this embodiment, a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, a TV, and the like that implement an HTTP client are assumed. To do.

  The browser device 120 has device information 121. The device information 121 includes browser device 120 type, OS, browser type, browser version, screen resolution, CPU name, and CPU operating frequency specification information, and these information are included in the HTTP header portion at the time of HTTP request. It is assumed that it is added and transmitted. At this time, if the HTTP client installed in the browser device 120 is not configured to add such information, an HTTP proxy that can newly acquire the specifications of the browser device 120 is mounted on the browser device 120, and A configuration in which the HTTP client of the browser device 120 once passes through the HTTP proxy and the device information 121 is added by the HTTP proxy is possible.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table used by the service management unit 113 according to the present embodiment for managing a service currently used. The service management unit 113 has a service table 501 on a storage device such as the main memory 203 and the nonvolatile storage device 205, and manages services that can be executed by the home server 110 at present.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the service table 501 is a table composed of a service name, a type, a package name, and a corresponding device, where the service name is a name indicating the contents of the service, the type is the name of the type of service type, and the package The name represents the name of the package containing the service program and the content for executing the service, and the corresponding device represents the name of the device corresponding to the service. Here, the type takes a value of “single”, which is a type of service that operates a single device, and “complex” that operates a plurality of devices in conjunction with each other. Corresponding devices are a list of devices corresponding to the device type, manufacturer name, model, and protocol set in the device table 401 connected by “−”. At this time, if each name is described as “*” or is not particularly described, an arbitrary name is indicated.

  When the service management unit 113 acquires a device list indicating the update contents of the device table 401 from the device management unit 111, the service management unit 113 checks the content of the device list and updates the service package 301.

  In addition, when the service management unit 113 receives a service request from the HTTP server 112, the service management unit 113 acquires a specification of a device that the service can handle from the service program 114, compares this with the specification specified in the device information 121, A determination is made as to whether or not the requested specification can be supported, and if the service can be supported, the service program is started. If the service cannot be supported, the service package is acquired from the center server 130 and the service package is updated. Start up. Here, the device information 121 transmitted from the browser device 120, the URI, and the information for controlling the service are passed to the service program 114 via the HTTP server 112 and the service management means 113. Details of service package update / activation processing will be described later.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration contents of the service package of this embodiment. The service package 301 includes program files, content files, and content list files necessary for performing a specific service, and is stored on the nonvolatile storage device 205 with a directory configuration as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a file indicating correspondence between device information and content according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the content list file 801 is a file describing the correspondence between specifications such as the browser device 120 type, OS, browser type, browser version, screen resolution, CPU, CPU frequency, etc. The list file 801 is used by the service program 114.

  The content list file 801 in FIG. 8 shows the contents corresponding to the browser devices 120 having specifications 1 to 3 in the content list file 801. For example, in the content list 1, the device type is PC, OS Is compatible with browser device 120 with Windows, browser type IE, browser version 6.0, screen resolution in the horizontal direction 1024-1280 and vertical direction 768-1024, CPU Pentium series, CPU frequency 900MHz or higher The contents represent page.html, bg.gif, on.gif, and off.gif. In FIG. 8, MP indicates a mobile phone (mobile phone), MB indicates a mobile browser, and SH indicates a processor name.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a table for managing the correspondence status of the browser device 120 used by the service management unit 113 and the service program 114 of the present embodiment. The service program 114 is a program that executes each service, and is included in the service package 301. The service program 114 has a content list table 901 and a content dependency table 1001.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the content list table 901 is a table composed of a set of a number, a specification, a content name, and a cache state. The numbers in FIG. 9 are numbers that uniquely indicate the correspondence between specifications and content names, and the specifications indicate the specifications of the browser device 120 that the service program 114 can handle.

  Here, it is assumed that the specifications in FIG. 9 are listed corresponding to the device information 121 of the browser device 120 by being separated by a space symbol “”, and a portion where the description is separated by “−” can be handled. It is assumed that the range of specifications is shown. In addition, it is assumed that the portion described by “*” corresponds to an arbitrary specification.

  The content name in FIG. 9 indicates the file name of the content used by the service program 114 in its specifications. Further, the cache state of FIG. 9 indicates the storage state of the content corresponding to the current specification, “0” indicates that the content is not stored, each numerical value other than “0” indicates the storage order, and “0” In cases other than ', the smaller the number, the more recently it has been saved.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a table for managing the usage status of content used by the service management unit 113 and the service program 114 of this embodiment. The content dependency relationship table 1001 is a table composed of a set of content name, dependency specification, and in-use count as shown in FIG.

  The content name in FIG. 10 indicates the file name of the content file and service program included in the service package 301, the dependent specification indicates a numerical value corresponding to the number in the content list table 901, and the in-use count indicates the content indicated by the content name. Is a numerical value indicating how many specifications are currently used.

  In this embodiment, the service program 114 reads the content list file 801 at the time of initialization, and constructs the content list table 901 and the content dependency relationship table 1001 on a storage device such as the main memory 203 and the nonvolatile storage device 205. At that time, for each specification in the content list table 901, it is determined whether or not the content file indicated by the corresponding content name is included in the service package 301. It is set to an appropriate numerical value of “1” or more, and the in-use count of the content dependency table 1001 corresponding to the file name of each content is incremented. In addition, when the table is configured when the service program is initialized, the cache state of the content list table 901 and the busy count of the content dependency relationship table 1001 may be set to ‘0’.

  When executed from the service management unit 113, the service program 114 compares the device information 121 and the content list table 901 to determine whether the content is stored. If it has been saved, the service providing process is executed. If not stored, the center server 130 is requested for a content file that is insufficient, and after the content is acquired, service provision processing is executed. The service mentioned here is a function provided by executing some processing on the home server 110, or an operation / status acquisition function of the device 161 connected to the home server 110. It is a function such as transfer. Thereafter, the service program 114 formats the content 115 and embeds the processing result of the service, and returns it to the browser device 120 in the HTML format. Details of content acquisition will be described later.

  The content 115 is a file included in the service package 301, and is an HTML file, an image file, or the like. These are used by the service program 114.

  The device 161 is a home appliance or an apartment equipment device connected to the home server 110, and returns information indicating the operation / state in response to a request from the service program 114.

  The center server 130 transmits packages and contents stored in the service package DB 132 and content DB 133 in the center server 130 in response to requests from the service management means 113 and the service program 114.

  When the device 161 connected to the home server 110 is changed, the service management unit 113 according to the present embodiment changes the contents of the service correspondence table 601 according to the changed contents, the main memory 203, the nonvolatile storage device 205, and the like. The user interface is provided using the changed service correspondence table 601.

  That is, when a new device 161 is connected to the home server 110, the service table 501 storing the corresponding device information of the service program 114 acquired by the home server 110 is stored in the main memory 203, the nonvolatile storage device 205, or the like. A service corresponding to the new device when the corresponding device information is read from the device, the connected device information is compared with the connected device information of the new device, and there is no information indicating that the corresponding device information corresponds to the new device. By obtaining the program 114 from the center server 130 and storing the information of the service program 114 in the service correspondence table 601, the user interface of the new device is provided.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a sequence when a device 161 is newly connected to the home server 110 of this embodiment. This will be described below.

  When the device 161 is connected to the home server 110 and is activated, a broadcast at activation is transmitted. The startup broadcast includes the type name of the device 161. Upon receiving the startup broadcast from the device 161, the device management unit 111 transmits a connected device information request to the device 161 in order to obtain more detailed information on the device 161. Upon receiving the connected device information request from the device management unit 111, the device 161 returns more detailed information such as a manufacturer name, model, and controllable items as connected device information.

  When acquiring the connected device information, the device management unit 111 updates the device table 401 based on the connected device information. At this time, if an item corresponding to the newly connected device 161 has already been registered in the device table 401, the subsequent processing is not performed.

  When the device management unit 111 adds a new item to the device table 401, the device management unit 111 transmits a device addition notification to the service management unit 113. The device addition notification includes a device list. The device list is obtained by extracting only information corresponding to the device 161 newly added to the device table 401 from the device table 401.

  When the service management unit 113 receives the device addition notification from the device management unit 111, the service management unit 113 checks whether the service package 301 corresponding to the newly added device 161 exists. The package 301 is acquired and updated.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the service management unit 113 at the time of service package acquisition / update according to this embodiment. This process will be described below.

  In step S1301, the service management unit 113 acquires connected device information indicating the device type, manufacturer name, model, and protocol of the newly added device from the device list received from the device management unit 111. In step S1302, the service management unit 113 acquires the service table 501 from a storage device such as the main memory 203 and the nonvolatile storage device 205. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the service shown in the service table 501 corresponds to a newly connected device.

  In the loop shown in step S1303, processing is performed for each service table 501 whose type is “single”. Here, the type of “single” is a service that operates a single device, and has no dependency relationship with other connected devices.

  In step S1304, the service management unit 113 compares the device corresponding to the service with the connected device information of the newly connected device. At this time, there are cases where a plurality of compatible devices are described in the service compatible device column. In this case, the corresponding devices are compared.

  If the service table 501 has corresponding device information that matches the connected device information of the newly connected device or includes the connected device information, the service program 114 for operating the device is already on the home server 110. If the service type is “composite”, the process proceeds to step S1307 and subsequent steps.

  The determination in step S1304 is performed for all services of the type “single”, and if there is no corresponding device information in the service table 501 that matches the connected device information or includes the connected device information, a new connection is made. In step S1305, the newly added device information is set in the package request for the center server 130, and in step S1306, the WANI / The package is requested to the center server 130 via F206 and the global network 150, and the package corresponding to the new device is acquired. Details of the service acquisition / update processing in step S1306 will be described later.

  After the processing related to the service having the service type “single” is completed, the process in the case where the service type is “complex” is performed in the loop shown in step S1307. Here, the service type “composite” is one in which a plurality of devices are operated in cooperation with one service.

  In step S1308, the service management unit 113 compares the service compatible device and information on the newly connected device in the same manner as in step S1304. If there is corresponding device information that matches or includes the connected device information, the loop shown in step S1307 is repeated. If there is no corresponding device information that matches the connected device information or includes the connected device information, in step S1309, the device information newly added to the package request to the center server 130 and the service name of the service are set. In S1310, a package is requested to the center server 130 via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150, and a package corresponding to the new device is acquired.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of processing in which the service management unit 113 according to the present embodiment requests the center server 130 to acquire a service package. In the process of FIG. 15, the process of step S1306, step S1310, and step S1405 described later is performed. Hereinafter, this process will be described.

  In step S <b> 1501, the service management unit 113 determines whether a specification acquired from the device information 121 of the browser device 120 is specified in the package request to the center server 130. If the specification is specified, service request / acquisition processing after step S1506 is performed. If the specification is not specified, the specification of the browser device 120 that has a connection history with the home server 110 is acquired in step S1502 and subsequent steps.

  In step S1502, when a service name is specified in the package request, the service management unit 113 acquires the content list table 901 corresponding to the service from the storage device such as the main memory 203 or the nonvolatile storage device 205. If the service name is not specified, an appropriate service is selected from the service table 501 in the storage device, and the content list table 901 corresponding to the service is acquired. Here, for selecting a service from the service table 501, a service for a main menu that is assumed to be most frequently used may be selected, and a service usage log is kept and a service used most recently is selected. May be elected.

Thereafter, the service management unit 113 performs the following processing for each of the content list tables 901 in the loop shown in step S1503.
First, in step S1504, it is determined whether or not the cache state is greater than “0”. If it is larger than “0”, the specification information corresponding to the cache state is added as the required specification of the package request in step S1505. After adding the specification information to the package request, the service management unit 113 transmits the package request to the center server 130 via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150 in step S1506.

  As a result of the processing so far, the package request includes at least information on the specifications of the browser device 120 and, depending on the situation, information on the package name, information on the newly connected device, or both. Here, as for the address of the center server 130, the address of a specific host device may be stored in the home server 110 in advance, or it is described in the content list file 801 in the service package 301 and acquired from here. It is good as a thing. In the latter case, the connection destination center server 130 changes according to the service package.

  When the center server 130 receives a package request from the home server 110 via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150, the center server 130 selects a service package corresponding to each piece of information in the package request from the package DB 132. In the package DB 132, it is assumed that the service program corresponding to each specification of the browser device and the device connected to the home server 110 is stored, but if there is no suitable package in the package DB 132, other The package request may be issued to the host device, and the package may be acquired from the host device.

  Further, the customer information DB 131 stores information on customers who live in the residence where the home server 110 is installed, and when selecting a package from the package DB 132, the package to be selected is changed in consideration of the customer information. Also good. For example, if the customer information indicates an elderly customer, change to a package with an interface with large letters and operation buttons, or if the customer information includes child information, an interface that includes hiragana notation It may be changed to a package comprising This makes it possible to select a package that meets customer needs.

  In addition, when the service existing on the home server 110 is managed by the customer information DB 131 and the information on the newly connected device is included in the package request, only the service package for the newly connected device is used. Alternatively, all service packages corresponding to newly connected devices existing on the home server 110 may be selected.

  After receiving the service package from the center server 130 via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150, the service management unit 113 uses the same service package as the service name of the received service package in step S1507 so far. Back up or erase the service package that was above. Thereafter, in step S1508, the service management unit 113 writes a new service package into the nonvolatile storage device 205, and updates the service table 501 and the service correspondence table 601 so as to be compatible with the new service.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a sequence when the browser device 120 of this embodiment is connected to the home server 110 and receives a service. Hereinafter, this process will be described.

  When the user selects a link corresponding to each service displayed on the browser device 120, the browser device 120 transmits the URI and service operation information specified by the link via the LAN I / F 207 and the local network 140 to the home server 110. The device information 121 of the browser device 120 is also transmitted at the same time.

  The HTTP server 112 of the home server 110 receives a URI and service operation information, which are identification information for identifying a service that operates the device 161 and outputs status information, and device information 121 of the browser device 120 that requests the service. Received via the LAN I / F 207 and the local network 140.

  Then, the HTTP server 112 reads the service correspondence table 601 storing information of the service program 114 that provides the user interface of the device 161 connected to the home server 110 from a storage device such as the main memory 203 or the nonvolatile storage device 205. Then, it is determined whether or not the received URI is a corresponding URI registered in the service correspondence table 601, and if it is a corresponding URI, the service management means 113 is activated. At this time, the HTTP server 112 passes the device information 121, URI, and service operation information to the service management unit 113.

  When the service management unit 113 is activated from the HTTP server 112, it determines a service program related to the URI specified by the HTTP server 112, confirms a device that can handle the service program, and requests a package for the center server 130 when it cannot handle the After obtaining and updating the package, the service program is executed to provide the browser device 120 with an interface for operating the device 161 and outputting status information.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the service management unit 113 of the present embodiment is activated. This process will be described below.

  In step S1401, the service management unit 113 reads the service correspondence table 601 from the storage device such as the main memory 203 and the nonvolatile storage device 205, and then compares the specified URI with each corresponding URI of the service correspondence table 601. To identify the service program. In step S1402, the specification part of the content list table 901 of the specified service program extracted from the storage device such as the main memory 203 or the non-volatile storage device 205 is obtained as a corresponding device list and stored in the main memory 203. Hold.

  In step S1403, it is determined whether or not the specification information in the corresponding device list conforms to the specifications of the browser device 120 indicated in the designated device information 121. If the specification information conforms, step S1406 is determined. Then, the service program is executed.

  For example, when it is determined whether the specification of number 1 in FIG. 9 conforms to the specification of the browser device 120, the PC, Windows, IE, 6.0 in the specification of number 1, the type of the browser device 120, the OS, and the browser If the type and browser version match and 1024-1280 768-1024, Pentium *, 900- * MHz in the specification number 1 includes the screen resolution, CPU, and CPU frequency of the browser device 120 It is determined that the specification information in the device list matches the specification of the browser device 120.

  If the specification information in the corresponding device list does not conform to the specification of the browser device 120, the service name and device information 121 are specified in the package request to the center server 130 in step S1404, and the WAN I / F 206 in step S1405. The service package is acquired and updated from the center server 130 via the global network 150. In step S1405, the processing of FIG. 15 described above is performed. Further, the service management unit 113 stores the service program acquired from the center server 130 in a storage device such as the nonvolatile storage device 205, and when the service request is received from the browser device 120 next time, the storage device The user interface may be provided by a service program stored therein.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the service program 114 of this embodiment. This process will be described below.

  In step S1601, the service program 114 acquires the content list table 901. Then, in the loop shown in step S1602, processing for each item of the content list table 901 is performed.

  In the loop shown in step S1602, it is determined in step S1603 whether the specifications of the device information 121 and the content list table 901 match. If they match, the service program 114 acquires a number corresponding to the matched specifications from the content list table 901 in step S1604.

  Thereafter, in step S1605, it is determined whether or not the cache state corresponding to the number is greater than “0”. If it is greater than “0”, the service program 114 determines that the necessary content has already been stored, executes the service in step S1608, and in response to the browser device 120 according to the service execution result, It returns data for remote control operations such as air conditioners and interphone call transfer. In the case of “0”, the service program 114 determines that the necessary content is insufficient, acquires the content in step S1606, removes the old content in step S1607, and then performs step S1608. Perform the process.

  Here, the content that is obsolete is removed because there is a limitation on the capacity of the nonvolatile storage device 205 of the home server 110. Therefore, content that may not be used in the future is removed, and the content on the home server 110 is the lowest. The intention is to manage limited content.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of content acquisition processing in step S1606 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, this process will be described.

  In step S1701, the service program 114 reads the content list table 901 from a storage device such as the main memory 203 or the nonvolatile storage device 205, and acquires the content name corresponding to the number from the read content list table 901.

  Then, the service program 114 performs a loop process shown in step S1702 for each content name. That is, in step S1703, the service program 114 reads the content dependency relationship table 1001 from the storage device such as the main memory 203 and the non-volatile storage device 205, and acquires the in-use count corresponding to the content name from the content dependency relationship table 1001. Then, it is determined whether the in-use count is “0”. If the in-use count is “0”, the service program 114 adds the content name to the content request to be transmitted to the center server 130 in step S1704, and increments the in-use count in step S1705. If it is not '0', the in-use count is simply incremented in step S1705. After the loop processing in step S1702, the service program 114 acquires the missing content.

  In step S1707, the service program 114 determines whether or not a content name is included in the content request, and if it is included, the content request is sent to the center server 130 via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150 in step S1708. Send. In addition, since the same content may be included in another service package, in step S1708, it is searched whether the content included in the content request exists in the nonvolatile storage device 205. It is also possible not to transmit the content request to the center server 130.

  When the center server 130 receives the content request, the center server 130 selects content corresponding to the content name included in the content request from the content DB 133 and sends it back through the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150. At this time, the customer information of the home server 110 that has transmitted the content request can be acquired from the customer information DB 131, and the content can be changed according to the customer information. If the device information 121 of the browser device 120 is included in the content request, the content request can be converted into content corresponding to the device information 121.

  When the service program 114 acquires content from the center server 130 via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150, the service program 114 writes the acquired content in the nonvolatile storage device 205 in step S1709.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of processing for removing old content in step S1607 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, in this embodiment, content that has not been used for a predetermined period may be deleted from a storage device such as the nonvolatile storage device 205. Hereinafter, this process will be described.

  The service program 114 reads the content list table 901 from the storage device such as the main memory 203 and the nonvolatile storage device 205, and then processes each item of the content list table 901 through a loop shown in step S1801.

  In the loop of step S1801, first, in step S1802, it is determined whether or not the cache state is greater than “0”. If it is not greater than “0”, the process returns to the top of the loop shown in step S1801, and the content list table 901 stores Move on to the next item. If the cache status is greater than “0”, the service program increments the value of the cache status in step S1803, and determines in step S1804 whether the cache status value is greater than a predetermined value.

  If the cache state value is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the process returns to the top of the loop shown in step S1801 and proceeds to processing for the next item in the content list table 901. If it is larger than a predetermined value, the service program 114 sets the cache state value to “0” in step S1805, and acquires the corresponding content name from the content list table 901 in step S1806.

  Thereafter, the service program 114 performs a loop process shown in step S1807 for each acquired content name. In the loop of step S1807, first, the service program 114 decrements the in-use count value corresponding to the content name in the content dependency relationship table 1001 in step S1808. In step S1809, it is determined whether the in-use count is “0”. If the in-use count is “0”, the content file is deleted from the nonvolatile storage device 205 in step S1810.

  In the above description, the content management is performed by the service program 114. However, since it is useless for all service programs to implement this process, the service management unit 113 may perform these processes. In this case, the service program 114 performs processing for notifying the service management unit 113 of correspondence information between the content used by the service program 114 and the specifications of the browser device 120.

  Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, when the service program acquired from the center server 130 to the home server 110 is changed on the center server 130, the service program on the home server 110 is updated in accordance with the change on the center server 130. A process for keeping the service package 301 stored on the home server 110 always up-to-date will be described.

  When the service management unit 113 in the home server 110 makes a package request to the center server 130 and the center server 130 transmits the service package to the service management unit 113, the center server 130 corresponds to the home server 110 in the customer information DB 131. Register the service package in the management table.

  When the service package of the package DB 132 is updated manually or from another host device via the network, the center server 130 is registered in the home server 110 from the management table of each home server 110 included in the customer information DB 131. Get a list of available service packages.

  The center server 130 compares the service package list with the updated package, and when the updated package is included in the service package list, the service management unit 113 of the home server 110 corresponding to the service package. Via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150. Here, not only when the service in the package DB 132 is updated, but also when a new service package is registered, the service package may be transmitted to the service management unit 113.

  When the service management unit 113 acquires a service package from the center server 130 via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150, the service management unit 113 compares the package name in the service table 501 with the name of the newly acquired service package, and updates the service package After identifying the package, the same processing as in steps S1507 and S1508 described above is performed. If there is no term corresponding to the newly obtained service package in the service table 501, a new service program is simply installed.

  In the above processing, all contents are stored on the home server 110 or acquired from the center server 130. However, new contents are generated on the home server 110 according to the execution result of the service. May not be compatible with the browser device 120. At this time, there is a case where the content server cannot be converted due to the performance of the home server 110. Therefore, it is conceivable that the content is converted by the center server 130. Below, when the output result of the executed service program is not suitable for the browser device 120, the center server 130 is requested to convert the output data, and the output of the service execution result is converted by the center server 130. Processing for providing the conversion result to the browser device 120 by the communication device will be described.

  In this process, the program file is included in the content name column of the content list table 901. The process from when the browser device 120 accesses the HTTP server 112, the service program is started, and the content is acquired is described above. The process of step S1608 is performed as described below.

  The service program 114 acquires a list of content names corresponding to the numbers identified in step S1604 from the content list table 901. Then, the service program 114 determines whether or not each acquired content name is a program file. This may be determined by the extension of the file or by the attribute of the file. When the file indicated by the content name is a program file, the service program 114 executes the program file and stores the output result as a file. The file name at this time is arbitrary. Thereafter, the service program 114 adds the file body and device information 121 to the content request to be transmitted to the center server 130, and transmits the content request to the center server 130 via the WAN I / F 206 and the global network 150.

  When receiving the content request, the center server 130 determines whether or not the file body is included therein. If the file name is included in the content request, the center server 130 transmits a file corresponding to the file name. If the file body is included, the center server 130 transmits the file according to the device information 121. Performs conversion and returns the conversion result. For example, if the file main body is an image file, the center server 130 returns an image whose size and resolution are changed. Also, if the file body is a moving image file, it returns a response to change to a still image, deletion of the number of frames of the moving image, etc. according to the device information 121.

  If the service result output is streaming data, the service program 114 separates the file before the contents of the file generated by executing the program file are completely written, and A content request may be sent. In this case, the content request to the center server 130 is repeatedly performed.

  In this process, a program file is included in the content name column of the content list table 901 so that content conversion can be requested to the center server 130. However, a new file is generated on the home server 110 according to the service execution result. Spec information necessary for outputting the content to be included in the service package, comparing the spec information with the spec of the browser device 120, and determining whether the generated content is compatible with the browser device 120; A program file may be included in the content name column of the content list table 901.

  As described above, according to the user interface configuration system of this embodiment, when providing the user interface of the device connected to the home server, the user provided according to the device information of the terminal device and the connection state of the device Since the interface is changed, when there is a change in the connection status of a terminal device or device that requests a service related to the connected device, it is possible to provide a service suitable for the connection status of the terminal device or device. is there.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the user interface structure system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the home server of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mutual relationship of the software which operate | moves on the home server 110 and center server 130 of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which manages the information of the connected apparatus which the apparatus management means 111 of this embodiment uses. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which manages the service currently used which the service management means 113 of this embodiment uses. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which shows a response | compatibility with the service and service program which the HTTP server 112 and the service management means 113 of this embodiment use. It is a figure which shows the structure content of the service package of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the file which shows a response | compatibility with the apparatus information and content of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which manages the corresponding | compatible condition of the browser apparatus 120 which the service management means 113 and the service program 114 of this embodiment use. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which manages the usage condition of the content which the service management means 113 and the service program 114 of this embodiment use. It is a figure which shows a sequence when the apparatus 161 is newly connected to the home server 110 of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the sequence when the browser apparatus 120 of this embodiment is connected to the home server 110, and receives a service. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the service management means 113 at the time of the service package acquisition / update of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when the service management means 113 of this embodiment is started. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of processing in which the service management unit 113 according to the present embodiment requests the center server 130 to acquire a service package. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the service program 114 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the content acquisition process in step S1606 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the process which removes the old content in step S1607 of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Home server, 120 ... Browser apparatus, 130 ... Center server, 140 ... Local network, 150 ... Global network, 161 ... Equipment, 111 ... Equipment management means, 112 ... HTTP server, 113 ... Service management means, 114 ... Service program , 115 ... content, 116 ... device I / F, 121 ... device information, 131 ... customer information DB, 132 ... package DB, 133 ... content DB, 201 ... CPU, 202 ... EPROM, 203 ... main memory, 204 ... peripheral control 205, nonvolatile storage device, 206 ... WAN I / F, 207 ... LAN I / F, 208 ... ECHONET I / F, 209 ... contact I / F, 210 ... serial I / F, 211 ... bus, 301 ... service package, 401 ... device table, 501 ... Over bis table, 601 ... service correspondence table 801 ... content list file 901 ... content list table 1001 ... Content dependency table.

Claims (10)

In a user interface configuration method for providing a user interface of a connected device,
Receiving the identification information for identifying the service related to the connected device and the device information of the terminal device requesting the service by the communication means;
Reading a service correspondence table storing information indicating a service program that provides a user interface of a connected device from the storage means, and identifying a service program corresponding to the received identification information;
The specification information of the specified service program is read from the storage means, and the service information conforming to the specifications of the terminal device indicated in the received device information is executed, and the user interface of the device is set to the terminal device. A method for configuring a user interface.   When the specification information of the service program does not conform to the specification of the terminal device, the service program registered in the center side processing device and the content used by the service program are acquired by the communication unit. Item 4. A user interface configuration method according to Item 1.   The service program and content acquired from the center side processing device are stored in the storage means, and the user interface is provided by the service program and content in the storage means when the service request is received from the terminal device next time. The method for configuring a user interface according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured as follows.   4. The method according to claim 3, wherein content that has not been used for a predetermined period is deleted from the storage means.   When the output result of the executed service program is not suitable for the terminal device, the conversion processing of the output data is requested to the center side processing device, and the conversion result is provided to the terminal device by communication means. The method for configuring a user interface according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The service program acquired from the center-side processing device is updated in accordance with the change on the center-side processing device when the service program acquired from the center-side processing device is changed on the center-side processing device. The method for configuring a user interface according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   When the connected device is changed, the content of the service correspondence table is changed on the storage unit according to the changed content, and the user interface is provided using the changed service correspondence table. The method for configuring a user interface according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   When a new device is connected, a service table storing the corresponding device information of the acquired service program is read from the storage means, and the corresponding device information and the connected device information for identifying the new device are obtained. If there is no information indicating that the device corresponds to the new device in the corresponding device information, a service program corresponding to the new device is acquired from the center-side processing device, and the service program information is obtained from the service The user interface configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a user interface of the new device is provided by storing it in a correspondence table. In a device control device that controls the operation of each device by providing a user interface of the connected device,
Service request accepting means for receiving, by communication means, identification information for identifying a service related to a connected device and device information of a terminal device requesting the service;
A service correspondence table storing information indicating a service program that provides a user interface of the connected device is read from the storage means, a service program corresponding to the received identification information is identified, and specification information of the identified service program Service management means for executing a service program whose specification information conforms to the specifications of the terminal device indicated in the received device information and providing a user interface of the device to the terminal device; An apparatus control apparatus comprising: In a program for causing a computer to execute a user interface configuration method for providing a user interface of a connected device,
Receiving the identification information for identifying the service related to the connected device and the device information of the terminal device requesting the service by the communication means;
Reading a service correspondence table storing information indicating a service program that provides a user interface of a connected device from the storage means, and identifying a service program corresponding to the received identification information;
The specification information of the specified service program is read from the storage means, and the service information conforming to the specifications of the terminal device indicated in the received device information is executed, and the user interface of the device is set to the terminal device. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps provided to the computer.

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